Mates Conquer Everything, Right?

“What do you mean, he is still in chains?” I look at Maya who is communicating with Oliver.

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “They didn’t unchain him, and when I told the guards it was okay they told me to back off.”

“So, that means…” Maya can’t finish the sentence. “Alpha’s orders.” Oliver completes it.

“Can I go to him?” The two agree to let me in the prison cells, which I didn’t know were located in the bunker/barn.

It is more like a cave than a modern prison. Everything is metal, coated with silver, to make sure wolves don’t attempt to break free. Oliver explained while pushing me through the moist cave.

“The prison has been the same for centuries. It is only checked now and then to make sure everything is safe.” He tells me proudly.

“At least there are no prisoners,” I say, seeing cell after empty cell.

“There are more levels, Violet,” Maya moves ahead of us, right before we reach a corner. She doesn’t have a rank, but I feel some power radiating from her. The light becomes more bright with each step. I see four guards standing before a cell, feeling my mate nearby. It is at that moment that I realize how much I missed him. My man, my mate, my wolf. Tears escape my eyes. God, I did miss him. His energy connects with mine and I sigh happily.

Wanting to see my mate, I help Oliver push me faster, moving my hands to the wheels.

“You can leave,” Maya tells the guards, but they stay, not even acknowledging our presence.

“I need to examine my patient, let us through.” She’s getting frustrated, authority is radiating from her.

One of the guards lets his gaze travel to me, I can see his eyes are foggy. The Alpha must be communicating with him.

“You three make sure to clean things up after you attend to him…” He leaves, the rest of the guards following after him.

One of them says under their breath: “He needs it again soon.”

I frown. My mate will never be locked up again, not if I can help it. My mind hasn’t caught up with my body when Oliver is pushing me in front of the bars, and suddenly, I can see my mate.

More tears well up. The cell is not much larger than a broom closet, not that he needed the space. He is standing in the cell with his arms chained to the ceiling, not able to move. Standing is a generous word for it, he is hanging, his legs not carrying his weight. He looks like he’s been to hell and back. I know I don’t look much better, but he’s clearly lost weight. His body is covered in sweat and smear. He looks like he is sleeping, or at least that’s what I hope.

I swallow a sob not wanting to be in full cry mode when he wakes up. I think of things that make me happy. He can only go up from here. We can mate and fully experience the mate bond. We will finally give in to our desires. Yes, those are nice things to think about.

Oliver takes the keys from a little table in the corner and opens the cell. Maya takes no time rushing to Igétas, waking him up with gentle words. “Beta, it’s over, she is fine. I made sure of it. Open your eyes.” His eyelids flicker but remain shut. Maya looks over to me, nodding.

“Igétas, I am fine, I am here.” As soon as he hears my words, his eyes fly open.

I smile at him, wanting to stand up and wrap my arms around him, but I can’t. His green eyes are shinning with a little bit of gold.

“I am here. Let Maya help you so we can leave this place.” I add, not sure what to call the dungeon without sounding disrespectful.

Maya takes the keys from Oliver, unchaining my man. “Careful with your arms. Take them down slowly.”

He nods, doing what the doctor says. Oliver offers water and Igétas gulps it down.

“Did… Did you not drink?” I ask feeling my heart clench for him.

“Not much, I was too strong and holding back nutrition is a good way to break a werewolf.”

“Okay, you can go hug her.” Maya says after letting him do some stretching.

His arms find me instantly. He picks me up and I wrap around him, feeling the electric touch sizzle where our skin meets. I moan at the sensation, needing it all those days and never getting it. I am in heaven.

“I missed you,” I say, knowing that those words can’t even describe what I’m feeling.

“Oh Violet, I am so relieved to be holding you after all this time.”

“I wanted you to come and hold me.” I say, crying a little, and he gently moves me up and down, soothing me.

“I know.” He is rubbing my back under the shirt letting his warmth and sparks help me.

’I almost broke down the cell.” He murmurs in my hair sniffing my scent.

I sigh, “It is over now. I survived.”

“Barely.” I hear a voice and I look up, completely forgetting we weren’t alone.

“Beta, she wasn’t in a normal heat cycle. I was able to make her stable, but we almost lost her a couple of times.” Maya looks at the ground while speaking to her superior.

I hear a growl from my mate and I rub his arms.

“It is okay, I made it.” I try to comfort him.

“Yes, this time…” he says, “what about the next one.”

I pull away from him to look into his eyes. “This time?” I ask. “There will not be a next time.”

“Violet, the heat will come back.” He says. “A heat cycle-” I put a finger to his lips, shushing him.

“I know that it can come back, so we are going to finish the mating process. I almost died, there will not be a next time.” I search his eyes, seeing if my message sinks in.

“We can’t do it.”

My body becomes cold and I wiggle out of his grip, nearly falling over, forgetting I can’t stand yet. Oliver comes over, letting me sit in the wheelchair.

“What?” I need to make sure I heard correctly.

“I can’t.” he tells me again, pain written on his face.

My eyes go big, and my mouth falls open.

He is serious, I can’t believe it.