Forsaken (book 3) (The Charmer series)

by Sanderson, Danielle

  "Is this some kind of sick joke!" I scream at Candy.

  "No, this is my family, so back of bitch!" She tells me with a curled lip.

  "You have made a huge mistake Den, I hope you can live with the consequences," Dallah tells him before walking away from the situation.

  Looking at the Brothers’ in turn, they all stand with open mouths as they watch Candy rubbing her belly lovingly.

  What I want to say is 'what have you done, how could you be so fucking stupid! But I can't, I can see the sadness in his eyes. I know that he won’t want his life to be alongside Candy, but now he is trapped. I hope for his sake that this is a sick joke.

  "Zara?" Den asks with tears in his eyes.

  Locking eyes with him, my heart tears away from me as I see the fear in his eyes. I know he wants someone to be there for him, but it's all wrong.

  "Congratulations Den, you will be the best Dad," I tell him with a weak smile.

  "You think?" He asks with hope.

  "Yeah, the best."

  Whilst the Brothers’ reluctantly congratulate them both on their news, Candy watches me with a twinkle in her eyes, not a good twinkle, but a evil twinkle, as if she knows exactly what she is doing.

  "Fuck it! What has he done," Ruk asks me after we have removed ourselves from the others.

  "She can't be trusted, what are we going to do?"

  "We have to be there for Den, he will need us, but we will not return to that house while she is there," he tells me strongly.

  "She will always be there Ruk."

  "I know baby," he tells me with sympathy, knowing that I wanted to live my life in that house, bring up our own children there, now that dream has been taken away from us.

  "Baby, it will work out, you will see, I'll make you happy," he tells me with a sweet smile.

  "God I love you Ruk. I know you will make me happy, you do make me happy, as long as I have you I don't need anything else," I tell him passionately before kissing him with all the love I have for him.

  Chapter 3

  Waking in the morning to the realisation of what happened last night; I throw my head back down on the pillow and breathe out a sigh.

  I can't believe Den is going to be a father, I want to be happy for him, but I know that it will end in tears, and that thought frightens me. All I have ever wanted for Den is to have the perfect life, with the perfect woman, but he has been saddled with Candy of all people.

  "Hey beautiful," Ruk says before lying beside me in bed and wrapping his strong arms around me.

  "Hey you," I kiss his lips tenderly.

  "We will help Den see sense, don't stress baby, today is your day."

  "Our day. Yeah I know, I just hope he's ok, he looked so sad last night, it breaks my heart."

  "He's strong," he tells me with a gloomy look.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put a downer on today, I am excited, I can't wait for tonight, finally my life will be complete," I tell him with a sincere smile.

  "Good, cos we can start working on our family," he tells me with a raised brow.

  "Yeah we will."

  Sliding on top of him, I press my lips to kiss and nip at his lip for entry which he willingly gives. Gradually running my hand own his muscular body and to his hardness, I take him in my hand whilst peppering kisses down his chest, loving the moans he releases. However, the pounding on the door soon ruins our moment.

  "What?" Ruk shouts.

  "Jeez, aren't you meant to be happy...oh I see you were!" Dallah laughs as she breezes through my bedroom door.

  "Dallah, you have to wait for the 'come in'," Ruk tells her with a frown, but soon snorts a laugh at her rolling her eyes.

  Dallah does this to everyone, see will knock on the door then open it straight away, we have told her many of times to wait, but she still does it, not that anyone really cares, it’s just she seems to catch everyone at the wrong time.

  "You two coming down?"

  "Yeah. Where's Julian?"

  "He's gone to get breakfast with Sallack, and I'm left with Candy and Den," she tells us in a bored tone.

  "Are the others coming over?"

  "Yep, all on their way, I'll wait for you to get dressed," she says before sitting on the bed and filling her nails.

  Ruk looks at me with a raised brow, before shaking his head and snorting a laugh.

  "Go away Dallah, I'm naked," Ruk tells her.

  "Oh right, cos I have never seen you naked before," she states.

