Chapter 2 MATE
Chapter 2
Mate
(Ryder’s POV)
I had just returned from my personal sword training when Dax, one of my father's guards, informed me of my father's invitation to an urgent meeting with him and the council of elders.
I frowned, wondering what the urgent meeting was all about.
"Alright, Dax, tell him I'll be there soon." I said and dismissed him. He bowed and left.
I heaved a long sigh before walking back to my apartment, a luxurious white villa that was simply more than a home to me. It was my safe space, a place where I get to relax after spending my entire day attending to the hectic pack's businesses.
Knowing how strict my father, the Lycan King, can be. I wasted no time in freshening up and heading to the town hall, where the meeting was stipulated to hold.
The hall was already filled to the brim by the council of elders when I arrived. I spotted my father on the sophisticated raised platform where his throne was magnificently built. His crown, adorned with expensive jewels, shone under the bright lights as he fixated his gaze on me.
Around him were the council of elders in their black high-backed chairs. They were old men of wisdom and experience who are saddled with the duty of helping the Lycan King with overseeing the kingdom by deliberating on issues and giving advice.
I took a deep bow as every pair of eyes in the room turned to look at me.
"You are late, Ryder." Father said in a cold voice, his face stern with an aura of authority, which was one of the attributes I had always admired about him.
"I had a sword training." I replied flatly,still curious about the purpose of the meeting.
Father scoffed with disapproval. "Training."You think swinging a sword is all that there is? What's the point of being the heir when you can not even perform your duties properly?" he scolded me, his voice rising.
I clenched my jaw but remained silent. I knew better than to utter a word when he was in an angry mood.
He shifted in his chair and cast me a fierce gaze. "Ryder, it is time for you to stop being a playboy and find your mate."
Immediately, I understood what the tension was all about. My stomach sank. Finding a mate and getting married was the last thing on my mind. I was just twenty-three. All I wanted was to enjoy my youth rather than get tied to some marital duties.
Elder Veyra, an elder with an ugly scar beneath his right ear, cleared his throat before speaking up. I gave him an unfriendly look. Something always felt off about him, so I never liked him.
"Your Highness, the bloodline needs to be secured. You are not getting any younger. It is time for you to step up to your responsibilities as the Lycan Prince."
I tired hard not to hiss at his words.
"Your Highness, the people are expecting you to find your mate and have her marked." Another elder remarked.
"Well... I don't care. Damn you and leave me alone!" I almost screamed again, but mustered every bit of self-control in me not to.
"I'm not ready to find my mate for now." I said in a calm voice, knowing fully well that my response would only fuel the fire.
"How can you say that, Prince Ryder? It is your duty, and you can not sideline it." An elder said.
"I'm not sidelining anything," I interjected, voice rising. "I'm not just ready."
The elders began to murmur among themselves in disapproval of my dismissive attitude.
"Enough!" My father roared, instantly commanding the hall into silence.
Father shot me a piercing gaze and a cold smile before speaking up. "This matter isn't for debate, Ryder. Two months. I give you two months to find your mate."
I met his gaze.
"And if I don't?"
He laughed icily. "Then be ready to be forced to mate with another woman who is not your mate, or you get derobed of your status as the Lycan King's heir."
His words dropped like a ticking bomb to my ears. I couldn’t believe that father was willing to strip me of my title. I tightened my fingers into a fist, clearly upset.
I gave a bitter smile. "So that is it. If the moon goddess doesn't reveal my mate within two months, I'd have to marry a woman I do not love?"
Father looked at me with narrowed eyes. "Love," he scoffed. "A Prince does not chase love. He chases duty, stability, and power."
He stood up while his elders followed suit. "You will not shame this throne with disobedience." he said with a tone of finality.
I watched in anger as they all walked out of the hall.
Still burning with rage, I left the hall to clear my head. I needed space, but home was the last place on my mind.
I decided to go to the forest. It was always quiet and peaceful. While I found my way among the thick trees, Leo, my wolf suddenly grew restless and agitated.
"What is it?" I muttered under my breath.
"Mate. She is here." Leo howled with excitement.
That was when I felt it. A pull. I could feel the bond. It was so strong and real. My mate was somewhere in this forest.
Leo howled again. This time, with worry and panic. My chest tightened as I felt a strange pain. She was in danger.
My senses sharpened immediately, and so I could easily trace her scent. I had barely covered a few grounds when I sighted one of the forest guards and a girl.
Leo howled loudly again. "Shhhh," I hushed him into silence as I walked to the scene. My eyes burned with fierceness as I watched the guard pin the girl against a tree, trying to choke her with his sharp claws.
"Enough!' I commanded in a cold voice.
The guard stopped right on his tracks on sighting me and let go of her at once. "My prince," he said and bowed with reverence.
I ignored him and walked closer to the girl, the bond waxing stronger the nearer I got.
She was gasping for breath, and her eyes were filled with tears and terror. There were red marks around her neck. They must have been inflicted on her by the guard.
Suddenly, our eyes met. At that moment, time seemed to stop. Everything else became blurred as we stared deeply at each other.
Heavens! She was breathtakingly beautiful.
I could feel her soul brush against mine, giving a sensational effect. Her eyes remained fixated on mine, looking at me with admiration and surprise.
She felt the bond, too. Yes. she is my mate.
At that moment, I felt a cold and heartbreaking force. Then I realised. She is not a Lycan. She is a werewolf. Our enemy.
My world came to a standstill.
"No!" I screamed with rage, my claws shooting out against my will. Even my wolf couldn't help but roar in fury. "She is a wolf," he snarled.
Then I looked at her to see her eyes searching mine too. She looked as shocked as I was. She knew it, too. We are enemies, yet we are mates.
"Kill her now. End it before it's too late.' Leo warned.
"No," I became defensive, snapping back. "She is ours. Our mate."
Leo argued. "She is a wolf. We can't be together."
I shook with rage, desperation, and confusion.
I had two choices. To obey the ancient order of the pack, which is killing any werewolf who wanders into our territory, or protect my mate, the one whom the moon goddess had given me.
There she was, standing in front of me, her body shaking with fear, wondering if I would spare her life or kill her. Not far away from us was the forest guard, silently watching to see if I would keep the ancient order. And in my head, I could hear my father's voice. "You have two months to find your mate."
I had found her, but she was the one person I couldn't have. I needed to make a choice.