Chapter 6 : My Mate

Vika's POV I looked around over and over again to make sure that no one else was around. I had to pay close attention until I shifted. Swords, spears, and lances weren't the weapons I was looking for, though I knew how to use them. I went for a much more suitable weapon. I locked my eyes on a bow and quiver of arrows. Yes, this was my weapon of choice. 'Perfect!' I giggled and grabbed the bow. I liked archery because it challenged the user's attention when several different targets were placed at different ranges. Moreover, the arrows would take away all my unhappiness. I bit my tongue between my lips as I strung the bow. I scoffed, testing it when it was strung. The bow was crooked. Ugh! That would make it harder for me to hit my target. I rolled my eyes. I stepped up to the line and set an arrow, pulling the string back. Down the sight, I aimed. I could see the target well, even in the dark. Twang! I watched the arrow fly down the course and bury itself into the center of one of the targets. It was a perfect shot. "Bullseye!" I jumped up, throwing my fist in the air. 'Oh yeah!' Even with a crooked bow, I could land the shot. I laughed. Maybe I would make a good pack protector. If I went to him, would Prince Asher give me the chance to prove myself as a warrior? He was nice. He had defended me and kissed me. That had to mean something, even if he hadn't remembered it, right? Shaking off all messy thoughts, I grabbed another arrow and got ready to shoot again. "Score!" I cheered when I hit another target. I laughed. Late-night practices had paid off. I was getting really good. Asher's POV "No!" I cried out, reaching into nothingness. I panted heavily as the flames vanished, and I was in my room. I groaned and put my head in my hands. Same nightmare again. I sighed heavily and got out of bed. There was no way I was going to get more sleep tonight, not after that. The dream was over, but I could feel the fear. I gagged, and my stomach flipped. I groaned again. I needed to get outside. I grabbed my shoes and hurried out of the castle. Fresh air hit my skin, and I sighed. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. The memories of the nightmare faded, thankfully. These nightmares were killing me. I started walking. The castle grounds were empty this late, but I didn't really want to see anyone. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and kept my head down. Twang! I knew that sound. Who was at the training grounds so late at night? No one was supposed to be there. I headed toward the training grounds. Thanks to my wolf vision, I could still see a woman at the archery course in the light of the moon and stars. I stood in the shadows and watched her. She was lithe and athletic. I trailed my eyes from the light hair she had pinned up to her muscular shoulders. She pulled the bowstring back and waited a long time before releasing the bow. "Woohoo!" she cried out, jumping into the air. I looked at the target, seeing she'd hit a bullseye. I smiled to myself and chuckled. Her laugh was a sweet song in my ears. I should have been familiar with her voice. She pulled another arrow. I trailed my eyes down the rest of her body. She had such feminine curves. What would those perfect curves feel like to run my hands down? I had to get closer. I had to know who she was. I crouched down and moved closer, sticking to the shadows. The woman shot another arrow. I held my breath until I heard it hit the target. She cheered again, sending a shiver down my spine. I got close enough to see her face. She was biting her lower lip. I stared at the soft curve of her jaw and the deep red or her puffy lips. She had such a sweet, triumphant smile. Wow, she was beautiful. I watched her big, thick, lashed eyes brighten as she reached for another arrow. I couldn't pull my eyes away from how she moved. She was so graceful and fluid. "Yes!" she cheered after I saw her land another shot. She jumped up and turned around. I could see her face fully now. Wait, I knew who she was. She was that rebellious maid. I'd liked what she said in Master Rutfus's class too. Vika! As I remembered her name, Vika paused when she reached for her next arrow. I ducked back into the shadows. Had she seen me? I stayed still, listening. Heat prickled across my skin. I groaned, biting my tongue quickly, the sound cutting off. The watch on my wrist lit up. It was midnight. The heat intensified, and my stomach dropped. A shudder ran down my spine. What the hell was happening to me? I breathed out a long, slow breath. Heat pooled in my low abdomen. Wave after wave of heat crashed down on me. I felt like I'd wiggle out of my skin. I jumped up and found Vika. I saw that she had shifted into a wolf. She had sleek, gorgeous fur. It was thick and the same color as her hair. Her tail curved upward. I watched it slowly wag back and forth. Her tufted ears perked up in my direction. I saw an aura of power around her, a strength that didn't belong to an Omega. Who was she, really? My muscles ached, and my skin felt tight. 'Oh no! Am I going to shift uncontrollably? Why would I now?' I breathed in deeply. Groaning again, I smelled the most delicious, mouthwatering smell ever. I felt saliva pool in the back of my mouth, and I licked my lips. I wanted to get closer to her. No, I couldn't get closer to her. My heart pounded in my chest, and I heard blood rushing in my ears. If I got closer to her, I might shift. But the fascinating fragrance emanating from her body was driving me crazy. Why? I had met her before. Why did I suddenly feel her so attractive to me? My watch beeped, reminding me it was still midnight. It must have been Vika's eighteenth birthday. That was the only explanation. I'd witnessed her shifting for the first time. But why was it affecting me so much? My skin was still hot, and I gasped for each breath. Wait… I knew what was happening. I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths through my mouth. I clenched and unclenched my fists. That felt better. Vika was my mate. I knew it now without a doubt. My stomach fluttered, and so did my heart. I smiled and moved into the training grounds. I had to talk to her. Each step closer to her, my skin shuddered with a fresh wave of heat. It was like walking through an electrified field, my skin prickling and tingling. I watched Vika wagging her tail and yipping. She was so beautiful as a wolf, sleek, strong, and fluffy. My eyelids drooped as I watched her and imagined how she would react after noticing I was her mate. The Vika-wolf lifted her nose. I could hear her sniffing the air. I heard a pleasing growl rumble through her throat. Could she smell me too? A twig snapped under my foot. I stopped dead. Vika spun around. I shuddered when her eyes fixed on me. I saw her tail wagging harder. Yipping again, Vika pranced around in a circle, eyes wide and bright. Yeah, I was sure she found it.