  "We'll you wouldn't have if you learned how to wait to be asked into a bedroom, and not barge straight in every time," he jokes back.

  "Ok, ok, hurry up, they are driving me nuts. You are glowing by the way, I can't wait for tonight, I love you guys," she tells us with a wink before vacating my room and heading back down stairs.

  Walking into the kitchen hand in hand with Ruk, I snort a laugh when I see Dallah behind Candy with an invisible knife, acting as though she is going to kill her.

  "Hey Dallah, what's for breakfast?" I ask her, and in doing so Den and Candy turn to see her reply. She drops her hand and smiles sweetly before taking a seat at the table.

  "Like I said Zara, the boys are getting breakfast," she tells me sarcastically making me laugh again.

  Ruk and I take a seat at the table with the others, while we all think of something to say to get a conversation going.

  "So how far gone are you candy?" I ask with a weak smile.

  "Why do you care?" She bites back which makes Den growl softly, she soon changes her cockiness to politeness.

  "5 weeks," she tells me with a fake grin.

  "You found out early then."

  "And what of it?" She asks with unnecessary aggression.

  "God you are such a bitch!" I tell her straight and stare her down until Ruk speaks up.

  "Their here," he tells us pointing to the window, where we see Sallack and Julian jumping out of their truck with bags of food.

  "Oh good, I'm starving now I’m eating for two!" Candy speaks out loudly and rubs her belly, getting a sweet mile from Den, and frowns from Ruk, Dallah and me.

  Theo, Dom and Mickey are next to come in, which they do so with ‘hey’s’ and kisses to the cheek for Dallah and me, they try to kiss Candy's cheek but she turns her head from them, what a bitch! They are trying to accept her into this family but she isn't making it easy for any of us, and to be truthful she has me so fucking angry right now, how dare she turn her head from them!

  "Baby, stop it," Ruk whispers in my ear and kisses my cheek.

  Nodding my head to him in understanding, I watch as Parrise and Angus walk through the door. As Vampires, Parrise and Angus cannot eat food, but they are here every morning to start the day together, and I love how easily we have all fit together like a puzzle.

  "Hey Angus, Parrise," I greet them with my head in the fridge as I'm looking for orange juice, but I soon grab it and kiss their cheeks before taking my seat on Ruk's lap. They walk around the table and greet Dallah before nodding their heads to Candy. Vampires are not touchy feely people like werewolves are, but because they see Dallah and I as family they will hug us, show us love, so it's natural for them to not want to be close to her, especially if they don't trust her, which they really don't.

  Sitting on Ruk's lap while I watch the Brothers’ talking and joking amongst themselves, I suddenly have a shiver run over my body and a sharp pain in the back of my neck.

  "Zara, you ok?" Dallah questions so worryingly that everyone stops and waits for my reply.

  "Yeah course, you ok?" I joke to lighten the mood. The Brothers’ automatically go back to their food and chatting while Dallah stares at me blankly.

  "What was it?" She quests again, but telepathically.

  "Just a shiver, I'm probably getting a cold," I answer back with a smile.

  "You can't get ill, you're immortal!" She tells me in a panic.

  "Damn it Dallah I'm fine!" I tell her with pent up stress.

  "No you are not!" She stands u
p so abruptly, her chair scrapes the floor and in doing so making every one flinch.

  "It's probably time you all went, us girls have things to do, you know with the Mating!" She tells the guys with a sweet smile.

  She is still looking at me when the Brothers’ eyes land on me also.

  "She's right we have lots to do. Ruk can I speak with you quickly?"

  "Yeah, come on," he takes my hands and pulls me out of the house and onto the porch.

  Turning me to face him, the tears that have gathered in my sad eyes fall freely.

  "Baby what‘s wrong?" He asks with a sign.

  "You're going to be with me forever right?"

  "Fuck it; I knew you were worrying about tonight. Nothing and I mean nothing will stop me from wanting or having you, EVER. You and me are forever, never doubt that baby. We will be home tonight, making love as mates, the beginning of our lives," he tells me through clouded eyes.

