KING'S MATE

After The Dark

Gween Marie Peterson POV

"Is your decision right by marking her as yours, Nick? I know you did this so she could be saved. Some of your strength will transfer to her and she is saved from death, but are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," said the deep baritone voice that was so familiar to me.

I tried to move and wince in pain when I felt my whole body cramping and throbbing, especially my neck. I felt something was different and somehow I felt like ... Complete.

I try to move my hands and open my eyelids. Being in the dark for a long time scared me and was traumatized.

I felt so alone and trapped, but for some reason some time ago I felt that I was no longer alone and felt the presence of others in the deepest recesses of my soul.

With some difficulty finally my eyes slowly opened and showed two men in full suits clashing arguments beside the bed where I lay, then my eyes turned to the whole room and found this room so white and full of foreign machines. "Have you forgotten Edmund's words? Are you able to part with her after you give her a sign as yours?"

"I'll make sure she doesn't go anywhere Alastair"

The blue-eyed man I know named Alastair sighed and opened his mouth to respond, but I defeated him first, "where am I ...?" suddenly the two men turned and looked at me with wide eyes.

One of them, who had gray eyes moved closer and stroked my head. He looked down and gave a warm kiss on my forehead.

His eyes look teary when looking at me. "You're awake baby, thank God"

I frowned and looked at the gray-eyed man with a questioning look. "Where am I?" my voice sounded so hoarse and my throat felt as dry as Mount Sahara.

Blue-eyed man --- Alsatair, moved to reach the glass and gave the glass that had been filled with water to the gray-eyed man who was now sitting on the edge of my bed.

The man helped me drink and when my throat no longer felt dry, I murmured the word "thank you" with a small smile.

The man smiled back and said to Alastair, "call Jared, Alastair. Tell him that Gween has regained consciousness." Alastair nodded his head curtly. He gave me a small smile then turned to leave the room.

They feel so familiar, but I don't know why I can feel that.

"What happened to me?" I asked, trying to remember. Why can I be in the hospital and who are they?

"Do you remember something Gween?" the man asked in return.

"I didn't ---" instantly all memories flooded me. Meeting, then Edmund, then kidnapping, all of which arrived at the attack by three creatures named werewolf on me.

I gasped and looked at the gray-eyed man who was currently staring at me closely. "I remember --- Nickolas ..."

Nickolas immediately lifted my body and put me on his lap. One hand wrapped around my waist and the other held the back of my head and pressed my face against his chest covered by a shirt and coat.

I could feel his body trembling and he whispered, "please don't do that again Gween, if you want to go away from me just tell me"

The sound of sobs slowly coming out of my lips when I felt his arms tighten and he buried his face in the recesses of my neck. "Don't ever do this again. You don't know how valuable you are in my life Gween"

I groaned when I felt the kiss of his lips in one area that made my body like jelly.

The flow of shock spread throughout my body and the pain that was all over my body, especially my neck just disappeared and replaced by a sense of pleasure. "Why do you say it like that Nick?" I asked hoarsely. "I'm nobody and I don't understand why you want me to be present in your life, but your attitude is so cold and as if I don't mean anything"

"I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry and I was so wrong. I've wasted the most beautiful thing in my life. You are so precious to me Gween. You are my soulmate" Nickolas raised his head from the recesses of my neck and looked at me with a sad look.

"Tell me, who are you and what is my role in your life?"

"Gween ---"

"Good afternoon Miss Gween," said a voice that sounded strange in my ears. I immediately averted my eyes from Nickolas's gray eyes and looked at a man in his mid-forty with black hair and bright brown eyes covered with glasses.

He was wearing a white lab coat and a stethoscope hanging from his neck. "I am Doctor Jared, the doctor who is treating you. It's a miracle you can wake up right now"

Dr. Jared walked over and gave me a soothing smile. "What about your condition miss? Do you feel pain?"

No, even better, doc. I answered in my heart. I smiled and shook my head. "Alright you may lie down and I will check you first" Nickolas growled softly and tightened his arms around my body.

Why is his attitude turning like this? He seemed like he didn't want to let me go. Is this the reaction of a soulmate if their partner is on the edge of death?

"OK, you can stay in your husband's lap" I blinked quickly to hear the title Nickolas by the doctor.

