Mated To The Alpha King. - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Alpha Ethan's POV
“Bring a blanket,” I ordered my Beta, who quickly complied. I covered her up, staring at her unconscious body, blood rushing from the shot where the bullet had penetrated. I pulled off my shirt, using it to wrap around the wound, temporarily stopping the blood flow while I ordered a car to take us back to the pack house. As I waited, I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me as I watched her—her long black hair matted with blood, her body lifeless and barely hanging on. The bullet wound was bad, and I had no idea how much time we had. My hands shook slightly as I tightened the makeshift bandage, my mind racing with thoughts of what could’ve been if we hadn’t arrived in time.
I glanced up, finding my Beta standing nearby, ready to follow any order. “The car should be here soon,” he said, but I barely heard him. My gaze lingered on the woman who had saved my pack, who had saved us all. She was the last person I expected to see in this condition.
Her face, though obscured by the mess of hair, still held a certain quiet strength. Even unconscious, there was something powerful about her presence. I couldn’t stop myself from wondering who she really was—what had driven her to risk everything for a pack she didn’t belong to? My heart clenched, a mixture of gratitude and confusion swirling inside me.
The car pulled up, and I gently lifted her into my arms, cradling her against me, trying to keep her as still as possible. My mind kept circling back to her—who was she? And why had she been the one to fight for us when no one else had?
I couldn’t stop my thoughts from spiraling as I made my way into the pack house, her body still in my arms. The healer was already standing by, waiting for us with a grim expression that mirrored my own. There wasn’t time to waste. Every second felt like it might be the last one we had.
I gently laid her down on the examination table, making sure her body was as comfortable as possible, even in this fragile state. The healer quickly stepped forward, her hands expertly moving over the wound, her eyes sharp with focus.
“Her blood pressure is dangerously low,” the healer muttered, her brow furrowing as she inspected the wound. “We need to act fast, Alpha. The bullet’s still in there, and it’s causing more damage than we thought.”
I nodded, my throat tight. I wasn’t sure if I could even breathe right now. The woman lying before me wasn’t just some stranger—I could feel it deep in my bones. She was important. But why? My mind kept reaching for answers that weren’t there.
“How long until we can stabilize her?” I asked, trying to mask the panic that threatened to rise. I had to be strong. I had to stay in control, but it was hard when everything inside me was screaming.
The healer didn’t look up from her work, but her voice was steady. “It’ll take some time. I need to get the bullet out first, then we can start to address the blood loss. But with this much damage…" She trailed off, glancing up at me, her eyes filled with quiet concern.
I clenched my fists. “Do whatever it takes. She's not dying. Not on my watch.”
The healer nodded sharply, and I turned away, pacing the room, my mind a whirlwind of frustration and guilt. I should’ve done something sooner. I should’ve protected her. But no matter how many times I replayed the events in my head, I couldn’t change what had already happened.
My Beta, who had been waiting quietly in the corner, stepped forward. “Alpha, do you want me to send for backup? For more help?” he asked quietly.
I shook my head. “No. We’ll handle it here. I’ll stay with her.”
I couldn’t leave her. Not now. Something inside me had shifted the moment I saw her lying there—vulnerable, fighting for life. She wasn’t just some warrior who happened to show up at the right time. There was something more to her. Something I needed to understand.
The healer moved with practiced precision, cutting away the fabric of her clothes around the wound and carefully beginning the process of removing the bullet. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her face. Her skin was pale, and I could see the faintest flush of fever creeping in, but still, there was that strength in her expression, even in unconsciousness. It was like she was fighting something deeper than just this injury.
The healer muttered under her breath as she worked, trying to stabilize her vital signs. I could feel the weight of each moment pressing down on me.
Minutes dragged on, and with every passing second, I felt like the distance between us grew, the questions swirling inside me intensifying. Who was she? What was she really doing here? And most of all—why did it feel like I had known her for so much longer than I actually had?
Finally, the healer spoke, her voice soft but relieved. “The bullet’s out. We’re stabilizing her now. She’s not out of danger yet, but she’s got a chance.”
A wave of relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. I wasn’t sure if I could ever truly relax until I saw her awake again, heard her voice, and felt the warmth of her presence return. But for now, all I could do was wait.
Just then, Olivia barged into the room. When her eyes landed on the girl, her brow furrowed, and I could tell she was shocked, but I didn’t know why. “We have to talk,” she said, pulling me out of the room. “What is that girl doing here?” she asked the moment we were out of the room.
“She saved us and got injured. So the least I could do was keep her here until she recovers.”
“She is not staying here,” she muttered, but I heard her clearly.
“And why wouldn’t she stay?” I asked, my voice laced with anger.
She didn’t reply immediately. “I don’t like her, and she should be out,” she said.
“And who are you to tell me what to do? A mate who doesn’t know her duties to her mate, huh?” I spat angrily.
“You know what? I wish that girl lying there was my mate and not…” I snapped angrily and walked out.