THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 6 - HER UNDOING

I know this is going to be the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. Put a sword in my hand and tell me to kill a man and it will be done. Torture me until I scream, and I’ll smile the whole way through, it will be done. But to betray a mate in such a physical way... I know I’ll spend nights awake, wondering if I should tell him the price of our freedom. I take comfort knowing that it’s for him, that he will be alive even if he doesn't want to know me afterwards. I wouldn't blame him. I wonder if he would forgive me. I wonder if I will forgive myself. Perhaps the bond will force him to overlook something that, regardless of what Lazarus says, is not of my choosing. The only thing I know for sure is that I do not want him to experience the betrayal while it is happening. I stand for the first time in my life, an unsure girl thrown in the deep end with no idea what I should be doing or how this should be happening. Lazarus glides with long strides after slamming the heavy door behind us. I've never seen a man walk with so much power, I think watching him stroll to the bed in the centre of the room and touch the silk dark-gray sheets as if seeing them for the first time. He sits, dipping the bed with his weight and begins taking his dark clothes off. A feeling of sickness crawls into my chest, making it hard to swallow as he looks at me expectantly.

“I have one last request.” I announce as his eyes rake over my body.

Lazarus sighs with annoyance, “You know I could just force you.”

I laugh mockingly, “But you don't want to. You want me to be willing.”

I don’t expect a man that looks like him, to be struggling to get women into his bed. Perhaps I am even the first to regret his interests.

“What is it, Belavina?" He growls deeply, throwing his shoes off with disregard before standing with only his black pants hugging his hips.

My mouth is suddenly dry. I have certainly seen men without their clothes on and I am no virgin being a bonded female, but something about his golden skin and muscular chest has me staring like a fool.

“Make it quick.” Lazarus demands in a chilling voice, impatient to start what's bound to be a long night.

I almost snarl back at him for his tone but decide against it considering that I am wanting something from him. Apprehension makes it difficult to speak my mind to the prince, but at the same time, I absolutely hate the idea of appearing inferior to him. Not because he is my second mate but because it is not in my nature to want to show weakness or fear or dependence on anyone other than myself. In the short time I've been bonded with Nate, I've come to realise that I am attached to him. I've realised his opinion matters more than anyone else's. The idea of him looking at me with disgust or heartbreak has tears brimming.

“I don’t want Nate conscious.”

Lazarus sniggers, “Always so worried about your useless mate.” His words don't upset me. I don't care if he thinks of Nate as useless. “Very well.” He mutters, stalking back to the door and swinging it open with a bang.

His warriors guarding the door jump in their shoes as he growls out his command, “Go knock the omega out and make sure he doesnt wake up until morning.”

“Wait!” I interrupt but the guards are rushing to follow his orders, “I didn't say hurt him! Surely there is another way?”

Lazarus grabs my upper arm, forcing my feet to stumble towards him, “Do you want him awake or not little heir because that's as good as it’s getting.” He snarls before crushing his lips against mine with bruising force.

My whole body tenses, nails turning to claws and my heartbeat rising, ready to attack him even though I know I cannot. I press my hands against his hard chest, the skin warm and soft. I don't know whether it's to keep him away or because I want to feel the muscles flex under my fingertips. Either way he doesn't disappoint as the familiar tingles travel to my heart, speeding it up as only a mate can do. The sensations are not as strong as when I touch Nate but they are just as stimulating. He tears at my clothes, his lips molding themselves to mine almost painfully. I find myself wondering if he feels the mate bond fully and not diluted when he groans in his throat, the sound perking the attention of my wolf. She likes the sounds he makes. She likes how he dominates us, pinning us to the wall and running his hands wherever he wants without permission or hesitation. He doesn't own this body but he certainly touches it like he does. I'm bare to his gaze before I've half realized what I'm doing, his large calloused hands grab roughly at my exposed breasts, his full lips finding their way to my slender neck on the opposite side to where Nate's mark sits. Oh my Goddess, Nate! The thought of him has me drawing back, using my hands to cover myself.

"Is my mate shy?" Lazarus asks in a seductive voice, grazing his sharp teeth against my sensitive skin.

I gasp, shivering as his fingers find their way down to parts that do not belong to him, "I'm not your mate Lazarus, I'm…" his arm shoots up, catching me under my chin and forcing my head back and my mouth shut as his fingers thrust deep.

"Don't you dare say his name right now!" he roars in my ear.

Baring my elongated teeth, I lift my elbow, slamming it into his jaw. Slipping from his controlling hold, I swing for his face only for my first to meet his hand. I wince instantly knowing his next move even before he twists my arm, ramming the front of my body against the wall, right next to the door. He presses himself against me - his not so little friend pulsing against my lower back as he uses his other hand to roam.

"How does it feel to lose control?" he whispers huskily into my ear, as his fingers get to work.

