"Close to death."

As soon as the word left Hayden's mouth, a thundering growl shook the entire cabin. Glass shattered. I closed my eyes, my face pressed into Ezra's chest, his arms around me.

Loud growls shook Ezra's entire body. Waves of hot rage rolled off of him. There was movement, but I didn't raise my head. Something told me I should stay put.

"Ezra. Calm down," Sam's voice was steady and calm.

Ezra's only response was to growl more loudly and tighten his grip on me, crushing me into him.

"No one is taking her away from me," he said through his teeth, his voice so deep as to be unrecognizable.

"No one is taking her away," Sam said. "What Hayden said is just a theory-"

Ezra's growl cut him off again. Oh boy. I guess Ezra didn't like Hayden's words much. But they were just a speculation. I was as healthy as a horse. Other than the normal colds people went through every once in a while, I never got sick.

"Orla, a little help here," Sam said.

Okay. First, let's get Ezra to calm down. How could I do that?

Following my instinct, I slowly raised my head and looked up at him. His eyes were a paler brown, his fangs poking his lower lip. I wasn't afraid, I realized.

I smiled and brought my hands up to his cheeks. "Ezra. Calm down. I'm here."

The growling didn't stop, but it did lessen. I took it as a good sign and continued.

"Remember, I'm not going anywhere unless you leave. And you promised you wouldn't," I said, planting a kiss on his jawline before putting on my best puppy-eyed look. "So calm down, okay? Please? For me?"

His fangs retracted slowly and the glowing dimmed drastically. He blinked, his eyes focused on me, and nodded. I rubbed my thumb against his cheek. The growling stopped.

He turned his head and pressed a kiss to my palm, then hugged me to his chest. Okay. Much better.

When he finally pulled back, he looked almost normal. Almost.

"Well... it's been a long time since I've witnessed an Alpha King lose his shit like this," Sam said.

I turned my head and gaped.

The cabin looked like a hurricane had just raged through it. The windows were shattered. The TV was caved in, like someone had punched it, pieces of its dark screen littering the floor. The wooden coffee table looked like someone had stomped on it. The island stools and the armchairs were knocked down and broken.

The only area that seemed unscathed was where Ezra and I sat.

Sam, Hayden and Haley all stood against the wall, looking uncertain. Thank God Gray wasn't around. He'd have been terrified.

Sam sauntered towards his arm chair, glass crunching under his steps. He pulled it up like it weighed nothing and plopped down on it. Crossing his ankles, he leaned back and grinned at me. "Good thing you're around, Orla."

"Are you okay?" I asked as Haley sat down next to us again.

"I'm fine. At least he's not making things fly around when he's in a mood, like a certain idiot," she said, giving Hayden a pointed look. He rolled his eyes and sat down next to her, putting his arms around her neck in a playful choke.

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

"You! You told an Alpha wolf that his mate is..." she glanced at Ezra. "...ill. That's the most idiotic thing anyone could ever do."

Haley succeeded in prying Hayden's arms off. "I was just trying to explain my opinion." Hayden sighed and threw his hands up. "Okay. I admit that was a little idiotic."

Sam and I chuckled.

"So... Can someone tell me what just happened?" I asked, arching my eyebrow at Ezra. "Well? Mister Alpha?"

Ezra's lips twitched up. The tense atmosphere melted away. It was Haley who explained.

"Ezra lost control, it happens when he's extremely angry. The power that he usually keeps locked in just flows."

"Think of it as a bottle of coke," Sam said. "The coke is always there. But when you shake it too much... Boom!" He wiggled his fingers. "His power is pretty much the same. It's always there, but when he gets too angry or emotional, it gets out of control. God, I remember when his father just found his mom, it was a mess. We had to renovate so many buildings."

I stared at Ezra, wide-eyed and my mouth slightly ajar. He put a finger under my chin, pushing it up so I closed my mouth.

"Hayden," he said with a calm voice. Too calm. His eyes were still on me while he talked to Hayden.

"Yeah," Hayden answered, tense.

"I want your father's input on this. Tell him please, but only him. Sam, you tell Vlad, he must have seen someone like Orla in his life time."