"eh - uhh sorry doc, but he's not ---"

"Do it quickly doc" Nickolas cut quickly. He stood up and changed his position by sitting on the bed and I remained in his lap. I looked up and looked at Nickolas who was staring at me closely.

He seemed to be waiting for me to make a protest sentence, but since I was tired because I had just woken up from a coma. So I didn't comment on anything and chose silence.

Dr. Jared just cleared his throat softly and began to carry out the procedure on me. All the life support cables that are still attached to me, were unlocks one by one. "Your condition is better, miss, this is a miracle, moreover your heart has stopped for a few minutes" I felt Nickolas's hand tighten in my body and his head bowed.

His nose inhaled the scent of my hair repeatedly.

"really?" I asked softly.

"Yes, thanks to your husband," he said then leaned forward a little.

He excused himself and turned to leave the room. After Doctor Jared left, I immediately moved away and looked at Nickolas strangely. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing " he muttered softly. His face sank into my neck and didn't move at all. His breath blew on my skin sending a tingling heat that makes my body feel burning. The shock that I felt when in contact with Nickolas continued to be felt and was so intense.

I looked at Alastair, but the man just looked at Nickolas with a look of understanding. A small smile adorned his face and occasionally his eyes glanced at me. There is a happy glow that is so clear there that makes me a little surprised.

Suddenly the door burst open and Edmund and the others walked in. He looked at me relieved and full of emotion while Joshua looked at me happily.

A wide grin adorned my friend's face. Malcolm, Jax, and the other Nickolas's elite team looked at me with happy eyes mixed with emotion.

Then their eyes turned towards the King who was busy sniffing and making a happy voice from his chest repeatedly. Ehh --- does he need to sniff me like a dog?

His hands were still wrapped possessively around my waist and this time they all looked at Nickolas with the gaze given by Alastair, a look of understanding.

What is really happening? Nickolas had been cold and away from me before, but now he was spoiled and didn't want to be separated from me.

There's no way the reaction is like this just because I'm in a coma, right? "Alpha" calls Jax trying to pull Nickolas from the world he created himself. Instantly Nickolas looked up and growled.

He gave a sharp look and killed towards Jax with his golden eyes. Gold? That means the wolf inside Nickolas is in control of his body.

"Alpha, should we feed Gween first?" Joshua asked cautiously. Realizing something Nickolas immediately raised his head to look at me closely.

"Are you hungry, Gween?"

"Finally he realized," Jax commented softly. I clicked annoyed and rolled my eyes. Do not need an answer from me, Nickolas understood immediately when the sound of my stomach sounded so clear.

My cheeks flushed immediately and immediately buried my face in Nickolas's chest in shame. "Our queen is feeling shy," Malcolm murmured softly.

I blinked. Queen? Who? I raised my head and looked at Malcolm with a questioning look. "Pardon?"

Everyone immediately moved nervously and exchanged glances. Nickolas who watched the situation in silence, finally voiced "Joshua, please tell the nurse to bring food to Gween" Joshua nodded his head and turned to leave the room.

***

"Josh," I called suddenly.

Joshua, who was seriously watching the soccer game while chewing chips, muttered softly as a sign that he heard my call.

"Do you know why Nickolas turned spoiled at me?" Joshua sighed and turned off the electronic items that were his entertainment while he was taking care of me.

Nickolas returned to North Hills because there was work to do as well as the others.

Edmund was here for a few hours, but he was contacted via mindlink by Jax if he had important work.

Joshua turned his body to face me and answered, "That is the reaction of a soulmate who is trying to do the mating ritual process. You have just completed the first stage, but the reaction is like that. Especially if you really have completed the mating ritual? I don't know whether to feel sorry for you or not "

"Mating ritual?" I muttered confused. Joshua straightened his body, "yes, the mating ritual is a ritual for soulmates to strengthen their bonds.

This ritual is so important for both parties. If one partner refuses, then this ritual will not work. This ritual consists of three stages. First is a male couple giving their neck mark.

There are two places for the man to place the mark. Right and left. Right means that the man loves his partner and will always be loyal to his partner, if on the left, the man only claims his partner without any frills of love. Only as an obligation.

Then the second stage is to make promises in front of full moon night. Witnessed by everyone and also moon goddess.

