You Rejected Me. Remember?

Cade returned to the packhouse after winning the war. They won, yet he wasn’t satisfied. They didn’t manage to capture or kill Baron and Elijah. Even most of the Vampires who joined them managed to escape and leave the battlefield when they weren’t expecting.

Cade walked towards his room. His mate would be ecstatic to learn that they won the war once again. The corners of his lips lifted upwards. Maybe they could continue what they were doing before.

He thought about how she tried to hide her flushed cheeks. Yet, when he started to shower her with affection, she seemed to forget her previous embarrassment. His thoughts were focused on her. His beloved mate. Nonetheless, Cade noticed his wolf’s stillness as he raced up the stairs. Aspen was too silent for a wolf who was about to mark and claim his mate.

“Aspen? Why are you so silent?” Cade asked as he marched towards his room.

“I don’t know….. I feel….bizarre…” he replied.

“But why?” Cade frowned as he opened the door to his room. Without waiting for a reply, he looked inside, hoping to see Monica waiting for him inside. However, all he saw was an empty room. The window was wide open and the cool breeze of the night blew into the room. The lacy curtains hung at the window rippled in the gentle wind. Everything was in perfect order. But there was no sign of his beloved mate.

“Mate?” He called and glanced at the closed door of the bathroom. Wondering if she was inside, he started to walk towards the lavatory.

“Cade….” Aspen silently whimpered.

“Huh?”

“She isn’t here!” His wolf’s statement made him freeze on his steps.

His heart suddenly raced. But why? She didn’t have anywhere to go….

Gasping for breath, he pushed the door to the bathroom and peeked inside. He didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t leave just like that… she was his mate….

“No,” he wheezed.

“Dude, her scent isn’t as strong as it used to be. Haven’t you noticed?” Aspen pointed out. He was right. Although Cade didn’t want to accept, he wasn’t going to give a blind eye to what was obvious.

His mate wasn’t in the room.

“But where would she go? She doesn’t have anyone…” Cade’s throat constricted, making it hard for him to speak.

“First, we need to relax. And let’s go downstairs. Maybe she went to the kitchen….” Aspen paused. “I hope she went to the kitchen.” He added softly.

Nodding in agreement, Cade rushed out of the room and sprinted downstairs. He didn’t bother to freshen up. He was wearing a simple pair of shorts, covered in sweat with b***d and dirt matted on his body. Yet, he couldn’t care less. He just needed to see his mate safe and sound.

“Monica?” He hopefully called as he barged into the kitchen. Yet, no one was inside. He sniffed the air. Her scent was not detectable, which could only mean that she had not come into the kitchen for a long time.

“No…” his chest heaved and he frowned in fear.

Taking a step back, he dashed towards the exit and started to pace around the stoa of the packhouse like a madman, sniffing the air, and squinting into the open space.

“No! No!”

His voice gradually boosted.

“Cade?” His sister’s voice made him look around. She had already washed away the silt on her body and worn a fresh set of clothes.

“Why are you here?” She studied her brother’s apprehensive profile. “What happened?”

She asked. She knew her brother well. If Cade was downstairs, restless about an issue, it could only mean that something tremendous had happened. And from what she saw, it didn’t seem to be good news.

“Mate… my mate… she is gone!” He gasped.

“What!” Calli couldn’t believe her ears. “Why would….no she wouldn’t leave….” She frowned.

“Who wouldn’t leave?” A familiar voice asked. Ava and her grandma were approaching them.

“Monica. Cade is troubled. He is saying she left,” Calli explained.

“She isn’t in the room. Her fragrance is just too vague. I cannot sense her in the packhouse. Even Aspen is saying that she is gone,” Cade’s hysterical response made them exchange glances.

“But why would she leave?” Ava quizzed as she wrinkled her forehead.

“She didn’t leave on her own. She was taken away.”

Everyone turned around to see who had spoken. An attractive, young lady who was dressed in a long black robe was standing a few feet away from them. Her dark wavy hair cascaded down her back. Her hair and her skirt danced with the wind as she walked towards them.

“Amelia!” Ava’s grandma muttered. Everyone stared, stupefied as the young witch stepped forward.

“She was taken away,” she repeated herself, breaking the silence.

“Why are you saying that?”

It was Ava’s grandma who found the strength to speak.

“Unfortunately, I was with them when they made the plan. I aided them, and I now grieve my stupidity. They told me that they wanted revenge and for that I had to help them. Long story short, the vampires were to enter the pack and get a girl – I suppose the girl you are looking for. And Draven did. He managed to slither in and grab her. But he didn’t contact Baron. I heard them discussing it when I went back,” She paused. Her face withered in sorrow.

“I’m sorry. I was part of that,” she whispered. “I think Draven had taken her to the vampire territory. Baron and Elijah don’t have contact with them now,” she sadly added.

