Vindication (Hybrids Liberation Book 1)

by R. Spain

  13.

  Aiden

  I watch my Blood Bonded as she spars. I take in every deflect, every hesitation. Ralee could be something marvelous, but she still lacks the confidence necessary to follow through. It hurts my heart to see her shy away from what she could be, what she will eventually be—the best of two species. She fights with the instincts of a pure Alpha wolf, yet until she can master the speed of her vampire she is still at a disadvantage.

  Malcolm looks towards me before he has Ralee gasping for breath on the training mat beneath him. I rub my jaw, feeling frustrated with myself. If only I was a better teacher maybe she could understand better, maybe she could embrace both sides of herself. I push away the pity party that I desperately want to have and walk towards my mate as she slowly stands from the mat.

  “I don’t understand what I am doing wrong!” Ralee huffs with frustration. Her eyes roam the room, almost like she is expecting an ambush from all sides. My pride hits me before I can shut down the emotion, Ralee’s eyes snap to mine but otherwise she doesn’t speak on it.

  “You’re not using your potential, My Queen,” I speak softly. I know any vampire would hear me within our close quarters, but none would dare intervene in such a private affair. Ralee’s body goes tense as her eyes narrow at me. She’s breathing heavy as the exertion from training all night begins to weight on her.

  We have little over two weeks left before we must leave the clan, following her wolf mate. The thought of Malin sends my already bad mood to shit and I just sigh at Ralee before I pull her into my arms and inhale her scent. She’s sweating, and that mixed with the smell of her arousal has me hissing with lust.

  “You’re going to have to explore what you can do beyond the wolf, My Queen,” I whisper once more. Ralee’s head lands on my shoulder as she nods her head. She knows I am right, but I can feel her fear. The truth is, we don’t know what Ralee is capable of. She is the first of her kind, and the goddess blessed her to be truly a creature of both moons.

  “How about we go for a feeding?” I ask her while gently stroking her hair. I know she feels the need to run, but first I need to get her to indulge my curiosity. I crave the knowledge in exploring her talents. The ability she has already shown is very rare, I’ve only known of two other vampires who were able to visualize something from another’s eyes. Ralee’s father, and the very first vampire ever created. Josiah would claim me to be crazy, but I have my own beliefs about his family’s line.

  Ralee sighs deeply, but once again I feel her nod. I grumble as she parts from my arms and we begin our walk towards the feeding room. It doesn’t take long for us to reach the room, Ralee quickly learned our tunnel system, surprising me how easy it was for her. Ralee’s eyes move over the large room, taking in the several vampires who had beat us here. I pull her along with me as I head to my normal room, I had asked ahead for Sonja to bring someone that could help ease Ralee into human blood. The older human woman I have drank from for years was pleased to be of service and promised to bring someone she trusted.

  “Master,” Sonja spoke softly as she bowed her head to me. I stepped inside the room, allowing Ralee to walk before me as I shut the door. I smile to the older woman and notice the petite human female behind her. Dark hair, but crystal blue eyes, an odd mixture.

  “Sonja, this is my Blood Bonded.” I nod to Ralee who is biting her bottom lip. I hiss slightly, unable to stop the raging desire from seeing her so deep in thought. Sonja smiles before she introduces the child. I am ashamed to admit I payed no mind to the human girl, but my attention was utterly absorbed by the woman that owned my heart.

  “Shall we begin, Master?” Sonja whispers. I snap out of my lustful state and nod slightly, I nudge Ralee towards the human as I make my own way towards the seat Sonja places herself in. Ralee is to my left, leaving me placed to the right of Sonja to keep an eye on my mate. I vowed to Sonja years ago she would come to no harm with me, and I would place my same protection on her friend.

  “Feel the vain, My Queen, but remember the human beneath it.” Ralee nods before her fangs slowly slide out of her mouth. I lower my head, but my eyes never leave the two on the other side of me. I watch as the ecstasy hits the small human girl, feeling confident in Ralee’s control, I bite Sonja and almost moan at the pure bliss as the fresh blood slides down my throat. Sonja already has her head thrown back in pleasure as I gulp down the delicious liquid. A whimper catches my attention, as the small female begins to panic. I snap my head up my eyes wild as I take in the sight before me. Ralee’s eyes are vibrant, glowing with power as she releases the human.

  My breath catches as I stand and marvel at the sheer dominance radiating off of her. She is not only an Alpha Wolf, but she is also a Clan Master.

  14.

