Chapter 3

JAX'S POV

I couldn't help but admire the girl I had just saved from the bear's clutches. She was the most attractive woman I had laid eyes on. She was beautiful, with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. Her skin was smooth and unblemished. The sunlight that filtered through the trees seemed to worship her skin, giving her a golden glow. I was taken aback by how stunning she was.

I had so many questions. Who is she? Is she a member of my pack? If she is, how come I've never seen her before?

"Thank you, sir," she said. Her voice was soft and sweet. It was the kind of sound that could send you to bed. I wished I could hear her talk all day.

There was something about this girl. I couldn't lay my finger on it but I could feel it. There was a strong connection between us.

Her friend who stood in a corner while the bear attacked, walked forward. She was a petite girl with short black hair. She quickly jerked the girl's arm and bowed her head.

"Thank you, your highness" the girl said.

The other girl I saved had her eyes widened in surprise. She obviously didn't know who I was.

"You must bow down, Lina," her friend said, her voice firm but respectful. "We are in the presence of the Alpha."

The girl gasped then bowed her head "I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't know it was you"

I chuckled "Ah, it's alright, ladies. No need to bow down. I'm just glad I was able to help."

The girls remained in their bowed positions, their eyes fixed on the ground.

I raised the girl's chin to make her look at me. Her piercing green eyes stared into mine - brown to green. I could see a twinkle in them. She looked at me like she could see my soul. I could get lost in her eyes forever. Dear moon goddess, this girl is beautiful. If I wasn't looking for my mate, I would have proposed to her on the spot.

"What are your names?" I asked.

Her friend introduced them. She seemed like the more outspoken one. The girl I saved seemed quiet and soft spoken.

"I'm Trixie" she introduced "My friend here is Lina"

Lina...what a lovely name.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ladies" I said...

Trixie bowed her head further "It's a pleasure to meet you too, your highness"

I turned to Lina. She was the one who piqued my interest. I noticed that her had was bleeding.

"Lina, we need to get your arm checked" I said "I can offer you a place in our camp. Our healers can tend to your wounds. After that, you can rest and stay for as long as you want."

Lina hesitated. Her eyes darting to Trixie then back to me. I could see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. I knew that she was wary of accepting help from a stranger.

"Of course, we'll go with you, your highness" Trixie said "Thank you for your concern"

Lina nodded slowly, "Okay," she said.

"Good," I said. "Let's get you to the camp, then. Our healers will take good care of you."

I swept Lina into my arms, carrying her bridal style. She gasped in surprise. Her soft body pressed against mine. She hesitated, her eyes darting to Trixie. I knew Lina wasn't strong enough to walk on her own

"I've got you," I said. "You're not going to walk all the way to my camp on your own. You're hurt, and you need help."

Lina's face flushed, but she didn't resist as I carried her through the forest.

I couldn't help but notice the way Trixie's eyes narrowed. She disapproved of me and Lina's closeness. But I ignored it, focusing on the soft, delicate body in my arms.

As we walked, I felt a stirring in my chest. There was a connection that I couldn't ignore. Lina's body was pressed against mine. Her curves fit perfectly into my embrace. She was the right size for my arms. With the way she fit perfectly in my arms made tmit seem like she was made for me. 

Finally, we reached the camp. I handed Lina over to the healers in their tents. As soon as they saw us, they rushed to get to work immediately. They brought out all the materials they needed. Lina and I sat side by side on the couch. Some of the  healers used their powers to heal the injuries on her arm while the others worked on the claw marks on my back.

"Thank you," she said to me.

"What were you doing in the woods anyway?"

A sly smile played on her lips "Picking wild berries with Trixie"

I chuckled "Wild berries. What for?"

"To make a drink. We felt like getting high today"

We both laughed.

"I see" I said "Did you get to pick them?"

"No, your grace. The bear attacked us. How about you, your highness? Why did you set camp here?"

"I'm looking for my mate. My senses tell me that she's come of age. I decided to take a tour round the pack to look for her. I set camp here so me and my men can go to the other side of the pack"

"What if she's not here? What if she's in another pack?"

"I thought of that. I have to try first anyway"

"Where else do you have to check?"

"Actually, I'm following an orb. It's a mythical object that's been passed down in my family. It'll help me find my mate. When I find her, the orb will glow brightly"

Lina listened intently. That was what I realized that I never had anyone listen to me like this before. Her eyes were focused on me, like I was the only thing that mattered. She wasn't faking her attention. I could see the interest in her eyes. It made me want to talk to her even more.

"I've never heard of that kind of object before" she said.

"Well, a lot of people haven't"

"I hope you find her"

I looked at Lina's beautiful face. I wished I could tell her how attracted I was to her. I didn't need any distractions. I was on a quest to find my mate and I didn't want anything to stop me from doing that. I had been looking for her for years.

Even though I was determined not to get distracted, I couldn't help the pull that I had to Lina. I was drawn to her.... Like a moth to a flame. I wanted to talk to her, to hear her voice, to know more about her.

I stood up. If I stayed here any longer, I wouldn't be able to leave her side.

"I have to go" I said "I hope you get well soon. Let me know if you need anything"

As I left the tent, I could feel Lina's eyes staring a hole in my back.

LINA'S POV

"Thank you" I said to the healers.

My arm looked as good as new. I didn't feel any pain either.

They smiled at me as I got up and left. Outside the tent, I met Trixie.

"Hey" I said.

She looked unhappy for some reason "Hi. How did it go?"

"Pretty well. Do you know where the Alpha went?"

She frowned "No. Why?"

I shrugged "I just want to thank him. He didn't have to do all this"

"I saw him go that way"

She pointed to a cabin not too far from the tent of the healers. I followed the directions, making my way past the pack warriors. I knocked on the door, expecting him to answer, but instead, it creaked open by itself. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should enter.

"Hello?" I said.

There was no response.

I stepped inside, looking around the  cabin. It was dimly lit. I could barely see anything.

"Alpha?" I called.

There was no response. Something on a desk caught my attention. It was an orb. This must be the orb that the Alpha was talking about. For some reason, I felt drawn to it. I had the sudden urge to touch it.

When I touched the orb, it began to glow. It glowed in a bright shade of blue that lit up the whole cabin. The blue light reflected in my hands. I felt a strange energy coursing through my body.

What is this thing?