The Beta's Human Mate

Mate

Serenity Walker had lost her family years ago. Since then, she had spent every day and night training to bring them justice. She had been lucky to be found immediately by a vampire who was more than happy to stoke her young anger and train her so that she would never feel helpless or weak again.  She had grown up to be a warrior and a general. She would rid the world of the plague that were werewolves.

  Vladimir may have been scoffed at when he first brought the tiny child before the council. She had only been ten at the time, and still wearing her pajamas from the night before. The council house didn’t have spare clothes for children. She had stood in front of the other three council leaders and tried her best not to hide behind Vladimir’s tall figure. He had told her to show no fear or this would be the second night in a row her life was in danger.

  Somehow, she had survived the introduction. She had made no sudden movements, and no noises, except for saying her name when asked by the red-haired woman Vladimir had introduced as Katrina. She did her best not to make eye contact with the man leaning against the wall to her right, who’s name was Ramon. Vlad had said he was a werewolf, like the ones who had killed her family, but he belonged to the council and therefore posed no threat unless ordered.

  She had found out later that the council she was now a member of was a group of all the supernatural groups that humans did not want to admit existed. Namely, vampires, witches, and werewolves. Vlad explained to her that their job was to bring the justice that she so desperately craved to the world. And if she joined and promised to follow all his commands, he would allow her to help them bring that justice.

  Thirteen years later she was still alive, though with quite a few scars collected. She had maintained her humanity, much to the chagrin of Vladimir, who every year asked if she was ready to be turned. She knew she should be honored that he would make the offer, but she also felt that if she was to bring justice to her human family, she needed to be human. After that, she told him, she would reconsider. This seemed to appease him and Markus, the other vampire that oversaw the council. Markus didn’t talk much if he could help it, but somehow Serenity knew that he would always look down on her, and one day Katrina (the red-haired lady Serenity found to be a witch) explained to her why. Markus and Vladimir were two of the oldest and most powerful vampires still alive and not feral. It was them who had approached the witches and began the idea of the council. As far as Markus was concerned, she would never be anything but a soldier in the army they were building. And as long as she was human, she would be one of the weaker soldiers, so just meat to throw to the wolves.

  She had proved him wrong over the years. It took many painful lessons, and she would never be quite as quick or strong, and she had no talent to become a witch, but she had learned how to use werewolves own reckless behavior against them. She had found ways to block vampires from taking over her mind giving her a small chance against them in combat. While she could not cast strong spells like trained witches, she was able to block most spells, and knew how to trace them to the source. But mostly she was a strategist. Even Markus had admitted that she had a great mind for planning attacks and defenses. Eventually she had been put in charge of the councils’ home defenses and even helped set up training the army that was building more and more each year.

  The beach next to the mansion was a perfect place to go for a run, and tonight Serenity jumped at the chance. All the supernaturals in the area knew her scent and knew not to mess with her, so she was free to go where she liked. She set off at a slow pace, thinking it would be a long run, but before long she picked up her pace and the mansion disappeared. She breathed in the night air that she had grown accustomed to. When the person training you was a vampire, and most of the people you oversaw were vampires, you started to live by their schedule. And the night air by the beach, though salty had been her most comforting companion for years. The way the wind whipped her hair, and the dark water lapped at her feet, always trying to drag her into its dark depth thrilled her. She could almost imagine they were friends. Dangerous friends, but always there for her, keeping her alert.

  Before long she noticed a dark mist form a few meters in front of her. The shadows seemed to form a large cloud. Serenity stopped just before it, knowing before it happened a man was about to step out of the mist and ruin her night.

  “You are supposed to be getting ready for the reception.” Just as she knew Vlad stepped out of the mist. He had not changed at all since she was a child. Still much taller than her, still pale with long straight raven-black hair. Same bright red eyes. Hunters eyes, watching every move, reading every sign. He could make a ghost afraid.

  “I have time for a run.” She stated calmly. Technically true, but he knew she had no intention of turning back. To be honest, she had hoped he would be wrapped up with the visiting wolves and would forget all about her.

  “I have already said your presence is required. Do you think you can disobey me, child?” His voice was barely louder than the water lapping at her feet, but she could hear the threat. No matter how she trained, she could never beat him, and she was still at his mercy if he ever decided to punish her.

