Mate

Sebastian POV

I knew it wasn't very smart, and I told Joseph so. He wants a cure, but at what expense? He's putting not only himself in danger but also the entire flight and royal family. As King, I'm not meant to leave the Dragon Kingdom for long periods of time. I'm forced to now, as there's no way I am leaving my son to die.

Joseph shouldn't have left with so few guards. Had he made me aware he had no thoughts of leaving it alone, I would have gone with him and ensured his safety.

He didn't, though, and now I'm forced to leave the safety of our home to find him in the werewolf kingdom and, worse, a rogue pack. I look at the guards. It's late now. I hope that means the prisoners have little betas watching them wherever they are kept. It means I can get in, grab him and get out.

I round the buildings with the soldiers and try to focus on his scent and our connection, but I can't. Something more substantial drives my senses, and I feel urged to follow it and find who it belongs to.

Opening the link, I call out to Joseph, but there's nothing; it's like he's gone. I continue to move with the guards. Getting to the metal door, I point towards it. We move through it and rush down the stairs.

The cells are cold and damp, but the scent overwhelms me. I focus on a cell and begin stepping towards it.

"Dad?" I turn and see Joseph. Everything in my body is screaming to go into that cell and find the person. Forcing myself away from it, I walk to Joseph and grasp his shoulder.

"This was foolish and deadly! You put us all in danger. For what? A small chance of something," I shout, and he grasps my face.

"This is the place. I'm sure of it. They will have the answers here for the cure," he peers at me with a hopeful expression. I know he loves his mate and wants to save her, but this wasn't very smart.

"You can't know that. We need to leave," I explain as the soldier breaks open his cell. "Who is that prisoner?" I ask and point towards the cell. Joseph gives me a knowing smile.

"She is a slave," he replies.

"Why do your hands smell of her?" I glare at him.

"I caught her from falling into the bars. Is there an issue?" he asks and waits. My head shakes, but I look towards the cell. "She's small, based on the smells from her. She's the cook for the pack. The cleaner and their sex toy."

My body goes rigid at his words.

"Your Majesty, we should leave," a soldier says as he steps forward.

"Where did she go?" I look at Joseph.

"The Beta told her to go wash up. Alpha Lucas apparently wants her tonight."

My head shakes. "We find her," I need to find her.

"She's the answer," Joseph says, and I stare at him. "I could smell the magic on her, and not only that, but they have weapons that block our dragons, laced with her magic," he explains, and I stand shocked.

"That's not possible," I explain, and he looks at me like I'm a fool. We have royal dragons. That isn't possible," I say again as if to make him hear it and believe it.

"Well, it is. Why do you think I was captured?" he looks at me, and I nod. Turning, I look at the prisoners.

"Where does she usually wash up?" I ask, wanting to find this woman.

"The lake," one of the men looks at me, and I stare.

Is that some sort of joke? "A lake?" That has to be wrong.

"Slaves and servants are not permitted to use the pack bathrooms," he explains, and I nod.

"Let's find her, regroup, and then come back." I don't feel we can leave here and never return. Things need to be fixed and sorted. Those who took Joseph need to be punished. We walk out and glance around. I see the lake behind the pack house.

Moving, we walk around it quickly but quietly. We're constantly scanning the area for anyone who may see us. We could shift into our dragon form, but that would draw more attention to us. As we round the pack house, I see her kneeling by the water, looking in.

She's not getting clean anymore. She's simply watching the water, or maybe something in it? I move forward slowly.

"Hey," Joseph whispers, and her head snaps up. She screams and falls into the water. I rush towards her as she climbs out. Her body recoils away from me.

"Please don't hurt me," she crawls away from us. "I didn't mean to refuse you and ignore your order," she cries, and her head drops. I turn and look at Joseph.

"I asked her to come to me when she was in the cell, more so I could try and figure out the magic," he whispers, and I nod and turn to her.

Moving, I kneel, and my dragon goes wild the closer I get to her. Forcing it back, I lock it down. Helios will undoubtedly scare her more, so I don't want him to take over yet.

"I won't hurt you," I reach out my hand, but she crawls back more.

"Just do it. Don't lie about it," she whimpers and hides herself. I want to tear this place apart and every person who ever hurt her.

"I'm King Sabastian Amarok; I give you my word, little one. I will not hurt you or let anyone else." I reach for her, but she moves further away as if she doesn't believe me. Her eyes go to Joseph. "That is my son, Prince Joseph Amarok. He won't hurt you for not listening, either. I promise." I say and move closer to her.

She looks at me, and I place my hand over my heart. "I swear on my entire kingdom and on the royalty that I own, we will not hurt you. Let us take you away from here, somewhere safe," I plead with her.

She glances around her.

"No one will know. No one from here will find you. Let me get you safe, and then we will sort the people out here who hurt you." I wait, and she nods slowly. Walking over to her, I lean down. She panics slightly.

"Shh, I won't hurt you. I promise." I carry her through. She needs to see our flight doctor. Some of her old wounds are infected now.