And then he stood up with me in his arms, up towards my room in a flash. He pushed the door closed with his foot and sat down on my bed, leaning against the headboard, with me in his lap. He was overly quiet again, his eyes churning with too many emotions.

"Ezra," I whispered. "Are you okay?"

"No." His answer was quick and firm.

I frowned and took his face in my hands. "Why?"

"Why? Didn't you hear what Hayden said? He said you could-"

He stopped and clenched his jaw. Shaking his head, he looked at the window, where the nice weather outside had dulled to a gloomy gray. Fear and despair and anger clouded his gaze.

I sighed. My heart hurt for him. He had lost too much already. I couldn't imagine what the thought of losing his mate did to him. The mate he had just found after believing for so long he would live without.

"Ezra," I said, rubbing my thumbs on his cheeks. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "It's going to be okay. I'm healthy. Also, you are my mate. I doubt you would let anyone or anything take me away from you. Even death."

His eyes snapped to mine. I smiled widely, trying my best to convey reassurance. "So, am I right, or am I right?"

His eyes softened and a little smile peeked through. His eyes still held pain and fear, but there was new found determination in them.

"How do you do that?" he asked.

"Do what?"

"You always make everything better."

"I do?" I asked with a skeptical expression. He nodded. "Well, I'm glad. Because I don't like seeing you upset."

He smiled and looked into my eyes, his gaze loaded with unyielding conviction. "You're right. I won't let anyone or anything take you away from me. I'll fight death itself, if I have to."

I held his face more firmly and pressed my lips to his. He hugged me, desperately, and I could almost feel his pain and fear without having to look into his eyes.

When we finally emerged from my room for lunch, Ezra was considerably more calm, and the cabin was full of men I hadn't seen before. Ezra held my hand as we walked down the stairs. The men were replacing the broken windows and cleaning the cabin.

As we took the last step, they immediately stopped what they were doing and turned towards us, bowing their heads. I had the sudden urge to bow back. I really didn't know if I could get used to this.

Their curious eyes settled on me. I shifted on my feet, before getting my act together and smiling at them.

"Thank you for your help, and sorry for the mess. I'll make sure he's in the middle of the woods the next time he loses control like this," I said, pointing an accusing finger at Ezra. Ezra squeezed my hand.

The men looked taken aback for a couple of seconds. Then some of them smiled back, and others chuckled.

"It's no problem, ma'am. This is our job," one of them said.

"You can take some time for lunch," Ezra told them.

"Yes, sir."

We walked out and towards the dining hall, hand in hand, under the gazes of very curious and very stunned supernaturals. I understood now why Ezra didn't want me to be alone. Even with him, I could feel some people's doubtful and disapproving looks. Whenever I felt my insecurities eat up at me, I leaned into Ezra and remembered his words.

Ashley and Zach sat at our usual table. Ashley narrowed her eyes at Ezra as we sat across from them, pointing her fork at him. "I heard you trashed our cabin."

"Sorry," Ezra mumbled.

Zach grinned and tugged on a lock of Ashley's silky, black hair. "You should be thankful your cabin is still standing, babe."

Ezra rolled her eyes.

"So, what made you angry?" Ashley asked.

Ezra glanced around, then his eyes took that faraway look they gained when he linked. Both Ashley and Zach focused on him. I ate and let them communicate in peace. After a few minutes, Ashley sucked in a sharp breath, and Zach looked at me apologetically.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Zach said.

"I told him so," I said. "So, you can mind-link with more than one person at once?"

"Yep," Zach replied.

"Nice. Like a group chat," I said.

Ashley and Zach grinned. "That's one way of putting it," Zach said.

A group of girls sat at the empty table next to us. The cafeteria was growing busy. I ate some of my pasta, aware of the overt glances the girls threw my way. I shifted in my seat. Constantly being the center of attention was exhausting. I wished I could go invisible. The girls snickered among themselves.

Someone growled. I looked up, surprised it was Ashley. She was looking at the girls at the next table, her face set in unforgiving lines.

The girls all looked down at their food, quieting down. Ashley shook her head and calmly cut through her steak.