  Ralee

  The taste of something this heavenly must be a sin. I understand it now, why vampires are the creatures of the damned. It's like nothing I could have ever dreamed of. I moan as the blood pours into my mouth, I lick and lap the wound my incisors made like a lollipop. The sounds that Cammie is making only make me more brazen. She is enjoying this as much as I am, that is why this is okay. I remember the need for control, closing my eyes before lifting my head from the girl's arm. I groan, and the sheer willpower needed to stop myself from draining her is the only thing holding me back. I will not be a needless killer; I am more than that.

  When my eyes finally open, and the spell has worn off my eyes connect with Aiden's. The only thing his face shows is awe. I look around hoping that more people had not snuck in while I was busy. No one stands with us besides the two humans, but Aiden's eyes stay locked on me. The power radiating on me purrs as it realizes what our mate is starring at, me.

  "You're beautiful," Aiden's voice is hoarse, and my heart stops beating as he stands moving closer to me. My wolf whines as she paces the edges of my mind. Aiden doesn't stop his stride until he is before me and his lips capture mine.

  "What is the meaning of this!" A voice thunders threw the room as the door slams open. I turn prepared for a fight when my body tenses. My father is standing before us and doesn't look very happy. He relaxes only slightly when he sees me and Aiden but the crowd of vampires behind him leaves me to believe whatever happened to me isn't good. Josiah hisses before his chest puffs up, he turns around and the room begins to chill under the sheer power my father commands.

  "LEAVE US!" Aiden winces slightly, but he stands stark still beside me. My wolf growls at the tone, not liking a command but not angry enough to be defiant. The humans even scatter behind their own door in the room. Josiah looks back at me, his eyes are vibrant and no longer hold their fury. Instead, he sighs rubbing his face with his hands as he begins to pace.

  "I don't understand how this is happening," Josiah mutters. I watch him on bated breath, my eyes trailing his measured steps across the square room. "You shouldn't be this powerful as a hybrid." Once again, I feel power begin to crawl around me, my skin electrifies. My pride both happy and wounded by my father's words. "The witches will not like this," Josiah finishes. He stops pacing, his deep crimson eyes that match my one take me in before a smile greets his lips and he moves forward wrapping me in a hug.

  I'm rigid as my mind tries to catch up with the different emotions I am dealing with. My arms wrap around my father slowly, but my heart once again begins to beat faster as a strange feeling elates me. The words my father spoke have my wolf growling; the witches were a threat to her most of all. Some even able to control her beast entirely. I feel Aiden's eyes on me as I step away from my father, my mind running wild with that what-ifs. The Witches were cruel, and some would argue the most powerful of the supernaturals, the Wolves and Vampires were better in strength and speed, but the Witches held uncontrollable power.

  "I fear that if a Witch was to ever get your blood, My Queen, they would have the ultimate power source." Aiden's words pulled me from my own thoughts, I looked at my Blood Bonded.

  "They cannot have me," I whisper to both them a
nd I, a silent vow to the Goddess of the moon. Aiden moved forward wrapping me in his arms as my father nodded slightly before walking out of the feeding room. I watch his form as he moves so fluidly, but the tightness in his shoulders proves all the fears my father holds. Aiden kissed my temple before he is releasing me.

  "Shall we go for a run now, My Queen?" I nod to my mate, my wolf needing more than anything to feel the Earth beneath her paws. I follow after Aiden as he leads me through the tunneled system, I have become used to the darkness of night, as our sleeping has changed to the brightest of day, versus the night. It'll be interesting when I return to the pack, getting once again used to the daylight. My biggest fear is Aiden, I am unsure how well he will adjust to a full switch, it goes against his nature even if he is able to sustain in the sun.

  "Stop worrying your pretty head, My Queen. I want you to just run, release that beautiful creature and allow her to be her glorious self," Aiden says confidently. His eyes never waver, and my wolf preens at his compliment. The transformation is seamless, and I feel as the wolf takes control.

  15.

  Ralee

  I haven't seen my father since last week. Apparently, he had business he had to attend to. I am worried he will not return before I have to leave the Coven to return to Malin. Aiden and I have had plenty of fun in his absence though, as Aiden is the Prince of the Coven the duties have fallen to him. I have enjoyed the power from being accepted, while also enjoying the time to learn of Vampire culture. I never believed them to be thriving people, but I have seen firsthand that they are not much different from the Wolves.

