Stay

Die

Neeko's P.O.V

Everyone turned their heads to the red head that just barged in. I didn't have time to react when she came over swiftly and took me by the collar. I winced slightly as she pressed me to the wall. God she was too strong for a woman!

"What kind of man runs away from their mate on their first meeting, huh?" she looked totally pissed. I could even imagine smoke coming out of her ears. Is she gonna beat me up?

I looked past her shoulder and saw the guards looking wide eyed. They looked away awkwardly when I caught them looking. Why do I always end up in humiliating situations? I sighed.

"All of you, Get Out" I was so close to breaking down and run away. That's why I had to be stern so I could be strong enough to face everything.

They didn't linger after hearing my command and got out of the room dragging the boy along who was trying to fight in protest.

Once they were gone, I focused my gaze on the person grabbing my collar.

"I'm sorry for running away" I apologized. "I just didn't know what to do when you suddenly showed up" it was the truth. My brain was going crazy at that time.

"I was so unprepared." I added another fact.

Her eyes visibly softened after hearing my reply. Her hold on my collar loosened a bit. But then she grabbed it again and looked at me in anger, "couldn't you just talk to me? I'm sure I'd understand" she said pouting her lips in a childlike manner.

"Like I said I was unprepared and I didn't know how to face you" I smiled.

"Fine!" she said letting go of my shirt. "But don't do that again"

I nodded.

"Here's another thing" she said leaning close to me.

"what is it?" I asked trying my best not to freak out.

"Let me join the battle with you." she said, her eyes shining in excitement.

"Doesn't sound like a good idea" I said. I promised Nathan that I'd take care of his mate and taking her to the battle was no option.

"Either you take me with you or I'll barge into the enemy's territory right now. I'm not kidding, my love" she said with such seriousness in her voice that I was afraid she'd do something stupid so, I just agreed to her.

