MATE OR MONSTER

Lora's POV "I was checking to make sure my guards were not watching me, then I slipped out through the door and I met my mum in the corridor," I said to myself. "Mum, where are you headed?" i asked. "Oh mum, I am going to the kitchen to get some water," I replied. She turned her eyes away from me, and I sneaked out through the back door and ran past the guards. I thought to myself, "I mean, is it all the time I have to be surrounded with guards? Just then I ran into the forest. Wow, it's been a long time since I stepped out." As I ran, I thought, "I don't know what all this talk about mate. Is mate, even necessary, must everybody have a mate?" Just then, an arrow passed me, and I turned as I realized I was surrounded by assailants. I thought, "I have to either fight for my life or be killed. Mum and dad have taught me how to fight, so I'll just swing the sword and shoot the arrows just like these." I fought and killed many people. "And then I saw him, mate, my wolf told me mate…? The same one my parents are almost killing me for? How could I find him in the forest like this?" I was thinking of running back to the palace to tell my parents that I had found my mate, or I should hug him. I mean, I even forgot the fact that I was still in the midst of a battle, not until an arrow shot me, and it was too late. As I fell to the floor, Blood started gushing out of my body. I saw my mate fighting for me. He was trying so hard to protect me, looking so caring, and my heart went out to him the more. Suddenly, everything went black. When I woke up, I found myself in a room. "Where am I?" I asked. A man sat beside me, but I couldn't remember how I met him. My brain kept telling me "mate, mate," but I couldn't remember. "I am certainly sure this is my mate, and he is the only one I can trust for now," I said to myself, trying to remember things, but my head spun, and I fell back asleep. Prince Finn POV "The youngest of them all, Prince Finn, is supposed to be the next alpha," King said. "But first, he must prove himself worthy by capturing Princess Lora." "But, Your Majesty, how can we be sure he's qualified?" Prince Charm, Finn's elder brother, asked. "I mean, he's the youngest. How could he be the chosen one to the throne when we don't even know if he's fit for it?" "Your concerns are valid, Prince Charm," King replied. "That's why I've decided to make it a test. Anyone who brings me Princess Lora will be made the next alpha." "But, Your Majesty, that's not fair!" Prince Finn interrupted. "My team and I went to capture her, but we were attacked and she escaped. Right now, even her kingdom can't find her. She's missing. I think we should go on a search mission instead." "No, no, no," Prince Charm cut in. "We can't just give up like that. You know their park is powerful. We need to get the princess. She is the only source of their strength." "I agree with that," the brothers responded in unison. "We must find the princess." Prince Charm seethed with jealousy, thinking to himself, "How could my younger brother be the chosen one for the throne? Besides, he is not fit for it." A devilish smile spread across his face as he thought, "Let's see how he will go about this. I can't let him have the throne." Prince Charm POV In the morning, Prince Charm began his search for Princess Lora, determined to find her. "Where could she be hiding?" he muttered to himself as he walked through the woods with his guard. Just then, one of the soldiers, who was badly wounded, approached him. Prince Charm recognized the soldier as one of the men who had been injured in the battle with Prince Finn. "Please, help me," the soldier begged. "Who are you?" Prince Charm asked. "I am a soldier from the battle that just ended," the soldier replied, wincing in pain. "What can you offer me if I help you?" Prince Charm asked. The soldier's eyes locked onto Prince Charm's. "I know you're searching for Princess Lora. I can provide you with crucial information about Prince Finn's plans concerning her." Prince Charm's interest was piqued. He ordered his guards to pick up the soldier, and they sat down on a nearby rock. The soldier took a deep breath before speaking. "During the battle, Prince Finn killed all my comrades and left me for dead. I managed to escape, but I overheard him mention a secret location where he's hiding Princess Lora." Prince Charm's grip on his sword tightened as he listened intently, eager to know more about Prince Finn's plans and how to find Princess Lora. Prince Charm turned to his two soldiers. "Take me to the palace while I go to retrieve Princess Lora. I will not spare him," he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination. As they ventured into the woods, Prince Charm instructed his guards, "Let's hide here for a while and let the sleeping dog lie, while the lion stays awake, ready to strike." Under the cover of night, the soldiers observed a light in the distance. "Who could that be?" Prince Charm asked As they watched, Prince Finn emerged, heading towards a nearby tent. "That might be their hiding place," Prince Charm deduced, his mind racing with strategy. With a swift motion, Prince Charm and his troops barged in, seizing Princess Lora and Prince Finn. They were bound and dragged to the palace, thrown into the dungeon. Prince Charm POV The next morning, Prince Charm stormed into the king's quarters. "Father, your son, whom you believe and thinks fit to be king, is not worthy of your trust. He has betrayed you and means no good for this kingdom. He should be put to death. This demands justice and punishment for his betrayal." The king's expression turned grave. "Prince Charm, which of my sons is not worthy of my love and trust? Let him be brought before me immediately." Prince Charm ordered the guards, "Bring the two prisoners” Prince Finn, and Princess Lora were brought before the king, The king looks at them in shock. "My son, Finn, what has caused you to befall this?" he asked. But before Prince Finn could respond, Prince Charm cut in. "There is no mercy for a criminal, Your Majesty. A criminal does not speak among people." The king raised his hands, demanding silence in the palace. "Let my son speak," he ordered. Prince Finn POV Prince Finn felt a sense of relief and spoke up. "My king, I have done nothing. You are looking for the princess, but this is just a maid I saved from the woods." But Prince Charm would not let him finish. "Shut up, liar!" he said angrily. My king, this man is a witness." Prince Charm gestured to a soldier standing nearby. "He was one of the soldiers who was left for dead after the battle." The king turned to the soldier. "Speak up," he ordered. *Flash back* Princess Lora POV Lora, my dear, you know you need to get married," the queen said, her voice firm but laced with concern. "You're not getting any younger. You need to find your mate and come out of this shell." Just then, Finn knocked on the door, looking handsome and charming. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the king requires to see you both," he announced, his voice confident and clear. The queen nodded, and Princess Lora followed her out of the room, Finn leading the way. In the grand throne room, the king addressed the gathering. "My dear family and esteemed guests, I have summoned you today to discuss a matter of great importance. "My daughter will be receiving her suitors today," the king announced. "I need you to go out into the kingdom and call all able-bodied, handsome men to present themselves." ………. Prince Finn POV Finn, a spy sent by his father, brings a guard from his kingdom "Join the suitors' train," he whispered. "I have a plan." Under the cover of night, the ceremony began. Finn snuck around the balcony, making his way to Princess Lora's room. He overhears her parents speaking to her in hushed tones. Princess Lora POV "Princess, you're our only daughter," the king said. "We can't let anything befall you. You know the limit of your... condition is almost up. Please, my princess, you need to choose a suitor." "Yes, my princess," the queen added. "It's for your own safety and the kingdom's." "But, Father, what if none of them are my mate?" Princess Lora asked, her voice laced with concern. "I can't do this, please..." The king's voice was firm. "Do this for me, and for the kingdom's safety, my princess." Just as they were about to leave, Finn was still eavesdropping, trying to hear more. But the queen accidentally hit him, and he jerked back, startled