Page 19 of Betrayed Mate (Rejected Fate Trilogy #1)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“ W hat the hell does that mean?” I gaped at Ryker.

I hadn’t expected his smile to be so arresting. The queen’s smile had nothing on his. A lump formed in my throat.

Why the hell was I noticing him so much? I needed to focus on what sort of plan he had up his sleeve.

His gaze stayed on me, and my heart lurched into my throat. If he’d been this stunning all along, I’d never have gotten a word out. My wolf inched forward, growling with approval.

Down, girl , I internally chastised, needing her not to add to my growing confusion.

“I already told you that we both need to attend the meeting, but it might be more fun to put the Blackwoods even more on edge.” He winked, looking nothing like the angry, cynical alpha I’d come to know.

I opened my mouth to question him further, but no words formed.

“Man, come on.” Gage snickered. “Tell us. Don’t keep leaving us on a cliffhanger. Your dad pulled the same shit all the time. It has to be part of some alpha strategy training book the two of you read together or something.”

Ryker snickered, rolling his eyes. “Well, if the Blackwoods are behind this and they’re trying this damn hard to discredit my pack by trying to set us up like we’re the ones behind the attacks and desperately trying to kill all of yours, we should give them something to actually fear.”

The thought of making Reid and his pack fear me brought the butterflies fluttering in my stomach to a halt. My entire focus was returned to locating Briar and getting even with my enemy. “Which is?”

“The two people they most fear winning control of the throne being together.” He motioned to me and back at himself.

Now I felt like I was trying to solve a complex math problem. The answer was clearly in front of me but just out of my understanding. “Were we not arriving there together already?” I’d assumed we would be, seeing as I was staying with them.

Queen Ambrosia chuckled. “No, child . He means showing up together as lovers .”

Instead of disgust, my damn heart skipped another beat. Nope, not happening. I wouldn’t develop emotions for Ryker. Clearly, Fate wanted me to be attracted only to men who could destroy me as if the fated mate she’d chosen for me hadn’t been cruel enough. Still, that didn’t mean I would succumb to another one of her tortures. “I don’t see how that would accomplish much more than just arriving in each other’s company.”

“But it would and might actually provide an advantage.” Lucinda sat upright in her chair as the other two vampires flanked her. “Two of the people they fear most, allied and romantically linked. That will unnerve them and maybe cause them to do something reckless.”

I bit the inside of my cheek so I didn’t outwardly react, focusing on the sting I inflicted on myself rather than what these people were asking me to do. Yet, even that didn’t push away the thoughts for long. They wanted me to not only face the man who’d rejected and publicly humiliated me but do it while pretending to be with a man everyone else hated. While making it seem like I hadn’t only allied with him but taken him as a lover. The thought alone had my stomach churning. “I don’t think we need to add the romantic element. I think showing up together will be enough. We don’t need the extra layer.”

Raven pursed her lips, scanning me.

A chill ran down my spine. Could she see more than I wanted?

“I know what we’re asking is a lot, given how he’s been acting lately,” Gage said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “But having two people with the most legitimate claim to the throne united as a couple will make it even harder to ignore that they’d be stronger together.”

I hated that he made sense. It would be hard to deny our claim, especially if we had an heir. Still, the thought of having to pretend to be attracted to Ryker didn’t appall me, which was the biggest part of the problem.

A threatening growl came from Ryker on my other side, and suddenly Gage’s eyes faintly glowed. The pack link was being utilized.

Dropping his hand, Gage stepped back and huffed abruptly. He placed his hands behind his back as if emphasizing that he wouldn’t touch me again.

Strange.

“Fine.” At the end of the day, there were two things that mattered. “If you all believe it could help, I’m in. Anything to get Briar back before something happens to her.”

“Briar?” Queen Ambrosia leaned back. “Who is that?”

I’d left out that part of the story, not wanting the vampires—especially the guards—to know that there was someone out there who meant everything to me. Enemies thrived on finding out people’s weaknesses, and after losing my pack, I’d sacrifice anything for her. Still, the damage had been done after my speaking so carelessly. “My sister. I believe the Blackwoods have her and are keeping her hostage to try to locate me or get me to find her.”

The queen frowned before she let out a faint gasp. “Oh, thank Fate. Not everyone in your pack perished after all.” Her eyes glistened with what I thought must be unshed tears. “That’s so lovely to hear.”