  "Thank you Ruk, for saving me. I love you so much."

  When the Brothers’ walk through the door with knowing smiles, I turn back to Ruk and kiss his cheek gently as a goodbye.

  "I'll see you tonight. Love you baby," he tells me with raw emotion.

  "Yeah you will," I tell him with a weak smile.

  Dallah steps up to my side, and takes my hand in hers as we watch the Brothers’ pile into the trucks.

  "We need to talk sweetie?" Dallah whispers.

  "We will, just wait till they leave," I tell her but keep my eyes on Ruk as he pauses at the truck door and turns with a beautiful smile and a cheeky wink, making me smile.

  Sitting in my room with Dallah, because we didn’t want to speak in front of Candy and Den, I talk to Dallah in a whisper.

  "I know you are worried Dallah, but you don’t have to, I am fine, more than fine."

  "I felt it Zara, the presence and the sharp pain. We are connected sisters, what you feel, I feel, like when Richard had me under that spell in the dark coven, I know something’s wrong."

  The mention of his name sends a shiver through me and nightmare builds in my heart. I don't want to think of him, or the time I spent at the coven.

  "See! There it is again!"

  "Dallah! Calm down! It's just bad thoughts that run through my mind, that's all. I don't know what the pain was, and I don't care. I want to be mated with Ruk, I don't think I can handle this shit coming my way without him there, he gives me everything i need," I break down and admit to her.

  "Sweetie, you will be mated, I promise you that," she reassures me with a sweet smile.

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah," she laughs and squeezes my hand.

  "So what are we doing the rest of the day?" I say to change the subject.

  As part of the pack and Ruk being the Beta to the pack, the pack have asked to prepare the ceremony, as they feel it to be a privilege to partake in the beginning of our life together. This means the pack will take care of everything for the ceremony, under the watchful eye of Dallah.

  I love that the pack have accepted me as Ruk's mate considering I‘m not one of their kind, it’s a very fulfilling feeling, but I am very curious as to how everything will turn out, but I have complete faith in them to make this special for Ruk and I.

  "What would you like to do sweetie?"

  "Oh I don't know, as everything is set up, and everyone is busy, it looks like we will need to think of something to take my mind of worrying," I tell her curiously, hoping she will come up with a good idea.

  "Good, you go get dressed, meet me back here in 10 minutes, I have a plan," she tells me with a wide grin.

  "Really, what is it?" I ask with excitement.

  "Just go Zara, go on!" She laughs whilst pushing me to get moving.

  "I love you my little Witch," I tell her with a sweet smile and a hug before running up stairs to get changed.

  Slipping into a yellow sundress, I take a moment to look into the mirror at my reflection. Standing before me is the woman I have wanted to be my whole life, but knowing that woman has found her soul mate is a feeling I could never describe with words. Finding Ruk in a place full of torment and humiliation was unthinkable, a fairytale, nevertheless, my fairytale. 3 weeks I have been with Ruk, and those weeks have felt like a life time.

  "Zara! Come on!" Dallah shouts with excitement in her tone.

  Grinning stupidly to myself I spin around and head down stairs to Dallah, but I am soon stopped by Den.

  "Hey, you not going with the Brothers’, you can come with me and Dallah if you like?" I ask him happily.

  "I'm gunna meet them in a bit babe. Candy's here, so we are gunna hang out for a while. Hey, listen, can she come tonight, she's feeling left out, you know?"

  "Uh sure, I guess," I tell him sympathetically.

  I don't like Candy, it's no secret to Den, so if he feels like he needs her there with him then I will not stand in his way.

  Den and I have got back to normal in our friendship, but there are still the little looks I notice when he thinks he is alone in thought. I was in love with him, he was in love with me, but we never had the courage to tell each other until we found ourselves in a heated conversation. I'm not sure if Candy is aware of this, god knows what she would do if she found out, she has a few screws loose, that's for sure.

  "Thanks, I would like her to be there," he tells me with tears in his eyes.

  "Den, what is it?" I ask gently whilst placing my hand in his.

  He stares at me for a few moments before speaking in a hushed tone.

