The Lost Goddess, A War On Mates

Chapter 16

Drake sighed as another suitor was to try and speak with him today. Salem kept sending him gifts as an apology and they all ended up in the trash. It only made Drake more irritable to know he was being unkind to his lower tiered waiting staff and wanted Salem out of his house and territory. He was especially on edge with the peace treaty festival approaching quickly and he had not wanted to attend but even more so now that it was at that stupid mutt’s pack again. Sneering, Drake scoffs at the invite on his desk, ‘Such weak Alphas.’ Sighing he looked at his photo of Aeris and heard a knock on his office door.

“Enter…” It was a young woman with blonde curls and bright violet eyes. She must be the new courtesan.

She bowed, “Your majesty, it is a pleasure. I am Rosaline Petrov.”  She beamed a smile and I waved for her to sit.

“I see, I am prince Drake. We should get to know one another but now is a stressful time. It would be best if you came by a different day.” Her smile faltered but she held it tight.

“As you wish your highness. I am disappointed to have come all this way, but I will come again later. I will send my maid to set it up.” She stood curtly and bowed leaving my office. She was not a keeper. I could tell from her clothes this was a grab at power. Jewels beyond a doubt stolen were everywhere on her person. Along with the finest garments, for her status, it could not be cheap. It sickened me that all that was left for any vampire was status hungry mongrels. Sighing I tapped my fingers on the desk in frustration.

As I sat in thought my father, the king, came in, “Son, you declined another one without even trying?” He looked disappointed in me which made my heart ache. “Maybe this was a bad suggestion…” He mumbled to himself rubbing his face.

“No father she just was not what I wanted. She was too flashy.” I nodded at my choice of words. He sighed and I was lost on what to do, “I, I will take Salem to the peace treaty festival!” My father’s head jerked up in shock and then he raised a brow.

“Salem? The same Salem you have been avoiding for weeks and throwing out gifts as well?”

I sighed and looked at him defeated,” He annoys me less then all these other women and he does seem sorry. I should give him a chance at redemption.”

A sad smile graced my father’s lips,” Very well my son. I will let him know.” I nodded thankful that I did not have to see his smug face at me giving in. I have met only three candidates, but Salem was honestly the least terrible of the three.  The other two were blunt about their intentions and it was a huge turn off. They also chatted with my maids on how they would never let Aeris back into the castle to “steal their throne”. It was ridiculous really, at least Salem had the balls to say his outrageous opinion on Aeris to my face.

I leaned back in my chair and thought about her. The pain of her leaving had slowly ebbed away into a dull ache. She was still on my mind, but I tried to think happy thoughts about her. She was always optimistic and happy. As I started finalizing our departure for the festival, I relaxed thinking that I should enjoy just one event for her. ‘Maybe next year when I do not have a date.’ I nodded and carried myself off to bed.

Jake, Basil, and Adrian were starting to get concerned. They had not seen Aeris since the incident at the dining hall. It felt eerie but they went to their Alpha for the first time in years for help.

Knocking they hear a rough, “Come in.”

Each show their neck in submission and unison say, “Alpha.”

He raises a brow and nods, “What can I help you boys with, I have not had a visit from you three in years. Is something wrong?”

Jake starts the conversation, “I am sorry we have not been up to see you more Alpha. We were just hoping you might know where Aeris is?”

The Alpha narrowed his eyes at the boys. Adrian piped in, “It is just we have not seen her since an altercation at dinner and were hoping you may know her whereabouts.” He looked at the Alpha with pleading eyes.

“I believe Drew asked for her to spend a week with him on a short holiday. I may not treat her well, but Drew is a good friend, so I agreed. Especially since he seems to have taken a liking to her and she has taken a liking to him as well.” He spoke with a bland expression and then went back to the paperwork on his desk. “Is that all boys?”

Basil clenched his teeth together, “Yes Alpha, thank you. We will be going now.” Each one followed the other out of the office. The Alpha smirked down at his papers once the door creaked closed.

Basil stormed off and Jake just whimpered in disbelief. Adrian was silent and looked down the hall at his friends retreating figure. Jake mumbled, “Would she really leave without saying anything?” Adrian shook his head and started walking away from Jake. Each one heartbroken that they were not only losing their possible mate, but they were losing their friend in the process.

The next day Jake, Basil, and Adrian all accepted a yearlong training regimen the Alpha offered to any pack member wanting to train with some of the best trackers and fighters in the region. They left that afternoon angry, sad, and ready to train to beat Drew in battle for Aeris. Sadly, Drew was in the dungeon working his magic on Aeris already.

Walking down the blood-soaked steps drew looked at Aeris hanging limply from her chains. It aroused him to see her so vulnerable near him. Unlocking the door and shutting it behind him, he walks up and gently caresses her face. She flinches and bites her lip.

“Oh, it’s okay my sweet. We can take it slow; I have all the time in the world.” He smiled a dazzling smile that felt genuine. Taking a cool rag he wiped her arms, chest, stomach, legs, feet, and back. He kissed her forehead and held her chin lightly.

“Drew, please let me go. I know I am here for the peace treaty, but you can just leave me to rot, please?” She barely whispered as silent tears slipped out.

“Its okay Aeris, I am here to care for you. No one else but me cares about you honey. Lucas is abusive, these other boys left you knowing you would be down here. They are gone for a whole year little one. Just let me love you. “

He smiled again and kissed her lips with just a peck. He pulled away and grabbed some new clothes along with a plate of food. “Now you want to tell me when you got that tattoo?”

