Mated To The Alpha Kings

~Rakel's POV ~

"Where are we going?" she asked for the unkempt time that evening.

'You'll see.' I replied curtly.

"Rakel, are you mad at me?"

"No." I'm furious that my mate lived a harsh life. We continued walking in silence, which made her puff her cheeks with annoyance.

"Then, will you tell me why you're quiet?"

Again, I ignored her by walking forward. I took a part into the woods, heading to the mountains, making sure to help her along the way. She's running out of breath, I can tell, but she's too stubborn and wouldn't let me carry her, nor get on Ryder. "It would be a long hike." I had told her. Her reply was... "Even better." what the hell did she mean by that?

"Rakel, did I do something wrong? Tell me what happened." She demanded.

I realize I haven't considered my mate's feelings, Delaney. That is what happened. I thought.

Murdered. Her mother was murdered right in front of her. My fist clenched tightly, trying to control the rage that threatens to take over. Still, nothing seems to help. It's been four days after discovering about the pills in her bloodstream, four days with the realization that my mate is dying with no cure whatsoever. Does she even know she's dying? Or does she think it's normal? To top it all, Ten returned after his background check on my mate. And... It's bad! Fucking awful.

I found out her stepdad murdered her mother right in front of a ten-year-old girl. How can someone do that? If my guess is right, then I'm certain that bastard was the one that drugged her. What motive did he have for doing that? Did he by any means hurt her at that age? I read reports on him, the man has done things... terrible things. Just the thought of him doing nasty things to his stepdaughter infuriated me to the extent that I could almost feel my blood boiling. News had it that he hasn't been seen anywhere after being jailed, it's as if he has disappeared from the surface of the earth. He would beg for death when I find him. I didn't realize a loud growl came out of my mouth nor my fangs growing till I heard her racing heartbeat.

I took a deep breath, "Sorry."

Her brows crease. She glances up at me with concern and places a hand on my face, "Did something happen in the pack?"

I lean into her hand and shook my head. "No, come on, we are almost there. The view will be even better at nighttime."

Thankfully, she didn't ask more questions, like she has accepted the fact that I will talk about it when I'm ready. But, how do I talk about turning her into a werewolf? Or tell her that she's dying? How will she react? Does Knox know about this? I made a mental note to have a meeting with the vampire after tonight.

We finally arrived at our destination, I found a spot to seat then turned to watch her.

"Rakel, this... how did you find this place?" She gasps.

"You like it?" my wolf was satisfied with her reaction.

She nodded, "It looks magical."

I found the spot yesterday when I was hunting, seeing the small stream, and flowers, I instantly knew she'd like it. Delaney came to sit beside me. I pulled her to sit in my front, her back to me. She stiffened at first, then slowly relax on my chest. "Rakel? I've been thinking... about us recently."

"Oh?" I inhaled her sweet citrus scent fighting the urge to mark, claim what her right there, but it was damn hard when she was sitting before me.

"Yeah, I love the little time we've been spending together, no one has ever made me feel loved and cherished. However, there's always something missing, you know. Like there's a void in my heart even when I'm with you."

Jealousy burned down my guts, the missing void she's talking about is the damn vampire! Is she trying to say she's not satisfied with me? What did she do with the vampire? I know they didn't have sex, I would have smelt it. Knowing It was the first time she was freely talking to me, I steeled myself and let her continue.

"Before I met you guys, I always wondered what I came into this world for, why I was even born. I always thought the world is cruel, I move on with my daily activities thinking I'll someday find happiness... a reason why I was born." she sighed. "Have you found it?" I asked.

"I guess so, I'm happy with you guys." She suddenly turned to face me, "Rakel, there's something I'll like to tell you." there was a tinge of fear in her tone.

I nodded in encouragement. She gazed into my eyes, searching for God knows what. She gulps, "Umm, I... the thing is, I am an... an addi..." she shut her eyes gaze "Will you still want me if I'm different?"

