Chapter 3 Three

A/N: Hello dear readers, please note that the first few chapters of this story are told in past and present form. This is to avoid further confusion as the story progresses.

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"M..Mate" the man had muttered before collapsing next to her.

Frightened, Layla moved away, taking a few steps from his body. The word he had used to address her was the least of her concern.

Surely he had lost his mind- she thought as she observed the stranger, looking to see if he would get up, but he didn't.

He didn't seem to have any open wounds even though he was currently covered in blood. It was then it dawned on her, this could be someone else's blood !

Layla had the chance to continue running. The threat was gone and she could be far out of reach before he regained consciousness, but instead she felt a sudden pull in her chest, urging her to stay.

Slowly and steadily, she moved towards the man who still had his face to the ground. Squatting besides him, she placed her pointer finger on the side of his neck. She could feel a pulse, he was still alive.

Taking off her cloak and covering his body with it, Layla slowly pulled the man until his back was well rested against a tree. It was not an easy task, because the man weighed twice her body mass, but she mustered up the strength to move him as she was well determined to help him.

Sitting right across from him now, Layla took the time to study this man's face. His eyelids fell like blankets over his eyes, adorned with beautiful lashes. His nose and lip structure gave his face a symmetrical look.

He looked a year or two older than her. Or maybe it was three ?

Layla wasn't sure.

What she did know was that whoever the man was, he could help her find her way out of this forest. That was all she thought about as she buried her face on her folded up knee, her arms hugging her sides tightly.

*****

Eleven years ago...

Picking the child up on his shoulder, King Krov jumped down from his horse. They had successfully returned to their kingdom, Valguardia, just before the break of dawn. His men and all the guards around had lifted up a suspecting eye when they saw the child, but none had the courage to say a word to him.

Most had never seen a werewolf so they did not know how one looked, but Krov could tell in an instant Layla was one of them. Their lack of knowledge made it easier for Krov to carry the child through the castle walls without them finding out what she was.

Placing her carefully on the bed in his inner chambers, Krov thought of what to do with the child. He observed her small sleeping frame as his mind thought of different possibilities of how she could be of use to him.

Coming to a desired conclusion in his mind, he made his way out of the room in an attempt to find a maid.

"You have gone against my word, and brought a child that does not belong here" Elara spoke, emerging from the shadows.

Krov stopped in his steps when his ears picked up her sharp voice. He turned towards her swiftly, his silver hair glittering in the dimly lit hallway.

"You have asked me to kill the people of Hamletvale. I have carried out your wish according to the oracle" Krov replied in an icy tone.

"Yet a child of theirs sleeps within these walls, why have you spared her life ?" Elara queried.

"She is not one of them," Krov simply replied.

He could not tell how a werewolf ended up in a Kingdom such as Hamletvale, but he knew deep inside him that the child didn't belong there.

He would not take her life.

"Neither is she one of yours. It is not written that your kind dwell with theirs. Your actions shall cause you grave consequences" she warned, trying to make the King take back his decision, but Krov would hear none of it.

He knew what he was trying to achieve was dangerous and the wolves would be enraged should they find out he had one of theirs, but that didn't matter at the moment. He had a plan, and he was going to see it through.

"Then so be it. You may return to your land now. Your work here is done and you have been paid in full. I'll have a guard escort you to the border" Krov spoke with authority before turning to take his leave.

Elara stood there watching him leave. She was filled with anger and frustration as she could not understand why he made such a dreadful decision.

"You would not know of your ruin until it is upon you" she cursed underneath her breath as she stormed off.

. . . . . . . . . .

Meanwhile, Krov called upon one of his most trusted maids named Rhea. He took her to his chambers, presenting the child to her.

"I want you to take this child to Castle Rose. There you must raise her in private. I would assign some other assistants to follow you. You must make sure no one knows about this, understood ?"

"Yes, Sire" Rhea replied with a nod.

With that, Krov handed the child to her before placing them in a carriage down a secret path.

"I shall come see her in a few days" he said to Rhea before the carriage rode down the castle grounds.

*****

Present day...

A sharp pain in his ribs caused the man to stir awake. His vision was blurry at first, but slowly they found focus again. He was surprised to see that he had been covered in a cloak as his mind replayed everything that had happened earlier.

He had not had the chance to take off his clothing before shifting to his wolf form. The men had been after the girl and if he hadn't interfered, they would have caught up with her and killed her.

He couldn't tell why, but instincts had caused him to save her. Immediately his eyes caught sight of her face though, he could tell why he was moved to kill for her.

It was Layla, the princess he had met in his childhood, but that was not what surprised him.

He could feel it deep inside his being, an excitement rushing through his veins as he stared into her green eyes.

She was his mate.