Chapter five

Valerian's  POV

Holding Elena against my chest, she was so small and fragile.

At my first glance at her, I was entranced. Despite the dirty appearance, I'm sure we're a cause of those two buffons who dared play with what was mine. And that was what she was, MINE.

Her scent drew me from my hunt. When I saw her, she stole my breath away. Her hair was dirty and matted, her clothes tattered and torn so badly that her body was exposed.

 She looked so frightened and weak. Bruises battered her body in different hues. I tightened my hold on her, thinking of worst-case scenarios if I had come minutes later. 

She would have been dead or worse.  She whimpered softly against my neck. Shit, I was squeezing her.

I relaxed my hold and continued walking. She borrowed her nose into my neck, touching her lips to my neck.

 God, she was making me hard. Even the sounds made me want to lay her on the ground and rut her like an animal.

 I inhaled through my nose and stifled the urge, she almost died, I'm sure she'd hate me if I tried to force myself on her like those bastards did or tried to.

 Suddenly she stiffened in my arms. My senses went on high alert and I looked at the fragile bundle in my arms, my senses heightened.

"What happened, love?" I asked

"Z-z-za...yn" she stumbled over her words, her lips chattering badly. I suspect not from the cold but from fear. That only meant one thing.  Those bastards.

I quickly went through several scenarios in my head. I can't defeat them both while still looking after Elena.

 And I definitely can't run with her in my arms, she'd slow me down and then they would catch up to us. Which left only one thing to do. I had to shift. My wolf was stronger, faster, and more agile. 

"Baby, I have to shift so I can save us" I peered into her face, my eyes roving over every tiny feature, her upturned full lower lip and her cute button nose.

 "I have to shift to my wolf form" I slowly said to her to make sure she understood me and I got past the fear clouding her eyes. 

We didn't have much time. Werewolf shifters, especially Alpha, healed way faster than the average shifter and I only immobilized them for a short while.

I slid her body down mine, setting her down gently, feeling every curve and my mouth watering for a taste. My cock wasn't getting the memo and I stood erect and proud. 

I quickly thought of grisly things to redirect my thoughts. I didn't want to scare the poor girl.

I stepped back three paces from her. I called my wolf's attention to the forefront, letting the change sweep over me, I felt my bones crack, reform, and lengthened taking the shape of a big powerful wolf.

 My canines grew sharp and long, my hands changing and reforming into paws holding my big frame upright.

 In the seconds it took to transform, one of the bastards swiped at Elena cutting her across her stomach with his claws. 

I snapped at him and hit him with my body, cracking his bones.

 I bounded over to Elena, she looked pale and was losing a lot of blood. Fast.

I needed her to hold or climb onto me so I could get us out of there. 

I lapped at her face with my tongue, nudging her to look at me.

"Please Ellie" I urged in my mind. "Stand up".

She struggled to her feet, wobbling as she gripped my thick fur and heaved herself on top, leaving a trail of blood behind her

. I didn't mind the blood as far as she was safe.

  She slumped sideways and I adjusted my body slightly to bump her body into position.

Satisfied she was safe. I took off running. The woods flitted by as I continued to run.

Twigs snapped when my fur brushed past them and I kept on running.

 Running off to safety.

                              *******

Red Sun Hill City

I kept on pacing in the clinical chamber meant for the inner members of the pack.

Everything just went by in a blur.  I had no recollection of what happened till now, I hadn't slept in over 24 hours.

 I've been by Elena's bedside waiting for any news, change, or improvement in her condition. If it was any other wolf shifter, they would be halfway healed by now but she was an Omega. 

Her wolf was weak and the injury she took was in a sensitive place. The shifter doctors advised her to be placed into a medically induced coma to speed up her recovery. I was worried she won't survive. She looked like she'd been through hell and back.

"Val!" A voice thundered in the narrow hallway where I was pacing. I turned to notice my best friend Jared stride over to me. Oh well, sooner or later I would have to face the consequences but I thought it would take a while.

I sighed and looked at my friend. "Yeah?"

"Yeah???" He inquired at me incredulously. "Everyone has been looking for you, only for you to show up with a girl covered in blood and you're saying yeah?".

"What happened?"

I drove my hands through my hair, terribly exhausted. I dropped down into the chair kept by the side.