What is she getting at? Is she trying to tell me about her douchebag as a dad? Mira asked me not to force her into anything, so I'll go with her pace. It's a surprise she's telling me all this.

"Different?"

"Yeah."

I placed a kiss on her slender neck and wrapped my arms around her to keep her warm "Laney, I'll still want you, no need you even if you reject me."

She hummed, resting her head on my chest. A few seconds of comfortable silence passed, and Ryder was practically purring at her closeness. My tongue ran over my elongated fangs, which I'm finding harder to conceal. "Have you ever thought of being a wolf?" I blurted. Yup, I needed to know.

She tensed, "No, never."

Does that mean she detests the idea? Ah, humans are so complicated. I wish we were already mated, I would have delved into her mind and know what she's thinking.

"Rakel I've decided." she rose to a sitting position, and now she's straddling me. "I want you to mark me."

Her words were met with silence. I blinked once, twice while gazing at her heart-shaped face in shock. Did I hear well? Even Ryder was stunned by her announcement, but he immediately got over it. 'Did you hear that? What the hell are you still waiting for? Mark her, Goddamn it!'

"Laney.."

"Shhh, I know what you want to say, but that won't change my decision. Mark me."

"Damn it! Woman! You're so stubborn." I lean forward and kissed her, hard. "Do you know what you're saying?" I breathed.

She nods.

"Why?"

"Because..." she stopped, gazing into my eyes, my breath hitched when I saw something in her eyes... love? Whatever it was, Ryder and I rejoiced silently. Does that mean she chose me?

Her hands slowly wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer till we were inches away, and her eyes slide close. So did mine.

However, just as she was about to kiss me, I felt a shift in the atmosphere, causing the hairs on my body to rise. On instinct, I pushed her to the side with sheer force, and we are both tumbling to the ground towards the stream. I controlled my fall in time to my landing on a good surface. Delaney wasn't lucky enough, she landed on a rocky side, looking confused as hell. At the same time, an arrow landed on the spot we were just staying in.

I cursed, rushing towards her. "Are you okay?"

"Jeez Rakel, you should have at least given me a warning! Why the hell did you do that?"

I grabbed her hand, jerking her up and, at the same time, scanning the environment. "Fuck! We need to get out of here!"

I was already running with her before she could speak. "What is happening? Why are we running?" she yelled, glancing around.

"Hunters! They are trying to trap us here by surrounding us." I cursed at myself for letting my guards down and putting my mate in danger. How did they find out my location? Have they been trailing after me? I've been so focused on the fact that Laney is dying that I totally ignored everything, now they've come to know about her. Shifting will be better in this situation, but if we were in the mountains, it will be difficult with Delaney here.

I pushed Delaney down just as another arrow brushed past her shoulders. I sighted a big stone in front which we can use as a cover. Without wasting time, I led Delaney there, hiding us both away from harm's way. Though I know it's only temporary, they'll be closing in on us soon.

Delaney was quiet, so I glance her way only to see the blood drained from her face, she was pale and shaking nervously. I know she's having a panic attack. Shit.

"Hey, Laney, look at me. You are going to be fine, okay? You are strong, we will make it out of here, okay?"

Her lower lips quivered, "B...but we are surrounded! We are going to die!"

"Hey, do you trust me?"

She nodded frantically.

"Okay, you will stay here, after I've diverted their attention to me, you'll leave this mountain and escape, got it? I'll come to look for you when I'm done."

She was already shaking her head before I could finish, tears were streaming down her face. "No Rakel, I won't leave you here by yourself, what if... if..." I cut her off with a kiss. She gasps, clutching my hand, kissing me back with everything she had.

"Take this path down the mountain, I can't sense them there. I'll meet you soon, okay?"

When she nodded, I sent Asher a message through the mind link. Afterwards, I scanned the surrounding. There were about twenty of them, five heading towards us, the rest are in position. I met Laney's gaze, "Now!"