My mate is a human?

**Atlas**

I watched from my seat as men and women swayed and danced to the music. I didn't miss the way young females glided past me, sending seductive glances and putting their womanly parts on full display. On any other day, I would take one or two to my chamber and give them what they wanted, but tonight, none of it enticed me. Infact, I was repulsed by it all. Frustration welled up inside me as I wondered why I came out in the first place. I mind linked Kyle, my second in command, that I was leaving. Then I stood up and maneuvered through the crowd and out of the palace.

Stepping under the moonlight, it brought me a feeling of peace and serenity. But then a wave of sadness washed over me. It was all useless. I felt stupid for hoping. I couldn't find her all these years. Tonight isn't any different. I felt the all familiar feeling of rage slowly build up at my chest. I needed to breathe or I'll explode. I shifted to my wolf and sprinted into the forest, with the full moon as my only source of light. I sped past trees and shrubs, focusing on the feel of wet earth beneath my feet. Running has always helped me take my mind off things.

I reached a large clearing deep into the forests and stopped. Shifting back to my human form, I turned to the night sky, savoring the feel of moonlight on my bare form. Maybe this is the moon Goddess's cruel way of punishing me. Maybe I am doomed to be a mateless wolf. I closed my eyes as I took in a long, deep breath. The air smelled of wet Earth and plants. But then a subtle yet intoxicating aroma wafted through my nostrils, captivating my senses. Lavender's calming essence, merged with a hint of citrus, engulfed me. I opened my eyes. What was that scent? Whatever it was, it smelled like Heaven. I took in another breath, savoring the feeling as it calmed my senses.

Suddenly, the scent was accompanied by the strong metallic smell of blood. My entire body froze, my senses on high alert. I scanned around, and my eyes settled on a fallen tree, a few yards from where I stood. That must be where the scent is coming from. In one split moment, I was on the other side of the tree, and I was taken aback by the scene before me.

 Even under the pale moonlight, I could clearly see the beautiful, petite structure of a female, sitting on the bare wet ground, unconscious. A huge gash extended from her upper thigh down to her knee, and blood dripped out. My heart twisted at the gruesome sight. What was a pretty female doing out in the forest at midnight?

From the amount of blood dripping out, it was obvious that she got the wound a while ago. Strange, a normal wolf should have healed by now. 

My mind racing, I knelt beside her, captivated to help. My senses got clouded in that intoxicating smell of Lavender and citrus again, making my inner wolf purr in delight. Mate. A voice in my head whispered. This beautiful lady in distress was my mate. She stayed unconscious, and her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. I immediately wanted to know who did this to her. I wanted to strangle them and hang their bodies on a stake. 

Suddenly, soldiers came sprinting towards our way. Curiosity got the best of me. I want to know what was happening.

They all shifted to their human form, and one of them came forward.

“Alpha” He bent his his head in submission

“What is going on here?” I asked.

“This slave was trying to escape. She already sneaked out of the palace before we noticed. We would gladly accept our punishment for our lack of concentration” The guard said guiltily. He is Collin, kind of my patrol guards.

Slave? My mind jammed at the possibilities, but I didn't want to believe.

“What do you mean she is a slave?”

 I stared back at the female on the bare ground. Her body slightly shivered from the night cold. Normal werewolves hardly react to cold. This explained my theory. It also explained why her thigh isn't healing. The answer stared at me blankly but I didn't want to believe it.

“She is a human, my Lord”.