His Stolen Mate

Chapter 3: Purity

~Anika’s P.O. V~ 

    I woke up back in the same bedroom that I had just escaped from, this time with nothing to restrain me and a new dress. It was gorgeous, the color of the reddest rose, the collar stopped at the middle of my neck with what felt like a real rose to clasp the collar shut leaving a small hole at the base of my chest, the bodice had a very intricate applique that fit tightly, the sleeves were long and puffed a little at the shoulders. The skirt covered my legs, the lace outer tule had roses patterned across the whole of the skirt. I had matching red wedges on that were quite comfortable for being what they were. And close-toed to boot. I may be afraid of Matthew, but I couldn’t deny his fashion sense, this dress reminded me of the early 1800s which I kind of love. The problem lays with Matthew himself, he said he was a Vampyre, I could not wrap my head around that fact, how do Vampyres exist? I tried to get out of the bed, but my waist was caught by a strong arm. 

“Let me take in your scent a little longer, pet.” I immediately froze in place. His arm was still frozen to the touch. I slowly turned my head; his eyes were thankfully closed. He slept with me?! My heart quickened as I thought of the worst possible thing. Did he bite me? Did he take my virtue? Tears fell onto the dress. “My dear, your heart is racing.” Felt him sit up and wrap the other arm around me, “Tell me, what troubles you, pet?” 

Through a shaking voice, “D-Did you...? God, no.” I covered my face with my hands. “Did you rape me?! Change me?!” I heard him shushing me. 

“I did no such thing, pet. I assure you; your purity is intact, and you are still human.” He moved to be in front of me and removed my hands to rid me of the tears. “You being who you are makes you more valuable than all the Vampyres in the world.” His thumbs wiped some of the stray tears left behind. “I have no desire to turn you just yet, even less desire to take something as precious as your virtue.” He stood back up to sit on the bed next to me, wrapping his left arm around my waist to pull me closer. “The only activity I plan on doing with you is to stay in this lovely room.” His right hand grabbed a part of my hair to smell it. “After all, I can’t have you running again.”  

“Why?” I sniffled. 

I felt his breath on my neck, “Why what, my darling?” His accent mixed with his teeth brushing my neck made my skin crawl. 

“Why me?” I whispered. 

“Ah. The question that I needed to be asked.” He pulls away from my neck. “A young heartbroken pure female is hard to come by these days. Your blood is so sensational that I must savor each drop before I make you my Queen of the Dark Hells.” I quickly stood and held out my hand. 

“No! I refuse!” My heart went racing faster than earlier, my eyes went straight to the door. 

“Don’t do it, Anika. I was gentle with you before, I must warn you, if you push that line again, I will have no choice but to harm you.” He slowly stood to come to me. Before I could make a break for it, my stomach gave out a shout of pain. It hurt so much, I had to crouch down to hold myself. “Anika?!” He quickened his pace. s**t! I knew it would be this week and it is mixed with hunger. “Oh, dear. I shall be back with the necessities.” He picks me up again and places me on the bed. My cramps always hurt badly, sometimes to the point where I could not move. This happens to be one of those times, they were hurting to the point where I curled up in a ball and cried from the pain.  

It felt like hours before Matthew returned to my side, I had my stomach exposed to rub on it. He sat down and placed his hand over it, his cold hand was soothing my pain. He placed the food down along with some lady supplies. 

“You’re not embarrassed to be seen with those?” I pointed my eyes to the tampons. 

“Goodness, no. It’s your gender’s natural duty to expel the unwanted from her.” He began to move, my hands automatically responded to that by clinging onto his hand. 

“Please don’t? I-” I took a deep breath in, “It feels nice.” I looked him in the eye. 

A small smile spread across his face. “As you wish.” 

I bit my lip, “So, a Vampyre... Do other beings exist that we, humans, don’t know about?” I looked away in response to my question, thinking that I was going to regret it. 

“Yes. Werewolves, The Fae, Dragons etcetera, as I informed you back in that furnace, the children's stories you grew up knowing are in fact true. Not exactly, the same versions, however.” I c****d my head to the side. 

“You aren’t turned to ash by the sun?” My curiosity was starting to peak. 

