Chapter 7

Apphia

I'm running as fast as I can. I don't know where I'm going, but I keep running for my life, tears rolling down my cheeks.

 I hear their thundering paws and footsteps behind me, their growls and snarls of excitement piercing through the forest as they enjoy the chase. I run faster. 

I hear a clap of thunder roll through the dark sky, and lightning strikes the ground. I lose my footing and fall to the dirt, landing on my knees and hands, but I get up instantly, dragging my legs and running again. 

Slowly, raindrops fall on me, and I get soaked. I'm so cold. I'm shivering uncontrollably. But the harsh cold and rain are unimportant right now. I need to get further from the men hunting me down.

I can see the light not far from me. I'm thankful for the rain because it covers my scent and makes it hard for them to find me. 

My lungs burn with exhaustion, and my legs can't carry me anymore. I'm panting for breath. I need to hide, but there is nowhere to hide. I begin to slow down, feeling dizzy. 

'Help me,'

"I got you, little bitch!" 

 I'm suddenly tackled to the ground by a large man. I don't even struggle. I lie on my stomach with my eyes closed, panting. How can this have been for nothing?

"Going somewhere? Amir will like you," A voice chuckles. 

"Gave us a run for our money, such a tiny thing," someone kicks me with their leg. 

"Let's take her back; this is royal territory ..." another wolf says, his voice worried. 

"Pick her up. We are shifting and- "He doesn't get to finish his sentence when I hear a menacing growl. It was more potent than any growl I'd heard before; it was a roar that shook the ground beneath me. Fuck, it is probably Amir. He came to get me himself. I feel the heavy weight over my body gone. I'm struggling to stay conscious as pain ripples through me. It is getting hard to get air into my lungs.

Nicholas' pov

I stop breathing for a second. I heard the voice clearly. Please help me. It sounds so far away and animalistic, but it is very soft. 

' Our mate is here, and she is in trouble,' Nico says, searching around. He's as agitated and restless as I am. Where is she?

'Southwest,' Nico says. I jump over the balcony railing, landing on my feet with the grace of a cat. I instantly get soaked with the downpour, but I don't care. 

" Nicholas?!" Calls Blade, confused. I turn to the direction my lycan is telling me.

I'm running; my heart is thumping in my ears. I receive mind-links from Blade; he's confused but still follows me.

I have so many questions right now. How can my mate mind link me when we've never met? Could she be part of the pack? If yes, why is she outside the border? 

I finally reach the border and run outside into the forest. My heart shudders when I sense her distress and cries. How can I feel the bond so intensely when we've never met? It is so easy to follow her, like there's a string leading me to her!

I take a right turn. Her intoxicating scent is strong and alluring. However, the smell of blood is strong. It angers me. 

I stop in my tracks, blood boiling at what I'm seeing. Over five wolves surround one girl, who is pressed against the ground. I can't see her face, but I can hear her painful whimpers. 

' Mate,' 

I let out a ferocious roar. All the wolves turn to me, and I see fear in their eyes. I glare at the man who is pinning my mate to the ground. He slowly lets her go. My heart squeezes most painfully as I glance at the petite woman on the ground. 

" I'll kill you all," I don't recognize the sound of my voice. Blade is now beside me, taking everything in. 

 'Oh shit,' he murmurs. 

I charge at the man who had my mate on the ground. I tear him apart and toss his body aside. They start to retreat, but I use one of my gifts called  Barrier creation to cage them in. Unfortunately, two have bolted, but Blade goes after them.

Apphia 

 I hear a fight; there is a fight. A massive beast is growling, and everyone else is shrieking in fear. A formidable darkness surrounds the clearing. It is not that of the night but comes from something dangerous.

It quietens.

 Why is it quiet? 

I like the quiet.

Sparks. 

I feel sparks tingle across my neck. Someone is talking to me, but I can't determine what they say.

 I lose my consciousness and surrender to the darkness that has been inviting me, four words escorting me, 

'I've got you now,' 

Nicholas' pov

I was furious when I saw what those bastards did to my mate. I trapped them and jumped in, punching and kicking until they were on the ground. I snapped my fingers, and they started to writhe in pain as I electrocuted them using my gift called Electrokinesis power. I inflicted pain until they burned to a crisp. 

Their screams stop when they die, just as Blade arrives. His snout and fur were covered in blood. 

' I killed one; the other managed to escape,' he reported. 

My gaze fell on the girl on the ground; sadness filled my heart. I got on one knee and turned her to reveal her face. Once my skin contacts hers, electricity goes through my body. My breath caught in my throat at the ethereal beauty before me. Even Blade's Lycan lets out a soft purr. 

" Mate," I whisper. I nestle her bloodied body in my arms. " I've got you,"  

She goes limp in my arms, completely unconscious. She is so skinny and frail. I kiss her forehead and run towards the general hospital. Raindrops are still pouring down on us. Her body is cold and almost blue. I feel anger and sadness within me. I've never felt this way before. I run faster, yet gentle in how I hold her. 

I reach the general hospital in minutes. Everyone scatters to let us through. 

" Call the head Doctor!" Blade shouts.

 Two nurses rushes towards us with a stretcher, and I put her there. I follow the nurses where they take her. 

" What happened?" Doctor White, a woman in her late thirties ask, as she runs into the emergency room. She goes straight to check on my mate. 

" They beat her, I think," my voice is shaking, and the words burn my tongue. 

" Oh goddess, this doesn't look good. Poor girl," she murmurs. She glances at me and then Blade. They speak through the mind link. I growl to get their attention. Why don't they want me to hear? 

" We should wait outside as they treat her," Blade says gently. He looks miserable, too. 

" No, she's my mate. I don't want to leave. I'm not going to leave her," I say sternly. My anger gets the best of me again, and Nico wants to surface. 

" Alpha Nicholas, your aura is suppressing us, and we can't work well. You can't feel it, but it's going insane," I notice the nurses and other doctors in the room are staying far in the corner, shaking in fear. 

" I'll control myself. I want to stay here with my mate, please," I bargain. I want to make sure she's alright. She's mine, she's mine. I should be here beside her. I want to ensure she's taken care of. 

" She's in safe hands. I promise," Doctor White assures me. 

" The Doc is the best. Let's trust her, okay?" Blade says. 

I nod, defeated. The more I make this hard, the longer it will take to treat her.

I go in the waiting room, standing against the wall, facing the emergency room door. The door closes, and red words appear on a screen above. 

" Nicholas! How is she?! " I turn to see my mother, running up to me with my four siblings, Lilibet, Knox, Lionel, Emiliana, and father. I glance at Blade, who looks at me sheepishly. 

" Well, I told her. It would help if you had them here," he says. 

My mother hugs me. She's a hugger, and I don't pull away this time. 

" Oh, baby. You must be so worried,"

 My father touches my shoulder to comfort me, nodding silently. 

My immediate sister, Lilibet, hugs me kindly; she is still in her party clothes. 

" Brother, I'm glad you found your mate, and I'm sorry she's in this condition," 

 My family's presence slightly makes me feel better.