"She wants you to tell him, so Connor makes you take your blood back." Serenity's voice was a low hiss as she walked from the kitchen door way. "She is planning on Connor making you stay." Serenity moved so slowly and deadly, like she was ready to take a kill. Her wolf was clearly dominant in this moment.
Seeing her here made me question where Cooper was. I was sure she wouldn't just leave him, not unprotected, that was for sure.
Connor making me stay, still this wouldn't affect my mother. Though Serenity's anger and disgust were making me question if I had heard her clearly.
"If Connor makes me stay, how will that affect them?" I asked Serenity, I knew at least with her I would get a true answer.
"Cooper's the heir to both thrones Is." Serenity's eyes were glued on our unwelcomed guests. "He can bring peace, and that is what they want."
"And you." My mother spoke up, her eyes painted with sadness. "My family back together. Isabella, only good can come out of this. You take your blood back, and rule next to your King. Your father can step down, and I can have my family back."
"You think I want to go back to that? If I see my father, I will struggle not to kill him." I spat, "It won't be that easy!"
"Time heals all wounds." My mother pleaded with me.
I stood up and Chase's hand dropped from my lap.
"If that was a true mother, I wouldn't be living stuck with a fire of bitterness and betrayal in my heart."
"Where are you going?!" she shouted to my back as I walked away.
"To see my son." I paused for a moment. "I can't take anymore, not right now."
I felt myself, slipping. Slipping back into the depression, as I thought of everything I had been put through. All because my father wanted more, more land, more control. I swallowed the bitterness quickly, and it swirled with the misery in my stomach. Connor and I had been pulled apart, for all the wrong reasons. These lies that were created had destroyed us both. I fought the tears and quickened my pace; right now, I needed my son.
"He is in his room." Serenity's voice floated to my ears as I darted up the stairs. Well, I suppose Cooper was safer here than anywhere else. I would die before anyone hurt him, and I would also die before I let him be pulled into the black hole of royalty.
Chapter Sixteen
Connor
I pulled the tee shirt over my sweat covered torso. For hours I had run, and for hours I had inflicted my pain and hurt into my hunting, and yet I returned unsuccessful.
She was still alive, still breathing, still able to run and very successfully had hid from me. Melissa's betrayal boiled inside me once more and I felt my fingers wrap around the balcony rails, trying to suppress yet another change.
I wanted her dead. I wanted to take that last breath from her lungs and I wanted to see her eyes fade to coldness, just like her heart was. I had attempted to rid my body of this built up aggression; I had ran for hours, close to the whole countryside but yet I was still consumed by it.
Melissa had costed me my mate, she had costed me the life I was meant to have and now she leaves. Leaving the kingdom in ruins, and their King in complete and utter disillusion.
"Connor?"
Only one man dared to speak to me at this moment, and it took all my self-control to not inflict my angry on him.
"What do you want Tyler?"
"I'm just asking before I send out the parties to search for Melissa?"
Search parties to track down their Queen, which was another thing I had to add to my list and it rated the second importance, and that was to get a divorce. But the first rated higher than Melissa and always did.
"No, don't bother." I unclenched the rail and turned around to face Tyler, and I could feel his fear. I knew I looked deadly at this moment. "I can't waste time on her."
"So you are just letting her live?" Tyler's face was painted with shock and he looked unease.
"No, I'll kill the bitch later, right now I need the search for Isabella to be a priority."
"But, we can't find her, you know that?" Tyler took a few steps away from me, his hands slightly raised, "I think we have more luck finding Melissa than her."
"I don't want Melissa, I want Isabella." I growled, my control over my temper disappearing slowly. "Anyway, I have changed the point of the search."
"I still don't see how that will make a difference." Tyler frowned.
"I'm placing a bounty on Isabella's head."
"WHAT! ARE YOU INSANE!" Tyler screamed at me, losing his fear and mocking me for madness instead. "That would cause a riot!"
"The point! I want every living wolf under my throne searching for her and nothing drives a search like the reward of money and duty."
"She could get hurt."
"I won't allow that." I snapped and crossed my arms.
"So what are you going to say she did? A bounty is only placed on wolves who have committed a crime."
Did he think I didn't know that? I was the one who sentenced them. Of course I knew the routine!
"Betrayal of the Throne." I straightened up slightly, readying myself to lash back at him once he registered what I was saying.
"That's punishable by DEATH!" Tyler screamed, like I had expected. "And do I have to remind you that SHE ISN'T OF THIS THRONE!"
"She's my mate; she wears my mark thus making her apart from my throne. I want her Tyler and I don't care how I get her back, not anymore."
"You're only thinking of yourself! What about Isabella, do you think she wants to come back to you like this? Dragged BACK!"
"Since when did you care about her?" I arched both eyebrows, while my eyes remained murderous. "You are to follow the orders of your King and I order you to enforce the bounty." My voice growled with authority, just like it was intended. I was King, and none would tell me what to do.
I wanted my mate and I wasn't going to be soft about getting her back. The only way that worked was to be aggressive, and that was what I was planning on doing. I wanted Isabella back, I couldn't manage any longer without her. I didn't care if she didn't want me anymore, her wishes and feelings had suddenly become grey. My own need and drive suppressed hers.
