" THE ALPHA HAS STOPPED BREATHING! "
The pack nurse yelled calling the doctor's attention.  The doctor rushed into the hospital to stabilize the Alpha.
" Raphael holds on tight please" Jeremiah mumbles out.
The parents were also in the room scared out of their min. They couldn't help this sad moment. Raphael must not leave them this soon. He has a lot to do and a kingdom to rule. This isn't the time for any loss.
"Please son keep fighting"
They all watch the doctor performing his miracles. The doctor looks disheveled, this case is different from all the cases he'd solve. The only way out is to invite a witch. That's the best solution right now if not they'll lose the alpha.
The doctor turned to the family " it's time we ask for help "
Jeremiah understood where the doctor was going but the parent was against it.
" Never!" Raphael's father said.
Jeremiah rubbed the bridge of his nose out of frustration. This isn't the time for any argument but the former alpha is trying to make things worst for them.
" It's your son we're talking about, you better leave pride aside, and let's do what's necessary" Jeremiah scolded.
" The witch is not welcome here so please don't interfere in a matter that doesn't concern you" the king's father growls at his friend.
Jeremiah had always known him to be proud so his words don't affect him anymore " you'll never change Are you still going to do this when your son is right there fighting for his life? Need I remind you that you are no more the alpha and Raphael will be grateful when he gets up to see that the witch helped us"
" I'm still his father "
" But you don't act like one. I'll ask for help from the spirit world whether you like it or not " Jeremiah walked out of the room in anger. He brought out his phone and made a call.
****
Melissa ran with everything in her, she kept running as if she was pursued. Any moment from now Bryan would have been heading back to the hut and he finds out she has escaped, he won't hesitate to go look for her.
The place was very far away from the palace, no wonder she hasn't seen anyone around. The king needs her right now and something tells her that he was in great danger. She needs to see him right now.
The moment she caught sight of the palace, she'd never felt this happy before, her feet were already swollen from running without a shoe. She was barefooted.
She groaned in pain as she landed on the floor.
***
The witch made her journey to the palace upon hearing what had happened to the king. She and the king have gone a long way that it saddens her that no one informs her about this beforehand She came to the palace prepared.
Jeremiah welcome her with a smile " Look who we finally have here "
She bowed down " Hello Alpha. Long time no see"
" Shouldn't I be the one saying that line? " The older alpha teased making the witch to blushed.
Jeremiah is always known as a charmer. He won the hearts of many ladies during his youthful days and still doing that now.
" Oh alpha"
" By the way, the king is at the hospital" he turned serious again " Let go so you can perform your miracle "
They hurriedly walked to the hospital where the alpha was.
***
Melissa tried getting up but her feet were too weak from walking. She was in great pain right now and she was lonely. It's already dark outside. She needs to get to the pack on time.
She tried getting up but her legs kept giving up.
***
The witch couldn't control her tears when she saw the state the king was in. This shouldn't be him laying like this. This shouldn't have gone far.
" Why wasn't I told on time ?" She asked as she rubbed his head lovingly. He is just like her son.
Raphael's father glared at her hands which were on Raphael's head but Jeremiah had to shoot him a look to shut him up.
" We thought it's something we can handle" Jeremiah answered.
" Let's get to work and stop the chitchats," the former alpha said.
The witch raised her hands as she begins her incantation. Her chanting became louder and uncontrollable. Everyone watched her as she went on and on. She was shaking terribly as if she'd fall.
After a few minutes of chanting, she brought her hands down but her eyes were tightly closed.
" His mate?"
That was the only thing she could mutter.
" What is it, Maria?" Jeremiah asked worriedly
" The cure is his mate," she said as she opened her eyes.
" We've been trying to look for her but all effort is in vain" Jemima spoke up.
" Yes that's true " Bryan inputted.
Maria stared at the crowd " You don't need to find her"
" Why?" They ask in shocked
" She's closer"
" We don't get what you're saying Maria, what do you mean by she's closer? " Bryan asked pretending to be worried.
Maria took a deep breath " When I asked for help from the spirit world, they told me his mate is the only cure and she was closer. This means she's in this pack. She's someone you all know"
" What ?! " Raphael's father almost yelled, " and she saw all this going on but did nothing about it?"
" But I'm still confused here Maria " Jeremiah said disregarding the former Alpha's question " did they tell you who she is?"
