Midnight Mate

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Falcon POV

When I was with Katya, time seemed to fly by. The sight of her, the sound of her laughter, it made every moment precious.

Though I trusted Maeve and Tom, there was always a lingering fear of leaving her. Since the day I first heard her and found her, I never wanted to be apart from her. It was torture to initially meet her and not immediately stay by her side.

Now, knowing she possessed powers but lacked control, it only intensified my desire to protect her. Facing werewolves and vampires was a challenge I could handle, but gods and creatures from realms unknown? I had no idea how to fight them.

No one truly stands against gods and those from their realm, yet they desired her.

The only reason I could even pull away from her was my need to find a way to suppress or stall the symptoms of this disease. I couldn't let it weaken me, not when I needed to be at my strongest. Even though I may have temporarily left my kingdom, I still fought for everyone who resided in it, and all the packs we protected. I would always stand as their prince and protector. It was in my blood, just as I would always protect my mate, my everything.

Katya and I spent the remainder of my time talking. I learned even more about her and liked how she took so much interest in knowing about me. She had me reminiscing about my formative years, recounting the trials and tribulations of my training and transformation into the person I am today.

As we spoke, Ash emitted a peculiar purring sound, akin to a contented cat. His happiness at witnessing our mate's genuine interest in learning was palpable. She reassured me multiple times of her commitment to fulfilling her role as Luna, promising unwavering support for me and our shared future. She expressed her determination to earn the respect of others through her actions and efforts, vowing to immerse herself in pack politics and be known for her genuine assistance.

Initially, I had concerns that she might shy away from the responsibilities that came with such a role, but the moon goddess had guided me well in giving me a strong and dedicated Luna.

As the night grew darker, she nestled against me, her breathing growing slow and rhythmic. I watched her peaceful expression, cherishing the way her eyelashes brushed against her cheeks as she slept. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her exhaustion was evident. I understood her guilt for sleeping so much, but I reassured her that amidst everything happening and her body undergoing changes since her power was awakened, rest was of utmost importance.

I gently slipped away from her, planting a final soft kiss on her head. As I entered the main room, I could see Nate patiently waiting for me. The faint smell of coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the sound of Maeve's voice. She had already woken up and explained that she would take on the upcoming shift for it was important someone was always awake.

The hidden tunnels lay just outside my hideout, concealed from prying eyes. Few were aware of their existence, but caution remained our constant companion. As Nate and I ventured into the darkness, a hushed silence enveloped us, amplifying the echoes of our footsteps. Each step seemed to reverberate, filling the air with an eerie presence.

"I apologize for my initial treatment of Katya," Nate confessed, his voice barely audible amidst the stillness. Walking beside him, I acknowledged his caution, appreciating his gesture of apology.

"Will you confront the king to uncover his involvement?" Nate inquired.

"Only if I deem it safe. I cannot risk our capture," I admitted.

"My father, our king, has always prioritized the protection of our kingdom. Though we may not always agree with his methods, we have followed his orders. If my mate can provide him an advantage, I wouldn't put it past him to exploit her as a weapon. The fact that he is searching for a blessed child makes me question if he seeks a cure for himself," I revealed, the suspicion tainting my words.

"I've observed his strength waning, along with his health. What I assumed to be mere signs of aging might be something more. Perhaps he possesses a treatment to delay the effects but requires a blessed child to heal him. The way he looks at Katya, as if she were gold, unsettles me," I confessed to Nate, the unease evident in my voice.

"Your judgment has always been sound, and your instincts have never led us astray," Nate acknowledged.

"I hate to think that my father is truly cruel, but the possibility remains. If the time comes, and I must fight him for the sake of the kingdom and the safety of my mate, I will not hesitate," I declared.

"I will stand by you," Nate reassured me.

"I know you will," I replied gratefully as we pressed on.

"In addition to my father, I believe Alpha Sean is up to something. My father wanted warriors sent to his pack, so I am uncertain if he is working in tandem with my father or possibly even the vampires. He is someone we must keep a close eye on," I confided.

