CHAPTER 5- Going Wild

                Prince Harad's POV

We shift into our massive wolf the moment we arrive at the location.

Our beasts possess the natural ability to detect our mates with the utmost accuracy, as their scent was not that strong. We sprint onto the same route, it led us through an untamed jungle featuring rugged canyons and steep ravines.

This region is familiar to us since we explored it thoroughly just yesterday; however, there's still a chance that the girls may have returned and left clues for us to follow.

The mere thought that the possibility exists for me to meet her again today lifts my spirits.

If only she hadn't fled, we would be on our way to the Kingdom by now. I can envision my mother's happiness, she will be overjoyed to finally have two more women in our household again. She has been looking forward to us having mates for so long.

But then we are confronted with an unforeseen presence that triggers our doubts. Something is so off here. We shift right back.

"Herod, am I hallucinating or have the surroundings changed? It looked different here yesterday!"

As I glance around, I suddenly realize that the vegetation appears much greener. It's then when something catches my eye.

A cave!

My eyes quickly flickered in disbelief at the surreal image before me.

"I can't believe it. This cave definitely was not here yesterday," I exclaimed, staring incredulously at the entrance before me. Glancing back at Herod beside me and then scanning the nearby forest, I confirmed that there had been no sign of a cave for miles around.

               In utter amazement, we walked towards it. Each step feels like a dance with danger, we half expect some ghost to emerge from its depths at any moment. At the entrance, we pause, surveying the space in silence.

Without question, someone resided in this cave prior to our arrival. The warmth is still palpable here, as though someone had only just left moments ago, the smell of charred meat wafts around us.

               "How could we possibly have overlooked this? Despite being near our mates, lazing under the tree's shadow, how did we fail to detect any trace or clue of their scent?"

                              Hesitantly, we take a few more steps forward, and the scents grow stronger. This time we observe two, they are very different. Xan is now going wild.

‘Harad, mate. Mate was here. They were here,’ my wolf roared in my head. 'Find mate. I want mate. Did you scare her away, human? You've never been the gentle type."

I furrow my brows at his accusation, from what I recall, he was the one who pursued the girls into the forest. And now he has the audacity to suggest that it was me who frightened her? Has my wolf gone stupid?

               But right now, I simply do not have the time to argue with him any further.

I see Herod half-shifting, Xin is on the verge of overpowering him.

‘Mate! Mate!' he shouts as he races through the cave, sniffing around.

Yes, out of the two of us, he has always been more emotional. Herod had dreamt about meeting her for the longest time and now that day is finally here. Everything in his apartment is ready to receive her in a grand style. Romantic and foolish.

Unlike myself, I tend to be pragmatic. It could be related to my forthcoming duties as I’m the firstborn and consequently, the expected successor. Everyone expects me to be perfect.

               I dash towards him and embrace him firmly from the back.

               “"Give control back to Herod, Xin," I command his wolf.

Xin has no other option but to surrender as my commanding Lycan authority dominates them. But before he complies with my order, he lets out a loud and pained howl that echoes in the smallest hollows of the canyons and rises over the treetops. Xan follows him, making it a collective expression of disappointment we now face.

Afterward, Herod completely shifted and I sensed his heartbeat return to normal.

               "Let's leave from here. They are no longer here, that is one certain thing,” I indicate. "We'll need to devise a different strategy to encounter them and persuade them that we have no ill intentions. We're actually eager to take them home."

               Herod nodded in a daze.

“I still don't understand why are they fleeing from us? They haven't even met us yet. Werewolves fear us Lycans, but we are their mates, for God's sake! It's ridiculous that they think anywhere is safer than being with us," he retorted.

               “I don't have an answer to that right now. To find out, we'd have to locate them," I say resignedly.

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I guide him towards the entrance and we make our way back to the car where the Chief Warrior is already awaiting, leaning against the hood of the car.

               “No success? Aren't they there?” he asks the obvious. I shake my head with pity.

“Come on, why don't we head to Human Town and chat over a drink about how to address this situation? It's important they're aware that evading Royals goes against Were-regulations and carries consequences. Despite your command for them to halt, they persistently dodged you," he stated.

               "Absolutely not!”. Herod asserts fiercely. “The Crown Princesses answer to no one. Anyone who dares lay a finger on them will pay with their life," His eyes darken as he delivers his warning, showing that Xin is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his mate.

Walter holds his hands up in surrender.

               "Alright then, sounds good," I responded. “I'd prefer going to a restaurant over a bar, since bars can get crowded and werewolves might recognize us, ruining our privacy. Also, I'm feeling quite hungry. Let's head towards the nearest eatery instead, Walter."

I toss him the car key and settle into the passenger's seat beside him. Meanwhile, Herod climbs into the backseat.

               "But "Is it not common for mates to seek each other out? The mate bond should actually draw them to us, and they ought to feel ecstatic about being with us," laments Herod. "Considering our attractive appearances as well as the highest status among werewolves, we are undoubtedly some of the most desirable bachelors around. Then why don't they want to be with us?” he questions further.

               "Brother, I don't have the answer to all your questions. They should explain it themselves."

It's like I'm talking to deaf ears, Herod cannot be silenced.

               "How about we suppress our aura? It's likely they've already figured out that we are Lycans. But let us not reveal our true identity to them yet. Perhaps their reaction is due to the way we project authority," he proposes. “When we see them, we tell them that we are just residents of the Kingdom, distant relatives of the Royals. That might relax them.”

               I am considering the plan; it features some great music. It could be that our regal demeanor intimidates our mates, who look young and have probably never met a Lycan before, let alone some high-rankings.

                “They did indeed look shocked when they saw your reaction on stage in Crescent Moon”, Walter adds.

               “Makes sense, might work”, I state. "And then you are our uncle, Walter. You have a son our age, Eon,” I decided. “Okay, we'll do that. Outside the packs, we control our aura. After all, we could meet them anywhere and they may see us before we do, so it's important for them to not feel afraid."

               And with that, we drive into Human Town, in a better mood…