You Rejected Me. Remember?

“Make sure you inform us about everything you see. I’ll be available all the time. Keep me informed. If possible, link me, Nolan, Castor, and Cade,” Miles instructed him at the borders. Everyone came to see him leave. Everyone, including the Royal couple and his mate, Amelia.

Elijah glanced at her one last time before gulping the potion down. She stared with widened eyes as he vanished into the thin air. It wasn’t new to her. She knew exactly how the potion worked. She feared that he might make a mistake and alert the nasty vampires of his presence. Her heart pounded hysterically in her chest. She was glad she got to spend a few moments with him before they escorted him to the perimeters of the pack. The moment was short – too short. However, time was not such that they could spend a lot of time together. A whole nation was suffering because of them and before they could take their relationship to the next level they had to correct it.

Her heart raced. She could no longer see him, yet she knew that he was there.

Trying her best to take even breaths, “Elijah…. You are invisible, but you aren’t a phantom. Which means if you run into them, they’ll know an intruder is around. They could hear your footsteps if you aren’t being careful,” she warned.

“Okay,” Elijah’s voice was clear though he was hidden from their eyes.

“I am sure he will do an awesome job. He was always passionate about his work,” Monica commented and Philip nodded in agreement. Although he didn’t like him back in the Red Wings pack, he never denied Elijah’s ability.

Monica’s remark made Elijah feel strange. He usually would have taken pride in such comments, however, now, he just felt bizarre.

“I… I’ll try … my best…” shifting on his feet, he stammered. “I’m leaving,” he added after a short while.

Soon, the sound of dried leaves crunching under Fenris’ rushed strides told them that he had shifted and taken off. Amelia stared into the empty space until she could no longer hear his footsteps. Monica inhaled deeply and breathed out.

“He is a fast runner,” she mumbled and glanced at Amelia, who had her eyebrows knitted in a deep frown, as she stared intently at the dark woods.

Smiling, Monica patted her shoulder. “He will be fine. I am sure. Don’t worry,” she said, attempting to reassure her.

Amelia forced a smile and nodded.

“Let’s get some sleep? I think we have a hard and exhausting day ahead,” Calli suggested.

“You all go to sleep. The boys and I will stay on alert. I don’t want to miss anything,” Miles shared his thoughts.

“Right,” Nolan agreed.

They went back to the packhouse and retreated back to their rooms, while the three leaders went to the office, waiting to hear any news from their spy.

Amelia lay on her bed. Her mind was with Elijah and her heart was at unrest. She knew that what awaited them was tiring and resting her body was crucial, yet sleep was the last thing she could do. Closing her eyes, she hugged her pillow.

“Please be safe,” she whispered.

***

Elijah rushed towards the vampire territory, hidden from the plain eyes, at times dodging the branches and sometimes breaking the thin, dried twigs protruding from the tall trees. They fell onto the ground like bones that were being snapped from a skeleton. His determination didn’t waver as he sprinted the distance between the werewolf pack and the vampire territory. He had once entered the territory to cause havoc. This time he was persistent to make everything right, and hopefully go back to his mate. He heaved a breath when he approached the boundary of the vampire territory.

“Alpha, I am entering their domain,” he linked Miles and the other leaders.

“Good, we are here. Now go to the Royal palace and try to find out what Draven is up to. Try to learn what he did to King Vlad and his family. Keep us informed.”

Huffing out a yes in response to his alpha’s instructions, he crossed the perimeter.

“Let’s do this,” Fenris uttered as they strode through the trees. Being invisible was an advantage. Unlike werewolves, vampires do not possess the gift of enhanced smell. It was the ability to see through the dark and the superspeed that was their asset. Yet, he was aware that even the slightest mistake could cause him to fail.

By the time he arrived at the palace gates, the activities of the vampires had begun. The gates were wide open and guards stood at the entrances, guarding the place from intruders.

“We must not make sudden moves and any kind of noises,” Elijah told Fenris as they peeked at the grand palace while they stood by the trees.

“Right. Shift back. We have a better chance of staying hidden in human form. If we need to run, I’ll sneak out and off we go.”

No one noticed him morphing back to his human form and sneaking past the security. They were oblivious to the wolf who walked through the open gates and into the throne room, where Draven was busy trying to entertain himself. Elijah stationed himself at one side where a large ceramic vase was kept. Draven was sitting on the throne, proud and conceited, looking down at three girls who were brought in front of him.

At first Elijah thought they were performers since they were all dressed in similar clothing – they all wore clothes similar to the clothes worn by belly dancers. What he didn’t expect was to witness them kneel down in front of Draven, trembling in fear.

