Mate

Malik

Seven Months Ago

I tore through the forest, my paws digging into the soft earth, the wind whipping through my fur. My second-in-command, Ajax, ran close behind as we led a unit of warriors to the border. "Units one and two to the east, three and four to the west, five to the south, and six to the north!" I barked through the mind link. "Lock down the perimeter! This may only be a drill, but when a real threat comes, you need to be ready to defend! Unit leaders, report when your teams are in position. On my count—go!" My warriors took off, and within minutes, my mind flooded with their reports. Four minutes, twenty-three seconds. A new record. "Good work, everyone. We beat our best time," I praised. "Keep this up, and we'll break it again tomorrow. For now, rest up. Training resumes at six." I dismissed them and headed back toward the castle. In the changing rooms, I shifted back, throwing on an old pair of sweats and a tank. Ajax was waiting for me outside. "Hey, man, you didn't tell me you were back," he said, sounding a little hurt. "I figured you'd at least let me know, a simple text wouldn't have hurt." He looked down at the grass. "You know how my father is," I replied, stretching my sore muscles. "He had me hunting with him all week, I'm sorry man." Ajax sighed. "Okay, so then, when are you coming back to school? We all kind of miss having you around." I hesitated. "I don't know. At least eight months. My father wants to prepare me for the throne." He nodded knowingly before smirking. "So… did you find her yet? Isla's 

(Eye - la) been dying for a new girlfriend." My expression darkened. "No. I didn't find her," I muttered bitterly. At sixteen, we were supposed to sense our mates—our other half. Every year, an official ceremony gathered the unmated to help them find each other. Most did, but not me, I never did. My parents had sent me across the world, hoping I'd find her somewhere. But year after year, I came up empty. Now, I was back to finish my senior year before leaving again. Ajax clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, man. You'll find her soon." I forced a small smile. "I hope you're right." We walked the rest of the way in silence.

Present Day

I sprinted through the forest, the sunlight filtering through the trees, illuminating my path back to the castle. My heart pounded—not from exertion, but excitement. I found her. I shifted in the changing rooms, pulling on my clothes as a grin stretched across my face. I walked hurriedly back towards the castle entrance. The large doors boomed behind me, I forced myself to calm down, smoothing my expression before striding toward my father's office. The moment I knocked, my mother's gentle voice called out, "Come in, Malik." I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. Unable to contain my excitement, I let a grin slip as my back was turned, but by the time I faced them, I had composed myself. My father barely looked up from his desk, his eyes slightly peeking over the rim of his glasses. "Well? We have work to do." "Mom, Dad," I began, my voice steady. "I found her." My mother's eyes widened, filling with joy. She rushed toward me, wrapping me in a tight embrace. "That's wonderful, honey! I can't wait to meet her." My father stood, his sharp gaze locking onto me. "So that's where you've been," he muttered. Then, slowly, a smile broke across his face. "Where is she? I don't smell her." I hesitated. "That's the thing," I said carefully. "She's… human." Silence. For the first time in my life, my father looked stunned. I braced myself as he took a sharp breath. "So what?" he said after a pause, his voice gruff. "The humans know we exist. We rule over them, whether they know about our abilities or not. I want to meet her." My Mother wagged her finger at him. "Egan," my mother scolded. "We don't want to scare the poor girl. Let them fall in love first. You know the laws regarding humans who don't know about us." "But, Valerie—" He tried, "We've all waited nineteen years for this, you can wait a few more months until the girl is comfortable." my mother interrupted, shooting him a pointed look. My father sighed, slumping back into his chair. He crossed his arms like a sulking child. I bit back a laugh. The mighty Alpha King, feared by his enemies, completely tamed by my mother. She turned back to me with a warm smile. "We'd love to meet her when she's ready." I nodded and left the office, heading toward Ajax and Isla's room. I knocked lightly. "Ajax, Isla, it's me." After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing Isla wrapped in a robe, her pale blue eyes groggy but sharp. "Good morning, Isla. Sleep well?" I asked cautiously. She yawned, then narrowed her eyes at me. "I was sleeping well," she grumbled. "We had a long night of training. What do you want, Prince Malik?" she added, voice dripping with sarcasm. Man. She was just full of attitude in the morning. I cleared my throat. "I—uh—can tell you both later, after you've had more sleep." Her glare intensified. "So you woke us up for nothing?" I threw my hands up, "Not nothing!" I protested. "I just—wanted you both to hear it." Ajax's footsteps thudded in the room coming closer to the door, he threw it open and annoyed expression on his face, "Well, out with it then!" he shouted. I took a deep breath. "I met her. I found my mate." Silence. Sleep vanished from their faces as their eyes widened. "Where is she?" Ajax asked, scanning the hall. "I'd have thought you'd be parading her around by now." I exhaled slowly. "That's the problem. She's human. I can't approach her yet. I only know her name and where she lives." "Well then, what's her name?" Isla said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Her name is Audra." I say melting at the sound of her name on my lips. Isla's expression shifted from shock to excitement. "Wait—Malik!" she squealed, practically bouncing. "Is she short with long black curly hair?!" I nodded, She tugged at my arm happily bouncing up and down, "She goes to our school! I have a few classes with her!" My heart slammed against my ribs. "If she's at school…" I murmured. "Then you can see her," Isla finished, eyes gleaming. "I can befriend her, invite her over—then you two can meet, fall in love, get married, and have so many pups!" She twirled, squealing. Ajax chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They'll fall in love naturally, babe. That's how mates work." I inhaled sharply, my mind racing. I could see her. But— I clenched my jaw. King training. I wouldn't be attending school until mid-October. That only gave me a few short months with her before I graduated. My chest tightened. I forced a smile, nodding at Ajax and Isla before leaving, I walked outside. The fresh air did little to calm the restlessness burning inside me. I walked through the garden, following the familiar stone path to a bench. I sat down, staring at the horizon, thoughts spinning. She was so close. Yet, I couldn't go to her. Not yet. I clenched my fists. Just a little longer, Audra. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. Wait for me. Please.