  "I still want you," he says then bows his head, so that I cannot see the hurt in his eyes.

  Lifting his chin with my hand to get him to look me in the eye, a tear trails down my cheek.

  "I'm sorry for that, if I could take it away for you I would."

  "I don't ever want to forget you Zara; you made me the man I am. I wanted you to know that you will always be put before anyone, Candy the Brothers’, even the baby," he tells me full of sorrow and regret.

  "It won't always feel that way. When your baby comes along you will be a different man, a daddy," I try to convince him.

  "I'll let you get on now, but know that I'm here, no matter what, I'm here," he tells me with a light frown and a nod of his head.

  "Thank you Den.”

  Walking around him, I let my hand trail down his arm in a comforting manner before walking out the front door and up to Dallah, who says not one word, just an offer of her hand. Placing my hand in hers, she winks at me before transporting us away.

  Standing in the middle of the forest, I look to her with a raised brow before it hits me,

  "We are in the Dark Coven?"

  "Yep, this is where we came to practice your powers," she tells me with pride in her tone.

  "Oh wow, so many memory's, it feels as if it were years ago that I was standing here with you and Ruk."

  "I know, so much has happened hasn't it. Ok, he will be here any second, just...oh here we are," she explains with a point of her finger.

  And there, walking through a mass of trees to my surprise is my father whom I thought I wouldn't be seeing in a long time, if ever again.

  "Is this ok child?" He asks me with hope in his eyes.

  Is it ok? I don't really know Eric well, he has helped me when I desperately needed someone to, but then on the other hand, he has betrayed me in a terrible way by keeping Ruk and me apart.

  "It's ok," I tell him with a light frown.

  "You look well; you are to mate with your chosen by the full moon?" He asks gently.

  "Yes, our ceremony is tonight. How have you been?"

  "Well child, I'm glad you still care," he tells me with a tremble to his voice.

  Taking a step towards him, I look him in the eye before answering him,

  "You kept me from finding love with Ruk, but I still care about you father."

  "You are so much like your mother, such a loving heart."

  I want to be angry with him, I want to tell him I meant every word I spat at him in the
Dark Coven, but I don't, I can't.

  "I'm happy, I have had time to think about what happened, I won’t forget what you did, but I will forgive you. But, if you can't accept that Ruk and I are together, then you have wasted your time."

  "I accept you’re together; I want you both to accept me, my apology. I was wrong to medal in your life, I know that now. You are my only child, and I love you so very much Zara, please let me be there for you, for you both." He tells me, eyes full of emotion.

  Taking the final step towards him, I wrap my arms around his large frame and hug him tightly. Being held in his arms brings me happiness, but at the same time, a thought of loneliness. How I would have loved to have had a father whilst growing up, to have such a caring strong male in my life.

  "I will never deceive you again child, on my life."

  "I believe you," I tell him as I look up at him.

  Forgetting where I am, I look over to seek Dallah, but she has disappeared, likely wanting me and my father to speak privately.

  "Will you come tonight?" I ask hopefully.

  "I would be honoured to child, how I have waited for the day to see my little girl with her chosen," he tells me proudly, whilst holding me at arm’s length to get a better look at me.

  "I trust you to let me choose my own path in life, don't make me regret that," I tell him strongly, so that he knows that this is the only chance that will be given to him, and I hope to god he accepts the life I choose.

  "Never child. Come now; tell me of your time back at home?"

  "We'll, where to start...oh wait! Why have you transferred 5 million pounds into my bank account?" I ask with a slight screech, I can't believe I forgot about it.

  Laughing, he pulls me down to sit with him on the fallen tree.

  "It's your money, your mother and me have been putting a little by to help you in your new life, I know it's late in life for us to give you the gift, but now is when you will need it," he tells me with a proud smile, looking very handsome.

  "It’s too much, I get that you want to take care of me, but this is just silly," I explain.

  "Maybe to you, but we want, need, you to take this money. It's just money child, take it with a smile on your face. You will be around for a long time, it will help you when you least expect."