He hums as he dresses me around the chains the best he could. I shook my head looking down. “Are you scared of me Aeris?” I jolted up looking into his eyes. He was frowning but his eyes looked like a predator staring down its prey. He raised his hand making me flinch and close my eyes tight.” Hey now, I would never hit you.” He smiled a sad smile and let my chains on my wrists go, catching me as I fell forward. He smelt comforting, like warm cologne and strong woodsy scents. I relaxed a bit as he sat me up and finished fixing my shirt and skirt. It felt weird having someone dress me. He turned his back to grab something, and I watched him wearily curling into a ball.

“Do you want to eat?” He looked at me and gently set the plate next to me as he sat across from me.  Hesitantly I took a tiny piece of cantaloupe from the platter. It had some fruit, chicken legs, and mixed vegetables. It melted in my mouth with a sweetness that overwhelmed my starving body. A slight moan escaped my lips and I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye. I felt self-conscious now and decided to stop.

He frowned, “Aeris you need to eat more than that. Please?” He grabbed a piece of pineapple and gently opened my lips as I took a bite. The same thing happened where a moan escaped. He kept feeding me just smiling and I eventually just accepted that maybe this was okay. I would be fed and cared for during the festival instead of left for dead.

After the food was finished, I sat awkwardly staring at my hands. I mumbled out a “Thank you.” Which made Drew smile. He was a handsome man when he smiled. He scooted closer and gently pulled me into his side. I relaxed even more; it was exhausting being down here alone. I felt myself drifting off next to Drew. It really felt like no one cared about me anymore but him. The boys have not spoken to me, Lucas threw me back in here even though I thought we were friends, I do not even know if Tyler noticed I was gone yet. It was all one big mess. I yawned and Drew laid down pulling me onto his chest, “Rest Aeris. You’ll need it.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but it was better than the floor, so I slipped into unconsciousness.

I woke up with a start. I was alone again and had no idea what time it was. I did feel a bit better about Drew now. I wonder if he would tell anyone about the tattoo on my back or if he would keep it a secret. I hope it would stay a secret. I stood up to stretch and found I was still chained by my ankles.

I frowned when I heard the dungeon entry open and close. The footsteps did not seem to be hurried so when they stopped in front of me, I saw it was Drew just staring. I cross my arms over my chest, “Um hey…” I am fidgeting making the chains rattle loudly. He entered and closed the door. He walked up to me and quickly chained my hands to the wall again. I felt my heart race slightly at the sudden restraints.

“I am going to take what I want and give you what I know you need, alright love?” Before I could answer he was kissing me gently and began to move his lips with mine. I stayed still confused and he started to nibble on my lip. I felt odd and wanted it to stop. I just watched on in horror as he bit me hard causing me to gasp. He shoved his tongue in my mouth as I squirmed around. He smacked my ass causing me to yelp and he rubbed where he smacked in circles. I felt so wrong.

He pulled away panting and I took in a few large gulps of air. He smirked at my struggle. “Please Drew stop!?”  I was panicked but he just smirked and started to massage my breasts through the thin shirt he gave me the other day. I felt my n*****s harden and I clenched my legs shut feeling extremely uncomfortable. Everything was aching and on fire, but I did not want Drew to be doing this. If this was the only love I ever receive I did not want it. Tears broke out and streamed down my cheeks and fell down my neck. Drew started to kiss my neck and lick up my tears causing me to shudder as he continued to play with my breasts.

“Mn Aeris, your tears taste amazing.” He chuckled at that and continued with his attack.

I looked away and he forcefully made me watch by holding my chin in place.

He ripped my shirt open and bit my n****e hard causing me to scream. “Ah, that sound right there makes me hard as a rock Aeris. Let us make more of that…” Before I could respond he bit my other n****e making me cry out. Everything felt wrong and disgusting. He was leaving hickeys all over my neck as he continued to tweak my n*****s harder each time. It was driving me insane. I could not stop crying and I had to bite my lip until it was bleeding to suppress any moans, he was trying to get out of me. He looked irritated and finally ripped off my skirt. He inserted a finger quickly without warning. I gasped and flinched. It hurt at first when he started to move. I could not hold it back, “Please Drew, stop, please no more, of this!”  It all came out as scrambled pleading and moans. He just smirked and continued fingering me but this time it was harder and faster. He added two more fingers at once causing me to shriek out. Something was building in me, and I could not stop moaning. I felt like a mess and bit my lips harder.

He started to kiss me again and this time I just wanted it to be over with, so I kissed back. I did not know what his end goal was, I kept going for what felt like hours when finally, I felt a throbbing and suddenly I saw dots. I groaned out, “Drew!” he seemed satisfied with the smirk on his face. I was panting and trying to refocus.

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead, then cheeks, then lips. He wiped my remaining tears and whispered against my lips,” That felt amazing right? I can give you more of that later but right now we rest and eat.” With a peck to my lips he unlatches my wrist chains and lays me down on the small cot. He walks over and grabs some food again. He slowly feeds me as I drift in and out of consciousness. I finally fall asleep as he turns around to clean the food platter.

Drew smiles to himself and finishes cleaning up as he looks back at his mate. Leaning down and kissing her hair he looked down at her adoringly, ’She will not be able to resist me after this week.’ Grabbing his things, he heads upstairs to clean himself up and go to bed.