THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 1 - THE HEIRESS

*48 HOURS EARLIER*

The air is so cold, it burns down your throat when you breathe it in, and you find yourself shivering in your shoes with the slightest breeze. I warm up with laps around the arena, stretching my body into longer strides. The sun is only just greeting this side of the world as the arena fills up, everyone eager to start training. Some are less eager than others, dragging their feet as they look ahead at the captains shouting commands and dishing out punishment for the stragglers. There are three training groups that congregate together, consisting of lowborns, warriorborns, and highborns. Lowborns are human or omegas. They serve the pack as servants and caretakers. Warriorborns are the largest group. They are our warriors, our guards and soldiers. These two groups often mix when it comes to occupations outside of their status duties, performing as doctors, business owners and other necessary occupational jobs that keep a territory thriving. Lastly, we have the highborns. They are the alphas, the royalty, the elite. Training varies according to what group you reside in. For the lowborns, training isn't even compulsory but highly encouraged. You are born who you are. It's in your nature as I am coming to realize watching Moira's Zeta trying to train Nate. He has had the bloody War General training him for months and still he is useless with a weapon and even more so as a wolf. I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me seeing another male so easily take out the one that belongs to me. Alec, Moiras' Zeta - second in command - delivers a particularly nasty attack when I decide enough is enough for today.

"Nate, darling, have you had enough?" I ask sweetly, giving Alec a sharp look.

"The fun was just starting, Belavina." Alec grins as Nate's frown deepens.

"I'm sure you will find some other poor soul to have fun with Alec, but we appreciate your time." I tell him, twisting my auburn braided hair around my finger as he gives me a lopsided smile.

Alec opens his mouth to speak before spotting something or someone who snags his attention first. I follow his gaze to find Moira strolling into the arena in a comfortable training combat suit with her long, blonde hair loose around her waist. Alec quickly makes his excuse, bulleting in her direction just as soon as he can. I turn back to find Nate pulling his gloves off and throwing them in the dirt in a rare show of temper as he sits on the ground, legs sprawled out in front of him.

"You aren't improving." I tell him, disappointed.

He smiles without any warmth, nodding his head, "I can tell Bela."

I raise a brow at his cocky response, not that I mind it at all, but it's just so unlike him. I roll my neck eager to blow off some steam once I'm done with my mate.

"My family has a lot of enemies, Nate, and they will try to hurt us. If you do not become stronger than this, you will become their instrument to inflict that pain."

I don't mean to sound particularly harsh or condescending, but it is the truth. Ever since my sisters and I, along with our supporters, have taken back our family's territories from that old fool Maximo, we've had to watch our backs. We've had people at our throats, snapping at our heels, searching for any weaknesses that they could possibly use against us. We are used to it by now. We were forced to live like shadows - beggars in the street that nobody minded or even looked at while guarding each other's backs growing up. It was a small group of young elites that escaped Maximo's clutches, Alec included. But now we have returned, stronger and more powerful than our enemies ever expected.

He slaps a hand over his heart for dramatics, "Glad to hear that you care." He answers, rolling his eyes while a smile still plays on his lips.

"Be serious." I scold, a smile lifting the corners of my lips as I stare fondly down at him.

"I always am." He grins - the liar. He doesn't have a serious bone in his body.

I offer him a hand which he takes, wincing in pain. I feel like huffing when I extend my wrist out to him, giving him a pointed look.

"Are you sure?" He asks in a whisper, glancing around.

"Just take my offer, Nate." I snap impatiently.

He doesn't have to be told twice as his pale fingers reach out and take ahold of my hand. My heartbeat jumps in anticipation for what's about to come. Long canines pierce my palm, blood running instantly. The erotic sensation of the act has me panting. Such intensity can only ever be shared with a mate. Nate moves as close as he possibly can to shelter us from prying eyes. His broad shoulders and height advantage hide my slender form from those too nosy to mind their damn business. Nate is not considered a large man, nor is his wolf in any sense of the word, but he is perfectly made for me. All too quickly it is gone as Nate draws back, the color returning to his face.

He turns, red-faced from the rush of powerful blood, to look at the people training in the morning sun, "Are you going to join them?" He asks curiously.

"Them? No. I have something, or should I say, someone better in mind." I tell him, winking before gliding off to find my target.

I find Alec and Moira speaking and laughing amongst each other. Alec is not only Moira's zeta, but he is also her best friend and the two are exceptionally close. Alec would gladly die for Moira, not only for duty, but because he adores her. It might be a problem when one eventually finds their mate. Moira turns her dark blue eyes on my approaching form, trailing off from her conversation.

