Chapter 4 Mate Bond

[Boaz]

The curse on my pack had weakened us since two centuries ago. We lost the ability to smell the distinctive scent of our destined mates and thus could not feel mate bond. It caused my pack's numbers to plummet.

People from other packs refused to recognize us as their mates. Some who wanted to be our partners eventually rejected us because they didn't feel the satisfaction of mating. I would find that damn witch. She must die at my hands!

Fortunately, I found a way to make those werewolves compete to be our mates. I trained all my pack members on how to satisfy their mates. I mobilized our doctor to teach us every important spot to improve our quality in bed.

It took two years to see it work. My people were happier, and their partners wanted to stay with them. That drastically increased our population, especially since the couples had children.

"We're safe," Harris said with relief. He was the Gamma in my pack and my partner.

We had lunch in the hall. They opened the doors of the large room, so people could be in the room and the side garden. The servants served various foods on many tables. People freely took it and ate at the table they wanted.

Some servants served us at a table and brought us various capital city specialties. The king was right. We had a long journey. My warriors ate heartily after five hours of not eating anything.

"That young lady looks weak. I'm not sure if she can be your wife, Boaz," Gale, my Beta and best friend, muttered.

He said that was because of Crystal's tripping incident, even though there were no obstacles in front of her. Since she was near me, I wrapped my arms around her. My heart skipped a beat when I touched her. My body loved it, and the scent was soothing.

I didn't know what was happening to me because I had never felt that towards any woman, not even my deceased fiancée. I had to control my pounding heart and breathing, so people wouldn't think I was afraid to face King Connor.

I felt lost when she distanced herself from me. But it was only temporary. The king said she was my bride, a substitute for the departed Celyn. Crystal couldn't get away from me when she was in my pack.

"Don't forget. Princess Crystal is a Lycan, not an ordinary she-wolf," I said.

"That reminds me. That girl dared to rebuke you when you accused the king of hiding her purposefully. She turns me on," Gale admitted.

"Watch your mouth, Gale," Harris, the Gamma, reprimanded. "While Boaz has never been possessive of Princess Celyn, may she rest in peace, he doesn't like us fantasizing about his future wife." He raised both eyebrows high.

"I'm usually bothered by women who dare to boss me around, but she's different. Princess Crystal turns me on. So, I understand what happened to Gale," I confessed.

They simultaneously turned to me. They were scrutinizing my face intently with furrowed brows. Not only them, but I was also surprised that I felt it. When Celyn announced I was her mate, I didn't immediately believe her.

I'd heard that line dozens of times from different girls once they hit adulthood. Even though Celyn was my future wife, I didn't like being lied to. As such, I needed time to process the news.

Unfortunately, she left before we got married. I felt like a failure as her fiancé because I couldn't find her murderer. She was a Princess of the Southern Kingdom. But after two weeks of doing everything I could with the royal trackers, there were no results.

"Has the curse stopped?" Gale took a deep breath. "Ouch!"

Harris hit the back of his head. "Stop acting silly. They're watching us," he said irritably.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable. My wolf was restless inside me. 'Orion, what is it?'

'I don't know, but I feel Crystal is in danger,' he replied.

That sentence was enough to make me dart out of the room. Gale and Harris called my name, but I asked them not to make a scene. I forbade them to follow me, as this danger was personal.

Orion would have called the palace in danger if it had been about an enemy infiltrating. However, he only mentioned Crystal's name. That meant this danger was a personal matter. Reaching the fourth floor, I followed the young woman's distinctive scent.

Seeing the scene up ahead, my blood instantly boiled. A man dared to touch my future wife. I didn't let Orion take over even though he protested. I didn't want any bloodshed. Therefore, I'd better vent my anger than him.

'Mine,' Orion growled, taking me by surprise.

'Orion?' I questioned.

'This she-wolf is mine,' he repeated.

'She's not an ordinary she-wolf. She's a royal Lycan.'

'And she's mine.'

Love made people bold, but that man was reckless enough to challenge me. Maybe he thought my power was a mere rumor. So, I showed him what I was capable of. His body was bulky and tall. But it was nothing compared to me. One toss, and he passed out.

I kissed Crystal and touched her impatiently after getting rid of that jerk. I tried to control myself so that the turmoil of my passion didn't frighten the young woman. It was incredible. The adrenaline rush was more suffocating than I felt on the battlefield.

Was that how everyone who found their partner felt? No wonder they rejected my pack members. What wolf wouldn't want to feel the rush of passion once in their life? It was heaven. The woman was my paradise.

'Boaz!' Gale exclaimed, waiting for my command. He grabbed Drake, who was trying to separate me and Crystal. 'Boaz, control yourself! We're in the palace!

'Arrest him. He dares to touch my bride!' I growled.

I led Crystal to her chamber. Her scent lingered in that room. And I chose the right one because the servants inside were packing clothes. Reading the situation, they walked out of the room, leaving me with my woman.

'No. We can't do this now,' I refused.

'She's mine,' Orion protested.

Gale and Harris wouldn't believe me if I told them about these revelations. We'd waited for so long to hear our wolves call a she-wolf their mate. I had no idea what had happened to Orion to allow him to detect his mate, but I was thrilled.

I would find out and share his secret with the people in my pack. It was the beginning of our second uprising. I was frustrated knowing I'd lost my destined mate. However, I got a better substitute.

Therefore, I would protect the young lady with my life. She was more than just my second chance. She was our long-awaited way out of the curse. When I resolved our problem, I could focus on finding that damn witch.

'She's ours, but we have to keep our promise. We'll have intercourse with her after the wedding.' I reminded him.

'Those stupid rules only exist in your world, not mine.' He paused when I intended to lock him away beneath my consciousness. 'But I'll do as you say.' He relented.

'You will treat the Royal Lycan with respect. You haven't met her yet, but trust me, she's not a she-wolf.'

Since Orion stopped resisting, I could control my arousal. I stopped kissing her and tried to figure out our situation. That was it! Crystal was my second chance. Even though she denied it, I didn't believe her.

Everything became clear. The confusion and fear on Crystal's face as she entered the throne room made sense. The princess smelled my scent and realized I was her true mate. She might have been reluctant to admit it because she loved another man.

Crystal fell asleep after making out with me. She was tense. She might have been depressed about having to marry me. I didn't care about her past because I was her future, and no one could come between us. It was time for me to talk to that assh*le.