"What's wrong?" Ezra asked.

Ashley smiled at me then glanced at Ezra. "Boys could be so oblivious sometimes."

Zach and Ezra exchanged a look. I chuckled. "I'm fine."

"I know. Still, you don't have to put up with everything. If anything's bothering you, speak up, or tell me. I have your back," she winked at me.

My heart warmed. "Thank you."

Ezra and Zach looked between the two of us. Ezra dragged my chair closer to his and leaned closer. "Is everything okay?" he whispered.

"Yes. Everything will be fine," I said. The looks and the whispers were something I'd suffered through back in my home town. I'd thought I'd leave it behind. Except I wasn't so lucky.

But at least now, I no longer had to suffer through it alone. Ashley and the others were here for me. At least now, I had people in my corner. Knowing that made everything bearable, made me feel stronger than before, more anchored. Because no matter what happened, Ezra and my friends would be here for me.

***

"I can't believe I ate so much after the big breakfast you made me." I patted my belly as we walked away from the cafeteria. I had a small food baby bump. Fortunately, I wore an oversized top, otherwise, people would surely think I was pregnant. The sun pushed away the gray clouds and sent its cheerful beams down on us.

"I can," Ezra said.

I gasped and narrowed my eyes at him, my lips twitching up despite myself. "Are you implying I eat a lot?!"

"No, I want you to eat more," he said, his tone completely serious. "What I meant is that I expected you to be hungry, since we did engage in some energy consuming activities this morning."

I frowned. Energy consuming? What did he mean- Oh! My face went up in flames.

"Oh my God! you...you...you...Ugh" I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Ezra's arm snaked around my shoulders. I peeked through my fingers. He had the most handsome little grin on his face. My mortification faded into a smile. I loved seeing him like this.

He lowered my hands then gripped my chin and kissed me, not so chastely, before pressing his lips to my nose then my forehead.

"I -" He briefly closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Then he smiled at me. "Let's go."

We resumed our walk. Fortunately, the majority of students were in the cafeteria, so there weren't many people who witnessed our PDA and my bright red face. Two figures standing next to my cabin caught my attention.

"I think your friend is back," Ezra grumbled. I squinted, wishing I could see as well as he did. As we drew closer, I could make out the head of dark curls and the lanky figure of Blake speaking with Haley.

I grinned and hastened my steps. Ezra growled a little.

"Oh stop it. You like Blake," I said.

"I would like him better if he kept a five-foot distance from you," he mumbled.

I chuckled. "Be nice! He's the only friend I have apart from you guys. Besides, he did have a hand in saving me that day."

Ezra sighed pressing me closer to his side and kissing my crown. "You're right. I'll be indebted to him my whole life for that."

I wrapped my arm around his waist. It was only a couple of days ago, but it felt like ages since the incident in the woods.

Blake looked as good as new. His clear eyes glanced from her to Ezra, a soft expression on his face, then he bowed his head towards us as we stopped in front of him and Haley.

"Blake," I squeezed his forearm. "How are you doing?"

"I'm better." He smiled. "Much better."

"You certainly are," Ezra murmured, his dark eyes scrutinizing Blake.

"You noticed it, too!" Haley said.

I looked between the three, confused. What did they mean?

Blake looked fully healed. I cocked my head aside and studied him. There was something different about him. He stood more upright, his shoulder and back no longer hunched. And there was a glimmer of confident pride behind his sheepish smile.

"His wolf," Ezra explained to me. "His wolf is more present. He's still not fully out. But he's no longer hiding."

My eyes widened. I beamed at Blake. "Really?"

"It's true. I've been feeling it fo a while now," Blake said, his awed eyes never leaving me. He looked at me like a blind who had seen the light for the first time.

"Blake," Ezra growled out tightening his hold on me.

Blake snapped out of his daze, his eyes widened and he shook his head. "It's not like that. I mean it sort of is, but not like that."

"How about we talk inside," Haley said, pulling Blake with her.

Ezra looked down at me and whispered, "I guess I'm not the only one who changed with you around."

I frowned as we walked inside. The cabin looked as good as new. The workers were gathering their tools.