I hadn’t expected such heartfelt concern, especially from the queen of the vampires. “It would mean a lot more if I knew she was safe and unharmed.”

“Then we must find her as quickly as possible.” Queen Ambrosia took a slow breath and then turned to the vampire guards. “Give us your update and then give whatever resources are needed to Ryker and Ember to help locate Briar. It’s imperative that we assist them so we can rest assured that the right wolf becomes the new ruler for the good of every species.”

Now I understood how peace had been possible between our kinds. She cared about all supernaturals; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to empathize the way she was.

“We found nothing beyond what the wolf shifters stated—other than their scents,” Bella spat, her face twisted in disgust. “So, either we’re being played by the shifters or any clues about who attacked the nests vanished by the time we arrived. If it’s the latter, then a witch must be involved.”

Kendric bared his teeth. “We didn’t attack your nests. How many more times are you going to accuse us of being your enemy?”

“Our spells would detect any scent-mitigating spells on them, so if there isn’t sulfur in the air, they speak the truth.” Queen Ambrosia shook her head and stood.

Martin pouted. “There’s no scent of a lie nor any indication of magic on them that would hide the smell, Your Majesty.”

Of course, she’d have spells in place to detect if we were trying to hide anything. She’d been around for centuries, enough time to collect favors from witches to do her bidding, especially since supernatural blood made coven magic much stronger when included in a spell or seance.

“Even though I trust the Grimstones, I do have detections in place in the event anyone tries to deceive us.” Queen Ambrosia gestured to her guards. “That’s one reason that I get annoyed but appreciate the fact that my guards are cynical because they’re being protective of me and our species. It’s why the three of them do their jobs as well as they do.”

“We understand their mistrust regarding outsiders because our pack is the same way.” Ryker spoke slowly like he was controlling his tone. “That’s the only reason that we tolerate it. However, we came here alone, and we’re completely outnumbered. That should provide reassurance that we don’t want to risk our relationship with you.”

Lucinda leaned back in her seat. “Unless you’re trying to lower our guard.”

She had a point, but I wouldn’t admit it to the treacherous woman. Instead, I wrinkled my nose, wanting to convey exactly how I felt about her.

Mimicking my gesture, she made her point clear as well.

We despised each other.

“That’s enough.” The queen sighed. “My decision regarding the Grimstone pack stands. Please take them to their rooms and allow them to hunt in our woods for sustenance.”

My stomach dropped. Even though I enjoyed being in wolf form, I preferred eating in human form. Unlike most shifters, I didn’t enjoy killing prey, and I didn’t eat as much meat, balancing it with fruits and sweets. I blamed it on my upbringing. All the shifters in my father’s lineage had an affinity for sweets. Still, eating was eating, and I had to stay strong to locate and save Briar.

“As you wish.” Raven smiled, taking Kendric’s hand before continuing. “The quadruplets should have their room prepared by now.”

That must be the four similar-looking vampires who’d greeted us.

“Good. I have business to attend to, so I must leave. If there are any issues, please alert me immediately. Lucinda, Bella, Martin, I’m counting on you to ensure the shifters remain unharmed and protected here while under our care. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Martin’s neck twitched as if it pained him to say the words.

Raven turned our way and rolled her eyes. “Now that we’ve settled all that, let’s get you to your rooms so you can get something to eat. I don’t smell a strong meat odor on any of you, which means you probably haven’t eaten in a while.”

I flinched, realizing it had been almost twenty-four hours since we’d eaten. No wonder I’d crashed so hard. Between needing to heal and not getting enough calories, I hadn’t had the energy to accomplish it. I needed to rectify that.

We followed her into the hallway, leaving the other three vampires alone. I knew they’d be talking about us. I didn’t like being somewhere that I wasn’t wanted, but lately, that seemed to be wherever I went—including with Ryker and his packmates.

We headed back through the entryway, walking past the stairs and turning left once again. I glanced to the right and took in a formal dining room with a table that could easily seat twenty. Over it hung a grand chandelier in the shape of a skull, made with diamonds and red rubies placed in a way that resembled dripping blood.

A shiver raced down my spine. Ahead of me, a gigantic room with a glass wall that showcased the yard and woods came into view. Three large crimson couches sat in a U in front of a TV and splayed on them were three vampires, one on each couch, each having sex with a human as they drank from them.

