CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 50
RAUL’S POV



She is different, she is special. I had never thought I would meet my mate and take a second look at her.



I had a dislike for women at one point in my life because of what they had done to me and my pack and I had always thought the first thing I would do after seeing my mate was to reject her. However, I couldn't do it and I'm glad I didn't.



I'm glad I wasn't a pathetic, irrational jerk who rejected his mate directly because of some past experience or because of her own past. I'm glad I took her to my pack that day and gave this mate thing a chance.



Now that she has begun to trust me, I want to keep it that way and hope she gives our relationship a chance once this mission is over, because she was perfect, she is a perfect mate and I'm sure she would be the perfect Luna to my pack.




I had never went against my principles but I seemed to be doing so since I met her and strangely, it felt good.




I and some people from the team had gone west and from the shadows, we were taking down some of the men guarding the place.




From the corner of my eyes, I saw Marissa rejoining our group, her eyes filled with strength and hope, something I was seeing for the first time.




“My part has been cleared,” she whispered, her eyes scanning the area. I nodded to her, and we moved swiftly towards our next target. The night was still, every sound amplified in the tense silence.





Suddenly, a guard spotted us. “There they are!” He shouted, alerting the others. My heart pounded as I looked at Marissa. She met my gaze and nodded.




We had planned earlier that if we were caught before successfully orchestrating our plan, I would signal to others to avoid being snagged unaware.




I smirked, a loud howl erupted from deep within me, signaling the start of the battle.






The guards closed in, and chaos ensued. Marissa moved with a ferocious grace, her attacks hasty and deadly. I couldn’t help but admire her skills as she fought, she took down the guards with a single blow.





It was like watching an artist at work, each movement precise and efficient. In the blink of an eye, she had taken down ten guards.





I was momentarily distracted by her prowess when a weapon was aimed at me.




One of the guard shot a bullet in my direction and before I could react, Marissa shouted, “Raul!” and rushed to my side.





She intercepted the bullet with her body, and I watched in horror as she staggered. The bullet had embedded itself in her skin, and I smelled the faint scent of wolfsbane.




Before i could react, I think the wolfbane had activated immediately, because she fell to the ground, looking drained.




“Marissa, why did you—” I began, but anger consumed me the more I gazed at her state. A growl tore from my throat as I attacked the nearest guard with a savage intensity. My vision blurred with rage, and I fought with a brutal force.




I was losing control of myself and I could also feel Jayden, my wolf trying to take control of the situation.




“Raul, I think you should control yourself and your actions. If you go rampant like this, you’ll lose your ability to distinguish right from wrong.” Marissa’s voice cut through my fury. She grabbed my hand, her touch grounding me.



I turned to her, my eyes meeting hers. I saw pain and concern etched in her features. Her hand was warm against mine, and emotions swirled in my chest, difficult to decipher.



“Why did you risk your life like this?” I quarreled, pressing my lips into a thin line. “What if it had gone through your shoulder instead? Do you even know how risky it is?” I asked and she rolled her eyes at me, a slight scoff escaping her lips.




“Would you have preferred the bullet to go straight through your head?” She asked, chuckling a bit.




Her words stung with truth, and I felt a mix of frustration and gratitude. “Marissa, I—” but she stopped me from talking by placing a finger on my lips.



She squeezed my hand, her eyes softening despite the pain she was in. “Raul, we’re in this together. I couldn’t stand by and watch you get hurt.”




I nodded, the anger dissipating, replaced by a fierce protective urge. “We need to get you out of here and treat that wound,” I said firmly.




The remaining guards hesitated as I growled at them, my eyes narrowing. They backed off, understanding that continuing the fight would only lead to their demise just like their friend who had shot the bullet at me.




With the immediate threat neutralized, I turned my full attention to Marissa. “Lean on me,” I said gently, supporting her. Her steps were unsteady, and I believed it was the wolfsbane taking its toll.




I saw the way she was trying her best to walk and I admire her strength.



“The guards are all almost dead and our team has destroyed the weapons. I don’t think we’re needed here anymore,” I said, bending down and picking Marissa up in bridal style.



“What do you think you’re doing? I can walk by myself. Put me down,” she demanded, wiggling in my arms, but I held her firm.




“You got injured trying to save me, so I am taking you to wherever you want safely,” I replied, holding her tighter.




“The injury is not on my legs, it’s on my hand. Put me down now!” she insisted, raising her brows at me. But I ignored her, not getting intimidated by her and kept walking.




“I’m a responsible man, Marissa, and I will fulfill my duty as your mate to keep you safe always,” I said, keeping a serious look.





I think my persistent reply made her give up struggling because she just shrugged, letting me carry her.




As I walked with her in my arms, my eyes glancing at her every minute, I began to notice her eyes looked dizzy and her temperature was getting high. I couldn't let her sleep off or else the wolfbane would drain her faster, so I tried to start a conversation.





“So tell me something interesting about your childhood?” I asked and a smile crept on her face immediately.




“This is embarrassing but I will tell you. When I was young, I had this crush on this guy who was a year older than me, I will always steal candy from the one my mum kept for me and my brother and take it for him, just so he would like me,” She said, laughing.




“Ouch! Why do I feel hurt?” I asked, faking a hurtful look on my face. She tried to say something but the pain wasn't letting her.



The conversation isn't wasn’t working, her eyes were closing, the wolfsbane had entered her system, weakening her rapidly.




“Was your childhood crush more handsome than me?” I asked, still trying to force the conversation but her words still failed.




When I saw that she wasn't responding anymore, I did the only thing that came to mind. I sank my teeth into her neck.



Her eyes widened in surprise, and she whimpered in pain but I felt her relax slightly in my arms. I heard once that you could suck out wolfbane in one's system but you have to be strong to do that.




“Just hold on, Marissa. We’re almost there,” I whispered, my voice filled with concern.




She nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering closed. I quickened my pace, the forest closing in around us. Our mission had been a success, and now, my focus was on getting my mate to safety. Nothing else mattered than that.