“Not in the sense it will kill me, no. It does hurt, much like those sunburns you humans get.” 

I narrowed my eyes, “Stake to the heart?” 

“Honestly? Who would that not kill? We are dead, but our hearts sustain our bodies as much as yours does.” He shook his head. 

“Garlic?” Raising an eyebrow. 

“We can eat that, it’s disgusting. But we can.” 

“What about the mirror thing?” 

“You humans think of the oddest things.” He chuckled, “I can see myself. In ethereal form, but I digress.” This was interesting to hear, am I wanting to stay here with him? Of course, not, but I did want to learn more about him. 

“Matthew, was it?” Looking him in the eye again. 

“At your service.” 

“Why is it not as cold in here?” I used a finger to gesture to the room. 

“I have fires lit below us. After seeing your beautiful lips turning blue, I knew that you needed warmth.” I could not help it, I slightly smiled at him. “Ah there it is, that gorgeous smile I have been waiting for.” I began to blush and look away. He used his finger to gently pull my attention back to him.  

“You mentioned that I was heartbroken. How did you know?” My thoughts going back to Peter. 

“I witnessed your unfortunate separation from your ex-suitor. Never in my wildest imagination would I see a gorgeous, beautiful young woman with her purity intact to be passed over or go through something like that.” He moved my hair from my eyes, “He was a fool for doing so.” His voice was smooth, and it held care in it. After the last few encounters with men, this was the best I have gotten. That is saying a lot, Peter destroyed my heart, Adam was just rude, and Quinn’s other friends never grew up.  

“Matthew?” 

“Hm?” 

“Thank you.” This surprised him.  

“For what, my dear?” 

“Staying with me.” I looked down, “I know a captive should not be thanking her captor, there’s even a term for that,” I let out a forced chuckle, “I do mean it, though.” 

“Anika. Please do not think of yourself my captive, my muse, my queen. The extreme measures I have taken not only protect you, but it is to also protect my people. Police coming here would be a tragedy, on their side, mostly.” He gets up again, “I shall take my leave for you to get comfortable and eat.” His finger traces my cheek slightly. “I will return shortly, my dear.” I watched him leave and heard the door lock. I looked at the food, my stomach made a growling sound. I dug into my food which I was surprised with, the tray held a slice of ham with potatoes, strawberries, and an orange juice in a chalice. Matthew knew what my body needed.  

Once I was finished with my food, I removed my panties and inserted my tampon. Beneath the monster I had seen, there was a person underneath it. I wondered if he was born a Vampyre or made into one. There was one thing I was positive about, his icy hands really helped with the pain. I hated to admit it, but I missed it already.  

“s**t. No, Anika. Do not become like Belle. Do not start liking your captor just because he showed you a bit of kindness.” I paced the floors as I talked to myself. “Is he handsome? Yes. But he wants to turn you into one of his kind. Immortal may sound good now, just wait until your family dies, I am sure it becomes super lonely most days. And, what about God? The things we were taught in Sunday School. I cannot turn my back on him. I am not a heathen.” 

~Adam’s P.O. V~  

    It has taken a day and still no sign of her, I keep following her scent, the smell is strong and not weakening. I was on the outskirts of Oregon and into the borders of Idaho, yet her scent started going North Towards Washington, whomever this Vampyre was, they knew how to keep their tracks from being followed.  

This is ridiculous! Wherever this blood-sucking monster is, he has hidden her well. 

Do you think we should enlist the pack? Jasper inquired. 

No. They would not take to this kindly. If they were to help, it would only end up in them killing her for simply being human. 

Zale and Adrian would have helped. 

I know, buddy. They were two great and noble souls. We miss them a lot. 

Enough on the past, find our future, Adam.  

He was right, I had to concentrate on Anika and find her before that monster does anything to her. I prayed to The Goddess of the Moon that she will be safe, and I hoped for my family's understanding. I spent all night on her trail, her scent never left Oregon, it only came close to. Which was at least a start. She is still here in Oregon, though I do not know where. I have checked from the heights of Bend all the way to the sewers of Portland. Jasper and I were utterly exhausted from the search of the day and night. I went back to Quinn’s apartment and crashed on the couch. Before I could fully sleep, however, I noticed that she left a few of her personal items here. One of which was a Harry Potter scarf, she thinks she is a Hufflepuff, huh? That is cute in a way. From what I have heard about her from Quinn, she sounds more like a Gryffindor/Slytherin hybrid. I could not help but chuckle a little. I laid back down on his sofa with the scarf against my nose. 