"Well well well," Her voice rings out as I bow, showing respect as she continues, "look who has resurfaced from her estate in the woods." My sister says in greeting. I see her glance over my shoulder, "And you brought dear Nate for training. How hopeful you must be."

I give her a sharp look before taking her words with a pinch of salt, "It's just that I like visiting Laura's territory more." I tease my jealous sister.

They might be twins but they don't like to be outdone by the other.

"Now that's simply not true." Moira says, flipping her light blonde hair over her shoulder. She examines my face closely. "I'm sure you haven't come all this way over now just for a chitchat. Care for a dance Bela?" She asks, reading my mind.

Dismissing Alec with a wave of her hand, the Alpha Female beckons me to join her in a sand pit, used for just such an occasion.

"I thought you would never ask." I tease, following at her back and she throws a wide smile over her shoulder.

I grab my favorite weapons, twin blades, long and sharp with red jewels adorning their hits. A gift from Alaric before the Castor's took back what rightfully belonged to them. I stand ready for Moira's attack as she releases her short golden sword swiftly. My mind goes into hyper focus. I center it completely on my sister. I can see each breath she takes from the shallow movement of her chest. I can practically see the dust rising from the slight movement of her feet. The tightening of her fingers around her sword. I see the exact moment she launches herself at me.

We are a perfect combination of attack and defense. Neither one of us is holding the advantage for long. I suppose that's what happens when you fight an equal and it certainly helps that I've grown up training with her. I know her maneuvers like the back of my hand. Still, blood is drawn. You don't challenge a highborn, especially an Alpha, without expecting to bleed. Moira gets a particularly good gap in my defense, and I feel her blade cutting into my leg before I have a chance to block her. She grins superiorly, before I return a quick jab to her face. I break her nose, instantly. She snarls, flashing her canines as blood drips from her nose. She is far more aggressive in her next strike, and her warriors gather around to see their Alpha Female battle it out with their heir. After a while, the wound to my leg begins to slow me down. I last as long as I possibly can, testing my endurance before Moira has the upper hand. I've lost a lot of blood by the time we are done trying to beat the s**t out of each other. Moira stands over me as I seat myself on one of the wooden benches. She finds Alex standing watch from nearby and signals with her hand for him to come. He doesn't waste time.

She doesn't hesitate to command, "Give her your blood."

I wave him off, the thought repulsive, "I'm fine really. I'll use Nate's blood." I insist.

Her face has lost all the excitement from sparring as the Alpha returns. "This is another reason we worry about you, Bela. Being out there, with an omega mate, you are vulnerable. It takes one traitor to give your location away. Nate's lowborn blood cannot heal you should you be injured while we are too far away to help you. You are the heir. You should be closer to us."

"I know what I am doing." I say stubbornly, "Perhaps it's time to widen the search for your mate Moira. At least then, I can live at my estate in peace."

She decides to ignore my comment as she lifts her eyes to Alec again, nodding her head in a silent order. He rolls his dark green eyes but does as she wishes, biting into his wrist and offering his rich highborn blood. It's a tempting offer.

"I suppose you are wanting to get going, Bela. But you are injured." She says as a matter of fact, "So, either you accept Alec's most gracious offer," Alec rolls his eyes again, because we all know he didn't offer it himself, "or you stay at the palace until you are properly healed."

I sigh, taking hold of Alec's muscular arm and pressing my full lips to his skin. I close my eyes, enjoying the pleasure blood sharing brings, even though this feeling could never hope to compare to the one I feel with Nate. I hear Alec's sharp intake of breath. It would be different for Alec as an unmated male. I find his eyes staring openly at Moira as she in return watches him with something like intense interest. I pull away, releasing my hold to discover that my wounds are already completely healed.

"Don't forget about tomorrow Bela, it's important that we are all there." Moira warns and I nod.

"Thanks Alec." I say.

He gives me a tight-lipped smile, "Don't mention it."

I rise in search of Nate, eager to leave for our home. It doesn't take more than a few seconds to find that he is already close by, his eyes trained on my blood-stained lips. I wipe the evidence away with a guilty smile. Envy shines brightly in his eyes and curves his lips downwards, but it is not in his nature - an omega's nature - to show ownership as is the fault of most highborn males. Instead, Nate simply lowers his head, turning a blind eye.

*FROM AUTHOR :

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has just started to read my story. This is the first story I've ever shared with anyone, apart from my close friends and family, so I truly hope that you will enjoy it and share what you think of the chapters.