A Rare Match

"Killian Fox, why do you want the key?"

Loren's sharp eyes didn't leave Sirius. That's why he didn't miss Sirius's meaningful smile after his servant said something.

"Because I can protect it."

It didn't seem like he only meant the key.

—

Although both of them had a high pain tolerance, it still wasn't any simple pain. What is it? What is happening?

"Release the pain, your Highness, Lady Alice!" Florence screamed from a distance.

As they listened to her, the air around them picked up. Tension grew as both tightened their fists.

Alice finally fell on her knees. She clutched her chest. A searing pain tore through from her throat to her chest and she had to scream to get it out.

"Aahh—! Please!"

Sirius felt a similar pain. He clutched his throat to prevent the pain, but he couldn't stop it. His shoulder fell at the same time a powerful force escaped his body.

Alice's scream was powerful. The sensation left her body, but the force she felt around her was ruinous.

At the same time, they released the power burning them inside which shook the forest.

The three was almost blown away by the wave of power.

The forest was momentarily disturbed by that single, powerful wave. But once it was gone, peace was restored.

Dante lowered the hand that protected his eyes. He immediately looked at Sirius and Alice's place.

They're on the ground, both unconscious.

"Your Highness!"

"Lady Alice!"

"You're saying they're mates?" Vito asked after Florence explained what just happened. They're in front of Sirius's doors, in the chess table.

"Yes." She nodded.

The woman clamped her hands together. "It's rare, but I saw a similar awakening in my hometown. It's too similar. I can't be mistaken."

"True, mates don't meet often in Naraina because the kingdom's too vast."

"And because of social classes. If you're a noble lady and your mate's a commoner, you'd best believe your best life's over if you choose to be with him."

The fate of mates in Naraina isn't good. It's a cruel kingdom where political marriages are the norm instead of finding your fated mates. And if you find them, and you're an impossible pair, you're ruined.

"But it's not a problem for Prince Sirius and Lady Alice, right? They're supposed to be engaged after all."

Vito slaps the back of Dante's head.

"Stupid, Prince Sirius doesn't want a bride. We worked hard to get all those ladies to cancel before, we should continue doing so until he says otherwise."

"Aiya~ You're right…" He massages his head.

Florence sighed.

"I will check on Lady Alice."

Everyone heard the clatter inside the Prince's chambers.

Dante and Vito abruptly stood up. "Your Highness? Are you alright?"

With no response, the two nodded at each other and held the knob.

"We're coming in!"

The doors slammed open and the first thing they heard was his guttural groan followed by a string of curses. Prince Sirius was tightly covering his ears, his eyes closed, and his brows furrowed. He was in the middle of the room, walking aimlessly and tripping over things.

The more things fell, the worse he got.

"I'm having a sensory overload, damn it, don't be so loud!"

The two exchanged confused looks. But they remained frozen still in their spot. Florence reached them at this time and realized what was happening.

"Your Highness, please focus on a single thing. Control your breathing. Calm down. Your senses are suddenly heightened, it will take some getting used to," she explained from a distance.

Sirius followed Florence's instructions.

All they could do was watch as Sirius tried to regain control over his senses.

"You've been granted more of your wolf's powers because of the mate awakening."

"Mate?" His eyes finally opened.

Florence sighed. "Yes, Your Highness. Rare as it is, you've met your fated half. Your wolves recognized each other and awakened the bond. It also made you closer and more connected to your wolves, which explains the heightened senses. We're not sure if there are more of your new abilities, but the mate bond is a great help to be physically stronger. Of course, not to mention gaining a partner."

Sirius's expression was unreadable.

Dante clears his throat, testing the waters. "Isn't it good, Your Highness? You've gotten stronger thanks to the mate bond…"

"But… it means you'll forever be tied to Lady Alice…" Dante glared at Vito.

Before Sirius could say anything, he heard labored breathing in another room. Without thinking, he immediately went for Alice who had now woken up.

When Alice first opened her eyes, she felt foreign in her own body.

Her throat was hoarse and she felt… light. She looked around and realized she was back in her room. But something's different.

The room looked much sharper than before. Much clearer. She could even see the dust at least five feet away from her.

Is it the room?

Or is it her eyes?

Her heart also beat differently. A different rhythm… it was faster?

She placed her palm over her chest.

No, it's still beating normally. Then what is she hearing?

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps also reached her. Multiple pairs of feet are walking around outside. Multiple heartbeats. Multiple breathings.

It's all so crowded.

She could even hear the rustling of leaves falling from trees, the slithering snake… the monkey cracking up… She could even hear her friends at a nearby cave.

But it was all so much at once.

Alice sat up and covered her ears. It barely did anything.

Her breathing labored as she panicked, getting distressed from all the noise.

The footsteps rushed and were getting nearer… the door opened and a hand held hers.

Whispering, "Calm down. Your senses are just enhanced. Nothing to panic about."

"Wha—how do I stop it, please?"

She had her eyes closed, feeling her surroundings too sensitively.

So much to feel, to see, to hear… I don't want it. I don't like this world.. Stop torturing me…

"Focus on my voice. Don't pay attention to the rest."

Even with her eyes closed, she knew who this was.

"Drown out the noise and only listen to mine. Breathe slowly."

She listened and slowly, the noise died down. Sirius kept whispering to her to keep her occupied. And he was so close that his heartbeat could cause her a headache for being too loud, but it quieted down too.

She opened her eyes slowly and found his eyes.

Embarrassed, Alice bowed her head.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble to you."

"It's nothing."

Sirius stood up and left her room. She only belatedly realized the other three were watching them when she found them by the door. She felt even more embarrassed.

Florence held her arms gently.

"Lady Alice, I'm happy you're fine."

She nods timidly.

"Do you know what happened, my lady?"

Slowly, Alice raised her head. Her stare was very clueless.