The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 48

Cory's POV:

They were supposed to be back today, but it's now the third day of their investigation. However, I haven't heard anything from Lucas. The latest information I received was from Elias and Iris' conversation, in which Elias stated that they were discovering additional details regarding the case. "Hey Cory, I understand you're worried. They will be back soon." Iris reassured me.

"I agree. Silas also told me a lot had happened, so they were preoccupied but could wrap up soon. For now, let's focus on this lesson," Lola added.

"We could go out after this. You know, to relieve some stress. You girls need to buy something for the ball, right?" Iris suggested to us.

"Yeah, that would be a good idea." I appreciate the concern, but I still feel down.

Lola and I had just wrapped up our readings and a couple of assignments. I made an effort to finish the chapter I was on, but I could no longer focus. My mind is muddled. So, I closed the book and stood up. I think I need a little stretch. "Do you think Hotah can run in the woods?" I asked Iris.

"Hmm. That may not be a good idea right now." Iris was hesitant.

"But Hotah wants to be out. Maybe 30 minutes will do. Please, Iris?"

"I'll call Lucas to let him know."

"Yaay! Thank you, Iris!"

A few minutes later, my phone rang. Lucas! I quickly answered his call.

"Hey! How are you? How's everything at the Nightshade pack?"

"Hi! Everything's hectic. But we finally got a lead. I heard from Iris you wanted to go outside."

I looked toward Iris, and she gave me a nod. "Yes. Hotah wants to be out. I also want to go out. I have been cooped up in the chateau for these two days."

"Alright. But you will be taking guards with you. And only for a little while, Cory. We haven't figured out who did all this, so you must be careful."

"I understand. Only for a little while, I promise."

"Okay, babe. Just let me know when you return so I can have peace of mind."

"Of course. Be safe, too!"

I hung up the call and informed Iris that we had the signal from Lucas. Lola and I put our stuff together and changed our clothes. We met downstairs, and I saw that Iris assembled about ten guards. "Do we have to bring ten with us, Iriss?"

"Yup! Your mate is overprotective, and you are our Queen. So this should be acceptable."

"Yeah, for a more or less 30-minute run."

"Ha ha ha! Come on, Your Majesty. The sun's going down soon. We don't want to stay out in the dark."

I hid behind a tree to take off my clothes. Shifting to my wolf became easier. It was truly amazing how quickly I transformed without any discomfort.

It feels good to be out! Hotah exclaimed.

We needed that stretch.

I agree! So come on! My paws are eager to touch the grass!

Iris and Lola were beside me. And the guards, well, they are around somewhere. Many of them hid themselves expertly amongst the trees and foliage of the forest. We started running and galloping in the forest. Hotah expertly maneuvered through the dense thicket, deftly dodging the towering trees in his path. She felt free, and I did too. We ran for a couple more laps and were alone in the woods without realizing it. I looked around to see if the guards were around, but no one was there. Oh, shoot! We traced our steps back, but Hotah abruptly slowed down. She was sniffing the air and was in a defensive position.

Why? What's wrong?

Something's behind those trees.

Shoot! We need to go back.

You're right. We need to look for Iris and the rest.

Hotah slowly stepped back. We became uneasy when we heard twigs snapping from behind us. Someone is here, and they're watching us. Sh*t! Hotah continued to back away from whoever was there. When we looked back, we saw movement. There was a shadow behind the tree a few feet away from us. From my peripheral, I saw whoever it was moving. They were trying to get close to us.

Hotah, we had better move now. They are closing on us.

We continued backing away slowly. But every time we took a step back, the shadow moved forward. Can we even escape whoever this is?

"Who's there?" Hotah decided to speak. There was silence. All we could hear were the twigs' rustling and the birds' chirping.

"Show me who you are." None.

"What do you want?" The only sound that broke the silence was the gentle whirring of the wind.

"As your queen..." We were interrupted by a mocking laugh.

"You? My Queen?" This voice. I know who is behind this voice, but why is she in the woods? Is this a coincidence? Or is this a trap? "Chloe."

"Oh, you still remember me? I'm flattered!"

"What are you doing here? What do you want?"

"Woah there! I'm just chillin', taking a break, and breathing fresh air. Is that so bad?" She's trying to play innocent.

"Stop this nonsense. What do you want? Did you follow me? Are you with others?"

"Oh, Cory. How could you think that? I would never do that to you." Her smile gave me the creeps. It was a mocking, devilish smile.

Let's go, Hotah. I don't feel good about this.

We quickly took a step back, and to our surprise, Chloe was in front of us, blocking our way. How did she do that?! F*CK! We will be in a lot of trouble if we don't get away from here. "Where do you think you're going, Cory? We're still catching up."