I diverted my eyes to the TV and blushed. Some sort of porn was playing, which had my entire body flooding with embarrassment. I’d had sex before, but we didn’t have sex openly like this and never with others in the same room.

Moans and sucking noises echoed in my ears as the strong scent of copper filled my nose. The urge to gag surfaced, but I swallowed, fighting the sensation. The last thing I needed to do was offend the very people who could decide to attack us at any moment.

Ryker slid an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest so my vision was blocked, a welcome relief. The sounds were still bad enough.

Tingles spread from his touch, and I breathed in his scent, which seemed intoxicating. Need shot through me, catching me off guard. The fact that I was attracted to him was problematic, but this was taking it to a different level. It had to be the influence of the scene before us.

I stayed close, not wanting to embarrass myself further.

Soon the sounds and scents faded, and he loosened his grip on me.

Knowing I needed to break whatever hold he had over me, I took in a deep breath, allowing his scent to fill my lungs once more before lifting my head. We moved along to the kitchen, where the quadruplets were pouring blood into glass cups on the other side of a huge marble island.

The stench of copper hit my nose again, and a sour taste filled my mouth. The girl took a sip from her glass and then smiled, revealing pink-stained teeth and elongated canines. “Your room is ready.”

Gritting my own teeth, I tried to keep a neutral expression, not wanting to reveal my disgust. I understood that blood was their sustenance, but the fact that it came from humans, who shifters and witches protected, upset my stomach. This was one reason that vampires and shifters were naturally at odds.

Ryker didn’t hesitate, guiding me past the vampires toward the door at the far end.

My pulse pounded in my ears as we entered a massive, stone-walled bedroom. Two queen-size beds lay against each of the left and right walls, totaling four. Matching beige comforters on each had been folded down, showing brown sheets and pillowcases. Like the living room, the wall to the outside was all glass, including the sliding door cut into the center.

Turning to Kendric, Raven kissed him. When she pulled back, she said, “You five shift and go run and eat. It’ll be morning soon, and you all need rest. This is your safe haven for as long as you need.”

“We’ll spend time together tomorrow, right?” Kendric arched a brow and cupped her cheek.

The gesture was so tender and intimate that my heart clenched hard once more. That was something I’d never have. But I’d rather survive with the pain and anger than be mated to Reid, who didn’t have issues slaughtering my entire pack.

“Of course, but right now, I need to go speak with the guards.” She pecked his cheek and then turned to me and continued, “And I want to get to know you a lot better tomorrow.”

Her gaze was kind, but the hairs on the back of my neck rose in alarm. They did that whenever a vampire got too close because of their unnatural magic—a witch’s spell gone wrong had made these immortal creatures.

I forced a smile and chose my answer carefully. “Okay.” This was a trick my sister used on my parents. She wouldn’t agree with them but, rather, would inform them she acknowledged their words.

She sashayed from the room, Kendric watching her every step, while Gage and Xander hurried to the sliding glass door. My wolf inched forward, bursting to get out, and my stomach rumbled.

Ryker led me forward once more, and as soon as we stepped through the door to the outside, Kendric’s footsteps hurried to catch up.

Within seconds, we reached the woods, and I hurried to a sizable oak, where I removed my clothing. As soon as the chill hit my bare skin, my wolf surged forward, taking control. I tingled as fur sprouted, and my spine cracked until I was on all fours.

And then I was off, running to where Ryker and the other three were waiting for me.

The five of us ran through the woods, listening for signs of prey. The wind rippled through my fur, and my muscles burned.

The sounds of a herd of deer caught my attention. My head snapped toward the west. Saliva pooled and dripped down my jaw.

A few seconds later, Ryker and the others snapped their heads in the same direction, hearing the same thing I had. I couldn’t pack-link with them, but I didn’t have to right now. I knew what they were saying, food .

The four of them took off, the advantage of a pack link. I’d have to follow their lead and be a few seconds behind so I didn’t mess up their attack and cost us a meal. I trailed them, though my wolf urged me to quicken the pace and take the lead.

Fighting the alpha urge even as it reared its head, I noticed their gait increasing. As Xander and Ryker separated to go around a tree, I saw the deer in front of me—four does and two fawns.

I’d scarcely paused to see which one the others selected before choosing my own when something dark appeared, barreling toward me and moving faster than anything I’d ever seen before.

Before I could adjust for the attack, something sharp pierced my shoulder and caused my leg to give out.