Chapter 4: Becoming the King's Mate

King Adrian POV:

This was my first time visiting the Wildtrack Pack. The territory wasn't large, and it wasn't particularly prosperous. But today marked the engagement of my sister Elara to Alpha Kane, so I had to attend the ceremony.

I never expected Elara to choose Kane. Maybe it was his handsome face that caught her eye, but I'd investigated him. He was a notorious playboy. I didn't want to marry my sister off to someone like that, yet Elara was insistent, and I couldn't sway her.

Elara had been spoiled since childhood, leaving me feeling somewhat helpless. Fine, I'd make the trip myself. For my sake, Kane wouldn't dare mistreat her.

"Adrian, my dear brother, Kane is truly wonderful. I'll be so happy!" Elara said, dressed in an exquisite, long-tailed gown, her face beaming with joy. "Be gentle with him, and don't keep that stern look on your face."

"Besides, since you're here in the Wildtrack Pack for once, you could wander around. Who knows, you might even meet your mate."

My mate? Would she ever appear?

As the Lycan King of the Silverfang Kingdom, I carried heavy responsibilities on my shoulders. Yet, to this day, I still hadn't found my own mate, which troubled my family greatly.

"The ceremony is about to start. I hope I have your blessing," Elara said, winking at me as she walked to the center of the banquet hall amid the crowd's admiring and envious gazes.

Today was just the engagement; they weren't officially married yet. If Kane showed any disloyalty to Elara before the wedding, I'd cancel the arrangement without hesitation.

I stood among the guests, and the wolves around me bowed low in submission, showing their reverence. I even overheard a few she-wolves whispering excitedly.

"Oh my god, the King is so handsome... I'm going to faint."

"I wonder who'll be lucky enough to become his mate!"

I was used to such comments. The ceremony dragged on, boring me, but seeing Elara so happy, I genuinely wished her well.

The engagement ritual felt endless. Just as boredom set in, my wolf Blaze suddenly growled with excitement: "Mate!"

A thick, alluring scent filled the air. I quickly sensed my mate's presence, but I couldn't locate her among the crowd.

Where was she? My heart pounded faster, my blood surging in reverse.

"Go find her now! I'm so thrilled!" Blaze urged restlessly in my mind.

Finally, the ceremony ended. Kane approached with a flattering smile. I strode forward in three quick steps, grabbed his arm, and demanded sharply, "Are all the she-wolves in the pack here?!"

"They should be, Your Majesty. Everyone attends the ceremony..." Kane stammered, startled.

"Nonsense! I sensed my mate's scent, but she's not in the hall!" I glared at him, radiating powerful alpha pressure.

The crowd dropped to their knees in fear, the atmosphere turning thick and oppressive.

Then, a she-wolf spoke up timidly: "There might be a few she-wolves in the dungeon, Your Majesty..."

The moment she finished, I bolted toward the dungeon without a second thought. Elara called out anxiously, trying to follow, but I couldn't wait.

At the dungeon entrance, the guards saluted in terror.

"She's nearby!" Blaze screamed in my head.

Closer, even closer. My mate's scent grew sweeter and more intoxicating, making my heart race.

Finally, I dashed to a cell, where the alluring aroma swirled in the air, setting me ablaze.

But through the iron bars, I witnessed a scene that shocked and enraged me!

A frail girl screamed in terror, her clothes torn and ragged, her body covered in bloody wounds.

A guard pinned her down, leering as he ripped off her top.

"You filthy bitch, it's an honor for me to fuck you. You better just shut up and enjoy it!" The guard slapped her cheek, cursing viciously. She was bound by handcuffs and chains, utterly helpless, shrinking back in desperation, looking utterly pitiful.

My pupils contracted sharply. How dare they treat her like this!

With my king's strength, I tore the iron door apart and charged into the cell. The guard on top of her froze in shock.

"King... w-why are you..." he stuttered.

I tossed aside the iron bar in my hand and looked at the pitiful girl on the filthy floor. She was so thin, as if a gust of wind could scatter her. Her skin was deathly pale, her body covered in blood, with scarcely an inch of unharmed flesh.

She stared at me blankly, perhaps sensing the mate bond too. Her pale, cracked lips parted, and her beautiful blue eyes, like sapphires, finally sparked with a glimmer of light and hope.

I extended my claws and, in a flash, ripped out the guard's throat! Blood sprayed everywhere as the would-be rapist collapsed, dead.

I couldn't imagine what inhuman torment she would have suffered if I'd arrived a moment later!

"Mate..." I murmured, my voice trembling.

I knelt halfway down, gently brushing aside her hair and tenderly wiping the tears from the corner of her eye.

"My... Mate?" she whispered in disbelief, her face stunningly beautiful. She tried to reach for my hand, but she was too weak; her fingers barely moved before her wrist fell limp.

Then, my mate coughed violently, blood streaming from her lips. The sight was piercing, and my eyes nearly bled with rage. Right before me, she closed her eyes!

With trembling hands, I checked her breathing.

Fury consumed me. I scooped her up gently in my arms, holding her close. She was so light, skin and bones, as if she might die any second.

"What have they done to you?!" I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

She slipped into endless darkness. I clenched my fists and vowed in a low voice: This blood debt must be repaid in blood. Everyone who had tormented her would pay the price!