THE HYBRID MATES

MEMORY NO MORE

CHAPTER #10

“MEMORY NO MORE”

EVAN’S POV:

I walked back into our room from leaving Montague and Ralph in the study. I was exhausted to the point; I knew I wasn’t thinking clearly. Everything felt as though I were in a daze. However, when I saw Meredith sleeping peacefully on our bed I couldn't help but smile. She had a similar scent to my original mate, Katie, my beloved who died in childbirth. Both had the subtle scent of lilacs. The only difference was Katie had an earthy cast, where Meredith’s scent was saltier, like she had come from the sea. Even my second chance mate, Emily had not reminded me so much of Katie.

I removed nearly all my clothing, all but my boxers and snuggled up to my chosen mate. I burrowed my face into her hair and inhaled deeply. Simply her scent could make me feel more at ease. I gathered her soft form into my arms and spooned her gently and allowed my breathing to slow as I closed my eyes. I could feel the slow rhythm of her heart, I didn’t like the fact her heartbeat was so slow, yet I knew the vampires were correct, that Meredith was too dangerous to be left coherent.

I looked forward to the time when she would accept me as her mate, and I knew that time was coming soon. I allowed myself to relax so that I could get some desperately needed sleep. Between the war, and my escape, and the flight here, I know I had not slept more than a few hours in days. I needed to sleep, I needed rest to ensure that I would be able to protect myself and Meredith no matter what came before us.

I don’t know how long I laid next to my new mate before the vampires came into our room. The darkness surrounded us and all I could hear was breathing and the light click of the door opening and reclosing. I always slept light, and to my advantage, as I sprung awake and growled deeply. Ronan was pacing in my head with unease, he could small the bloodsuckers as well, making him ready to pounce.

“Relax Evan. It is time.” A voice I recognized as Montague echoed softly in the room. I reached down into the darkness and grabbed my jeans I had been wearing earlier, putting them on quickly as a group of vampires walked into the bedroom holding candles in front of them, casting an eerie glow within the room, causing the silhouettes to become flickering shadows.

“What the f**k?” I grumbled as I stood at the end of the bed, keeping myself between the vampires and Meredith. Montague smiled and took a step closer to me.

“Wake her and hold her. It’s time to get started.” He told me as he placed a cold hand onto my shoulder. I shivered, however did as I was instructed, and walked over to Meredith’s side of the bed and gently shook her.

“Meredith, you need to walk up. Meredith.” I barked, with a sharpness to my voice that made a couple of vampires shrink away from me. I used my Alpha tone, however she was not a wolf, so it would not likely work in the same way it would with one of my pack members.

MERA’S POV:

I felt someone shaking me, the black still clouding my head. I could hear the urgentness in the man’s voice, but I was unable to make out who the man was, although I seemed to recognize his southern drawl. I attempted to open my eyes, yet my lids felt heavy as I struggled to wake. The drugs I had been given made me feel nauseous and groggy. I knew I had been drugged, I remembered my last encounter with the southern man who injected me in the neck, the injection site still burning.

I knew I was at the mercy of my captors, they didn’t play fair, and I had been so weakened that I doubted I would have been able to call upon my magic even if my life depended on it. For some reason, I was secured in my thoughts that I was more valuable alive than dead, but why? What did they want me for? Was I a pawn, a trophy, or a means to hurt the Alpha King? This was one of the reasons my grandmother lived within the pack grounds, as the more people that were aware of our existence, our relationship to the king and the queen were a danger to us all. We were nothing more than a piece on a chess board, no thanks to my grandmother’s Alpha r****t so many years ago.

And that’s when a gruesome thought flickered into my mind, a hybrid, like my cousin, were they looking to use me? Was I simply a means to produce an heir, a child so powerful, that offspring could overtake much of the world? I shivered, and felt the man shake my shoulders once more, then pulled me up into his arms. Or was I simply going to be used for ransom? However, all this trouble? No, they could have ransomed me anywhere and had not taken the risk of bringing me here.

