THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 8 - THE LEGEND

Lazarus has been awake for a while already, practically ignoring me as I wrestle with my own mind. Trying to stay calm as images from last night flash through my head. Images of Lazarus's golden skin, hard with muscle as it flexed and moved under my touch. Lazarus panting and staring into my eyes with glowing blue, like the ocean. His full lips parting as he moans deep in his throat, the sound driving me on at the power it made me feel. Images of my hands running up his powerful thighs and tearing into his back with my claws when he brought me over the edge. I bite my bottom lip thinking of how he made me feel. I cast nervous glances at him as he emerges from the bathroom, worried that he would be able to tell where my mind had drifted to. He seems restless. More so than I expected, considering that he got what he wanted from me last night. Quite honestly he seems beyond ticked off and it's making me extremely edgy. I watch him disappear into the walk-in closet, only to reappear moments later in a dark grey suit, fitting his glorious form perfectly.

He throws a set of clothes at me with a command. "Get dressed."

I hurry to comply, hoping that he will let me leave soon. When he doesn't say anything more. I take a seat impatiently waiting for my dismissal with a frown.

I swallow the guilt choking me up, as I look at him, “I want to leave with my mate, Lazarus. I have been here long enough to have satisfied our agreement.”

His jaw flexes as he turns his attention on me with a look that clearly tells me he is far from satisfied. I make sure to meet his gaze without showing any signs of submission or fear. Once a wolf knows you are afraid, you lose all your power. I hold my head high and stare him down as if he is no more than a lowborn, matching his show of dominance.

His cold voice creates goosebumps the moment he begins to speak, “Who was in my room last night?”

My eyes widened in shock. How did he know Alaric was here? He is like a f*****g shadow, no one would have seen him. No one should have known he was here, especially not the prince. There is a reason people pay with their lives for the services of the Sigma, he doesn't fail when he commits to a job and he does it right.

“I have no idea?” I gasp, faking confusion.

Lazarus crosses the room in a flash, startling a gasp from my lips as he grabs my throat, squeezing it as I clutch at his hands, digging my claws into his flesh and drawing blood. His speed is incredible and his strength even more so. He reduces me into a helpless female, despite years of training with other highborn males.

He bares his teeth, flashing long canines, “Don’t lie to me!” He snarls in my face, his hot breath fanning my skin, “You know who was in here and you are going to tell me!”

I growl despite his efforts to crush my neck. A little harder and I would be unconscious very soon.

“Talk mate!” He demands releasing my neck with a shove. I cough staggering on my feet as oxygen burns by my throat, tears stinging my eyes.

“Bastard!" I snarl through my teeth, my wolf straining to get out and give him a piece of her mind. But I have to be careful, "I don't know. Maybe one of your men came in!” I get out between gulps of air, shooting daggers at him with my eyes, “And I am not your mate!”

He gives me a bored roll of his eyes, “I’m not your bonded mate. For now anyway.” He sneers in a dismissive tone.

“For now?” I question my voice rising. I feel vulnerable as I cross my arms over my chest, dreading that last night had been for nothing, “We had a deal, Lazarus! Are you not a man of your word?” I taunt.

He laughs, and it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard a man make. No, that's not true! Nate’s laugh is better. Nate is better. I won't let one night with Lazarus damage our bond, no matter what.

“We had a deal and then someone came into my room last night and drugged me!” He snaps just as a knock sounds on his door.

Lazarus snaps for whoever it is to come in and a second later, the heavy door is being pushed open and two of his men are strolling through the threshold dragging the servant girl I slipped my message to last night. One of the men looks at me sharply as if my mere presence makes him unhappy. I’m not exactly sure why, I’ve never even seen him before. I watch as they drag the girl into the center of the room as she whimpers, tears flowing down her face. She looks frightened as her eyes seek me out, silently pleading for help.

Lazarus raises an eyebrow at the browned haired, green eyed man. “Is this the girl, Marcus?” Lazarus asks impatiently as Marcus shoves the skinny girl forward making her fall to her knees with a cry of pain.

“This is her, my prince. She left the building almost immediately after passing you in the passageway.” Marcus confirms crossing his thick arms and I feel dread sinking into my chest.

“What is the meaning of this?” I demand, throwing every ounce of authority I can muster in my voice.

The servant girl dips her head as well as the guard besides Marcus, both lesser born than I. Marcus appears uncomfortable but doesn't drop his gaze.