I will find you, Anika. I promise. 

Yes, we will find her. I closed my eyes and let her scent soothe me into a dreamless sleep. 

~Quinn’s P.O. V~ 

    I could not sleep at all last night, it has been just under 36 hours since her disappearance, I heard the door to my apartment shut and a body hit the couch. I assumed it was Adam since he had been out all night. I tossed myself over onto my side to look at my phone, only 7 am and the office is now closed due to whatever fight happened between her and the Vampyre. I should have stopped her that night then none of this would have happened. I decided to get out of bed and hop into the shower. I liked the chilly water better than the warm water. It rinsed off the sweat from last night, and it made me feel cleaner. I got out after about five minutes to get clothes on. I walked past Adam who was snoring with my sisters' scarf in his hands. I still could not believe it; Adam and Anika being mated to one another. I was happy for my friend, yet I could not help thinking what Anika would say once she found out he was a werewolf. 

I made some coffee and headed out the door, mom and dad wanted me to go to a press conference they were holding. Anything to get the word out to find my sister, I would do it. I drove Butler Enterprises and stepped foot into my dad’s office. 

“Quinton. The P.I is stumped. We need to do all we can to find her ourselves. Are you ready to face the beast that is the press?” My dad asked. 

“No. But, I will do it anyway. Anika’s life is at stake.”  

My dad nodded and led me out to where a bunch of people was seated, standing, people with cameras flashing in my eyes. I step to the podium. 

“Morning. I am sure you are all wondering why my family has called a conference today. And I shall give you that answer now.” I paused, “My sister, heiress to Butler Enterprises has gone missing. We ask that if anyone has any information on her whereabouts to please contact us or the police. Help bring my sister home.” I placed my hand over my heart. 

“Mr. Butler! Is it true that she was attacked?!” A woman of small stature asked. 

“Yes. She was attacked in her office.” How does the press know these things so fast? 

“Mr. Butler!” A Thin short man calls out, “Do you suspect that she may already be killed?” That question hit my mind like a train. 

“No. I know my sister. She is strong-willed and is physically able to defend for herself.” 

“If that is true, then why has she been kidnapped?” Another woman spoke up. 

“We do not know of her kidnapper's motives. All we ask is that you help in the search for my baby sister. That is all.” It took everything I had not to break down in that conversation. I turned my back and went inside. I broke down behind closed doors, what if she was dead? How could I live with myself? “Anika. Come back, sis.” 

~Reporter’s P.O. V~ 

    I was coming out of the stall when I heard crying, it sounded like Quinton Butler, I only came to this stupid thing to get a better inside view the Butler’s life. Pressing my ear against the stall wall, I heard him mutter, “Anika. Come back, sis.” Even the Butler’s are not spared from feelings, I thought about doing an expose’ on them and how their family ran their business,’ hearing what I just heard I decided against it. He was deeply missing his sister, so this obviously was not a set up to get rid of her. I quickly washed my hands and went out the door, only to see her parents holding each other. Her mother was crying, I could tell he wanted to too, unlike so many big named families, these people cared about their missing daughter. I got closer to them. 

“Jacob, she’s still out there. I am scared for her.” The mother cried. 

“I know, but you heard Quinton. She knows how to fight, spending years learning three different martial arts. Whatever the universe throws at her, I am sure she can handle it.” Even his voice did not sound so sure. I looked at my camera and my pass. 20 years of being a reporter and now I question everything. It is time I retire and hang up the badges. “Lilliana, I am going back to it. I will have a better chance of finding her if I am out there with them looking for her.” Going back to what? 

“No, Jacob. You almost died as a P.I. That is why you took up the company.” She looked at her husband. He was a Private Investigator? 

“I know, Lill. But, sitting around waiting when I could be doing something is not in the cards. I promise to bring our daughter home.” I heard him give her a kiss before walking out. 

