The Lost Goddess, A War On Mates

Chapter 18

Running further into the abyss I felt my heart clench at the sight before me. Jake, Basil, and Adrian were all kissing other women and smiling without me. I screamed for them to see me and help me, but no one even bothered to look my way. I woke up gasping and tears streamed down my face. I was on a cold cement floor and was in the dark. I bit back the sob that wanted to escape. Curling into a ball I let silent tears fall. It felt so real to see them all not caring. The thoughts started to creep in, ‘They were happy without me. No one cared about me anymore.’

Hours passed before I heard the dungeon door open again. I looked up and saw Drew. He looked panicked and quickly came into my cell locking it behind him. The moment it locked he dropped to his knees and pulled me into a tight hug, “Why are you crying love? It’s okay I am here, and the festival is almost over, and then we can leave.” He kept reassuring me that everything was okay, and I eased into him nodding. I felt numb. He gently pulled me away and held my hands smiling at me.

It started to feel nice to have him here with me. I realized that he was better than the emptiness I felt and the loss of time.

“Do you want to eat little love?” He grabbed some food from behind him and tried to get me to eat. He sighed and sat the food down. Quickly he yanked me into his lap and had my back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled his chin into my shoulder and neck. I did not bother trying to fight it and if I was honest, it felt good to receive affection. It had been so long since even the boys had given me a hug or kissed my forehead that I felt deprived, and Drew was sustenance. I relaxed back into him sighing. He was still nice, and he did not touch me intimately again after that day. I think today was the day of the festival.

Mumbling, “Drew?”

He lifted his head, and I felt his stare on me, “Yes Aeris? Is something wrong?” He sounded so concerned it made my heart skip a beat once.

“I was wondering if Tyler was okay. He doesn’t know I get put down here and I know the pack does not like him much…” I trailed off as he seemed to soften.

“I am not too sure about him since I do not live in the pack house, but I doubt he is being treated any worse than normal, especially with the festival going on.”  I smiled and nodded slightly. I turned myself around and straddled Drew. He did not seem to mind but raised a brow amused. I laid on his chest and put my forehead into the crook of his neck inhaling deeply and letting out a stressed sigh. He pulled me close and held me there. He never seemed to get tired of holding me and in the dark, it was the best thing to keep my senses from panicking.

“Drew…” He hummed in acknowledgment, “Why are you doing all this when no one else cares. I am a human slave; I am not worth anything to you.” I started to tear up and bite my lip feeling my heart ache and a depression seep into the back of my mind. I looked up at him tears brimming at the corner of my eyes.

“That is easy, I see your value Aeris. You are beautiful, artistically talented, extremely strong to endure everything this pack throws at you, and to top it off you still manage to smile and enjoy some aspects of your day. I admire true strength like that in a woman.” He smiled looking down me in the eye with awe, adoration, and love.

He slowly leaned forward towards my lips and stopped an inch from touching. It felt like forever as we sat close to each other, our breaths mingling against our cheeks. He never once looked away from my eyes.

I whispered, “Do you think I look like a freak?”

He whispered back, “I think you are the most enticing woman I have ever laid my eyes on.” With that I broke down crying and leaned forward kissing Drew. If no one loved me then I could at least try to feel loved. I felt him smile against my lips as I nibbled his bottom lip. He caressed my face and flicked his tongue over my mouth. Parting my lips, he slid his tongue in and we danced back and forth. I slid my hands into his hair and gently tugged feeling needy. He lifted me up and moved to kiss my cheeks. As I panted, he moved his kisses down my neck and massaged my thighs. I groaned leaning back slightly and he growled lowly. I sucked in a breath and then let it out when Drew pulled me forward and gently pecked my lips.

“Now that you feel better, I need to take care of you, remember?” He smiled and I looked away embarrassed. He sat me down on the floor and brought the food and water back over. It was meat loaf, two pieces of bread and some mixed fruit. A small smile tugged at the corner or my lips.

As I ate Drew watched me and talked about his art projects, he had been grading for the classes below me. It was comforting to hear a voice that was not my own. As I finished, I felt extremely groggy. “Ah Let’s get you to bed okay little love?”  I nodded lazily as he chuckled picking me up. It sent shivers down my spine, and I clung to him.

“Please stay, I keep having nightmares down here…” I whispered into his chest. |

“What are the nightmares about love?” He started to stroke my hair calming me.

“Adrian, Jake, and Basil. They all left me and ignored me in my dream. They were happy without me.” Drew sighed and gave me a sad smile.

“I know it hurts Aeris, they were supposed to be here for you, but they left without a care in the world. I cannot change what they did but I can promise I will never leave you.” He smiled at me, and I smiled back tiredly nodding in agreeance. Drew starts to rock me back and forth while stroking my hair until I fall asleep.

Sighing I look down at Aeris sleeping in my lap. She was starting to warm up to me. I frowned thinking about Tyler. He may ruin my relationship with Aeris if he is anything like the other three idiots. Growling lowly, I put Aeris on her cot and leave the cell. Walking out of the dungeon I hear a commotion outside. Looking out the window I see a young boy getting heavily whipped. My eyes widened in shock but then a smirk forms on my lips as I soon realize it is Tyler.

I walk away and to the Alpha’s office for when he finishes with the boy. I sat in his chair for a while before the door slammed open.

