Page 56 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

“You will or I’ll see that he spends a night unconscious downstairs.” He means the dungeon cellar. Antares’s power might protect us, but he can’t use if he’s unconscious.

I give Antares a look, and he tells me with silent eyes that I am in no circumstances to follow the request. But I knew this was coming. I can handle it.

I turn, so my back is fully to Adicious, as I mouth, “Go find Atlas.”

Antares tries to reach for me but I step back and wave him off. I feel his eyes watch me until I round the corner.

I follow Adicious into his office, leaving Antares firing daggers. I hope he obeys my request. Adicious’s threat plays on my mind. He could be separating us to take out Antares for all I know. I think he’ll be safe with Atlas.

“I hope the pack is treating you well.” Adicious motions for me to come in and take a seat before closing the door behind me.

The snick of the latch triggers my heart rate to increase.

He doesn’t lock it but it's the first time I’ve been alone with him.

I have to fight the flashes of images flooding my mind from our last close encounter.

You’re stronger now. More informed and more skilled.

I take a seat on a new looking leather chair and cross my legs at the ankle.

“Everyone’s been welcoming to me .” I emphasise the distinction.

“Yes, well. Your companion was… unexpected.” Adicious walks across the space. Instead of taking the chair behind his desk, he pulls the other one next to me around and sits facing me. There’s not half a foot of space between our knees.

“He’ll be a good asset to the pack,” I say, mentally adding ‘ he already is. ’

“That remains to be seen. Once you have the protection of the others, you might find him surplus.”

I swallow the growl and change the subject. I refuse to talk about this. “What did you want to see me about?”

“To the point. I was rather enjoying chatting.” Adicious crosses his ankle over his knee and steeples his fingers under his chin. “Very well, I wanted you to know that I’m planning a ceremony for our mating.”

“A what?” My eyebrows shoot upwards.

“For the day after tomorrow.”

“Since when did I agree to that timeline, or a ceremony?” I sit up straighter, a little panic setting in. If I can’t negotiate this, our time here will be shorter than planned.

“What’s the issue? You returned to become part of this pack, to join me in leading the pack, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but not so soon. I thought we’d take our time.”

“I’m afraid we don’t have that luxury.”

“Why?”

“With you galivanting all over the continent, who knows how many males know about you. They could be travelling here right now. I won’t risk the pack being attacked over you.”

“I was careful. No one knows.”

“Really? Cause you showing up here with a male in tow suggests otherwise.”

“He’s the only one.” I’m floundering.

“This isn’t up for discussion.”

“It is, and I’m not ready. I know what a mate bond entails, and I don’t want that yet.”

“I’m sure you can perform for your duty.”

I want to gag . I’m lost for words and don’t know how to respond to that other than shaking my head a little. I see the anger rising in Adicious at my refusal.

“I’m being lenient here Aurora. I do regret what happened last time, and I’ve been patient until now. Letting you settle in and get acquainted. I’ve given you enough time.”

I go to stand, but Adicious is quicker. His hands land firmly on my thighs, keeping me seated. I look directly at him and school my features to show mere annoyance rather than the pure hatred burning in my veins.

This prick thinks he’s doing me a favour. I can’t wait to end him for all that he’s done.

“Two days Aurora. And don’t think about leaving. I’m having one of the pack males keep an eye on you at all times until we’re bonded.”

Shit.

“Fine,” I grind out. I’ve no option but to comply. I take a deep breath and release it slowly, pretending I’ve given in.

“You’ll see this is the best option. Once we’re past the ceremony, everything will be so much better. Trust me.”

“What is this ceremony anyway?” I’ve read about mates celebrating a bond but it’s more of a party than a ceremony.

“You’re going to join the pack officially, and then we’re going to complete the mate bond to stabilise the magic.”

“Join the pack?”

“Yes, you’ll need to take the pack oath and drink my blood to join, and then the mate bond will kick in. If you’re not part of the pack, then it won’t help firm up our powers.”

None of this is making sense, it’s not how it works . “But surely if we’re mated and the others drink my blood then the pack will be established.”

“Aurora, you’ve got the bonds a little wrong.” Adicious strokes my thigh in the most patronising gesture.

“Have I?”

“Yes. The pack doesn't need to drink your blood. Your connection to me will be enough.”

It’s pure bullshit that he’s feeding me, but I’m not seeing his end goal. “How am I to lead them if they’re not bonded to me?”