“Mom, dad is right. He will have a better chance of finding her.” Quinton had come out of the bathroom. “Have faith, mom. She will come home soon.” I heard the two leave the building. Anika Butler’s father was a P.I and her brother was her coworker for a small party planning business. They were a close family like mine was. I made a major decision to myself; I will hang up these badges and cameras, I will help in the finding of their daughter. Having a wolf on their side might prove useful. I should alert my pack at Mount Hood and see if I cannot enlist Horse Tail as well. The more wolves we have out looking for her the better. Butler Enterprises has been on our list of acquirements for some time. Alpha Orion will want to get on their good graces. 

~Anika’s P.O. V~ 

    I must have fallen asleep again because Matthew’s cold hand touched my exposed stomach making me wake up. I had to blink a few times to remember where I was. 

“Sleep well?” He asked. 

“Wish it were my own bed, but well enough.” He had a worried face on him. “I just meant the comfort of the bed. Nothing else, I promise.” I said in defense. 

“Your family.” He spoke. 

“What about them?” 

“They are looking for you. And word has reached my ears that 2 of the 3 wolf packs are too. You have been asleep for over a day, my dear.” I was taken aback. 

“Wait, 2 of the 3? We have three werewolf packs?!” I almost shouted. 

“Yes, Mount Hood, Davis Lake, and Horse Tail Falls. They have killed many of my kind and some of yours.” I gave him a look. 

“You are no saint either, Matthew. I remember that pile of corpses in that pathway.” 

“I will not deny that I kill to feed. The fleabags kill simply for hate of the humankind. The 3 packs have been warring since one of Horse Tail Falls pack daughter went missing. That was 21 years ago. The alpha blamed the other 2 packs.” This confused me. 

“Why would they help in looking for me if they hate humans?” 

“Your company. It stands on a medium. The packs have wanted to take over Butler Enterprises for as long as I have been in Oregon. I will not deny that my own clan has wanted to do the same, but since the fall of our last leader, it has been almost impossible to get close to that building. Thus, we have given up on trying to obtain it.” He stands up and offers me a hand. “Had I known you were a Butler; I would have never tried to take you from your family. If only to keep those filthy mutts away from that building.” 

“What are you saying?” 

“I cannot take you back to your family because you know too much, what I can do for you is to show you around my underground castle. We have a television, but no phones. I have fresh clothes for you and a better room with a washroom attached to it. Promise me one thing, Anika, dear.” 

He had a stern look on him, “What?” 

“Do not try to leave without my permission and do not be gone too long. Those bloody fleabags have unrealistic senses of smell.” I only nodded because he was dead serious. He pulled me up from the bed and stroked my cheek, his cold hand was comforting now, even if it was just a little. “Anika.” 

“Yes?” 

“May I be just a hint intimate with you?” I looked at him quizzically. 

“How intimate?” He answered my question by placing a kiss on my cheek, his lips her like ice against the coldest winter. I had to admire that he asked first, yet a little angry that he did not wait for a yes. When his eyes were not glowing red, they were this gorgeous deep-sea blue coloring, if I were not still hurting over Peter, I would have totally let him kiss me on the lips. I had to shake the thought from my mind, I have only known the man for what? At most, 3 days? No, he is not a rebound boyfriend, heart! Stop it! 

“I almost forgot, when is your birthday, my dear?” 

“Huh? Oh, um December 24th. Christmas eve.” The only ones to remember that it is a birthday we celebrate instead of a holiday are me and my family. My friends would say ‘Merry Christmas.’ or ‘Happy New Years!’ yet not once have they ever said a ‘Happy birthday, Anika and Quinn.’ 

“My queen? Is there something amiss?” I had not noticed that I stopped in my steps. 

“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” He did not buy into my lie. 

“My beauty, lying is not becoming of you.” He turns to face me and places his hand on my cheek. “Please, inform me of your trouble.” 

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, “Every year for the past 15 years, all my brother and I have gotten were, ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy New Years’, not a single ‘Happy Birthday’, so I stopped celebrating it.”  

“Your birth is something to celebrate, my dear. We are still at the beginning of autumn, if you are willing to be here, I will celebrate it with you.” His hand was ice cold, yet it felt so amazing, I found myself leaning into it. Even Peter never said ‘Happy Birthday’ to me if Matthew keeps his word when the day comes and if I am still here, then maybe I will consider it. “Might I offer you a compliment?” 