“Oh Alpha, what do I owe the pleasure?” I mocked him again and laughed at his anger. He punches the wall and starts trashing the office causing me to widen my eyes again for the second time that night,” Holy s**t it was just a joke Alpha calm the f**k down already.”

After a few more minutes he plops down onto his couch and stares at me while he is slumped over in exhaustion, “What do you want now Drew?”

“Well, I came to inform you about Aeris but then saw you handling business with the Tyler boy. What’s going on with your end first?” I crossed my arms raising a brow at him.

“Tyler obviously never got the memo about Aeris not existing in the pack during the festival. He asked another omega whilst on the dance floor serving people. Everyone in the hall heard him say her name. That vampire prince and king have been looking for her for years and I was easily keeping them out of our business. Now I think we are going to have some troubles with them. I had to punish Tyler and used the excuse he made an outburst and disobeyed me.” Sighing he rubbed his face. All his lies were catching up with him.

I smirked, “Alright, he’s an omega, right?” The Alpha looked up and nodded unsure where I was going with this. “Then get rid of him the same way you got rid of the others.”

He groaned and leaned back into the couch,” I would if I could but after that outburst to many people would notice him go missing. I do not need anyone in the pack finding out we sell out our omega to sweat shops and red-light districts. I honestly need to keep track of how many of them have ‘found their mates’.”

I smirked at him and laughed,” You are just digging a deep grave lately.”

He frowned at me,” Whatever, what is the progress on Aeris being convinced on staying in the pack.”

I smiled happily,” She is slowly getting acclimated to the idea that no one loves her but me and that everyone around her would be better off without her. I would like to request her moving into my house with me outside the pack house. It may just help finalize her mindset if she were such a burden that she was ‘kicked out’ of the pack house.” I smirked at the end and the alpha simply nodded. I rolled my eyes at this brute of a man and his tasteless tactics.

Leaning forward I rested my chin in the palm of my hand on the desk, “What are you going to do with Tyler, since the pack business won’t suit him anymore.”

The Alpha sighed,” I suppose simply put him in the dungeon for a month after his injuries heal. That is all I can do. At that point hopefully any questions about Aeris will have died down.”

 I nodded standing,” Then I will take my leave since we have a plan figured out.” Walking out the door I left the sorry excuse of an Alpha to sulk in his trashed office.

Drake Sighed heavily and stood straight. Knocking on Salem’s door he waited for an answer. Salem opened the door a minute later dripping wet. Drake sucked in a breath and stared at Salem, he had on only a short black towel that hung low on his v-line. He had abs to die for and his hair hung low over his eyes.

“Can I help you your majesty?” He bowed stiffly and refused to make eye contact. A pang of guilt ran through me.

“I was hoping that maybe I could come in and we could talk?” Salem bit his lip and exhaled a breath.

“Whatever you wish your majesty.” He stepped away from the door as he walked to the closet looking for an outfit for the night.

“Salem you do not have to be so formal with me.” Salem stopped moving and scrunched his face in anger. Whipping his head around he hissed, “I think you are a manipulative jerk Prince Drake. So, I will keep the formalities.” Looking back at a deep navy-blue shirt he pulled it off a hanger and looked for some black jeans.

“Salem, I did not mean to hurt you, how can I make this right?” My heart started to constrict when I saw tears pooling in his eyes. He quickly looked away and walked to the bathroom getting dressed. I walked over cautiously and knocked twice.

“Salem? I am sorry about the car ride home. I do not have any regrets and I just wanted you to know that. I am starting to care about you…” I trailed off at the end knowing it would hurt us both to start falling for one another.

I was met with silence,” Salem come one please come out and talk to me.” Knocking again with no answer I sighed and sat on his bed.

Salem sat against the bathroom door biting his quivering lip. He exhaled a jagged breath as he heard Drake trying to coax him out of the bathroom. Closing his eyes tears slipped down his cheeks and neck, ‘Drake was no different than any of the others I tried to court. I was just good enough for s*x or money. No one would love me as deeply as I wanted them too.’ Wiping a few stray tears and standing to his feet. He stared at the mirror and saw a broken-hearted man looking back. Mumbling to myself, “You are such an i***t falling for this prick. He will never love anyone but his princess Aeris.” Looking down at the sink I slip on my navy-blue shirt and black jeans. Sighing I open the door finding Drake waiting on my bed.

“What do you need your majesty?” I refused to look at him as I walked to the other side of the bed sitting down. I slid on my socks and shoes. Before I could start tying them Drake was in front of me pushing me down onto the bed.

Turning my head away I scoffed and bit my lip. I may be hurting but he was the crowned prince. I felt his slender fingertips lead my face to look at him and he looked so hurt. He moved some hair out of my face and leaned down. He kissed me softly and I kissed back.

After a minute he pulled away stroking my cheek as another tear betrays me, “Salem let me court you, really try to court you this time.” I parted my lips in shock as a gasp escaped me. He smiled wearily at me, and I just sat there silent. Drake seemed to be an impatient person because he started to get up off my lap.

I yanked his arm down and his lips back onto mine, “Do not hurt me Drake, I do not think I could take it!” He looked at me with determination and nodded. We continued to kiss furiously for a while before he pulled away smiling. A part of my heart melted.

He smiled getting off my lap and put his hand out, “Come to dinner with me Salem, as my date.” I looked at his hand hesitantly and took it. Standing up he kissed me again and started to lead me to the dining hall. ‘Maybe he could love me?’ I bit my lip hoping I was in my right mind around this prince.