His Stolen Mate

Chapter 8: No Bonds

~Quinn’s P.O. V~

            Nathanial shifted back to his human form before getting dressed. He motioned for us to follow him; we were led down a series of hallways that were covered in royal red colors with marble flooring. Portraits of other people who looked like Anika and myself were lined along the walls. To say I was in shock was an understatement, this was our bloodline, any person dumb enough could see that too. I stopped at one of them, it was Anika and me, we were little kids when this picture was taken. Sitting next to the Clackamas River during one summer on our way to Glide. She almost fell in the deep end that day, we all laughed when she squealed. I let myself smile a little as I remember this day. But it faded as I thought on how this photo got here.

“Nathanial.” I turned to look at his back.

“That’s father or dad, Quinn.” He shot me a glance.

“Yeah, whatever. How did you get this picture?” I crossed my arms.

“Your mother. I have several of them, I only paint the ones that are my favorites. As I said, kid; I have been watching over you and Anika since I had known about you.” He continued walking. We walked with him, Adam has yet to say a word since we left. I looked back at my best friend, he looked stoic, but his eyes read pain. Basically, getting rejected by our parents, I don’t think even the Goddess of the Moon could help with him now. I hated how I couldn’t help him, that blood contract that Nathanial mentioned, I wondered if it could be broken.

            Going down even more corridors that led to some stairs, we passed an area that had a huge golden door with 2 dragons interlocked in battle. It was huge, the biggest door I have seen yet. Anika would love this; she is the history buff after. I prefer the arts; Drama was going to be my major so I could get into plays like ‘Tuck Everlasting.’ ‘The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.’ Hell even ‘Wicked’ performing on that wooden stage was like my personal get away as someone else. We took a turn down an even wider hallway where there were doors lining the wall, across from them were huge windows looking out into the world. It was stunning to say the least. I took out my phone to check the time, it was only 12:30 pm which means we have at least 11 hours before Anika and I had to make our first shift apparently. f*****g laws and traditions. Who made up that crap anyway? Walking a bit farther, Nathanial came to a door, this door had another dragon on it holding a rose in its claws while in a sitting position. It looked like it was praying to the rose.

“I must warn you, there are 2 other people in this room. One of which, you will despise.” He was looking at Adam when he talked.

“I can smell him, don’t worry. I won’t kill.” He paused, “Yet.” Adam’s eyes turned black. This was a sign I was familiar with. His wolf was itching to come to the surface.

“I will not lie.” Nathanial straightened his back to stare down at us. “I do not approve of either.” His eyes became slit like a cat and started to glow. “If it were up to me, you nor that Vampyre King would be with my daughter. She would be with Dragon-Kin.” His eyes held hatred for both races. Aside from my mom that is. He turned and opened the door. I saw my sister in the bed out cold. Her body covered in small burns, I had to rush to her side.

“Ana!” I saw her chest rise in fall, “Thank god…” I turned to the room to find 2 others standing at the head of her bed. “You! You f*****g kidnapped my sister!” I ran to him and held him by the collar.

“Admittedly, yes. You must be her twin.” The Vampyre said.

“You know me?!”

“Anika has talked so fondly of you. Matthew Hastings.” He didn’t seem scared or even slightly timid.

“Um… M-Mr. Butler?” A girl came from behind this Matthew. “P-Please release my king?” She was trembling.

“And why should I?! He’s the reason my best friend is in pain! He’s the reason my family is torn apart!”

“Beg pardon?” He seemed confused at this new information, “I may have taken her, Mr. Butler. But I have harmed no one.” This made my anger rise.

“You took her from her true mate!” I screamed at him.

He looks to Adam, “Ah. The Davis Alpha. I have heard rumors swirling around you. My sincerest condolences. Your brother was a fine alpha. Nearly killed me one time.” His eyes held no lies as an apologetic smile formed on his face.

“Do not speak to me about my brother, Leech!” He shouted. Adam’s voice shook the room.

“ENOUGH!” Nathanial’s voice shook the castle, I heard the lava outside popping their bubbles. “Put him down, Quinn.” He turned to look to the other girl. “Vampyre girl, stay by my daughter’s side. You three, follow me!” He turned erratically, I put Matthew down and the three of us followed him to the hallway. We passed many corridors to a large Foyer that had a statue of a dragon and a man, it was made of obsidian and it looked magnificent. Nathanial turned to us when he went next to the statue. “I tire of repeating myself. Quinn! Your main focus is to help Anika! Am I clear?!” Disgruntled, I had no choice but to nod in agreement. “Matthew! I do not approve of you nor this Alpha pup being with my daughter. As I had stated, she should be with a Dragon-Kin, not werewolf kind or Vampyre Clans. Now.” He stands tall as he narrows his eyes. “Yes, I made a blood contract with Vladimir. No, I never intended to keep that contract. I will speak to her, hopefully, Adam. I can arrange for her to give you another chance.” Her? Who’s the her?

“I do apologize, Adam Davis. I once told Anika that had I known she was in fact a Butler; I would not have taken her.” Why was Matthew so calm? He was getting yelled at too. “Perhaps, we can come to an agreement?”

“Not with a f*****g blood-sucker like you. Your kind kill without remorse!” Adam was trying so hard to control Jasper.