Aghast, Cade stared at the stranger.

“What? What are you saying? Vampires? No! How…why should I believe you…. No! This cannot be happening!” Cade looked at his sister as though he was pleading for help.

“Please…. Please tell me this isn’t happening to me… to my mate…”

Calli desperately looked at Amelia who had brought devastating news to them.

“We must save her. We don’t know what Draven is up to as we speak. I am sorry, but you must face this and save your mate from the nightcrawlers…we all should. And this time, I’m here to help you,” Amelia mentioned.

Cade was in deep distress. He didn’t want to believe it, however, he knew that this outsider most probably was telling the truth.

“Who are you?” Cade croaked, looking at her.

“I’m Amelia. Ms Wilma’s student. I was lied to by my so-called mate and ended up being their support. But once I learnt the truth, I cursed them and left them alone,” she flipped her hair.

“You cursed them?” Ava’s grandma arched her brow. Her expression reflected her amusement as she focused her gaze on the young witch.

Shrugging her shoulders, “yes. They will now be toads during the day and if they don’t manage to get the girl’s grace within three months, they will be doomed to remain like that for the rest of their lives,” she told them.

“That’s good,” Ava’s grandma chuckled. “But we still have a lot of work left. Most importantly, we must save the poor lady. Who knows what the vampire has in mind.” She pursed her lips.

“My mate….” Cade whimpered.

“We will find her. Don’t worry, Cade.” Calli whispered, patting her brother on his back. “I’ll inform Miles and the others. This issue needs urgent attention.”

***

In the realm of the vampires, Draven was waiting impatiently in his makeshift palace for her to regain consciousness. Monica was now tied to the bed, in his chamber and he was waiting for her to wake up. As he loitered, he admired her ethereal beauty. He loved how her pale skin contrasted against her dark hair. He could have easily woken her up, yet he chose to memorise her features as she slept. Her beauty was remarkable.

He had seen attractive women, vampires and humans, yet this little werewolf seemed to be enchanting. She was different. So instead of marking her by force, he stayed. He didn’t want to use her like he used other women. He wanted to choose her as his bride.

His eyes trailed down towards her chest. Her body was covered well with clothes, however, his eyes lingered on the two bumps on her chest. His mouth watered. The corner of his lips stretched as he thought about the things he would do to her. Licking his lips, he shook his head.

“Not like this princess. I want to hear you scream,” he chuckled to himself. However, his body didn’t want to wait. He felt his junior stiffen because of his titillating ideas.

“f**k,” he hissed under his breath and linked one of his men to prepare one of the maidens they had captured in the basement of the palace. He walked out of his private chamber since his body seemed to betray him.

“Your Highness.” The ones who worked under him were quick to commit.

“Yes,” Draven responded.

“She is ready,” the man who stood at the entrance informed him.

“Good. I will be back. Guard this door and alert me as soon as she wakes up. And remember, no one touches this one, except me. She is mine,” he warned before marching towards the bed-chamber across his quarters.

That was where women were prepared for him. Humans and vampire females who he used as b***d bags and play toys. Using women as his playthings were nothing new to him. Especially those who he managed to capture.

A sly grin spread across his face when he saw the trembling woman handcuffed just the like he wanted her to be. The sunkissed skin and dark, curly hair was nothing like that of Monica’s. Yet, he didn’t mind. He hungrily gawked at her curves that were visible underneath the skimpy onesie she was forced to wear.

“Hello, little human. Are you waiting for me?” Draven’s chuckles resounded in the blocked chamber and it only fueled her fear.

Her chest heaved as her breathing laboured and all she could do was helplessly stare when Draven picked one of his whips. She knew what was coming. He wouldn’t attempt to please her. He wouldn’t care about anything except satisfying himself. She would have to endure pain upon pain. And it will be sealed by him feeding on her, causing her to lose consciousness.

She wanted to scream, yet, she knew her screams will only add to this heartless vampire’s delight.

“Please…please let me go?” She sobbed.

“What? I thought you liked being f****d,” he laughed and started to knead her breasts.

She flinched. This wasn’t the first time she was touched. Heck, she was a s*x worker, and that was where she had gotten entangled in this mess. Working as a s*x worker wasn’t something she enjoyed doing. Yet being touched by this cold, unfeeling vampire was way worse than being touched by her clients.

“I’m sure you love this,” Draven smirked. “Why else would you be a s*x worker?”

“I… I was forced to….” Tears rolled down the corners of her eyes.

Draven’s smile vanished instantly. The sudden change of expression scared her.

“Lies,” he hissed as he grabbed her hair forcefully.

He didn’t care about her pleas and screams as he had his way with her. In the end, the girl lay unconscious on the floor, with two holes punctured into the vein of her neck.

“Clean this mess!” He ordered the warden as he stomped away from the chamber and out of the temporary castle.