"I don't know," I said weakly. "It all happened so fast."

He stared at me intently, mulling over his words. Jared has been my best friend since we were kids. I trusted him with my life and could tell him anything. 

When I became King, he would be my Second in command, that was how close we were.

"Well, your father is furious and demanded you come to see him immediately," he said

Everything in me refused to leave Elena's bedside but I knew staying with her and defying my Father would bring even more trouble especially when she eventually woke up.

 Besides, I couldn't disrespect my King like that even though he's my Father.

"Where's he?" I asked Jared

"He's with the council members in the Court."

The Court was where my Father handle, discussed, or consulted on sensitive matters.

 Having an attendance with the council members, hmm, meant it was a serious issue. 

The members of the council were made up of the heads- usually the Alphas- of each pack in the towns. 

Facing my Father alone with this issue may not go in my favor. 

I need to plead my case with the members of the council too so they can appeal to the judgment of the King.

I rose to my feet, my mind made up.

"Let's go."

"Woah, woah back up there. Where do you think you're going?" Jared stepped in front of me, effectively blocking me from passing.

"You said he wants to see me, then let's go." I waved at him to step out of my way so we could move.

"Are you nuts?" he gaped at me. "You want to interrupt his meeting? I know you're his son and all but you know you can't do that."

I sighed knowing he was right but I had to bring him around to my way of thinking. To do that, I had to drop some information.

"Look, Jar, you know me." I pleaded with him. "You know I don't act irrationally. I was on a hunt when I saw her. If I didn't help her, she would have died Jar, also, I think she might be my mate."

"You think?? Val it's either she's your mate or not."

"Look I can't explain it right now but I feel this strongly about her. Please, I need you on my side on this."

He just sighed and after a while gave me a slight nod. "Fine, but I'm only going with this because I trust you. But as your friend, I'm only going to warn you, this girl, she brings trouble".

He clapped me on the shoulder and stepped out of the way letting me pass.

"I'll go with you but first you need to take a shower and eat. You fucking look like shit, man." he chuckled.

I scoff in mock outrage as we left the clinic.

"How dare you say that to your future King?".

"Well you're not King yet, are ya?" He laughed.

                           ********

Walking through the streets, greeting, waving, and occasionally stopping to play with the little ones, I continued making my way to the courtyard. 

I was lost in thoughts, my mind bringing up different scenarios but my feet carried me, familiar with the road. The crest of the King and our sigil were on every shop, restaurant, or building I passed.

Finally coming to a stop at the Court, I took in a shuddering breath. The lawn was immaculately cleaned and swept. 

The Court was a tall majestic building that sat in the middle of the property. 

There were intricate archways and a glided terrace.

 There were wolf statues that guarded the large double doors painted a deep shade of sapphire.

The doors opened before I even placed my foot on the steps. 

A woman came out blocking my path to the house. Anya. I could recognize the stubborn set of her jaw and the proud angle of her shoulders. A similar recognition flashed in her eyes as I came closer.

"You shouldn't be here." She hissed.

"I know, but the King is expecting me." I lied through my teeth, schooling my expression hoping she would believe me.

"Is that so?" she asked warily. Anya was 

my friend but her loyalty was first to the King. She was a soldier who understood orders and followed through.

 I understood that and I would have to invoke my superiority over her because we were wasting precious minutes here before someone would discover that I certainly wasn't invited. 

At least, I would bear the brunt of the mistake saying she had no choice.

"Yes, Anya," I stated firmly. "Is there any other reason I would state otherwise? Besides, I know you're loyal to the King but do not forget who you're speaking to? Now move aside before I get you reported."

Hurt flashed in her eyes before her gaze grew shuttered and she stood erect tipping her head in a sign of acquiescence. She stepped aside letting me pass. 

I hated lording my superiority over anyone but time was of the essence, I made a mental note to apologize to her later.

My shoes squeaked on the pristine floors, the ceiling high and winking with multiple chandeliers.

 The walls were painted white and there was bare, austere-looking furniture. It was meant to oppress, intimidate and show power and it was doing all of that to me right now. 

I felt like this was a tipping point, where a fundamental change would occur. 

The guards stationed at the doors barely spared me a glance as I approached.

I blew out a deep breath and pushed open the doors. 

Here we go.