The man pulled Athissa upward until they broke through the surface.
“Breathe!” The man yelled.
He swam to the shore and slapped Athissa’s face to make her puke what she swallowed.
Athissa coughed violently.
“Gah—!”
She clung weakly to the man’s shoulders.
“You!”
The man blinked.
“I just saved you,” he said in disbelief.
Athissa glared at him and coughed again, but she lost too much energy.
She breathed deeply to gather enough oxygen for her lungs, but in doing so.
It made her sleepy.
“Hey!
Hey!” The man called out when he saw that Athissa wasn’t responding.
He started shaking her and pressed his ears into her chest to check her heartbeat.
The man let out a sigh of relief when he confirmed Athissa was alive.
“Athissaaaa!” A high-pitched voice called out from the back.
Mary appeared and knelt beside Athissa.
“Is she dead!?” She asked.
“No, she’s asleep,” he replied.
“Thank goodness,” Mary grabbed Athissa’s hand and pressed it on her cheeks.
That was when Mary realized that Athissa didn’t have a skirt but had a knee-length short underneath.
Mary immediately removed the cloak she wore and covered Athissa’s body for decency.
The man raised a brow at Mary, who was glaring at her.
“Is that a way to say thank you?” He asked.
Mary bit her lip and looked down.
“Thank you for saving her,” Mary said timidly.
The man sighed and lifted Athissa’s body as he went to his horse.
“We’ll find a camp for the night,” he said as he rode his horse with Athissa in front of him.
***
Sometime later.
“Ugh,” Athissa groaned as she felt the most terrible headache, enough to split her skull.
“Athissa, are you awake?” A voice was heard beside her.
“So loud,” Athissa mumbled.
She turned to the side and covered her ears as she wanted to sleep more.
“You must drink this first.
I know you’re awake.”
Athissa immediately recognized Mary’s voice.
She sprang up and saw Mary holding a cup of hot cocoa.
“Mary!” Athissa exclaimed and hugged her.
The cocoa nearly spilled.
“It’s okay.
I’m here,” Mary said and hugged Athissa back.
After a few seconds, Athissa pulled back and checked Mary’s body.
“Are you okay?
Are you hurt?” She asked.
Mary chuckled and placed the warm cocoa drink in Athissa’s hand.
“I’m okay.
I should be the one asking you that after you nearly drowned,” Mary shook her head as tears formed in her eyes.
“Drown?” Athissa tilted her head in confusion, but then memories of what had happened flooded in.
“Yes, good thing.
I found…” Mary blushed and cupped her face.
“Oh, goddess.
So it’s real and not a dream,” Athissa whispered and slightly touched her lips, remembering the kiss.
Mary blinked.
“Yeah, we were chased by those men, but how come you were in the lake?
It’s far from the streets.”
“I was trying to get away,” Athissa answered even though her memories were still blurry.
Mary nodded and urged Athissa to drink her cup of cocoa before it turned cold.
“Also, I have something to say,” Mary said, tucking a hair behind her ear.
“What is it?”
Athissa sipped through the hot cocoa when Mary answered.
“While I was running to get help.
I… I actually met my mate along the way.”
And Athissa choked.
“Wh—what!?
Mate!?”
“Yes,” Mary covered her face as she turned red.
Athissa’s mouth hung open.
She didn’t expect it at all.
“Congratulations!
At least when you needed him most, he appeared out of nowhere,” Athissa said.
She was happy for Mary, but a pang of pain was felt on her chest.
“Yes, they were traveling as a group, and somehow, my mate smelled my scent.
So he followed it and found me.
You know, I’m a bit ashamed since I was not dressed up,” Mary explained.
“It’s okay.
I’m sure he already loves you,” Athissa patted Mary’s head to comfort her.
“I hope so,” Mary giggled.
“I should thank the one who saved me,” Athissa said and stood up.
However, she became dizzy and fell.
“Athissa!
You should rest first!” Mary scolded.
“I’m alright; it’s just a headache.”
Mary pouted, but she knew she couldn’t stop her.
“Okay,” Mary replied and assisted Athissa.
They went out of the tent and saw a man standing nearby.
He immediately ran to Mary’s side as soon as she got out.
“Mary, I miss you already,” he whispered and kissed her cheek.
Athissa forced a smile and felt extreme awkwardness.
“This is Edward, my mate,” Mary introduced.
“And this is Athissa, my boss.”
Athissa raised a brow at Mary’s introduction.
“Mary is my assistant and a friend,” Athissa corrected to make it clear.
“Nice to meet you,” Edward grinned.
He took Athissa’s hand and shook it aggressively.
Then he went back to Mary’s side and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Umm, where is the man that saved me?” Athissa asked, forcing herself to ignore the loving gestures of the two.
“Oh, Alpha’s tent is on that side,” Edward pointed.
Athissa followed his finger and frowned.
“Alpha?”
Edward nodded.
“He’s the one who saved you.”
Athissa’s eyes widened.
“Wait, so the man who saved me is the Alpha of what pack?” Athissa asked.
“We’re from Ravenfort pack,” Edward answered as he straightened his back.
“Ravenfort!?” Athissa exclaimed and looked at Mary, who was equally surprised.
“What?
You guys are from there!?” Mary asked in surprise.
She thought they were from the Silver Moon pack.
“Yeah, we came here to deal with some business,” Edward answered and buried his head into Mary’s neck.
“I see.
Then I should go meet your Alpha,” Athissa smiled and turned her back to the couple.
She walked towards the location and saw a tent set up near the lake.
Athissa sighed and mustered the courage to talk to him without thinking about their kiss.
However, when she arrived at the tent, she found no one there.
She looked around.
“Where did he go?”
Then a soft splashing sound came from the lake.
Athissa turned her head.
“Oh.”
The Alpha was in the water.
More specifically, he was bathing… naked.
>.< THANK YOU!
You’re officially one of the brave souls who chose curiosity over your coins.
Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the chaos you just paid for.
Happy reading!