Chapter 4

LINA'S POV

I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that I felt when holding the orb. I looked at it, feeling curious and intrigued at the same time. I had never seen anything like it. Before Jax told me about it, I didn't know that magical objects like this really existed. The orb became heated under my touch. The blue light shone even brighter. Out of shock, I dropped it and ran out of the room. I didn't know what was wrong, but something about that orb drew me in. I couldn't place my finger on it. I needed to get out of there, to clear my head and make sense of what was happening.

When I got out, I searched the camp for Trixie. My eyes scanned the faces of the people present until I found Trixie strolling around, being her usual carefree self as she swung her basket in the air. I rushed over to her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her along with me.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Trixie asked,.

I couldn't even describe what was wrong. I didn't know why, but I felt drawn to that orb, like it was calling to me. And yet, being near it made me feel uneasy, like something was off. I didn't understand my emotions at the moment. I wondered why I would have such strong feelings towards an object. Nothing seemed to make sense.

"Did something happen with the Alpha?" she asked me.

"No. I didn't even see him. We have to leave now"

"Why? I thought he said we could stay here for as long -"

"Trixie!" my voice came out louder and harsher than I intended "We have to leave. Come on"

Trixie looked at me in confusion, but I just kept walking. My pace quickened as I tried to outrun my thoughts. We left the camp behind, going back into the woods. I could sense Trixie's stare. Her eyes could burn a whole into my face with the way she gazed at me.

As we walked, the feeling of unease only grew. My mind raced with thoughts of the orb and why it had affected me so strongly. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being pulled back, that the orb was calling to me, waiting for me to return. And I knew that I would have to face it again, sooner or later. I just didn't know how.

*

That evening, Ken, Trixie and I were seated on the dining table. Trixie had prepared a special meal for me and Ken's birthday. She bought some cake too. Everything was going well. Conversation flowed and everywhere was filled with positive vibes. Music played in the background, blasting from Ken's speakers. Trixie and Ken acted all lovey dovey as they usually did. They kissed and snuggled as they talked.

I on the other hand, couldn't shake off the thoughts of the orb and the Alpha. The image of the Alpha was etched into my memory. I remembered his piercing blue eyes. They reminded me of the ocean. Whenever I stared at them, I felt like I could get lost in them.

I remember how I felt when he scooped me into his arms. I wasn't expecting that at all but for some reason, it felt right. Even when we talked, it felt so easy to talk to him. I couldn't help but feel connected to him in a way. I had never felt this way about anyone before. I couldn't describe it. I felt drawn to him.... Just the way I felt drawn to the orb. I wished I could see him again.

"Lina, what's wrong?" Ken asked "You've been quiet all evening."

Trixie leaned in and poured some cake icing on my nose. I giggled.

"Cheer up, babe" she said "It's your birthday"

"What's on your mind?" Ken questioned.

I hesitated, unsure if I should share my thoughts.

"I'm just thinking about everything that happened today"

"Did you get the chance to talk to Alpha Jax again?" Trixie asked me.

"No. When I got there, he wasn't there. I saw something interesting in his room"

"What was it?"

I took a deep breath. "He told me about a mate-orb. Basically, it's a magical object that glows when a royal finds his mate. I saw the orb when I got into his room then...I touched it."

Ken's eyes lit up. "And it glowed, didn't it?"

I nodded, "It did. I don't know what that means"

Trixie squealed. Her laughter echoed through the room. "Oh my gosh, Lina! You're the Alpha's mate!"

Ken chuckled "Looks like fate has brought you two together, sis."

I laughed, trying to ease the tension I felt. Dinner continued. I easened up a bit, joining in their conversation.

But deep down, I knew there was a connection between Alpha Jax and I.

It made me wonder.... What if they were right? What if Alpha Jax was my mate?

When I drifted off to sleep that night, my dreams were filled with thoughts of Jax and I together. I had never experienced anything like this before.

In my dreams, Jax's handsome face appeared before me. His piercing blue eyes and luscious lips haunted me.

In the first scene, I saw him sitting next to me on the bed. His touch was electric. The feeling of his hands on mine made my body come alive. Everything felt so real. He whispered sweet things into my ear. His touch sent shivers down my spine. My wolf stirred within me. She became restless.

In the next scene, I saw Jax and I running through the forest together in our wolf forms. Our paws pounded against the ground in unison. We were chasing an animal. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating. The wind blew against my paw. Jax and I laughed as we ran. I felt so free. Mid hunt, Jax jumped on me and bit my ears. I laughed loudly.

Another scene, I saw us standing in a moonlit clearing. The mate-orb glowed brightly between us. Jax's voice whispered in my ear, "You're mine, Lina. You're my mate, my everything."

The dreams were so real. I woke up with a jolt. My heart raced. I found my sheets drenched in sweat.

What's happening to me? Why do I feel this way?

I tried to shake off the feeling, telling myself it was just my subconscious playing tricks on me.

Suddenly, I heard a voice.

"Go after him. You have to see him now, before it's too late"

I turned around in shock. Where did that voice come from? Was it my wolf?

There was a huge urge for me to see Jax. I knew I had to see him again, to confront him and myself about these feelings. Maybe when I see him, my questions will be answered.

I grabbed a scarf from my wardrobe and left the house. I made my way into the woods. My heart rate quickened in my chest. I felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know how Jax would react. All I knew was we had a strong connection. I saw it in his eyes. I knew he felt it too.

When I got to the camp, I noticed that the pack warriors were leaving. Most of their tents were packed up. They loaded their things into various cars. I looked around for Jax. After a while, I spotted him.

"Hey Lina" Jax said to me "What are you doing here?"

He looked excited. I couldn't help the smile that crept on to my face.

"I came to see you. What's going on? Are you guys leaving?"

"Yes, we are" Jax grinned.

"Why? I thought you just set camp here"

"We're leaving because I've already found what I came here for"

"What do you mean?"

"I've found my mate"