I sighed in defeat, "Fine. But promise me to stay by my side" earning a thumbs up with a big smile from her, "OK!"

~~~~~~~~~

Elijah's P.O.V

"Man, is that a love bite on your lips?" Dylan teased as soon as he entered my office. I was too angry to notice him so I just ignored him. But that didn't stop him from blabbering.

"Let me guess! It was our cute Beta Nathan, right?" he wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I glared at him at the mention of my Beta. That gave him an excuse to tease me again.

"Woah! I got it right?" he faked surprise. "But that means I'm not safe either." he said covering his chest in an act to protect himself.

"Get the f**k out!" my voice was low but stern as I maintained a death glare at him.

He got the hint and fled from my sight. I sighed. These days I'd been too tired to even focus on anything. With Nathan around it's even more difficult to focus on my work. I don't understand why but every time he's near me, I want to pounce on him so bad, it feels irrational. His intoxicating scent is enough to drive me crazy.

Last time, I was so mad at him when I saw him with the nurses. I know it's not his fault but still... I wanted him to stay away from them, and every women in this planet. He apologized even though he was not at fault. I was so close to him, so close that I could almost feel his skin. It was already hard for me to resist him, and the way he touched me broke my last bit of resistance. It was almost like an automatic action. The only thing I could feel was his sweet lips. I wanted more, more of him,every part of him to be mine. I was engulfed in his sweetness and I had no intention of letting him go. I wouldn't have let go of him if he didn't bite my lips.

It was then that I realized what I'd really done. His innocent statements made me feel guilty. He was too innocent. Even so I wanted to pin him on the wall so bad and love him till we both couldn't anymore. But I ended up saying the things that I didn't mean to. I knew he was hurt because after that, his voice became incredibly soft. Something that happens every time he is sad.

After all that happened, I ended up sending him to the southern border to check the rouges. And now, I'm all alone again, left only with his lingering scent that comforted me a little bit. As the days went by, I grew concerned of him. There were no messages from him and I started missing him badly. I couldn't concentrate on my work and was on the edge everyday. Was he still mad at me?

He finally returned back after a week. I couldn't explain my feelings at that time. But he had someone with him that totally displeased me. It was a girl with red hair. She looked fine but still... I didn't like her being too close to Nathan.

Nathan came to report to me as soon as he arrived. At that time, I was fuming mad because of the girl he had brought.

"Alpha." he greeted, his eyes barely meeting mine.

"Who's that girl?" I asked without giving him a chance to say anything as I looked straight at him. I needed answers from him.

He looked shocked. For some reason he looked uncomfortable around me. Was it due to what happened between us last time? I ignored the uncomfortable feelings rising in my belly and focused on him.

"Her name's Ruth. And.... She's my mate" he said uncomfortably.

His answer shook me to the core. It felt as if I was just hit by a bucket of cold water. My whole world seemed to be crashing down in an ugly manner .

I stared at him, shocked. He didn't look at me as if trying to ignore my presence.

Did he really hate me that much? My shock gradually faded and took the form of anger.

I couldn't allow that. I couldn't allow him to be with someone else other than me. And I'd do anything to make that happen. Even if he hates me for the rest of his life for doing that. I just want him so bad!

"I can't allow that" I said after a good minute of silence, finally causing him to look at me. I really missed the way he looked at me. Doesn't matter how he looks at me.

"Why do you say that?" he asked, confused.

"Simply because I don't want you to be her mate" I replied.

"What kind of reason is that? I mean we're mates so it's only reasonable for me to be with her" he said, completely missing the hint. That moron!

"This is my territory and I'm the law here" I said in a voice that would accept no refusals.

He jurned his eyes away from me making me want to grab his chin and make him look at me. But I was restraint.

"You're breaking the Moon Goddess's law" he said quietly as he played nervously with his fingers.

I smirked. How much of a good guy can he be."Mates are supposed to be attracted to each other" I got up from my seat and moved closer to him. "And by the way she touched you, you didn't seem to enjoy it, am I wrong ?"

I continued, "But it's different with me. I won't deny that I'm attracted to you. So damn much that I can't find any logical reason for it even though you're not my mate. And I bet you feel the same" I held his chin and made him look up at me. He blushed and looked away trying to get out of my hold. But I grabbed his arm to pull him closer to me. He winced as soon I grabbed his arm making me let go of it immediately.

"What happened to your arm?" I asked, my voice devoid of any emotions. But only I knew that I was literally drowning in concern in the inside.

"It's just a small injury" he lied, I could clearly tell.

"Take off your shirt" I said.

He hesitated for a moment before finally listening to my command. He took off his shirt. He had a deep wound that clearly needed stitches. Dried blood had covered his fresh wound. I frowned. How did he get injured so badly?

I strode across the room and got the first aid kit. I settled him on the sofa and got sat beside him. After taking out the materials needed, I got to work.

"You know how to stich up a wound?" Nathan asked, surprised.

"I do and if you don't shut your mouth, I'll stitch your mouth too." that got him to shut up and let me focus on my job.

It was done in no time and I put the first aid kit back to it's place.

"Now, explain!" I commanded as I stood with my arms crossed.

He looked at me like I was abusing him. Staring at me with those innocent silver grey eyes, he explained in a quite voice that almost sounded unstable. That's unusual. He'd always be calm no matter the circumstances. Is he hurt more than I see?

I was furious when he ended his explanation. "Why didn't you ask for help?" I asked.

"Because we were running out of time and it'd be too late till the help arrived. So, fighting with strategy was our only resolve" he replied.

I must say that I'm impressed by his tactics but was still angry at the fact that someone tried to kill him. I tried to calm myself as I looked at his pale features. He looked exhausted and dark circles had started to appear below his eyes. That reminded me of the first day I met him.

"Panda" that word came out without me realizing it as I called him.

He looked up at me in surprise and confusion and I knew that there was no backing out. So I just acted as if it was normal.

"Go and rest in my room. I'll call the doctor for you." Thank goodness I left the cat in my cousin's care. So, I knew he'd be fine. I couldn't let him go to the pack hospital considering what happened last time and letting him go to his room is even riskier. His goddamn mate is there. Nowhere appeared to be safe except for my room. No one would dare enter my room and I could have him to myself.

He looked up at me in confusion.

" Why would I go to your room when I have my own room?" he raised his eyebrows in question.

"That's because your mate won't let you recover" I said.

He nodded in understanding. "I can use another room" he said after a little thought.

This moron. Why does he want to run away from me so bad?

"You can if you aren't afraid of maids flooding in your room" I said, smirking at his helpless condition.

He gulped. "I'll go to your room Alpha" he said and turned to walk out of my office. I smiled at his retreating figure. What the heck is so wrong with me? Falling for a boy. Am I really gay? He makes me feel things that makes me question my own sanity. It's as if I'm under his spell.

As I was rebuking myself, his injured, pale features flashed in my mind and I was filled with fury again. I mind linked Dylan to get all the details about everything that happened. As always he was quick in his work and he informed me all the details.

~~~~~~~

I walked down the stairs of the dungeon where the people of the enemy pack were held captive. Dylan was following closely behind me.

I walked a few steps after reaching the dungeon floor. It gave off unpleasant smell that made me want to get out of there as soon as I can but I was still angry and determined to find the culprit who hurt my Beta. A while later I came to face the newly captured prisoners.

"I'll give you a chance to live if you find me the culprit who hurt my Beta" my voice was firm and calm despite the anger I was feeling. But my offer was returned with their mockings. Very well.

I looked at my delta and nodded at him before making my way to the exit. I could hear the painful screams behind me but instead of sympathy, the only word that appeared in my head was 'die'.