"Thank you," I called out to them. They nodded with warm smiles, trickling out of the door.

Blake sat in an armchair and Haley in the other, leaving me and Ezra on the couch.

"What did you mean, Blake?" Haley prodded gently.

"I- Uh- I've been feeling my wolf more ever since I met Orla," he said. "He wasn't as present as he is now, but I could faintly feel him on and off, especially around her.

"I thought nothing of it at the beginning, but it got stronger as time went by, and that day in the woods, when Orla was threatened, I felt him," he smiled, his wide eyes glistening with disbelief and wonder. "I actually felt him like I used to when I could still shift. It was only for a few seconds, but it was so strong. Ever since then, he's been more present. Even now when I felt Orla close, he was pushing forward in my mind. It's... amazing."

Silence claimed the cabin for several minutes as we processed his words. I had no idea what to make of them.

"Well," Haley breathed out.

"Are you sure about it, Blake?" I asked. "I mean, it could just be a coincidence?"

"No," Blake replied, leaning forward. "I'm positive, it's like you... trigger something. I actually feel even better than I did before the accident. Not just because my wolf is more present, but overall, I feel better."

I blinked at Blake for a few seconds before looking up at Ezra. His brows furrowed, his mind churning behind his eyes.

"Have you told anyone about this?" Ezra asked.

"No, sir," Blake shook his head. "I wanted to tell you first."

Ezra nodded. "Good, keep it that way. Haley, I want you to link Sam and Hayden and tell them about this. The more they know, the more your father and Vlad might be able to help."

"On it," Haley said. She looked at the ground with a focused frown.

"Um, what does this mean exactly?" I asked.

"I don't know yet," Ezra said, pressing his lips to my forehead. "But don't worry. We'll find out."

Haley shook her head. "Maybe his wolf recognized Orla as his future queen? You know wolves could be very attached and protective of the queen."

"Possible," Ezra said. I wrung my hands together in my lap. This was getting a little out of control. Anxiety pinched my guts. Was something really wrong with me?

"But you don't think that's it, do you? Even I have a feeling it's way more than this," Haley said. Her eyes softened when she saw my face. She smiled at me. "Don't worry, Orla. I mean, whatever it is, it's a good thing."

I nodded slowly, chewing on my lip. What in the world was going on in my life?! I was doing things that rendered supernatural beings speechless. I didn't know what to feel or think, it was all too confusing. Too many things were happening too fast for me to keep up with.

I looked at their worried faces. They were here for me. And, as Haley said, my effect on Blake was a positive thing. 

I took a deep breath. Oh well, it'll turn out fine. What could be more surprising than discovering that werewolves, vampires and witches exist? And that I was their future king's soulmate?!

I had a werewolf soulmate, and I was going to be a queen. Ha! Nothing beats that. I took a deep breath. I was going to be just fine. Right. I sighed and stood up, making everyone's eyes turn to me.

I put my hands on my waist and grinned. "Okay, let's get going then. We still have classes to attend!"

Blake and Haley grinned and got to their feet. Ezra glanced at them. "You guys go ahead. We'll meet outside."

Haley and Blake left in good spirits, Ezra stood up and hugged me to him. "You're amazing, you know that?"

I chuckled and pulled away so I could see his eyes. "Of course I am. Sometimes, even I am amazed with how amazing I am."

Ezra chuckled and squeezed me to him in a bear hug. "Everything will be fine."

"Mhm." I hugged him tighter, feeling my worries slip away to the back of my mind. It would be fine.

Ezra dropped by his cabin while I got my backpack from my room. I used the bathroom quickly. My reflection in the mirror stopped me. I looked almost like a different person. My mismatched eyes looked brighter, more alive than ever.

It was crazy how fast things could change. Things you cared about and which seemed like the world to you, could at the drop of a hat become less important. And people could come to mean so much to you in a matter of days.

Time is irrelevant when it comes to certain things, to certain people.

You may know someone your whole life, but realize in a single moment that you never really knew them. And you may know someone for a few days, but become certain that they will be the air you breathe for the rest of your life.

I walked down the stairs with my bag, to find Ezra just getting through the back door.