We had taken scent potions, ensuring that we remained undetected, but we had to stay in our human forms. Despite this, we moved swiftly through the tunnels, our steps light and agile. These tunnels were labyrinthine, leading to various destinations, concealing our origin. Hidden passageways further complicated the path, adding an extra layer of secrecy.

As we neared the palace, my senses sharpened, detecting a presence beyond the tunnel. Ash, growled in response, sensing vampires nearby, dangerously close to the kingdom's borders. The scent hung heavy in the air, a foreboding sign of imminent danger. Nate and I linked, our thoughts intertwining, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The number of vampires gathered exceeded anything I had sensed in a long time, amplifying our concerns for the vulnerable inhabitants of the kingdom.

Reaching one of the exits, we patiently waited, our ears attuned to the sounds of the guards patrolling above ground. We knew their schedule well, biding our time for the perfect opportunity to infiltrate. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we slipped soundlessly into the secret cellar of the main estate.

I knew a secret entrance into the king's office, hidden behind a bookshelf. As we made our way, Nate stood guard. I approached my father's desk.

I knew that the documents I sought wouldn't be out in the open, so I turned my attention to a hidden compartment. With a flick of a switch, a drawer slid open, revealing a cache of confidential files. I sifted through them silently, the rustle of paper the only sound in the room. Among them, I discovered older documents, their edges worn with time.

As I quickly scanned through the pages, my eyes widening with each revelation, the weight of the knowledge settled upon me. These documents detailed research conducted within the kingdom, experiments that I had never even heard of. They were somehow connected to the disease that plagued us.

Suddenly, Nate's voice broke through my thoughts, a warning of my mother's imminent arrival. With a sense of urgency, I gathered the files and stashed them in a bag I had brought along. Just as I finished, the office door swung open, and there stood my mother, her presence commanding.

Keeping my guard up, I watched her closely as she entered, her footsteps barely audible on the carpeted floor. She spoke in a hushed voice, barely a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard.

"This was not how we wanted you to learn of the danger our kingdom, and much of this world, is facing," she confessed, her voice tinged with regret.

Curiosity and frustration welled up within me. I questioned why such crucial information had been kept hidden from me, despite my leading countless attacks against our enemies. If I had known, I could have better protected our warriors, armed them with knowledge.

My mother shook her head, her expression solemn. "To disclose such knowledge would incite panic. Those who rely on us for leadership and protection would demand answers, blame us for our inability to find a cure. It would cause chaos."

I understood her reasoning, but still, the truth needed to be known.

"Your mate is not with you," she warned, her voice laced with concern. "I do hope you have her safe, Falcon. She is dangerous in the wrong hands."

I locked my eyes with my mother, seeking answers. "Tell me, mother, what do you know of my mate?"

She took a deep breath before explaining, her voice filled with a mix of reverence and fear. "She is a blessed one, Falcon. She holds the power to cure."

"Why were warriors sent to take me into custody? I know it's not because I went to another pack."

My mother sighed, her eyes filled with sadness. "Your mate, as a blessed one, holds a power that can aid our kingdom. In the wrong hands, it will only be used by our enemies. Your father has invested so much in finding a cure. Blessed ones have been known to reduce symptoms and prolong life, but it has been a long time since one was found."

Anger rose within me as I realized their intentions. "So, you want my mate to be used? To help our people?"

My mother shook her head. "Yes, but in a way that would not cause her harm. Your father simply wanted to run some tests with you involved."

I scoffed at her explanation. "That's bullshit. If that were the case, he would have sent a message for me, not warriors to take me into custody. Katya is not to be used."

My mother's voice grew urgent as she revealed a grim truth. "The vampires have found a way to make the disease spread faster. They are purposefully infecting low-born vampires to attack our kind and spread the infection. We are facing something that could wipe out a large part of our population. The disease itself turns the infected into feral beasts, causing them to attack their own before death. If your mate holds the ability to aid us, you should allow her to do so for the sake of many."