“I’m already the leader. All you need to do is form a pack bond to me and then the mate bond to cement the leadership powers.”

“For us both.”

“Aurora, you don’t want to be responsible for that lot.” Adicious gestures to the closed door, indicating the males outside. “Leave them to me. You can enjoy the power as the head of a pack without needing to bond to each of them.”

It clicks. Adicious has found a way to secure the strength of a mated pack without sharing any of the power.

I have no idea if that would work but it would put me under his control without gaining any for myself.

I’d have no pack members bonded to me and I’d be bonded to the male in front of me in two ways.

He’s playing on my lack of experience amongst vampires.

He seems to have forgotten that I learned much of the workings through my own research.

That I was working towards a degree which based itself around the intricacies of the pack and how the Fae exploited them to drive their rhetoric and propaganda to start a war.

If Adicious thinks me naive, I’m not going to correct him.

I swipe his hands off my thighs and stand. “Thank you for enlightening me, it's honestly a relief to know you’ve got all this in hand. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about this.”

He follows me in standing, towering over me by a good few inches. He replaces his hand on me, this time by putting it on my shoulder and gently running it down my arm to my elbow. The touch leaves a cold slimy feeling on my skin.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re doing the right thing, helping all these vampires stay safe and protected.

” His other hand comes to my hair, he twirls one of the curls around his fingers.

I can’t help but think of how I feel when Ty does it versus now.

Ty makes me feel seen, precious, revered.

Adicious is touching me like he deserves to, like it's his right. I want so badly to put him in his place. For now, I’ll have to encourage him into the trap without letting him see the walls closing in.

“I’m sorry, for running before.”

“That doesn’t matter now. The day after tomorrow, everything will be as it should be.”

I nod, unable to say more.

Adicious lets me leave then. I don’t look back as I scamper away, up to my room. I want to immediately jump in a shower and burn my skin off after he touched me but I need to find Antares first.

He’s not in our room so I head along the corridor to Atlas’s. I find neither male there and return to try Mitch’s room. The door is slightly ajar and with a gentle knock, I push it further open. The room is as empty as the first two.

I know I should leave immediately but my gaze snags on the two beds.

The one on the right is easily identifiable as Mitch’s.

The sheets are rumbled and freshly slept in, Mitch’s scent strong on the cotton.

The other bed draws my attention. It’s neatly made and looks untouched but I’m drawn to the pillows anyway.

It’s been months since Ty left this place but I swear I still smell his warm cinnamon scent lingering on them as I lift one to my nose.

It's faint, barely there, but I wrap it into my arms anyway. The cold cotton under my fingertips makes me long for my mate. Knowing that Ty’s slept in this bed increases that longing.

Knowing he’s not far away, tucked away in hiding in the city but that I can’t go to him, fills me with bone deep tiredness. I need his presence to stabilise me.

‘I’m right here Red.’ Ty’s voice comes into my head as clear as if he were in the room .

‘Hi.’ I breathe in greeting. I feel his presence like he’s just stepped up behind me. Like he’s sweeping my hair off my shoulder to lay a kiss to the juncture of my neck. Another on that soft bit of skin behind my ear, it never fails to send skitters of electricity down my spine.

‘You’re alone?’ he asks.

‘Yes.’

‘Where’s Antares?’

‘Around somewhere. I was looking for him when I found your old room.’

‘Has Mitch destroyed the place with his ever exploding wardrobe?’

I smile because it’s pretty close to the truth. I see Ty’s smile in my mind too, I can see him tidying this space, clearing up after his roommate. The image is so mundane but the longing to see it pulls at my chest. I need to see my mate in the flesh.

‘Soon, sweetheart. You’ll be back in my arms soon.’

‘Sooner than you might think,’ I reply, thinking of Adicious’s new deadline.

‘What do you mean?’

I’m about to explain when a noise from outside the window catches my attention. The pane is cracked slightly, Mitch must’ve left it open a sliver.

Looking out, my blood drains. Shit.

‘I gotta go.’

‘Everything okay?’

‘Yep. Nothing I can’t handle. I’ve found Antares, he’s getting himself into trouble.’ I throw the pillow down before flying out the room and down the stairs. Not wanting to alert Ty to the truth I say a quick goodbye and close our connection.

I curse my pack bonded as I run. From the window, I’d spotted Antares, Mitch, and Atlas. But they were with Ronan and his cronies, and it looked like they were about to start sparring.