Chapter 7: recognition hit hard

Amber’s P.O.V.

The last rogue fell at my feet with a dull thud at a distance from me.

I was now breathing heavily, but the silence around me was heavy, ringing and unnatural.

We fought together.

I and that domineering man.

No plan, no strategy, but with perfect synchronization.

We fought like killing machines, holding each other’s arms, spinning on our heels together, twisting, and moving our bodies together while killing rogues attacking us.

My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stood in the middle of the battlefield, blood dripping from my knuckles, my clothes soaked, my body screaming in pain—but my mind… my mind was sharp, still ringing with the fight I fought with him.

I slowly straightened, scanning the area one last time for any sign of coming danger. Bodies lay scattered across the ground—some torn apart, some broken beyond recognition.

I breathed out in relief when I sensed no danger around us anymore.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind.

Every step was measured, powerful, and commanding.

I clenched my fists tightly.

I didn’t turn because I knew who was now approaching me.

The same man, but before I could make a move, an alluring scent of burning wood and musk filled with the stench of blood filled my nostrils.

I gasped aloud, clenching my fists so tightly that I drew blood from my palms.

Recognition hits me harder than it should.

He wasn’t just the man whom I saved.

He was my mate.

Shock and disbelief hit me hard.

How????

How can I have a second chance mate?

And above all, he is the alpha king????

I don’t want it.

I don’t want to go through another rejection.

Tears brimmed my eyes, but I refused to shed them.

“You fight like someone who has nothing to lose." His deep voice came from just a step behind me.

I wiped the blood from my chin with the back of my hand.

“And you hesitate like someone who has too much,” I replied flatly.

Regret of being so blunt crossed my expression, but only for a second.

He shouldn’t have frozen in the middle of attack.

So, I wasn’t wrong, but he was still far above my level.

To my surprise, instead of an angry snarl, I heard an amused chuckle.

“Fair point.” He admitted, amusement dripping in his tone.

I slowly turned around.

And for the first time, I looked at him properly.

The alpha king Lucifer Knight.

Tall. Intimidating. Covered in blood like it belonged to him. His white t-shirt was no longer white, clinging to his body and revealing hard muscle underneath. His eyes—those sharp, piercing eyes—were fixed on me.

But they weren’t just looking at me. They were watching me, reading me, and my stomach twisted uncomfortably when I felt claim in his gaze.

But I knew very well that he is not going to claim me just like my first mate.

Who would want a wolf-less werewolf as his mate?

I snapped out of my trance when I heard murmurs again.

This time, they were coming from the royal warriors now surrounding us.

“She fought… without shifting…”

“She took down at least ten alone…”

“How is that even possible?”

Their whispers didn’t bother me.

I had heard worse.

I stiffened when I felt another domineering and familiar presence.

I glanced in that direction and saw Adrian standing at the edge of the clearing with Daniel beside him.

Adrian’s face was expressionless, but I saw fury and possessiveness in his gaze.

I grimaced in disgust.

“Amber!” Daniel rushed toward me the moment the silence broke, grabbing my shoulders.

“Are you hurt? Where are you hurt?” he asked, his voice tight with panic as his eyes scanned my body.

“I’m fine, bro,” I said calmly, holding his forearm to assure him through physical touch.

“You’re covered in blood.” He remarked, still scanning my body worriedly.

“Not all of it is mine, bro. You know me.” I joked lightly with a faint smile.

He clenched his jaw, clearly not convinced.

“Why did you cross the borderline without orders?” Adrian suddenly demanded, his voice carrying authority—but beneath it, something darker lingered.

“Nothing matters the most when it comes to our king’s safety, Alpha. I did what a wolf should do to protect its king.” I replied calmly, tilting my head lightly.

Adrian’s expression hardened.

“You still disobeyed—” but I cut him off completely, annoyed by his untimely interrogation.

“And we still failed to secure our borders, Alpha. More than a hundred rogues were around us.” I was sharp on my voice. I shouldn’t be, but I had enough of his tantrums now.

A ripple went through the warriors. I felt their shock because no sane wolf spoke to its alpha in this tone.

Daniel subtly stepped closer to me, tension radiating from him.

But I didn’t back down.

I never did.

“What do you think her punishment should be for saving her king, Adrian?” We all stiffened immediately when Lucifer’s authoritative and cold voice filled with anger boomed the place.

Damn it.

I forgot his presence.

Adrian bowed his head in submission immediately.

“My king.” He greeted while stammering a little.

It surprised me, but this is the effect of hierarchy.

People like Adrian bully the weaker and fears the stronger.

And King Lucifer Knight was at the top of this pyramid.

King Lucifer sneered coldly before looking between us, and then his gaze settled on me again.

At the same time, another handsome man, probably his brother, Theo Knight, stopped behind him.

I can say that because both brothers had very similar features. His eyes also moved on me in amusement, making me feel uncomfortable again.

“What’s your name, wolf?” King Lucifer asked me coldly.

That’s it.

He wanted to know my name so that he could reject me. A sharp pain erupted in the middle of my chest, but I suppressed it immediately.

“Amber Holt, My King.” I replied in a respectful and low voice, bowing my head in submission.

The only thing I wanted to say to him that not to reject me in front of so many people.

I didn’t want to go through this kind of humiliation.

Shocked murmurs filled again, but this time, it was something that I didn’t anticipate.

“The strategist,” one of the royal warriors muttered behind him.

“The wolf-less one…”

So, I had this reputation outside the borders, huh?

“We should move inside the pack, my king.” Adrian suggested in a low voice, his head still low in submission.

I agreed with him on it. The darkness of the night had started engulfing the surroundings, and we were still outside the safety of the pack.

I slowly moved my gaze up and saw him still staring at me with a sharp glint.

“Lead the way, Adrian, and Amber, you will walk with me.” Lucifer commanded coldly, but his authority was compelling.

He stepped closer to me, and Daniel’s grip on my arm tightened. His protective instinct towards me was evident.

I patted the back of his head, but I also didn’t like King Lucifer’s proximity.

"This way, my king." Adrian gestured, his head still hanging low