“Kalli, don’t say that. You are my life. Without you I can never be happy. I should have told you before we came back here but I was afraid, I love you Kalli! You are the only thing that makes me happy. I am never giving you up. My father and this pack mean nothing without you in my life.”
I wanted so badly to tell him I loved him back, but something wouldn’t let me, instead I cried harder and he just assumed that’s what I meant. We spoke a little more, and then he asked to speak to my mother. I’m not sure what he told her, but she ended the call with saying
“Yes alpha. I would always protect my daughter with my life if necessary. We will be waiting for you. Be safe”
Chapter 12
(Lucas POV)
Things were not looking good. My father actually tried to deny my request for a challenge. As if he had the right to do that. If I challenged without permission it would have to be a fight to the death for me to claim my rightful place as alpha. If he accepted the challenge we would only need to fight until one of us submitted. If not for Rob, I know that he wouldn’t have changed his mind. He believes he can beat me and thought that refusing the challenge would put me back in my place.
He’s wrong. Not only do I know I can beat him, I have no qualms about ending his life if it means that I can bond with Kalli. My mom was there crying and begging along side of him for me to just reject my mate. How dare she! My mother was a hypocrite. She spent my entire childhood belaboring the fact that my father stole her chance at happiness. She claimed that a wolf without a true mate was a worthless wolf.
Now, when my happiness is within reach she actually has the nerve to say I should reject her. No way! I am going to fight my father and win. I am going to bond with Kalli and have pups of my own. Nothing and no one is going to stop me. My mother and father can rot in hell together. They have always enjoyed making each other miserable. Maybe I will exile them and they can be miserable together.
Rob is the one that finally convinced my father to accept the challenge. He actually played to my father’s ego. He basically told my dad it was time to give me an ass whooping so that my brain started thinking right again.
I almost wolfed out and ripped Rob’s throat out on the spot. He was my half brother, had been my closest ally in life and he too mocked my mate. I was getting angrier by the moment. Then I felt his presence in my head.
“Chill out bro, I’m just working him over for you. I’m with you. If you wanna mate with the hybrid I’m gonna stand behind you. We all are. Me, Ryan, Joel, Lance and Cody. We talked about it this week while you were gone. We realized we trusted you and would stand behind you no matter what. I can't tell you that I am gonna be best buddies with her, but I will swear allegiance and protect your mate and my Luna to the death, so stop looking at me like you are ready to tear off my head”
I heard the rest of the gang chime in, each swearing their allegiance to me as Alpha and Kalli as Luna. Thank god, I really didn’t want to have to fight the whole pack. If my boys were behind me, I knew we could make this work. The pack might not like it at first, but they would eventually accept it.
My father and I set the time and agreed on the rules for submission before Rob and I left to go talk with the other guys. We needed a plan. We knew that the rest of the pack wasn't going to be as accepting. Not to mention that taking over the pack at my young was going to be a lot of work. I was going to be a young alpha, and would need my own team in place in order to protect Kalli. I didn’t trust my father and I surely didn’t trust his team. We would need to make a clean sweep for power.
The guys and I chatted most of the night away. I don’t know why, but I was on edge the entire time. My wolf was on complete alert. Something just felt off. When I realized that dawn was quickly approaching I excused myself and headed over to Kalli’s. I needed to hold her in my arms so that I could calm down. I needed to feel her soft skin and smell her intoxicating scent. I couldn’t wait to see that she was okay with my own eyes. I was tired, and I needed to be able to hold her so that I could have peace and sleep.
I found her resting on the couch in the living room. She looked so comfortable and peaceful in her sleep. I was glad that I told her mother to put a good amount of sleeping potion in her drink. I didn’t want my mate worried and keeping herself awake waiting for me. I knew my mate needed the proper amount of rest to stay healthy. I never wanted to be the cause of Kalli becoming ill or sick; it was bad enough that she was stressed about the upcoming challenge.
For a moment, I felt a little guilty about tomorrow. I had no intention of leaving Kalli anywhere that my father or his team could get to her before the challenge. It was common knowledge that my dad fought dirty. I wouldn’t put it past him to have his beta or one of his other goons grab Kalli and use her as leverage for me to submit. Not going to happen. I had already alpha ordered Kalli's mom and the four dead heads outside to take her back to BlueRidge. She would be safe away from my father so that I could concentrate on the fight.
I looked down at her again and smiled as I push a few strands of hair out of her face. That’s when I noticed her mother had left her fully clothed and without a pillow or blanket. I would have to let her mother know that this was unacceptable. In the future I would expect that my mate was taken care of. She needed a bed, and softer clothes to sleep in. In the least, she could have given her a pillow and blanket. I lifted her very gently into my arms and started to carry her upstairs. The moment I hit the top of the steps I realized I had no idea which room was hers. I nudged her slightly awake.
“Sorry babe, I’m not sure which room is yours” I said softly.
She blinked a few times I guess trying to process that she was in my arms before she said.
“I missed you. Top of the steps to the left”
Then closed her eyes and fell back to sleep. I pushed open the only door to the left of the steps and noticed it was a really small room, with a really small bed. Kalli and I were not going to fit together on that bed.