"Do you have a key to our cabin?" I asked, taking his hand.

"Master key," he said.

I raised my brow. "Well, feel free to use it whenever you feel like it."

He growled lowly before wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

"You're being sassy today," he said, his eyes flickering to my lips.

"I always am." I grinned, raising my chin. "Do you have a problem with that, your highness?"

"No, I don't. I happen to love it." And he pressed his lips briefly to mine. "It's only a few hours but please, be careful."

I wanted to say that nothing could happen in a few hours, but... yeah. My track record wasn't very promising.

We walked with Haley and Blake to the lecture halls. A few students on our way bowed their heads to Ezra and, surprisingly, to me. I even got a few friendly smiles. I guess not everyone was averse to my status as Ezra's mate and future queen. That made me hopeful for the future.

Ezra and Haley's class was in another building. When we were about to split ways, Ezra held Blake with his dark gaze. Blake gulped and nodded, his eyes flickering down.

Hmm.

The lecture hall was busy, busier than usual. And as soon as Blake and I entered, there was a beat of absolute silence before conversation picked up more enthusiastically. Blake and I sat next to each other. I leaned close and whispered. "What did Ezra tell you?"

Blake squinted at me. "What makes you think I'll tell you."

I grinned. "Just tell me on your own before I make you."

"Oh yeah? And how would you do that?" He asked, his blue eyes amused and curious.

"Oh, nothing." I shrugged. "Maybe I'll tell Ezra you tried to hug me? Or maybe kiss me? that's even better."

Blake gasped. "You wouldn't!"

I just grinned and batted my eyelashes at him. I wouldn't actually do that, but he didn't need to know.

He groaned. "Fine. He warned me that if someone laid a hand on you, he will skin me alive, castrate me then feed my balls to the crows."

My eyebrows shot to my hairline. I blinked. "He wouldn't do that!"

He scoffed. "You really think so?"

When I nodded, he just laughed at me and shook his head. "If there's one thing you should know about us, Orla, is that you don't miss with someone's mate."

His words brought Aaron's last moments to mind. I slowly nodded. I guess he had a point.

"Especially a royal alpha. That's just having a death wish, a very painful death wish," Blake added with a shudder.

"Why a royal alpha in particular?"

"All werewolves are protective of their mates. But the highest the wolf is ranked, the more intense those protective urges are. So I can definitely understand how the highest wolf in the structure would behave if someone harmed his mate. I mean, you saw what happened to Aaron. Not that I feel bad for him. Totally deserved it, that asswipe."

I held back a shudder. "So the higher the wolf is ranked, the most protective he is of his mate."

"Yeah. But it's not just the feelings of protectiveness that are heightened, everything else is. Their power, their reflexes, their instincts. I honestly have no idea how his highness still didn't mark you yet. I certainly admire his self-control," Blake said with an impressed expression.

"Mark?" I asked with a confused frown.

Blake's eyes flickered away. "Uh- I think it's better if he tells you about it."

"Blake-"

"Oh, look! The professor's here!" He turned to the board. His overly enthusiastic attitude was suspicious, since he never liked this class.

Mark. Hmm. I'd just ask Ezra about it later.

***

After our two classes, we made our way to the spot where we had split up with Ezra and Haley. It was the end of the day, and the place was packed. As Blake and I wove our way through, someone bumped into me so hard, I landed with my butt on the ground. "Ow."

"Watch where you're going!" A smooth feminine voice snapped. I looked up at the pretty blonde girl. She could pass for an angel if not for the disdainful expression twisting her features.

I blinked up at her. Did she just send me to the floor then tell me to watch where I was going? It was really impressive, how some people's brains work...

"You watch it, Joanna," Blake glared at her and helped me to my feet. People stopped and stared. I didn't want to be the center of attention any longer, so I dragged Blake and walked past her.

"You should apologize when you bump into someone, human," she said behind me. "Or did your parents not teach you any manners."

I stopped. Oh, she did not just say that...

--- ---- ---

Hey guys!

Sorry for the long wait! This was a long chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to vote and comment. It lets me know you're enjoying the story! 

Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.