Chapter 103 : A Mate's Rescue

Xavier

He never thought that he would mate with Karen who was a hybrid, like fate was playing with him, he mated with a hybrid because of a competition that he organized himself. Even though he refused to mate with a hybrid, but because Karen was a hybrid, he couldn't have her as his mate, which would have caused a threat. Hybrid mates could not take over Luna's position from the Westwood Pack. There were some rules and agreements that even he could not break.

But for now, that kind of thing didn't really matter. The only thing that mattered was that he saved Karenina.

He had to resist or be consumed by the sadness that was starting to creep into him. He couldn't afford to lose Karen. Not now. Not after everything they had... Or what they could have had.

For a while, no one spoke, but everyone was thinking the same thing. Was Karen dead?

No! Xavier growled inwardly. The wolf in him resisted that, screaming for him to save his mate immediately.

Out of the blue, he clearly felt someone trying to break their bond by interfering with her wolf aura by consuming it and trying to take it away from him and he knew who it was. The evil scheming bastard.

"I can feel Nathan trying to effect a shift. Karen can't survive without the help of others," Xavier said, worry making his heart race. His mate was in danger, and he wasn't there to protect her. If he lost her... No!

Was Karen okay?

Before he could turn and leave, no longer caring whether the others followed or stayed, Rylan spoke up, stalling for time.

His younger brother stood with the woman in his arms and looked at him with a steady gaze eyes very similar to his own.

"I need to stay here to make sure Carolina is okay, she's still weak," he said firmly. "Find Karen and you must bring her back safely."

No one stopped him as he walked towards the door to leave, maybe towards his room or Carolina's, but when he passed Xavier, he said a muttered statement.

"Thank you, I owe you one."

Their eyes met for a moment, an unspoken silent message between them. He knew that Xavier had grasped his relic sword, understood his meaning, and thanked him. Then Rylan walked past and out of the room.

Everyone left in the room, Selene, Mike, and Joshua, stood staring at him with the same look of determination.

"We will go with you, Alpha Xavier. Although we are not more powerful than you, Selene and I can assist you and Karen. If it can save our friends, you can use us in any way you want," Mike said.

Selene walked over and slung her weapon over her back, signaling that she wouldn't be left behind.

"I will come too," Joshua said, moving to stand by Selene's side.

All Xavier could do was nod his head quietly. There was no telling what they would encounter before or during their journey to find his mate, but he would not refuse their help when her safety was on the line.

"Just follow me."

Then Selene stepped closer to Felix to jump onto his back. "I will," she promised.

And so they set off, heading for the last known location that Karen had been seen. He could have easily beaten them all, but he forced himself to stay with the small pack and told himself not to rush.

Although he was walking at a slower pace than he should have been, they managed to catch up, when out of nowhere, the scent of roses mixed with musk filled their surroundings, and a deadly shot rushed towards them.

They broke apart, dodging the attack, where it crashed into the ground, splitting the earth, dust flying everywhere.

"Sarah!" spat Selene, gripping her weapon, intending to hurl the deadly weapon at the smirking woman standing among the tree trunks.

Sarah was staring, her hand reaching back to bring a boy into the sight.

Xavier noticed that the boy looked withered as if he did not understand what was happening around him. Despite that, the boy swung his dagger in a threatening manner.

"Calvin!" Selene wailed when she saw her little brother, but Calvin did not respond to her call. In fact, he didn't seem to recognize her, and she knew with a heavy heart that Nathan was taking control of him.

"It's really touching. Brother and sister are once again reunited," Sarah said with an evil smile, tapping her rosy lips with her finger. "Although, I'm not sure this will be as happy a reunion as you'd hoped."

"Xavier!" Mike called out, though his eyes remained glued to their enemy. "Find Karen. Selene and I will handle them both."

"I will also-"

"-Go with Alpha Xavier, Joshua," Selene cut in. She glanced up at him and gave him a small smile, though Joshua could see the sadness in her eyes. "We will catch up with you after this, I promise."

"You won't be able to keep that promise," Sarah shouted, swinging her sharp dagger but Selene dodged quickly.

"Come with me, Joshua, if you wish."

Glancing at Alpha Westwood, Joshua hesitated for a moment, before he ran after Xavier, hoping that Selene would survive so he could make his claim. He wanted her for himself. He wasn't going to let Mike have her without a fight.

Xavier and Joshua had almost reached their destination when something blocked their way, a small child dressed all in white, but what really caught the two men's attention was a figure standing behind the girl without a scent. Joshua knew who the girl was even though he had never seen her before. Selene had told him, as they traveled towards Xavier's pack house, that Nathaniel had two followers, Sarah, and a little girl named Gina.

"Move aside," Xavier ordered, holding his dagger.

With a menacing gesture, the creature moved in front of Gina. Although it didn't speak, it was clear it was their opponent.

He was about to attack, impatient with their interference. Given that Nathan's two followers had appeared, trying to block their way, it was clear to him that Maya was not the only one taking Karen under her wing. It turned out that Nathan was involved as well. His mate was in danger, and this creature dared to stand in his way. But before he could attack, Joshua stepped forward.

"Save your mate, Alpha Xavier. I will join you as soon as I dispatch this creature."

Glancing at Joshua out of the corner of his eye, Xavier nodded his head once in thanks, only pausing to watch Joshua take his place and attack the enemy in front of his eyes. As he ran the last few steps towards his destination, at the back, he thanked Rylan's pack for their help. Because of them, he didn't have to waste time to reach Karen.

The scent of Nathaniel was the first thing he smelled. It permeated the air with his evil stench, but behind it was the smell of the woman he was looking for. With another burst of energy, he sprinted faster, his senses open for any attack that might surprise him. When nothing happened, no enemies came out to stop him, he knew Nathan was waiting for him, mocking him to come closer.

The trees were split, revealing a small clearing. The mountains towered before him, with a small cave at their base, but that wasn't what caught his attention. It was Nathan, standing there before him with a cocky smirk plastered on his face, red eyes watching him as if he knew about his arrival. Looking around, while keeping his eyes on Nathan, he didn't see Karen, but he could smell her scent. His heart beat faster in his chest when he realized that the scent of Karen was different, but there was no doubt that it was hers. Even more disconcerting was the scent of blood. There was a lot of it, but there was at least one that he didn't recognize. It was not her blood. That was all that mattered to him.

"So, you've finally arrived, the great Alpha Xavier Westwood," Nathan said in a deadpan tone. "And here I thought you would never show up."

"Where's Karenina?" Xavier demanded, unsheathing his sword dagger and pointing it at Nathan menacingly.

"Karen, is it? Could it be that this great and horrifying Alpha of the Westwood Pack has fallen in love with a mere hybrid?" Nathan scoffed with an amused laugh. "But I guess I can't call her that anymore, can I? Come here, my dear Karen. Say hello to your latest betrothed. I'm sure he misses you."