I wanted my mate back, whether she wanted to return to me or not. I would not live one more day without her.
"As you wish my King." Tyler's voice dipped in bitterness and I knew I had lost some of his respect. "I suppose this side of you was bound to come out."
"What was that?" I snapped loudly, hearing his added mumble.
"I said Connor, that I knew this side of you would come out. After all, how long could you hide your true colors?" Tyler turned to leave, and my fingers curled into tight fists as I watched him walk away.
I knew I had a dark side. I knew that deep down I was a selfish man. But I had ruled as a weak man for too long. Determination, power and aggressive, got you what you wanted and I had all these weapons at my side and for too long they remained unused; until now.
Now the gloves came off, and I would kill anyone who stood in the way of me claiming my mate back. Isabella was returning, whether she wanted to or not. She would be my Queen.
Queen Griffin
"Tyler,?" I stopped Tyler in the hallway, bringing him to a halt, wrapping my slim fingers around his upper arm. "What is the matter?" My voice dipped into concern as I took in his clenched face and aggressive posture.
"Nothing." He spat and forced respect. Placing my other hand under his chin, I forced him to look me in the eye.
"Why don't we try again? What is the matter?" I still kept my grip on him. The hallway was deserted, the dull over head lights casting shadows across the walls. But not even the dull light could hide the sorrow and anger which was painted in Tyler's eyes.
"Connor." His voice lowered to a slow whisper. "He has ordered a man hunt for Isabella, putting a bounty on her head, like she was a criminal." Tyler's eyes stayed locked with mine. "Every pretender and money hunger wolf is now searching for her and like they will treat her with respect when they find her!"
"Yesterday, I haven't seen him since." Tyler's face shows his disgust.
"I'll go to speak to him." I let go of Tyler's arm, "Go Tyler, don't worry about this any longer. I'll handle it."
"How?" His face twisted into a frown. "He has gone hard, you won't be able to reach him."
"He's my son." My voice was soft and caring, as I attempted to take the worries that Tyler was carrying away.
Tyler nodded slowly; still frowning, he walked away, casting concern glances over his shoulder at me. Smiling, I turned my back and redirected my steps to Connor's room. I knew he was struggling; the shame of being betrayed by Melissa would be casting his thoughts from sanity.
I crept my pace up; I should have gone to him yesterday. But when Henry found out I had my hands full controlling him from ripping the kingdom apart in rage.
Coming to a halt at Connor's large double, I ran my hand down the wooden engraved door. So many nights I had spent in this room, when Connor was a child.
Slipping into the room, I closed the door softly behind me. The room was in darkness, but not even darkness would hide my son from me. Connor sat on the edge of his four poster bed, his head in his hands, slightly leaning over.
My son was broken and seeing it only broke my own heart. Sitting gently on the bed next to him, he didn't move from me. I slipped my hand under his arm and placed it on his knee. For moments we sat in silence, I knew when he was ready he would speak.
Sometimes, no most of the time, I felt the guilt. Guilty of bringing my children into this mess, cursed with responsibility and to never live their own life.
Connor slowly pulled his head from his hands, clearing his throat as he leant back and crossed his arms. I noticed the tear stains that ran down his cheek, more tears lying on his eyelids. He was hurting, and my grip on his knee tightened automatically.
"I don't know what to do mum." His voice a choked, "I have shamed the throne, I've lost my mate and I now am left with a child that isn't mine."
I had made sure May knew nothing about what was happening; even though Connor was blinded by betrayal at the moment, I knew in time he would see May like he use to. It wasn't like he had a choice; she was left in his care, though some would say abandoned.
"I ran in to Tyler, he mentioned something about a search for Isabella?" I kept my voice empty of judgment.
Connor stared blankly across the room. Tears continued to drop from his eyes.
"I thought she could fix me, I thought she would make me whole again."
His reasons were sound, but I saw the doubt in his eyes and that scared me. Connor doubted himself, never had my son doubted himself.
"She will." I twisted on the bed to watch his profile. He needed reassurance, but yet I knew it wasn't my reassurance he wanted.
"She said she was coming." Connor turned to face me, his eyes hollow, "After May's birthday, but now I don't expect her too. How could she?" he shook his head with bitterness and his lips formed a tight lip. "After she finds this out, she won't come near me."
"Why Connor? This is hardly your fault."
"I should have known."
"But you weren't to know Connor, we were all lied too, not just you."
"The last memory I have of Isabella is her running away from me," Connor turned his head once more and faced me. "What right do I have to bring her back now?"
"You placed a bounty on her head Connor, people are searching for her." Had he forgotten this? In his state of depression.
"I was angry, selfish." Connor's voice was a low rumble and he groaned slightly, before tears began to roll once more. "I can't bring her back to this."
"She loves you, no matter what Connor, history makes the foundations." I let go of his knee and gripped one of his large hands in my two small ones. "Did Isabella say why she was coming?"
Connor shook his head slowly. "No, but I doubt it would be for me."
