The Alpha King's Lost Mate

Ch. 22

Ambrose

Elder Elijah mind linked me before the sun had even begun to rise.

"Alpha," his voice cut into my mind and past the veil of sleep. "Alpha King Ambrose."

None of the elders had ever mind-linked me before. if they needed to speak, they always sent one of the royal warriors to fetch me for a meeting.

So why was Elder Elijah mind-linking me at this hour? My heart was beating wildly in my chest at the thought.

"Elder Elijah?" I sent back down the open link. "What is it? What's wrong?"

The only thing keeping me from shifting right now was the feeling of my perfect little mate lying across my chest, her cheek resting just below my racing heart.

"I need you to come to the royal library," he rushed out. "I'm in the restricted section below the basement level."

The restricted section? Why was Elder Elijah in the restricted section of the royal library at this time?

My mind was still thick with sleep, but I managed to silently slip out of bed without waking my mate.

I watched her for a few seconds. Even in her sleep she was looking for me. Her little hands were spread across the bed, groping for me.

I couldn't stop the half-smile that spread across my lips as I lightly placed one of the pillows I was sleeping on just moments ago against her chest. She quickly snuggled up to it, pressing her face into the warmth before settling back down and going back to sleep.

"I'll be back soon," I muttered, placing a light kiss against her forehead. "I love you, my little mate."

***

The royal pack library was a place that I rarely ever visited.

Even though it was near the middle of the kingdom, it was surrounded by a small forest of thick trees and a large field that young pups and their parents would often go to.

Even when I was younger and would have to come to the library to look through records, I always hated it. I always preferred being outside and walking around the pack.

But I was sure that my little mate would love it.

I made a mental note to bring her there.

The restricted section of the royal library was in the basement, down a winding flight of stairs and past heavy steel doors. Unless you were a royal pack elder, part of the royal family, or had permission along with a royal guard, you weren't allowed down here.

I myself had only been down here a handful of times, all of which I barely remembered.

"Elder Elijah?" I called out, closing the steel door behind me.

All of the tables and chairs were covered in stacks and stacks of books, some of them opened to random pages.

Elder Elijah rounded the corner of one of the bookshelves, wringing his hands nervously as he went.

"I'm sorry for the early morning mind-link, my boy," he apologized. "But I'm afraid that this is a matter that couldn't wait until the sun was up."

"Take a seat, my boy." Elder Elijah gestured to the only chair in the room that wasn't stacked full of books. "This isn't a conversation to be had standing up."

I opened my mouth to speak, to ask him what was happening and why he mind-linked me at this hour, but no sound came out. A million thoughts raced through my mind. He held his hand up to silence me before I could say anything.