Chad

After searching in every hotel, I finally got the information that she had gone into the forest. I decided to visit the cave where Dane found me first.

My heart was thumping. The rogue activity around here was alarming. What are they looking for? Usually, they don't get too close to my territory. Dane had asked for reinforcements, but we can not wait for them. She is in imminent danger. We encountered 7 rogues near the cave. Dane and I tore them apart. Body parts were flying through the air. Goddess, let me not be too late.

Cobalt was on high alert. I am in mid-shift right now. Part man, part Lycan. I am letting Cobalt lead me to her. Her scent is stronger inside the cave. Dane is right behind me, covering my back. I walked further inside, claws out, ready to pounce. Hidden behind a rock, there was a bag. I grabbed it and pulled out a cloth item. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled deeply, peaches and cream. That's definitely hers. Cobalt almost howled, but we didn't want to attract more attention. I've never known fear before. My heart accelerates, afraid to lose her, before I even get to know her.

"She was here! This bag is hers. Shift Dane; we can't delay anymore. They caught her. I know they did." I hid her stuff again where she left them. We took our clothes off, and we both ran to the exit, shifting in mid-air. Dane's wolf was big. He was an Alpha serving as Beta to the Lycan King. I shift to my Lycan form as well. Cobalt's senses heightened. 'Follow her scent, Cobalt.' I urged him.

We encountered more rogues, but when they saw me in Lycan form, they ran the opposite way. Dane and I caught up with them easily. Cobalt was leaving a carnage behind. He barely left Dane's wolf any rogues. I've never felt him so furious. Cobalt kept following her scent. 'They took her up the mountain!' He snarled. Fuck!! If they cross the border, it would cause another war to rescue her.

Cobalt and Pax, Dane's wolf, moved faster. They were a blur among the trees. As Lycan, my eyesight was better than a werewolf's. We were still considerably far away when I saw their camping tents. They were still here, I just hoped she was unharmed. 2 rogues came out of nowhere, but before they even pounced, Cobalt had their hearts on his claws. 'Must find her!' He growled. Pax was getting rid of another rogue right behind me. Our fur was covered in blood already. It was helpful; since it was rogue's blood, it disguised our own scent.

We got as close as we could, taking care not to be seen. My heart got caught in my throat when I saw her. Her hands were tied up, behind her. I clenched my jaw when I saw them drag her and drop her carelessly on a stool, forcing her to sit down. My blood was elated when I saw the rogue in front of her. Gunner, the mad bastard. I've been trying for years to get rid of him. He won't come out of here alive. That's for sure. He put a strand of her hair behind her ear. Cobalt made a low growl. We couldn't let them see us just yet. Just then, the bastard slapped her. I was about to jump in, but Pax held me back. We were still too far from them.

I wanted Gunner away from her before I could attack. The guy is a lunatic. Nobody could guess his next movement. Finally, Gunner moved away from her while looking at his phone. He read something he didn't like, and all hell broke loose. Pax and I started getting closer. The rogues were distracted, trying to avoid the rage of their leader. Gunner was killing any rogue that was unfortunate enough to cross his path.

My eyes would switch towards her at every second. She was brave and strong. Other women would have been screaming or should have been fainted by now, after witnessing that gory scene. She got up from her seat, trying to run. Fuck no! Gunner was closer to her and grabbed her by the hair. "Where do you think you're going?" The bastard asked her and grabbed her by the hair, making her fall to her knees and cry out in pain.

"Gunner, the money, remember. No harm to the Luna." One of the rogues said. What money is he talking about? I kept getting closer. "Do not intervene, Roy. I will teach some manners to this slut. She'll learn not to run from her man next time. Another slap on her face, and she went limp on the fucking rogue hold. Cobalt couldn't take this any longer and pounced on Gunner.

We rolled on the floor, fighting, but he was no match for me. Gunner's eyes popped out when he saw me. "The Lycan King!" He said with a mouthful of blood. My claws were already digging inside his chest. "You touched what's mine!" Cobalt said as he tore his heart out. I shifted to my human form and saw Dane changing back to his human form as well. Our warriors had come and were chasing after the rogues.

I moved quickly to check on her. I wish I knew her name. She was unconscious on the floor, but I could hear her heart. I turned her over, and I swear I wanted to kill Gunner all over again. Her beautiful face was bruising. I wanted to carry her, but I was plastered in rogues blood. Another warrior offered to carry her when he was passing me a pair of pants, but my eyes flashed. There was no way Cobalt was letting anyone else carry her. Another warrior gave me a bottle of water to clean some of the blood on my body, and only then I lifted her from the floor in my arms.

Sparks danced through my body when I pressed her against my chest, and I knew Dane heard the soft gasp that escaped me. He gave me a sideways smile. "Make sure her stuff and ours are retrieved from the cave. I'm taking her to the pack's hospital." Dane gave the orders and ran after me as well. I was a little too late. No harm should have come upon her.