After that they ran together in the forest as one unit. Then the last one is ... Mating. You know the meaning of mating for animals, right? "I nodded in response, Joshua looked at me intently while continuing," just like any other natural animal, the wolf in our body also has an instinct to reproduce. On the same night as the recitation of the sacred promise, they will have s*x.

Usually soulmate will complete that stage in less than a week, but there are some cases of soulmate couples who only finish that stage one year after they meet"

My cheeks flushed to hear Joshua's explanation about the last stage of the mating ritual, but somehow I felt impatient to do it with Nickolas. Huh? I blinked as I realized the thought that had crossed my mind. It seems like my head hit the ground hard. Remembering that incident, I looked back at my body full of bandages.

"What --- uhh after the third stage is finished, the woman will get pregnant?" I asked cautiously.

Joshua cleared his throat softly and answered, "almost all soulmates who have completed the stage will conceive, but there are some who will not. Birth control doesn't affect a werewolf's body because our metabolism and our body temperature are higher than ordinary humans"

"I see. So you never wear ... Uhh condoms?" Joshua's cheeks turned red and he shook his head quickly. "Then what about me? Why did Nickolas become so spoiled to me?"

"Yes, that is the effect of the werewolf who has just completed the first stage of the ritual of death. He becomes more possessive and protective of you. He wants to always touch you and always be near you. His reaction will be more intense after each stage is completed.

The reaction will be reduced if you are pregnant because it means you have completed the ritual of mating and belonging to someone "My eyes were rounded full hearing Joshua's explanation. So Nickolas has claimed me? But ---" doesn't he want to reject me and choose Audrey? "

"You have to ask that to Nickolas." Joshua said with embarrassment. I clicked and rolled my eyes because the mood was changing.

"I want to ask you something Josh" Joshua nodded his head and gave me a chance to continue. "Can I reject Nickolas? I mean you said 'if one partner reject, then the ritual won't work'. That means, I can reject Nickolas right?"

Joshua immediately tensed to hear my question. His eyes looked at me with a look that was difficult for me to explain. "Are you---"

"Just answer my question"

Joshua sighed and answered, "yes, you can"

"What should I say if I want to reject this bond?" Josh rolled his eyes at me, but a moment later he looked at me sadly and gave me an example of what I should say if I did the rejection sentence.

I nodded my head understanding and touched the right and left sides of my neck, but I found nothing suspicious. "If Nickolas has given his mark on my neck, where do you think he put the mark?"

Joshua narrowed his eyes and glanced at my neck area. He shook his head and said, "Nickolas seems to hide where the mark is only him knows where it is. I'm sorry Gween"

I just smiled and nodded.

"But the good news, it means he prefers you over the elders."

"Is that so? But ---"

"Give him one chance Gween. Luckily your decision to run is ignored. If he do, I'll bet you will be locked in his private room for a long time."

"Don't remind me of that," I growled in disgust. I paused to listen to Joshua's laughing so satisfied. It seems like he is happy if I end up suffering. "Wait a minute, if you can't see my sign, how can you feel that the first stage of the mating ritual has been done?"

Joshua raised his hand and tapped his index finger on his temple. "Here. I feel a new rope is formed and its aura is so strong it is equivalent to Alpha King.

So I don't need to guess anymore, but unlike the case with other werewolfes, they wonder about the rope, so sooner or later Nickolas and you will make a sacred promise and introduce you to the entire supernatural world if you are a queen "

" A sacred promise? Married?"

"The second stage of mating ritual, Gween Peterson" Joshua grunted dryly. He glared at me and cursed my mind for working slowly. I just chuckled and chose to lay my body on the bed.

It's been a week after I regained consciousness from the coma, it seems I really want to get out of the hospital quickly, but both Nickolas, Edmund, even Joshua who usually always supports me this time prefers to refuse.

They all assumed that I had not recovered enough and needed doctor handling. The doctor also hasn't given a signal that I've been allowed to go home.

So here I am, sitting on a hospital bed without being able to do anything, except reading books or watching TV.

My friend during this time was just Edmund and Joshua, even if Nickolas came I was ready to sleep or was asleep then the next day I would wake up with Nickolas asleep on the couch and he would leave after I had breakfast.

