The man was extremely anxious. Not knowing what to do, he kept pacing back and forth in the corridor, waiting for the doctors to finish their examination.
"Alpha Drake," said Cristian as he approached the man.
Drake glanced at him briefly, then shifted his gaze toward the room where his mate was being treated. He didn't say a word.
When Cristian noticed that the Alpha didn't want to talk, he remained silent and waited as well.
He had come after a patrol wolf informed him that his niece had been carried to the hospital by the Alpha himself. Although he had no idea what had happened, the situation clearly wasn't ordinary.
After a few minutes, the doctor finally stepped out of the room. Drake immediately walked toward him.
"Is she okay?" he asked urgently.
"Yes, she's fine. It was just her wolf reacting to the marking," the doctor replied calmly.
"That's good," Drake said, visibly relieved.
Without another word, he entered the room, leaving Cristian stunned. Everyone knew how much the Alpha hated physical contact with females—especially in situations like this.
When Cristian cautiously stepped inside as well, he found Drake sitting beside Clara, holding her hand protectively.
"Alpha… she didn't try to follow you, did she?" Cristian asked awkwardly.
Drake shook his head. "It's not what you think. She is my mate."
"What? But—"
"I don't know why," Drake admitted honestly. "But I know she is my mate."
"Is it because she awakened her wolf, maybe?" Cristian suggested.
"Maybe," Drake replied thoughtfully. "I couldn't feel her before because her wolf hadn't awakened yet. Do you think she was stalking me because she could feel the bond, and I couldn't?"
His voice carried a hint of regret.
He understood how painful it was for a wolf to be rejected by their mate. And now he realized he had unknowingly pushed her away.
"I'm sorry," Drake thought silently. "If only I had sensed her earlier."
It's not your fault, his wolf responded gently. We were both waiting for our mate.
Drake nodded inwardly. I know. And I know how eager you were to find her.
Aloud, he said, "You may leave now. I will take her to the pack house myself."
"Understood, Alpha," Cristian replied and exited the room.
Outside, he encountered his parents, Sara and Martin, who were waiting anxiously.
"What happened?" Sara asked immediately.
"Everything is fine now," Cristian answered.
"That girl—I heard she followed the Alpha again," Sara said angrily.
"Yes, she did, bu—" Cristian began, but his mother interrupted him sharply.
"I knew it. That girl never learns her lesson."
"It's not what you think," Cristian corrected quickly. "Clara is Alpha Drake's mate."
"What?" Sara and Martin both looked stunned. "How? Why now?"
"It must be because her wolf has awakened. That's why the Alpha could finally recognize the bond," Cristian explained.
"So she was feeling the mate pull all this time? That's why she kept approaching him?" Martin asked slowly.
"It seems that way."
Sara's expression shifted. "Oh my God… we blamed her for nothing? It was all because of the mate bond?"
Cristian nodded.
"How is she now? I heard she was carried here," Sara asked.
"She fainted after the marking. It was a normal wolf reaction."
"He already marked her?" Sara asked in shock.
"Yes."
"So she's okay?"
"The doctor said she'll wake up in a few hours."
"Oh… alright."
"Also," Cristian added, "the Alpha said he will take her to live at the pack house with him. I suggest packing her belongings. I'll take them later."
"Oh yes, I'll go pack her clothes," Sara said quickly, pulling Martin with her as they headed inside.