"Move. I have to go." Hotah growls at her.

"Ohh! Why the attitude? We're just chatting for old-time sake." She stepped closer to us. She's trying to cage us.

"You don't have to be scared of me, Cory."

"I'm not scared! Leave now! The guards are around. If you do anything, they won't have a second thought to rip your throat."

"Oh, scary! You have really changed, huh?"

"I'm no longer your slave. I am not that girl anymore, Chloe!"

"Frightening! Why? Just because you have the King on your side? Ha ha ha ha! Here's some advice for you. Don't get too attached. It might get taken away from you...soon." "What do you mean?! Answer your queen!"

"Ha ha ha! Nice catching up with you, Cory! Until next time! Toodles!" Chloe disappeared in the woods. Then, we heard the crunching of the leaves.

"Cory!"

"Your Majesty!"

I-Is that?

"Iris! I'm here!"

Iris and Lola quickly faced me. Their faces were pale and scared. They may have been looking for me and were worried that something had happened to me.

"Thank, goddess! We were looking for you! We lost you, and the guards could not track your scent. What happened?!"

"I don't know. One second, you were beside me. Then, when I turned around, you were nowhere."

"But are you OK?"

"Yes, I am."

"That's good to hear! But Cory, you had better explain this to Lucas."

"Ha?"

"He's on his way back after hearing you got lost."

After hearing that Lucas was on his flight back, I quickly rushed back to the chateau. I shifted and put on some clothes. We were running from the woods back to his place, and I stopped when I was at the entrance. How can he be so fast? I could sense his presence, the familiar scent, and the unmistakable aura of anger emanating from him.

We're in big trouble, Hotah.

Relax. He's just worried. Just tell him what happened.

I opened the door to the chateau, and there he was. The aura he was emanating from was one of danger and chaos. If looks could kill. I slowly made my way to him. I couldn't help but feel like a small child anxiously anticipating a scolding from her father. "Cory."

His tone was cold and came with a warning. There was no warmth there, unlike usual times. I kept my head down. I couldn't look at him, not like this.

"Follow me."

He turned his back and moved to the stairs. When he noticed I was not following, he looked back at me and said,

"Follow me. Now."

It was authoritative. He was not treating me as his equal. Not as his mate. I moved my feet and followed him to his study. The moment we were by ourselves, he unleashed a thunderous growl. This shook me to the core. "What the heck was that, Cory?!"

"I-I'm sorry, Lucas. I-I didn't m-mean to c-cause trouble." His sudden outburst of anger caught me off guard.

"Something could have happened to you! Why do you have to run like that?! You put yourself in danger!"

"I-I know, and I'm sorry. I thought the-they were behind me. I-I..."

"Goddess! Do you realize that you could have been dead by then?! You were gone for more than 15 minutes! Damn it!"

My vision was getting blurry. Tears were building up. Don't cry! Don't cry! I have to admit. I was scared when I came face-to-face with Chloe. I know I could've perished at her hands.

"The Nightshade's Alpha lost his Luna. The young lad, Bret, who was tricked to his death, has a mate! I cannot even fathom what they felt when their mates died...when the bond died with their mates! I was thinking, what if it was you? Then, I would receive a call from Iris! Goddess, Cory!"

"I really am sorry, Lucas. I-I didn't expect that I would lose sight of them and that Chloe was..."

"What?!" His growl was so loud that I am certain that it was the whole chateau heard him. The earth trembled beneath me. There's no taking it back now.

"I met Chloe in the woods. She hid in the woods and was trying to scare and intimidate me. Then she just left and disappeared."

"Sh*t! She got near you, Cory! Was she with anyone else?

"No one. Hotah and I were worried that that was the case, but it appeared she was not with anyone."

He breathed deeply. "You will stay at the chateau. You are not going anywhere unless you are with me or at least a hundred guards. You will also cease to participate in the planning of the ball."

"W-what?! Lucas, I'm not a kid anymore! And what do you expect me to do here? You're treating me like a kid and a prisoner."

"If that guarantees your safety, then so be it."

He left and slammed the door. I was left alone in his study, and my legs gave out. I crunched on the floor and brawled my eyes out. I didn't mean for this to happen. I just want to take a break and lose some tension in my body. How did it lead to this? Lucas was beyond mad!

Shh. Let him calm down. It's not your fault, dear.

But did you hear him? He was...different.

Hotah understood and whimpered from the realization. This is the first time we saw him like this. I was overcome with sadness and filled with a deep sense of remorse. Suddenly, a knock interrupted my thoughts, and my eyes immediately shifted towards the door. A moment later, Lola's curious face popped up from behind it.

"Oh, Cory. It's going to be alright. Shhh. Let's go to my room and talk this out."