Matthew gave out a sigh, “My people have to. We have tried feeding on other life forms such as animals, but their blood poisons us. As for the remorse, we do regret it. We hate taking lives, if there were a way not to, we would stop taking human lives in an instant.” Matthew explained to Adam.

“Wait… You’ve tried other ways?” My anger was starting to fade. If these people had tried to stop, but couldn’t, then they aren’t the monsters I was told about.

“Quite correct. I, myself, have tried ten different animals. Horse, sheep, pig, cattle, chicken, shark, lion, dog, cat and elk.” He fixed his suit and looked at me. “All ended in sheer pain and a willingness to end ones life.” His voice had a sadness to it.

“In any case, Quinn you need to wake Anika soon. Adam, I will talk with Lunam Pura and see if we cannot find you another. Matthew, I may not approve, but a contract is a contract. I will talk with her after the shift tonight.”

“Pure Moon? That is her name?” Matthew asked. Just then, a blinding white light shown next to Nathanial.

~Alyssa’s P.O. V~

            It was taking a while for the men to get back, Anika’s brother was quite frightening, his aura held a presence that no one could ignore. Yet… I felt a pull to him. He was handsome like his father, and he smelled like the clearest of water on the ocean sands. I knew from his scent alone that he is my mate, I had to keep this hidden, he looked at me and all I saw was anger. Maybe I am reading into this too much. I heard the mate-bond would have both sides fall in love the moment they locked eyes on each other. I s 0 at down next to my queen and moved her hair out of her eyes. My best friend covered in light burns, sleeping in all of this chaos. “My queen, if you can hear me… I hope you can’t, but I think I am mated to your brother. Nothing confirms it, I might be reading into it too much. But… I felt a pull towards him, my queen. If you can, please tell no one. I can’t have my heart broken like that again.” I stayed by her side as I waited for them to return. It was taking longer than expected for them, I started to worry as the minutes ticked on. I wanted to go and look, but much like our own castle, this one was like a maze.

~Anika’s P.O. V~

            All of these muffled voices were pissing me off, I wanted to hear what was going on. I could tell the last one was a woman’s voice, but with it being so muffled out, I couldn’t gauge on who it was. It was so frustrating. It once again got quiet with no one talking, my mind felt disconnected from my body. Nothing to hear, nothing to see, nothing to feel. I wanted to curse what happened. The fire burning in my hands before feeling it around my body. It was too hot to touch, yet it felt powerful. Could this be a wolf thing? I really wanted to know what was happening, where I was, how I had fire coming off my hands. I knew I wasn’t dead, but that is the only thing I knew, well that and I have other souls in me. Viper was mean and hardcore, yet Pearl was soft and caring.

Pearl: Easy, Anika. You will get your answers. Father, Quinn, Matthew and one other are talking to the goddess. Be patient.

            Easy for you to say. I just want to wake up. I already miss Matthew.

Viper: Something occurs to me, ladies.

Pearl: And what would that be?

Viper: What if we have a chosen mate out there? Like a draconic one, a wolf one and Anika choosing Matthew?

Pearl: Then we would have to postpone our engagement to Matthew and proceed with dating more than one. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice yours or Anika’s happy ending.

Viper: I would totally sabotage yours, Pearl. No one is going to keep me from my mate!

            Hey! Both of you stop it! I will make the decision on who is best for us! I am in control, not you two! Do I make myself clear?! Yelling at them brought me no joy. However, Viper is right, what if I do have a chosen mate for the wolf and dragon side of me? Do I stay with Matthew? Do I choose one of them?

Viper: Fine.

Pearl: Crystal clear, Anika dear.

            With that sorted out, I wait for my brother to return. Pearl said they were talking to The Goddess of the Moon, I guess she actually exists.

~Matthew’s P.O. V~

            As the light shown down from the heavens, Quinton, Adam and I were on our knees unwillingly. Nathanial only had his head bowed before the light, I could only assume it was whom it was. When the light dissipated, I saw the most beautiful woman. Long raven hair that had waves like the ocean. Gorgeous pale white eyes that glowed stronger than the sun. Skin the smoothest olive tone than I had ever seen. She towered over the great Dragon statue that lay before us. This was the Moon Goddess. This was the deity of all deities. And she was magnificent.

“Nathanial, King of Dragons. Gabriel, King of Vampires. Adam, Alpha of Davis Lake. I have seen all. I had once told Adam that your daughter is very special, and in turn you told me of Vladimir.” Her voice was so angelic and so strong, I almost melted at the mere sounds of it.

“Yes. Now these boys have tried to lay claim on her. Is there anything we can come to an agreement on, Lunem?” Nathanial was negotiating with her.

“There is, my dear Nathanial. I shall revoke the mate bond for Adam for the time being. Gabriel, you are to break the engagement off as well, and Dragon King, tell him to not give in to his bond as well. This will be Anika’s decision and hers alone. This gives the three a fair chance at her hand. Am I understood, Vampyre King, Davis Alpha?”

“Yes, my goddess.” Adam lowered his head.

“I have no choice in this matter, do I?” I sighed in defeat. And I answered to that old name, “Yes, Moon Goddess.”

“Very well, then I take my leave. My beloved, Dragon. When will you come back to me?” Her? He was mated to her?!

“Never. I chose my place in life. I will not be your pet or your steed ever again.”

“Very well. Goodbye, Dragons, Vampyre and Werewolves.” With that said, the beam of her light shown once more until she vanished back into the heavens.