“Nice. Obedient subjects wouldn’t resist their king’s orders,” Draven sniggered as he stood up from his seat and descended the stairs. He sauntered over to one of the girls and grabbed her hair in his fist and pulled her to her feet. The girl winced, yet she didn’t make a sound, seemingly fearing Draven

“What a lovely snack. I’ll feast on you tonight and save the rest for later. If you are strong enough to endure being fed on, you will be one of my concubines,” he declared loud enough for all the ears to hear.

Elijah watched in horror as Draven plunged his fangs into her neck. The fear was evident on his victim’s face. Her eyes wide as she stared off into the empty space.

“The hell…” Fenris hissed. Elijah was too stunned to say anything.

Once Draven was done, all three of them were taken inside while Elijah stared in disbelief.

“I love being king. My father knew nothing about using power,” Draven chuckled. Elijah watched as Draven gestured to one of his men who he recognised. Polanski – one of those who were most loyal to Draven among the rogues Draven had recruited.

“Now, how is my dear family doing?” Draven asked Polanski. He didn’t seem to try to be silent as he spoke about his family.

“They are doing fine, master. But they haven’t been fed b***d since they were locked up. Only sandwiches,” Polanski replied.

“Good. I survived without b***d for a while. They too will survive,” Draven stood up. “But it’s time for me to pay them a visit now. Maybe I’ll go easy on my mother. But I need to get rid of Damien. He is such a nuisance.”

Elijah understood that Draven must be on his way to see his family. It was a relief to learn that they were safe and sound. After Draven marched out of the exit with a few of his guards following him, Elijah too, took off after them, careful not to make a sound. With an anxious heart, he walked the short walk to another large building that was clearly labeled as the mental asylum.

“I seriously wonder how he broke out of this place. If only we could find out,” Fenris muttered,

“No time for that. We must focus on what Draven is up to,” Elijah asserted.

They followed Draven and his men along the white corridors. Although the tiles were washed and cleaned, Elijah could detect a faint scent of rotting b***d. Wondering why he was smelling it, he silently followed.

“I don’t like that smell. That surely isn’t fresh b***d,” Fenris voiced his concern.

“A little while more,” Elijah’s response was just a short while before Draven halted in front of a room that had a locked gate like a jail cell. Elijah had to hold back a gasp when he saw three unfamiliar individuals. Two males and a female. He wasn’t familiar with the vampire royals yet he guessed that they were Draven’s family members. The older male resembled Draven. Their posture and build were similar, yet his facial features were of the older female – his mother. The younger vampire who was shackled beside him, glared at Draven. He had jet black hair, similar to that of Draven, yet he seemed to be more poised than his younger brother.

“The Royals! Inform the alpha!” Fenris’ urgent call helped Elijah to snap out of his stunned state.

“Alpha! I have found the true king and Queen!”

“Where?” came the reply.

“Draven has locked them up in the asylum,” Elijah informed them.

“Well, hello. Aren’t you going to greet the king?” Draven chuckled.

“We don’t accept you as our king, you crazy lunatic!” his brother sneered at him.

Sighing, Draven placed his hands in his pockets and smirked at his brother. “I have been patiently listening to your insults, Damien. But I have had enough.” He glanced at Polanski. “When the sun rises, take him to the open ground and strip him naked. Then, nail him to the cross and leave him in the scorching sun. Maybe then he will learn a lesson or two about respecting his leaders.”

Draven’s declaration made his mother gasp loudly and his father glared at him with angry eyes while Damien sneered.

“Like I had always said, death doesn’t scare me. Do what you can, I’ll pray that I am the last person that you manage to crucify like that,” Damien worded.

His persistence seemed to annoy Draven. The veins on his bulged as his muscles tensed.

“And I’ll make sure that this is the last time you get on my nerves,” he hissed and stormed out of the place. The robe he wore fluttered in the air as he walked briskly towards the exit. Not wanting to remain any longer in the territory of the nightcrawlers, Elijah rushed out of the building after the crazy vampire king.

“Alpha!” he urgently mindlinked Miles. “We better hurry. They are going to kill the Crown Prince in the morning!”

Elijah hastily sprinted out of the building, not expecting for Draven and his gang to be waiting at the entrance.

“After taking care of my stupid brother, I need to look for my princess.”

Draven was whispering into Polanski’s ear. However, Elijah’s enhanced hearing allowed him to listen to it.

“Princess… the werewolf girl?” Polanski whispered back.

Elijah went rigid.

“Are they talking about Monica?” he asked Fenris.