I thought about sleeping with her on the floor, but knew that she would be uncomfortable. I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. She had already had enough pain in her past. I wanted to minimize her pain and discomfort moving forward. Then I thought maybe I would let her sleep on the bed, and I would sleep on the couch.
I wasn’t crazy about that idea since it would mean we were in two different rooms. I needed to be close in order to protect her. I even thought about sleeping on the floor while she was in the bed. The truth was though, the thought of not sleeping with her in my arms left me feeling angry. I needed my mate and she needed me. So, I moved back into the hall and nudged open the only other door I saw.
Her mother was spread out across a very comfortable looking king bed. I knew the bed was plenty large enough for Kalli and me. I laid Kalli down beside her mother and woke Marie up.
“Marie. You need to go sleep in Kalli’s room. In fact, from now on that will be your room. Kalli and I will stay in here. Tomorrow do what is necessary to make the change permanent.”
I used my alpha voice so that she didn’t have a chance to disagree. My mates comfort was what was important. The smaller room would be fine for her mother. She nodded and immediately left the room. I pulled off my clothes with the exception of my boxers than turned to my mate to do the same thing. I left her in her shirt and undies then placed her under the covers and climbed in. She moved towards me and wrapped her arms snuggle around me.
The instant I felt her arms go around me my wolf started to calm down. I could feel the agitation leaving us. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. I wasn’t worried for myself though, I knew I would win. I had Kalli to fight for and my father had nothing but his pride. Kalli’s love would see me through this. With my mate at my side nothing could stop me. I couldn’t wait to get the challenge over with so that my mate and I could bond. By this time tomorrow she would wear my mark and we would be fully bonded.
Chapter 13
(Nikoli’s POV)
It ha
d been days since I saw my beloved with my eyes. It took all of my strength not to burst into that dilapidated place she was staying in and blood with her. I knew it would kill me, but I was beginning to wonder if that wasn’t the perfect way to go. It would make me less of a coward and at least I would have felt her flesh and kissed her lips before dying. I deserved that much didn’t I? But that would hurt her, so instead I kept my distance and hid my emotions from her.
At first, feeling her emotions was a bit of a shock to me. I knew that once we were a blooded couple that we would always know exactly how each other felt. I hadn’t expected to feel her emotions without blooding though. It’s just that my beloved has such a strong soul. It had endured so much pain in its short lifetime that it had grown stronger than the average soul. That however left me in a strange place. I was able to feel everything my beloved felt. I knew when she was happy, scared, agitated and angry.
Most days my beloved was happy and content. That made me happy, since I knew she had such a hard life before coming to BlueRidge. I was glad to know that the wolf could keep her happy and that her life would be okay without me. He wasn’t the worse thing in the world; he also wasn’t best thing either. He was a little too pushy and controlling. He didn’t recognize that my beloveds soul needed to be more carefree. Instead he worried too much for her safety and kept her tied up in knots. Well, at least he didn’t hurt her like the wolves from her past and for that alone he had my vote.
Today my beloved wasn’t happy or content. She was actually agitated and nervous. Not the kind of agitation she felt when the wolf was being too dominant with her, this was different, it was laced with fear. That was something I didn’t like at all. I never wanted my beloved to suffer the kind of fear that used to rule her life.
Suddenly I realized she was physically getting father away from me. Her soul was screaming at me to find her and claim her. She needed me. I knew that she had to be suffering physically just as I was. It can be pure agony to be separated from your beloved. I tried to force the pain out of my mind. I knew it was better for her to experience it now than after I was gone for good. It was the gentler easier way to break our bond. I knew that with a little more time the separation would be easier for her. Eventually her soul would stop calling for me on this plateau and wait until we both moved into the ever after.
Then I remembered her old pain. The pain she had all over her soul before she even met me. She had been used and abused. She spent her life in a forced solitude. While we vampires were by nature solitary creatures, she was a wolf and being alone had caused her severe pain. Without thought, I found myself following her as she moved closer to the Northern Star territory.
Northern Star, those were the wolves who had hurt my beloved in the first place. I couldn’t understand why would she be returning to them? She should not be going anywhere near those nasty wolves. I felt the physical pain get more pronounced in my beloved. I hated that she ached, maybe now was not the time for a separation after all. I just needed to get a little closer so that her pain would stop.
Vampires are said to have the ability to run well over one hundred miles per hour without breaking a sweat. Before today I would have said that was stretching the truth, now however I realized with the proper motivation one hundred miles per hour was in fact achievable. Actually, I know that I was moving faster than that. I managed to catch up to my beloved and her wolf traveling companion in less than thirty minutes.
I could feel my beloved was very nearby. Her emotions were coming to me with crisp clarity. I had intended to snatch her from the wolf and find out exactly why she was returning to Northern Star when I was suddenly overwhelmed by her feelings of hunger. The feeling was so similar to blood lust that I was completely mesmerized.