“Meredith, wake up.” the growled at me again, and once more I fought to open my eyes. What was so pressing that they needed me up? I shook my head, my neck burning and gasped as I was finally able to comply, and that’s when I saw I sight that terrified me.

Evan was holding me upright on the bed, his touch was gentle, and I could see in his eyes the alarm, the unease within them. Something had his wolf pacing and fear was written all over his face. What would cause my own captor to be so afraid? And that was when my eyes finally focused, and I could see the grouping of vampires surrounding us. The darkness enveloped us, light only allowed by the array of candles throughout the room. I recognized Montague and I felt the blood drain from my face by simply looking at him.

“Ah, my beautiful little witch.” He purred as he kneeled at my bedside. Instinctually, I leaned back into Evan, and he growled at the vampire protectively. Montague glanced annoyed up at Evan, however reached forward for my hand, snapping it up quickly. His cold touch made me want to pull my hand away fervently. I whimpered, yet he held my hand firmly and squeezed it to the point of pain. I squirmed and Evan pulled me even more tightly to his chest, and that’s when I noticed another vampire come beside us and gently place his hand upon the wolf’s shoulder.

“Freeze.” The stranger commanded and I felt Evan go still from behind me. The terror was beginning to overtake me, although I knew I needed to maintain my heartbeat or become a quick snack for these leeches. The vampire that had set a hand on Evan released him and kneeled down beside Montague and faced me as well. I felt a tear forming and closed my eyes tightly trying to avoid their searching gazes.

“Look at me.” The stranger growled. Obediently, I opened my eyes and investigated his face. He was handsome, dark brown curls, pale skin, and dark brown eyes with a youthful smile and soft pink lips. He was almost too beautiful to be real. I felt compelled to look at him, his attractiveness drew me to him, and that was when I realized it. This vampire was a decoy, he had the ability to compel a situation with mind control, to subdue his victim. I couldn’t hold in the tears any longer as I silently began to cry in front of Montague and the stranger.

The handsome stranger looked pained as he tipped his head and reached forward, touching the bottom of my chin gently. His eyes were searching mine, he was looking into my soul, I could feel him, and yet I was still too drugged to react or fight back. I was helpless, utterly, and completely at their mercy.

“She is so beautiful, both inwardly and outwardly. Her soul is pure, and despite the ability to harness the darkness, her purity has never been tainted. How extraordinary.” He gasped with pleased surprise as he informed Montague, who still held onto my hand tightly. He broke his stare from me and glanced nervously at the older Montague. “She would be much more valuable if we turned her. Her power would be beyond compared.” His voice was almost a pleading tone, causing my heart to soften for this young man. Timidly, I reached forward and touched his chest, directly over his heart and closed my eyes, looking for his essence.

He was good, I dropped my hand with disbelief and stared at the monster kneeling before me. I didn’t know any of these soulless beings could still be of good nature. The handsome stranger glanced back at me, his eyes finding mine once more, his expression pleading, and I found myself feeling a connection to this being that surprised me.

“Marco, she can not be turned, that would defeat all of our plans. Now, do what you were brought here to do.” The older vampire scolded the newly identified Marco. I saw the younger being lower his head submissively, as he reached for my chin once more. He grasped my jaw softly and shook his head before he raised his eyes, now glowing red, back to mine.

“Such a waste.” He murmured as his glare became more intense and despite his gentle touch, I felt powerless, I was unable to escape his grasp no matter how I tried. I felt as though my body had forsaken me. “Ah, my beautiful little witch, I compel you to forget you past, your family, your friends…” his words echoed in my head, and I felt myself begin to panic as I tried desperately to break his hold upon me. I screamed; however, I wasn’t even able to remove my gaze from his. I was powerless, even my magic was evading me as I pleaded with myself for protection.

“I compel you, to recognize your mate, to bear his pups. To accept us as your family and realize the Alpha King as our sworn enemy. I compel you; I compel you.” His words were soft, nearly a whisper, however as he spoke, I could feel my mind begin to cloud over, my eyes began to blink wildly as I struggled with the darkness once more.

“Dost cuimhnigh.” Was the only thought I was able to grasp and I murmured the words aloud as I feel into the dark once more.