~Emeric~

　　Sat on the operator's chair, I watched my mate walk through the treacherous labyrinth of the dark woods. She was leading her team greatly, but why does her pattern look so readable?

　　The doors opened, speck of light walking in along with Beta Roman whom I think has brought some piece of information. I turned to look at him from my periphery, bringing my classified information and some apple juice. I've been sitting here, 'observing contestants' since morning. It's almost evening at the moment. The labyrinth within the forest seemed almost unending.

　　"Here, Alpha Emeric. Could you at least move around a little? The way you're so static...it makes me shudder."

　　"That's a quality of a Prince, isn't it? I've had training to stay still for hours, Roman. You don't have to worry."

　　"But you're still my Prince. And I will worry for you. Here."

　　"Thank you," I smiled, for the first time in a week or two. Accepting his kind gesture, I gazed back at the scene wherein my mate, Aurora Fangborn walked into a trap. Yet again, I remained nonchalant.

　　That's because I know she will not be harmed by it anyway.

　　'You're too confident in our mate, aren't you Emeric?'

　　'I'm confident in the training I've offered her, Marrok. Don't be delusional.'

　　'Tch! Can't even admit...'

　　I turned to look at Roman who was silently judging me for my reactions, actions, anything at all.

　　"Wipe that stupid smirk off of your face before I do it for you," the warning came as nonchalantly from my mouth as possible.

　　"What the— I didn't even say anything!" Roman argued with me, "You don't have to say anything Roman. Your expressions tell me enough,"

　　Suddenly, there was a strange creature that emerged from the well.

　　"Oh shoot, it's the land kraken. The highest level threat on the ground for now." Roman spoke from behind me. I know this creature, I know what it is capable of. The next few moments are watched in anticipation. I kept switching on cameras along the pathway, few of them were even damaged by the kraken.

　　In the end, I got a horrific view which made my heart sink...

　　"Emeric..." Roman uttered my name, but I was too much in shock as I slowly stood up from the chair.

　　"Emeric!" It's too late now, Roman. My legs are moving on their own. I can't help myself from saving her!

　　As soon as I stepped out of the operating room, a few omega maidens screamed in surprise as their Prince suddenly emerged from an insignificant room in the palace. I ignored them, walking speedily towards the territorial grounds from where I could discreetly enter the labyrinth. No one has to know of my disappearance, Roman will take care of that.

　　'Calm down, Emeric. She'll be fine. I can still feel her connection.' Marrok spoke from within me.

　　'But her pulse can be lost any moment if we don't arrive there on time. Shift with me, I'll take us to the secret passage to enter the maze.'

　　'You have my support, Emeric.' Marrok's words rung in my ears, my senses were numbed as I closed my eyes, anticipating.

　　"Argh!" A great amount of energy surged through me. The shifting process is painless, but the feeling of bones shifting inside the body, the skin growing hair all over and the body being taken over by an entity...it requires an unfathomable amount of energy for a lycan of my rank.

　　I watched the world through Marrok's eyes. We have always been one team together, ever since he awakened within me. His body launched forward with every huge leap he took to cover the great distance between us and our mate. It was evident that he was tense and concerned. The anticipation was killing us both.

　　I didn't feel hopeless at all. I had full faith in Marrok, who'd find our mate efficiently. The passage was visible as Marrok quickly begins digging the first burrow to enter.

　　Surprisingly, the burrow was lit up with torches. Lights guided us throughout the huge journey as I thought to myself. It was the witch who knew, she helped me find a path. Although, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be able to send me directly to my mate. Witches lack such powers, unless they are given an artifact or a sacrifice.

　　Marrok leaped in his run like no other. It's been months since we've run like this. All because...we care for our mate. Even if I'll never admit it myself.

　　'I can hear you, Emeric.'

　　'Shut up...'

　　We ran for hours after exiting the passageway. We have to go deeper into the labyrinth. She's almost near the exit.

　　'Emeric. I've got news that their team was forced to exit the maze by themselves. Is it a good decision? The adjudicator commanded it.'

　　'I think so. It would be a problem if her team members were around. We cannot care for her ourselves. Besides, the valley she's fallen into has a lot of medicinal herbs. I'll figure something out.'