I could recall being a young vampire and being taken over by blood lust. Why would my beloved be experiencing blood lust? Maybe this was a side effect of our souls briefly touching. After all to my knowledge; no vampire had ever had a wolf as a beloved.
I knew that I would be upon her in moments and slowed down so that I could see with my eyes what was going on. She was in the passenger side of the mustang that had been at BlueRidge. The male wolf was kneeling just outside of her car door. His wrist was extended and he was pressing it towards her mouth. Then, I watched in amazement as my beloved did the most unexpected thing I could imagine. She bit into the male wolf's wrist and began drinking his blood.
The instant the blood hit her mouth I knew I needed to hide. I was experiencing the same erotic feeding sensations as her. It was intensive and explosive all at the same time. I quickly hid myself behind a large tractor trailer. I knew if anyone saw me in this condition they would immediately panic and start a hunt. My fangs were extended, my face was drawn gaunt and my eyes were sure to be blood red. I needed to stay out of sight. I didn’t have time for humans to chase me around trying to kill me right now. I had a beloved that was experiencing something extremely unexpected.
I stayed well hidden and tried to calm myself. Sharing a feeding with my beloved was wreaking havoc on my system. Slowly, the feeling started to pass and I knew that she had completed the feeding. I however was still a mess. How was this possible? What have I done to my beloved? I was going to have to find out what this meant. I was not going to leave this earth not knowing if my beloved would need me. I was going to have to seek out my elders to see if they could help me make sense of what was going on.
The tricky part, keeping an eye on her while getting the information from them. I didn’t like it, but for now I would have to leave her in the wolf’s care. Maybe not for much longer though.
Chapter 14
(Lucas’s POV)
I woke up feeling exhausted. I wished I didn’t since I really needed my energy to fight my father tonight. I looked over and Kalli who was still sound asleep. I started to rub her back a little, and then decided that I would have her mom cook some breakfast in bed for her.
I reached out in my mind and told her to fix Kalli’s favorite breakfast and bring it in as soon as it was finished. My hands were roaming all over her by the time her mother brought in the breakfast tray. It was stacked high with banana pancakes.
I was a little surprised that banana pancakes were her favorite since bananas tended to give most wolves’ indigestion and a rash. I sniffed them and decided that I wasn’t going to be able to share breakfast with my mate. I was a little disappointed but it was more important that Kalli ate then if I ate.
I woke her with gentle butterfly kisses. She smiled brightly and kissed me more passionately than I’d expected. It felt wonderful, but I needed to keep our hormones in control. I couldn’t risk mating with Kalli before I won the challenge tonight.
“Hey babe, I had your mom make your favorite breakfast. Let me feed you please”
I gave her what I hoped was my best pouting look. I knew she would let me though. Kalli tended to be a very submissive wolf always doing what she thought would please me. It was just another way I knew we were perfect for each other.
She smiled again and of course obeyed me by opening her mouth nice and wide. I know that Kalli sometimes preferred to skip meals after she drank blood, but I thought it was healthier for her to eat normally everyday regardless if she drank blood or not. Besides, I loved feeding my mate.
I cut off a nice chunk dipped it in syrup and placed it in her mouth. She was so dam adorable. She ate every bite of the pancakes without one complaint. When I finished feeding her I noticed that she had syrup on her lips and chin. I decided now would be the perfect time to show her how talented my tongue could be and completely remove all traces of the syrup.
We’d spend longer in the bedroom fooling around than I’d meant to so I had to really hustle with my shower. Once I was finished and dressed it was time to put the plan in motion. I walked over to my beautiful mate and place a passionate kiss on her lips. She kissed me back with just as much passion. Then with my full alpha voice I said
“Baby, listen carefully to
me. I am sorry, but you are going to have to go back to BlueRidge today. Your mama is going to take you there right now. You are to stay there until I come for you. I will come for you Kalli whether I win or lose. I promise, but just in case, if I somehow don’t manage to survive the fight tomorrow, I release you from this command. You will be free to go anywhere in the world that you want. However, under no circumstances will you ever return to Northern Star territory without me. Do you understand?”
I watched her body jerk around a bit as my alpha command forced her wolf to submit. Finally she nodded.
“I hate this Lucas. Please don’t do this to me. Please don’t do this to us”
She said through tears. It hurt me to know that I was the cause of her pain, but this was necessary to keep her safe and secure our future together in the pack.
“I’m sorry Kalli, I do this because I love you. Grab your things and go now, so that I know you will be safe”
I watched her move to the little room and start putting clothes into a duffel bag. She cried the whole time, and continued to beg me to release her from the command. Not going to happen though. This was the best thing I could do for Kalli. It’s not like I didn’t want her to be at my side during the Alpha challenge but it was too big of a risk for her. Her safety had to be my number one priority.
I let her cry it out then pulled her into my arms. I held her and murmured words of love and comfort. I finally walked her out to my mustang and put her in the passenger seat. I threw her duffel bag into the trunk and went back to give her a final kiss. I closed the car door, and warned her mother again through our mental connection.
Mated & Blooded, A Blood Ties Novel, Book 1 Page 6