“Sure.” I looked at him with a small smile. 

“Your kicks did hurt.” He chuckled, “Left a foot mark on my chest. Where did you learn such techniques?” 

I blushed a little, “I took three types of martial arts training. Spent my last 2 years of high school traveling with my masters in Kyoto, Shanghai, and at the base of Mount Fuji.” We continued to walk. 

“Were you not worried about your education?” He looked at me with curiousness.  

“Not really, I skipped 2 grades. Technically, I should have graduated at the age of 15, I asked the headteacher at our school to let me graduate with my friends. All he asked that I do was write a thorough report on my travels for him to share with upcoming students.” I shrugged my shoulders. 

“Smart, beautiful, well-endowed and can use her body as a weapon. You, madam, are a lethal weapon.” He snickers to himself. 

“Nearly beat your ass, didn’t I?” I smiled at him while giving him a wink. 

“Oh, my dear, you dare tease?” He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer to him. My smile dropped when I noticed something behind him. 

“Matthew? What is that?” I pointed to the shadow behind him. 

“Hm?” He turns to look at it then pushes me behind him. 

This thing growled as a dragon would, it bared its teeth before coming into the light of the lanterns. It was a giant black and white wolf. It sneered and snapped its jaws at us. My heart was racing, then I heard bones readjusting before turning into a man. 

“Matthew, I see you have taken yet another woman.” 

“Dimitri. You know you are forbidden within these walls.” Matthew snapped his fingers as he kept one arm protecting me. 

“Hand over the Butler girl, Matthew.” He was stark naked, “She has been missing from her family long enough.” He had light brown hair, hazel eyes, and was very blessed.  

“You know very well that I cannot without wiping her memory. And I will not know what memories she will keep and ones she will not.” Wipe my memory?  

“Matthew, Matthew, Matthew. Have you fallen for the child?” Okay, I was done with this s**t. I pushed Matthew’s arm down and used it as leverage to get a direct foot into his ribs. I sent him flying into the wall. 

“No one tells me what to do!” I shouted at the naked man. I heard him coughing. 

“Damn, she’s strong for a human.” He coughed more, “Too strong for a human. Matthew?! You turned her?!” 

“He did no such thing! I beat his ass too!” I was pissed, to hell with these supernatural beings. I rolled up my sleeves on the dress and took my Jiu-Jitsu stance.  

“A naturally strong human female?” He whispered. “That’s not possible.” He got up from the floor and wiped himself off. “Anika Butler, you are coming home and with me!” He shifted into his wolf again. Matthew called his hounds and tentacle being, grabbing and biting Dimitri. His cries and growls hurt my ears. I had to cover them; Matthew picked me up from the floor and ran with me into another corridor.  

“He must have killed my guards to get in here.” He was smiling. At a time like this? 

“Why are you happy? He almost killed you back there.” I scolded. 

“Seeing that mongrel fly from your hit. He does have a point; however, you are incredibly strong for a human and a woman at that. Unnaturally so if I might say.” 

“How do you figure?” 

“Few humans can hit a wolf and hurt it, even less so for female humans, yet you sent him into the wall. Nearly causing a dent in it.” I could not help but smile at my own achievement. He continued to run with me in his arms, taking turns every now and then, we passed several of his guards on the way and told them to kill if the wolf got figured out how to get away from the tentacle thing. 

“What is that tentacle thing?” I tried to look behind us. 

“That, my dear, is a limb of the castle itself. It was a dying squid until I put my blood to its system. In a way, it is me protecting my home.” He kept his focus on getting us to safety. Even though it has only been 3 days, I felt comfortable with him. His cold exterior stops only at the physical attribute, he is a very caring Vampyre, unlike the ones I have heard about. 

“Was Dracula ever real?” I could feel his laughter. 

“No. He was based on Count Vladimir who died a long-time ago. Someone who we put to death.” I saw his own smile vanish. I did the only thing I could think of. “Anika?” I wrapped my arms around his neck  

“He must have meant something special to you.” He slows his pace and holds me tight to him. 