" No" she shook her head " they didn't"
Jemima couldn't control her tears " so what do you suggest we do now?"
" We should wait for her before the end of the day," Maria said.
" But it's already dark, what will happen to my brother if she doesn't come before the end of today? " The queen finally asked
" He dies"
" No! Don't say that " the queen screamed " my son will not die. He can't die, not now not ever"
" Please calm down"
" I can't Jeremiah. It's my only child we're talking about"
" I know and nothing will happen to him"
***
She was laying lifeless on the floor, her breathing was seized, her body was turning white from the cold weather.
A strong breeze blew through the trees blowing her hair from her face. She coughed out feeling the harshness of her throat.
Melissa's eyes flew open, she groaned out as the pain shoot in again. She sat upright then stared around. she dragged herself to a tree, relaxing her back on it. She used the tree as a guide to stand up. The pain in her legs has reduced unlike before.
She began to continue her journey to the pack. This time around, she was ready for war.
***
Maria couldn't help but feel guilty, she saw the identity of the mate but didn't say. When she was chanting, she saw an image of a lady already past out in the bush, she looks as if she was running away from danger.
Maria then used her powers immediately she saw the lady, if she'd passed for too long she'd have died out that moment but with the help of Maria's powers, she sent help to inform of breeze to keep her awake.
A betrayal is in the room and if she was to disclose that, he or she would have gone to stop her. But the surprising part of it all is that she couldn't see the betrayal's face. He or she is using powers for protection.
There is more to the mate that she's yet to find out but right now they need to rescue the king first.
Everyone waited patiently for some miracle to happen.
***
Melissa went straight to the packed clinic, she looks like a madwoman but she doesn't care right now. All she need to do at the moment was to help heal the king.
People stared at her wondering what was wrong with her. Melissa smells of soil. She ran to the king's ward where she saw a couple of people waiting outside the room. They all looked at her as if she was crazy or something.
***
Jemima was the first to get up " what the hell happened to you, Mel?"
Melissa has tears in her eyes " how is the king doing ?"
" What happened to you? " Jeremiah asked too as he stood beside her in worry.
" I was kidnapped," she said and her eyes shifted to Bryan's as she looked at him with hate. Bryan was shocked beyond words. He never had thought she could escape him.
" What?! By who?"
" This is not the time for chitchat. What then are you doing here? shouldn't you be in the maid's lodge or something to get yourself cleaned" the queen said in disgust?
Melissa wasn't fazed by what she said " I have a confession to make "
" What is that ?" Jemima asked confused
Maria smiled secretly knowing full well what this was about. The king will be healed soon.
" I Melissa, am the king's mate"
They all held shocked faces.
" What?!" Jemima yelled
" You're lying, get out from our site," the queen said in anger.
" Please y'all should calm down and let her speak," Maria said while Jeremiah agreed with him.
" I agree with Maria, let's hear her out please "
Melissa wipe her tears " I've known all along that I was his mate since the second day I was in this pack"
" Then how come Raphael didn't feel the bond?" Jemima asked in confusion.
" That's because of the necklace around my neck. It's the barrier stopping him from knowing " Melissa said.
" I can't believe you could keep this from me, Melissa, I was your friend and you didn't even think of telling me. Why did you find the need to hide it from him? What sin has my brother committed to you that made you do that to him ?"
" I'm sorry, I thought I wasn't right for him. He is a king and I'm just a maid and people will be against us so to avoid any form of drama so this was the best decision"
The queen paced around the room " how can this be possible? How can a maid be the Luna? I've never heard of such,  a maid can't be a luna "
Raphael's father held her " you need to calm down. This isn't the best time for any argument. Think about your son, he needs her right now. We'll talk about all this issue later"
This was the first time Jeremiah found what his friend said reasonably. They should concentrate on healing the king and not on questioning the poor girl. She looks so lost right now that he wishes he could lend her a hug. She must have gone through a lot from her adopter with all the cuts on her body.
Jeremiah wished to know who did that to her No father will wish to see his daughter like this but on second thought he wasn't her father but why was he feeling this way towards her.
" Please let's allow her to do her thing, " Maria said already tired with all questions " we don't have much time left"
She glanced at Melissa " please go in and do your thing. Heal the alpha "
***