The Chosen One

Chapter 3: Flora

“We haven’t checked there.”

“Make sure nobody’s lurking there.” A deeper voice echoed back.

Hearing those two distinct voices broke my sleep in seconds. I rose from the floor, a bit disoriented with the thought of probable danger.

Instincts flared as confusion hit me, alongside a wave of dizziness. So, I stumbled and fell flat on my bum.

I yelped.

“Did you hear that?”

As I gathered myself to move, the sound of pounding boots crunching against fallen leaves signaled a powerful presence.

But I couldn't wait to find out.

I rushed, scrambling to my feet. Fueled by the thought of refuge in the bushes at the corner. .

I dived in, escaping open visibility. When I looked back, from the safety of the bushes, I was greeted by the sight of two sharply contrasting gentlemen.

“I could swear someone was here.” The baritone voiced man, with a buffed musculature squinted sharply towards my direction.

I froze– the gaze was too intentional to be a mistake.

I couldn’t tell if he saw me, but his piercing gaze felt as though he was waiting for any sign of my presence.

And by the moon goddess, I don’t mind getting caught by this devilishly handsome mister.

“Or maybe the tension is getting to you, Young Master.” The second man, a slender figure responded. “I mean, would he attack from the sea?”

Young Master?

It felt odd to hear that when the man in question had a presence as powerful as an Alpha. But I pushed the thought aside, focused on escaping.

Relief came when his gaze shifted, though part of me wanted him to find me. But reason won— I didn’t know them or their intentions.

So I crawled, ignoring the harsh thistles as they grazed my skin. I moved, navigating the undergrowth of the bushes.

Until it happened.

The snap of the rope was sharp and its grip tight.

In an instant, I was hefted off the ground. Suspended by my trapped leg till I dangled upside down in a net connected to tree tops. .

“s**t!’ I cursed out as running footsteps echoed towards me.

Upon their arrival, I felt self conscious due to how I hung upside down. So I quickly adjusted my gown, hugging my chest and stretching the dress to keep decent.

“Hey there!” The Young Master edged his jaw at me, a questioning look etched over his face.

He wore a tight black shirt with a few buttons undone, and a black jacket hanging off his shoulders with a commanding presence. His sharp cheekbones, red toned lips, and dark, piercing eyes stole me away immediately.

“Who are you? And who do you work for?” He asked, his voice passing a threatening undertone that he was not to be messed with.

I gulped in uncertainty as my eyes averted to his slender companion who snapped his fingers. He had a calmer face and looked like the easier one to talk to.

When I was about to reply, the slender man snapped. “Are you deaf? Answer the damn questions.”

I flinched at his words, feeling the pressure of my upside down suspension pool up in my head. It was worsened by his cutting tone until the man in black caught my gaze.

“This is a waste. Cut her down. I’ll have Madame Bea interrogate her.”

The deep, gravelly tone had me entranced. It was like the sound of distant thunder.

So low, so steady, so hot!

Coupled with the intense stare from him that felt as though he was peeling me open, layer by layer. To the point I ignored his fiery talk of an interrogation.

Shit… Flora, get a grip!

“But… Young Master Draxen.” Lucien looked up at me. “That might be what she wants. You, talk now.”

“I—I am..” I stammered, completely distracted by Draxen’s unreadable expression.

“Answer!” Draxen snapped again, the crunch of his boots on the leaves echoing loudly as he moved forward.

His aggression should have frightened me, especially the way he postured with fists at his sides, frothing like an angel of vengeance. But instead, I found myself drawn to him, in a strange way.

Like he was a part of me. .

“Lucien, this isn’t productive.” He growled.

Lucien nodded. “I’ll try again.”

“Lucien.” Draxen's voice was calm but commanding. And the way he stared on straight unnerved me, making it hard for me to think of anything else—besides him. “I said– cut her down!”

“B-but?” Lucien stammered. “She might be a spy.”

“No!” Draxen stretched towards me. “Shaken, washed up, smells of salt water and blood. Not the fine qualities of a spy.”

“It could have been planned, Young master.” Lucien gritted his teeth and I could tell he was trying so hard to remain composed.

The Young Master leaned back and then, the anger in his face faded away. “She’s scared.” He said in a very casual tone.

He walked towards me, underneath the net with a softening gaze that relaxed me. But it fueled a heat low in my stomach.

The next second, I heard the rope snap and the net loosened. Gravity caught on fast, and I fell like lightning. Right into Draxen’s waiting arms as my breath caught in my throat.

“Now,” He said quietly. “Tell me your name and how you ended up here.”

The words were simple but I was knocked senseless by the way he spoke. Mesmerized by the curve of his inviting lips–perfectly sculpted with the faintest, sexiest tint of red.

The pressure from his arm, around the curve of my body, sent a delightful shiver trailing down to my core. And my thighs pressed together, in an instinctive bid to sate my throbbing core as I stifled a moan.

He must have noticed because his eyebrows lifted in askance. Accompanied by a scowl as he dropped me.

I was disappointed that he let me down. Like I upset him. I desperately wanted to get his good graces so I answered.

“My name is Flora and my pack got attacked. Wiped out, actually.” Warm tears gathered in my eyes as I recalled the dreadful night. “My dad pushed me into the water to escape b-but.. h-he died shortly.”

Saying the words hit me hard.

The fact that I would never get to see father, or Lukas, or the people I had grown up with anymore. It broke me and there and then, I sobbed, covering my mouth in grief.

“Hey, hey. It’s alright.” Draxen said, pulling me into his hands. “Whatever happened, you’re safe here, with me.”

I wanted to fight back against his assurance. After all, the day did not start well. But his aura was suffocating-- an overwhelming presence that smothered into passive submission, frozen beneath his piercing gaze.

But I tried to fight back, lips parted in defiance only for his grip to tighten, anchoring me in place. Followed by his warm breath against my ear as his voice rumbled like distant thunders.

"Mate, Flora." His whisper was calm yet mesmerizing, reverberating through me like a command woven into my soul. Calm, yet mesmerizing. "Draxen protects his own."

It shattered every wall I had to counter his words. And then, I smelt it-- fresh flowers, crisp and intoxicating, wrapping around me.

I felt a shiver of energy pulsate through me, as clarity bloomed in my eyes. His presence became even more prominent as the realization of our mate bond shattered through me like a lightning strike.

Eyes wide, I gasped at this, stammering. "M-my mate."