Abandoned by the Alpha, I Became the Lycan King's Mate-Chapter 265: Licia

[Donald’s POV]

"What did you say? The girl who was just rushed into the operating room is Margaret? The mate you met in the Silver Moon Pack?" Licia exclaimed, covering her mouth in utter astonishment as she looked at me.

I took a deep breath, trying to appear a bit more composed at this moment.

Knowing I couldn’t avoid Licia’s questioning, I looked up, met her gaze for a moment, and then nodded honestly.

"Donald! What on earth happened to you on your way back to the city? She... How did Margaret get so seriously injured? Are you hurt?" Licia had already taken a step forward and was carefully examining me.

The blood stains on the white shirt hidden under my coat all belonged to Margaret; I had no injuries on my body.

Licia noticed this too, and when she looked up at me again, her clear green eyes were already brimming with tears.

"All this blood is Margaret’s. She took a bullet for me on the battlefield to protect me," I explained, my voice filled with guilt and concern.

I rubbed my face, feeling a prickling in the corners of my eyes, "I didn’t anticipate Angel would suddenly go mad and shoot at us directly. Only when Margaret collapsed in my arms did I realize what had happened before!"

"I think Angel has truly lost her mind. That shot was clearly aimed at my heart! Mom, you don’t think anything will happen to Margaret, do you? If she really... If something bad happens to her, I don’t think I could ever forgive myself for the rest of my life! And I won’t let Angel get away with it."

Licia wasn’t actually aware of what we had been through today, but as she listened to my oral account, her expression had already become tense.

She looked at me for a while, turned her head to glance at the operating room, and finally gently patted the back of my hand, consoling me gently, "It will be alright. Didn’t you say Margaret was only injured in the shoulder? With so many excellent doctors in the Palace, there’s no doubt she will be fine. You should trust her."

As Licia spoke, she took a shallow breath, her gaze towards me deepening and clearing significantly. At that moment, my thoughts were consumed with Margaret, and I wasn’t quick to grasp the deeper meaning behind her gaze.

My mother, the Empress Dowager of the Wolf royal family—Licia—is a very gentle and kind person, but beyond that, her strong and broad character often comforts and empowers me.

She and my father, Alex, have loved each other dearly all their lives, serving as a rare model of mates within the entire Wolf royal family. I love them deeply.

My father, Alex, is a man of great loyalty. From him, I learned not only the wisdom and strategy a king should possess but also to always remain gentle and patient with the mate you love.

Licia used to say I resemble my father a lot, sometimes looking at me as if seeing through me to my father. I know she misses her beloved and of course, she loves me dearly.

After my father passed away due to illness, she became the person closest to me in this world. In her presence, I would involuntarily soften and relax a lot; she’s the woman who has seen me at my most vulnerable.

However, after I met my mate Margaret, there was another individual before whom I could truly let down my tough ’armor’.

They are both the most important people to me.

I had imagined Margaret’s first meeting with Licia would be more formal and warm—not as hasty and perilous as it has been now!

In fact, if it could have prevented Margaret from being injured this time, I would have given up the thought of catching Angel at all costs!

All I want is for Margaret to be safe.

But now that things have developed to this state, all my frustrations and regrets are futile. I can only pray that Margaret returns to me unharmed.

Time slowly passed as Licia and I anxiously waited. When Benjamin returned to the door of the operating room after having handled all the matters concerning Elliot, an hour had already passed.

"Your Majesty, the head of the Holy Medical Pavilion, Andrew, has taken over the follow-up treatment for Elliot. All our medical resources will be fully directed to Elliot, so you need not worry about him now," he reported.

Benjamin arrived with several people behind him. He first bowed respectfully to Licia, who was next to me, and then he reported the situation regarding Elliot to me.

I glanced at the few people with him, without acknowledging them, and simply responded, "I understand. Keep a close eye on Elliot’s situation, and inform me immediately of any developments or additional needs, understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Benjamin replied respectfully.