When we got to the pack, I left her in the hands of the Crown's doctors while I took a quick shower. I have left four guards outside the hospital room and at the hospital's entrance as well, for safety measures. She was not leaving my sight ever again.

When I got back, Alpha Terrence was already outside the hospital, pestering the guards with questions. "Is the Lycan King hospitalized again? I should have known. I told him it was a reckless idea to leave the hospital so soon. I am one of the Crown's councilors, but he always thinks he knows best..." I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled. He was trying to enter the hospital to snoop. Nobody was allowed to go inside the hospital while she was inside unless they needed attention.

"Alpha Terrence." He jumped and turned to face me. "My King, I just.." I stopped him. "I will address the council tonight. We had a rogue attack today. Make sure they're all waiting for me at nine." He bowed and scurried away to carry my orders.

When I stepped inside the room, her scent hit me like a tidal wave. She was still unconscious, and the doctors put some sort of drip in her arm. The light from the window illuminated her skin with a natural glow that made her look unreal. Her bag with her things was already there. 'She's so beautiful, Cobalt cooed. 'The fearless Cobalt' I smirked. 'She already has you wrapped around her little finger.' And I was afraid she had me too. One of the Drs entered at that moment.

"My King." She bowed. "We ran all sorts of tests on her before we gave her any medical treatment that might be harmful to her. She was generally healthy, although a little exhausted and dehydrated, which is understandable. The other thing we found out is that she's pregnant." Cobalt snarled, making the Dr. jump as he pinned her with his gaze. "Pregnant?!" I growled.

"Yes, about four months. She is marked too. The child is not a bastard. Her mark is also from a ranked wolf, an alpha." Each of the Drs. words was like a bucket of ice over my head. Pregnant? And she was alone in the forest, attacked by rogues!! What kind of mediocre alpha leaves his mate unprotected for so long?!! 'We find him and kill him. She's ours now!' Cobalt growled. I clenched my fists. For the first time, I knew the meaning of jealousy, and it was a very unpleasant feeling. I was about to punch the wall when I saw her stirring. Goddess!

Bella's POV

I woke up to the sound of voices. I was still in a daze, but something was smelling really good. Just then, I felt someone getting closer to me. Gathering all the little strength I had left. I threw a punch that landed on someone's jaw. A man's chuckle and a sharp gasp from a woman made me open my eyes. My eyes widen in disbelief. It was him, the God Warrior I have saved! He was still smiling as he rubbed the spot where my fist landed.

"What a mean right hook you got there." He smiled broadly. Goddess, he was so handsome. I was hopelessly mesmerized by his looks. "Sorry," I whispered. I had never been at a loss for words before. "I...I thought I was still with the rogues." He stretched his hand trying to touch me, but he curled his fingers before he reached the strand of hair he seemed so focused on. I realized then that the Dr. had left quietly, and it was just the two of us.

"You're safe now. Do you want me to contact someone for you? A family member, perhaps?" His eyes lost some of their sparkle at that moment. He must find me troublesome, but he went to look for me. I thought the mad rogue had killed me. "How did you find me?" Who are you?" He turned away from me thinking about how to answer. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to," I said. He turned towards me again.

"You can call me Chad. Of course, I went out looking for you. You saved my life." I wanted the Dr. to come back. I wanted to ask her if my baby was fine. He noticed how I pressed my hands protectively on my abdomen, and my cheeks reddened. "Your baby is fine. The Dr. told me." My face got even redder. I thought doctors were sworn to their patients' secrecy. He also seemed to read my mind. "Don't blame the Dr. This pack is a military base. Everything has to be run by me. We're on the outskirts of the main city." He said gently. He must be their Colonel, for sure. He folded his arms across his chest. Goddess, he was so strong.

I was trying to sit up when he moved swiftly to assist me. He grabbed my hand and put the other on the small of my back to pull me up in a sitting position. When our bodies touched, the same sparks I felt in the cave came back to life again. It was like a powerful current emanating from him sipping through my veins. Our eyes met for the first time, and it was as if time had stopped. My breath came in soft pants as he caressed my hand with his thumb. He smelled so good. I fought the need to bury my nose on his broad chest. It didn't help that our mouths were dangerously close. A knock on the door brought me back to reality. Chad cleared his throat and let go of me.

"I see she is awake." Dane strolled in looking cheerful. I looked around for something to throw at him, in case I needed to. Chad chuckled again, guessing my intentions. Goddess, he reads me so well. "It's okay, Dane came here just to apologize. Right, Dane?" Chad gave Dane a stern glance.