  “No, sir. I needed the air.” Also, technically true.

  “We’re going back now.” He raised an eyebrow. Before she could say anything, she saw shadows surround her and her breath hitched for a second. She blinked and then she and Vladimir were standing in her room. She hated when he did that. No matter how many times, it always made her slightly sick.

  “Here. Katrina thought this would be perfect for you.” He held up a dark green A-line dress and silver shoes. She didn’t bother to ask how he knew she hadn’t been shopping for anything for tonight. She grabbed the offered dress and stalked off to her bathroom to shower and change.

  “I don’t understand why I need to be there, or why we need to dress up. They are just dogs.” She called through the door.

  “Either they will join us tonight or they will draw the line in the sand. The presence of a human might sway their decision.” Vlad’s voice carried through the door without him having to raise it.

  “We don’t need them. We have Ramon’s rogues. Packs cannot truly be controlled. You told me that.” She stepped out of the bathroom and over to her vanity to apply some quick makeup.

  “This is no ordinary pack. The Demon Moon Pack produces the greatest warriors, everyone knows that. With them we could cut Ramon, wouldn’t that make you happy?” He knew it would. She had always hated Ramon. He was loud, rude, and quick to anger. When she got older, he began to make advances on her but, due to his high ranking in the council, it took Vladimir to get him to stop. Even then he still eyed her constantly and got too close for comfort.

  “I can take them.” She muttered and turned to face him. He eyed her carefully before giving a small nod, satisfied with her work.

  “Understand your place, child. You are to stand there and look charming, and if questioned say that you are happy and safe under the council’s protection. Make no mistake, if you screw this up in any way I cannot and will not protect you.” It was as much a promise as a threat as he held out his arm to lead her out the door.

  “I understand.” She took the offered arm and felt the familiar cold from his body seep into her skin. It didn’t matter how long she was around him, he would always frighten her, but she had learned how to hide the aversion over the years.

  They made their way down to the first floor where Vladimir left her to take his place at the reception hall with the rest of the council leaders. She watched him glide through the big double doors on the right side of the hall and grimaced. She knew all four council members were now there, and she assumed a couple of the higher-ranking members from each of the groups. As the only human that had ever or would ever be part of the council it was an extra dangerous place for her to be. She was used to it, but there would always be her instinct to not be here. 

  She took a deep breath and prepared to enter the room. Before she could though she heard steps from the stairs behind her and turned. A servant was escorting three strangers from the hallway. She assumed it was the three visitors from the Demon Moon pack this whole reception was being put on for. The two men were almost as tall as vampires but built much thicker and with muscles busting out their suits. The taller man was dirty blond, but his baby face and blue eyes made him look non-threatening. Next to him was a petite woman with a pixie haircut died light pink. She had pure green eyes and a permanent smile that seemed to match her partner.

  When her eyes landed on the second man her breath caught in her throat. When his eyes met her, and she fell into their golden silver sheen she thought she’d collapse. He was just as tall as the first man, but had dark, shaggy hair with slight waves that looked like he couldn’t be bothered to maintain it. He had the hard, angular face of a warrior and the thin pressed lips that she doubted ever smiled. When their eyes met though his lips parted, and he murmured something only the other two heard. They turned to him, but he never broke eye contact with Serenity. The two followed his gaze curiously. Serenity knew she should move but she couldn’t seem to stop staring at him as he moved closer. He was at the top of the steps and she could just tell he was about to run down them to get to her.

  Thankfully, Katrina appeared right next to her at that moment and lightly grabbed her arm.

  “Oh, thank goodness, I’m not the only one that’s late. Let us go in, darling.” And she turned Serenity and began quickly walking in. She deposited Serenity off to one side, just inside the hall and made her way quickly to the end, where the other three council leaders were already seated.

  A few moments later the three strangers walked in. She could see the silver-eyed man’s eyes flicker to each side, looking for her probably, but she had hidden herself in the shadows behind a column. He knew she was here, but she wasn’t sure what would happen if she was caught in his eyes again. And with Vlad and the whole council there to watch, she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.