“Vlad was my father. He committed atrocities worse than any Vampyre could.” A wolf barking snapped us out of the nice moment we were sharing. Sad as it was. 

“Better keep moving, Matthew. He will catch up to us soon.”  

~Matthew’s P.O. V~ 

    I carried Anika away from Dimitri, I knew that he would stop at nothing to get to her. All wolves hate humans, this I have seen over my many years of life. They attacked towns without cause, if I were to let him have her, her life may as well be over. I could not let that happen to her. Was I in love with this her? From the moment I saw her in that blue dress. Mr. Holmes certainly did lose out on this angel of a woman. Her legs were deadly, in many ways. Seeing her frail and shaking the other day was not a pleasant sight. I meant to close that area off since we burn our food in there to ash. I never would have thought she had a mind or instinct enough to go there. Even after that experience, she still had the energy to fight an alpha wolf. It did make me wonder, is there more to this girl than meets the surface? I looked down to see her hands shaking as her emerald green eyes stared into the ether. I rounded the last corner that led to my private chamber, once there we could escape through a tunnel that went north towards Washington and Canada. I opened the door and set her down. 

“Wait here.” I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Hide if you need to, there is something I need to get before we exit this place.” 

“Wait here?! Hell no. Wolves could be on top of us in a matter of seconds! You are not leaving me, Matthew!” How is it this young blond-haired woman can put me in my place? Normally, I would be flustered and would fly off the edge. Yet, when she does it, I obey.  

“Anika, my queen, see reason.” I go back to her, those damned emerald eyes glimmer in the candlelight. “I need that item to throw off the mangy flea-infested dog.” She crossed her arms and glared. How can I say no to her?  

“5 minutes. That is the time limit.” She was tapping her foot. Instinctively, I kissed her forehead, I left her there to pick up a ceremonial knife. It was made of silver, it will not do much to slow Dimitri down, I am hoping it will give enough time for us to leave. I got to its vault, put in the combination, took it out, and ran back to her. She was nowhere in sight. “My dear?” 

“Over here, Matthew.” I turned to see Dimitri holding my goddess. He covered her mouth and had his claws over her throat. What turned me on about her this way was the fact that she was glaring at him. “You know what is odd, Miss. Butler? Your scent is intoxicating. You do not smell human.”  

I let my fangs out along with a growl. “Let her go, Dimitri.” I calmly said. 

“Now, what would be the fun in that, Matty? I just need to do it here.” He takes his long sickening tongue, pulls her head slightly to the side, and licks her neck. She closed her eyes tightly. “Be a good girl, come home and make your father reward Horse Tail Falls for your safety.”  

She muffled something before lifting her arm, I noticed a steak knife in her hand as she drove it into his thigh, twisting it. He cried out in pain before letting her go, she stumbled over to me. I quickly caught her. 

“Anika, love. Are you all right?!” Her breathing was heavy as she laid her head on my chest.  

“Y-Yeah. I am good. This bastard nearly slit my throat!” Getting her courage again, she runs up to him and did the unthinkable to a man. I had to look away for even I could feel that pain. 

“Taking a woman hostage?!” She beat him low. He was coughing up blood. “Dimitri. This is your warning. I am letting you leave with your life. Do not ever step foot here again!” With one swift kick to the face, she broke his nose. I snapped my fingers and had my guards throw him from my castle. “Tch. Men.” She came back over to me and wrapped her arms around my torso. “Don’t ever f*****g leave me like that again.” Her body was shaking. 

“Love, you were extraordinary.” 

“No, I was not. I was scared to s**t. I thought he was going to eat me.”  

I pulled her away, “He threatened to mark you as his. I know his intentions because they were mine.” 

She looked up to me, “Mark?” I lifted a finger to circle space on her neck. This made her body react. 

“Biting in that area. It is painful to the marked bearer before it becomes pleasurable.” The look of fear in her eyes flashed momentarily. 

“Are... Are you still...?” She could not form the words as her voice barely went above a whisper. 

“No, at least not until you want it. I have an eternity to wait for you, my queen.” I placed my hand on her cheek. Her porcelain skin was warm to the touch, I may be dead, but the touch of the living was still felt through our skin.