The Alpha and his Vampire Mate

Episode 05

ELYNDRA

Four weeks.

That was how long it had been since Tharos Draven marked me and then ripped it all away with one cruel rejection. Four weeks of silence that was louder than any fight I had ever had with Malrik. Four weeks of nights when I woke up holding my neck and feeling phantom fire where his teeth had bitten me.

I remembered leaving that penthouse with half my clothes on, the rain soaking me as I walked down the street with no phone, bike, or anything else. I begged a stranger for their phone, and when Liam answered, I finally lost it. When he found me, my body was shaking from the cold, and my chest hurt with every breath.

When Liam saw me, his face was carved with rage. I had never seen him like that before, and for a moment I thought he might go after Tharos right then and there. I clung to him and assured him that it was all right, even though he would have. I had made him promise not to say anything, even though I was crying. If this secret got out, it wouldn't just ruin me; it would tear both of our families apart.

It took the mark a week to heal, which was longer than it should have. I still touched the spot sometimes, pressing my fingers there as if I could make the memory go away. There were midnight blue flames around a crescent moon, and stars scattered through a lotus. It was a beautiful mark. Pretty, but toxic. I could see his rejection carved into my skin every time I looked in the mirror.

Malrik had also found out, which wasn't enough. He kept sending me sharp, threatening messages, but I ignored them all. That only made him worse.

I felt a tightness in my chest as I read his latest text. I held the phone tightly in my hands.

Someone else knocked on my bedroom door.

"Zu?" Liam spoke softly and carefully.

I put the phone under my pillow. "Yeah?"

The door opened a little, and his tall body filled the space. He looked into my eyes and walked in without waiting for an answer. His strong, warm arms wrapped around me, and the weight I had been carrying almost pulled me under. I closed my eyes and pressed my face against his chest, breathing him in.

He kissed the top of my head and said, "Talk to me."

I held him tighter. My voice sounded small. "Am I your favourite sister?"

That same smirk pulled at his lips. "Definitely." He kissed my forehead and then tapped my nose.

"I like you too." I forced a smile and stepped back before I broke down again. "Do you know where my old voodoo dolls are?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Are you really going there?"

I muttered, "Tempted," as I grabbed my jacket. "Some people need to feel a little pain."

Tharos Draven. His name hurt my chest. I had always thought that stories about him were just rumours, but now I know, without mercy, no mercy, untouchable. And now, my biggest mistake.

Before I left the house, I told Liam, "I'll be back."

The streets of the pack town were familiar to me, but they also made me feel trapped. The cafés, stores, and schoolyard where I used to sneak out of class all looked the same, but I was different inside. I parked outside Granny June's bakery, hoping that sugar would help me feel better for a while.

Before I could even smell the fresh bread, the bell over the door rang, and her voice rang out.

"We're closed."

She was definitely here. And of course, three of her cronies were too, sipping tea and glaring like I carried a disease.

"You aren't closed," I said as I walked in. "Just a few pies and I'm out."

"Get out. You made my floors dirty.

I let out a sigh. "Really, June? My shoes are clean. I took my wallet out of my pocket and held it up. "I'll pay twice." Simple.

Her lips twisted like the words she wanted to say were trying to get out. A strange thing in nature. Half-wolf. She had whispered those words many times before.

Instead, she said in a hiss, "We're out." She grabbed a tray of croissants, stormed into the back, and slammed the door.

The women at the table whispered to each other. I heard one word—rejected—and my heart sank.

I turned around and pushed my way out of the bakery. The cool air hit my face. My bike was parked at the curb, and all I had to do was turn the key to get away.

But then I heard it.

“No wonder she was rejected. No one would want her. Psychotic freak.”

I froze, and my blood ran hot. I slowly turned to the couple at the table. Their eyes darted away, but the old man's smirk gave him away.

"Could you say that again?" My voice was low and dangerous.

He stood up, and his growl got louder. "I didn't say anything. "Go on.."

"Don't tell lies. Say it again.

“I said nothing.”

“I said, say it again!” My shout echoed down the street, and two people who were walking by stopped to look.

He made a face. “There's no respect anymore.”

I shook my hands as I held them at my sides. Rage clawed at my throat.

"Freak," he said under his breath.

That was all. I ran towards him, ready to rip the smug look off his face, when a smaller hand grabbed my wrist..”

Renji's calm, pleading blue eyes met mine. He was only 13, but his voice was steady. "Come on. "Let's go home."

I pulled away from him, but he wouldn't let go.

"I don't want to go home." Not yet.

"Father won't let this go. Believe me. Nobody will get away with this. He spoke in a calm, sure tone.

I swallowed hard, and his words went past the storm in my chest. I slowly pulled back and nodded. "Okay. But don't let Liam know. He already has too much to handle.

After a moment of looking at me, Renji nodded.

I made myself smile. "I'm going to leave town for a while. I promise.

He trusted me. He always did.

I got back on my bike even though the old couple was staring at me and people were whispering behind me. One of the people walking by reached through the link.

"Don't let them get to you."

"I never do," I lied, forcing a smile.

But when I revved the engine, I felt a sharp twist in my stomach. The nausea I had been ignoring for a week hit me again, this time harder and I have been feeling weak and vomiting for a week now and start noticing some signs I don't understand, like losing a lot of appetite, adding some weight and now I feel like vomiting. My stomach hurts.

Not right now, not right now, please.

I tore through the streets of the pack, the wind whipping against my face as my mind raced faster than the tyres beneath me, i decided to enter a pharmacy to check myself out and get a pregnancy pill. When I finally looked, I saw two dark lines.

The air rushed out of my chest as it fell.

Pregnant

I am pregnant.