　　'That's great to hear,'

　　Marrok grunted as a splinter went through his paw. We reached the site where they encountered the land kraken. By the end of this land, I'll find the kraken. Then, I'll find my mate who has fallen tragically into the mysterious space beneath the cliff.

　　'Marrok, you can still feel her connection, right?' I asked the wolf desperately as we paused to pull the splinter out.

　　'Yes, I do. Also, we are only 3 miles away from her. Switch with me,' Marrok suggested and I quickly switched to our human form.

　　The wound healed within a bit. As an alpha ranked lycan, my prowess is extraordinary. Almost unfathomable. But then...my mate does not have a wolf that can heal her. I feel her pain even though we are not connected, not marked to each other. That's because...I was in her position as well.

　　When my knees scraped off every training session, when my teeth were knocked off with every punch from my trainer, every moment that I felt weak and useless, I relate those moments with her. I am a late bloomer like her as well. The only difference between her and I...is that she is a werewolf and I am a lycan.

　　After healing my foot completely, I wore the boots back and started sprinting towards the cliff at the speed of light.

　　Oh, wait. I need to make a detour after a mile. I can't possibly jump from a cliff and injure myself in an attempt to save her as well. It'll be a lame attempt then.

　　'What is happening with you, Marrok? Out of all the people we know, you're the most cool headed leader and an executioner. Calm yourself down. I'm worried about your state when you'll witness her bruised body.'

　　What Marrok observed and said to me was absolutely right. I need to be level headed in this situation, for things could go terribly wrong if I don't. I approached the detour within one mile, in under a few minutes.

　　"Fuck..." I sighed, noticing a siren pass by in the distance of my path. Do I wait for it to leave and waste my time? Or do I confront it, and pass through as quickly as possible?

　　'I'd say you confront it. Just don't get its blood on you. I see a heavy log you can crush it with.' Marrok suggested, my eyes widened.

　　'That's a desperate attempt to clear our path, Marrok. I wouldn't harm an innocent being for my benefit. There will be other ways...'

　　'Hmm. Typical of you to think in this way.'

　　And then, I turned into a ninja and climbed up above trees to pass by the siren. It was a mature siren, blue and gigantic.

　　As soon as I passed by it, when I was out of his chasing range, I started sprinting again. Few minutes more, and I'll be there.

　　With darkness consuming the forest at the moment, I was concerned for dark, vile creatures emerging. The image of her body being shredded by these creatures made my stomach churn in fear. Just a few more minutes before everything is beyond repair, Emeric.

　　She will be fine...

　　Finally, Finally!

　　By nightfall, I've found my mate who sat up and was...talking to someone.

　　Against the dark forest ground, where she laid, there was just a speck of lighting falling on them. I stopped moving, hiding behind a tree. I have to be discreet. But before that...who is this man?

　　Upon realizing who the white hair belonged to, my shoulder slumped with dissatisfaction. He was crouched down in front of her, holding her hand. To my surprise, she was smiling up at his face and thanking him repeatedly. Thanking him? Her lip movements read the same, but why is she thanking him?

　　'He must have saved her and got her up to consciousness before he arrived here, Emeric. Notice the potion bottle in his other hand?' As Marrok spoke in my head, I lifted my gaze just slightly to see what he was talking about. My heart sank, deep into the pit of my stomach.

　　Opening the fist, I looked at the light green potion in the small stopper bottle. I'm covered in sweat and grime, but mostly, I was too tired to think of them forming a new bond.

　　Should I approach her or not?

　　I am slightly disheartened to know I wasn't the first person she woke up to. Her bruises seem almost healed at the moment as well. She does not need my assistance any more, I am guessing.

　　But at the same time, I have made such an effort to come here all the way to my Kingdom's injured contestant. I should not return at this moment. Roman will chew my ears out if I do.

　　'Don't lose heart, Emeric. Just be glad she's fine. At least, she's healed up to this point. Don't...'

　　'Marrok, I'm fine. Let's go back, I guess.'

　　'Don't be stupid. You ought to assist her back to the exit. Also, since we are somewhere so far from the exit, there might be threats even Odin Blackwood cannot handle. Be rational, Emeric.'

　　Oh...right.

　　But, how did he even get here?