The leaf and the wind

The King's mate

Nathan: Wow! Thank you, Red!

Other kids: Yeah! Thank you!

Annie: Hey! Where's my hug?

They leaped across the picnic table, pinning her down in the soil in a heartwarming group hug. She thought about it. If she had to leave the pack because of the king, she might as well leave some things behind and talk to them. She had crafted a stuffed animal for each of them, knowing their favorites. She made them herself for two days straight—24 little plush toys personalized for each one of them. She waited for the hug to end before sitting them down in a circle.

She held back her tears. Each day her mom became more and more terrified and so was she. She knew that if the king decided it was over for her, she had no choice but to yield. Annie would have to fake her death and leave the pack to hide among humans. Her heart broke, but the plan was thought out by her parents, and it was perfect. They wanted her to survive no matter what happened. She promised to send letters and gifts; she had already prepared a bag just in case the king was displeased with her. If he let her live and stay there, she could keep teaching the kids and maybe marry Lucas, have children of her own and die right here in her hometown. It would be like a dream come true, but it was not likely. The king did not like strangers, he hated humans overall. Everyone in the pack was ready for this event, but they were scared. She was scared.

Annie: As you know, the Lycan King will come and visit. There is a slight chance that I may have to leave the pack... But please, don't be too sad, all right? With these, I will always be there for each and every one of you. Don't worry if you lose the plush; you just have to ask my mom, and she'll send me a letter, so I can make another one.

Nathan: No! No! Why would you... NO! I don't want you... to ... to leave! I love... y-you! Please stay!

Despite his pride, he could not hold back his tears and sobs. She pulled him into a hug as the other children followed.

James: Why can't you just hide far away and come back later?

Annie: Because, my scent is all over the place. He'll know I was here, and who knows what he would do to the pack if I am not there? What if I came back and he does too? It's too dangerous.

John: I-i-it's not fair!

As they cried, wailed, howled, and sobbed, her tears could not be held back. Her face moistened, her throat knotted into a tight ball. She let a soft sob out as her breath became jerky. Since the news arrived, she coped with it with jokes and games, but the reality hit her like a train when she saw the river of tears they were creating for her. "I don't want to leave...". After a little while and individual hugs, she swallowed back her sadness and smiled.

Annie: Don't worry, okay. You can cry, but not for too long, all right? I won't be out of reach, and maybe one day we'll meet again. Okay? Don't cry. Know that you all have been my best friends. Every one of you. I love you all, and nothing will change that, okay?

They kept crying. She kissed their heads. Despite claiming to not have a favorite, she could not help but think that Nathan would miss her the most. Even after the others went home, he would not let go of her. He kept repeating "I love you" over and over again to make sure it sank in. She kept silent while holding him tightly against her heart. "He's 8, he'll get over me before he's 15, I'm sure of it." She, on the other hand, thought it would be harder for her to let go of his memory. She considered him a little brother. She helped her mother give birth to him when she was 11 and tried to assist the midwife as it was too late to transport her to the pack doctor on the other side of the lake. She was one of the first to hold his little purple and slimy body. She actually was the one who cleaned and wrapped the baby. He was so precious to her. Her first birth.

They got interrupted when Penny ran toward them in panic, accompanied by Julian, the girl's crush, and Lucas, who always had a thing for Annie.

Penny: Red... He's here.

------------------------

All the unmated female wolves knelt, forming a line, while the rest of the pack sat behind them. In the front row, Yazmine and Penny took their places. Annie held and kissed their hands before joining her parents at the back. She silently prayed that Penny wasn't the king's mate. Penny possessed a gentle heart but was fragile and a bit of a pushover. If chosen as the king's mate, she would likely lead a life of unhappiness, unable to rule a kingdom. However, Penny was an extraordinary artist, and Annie couldn't help but observe her trembling in fear, even though the king hadn't arrived yet. Glancing at Nathan, who clung tightly to the plush she had given him, Annie saw him whispering a prayer for her well-being. He didn't wish for her to stay, but rather, he wished for her to survive. He understood that "if she had to go" meant she might be killed. Though young, Nathan wasn't naive, and he held onto hope.

Prepared for her plan, Annie's parents tightly held her hands, attempting to mask her scent. A warm hand rubbed her lower back to her shoulders. She looked behind to see Lucas, trying to mask her scent more. His eyes were overflowing with tears, but he made no sound. His blue eyes locked on hers as he leaned in and kissed her cheek, very close to her lips. She felt his tears and saliva stain her skin while he kept rubbing his pheromones on her. "You're a bit late to tell me your feelings now, Lucas..." She thought while touching the side of her lips.

As everyone fixated on the grass, Annie couldn't resist staring straight ahead. A series of footsteps echoed between the trees, signaling the arrival of at least 15 individuals. The atmosphere grew heavy, and a bead of sweat trickled down Annie's forehead. She kept her gaze fixed between the trees, the anticipation building. The brightness and ominous feel of the approaching presence gripped everyone's breath except for Annie's. In and out. In and out. . She could only hear her own breathing and her heart beating in her chest like a tambourine. She closed her eyes, breathing the air, waiting for the King to appear from the forest. "Wait... why am I standing up?" Suddenly, warmth enveloped her lips. A hand tangled in her hair, pulling her toward someone or something. A tongue explored her mouth as she tried to break free from the hard chest pressing against her. Surrendering seemed a better option to survive, and she deepened the kiss, caressing the soft tongue that sought her. The moment became strangely pleasant yet inherently wrong. Pushing against the hairy chest, she sought to catch her breath. When he finally released her, she opened her eyes and found herself locked in two golden orbs. "Mine," he growled.