"My apologies, Miss...? He looked at me waiting for me to fill in the blank. "Bella, my name is Bella," I said. "Miss Bella, quite a fitting name." Said Dane. I swear I heard a small growl coming from Chad. Dane cleared his throat before continuing. "It was never my intention to harm you without concrete proof. I wish I had approached you differently. I'm just grateful that you're back safe and sound." I nodded in acceptance. He at least sounds sincere. "I'll leave you now, I wish you a speedy recovery." He did a military salute and left.

Later, a nurse walked in with a trade of food. Chad grabbed it quickly and placed it on the high table next to my bed. He put the table across the bed and put away the plate covers. He also took the wrappers off the utensils. "If there's something else you want to eat, don't hesitate to ask." He said courtly. The nurse's mouth hung open. She had probably never seen Chad, the fierceless Colonel being so attentive. He was just grateful that I saved his life.

That afternoon, he had moved me to a suite at the top of the hospital. He insisted that I stay until I was fully recovered. The Dr. was concerned about my pregnancy. I hadn't been eating well lately, and she didn't think making a long trip back to the South would be advisable. I couldn't just tell them I could use my ring. Chad hadn't left my side since I woke up. Dane came for him about an hour ago, but he promised to come back soon. He still wants to know why I was alone in the forest.

I was dreading that talk. The embarrassment I felt just thinking about telling Chad about my mate's betrayal was overwhelming, but I had to. What other plausible explanation could I give him? The soft knock on the door announced his return. I went to open with quick steps. My eagerness to see him overpowered any embarrassment I might feel. His towering figure made me take a breath intake. His golden eyes met mine, and like before, they made time stop. "May I come in?" He asked with a husky voice after a few seconds. I stepped aside and let him in. Once inside, he looked at me appreciatively. I was wearing an elegant, long-sleeved silky dress in bronze color. It hugged my upper body to perfection. It was flowy from the waist down, falling below my knees. I knew the brand. This dress was expensive.

"Thank you for the clothes. You shouldn't have to." I smiled at him. He was about to say something, but he just waved his hand like it was nothing. 2 people came in at that moment bringing carts with deliciously smelling food. They organized everything on the dining room table. After they were done, they bowed and left. Every now and then, I see people bowing to Chad. The customs of the North are a little strange. I chuckled. Chad was sitting across me and looked at me amusingly.

"I like seeing you smile." He said as he piled food on my plate. I love how attentive he was to me. Jasper could take some lessons. Thinking of him, my face saddened. It was time I told Chad everything. "I know you have lots of questions, Chad. You might have noticed already that I'm marked." I touched the mark on my neck. One that in the past, I had always felt proud of. "You also know that I'm pregnant." His face turned serious, and I saw his Adam's apple rise and fall. "My mate is Alpha Jasper Holloway of Riverbank Pack." I heard a clatter on his plate. My eyes became watery all of a sudden. I do not wish to go back to him. He has a mistress. It would be better if I reported him to the council and the Lycan king. I'm not going to overwhelm Chad with all my troubles.

I wiped the tears of my eyes, and Chad was behind me in seconds. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it lightly, sending the strength I needed to continue. I almost told him everything that Jasper did to me, but I still haven't even processed it myself. "We haven't been seeing eye to eye lately. I don't even think he knows I'm pregnant yet. I don't even think I want him to know. Jasper and I are fated mates. We were together for five years!" I felt Chad tense on my back, but he didn't say anything. "He's just not who I thought he was. Would you ever hurt your mate's feelings, Chad?"

Chad.

I am 36 years old, and I haven't found my fated mate. At first, I thought, because of me being a Lycan, I was destined to die alone. The Goddess might not want to pair me with a she-wolf. As of now, I just think the Goddess hasn't been doing a good job. How could she have paired Bella with Alpha Jasper of all people? The Holloways have always been power-hungry, hypocrites, and without morals. I glanced at the beautiful woman sitting on the chair, and I crouched to her level.

I stared intently into her beautiful baby-blue eyes. They were stained with tears. I felt another wave of rage. "No, Bella. If I had a mate, I would do everything in my power to never make her cry. I would give her the moon and make sure to always look at her with stars in my eyes. She would always be my priority and the source of my adoration." Cobalt agreed with me. Bella stopped crying. It was so easy to get lost in her eyes.

I stood up and sat across her again. My blood boiled with rage and jealousy. I don't know what was worse, her having a fated mate or that her mate was someone like Jasper. They both hurt. Jasper was her fated mate. She was made for him. I clenched my jaw. How could I compete with a bond like that? I was also enraged just thinking about how Jasper hurt her and took her for granted. My rage and Cobalt's were reverberating in my blood, oozing for release.

"Chad, your aura." Shit, my aura was all out emanating in waves. I reigned it in, and she instantly relaxed. "I'm deeply sorry." She nodded. "The bruise is going away. The doctors have created a faster healing serum. You would have healed instantly with that, but you're pregnant." Goddess, the word sounded odd in my mouth. "That's why they ran all tests on you before they used it. So how did you end up in the forest and so far away from your pack?" Her eyes turned sad again.