They ignore me as Lazarus steps closer and then crouches down making the servant girl close her eyes in fear. “What is your name?” He asks.

“M-Mary.” The girl of about twenty, only a year older than myself, stutters.

Lazarus’s finger stretches out, tracing the side of her cheek and curving under her chin. He lifts it easily, forcing her to look into his icy blue eyes.

“Who did you call Mary?” He asks, in almost a tender, caring voice.

Her frightened eyes grow, “N-n-nobody.”

Lazarus sighs in disappointment as I feel my respect grow tenfold for Mary and her loyalty. I know I have to do something to help her. I don’t know what Lazarus is capable of doing and I’m not willing to find out.

“Lazarus…” I begin as his nails lengthen into claws around the girl's pale face.

She cries out in surprise as the tips press against her soft skin, drawing droplets of blood. I’m moving forward, reaching a hand out to her when Lazarus’s eyes stop me with a deadly promise hanging between us.

He turns his chilling eyes back at hers, “Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be. Just tell me what I want to know and you can leave.”

“I ca-can't!” She exclaims, trembling like a leaf.

Marcus rolls his eyes as I snap, “She is under my pack's protection! You cannot simply torture our people without consulting us first and certainly not without proof of wrongdoing!” I insist, “This is against the law!”

“This is the implication of harming a royal, directly or indirectly! She is lucky she is here and not awaiting execution!”

“The Authority will hear about this!” I swear, thinking of the nine representatives controlling the council.

“I am the Authority! Or have you forgotten?” He roars, startling the girl into a fresh set of tears as I shiver with rage, “Now shut up, unless you want to spare this girl any more pain by telling me the truth.”

"You are insane!" I accuse as the girl's eyes snap up to look at me, turning my insides cold with the realisation that she is going to be tortured for my secrets. Her face crumbles, knotting my stomach as I see her resolve wavering.

"This is your last chance, Belavina." Lazarus warns with a low growl.

I stare into the girls eyes when I say, "There was no one here last night except you and me, Lazarus. Now let this poor girl go."

"You disappoint me." He sighs, rising to his full height. Even for a werewolf, I have to attempt, he is an impressive height, an imposing presence. "Make her talk, I don't care what you have to do."

I gasp, "Lazarus!"

"No! Please, please!" the girl shrieks.

"This is madness!" I snarl, watching them drag her by her hair as she thrashes.

I move quickly, attempting to reach her and stop them when Lazarus appears in my way, blocking me from my course as I practically slam into him.

"The Sigma!" My head snaps towards the girl, "Please don't hurt me! I'm sorry!" She sobs, as the men release her and Lazarus smirks as he looks at me. "I'm sorry my heir! Please forgive me!"

I just nod my head.

Lazarus turns his body just enough so that he can intimidate the unfortunate girl with his gaze, "Tell me everything you know."

"We don't know much, just that he goes by the name Sigma."

"A lone wolf."

"Yes but he can make just about anything happen for the price of your soul. He is a ghost, a demon wolf that comes and goes like the wind. But it's just a legend! I didn't think he really existed." She explains, lips trembling as she gives away my secret, the packs secret. Everyone in the pack knows the legend about the Sigma.

"Then how did you call him?"

She's crying again, casting nervous glances at me. Short of killing her right where she's slumped on the floor, there isn't much I can do.

"There's an ancient tree, thousands of years old, lying at the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley, maybe ten minutes from here if you walk, quicker if you shift. You put your hands on the tree and call for him. You say who you are and he is supposed to find you where you may be."

Marcus looks at Lazarus, "Magic then."

"I swear that's all I know." Lazarus nods and his men take her away.

My hands are curled into fits at my sides, "You promised that I could leave with Nate, come morning. I want to leave." I emphasize.

Lazarus c***s his gorgeous golden head, "I'm afraid that's no longer possible. Instead, you will be returning to your sisters to await the start of the Challenge tonight."

"You lying piece of sh*t!"

Lazarus genuinely looks ashamed, "I must apologize for that. I thought I could just get you out of my system but I was wrong."

"But I don't want you!"

"For now." He insists.

"Forever!" I yell, losing my temper as my wolf threatens to explode out of me. "Prince Lazarus Agron of the Authority, I, Belavina Castor of the packs Monora and Sundora, reject…"

That's all that comes tumbling out of my mouth before Lazarus is in front of me looming over my head once more. I don't even see the swift attack. I only feel strong arms catch me as I plunge into darkness.