CAELLUM’S POV
It took a minute for the doctor’s words to register in my head. “What are you talking about? I haven’t fucking marked her!”
“Then you need to. The mating circle needs to be complete or she will always be in pain every month moving forward.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “W-what?”
“Having found her mate, the lady’s body will be ready for conception as time proceeds, unless you mark her, and do the needful, she will remain in pain.” The doctor explained.
Naledi let out a pained sigh, and her eyes fluttered open. They were bloodshot red. “I understand.”
“I will be on my way then.” He took a bow which I did not accept.
“Where the hell are you going? She is in pain! I need you to do something. Anything to reduce her suffering.”
He shook his head, “I’m sorry, Alpha. There’s nothing I can do but point you in the right direction. The only person who can help her is you. And it’s in your best interest to keep her busy and satisfy her urges.”
“It is said that a Shewolf in heat can be rabid if not marked. The heat gives her a unique scent and positions her as ready to mate with other unsuspecting wolves.”
My eyes narrowed, “What do you mean by that?”
“There is a high chance she might choose to go mate hunting if you refuse to mark her, and on the other side, when the heat modifies her scent, there is likely to be a truckload of unmated males, ready to kill themselves in order to obtain the price.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine. “What price?”
“The she-wolf in heat. A she-wolf in heat is very fertile, and every male wolf will be invited by the scent of her if she has not been marked.”
My eyes widened, shocked at the Doctor’s words. I’d heard of cases of this kind but I didn’t think I’d have to experience it, especially with my own mate.
I nodded nodded in understanding, determined to protect my mate all through the duration of the days.
Soon enough, I was left alone with Naledi to my care. Her eyes were wide awake and she looked a bit deranged. My heart broke for her and I reached for her hand only to have her shy away from me.
“Don’t Touch me!” She hissed, giving me stink eyes.
I gave her a quizzical look and tried again, this time around, she avoided my hands like herpes and somehow managed to squat just beside the bed. Her eyes were defensive, angry, and yet in need.
“I don’t want you anywhere around me-” She spat, “Do not think I will let myself be marked by you.”
It took a lot of will to speak in such a situation. I could feel her rage, and her pain as she spoke. It was hard not to feel bad when she managed to speak her mind so clearly and fearlessly.
“I will not be marking you.” I gritted, “Let me help you.”
She shook her head, “You’ve done enough damage as is.” A wheeze, “I want to make one thing clear to you.” Her eyes met mine, “No matter how hard this shit hits me, or how much I request to go ahead with the darned cycle, do not heed to me.”
I felt anger. Anger at her choice of words, and the fact she’d rather be in pain than do the natural thing. She’d rather be in pain than complete the mating ceremony and become mine in whole.
The realization that she was still nursing thoughts of leaving me after everything wounded me. My wolf refused to obey. Knowing she was in her most fertile state and in need of me did something to us.
I and my wolf.
I could smell her arousal in the air, the fertility of her womb, I was just a step away from having everything I ever desired from my mate and she couldn’t have it. She chose to be in pain than to give in to me.
To us.
The more I remained in the room, the crazier I became. My wolf was fighting for control, wanting to take things into his hands and ease my mate of her pains, but I couldn’t let him. I couldn’t let him take her against her will.
Not after what she said. The last thing I’d do was to take away her choices from her. I headed to the door, despite everything around me screaming against it.
I headed for the door, and stepped outside, locking the door behind me, and hoping for the life of me I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life. I forced my legs down the halls that reeked of my mates’ arousal.
Her scent was everywhere, driving me mad and taunting me with the thought of something I couldn’t have. By the time I reached the stairs, I noticed a commotion. A crowd of people gathered in front of my building, banging against the doors, wanting to be let in.
My irritation grew and I descended the stairs. Marcel and Korah were down there, gauging the situation with worried looks on their faces.
“What is going on here?”
I didn’t know the doctor was around until he spoke, “It’s started. The hunt. The lady’s scent has travelled round the pack and the males are here to have her.”
Hearing those words brought a wave of unadulterated rage. I didn’t say a word and walked closer to the window.
“They keep increasing. I don’t know how long the door would withhold them!” Korah stated worriedly. “They are all too strong.”
My blood boiled as I took in the ruckus outside my home. If these wolves thought they could have my mate, then they had another thing coming. I watched them fight themselves outside the door with my fangs bared.
Since I had nothing to do and was really not in the best mood, I decided to go for the next best thing.
“What are you doing, Alpha?” Marcus said, sounding worried.
The sound of bones cracking filled the air and I gave an absolute command. “Open the doors.”
I transformed into my alpha wolf just in time for the door to open. And with the vengeance of an army general, charged into the crowd of people that sought to lay their hands on what’s mine.