Jake’s POV
I felt grateful for the fact that Ava already agreed and has already accepted the reason I came to find her. All we just had to do was to make preparations for her to come back to the rightful throne and make our pack back to what it used to be and, in fact, better.
All the time I have been searching for her, I've always been hoping that I find her and none of my efforts go to waste. Once she is fully back with me, the search for other pack members who survived will begin.
At least, once that has been achieved, things will finally begin to take shape, and we will be back to being one again. I turned to leave the clinic premises, but my eyes fell on someone familiar.
“Why is she heading towards here?” I said under my breath.
She is the second assistant of Prince Asher, and he seems to make use of her more than he uses Daniel, his male assistant. Probably he called her later because I only recall seeing Daniel with him when he stepped into the school.
Soon, she got close to me and halted. I must make her not suspect that Ava is here at all costs, or things could get more chaotic.
“What brings you here? Aren't you Prince Asher's assistant?” I questioned her.
“I'm Diana. Besides, I should be asking you that question. At least Prince Asher is here; hence, the need for me to be here. But as for you, what could be the reason you're here?” She said politely.
She's just so smart. But then, she doesn't seem to guess or suspect that it could be because of Ava.
“I go wherever I want to go, and wherever that pleases me. Besides, I noticed the prince was heading here, so I wanted to find out what speech he had for the male students.”
“I see. Anyways, he's here for Ava. If you have happened to see her, you know the right thing to do. Regardless of your former position in your pack or the strength you possess, you still shouldn't deny the prince of his rights. So, if you have seen Ava or you have her, tell me now.” Diana demanded.
“First of all, why would Ava be here? In an all-boys school? You must be kidding me. And even if I find her, you know very well that it is my duty to protect her from harm.”
“From harm?” She repeated and chuckled. “Prince Asher is no harm to her. He has come to take her back as his queen.” Diana informed me.
“As his queen? With what I know, she didn't have a good time when she was in his custody. How do you expect me to be calm with that?”
“Now, he knows better. She is his mate, and she needs to be by his side as the queen.”
“It doesn't seem that way to me, Diana. It just feels like you want to use her, and when she has been used for what you need, she becomes trash again, and I'm not going to allow that. If I find her, she's going to take her rightful place as the Alpha of our pack, and she will lead us with joy with no cause for pain for her.” I defended her, not feeling pleased with whatever I was sensing.
“Well, if you say so. All I know is that the mate bond never gets defeated as long as it's not severed too badly. As long as they are mates and she hasn't been marked by another, it's still possible for them to be, just like us.” Diana spoke with so much certainty.
“What do you mean by just like us?” I asked her in bafflement.
“Whatever your mind explains to you.” She said and folded her arms.
My eyes drifted left and right, wondering what she actually really meant, because, to be honest, I still didn't understand.
“You might need to explain.”
“Alright. We are mates. I don't know why you can't feel it yet, but obviously, you are going to.”
Just as she said that, my eyes opened and my senses heightened. I could sense her intoxicating scent, and something in me wanted more of her.
In fact, I so much wanted to pull her close to me and sniff her scent more and more, but I managed to restrain myself from doing that.
“Maybe it's a lot to take in, but I felt it, and… it's actually nice to find my mate and be in his presence.” She said softly with a slight smile and blush.
She wasn't wrong. It actually felt nice.
I wanted more of her, and I could already imagine how blissful and nice it would have been if we made a family together. She's smart, and I'm sharp and strong.
But then, she is currently on the side of my enemy. I can't allow our love and bond to deepen, or it will be hard for me to pick sides.
Just like the way the pack’s safety is in my hands, Ava's safety is also in my hands. She might have made it this far on her own, but if it has to be against someone who has a lot of people backing him and supporting him, she'll definitely lose.
This is where I come in: to save her, back her up, support her, and train her to become the Alpha she is meant to be for our pack.
“I'm sorry.” I apologised to Diana, who was still blushing.
“Why are you apologizing? I don't recall you doing anything wrong.” She said, looking confused.
“Yes. But a relationship won't be able to work between us. I will always stand by Ava and do all that it takes to keep her safe and for her to achieve her purpose as the Alpha, even if it means sacrificing our bond.” I confessed to her with the determination in my heart to keep my words true.