The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 76

Elias' POV:

*Before The Present*

Today, we decided to take a break from our usual routine.

Despite this, I continued with my regimen and spent some time training and strategizing our defense and attacks. I reviewed our past performances, analyzed our strengths and weaknesses, and brainstormed other ideas to ensure our win in this war. Resting is not an option for me. As soon as I stepped into the arena's office, I couldn't resist the urge to unveil the small-scale map of the kingdom on the sand table and place the miniature models of houses, the palace, the army, and the cars.

"If we placed an army with 2,000 soldiers here on the mountains and another on this side...And Iris...As much as possible, I want her to stay close to me."

As soon as my mind started to wander, the office door swung open. I was suddenly enveloped in a fragrance so captivating that I knew at once that Iris had arrived. "Hey, sweetheart. What brings you here?"

"Just checking on you. I am worried that you are pushing yourself too hard. And here, I brought some snacks."

"Thank you, sweetheart. Once I'm done here, let's go out for dinner."

"Yeah, right." She said with less enthusiasm.

"Is something wrong?" When it comes to Iris, I don't have to ask twice

"How many times have you said that? Can you believe it? I couldn't even begin to count it on my fingers! And out of those, when did we ever go out for dinner?"

I understood where she was coming from. It seems like Iris and I are drifting apart. Iris and I have been spending less time- the only time we are together is in bed, asleep. Every day, it has been the same - with me training the army, overseeing the patrols, and ensuring the safety of the kingdom while Iris manages relationships with other packs.

It has been quite difficult for us to set aside time to bond, especially now.

"This time, I promise, sweetheart." I held her and kissed her forehead. As soon as I glanced at her, I noticed a flicker of doubt in her eyes that made me sad.

"I promise," I reassured her.

"Fine. Let's meet at home at six and go out together."

"Wait for me at home, alright? And think about where you want to go."

As soon as she left, the office felt eerily quiet. The sound of her heels clicking against the floor echoed in my head. I was left alone with my thoughts, returning to the sand table. I tried to move the miniatures on the table. I spent hours trying out different scenarios and coming up with new strategies. It was like a puzzle that I just couldn't put down! This is something I will have to discuss with Lucas and Silas later. After feeling like all possibilities had been exhausted, I decided to take a break and rest. When I checked the time, I realized it was past 6 in the evening.

Shoot! I hurriedly left the office and went back to our place.

When I stepped into our house, I was greeted by a pitch-black darkness that seemed to swallow everything in sight. The living room was draped in darkness, illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon peeking through the window.

"Iris! Sweetheart!" I shouted from the door. However, I did not hear anything - not even the breeze of the wind. The house was completely empty. I tried to mind-link her, but she blocked me. This is bad! So, I mind-linked Ellie and Tommy, hoping they know where Iris is. "Ellie, Tommy. Is Iris with you?"

"Yeah! Everyone's here in Lucas' place. We're about to have dinner. Where the hell are you, man?" Tommy answered me.

"On my way."

As soon as I entered the room, my eyes locked on her. She was sitting in her usual spot, talking and laughing with everyone. As I sat beside her, hoping to strike up a conversation, she brushed me off. Iris did not speak to me the whole time we were having dinner. "Hey," I called out to her. It was the only moment when she actually focused on me

"What?" As soon as she spoke, I sensed a chill in her voice that left me feeling disconnected and uncared for.

"I'm sorry. I was too..." Before I could continue, she interrupted me.

"You were too focused on what you were doing, and time passed. I get it."

"Iris, I really am sorry."

She sighed deeply and said, "Let's not do this here, Elias."

"But..."

"Elias, we'll talk about it later."

After Iris reacted negatively to the topic, I chose not to pursue it further to avoid upsetting her. As I sat at the dinner table, time seemed to slow down, and every minute felt like an eternity. I just want to go home and talk to Iris. I want to fix this. Fix us. As soon as we parted ways, I jumped up and took Iris by the hand, eager to head back home. As soon as we stepped outside, she felt an urge to break free. She kept tugging her hand out of my grip.

"Let go of me! I don't want to go home. I am going to stay with Ellie."

"Iris...Please." I said her name with so much hurt.

"No, Elias. I am hurt. I am disappointed. And I am mad at you. You promised! I knew it was hopeless, but I still hoped that this time...maybe this time, you'll actually do it." As soon as our eyes met, my heart shattered into a million pieces at the sight of her beautiful face. Tears were flowing, and I could see the pain in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, I'm really..."