"She wouldn't visit you unless it was for you." I smiled gently. "She must have something to tell you or maybe she too wants to move on from this mess."
"This mess is my life. I can't move on from it and I have no right to make Isabella deal with this, pick up the pieces after another woman destroyed me."
"But she will want too."
"You don't know that." Connor rubbed his side temple with his free hand and I knew he was trying to keep their mind shield in place. "I can't take any more pain, I can't take any more betrayal." He looked me in the eye, "I'm weak."
"No, you're human, well half." I smiled. "Pain comes with life, and betrayal is a side dish. Unfortunately, my son, someone always will hold the ability to destroy you. But you're stronger than that, and I know you won't let this weaken you."
"I'm already weakened." Connor chuckled with no humour, before shaking his head.
"Take the bounty down, let Isabella find her way back to you."
"She won't come, if I don't make her but then what right do I have to make her come?"
"Why do you think that the pull to you is weaker than the pull you feel for her?" I arched an eyebrow. "She doesn't just want you Connor, she needs you and I am sure in time she will come."
Connor nodded his head sadly, before letting out a long sigh and falling back in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Thanks Mom."
I patted his hand before I let it go and gently got off the edge of the bed. "Get some sleep, tomorrow's another day."
Sighing softly, I walked across his room, placing my hand on his door knob.
"Do you know what was weird?" I turned around to see Connor leaning on his elbows, frowning at me. "I felt May, like I felt a connection developing, I still do, but it isn't to her."
My eyebrows frowned together, and I looked at Connor completely confused, "That doesn't make sense."
"You're telling me." He muttered dryly before falling back into his bed. "Night Mom."
"Night Connor." I closed his bedroom door behind me, and thought over what he had just said. Perhaps he was feeling his loss for Isabella on a different level. That was all I could think of as an explanation.
The sooner she returned, the sooner my son would find happiness and I hoped that the Kingdom's happiness would then follow.
Chapter Seventeen
Isabella
My feet splashed in the puddles as I walked up our pathway. I gripped the grocery bag closer to me, and slowly stepped up our front steps. I was grateful mother and Liam had left, but I knew they weren't far away. They were waiting for me to calm down, and personal space was what I needed.
I swallowed the questions that nagged at my mind again as soon as I thought of what mother had told me. Should I tell Connor about Melissa? That question was on replay in my mind, and I still hadn't come to a decision over the last two days.
Twisting the doorknob, I walked into the foyer and searched the wall for the light switch. Why was the house in darkness? I placed the bag down and wiped the water from my forehead. Where was everyone?
My small footsteps echoed within the house. Which built up a fit of nerves. Our house was never quiet. I had only been gone for a few hours, and when I left, everyone was still here.
"Chase?" My voice seemed to shake the quiet air, and my breathing began to shallow. Something was wrong. "Cooper?"
I walked through the empty lounge room, and nothing seemed out of place. Flicking the light on, I scanned the room while smelling the air. A smell was present within the air, which I couldn't pin point.
"Still the same, I see."
I spun around so quick, that my vision was slightly blurred as I focused on the dark figure in the kitchen doorframe.
"Who are you?" I hunched over slightly, ready to make a chance, and for some reason my wolf was growling.
"Not your business to know." His voice was a deep choke, "Stand still, Princess."
My mouth dropped slightly, but then I heard the dull click of a trigger and before I could dodge, I was falling to my knees.
I glance
d at the small dart in my chest, my small hand wrapped around it pulling it from my skin, but as I did, I fell to my side and was wrapped in the cover of darkness.
My throat was on fire as I rasped for air. My vision was cloudy, and my heart was pounding.
"Finally she awakes, how much did you give her?" A voice grunted from around me.
"Don't know, she waking up now, it doesn't matter." A deep voice snapped. "Get her on her feet."
A firm hand wrapped around my upper arm and I was pulled to my feet. Dizziness consumed my vision and I stumbled backwards.
"Did it mention anything about what happened if she was injured?"
"Nah, but it can't be that bad. She's a wanted criminal, I'm sure the King won't care if she has a few scratches."
"It's a deep gash though, should have healed by now."
"It was her fault, just carry her! She can't seem to stand and I want my money already."
I felt myself being lifted into the air. The sudden movement, mixed with the dizziness, already had my mind falling back to blankness.
Connor
"Bounty hunters are here, claiming to have Isabella."
I spun around on my heels, dropping the cup I had in my hand as I did. Tyler looked calmly across at me.
"Is it her?" Shock was washing through me now, with a burning of excitement quickly following it. "Have you seen her?"
"I thought you pulled the order back?" Tyler crossed his arms.
"I did," I crossed the room quickly "and you know I did." I pushed past him and began to make my way up the corridor.
"She's going to hate you." Tyler had quickly caught up to my side. "She isn't going to be happy about this."
"I took the order back, it isn't my fault they didn't get word of it." I quickened my pace, heading for the hall.
I heard Tyler make some sort of scoffing noise, but right now I didn't care. I knew it was wrong to have Isabella brought here, but I was personally glad the wait was over. A loud scream came from the direction of the hall and I broke out into a run.
Royal Blood and One Forever : Book Three Page 12