"My father and my brothers fought in the war. You might have met them. Alpha Maxwell Lockwood of White Claw Pack and My twin brothers, Braxten and Brent." Fuck! They were the Alphas I was with before the ambush. "Jasper told me they were dead, but I don't want to believe it. How could I have lost everything in one day? They were all I had! So I came looking for them." She was heaving. I grabbed her denty hand, relishing in its softness. "What do you mean you came looking for them. What happened to their bodies?" I asked, already suspecting one of Jasper's foul plays.

"Jasper said they couldn't find their bodies. He said there was so much snow, and the conditions were far too dangerous to risk the lives of more people looking for them. But I'm here, and it doesn't look anything like he described to Uncle Conner, my dad's Beta. I had to see it for myself. I'm starting to believe Jasper lied deliberately. Now he wants to take over White Claw pack, and he's looking for me to facilitate the process." A low growl escaped me. If I had that asshole in front of me, I would pulverize him with my fists. She was shivering. "I was looking for them, Chad, in the forest. But I only found trouble. Well, and I found you. I'm glad I found you." I was fucking glad as well.

"I will help you look for your family. Don't worry about that. You don't have to be risking yourself outside anymore. Just focus on getting better. Now, let's finish eating. I'd like to see you eat. Dr. Sarah says you're underweight for your gestational period." her cheeks tainted pink, making her look adorable. 'She is adorable.' Cobalt said. He had been quiet since he heard she had a fated mate. 'I will kill him. He didn't appreciate her. She doesn't need him. She has us now.' As much as I would love that, I'm the King. I can not go out and about killing my subjects just because I dislike them. I'm sure that's something Jasper would do, but behind their backs like a coward.

"I'm sorry, Chad, I'm usually not this hormonal. My father taught me to be resilient and strong. I just had bottled up everything for so long, and you're the first person I have ever felt comfortable with, besides my family." That made Cobalt's chest expand.

"Really? What about Jasper? Didn't you feel understood and protected by your mate?" I grunted inwardly, I hated to refer to Jasper as her mate. Cobalt huffed. 'He seems to have lost that right already.' Damn right!

"Jasper has always kept a cold front around everyone. He hated public shows of affection, and the same rules were pretty much extended to the privacy of our home as well. He rarely let me go to public events and galas with him. He would take me sometimes just to appease my brothers. But he would send me back home early. He used to say that having me by his side made him lose focus."

I was wondering why I had never seen her at those events. I've always arrived late, and the woman I sometimes saw on Jasper’s arm wasn't her. "I'm sorry he never saw your value. With your background and beauty, as well as your enchanting personality, you would have been the center of attention at any social gathering. He should have been proud." A beautiful smile appeared on her face.

"You always find the right thing to say, Chad." I love how my name sounds on her lips. "Only when the person deserves it." After that, I managed to keep her mind off her troubles for a bit. I made her laugh quite a lot, and it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I reluctantly bid her goodnight after a while, much to Cobalt's spite. I didn't think it was appropriate if I asked her if I could spend the night on her sofa.

Dane pulled me aside as soon as she closed her door. "Chad!" he hissed. "You left the council waiting all night for you!" He chided. "Shit, I completely forgot about them."

"No! Really?!" He mocked. You need to go back to the Royal City. You haven't been back in a while. She is safe here now. Go sort everything with the council, and the fiancée Alpha Terrence keeps nagging about." I was definitely not going to marry Alpha Terrence's daughter. I shuddered, but not in a good way.

"Send them a link to a conference video call in 5, I will make a brief appearance just to appease them. Going back to the city is not possible for now. I don't want to leave Bella. She has not fully recovered yet." Dane exhaled, I know the pressure the council puts on him is too much because Dane was our link of communication.

"Chad, I see you're harboring feelings for her, and I would have loved that for you, but she is mated... and pregnant." My eyes flashed.

"Don't I know that! But do you know who's her poor excuse of a mate? Jasper Holloway!" I grunted. His eyes rounded. "That's right, him of all people. I also have the suspicion that he had something to do with her father and brother's disappearance as well as my ambush. She is the daughter of Alpha Maxwell Lockwood."

"The hidden Princess of White Claw pack?" Dane exclaimed. Bella didn't know she was widely referred to in that monicker. She was far from pampered, though. I could tell by her toned body that she was well-trained. Jasper's books and pack management have been impeccable for the last five years, and my guess is, it was because of her. It baffles me as to why her father and Jasper would hide her from the rest of the world.

"There is no way I will throw Bella back to his greedy claws. As soon as the Dr. deems it safe she is coming back with me to the Royal City.