"Bring your mate back, Falcon," my mother demanded.

I shook my head. "No, she will be kept safe with me. I will not fail our kingdom, but I cannot simply hand my mate over. If you truly want her for help and not as a mere tool, you must not stop me from returning to her and protecting her. You must aid me in uncovering the truth behind this disease and what is truly going on. If my mate can assist without harm, she will do so, but it will be on our terms," I made my stance clear.

"Falcon, your father is infected. He has been for some time. Will you really keep a potential treatment away from him?" my mother pleaded, her words heavy with concern.

I looked at her, feeling a mix of disbelief and betrayal. "Again, my mate is not a tool to be used. I have been kept in the dark, so do not expect me to blindly believe or trust anything that comes out of your mouth. I have been nothing but loyal to this kingdom, but I will not stand for this. Even if Katya were not my mate, I would protect her. Right now, I demand the full truth. I don't want to believe that you or father are cruel and have sinister motives, but your lack of transparency leads me to believe otherwise. Where is father now?" I demanded.

"He is in our chambers. He is unwell," my mother responded, her voice tinged with worry.

I clenched my fists, feeling a mix of anger and determination coursing through me. "If you truly want to gain my trust, you will take me to the research facility. You will show me everything that is going on. I need to know all there is to know about the blessed ones, and you will allow me to return to my mate," I declared firmly.

"I will show you, but only because I hope it brings you to your senses. Keeping her away is failing those who see you as their prince. I understand that you love the girl, Falcon, but you must do what is best for your kingdom," my mother responded, her words resonating with a hint of regret.

I led Nate and my mother to the facility. My mother guided me to a familiar floor, but then she veered off, leading me through a hidden door. Its seamless construction betrayed the aid of a witch, ensuring its invisibility to prying eyes.

Inside, the scent of fresh blood hung in the air, assaulting my senses. Cages lined the room, filled with vampires and rogues who seemed to have lost their sanity. They growled and thrashed about, their feral instincts taking over. "These are some of the infected we've captured," my mother explained. She pointed to a massive lab setup, where notes detailed their attempts to reverse the symptoms.

"The only cure we've found so far involves the blood of a previous blessed one and rare herbs," she continued. "With the help of witches, we've been able to create a treatment. But our supplies are running out, and we've reserved them for those in power, like your father. If his condition is discovered, our kingdom would be in grave danger. That's why your mate is so important. We need her to help treat the symptoms."

Curiosity burned within me, and I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know how all of this started?"

My mother sighed, her voice heavy with the weight of the truth. "A being that is both mortal and god, one we have searched for tirelessly. If found, they could end all of this and guarantee the safety of our kingdom. Your father has dedicated years to their pursuit, like others. Rumor has it they are blessed, one of the reasons it is of utmost importance we test your mate. For she is human and could be the one we have been searching for. And if she is Falcon, she is a danger unless contained."

"Take what you need. I won't hide what we are doing. And then go get your mate. You have three days to bring her willingly, Falcon. If you don't, your father will send the warriors. Do not abandon your kingdom. Do the right thing."

There was no way in hell I was handing Katya over, but I would use this as an opportunity to get information. I gathered all the notes on research they had and left. I knew that by doing this, I risked being considered an enemy, a traitor even. But for now, my priority was to protect Katya.

My mother allowed us to leave without issue, but I was wise to how she worked. I knew well that she would have us followed. To be safe, we decided to take another tunnel entrance outside the kingdom.

I knew we could lose any warriors she had tracking us that way. From the conversation I had with my mother, it was clear to me that my family was a threat to Katya. I could tell by how my mother spoke that they did not want her just as a way to make a treatment, but as a weapon. Today was my final decision. I am now against my family, but I will find a way to save this kingdom and this world. I will, in time, take the throne and be the true wolf king needed.