Nickolas rarely talked to me, he often watched me closely from the couch when I had breakfast. Sometimes he would sit beside me while stroking my head gently.

Of course I will not protest, but instead I am more confused by his current nature. He looks like he's distant, but when I think like that, he will be nice to me.

The door to the infirmary opened and the man who was currently filling my mind walked in with an aura of intimidation and domination that was so thick.

In his hand slipped a black coat and in his other hand carrying a briefcase. I cringed at his overly formal style. "Look, your husband is home, Gween!" cried Joshua with a shrill voice.

Joshua's expression looked like someone who was enthusiastic, but I could see the jail glow he threw at Nickolas. Nickolas just glared and growled softly.

I rolled my eyes and reached for the magazine on my lap and threw it right into Joshua's head.

I laughed broadly when I saw Joshua's ridiculous expression when the magazine I was throwing was right on his head. "Gween! You want to kill me with a magazine?" Joshua shouted.

I snorted and ignored his overreaction. He is more suitable to be an actor than a Gamma.

I can't imagine him sitting in a tight chair discussing royal politics --- uhh werewolf.

"Don't be a baby Josh," I said flatly. Joshua just rolled his eyes and then refocused his gaze to the tv screen that was back on.

Nickolas had placed the coat and briefcase that was brought on the table --- who knows when and walked up to me.

His hand reached out to my face and his eyes fixed on me. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"How are you, Gween?"

"better" I replied simply.

"Your wound?"

"Not bad"

Nickolas sighed and lowered his face. His lips kissed my forehead briefly and his hand stroked my head again.

See?

He moved away and walked towards the briefcase he placed on the glass table. "Joshua, you may go now," Nickolas said without distracting himself from the briefcase in front of him.

Joshua muttered unclearly and the TV that had been the center of his attention turned into a black screen. He got up and bowed briefly to Nickolas then he threw his big smile at me before leaving the room.

Nickolas returned his briefcase and walked over to me.

I can see a white box in his hand. Instantly my heart beats fast, don't say that ---- "I know you feel bored that you can't do anything and your cellphone wasn't brought when Edmund brought you. So I bought you a new cellphone"

"Nickolas. But this ---"

"Take it, I'm sure you want to contact your family and your friends," Nickolas said flatly.

My hand reached out and grabbed the white box bearing the apple and opened it. A sophisticated cellphone with the latest model is in my hands. I just mumbled in admiration when the cell phone that I wanted, but I can't buy it in front of me right now and it's mine.

I immediately turned on the flattened and sophisticated object and gave Nickolas a big smile. "All applications have been installed from your cellphone before and all numbers have also been transferred there. My number and others have also been stored in that cellphone" I can only nod my head when I see all the applications that are on my cellphone now installed on this phone, as well as some additional applications.

"Thank you Nick" I muttered softly. Nickolas nodded his head and went to sit on the edge of the bed.

His eyes stared blankly at the wall, but his hand held mine tightly. "You haven't answered my question, Nick" Nickolas blinked his eyes and turned towards me. "What kind of question is that?"

"Question on the other day. Who are you guys?" I asked softly. I want Nickolas to tell me everything.

If I want to give him a chance, then I don't want it if this relationship starts in secret. Well, he also has to win my heart too. Maybe our soul has a sacred rope connected by destiny, but not with my heart.

"Gween ---"

"And don't dare to lie, Nickolas!" I cut quickly. The cellphone that I had so admired now is sitting on my lap. My eyes are more focused on the man who is a puzzle for me. "I saw with my own eyes that the wolf turned into a man, Nick."

Nickolas sighed. His arms stretched out and lifted my body then he put me on his lap.

He looked down and looked at my face so closely. "This world is too dangerous for you Gween"

"If you think I'm weak, then you are mistaken Nick. If you don't want to say it, then I can't give you a chance"

"What do you mean?"

I throw him a look of annoyance, then I remember what Joshua said about rejection, I can reject him after what he did to me, no matter if he has claimed me or not, I open my mouth and say, "I Gween Peterson Rej ---" my mouth was immediately smothered by Nickolas's big hand. My eyes glared sharply which he replied immediately.

"Don't, you. dare," he hissed angrily.