Every nerve is on fire as he builds me up to a point beyond what I've ever felt before. I groan in relief and pleasure as he releases his painful hold on the hand he has taken hostage. He is relentless, eager to see my body shiver and sweat under his onslaught. He nips at my bare back, enhancing the mounting pleasure coursing to my brain and building in the pits of my stomach. I can barely think of anything else except where he touches me, my body taking over and encouraging him along with the sounds escaping my lips. I let him lift my offend arm above my head and hold my hand in place against the wall as he knits his fingers between mine. I place the other hand on the wall, trying to keep myself up as my body tenses and he chuckles, trailing kisses down my spine as I meet my release. He doesn't wait for my senses to return as he spins me around. Lifting my small body by the back of my thighs, he holds onto my ass as I wrap my legs around his midriff. One moment I'm against his body, the next I'm falling, landing on the bed, my red hair fanning out around my face, as he quickly lossens his pants and joins. I am not a short woman by any means. Nor does my training allow for a thin sleek body. Instead I am taller than most women with a body toned for battle. And yet, as he climbs over me, his beautifully built body stretching to showcase just how ripped and large he really is, has me feeling powerless. I'm holding my breath as he parts my legs with his hips and rams into my softness, filling me completely with his impressively large member.

"Goddess, Belavina, you feel amazing!" He tells me in the heat of his passion.

We both groan as he moves inside me, going slow at first then faster and faster until my arching my back and his gripping my waist, pounding into my flesh with the most possessive look on his face as he watches the show beneath him - the show he's conducting. If only guilt didn't invade my heart and soul for the atrocious I'm currently committing, I would say that this is the best s*x I've ever had. Giving the control over and simply enjoying the ride has a far greater appeal. His heavy breath is mingling with mine as we both pant, staring at each other with shock and amazement when the burning starts. I push over him so quickly, he actually looks surprised as he straightens on his knee, looking at me with concern. I start screaming.

He pales, "What's wrong?" He asks in confusion, looking like he's just seen a ghost.

I clutch my shoulder, trying to swallow my sobs when I feel warm wetness over the indents of Nate's mating mark. Drawing my hand back, I stare at the blood in confusion.

"What's happening?" I cry, panic consuming my mind as I turn frightened eyes to the prince in bewilderment. Only to find glowing blue eyes, staring back with just as much confusion.

He leaps off the bed, disappearing into the bathroom and reappearing just as quickly with a white towel in hand. He presses it over my mark, letting me take over only when I'm leaning back against the headboard and the pain has almost completely disappeared.

"Rest Belavina, your body needs it." He recommends in a soft voice as my eyes grow heavy and I welcome the oblivion.

***

I don't know when exactly my sleeping mind tells me that someone is watching me. My wolf gives a growl of warning, making my eyes fly open to a dark shadowy room. Lazarus sleeps unaware next to me. His large chest peeking from the sheets as he peacefully continues to rest. I entertain the thought of ending this right here and now before I realize how stupid that plan is. I would be hunted for the rest of my life if I even managed to make it out of this building. My thoughts are interrupted by movement at the bottom of the massive bed. I clutch the sheets higher over my chest as the Sigma comes into view. I almost cry out in happiness at the sight of him. I let relief wash over me, knowing that he has answered my call. He is darkly dressed, clocked in black to match the night. Wide shoulders and a strong jawline make him a handsome man. Removing the silver mask he tends to cling to like glue, I am awarded a rare view of the Sigma's face. The blanket expression on his sculptured face is only altered by a raised eyebrow in the direction of Lazarus. Shame washing over me but there isn't time for all that emotional nonsense.

"You called for me?" He asks without greeting.

"I need your help." I beg him, I realise I'm doing that a lot lately.

"Really? You appear to be doing just fine." He states, flashing a dagger as he flips it in his hand.

I choke on unshed tears, "I had no choice! I had to! He has Nate and he promised to let us go if… if I did this." I explain, unable to look him in the eyes. I glance at Lazarus, wondering how he hasn't already woken.

"I took care of that. He won't be… waking up to any more activities tonight." the Sigma says as if reading my mind. "What do you need?"

I take a deep breath, "I don't trust that he will keep his word. He has challenged Nate to be my new mate. I don't believe that he would just let us go even if I truly hope he does." I swallow my emotions, "I need a plan B should he prove me right."

I watch his every movement, my heart in my throat, as the Sigma takes a deep breath, "It shall be done, you may leave it to me."

"Thank you." I say, a tear escaping.

He gives me a curious look, "Don't you want to get out of here?"

I shake my head, "Not without Nate. And the prince might still let us go, I don't want to ruin our chances by disappearing in the middle of the night."

"Your choice." His deep voice replies, as he lifts the silver face mask into its normal place, covering most of his handsome features of the world's view.

"Oh and Alaric," he narrows his eyes behind his silver mask at the use of his real name, "I need my plan B set in motion at the crack of dawn."

"That's a narrow time frame." He grumbles, disapprovingly.

"I'll pay you well for your efforts. Unfortunately, time is not on our side. Nothing really is right now." I confess.

"You know you don't owe me anything. Like I said before, it shall be done."