"Enough. I heard it already. There's no point in saying it again. Just go home. I will stay with Ellie tonight." As soon as her fingers slipped from mine, I felt a sudden emptiness, like something vital had been ripped away from me. I watched helplessly as she turned and walked away, her figure soon disappearing in the distance.

"Iris!" I called her name, but she didn't bother to look back.

As I gazed into the distance, my eyes soon met with a vast expanse of emptiness. I couldn't help but stand there, transfixed, until the nothingness consumed my entire being. F*ck! I messed up big time! I need to do something to get her back. And I thought to myself, I am the best strategist. I will come up with the best plan to fix this. Then, I went home and thought about my strategy for the whole night. I was in the middle of planning my surprise when Lucas screamed in my head.

"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!"

*The Present*

Adrenaline pumping, I sprang to my feet and charged ahead, determined to carry out our plan. As I stepped out of the house, there was a huge crowd, and everyone panicked.

Quickly, I mind-linked Iris to check where she was, but I was still blocked. DAMN IT!

"Ellie, where is Iris?!" I am panicking.

"She left immediately after we heard the alarms. I don't know where she went." Sh*t!

tried reaching her through her phone, but it only kept ringing. Oh, my goddess! Not even my wolf, Beo, could connect to her wolf. Even Tommy doesn't know where she went after. I asked everyone through the mind-link, but none of them saw Iris. My heart was racing so fast that it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest!

"If you see Iris, let me know ASAP!"

I swiftly got into position and carefully scanned the area for any signs of the enemy. My heart raced as I spotted foreign ships in our waters. Their origin was unclear, but one thing was certain - they did not belong to us. I had already informed Lucas about their location, but it seemed like the rogues and the witch were surrounding us - the whole kingdom. I was trying to focus my mind on the enemy in front of us, but my mind kept wandering to where Iris was. As the ships docked in our port, my mind was elsewhere. Before I knew it, a group of rogues came charging towards us. It was a chaotic scene, and I had to act fast to protect myself and those around me.

"Prepare to engage!" I shouted to the soldiers.

Our side erupted in loud shouts and charged towards the rogues. My hands moved swiftly as I grabbed the first wolf, twisting its neck with a satisfying snap. Then, I moved to another and another. I didn't stop until I eliminated the wolves that were in front of me. Move fast! Find Iris! Those were my thoughts the whole time. Then, all of a sudden, I heard her.

"Elias!"

"Iris, sweetheart! Where are you?"

"I'm OK. I am in position. All evacuees safely arrived in the hideout."

"Thank, goddess! Stay where you are!"

"I'm going there. That's the plan!"

"No, you're more safe there, Iris. Your safety is more important than the plan."

The mind-link was cut off when I felt pain in my shoulder. A wolf was able to sneak up on me and sunk its teeth into me while I was talking to Iris. With lightning-fast reflexes, I snatched his back and brought him crashing down to the ground with a resounding smack. I heard his bones break, and with no time to waste, I bit his neck. As soon as I lifted my foot, I noticed a crimson pool of blood gradually spreading on the ground beneath it.

"Elias! Elias!" What happened? Speak to me!"

"A, ha, ha, ha, a wolf sneaked up on me. But. everything is, ha, is good now." I struggled to catch my breath as my lungs wheezed, and soon enough, my vision began to blur into doubles. The wolf must have bitten me hard and deep.

I was losing a lot of blood and was not healing fast. After seeking help from the soldiers, they promptly responded by trying to stop the bleeding. However, their efforts were limited to applying pressure as they could not do much more.

"You don't sound OK!" I could hear the worry in her voice.

"Just, ha, go back, sweetheart. Ha, ha, I can handle it."

"No! I'm coming! Back away for now, and wait for me!"

I can't die now. I still have to surprise and make it up to Iris.

I struggled to keep my eyes open, fighting the urge to drift into a peaceful slumber. My breathing was slowly calming down as I sat down behind a tree. It was faint, but I think I could hear Iris talking to me in my head.

"Elias!"

And I think my mind was playing tricks on me. It was a surreal moment - I couldn't believe my eyes, but there, standing right in front of me, was the wolf of Iris.

"Elias! Wake up! Stay with me, sweetheart! Don't close your eyes!"

I heard Iris' voice repeatedly calling out to me, but soon, it faded and darkness consumed me.