"I'll make sure you pull all those words Gween" Nickolas gave me one last sharp look and murmured, "I will take my hands off your mouth if you promise not to say the damned word, understand?"

I didn't answer, but nodded my head briefly. Nickolas watched me for a few moments and murmured softly, "I think you deserve to hear it."

***

"So you are a werewolf --- sorry I mean Lycanthrope and also the King?" I asked when Nickolas had finished telling me all the things related to his true identity.

He hasn't said about my role in his life, but I won't force him to say that now. I knew anyway and I would not admit this fact to Nickolas.

I shrugged and answered, "I've been attacked by your people, so I only know that werewolf is basically a myth, but it turns out it's real I'm not surprised at all" I paused and asked again, "then why did they attack me?"

"They are rogue, werewolf who is abandoned by his group and live in the wild themselves. Sometimes they are also in groups, but that is rare. The rogues really hate Pack. Did they say anything before you were attacked by, Gween?"

I thought for a moment and nodded my head, "Yes, they say that my scent is like a Royal Pack." Nickolas growled angrily at my answer. "what's wrong?"

Nickolas nodded his head while constricting in confusion. "You're not scared or anything, Gween?" he asked carefully.

"No. Nothing," Nickolas answered curtly. My eyes narrowed at him, looking at him suspiciously, but I didn't force him because I was sure this was related to my status as his soulmate.

"How old are you Nick?" I asked suddenly. Nickolas blinked in confusion at the subject of change.

He changed his seat and looked at me for a long time.

"If you ask how old I am, I'm 23 years old."

"I'm older than that, Gween," answered Nickolas in a mysterious tone.

"Yeah, I know, you said werewolf would experience slowing down than humans when they were seventeen years old. So how old are you?"

"Are you sure you want to know?" this time Nickolas looked at me with amusement because of the expression I showed him. I groaned in disgust when I realized that he was teasing me.

"Just say it!"

"I'm older than you"

"Yeah, I know! How much? Thirty? Forty? Don't beat around the bush Nick" I growled in annoyance.

Nickolas grinned slightly and said, "I didn't know you were fierce like this Gween" I chuckled in disgust and pursed my lips. "Don't do that," he whispered, reaching out and rubbing my lower lip. "If you don't want me to kiss you, don't do it"

Instantly my face turns red like a boiled crab. I lowered my head and blushed when I heard the slight laugh from Nickolas.

This is the first time I've heard Nickolas laughing and geez - his laughter was so beautiful and was able to make my heart beat twice faster. "Don't hide your blush from me Gween. You're very beautiful if your cheeks blush like that" he said, cupping my face and lifting it up.

My hazel eyes met Nickolas's gray eyes which now looked so shady.

"Don't lie, Nick" I squeaked softly.

Nickolas smiled slightly and kissed my cheek. "I'm not lying. And by the way I can hear your heartbeat beating fast. Do I need to call a doctor?" he asked teasingly.

I grimaced softly. Forget if werewolf's sense of hearing is twice as sharp as an ordinary human. "Don't make me more embarrassed, Nick!" I protest in disgust. "Just answer my question, I know you are trying to change the subject"

Nickolas sighed and replied, "I'm one hundred eighty years old" I coughed at his confession.

"You? But --- you don't look more than twenty-eight."

"it's a perk being a werewolf"

"Is there a werewolf older than you?"

"Elders, they are usually three hundred years and older," Nickolas explained briefly.

"Then the others? Edmund? Joshua ---"

"They are all about the same as me because we attend the same school, but Joshua is younger. He is one hundred and fifty years old."

"Oh wow" that's all I can say when I hear Nickolas's words. I want to ask him one thing, but I'm not sure if this is worth asking or not. I better not ask this, but I'm really curious. "Nick, may I ask something?"

"What is that?"

"where is your family?" Nickolas's body suddenly stiffened and his face hardened. His eyes turned blank and his hands clenched tightly. "Sorry if this is a sensitive topic for you, you can tell it in another ---"

Nickolas sighed and said, "I'll tell you later, but not for now. That is a sensitive topic for me."

"Oh okay," I muttered softly. My guess was right, his family was a sensitive topic for Nickolas and I foolishly followed my curiosity and asked him. So for now I can only wait until he can let me into his heart.

For now I can only wait.