Seven Mates

Beneath The Crown Of Thorns.

“I’m supposed to thank you?” I asked, raising a brow.

His eyes narrowed. “Yes, b***h. You should.”

His tone ignited something in me.

“I never asked you to do it,” I snapped. “You chose to. So don’t come barking at me for your own decision.”

I was going to shrink under their gazes. If I did, I’d lose every ounce of strength I had left.

Lyall stared at me, amused but clearly irritated. “Is that so?”

Jeremy suddenly slung his arm around my shoulders like we were old friends. “Come on, baby cakes,” he said with a wink. “Don’t be such a buzzkill.”

I wanted to slap the grin off his face.

Just because they’d forced themselves on me didn’t mean they owned me. I wasn’t theirs. I never would be.

“Leave me alone,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

But he kissed my cheek.

“You’re my mate,” he whispered. “We’re bonded. I can’t leave you alone.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped, pushing his arm off. “Get your hands off me.”

Lyall glared at me, like he was ready to snap my neck if I didn’t grovel. Then Griffith cleared his throat, commanding the dining room’s attention.

“Enough,” he said coldly. “This isn’t playtime. We’ve got trouble. The vampires are moving in.”

Vampires.

The dining room fell quiet.

Then I heard Cario muttering to Lyall, “Wait till I teach her a lesson for talking back to you.”

Griffith stepped closer, his eyes like ice as he smirked at me. “Don’t get any bright ideas,” he said in a low, dangerous voice. “This is our castle. You’re in our world now. Stay in your place, like a good little mate... or I’ll shred you to pieces and toss what’s left to the dogs. Or maybe the vultures. You choose.”

He scoffed and walked off, slamming the door so hard it rattled the walls.

What. A. Jerk?

“Hey!” someone else barked across the dining table. I saw Cario again. He grinned and nodded toward the kitchen.

“Go cook something for everyone,” he said.

I blinked. “Me?”

“Yeah, you. You’re not deaf, are you?”

My hands curled into fists. “What?”

“After sucking me dry,” he smirked, “you should at least feed me. My balls are empty, thanks to you.”

He winked at Lyall, and the two burst out laughing.

So this was their game now? Great. Time to flip the script.

“I never asked you to touch me,” I spat. “I was asleep for over a week. You’ve been eating just fine without me. If your balls are empty, that’s on you, not me.”

The room erupted into laughter. Jeremy, Lyall, Eyolf, Caspian, and Olcan couldn’t stop cackling. For once, I felt proud of myself.

Until Cario ruined it.

“If you don’t do what I say,” he warned, voice dipping dark, “you’ll regret it. Keep playing with fire.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I shot back, already rolling my eyes.

Jeremy giggled.

“It means get in the kitchen and make something decent, or you’ll regret it,” he said. “Cook some tasty food, or everyone here will pay the price.”

“Count me out,” Lyall muttered, shooting me a sharp look. “I’m not eating anything she makes. Probably poison it.”

“Same,” Olcan added. “I don’t want to die from some bitter mate’s cooking. And just so we’re clear. I hate you. I hate all this mate crap.”

I glared at him.

Fine, poison sounded like a damn good idea now.

“Stop with the stories,” Cario chuckled at Lyall, his gaze flicking toward the kitchen. “You’re immune to poison, and she’s not stupid. Now, get inside and start cooking. Time’s ticking, and I don’t want delays.”

“And if I don’t?” I challenged myself. “I’m not your slave.”

“Try me,” he said with a sly grin, still pointing. “Move fast, darling, because if I step in there, hell will break loose, and you’ll regret it.”

What have I gotten myself into?

I sighed. “Don’t even bother with me. I can’t cook to save my life. I don’t even know how to turn on the gas.”

“Really?” His grin widened.

Olcan stepped up beside Lyall, resting an arm across his shoulder as he stared at me. “You’re useless. Can’t cook? That’s not right. For a broken little hybrid like you, shouldn’t you know how to cook?”

It is normal…for me. Why don’t they just get a cook? Why me? What a bastard. He’s the one who’s wretched.

Not me. I need to leave this place.

“Not every girl can cook, you know,” Jeremy said with a wink, and suddenly, his hands were cupping my breasts.

A gasp almost escaped my lips. What was happening? My body feels so hot.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Seducing you, of course.” Lyall walked up, grabbed my waist, and licked my neck.

My body betrayed me. A soft moan nearly escaped before he whispered darkly, “I could have you right now. Bend you to my will. But I won’t. Unless you insult my lover again. Then you’ll pay.”

Lover? Who is he talking about?

Jeremy leaned closer, his voice soft and deep. “You know I could get you in my bed again. Ravish you until you beg. How does that sound?”

His pheromones wrapped around me. Lyall’s presence pulled back, but the heat still clung to my skin.

“Now, can you cook?” Jeremy asked, brushing his lips against my ear.

“Y…yes,” I whimpered.

They stepped back, releasing me, and all six of them burst out laughing.

“That’s more like it,” Caspian grinned.

Shame burned through me. I wished the floor would swallow me whole. Bastards.

“Move along now. The kitchen is where a woman belongs, right?” Olcan teased.

“That is… if you want your parents to stay alive,” Eyolf added with a smirk.

I had no choice. I walked to the kitchen. These alphas are monsters. How did I end up here? How do I escape this mess? I don’t want to stay here. I’m tired of it all. The moment I stepped inside, the maids scattered, leaving me alone.

I opened the fridge, found some ingredients, and made noodles with vegetables, eggs, and bacon. It wasn’t much—but I had to cook a lot, and I couldn’t believe I was doing it all alone.

My hands ached as I carried the pot, plated the food, and placed utensils beside each plate. I carried the plates to the dining table and served Caspian, Olcan, Jeremy, and Eyolf. Who, of course, couldn’t resist sliding his hand over my butt. If we weren’t in front of the others, I would’ve slapped him.

Cario grinned as I returned for the rest of the food. I was almost done when Cario’s voice stopped me.

“Are you serving ghosts now?” he laughed. “You’re not done. Where do you think you’re going?”

I glanced at the rest of the empty seats. It’s not my fault they weren’t here. When they return, they’ll eat. Simple.

Why is he nagging me? Seriously, I need to plan an escape.