  Vampires were blessed with the Moon's gift to them because of the sin of one man, but it was a sin born of compassion. It was never a curse to them at all, and they are not the monsters we would believe them to be. As their Princess I have been granted access to my father's library, Aiden thought it best to read the stories rather than him simply telling me. He didn't want me to get a biased retelling, he wanted me to know all of the ugly with the beautiful. I could tell he was worried that whatever I would find might turn me away from him, but Aiden has become the breath in my lungs. If I were to ever lose him, I would lose such a vital piece of myself.

  I have enjoyed my time with these people, and while I am ready to return to Malin and the pack, I will not stay away from the Vampires. I owe it to myself to deal with Malin in whatever way I can, and although a piece of me is frightened to return home, I know that the Moon needs me to finish this unsettled bond. The answers to what lies ahead will determine everything.

  "My Queen?" Aiden questions pulling me from my dazed state. My body curls into his chest deeper, both of us lay naked, and I can feel my wolf whimper to be touched. Aiden chuckles before his lips slide down my throat, to my breasts. My back arches as he takes the hardened bud into his mouth, his fangs nipping them slightly. I moan out my approval as he continues to slowly drive me mad.

  "I hope you're well-rested for today," Aiden says when he removes his mouth from my breasts. I bite my lip, already tired of this conversation, and not wanting to think about what today was. I run my hand through his hair before pulling it slightly, forcing Aiden's head down to the sensitive spot I crave him most.

  "Naughty girl," Aiden whispers against my flesh. Before I can react to his comment, Aiden's fangs pierce my skin on my thigh. My head throws back in pleasure as he begins taking gulps from me. I squirm, unable to contain my noises as the pleasure rides me.

  "Aiden!" I give his hair another yank, Aiden releases me before his tongue plows into my core, I shiver as I can only imagine how he looks right now. He is covered in my juices with my blood still coating his tongue, my noises become louder as I reach the height of my pleasure. I feel my walls tighten and begin riding his face begging for the finish that is sure to be heart-stopping.

  "Give. Me. What. I. Want!" Aiden screams out when his face lifts from my heat, his fingers are ramming into me with such power that it's almost impossible to refuse him. When I looked down between my thighs and see the madness in his beautiful features, I can't hold back the explosion that hits me.

  My ragged breath is the only sound in the room. Aiden smirks up at me before he lifts himself off of me. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I am mesmerized by this beautiful male. When he gets to my face, his lips smash against mine, as he forces his thick cock inside my channel. I try to moan, but he captures my sounds. Aiden begins to pump inside of me as the sound of skin meeting skin greets the room, he pulls his lips from mine and turns his head. I am greeted by his neck, and my throat suddenly burns as bad as my sex. I close my eyes enjoying the sensations I am feeling before my fangs are latched onto Aiden's throat. If it was possible, the moment I pierced his skin his thrust became more powerful, and his noises had me trapped entirely in him.

  Aiden consumed me, and I felt the moment our bond locked into place. This was final, and my Blood Bonded would never again answer to anyone but me. We both tumbled over the edge and I felt for the first time my Vampire Prince's heartbeat.

  "Aiden," I gasp. Aiden's dark eyes meet mine, and I see confusion before awe hit his face. Aiden was born undead, he had never had a heartbeat before, and I could see nothing but happiness as the beating synced with mine.

  "What is happening?"

  "I am completely yours, My Queen. As long as your heart beats, so will mine."

  "I love you," I spoke those words for the first time, never having said them to anyone else besides my mother. Aiden smiles so beautifully before he kisses my temple.

  "I love you too, My Queen. Always and forever. We must get you ready, though. Today we return to your pack." Aiden moves off of me. I pout, but I know he is telling the truth. Malin is not a patient man, and I do not want to start this time off with his ire.

  16.

  Ralee

  We leave the Coven, and a piece of my heart shatters that I didn't get to say goodbye to my father. The guards promised they would leave word with him to visit me as soon as he could. I trusted them with my message, as they truly were loyal to my father. They looked up to him, and I could understand it, even if a piece of me was bitter that they had something I never got.

  I was hesitant as I followed my Blood Bonded through the forest, when we got closer to pack territory my body began to shake with anxiety. What would I face? What would the packs do to me? I am sure Malin will be annoyed that I had somehow outsmarted him. I still keep finding myself with more questions than I ever received for answers for. We have been traveling for hours, and thankfully, we aren't tired. Even so, I find my pace slowing with each step closer to my old home. My wolf whimpered and whined as she told me to tuck tail and run far away from the place that brought us nothing but shame.

  "Ralee?" I notice when Aiden speaks that I have stopped moving altogether. I look towards the forest line with guilt. Aiden must sense my hesitation because he moves towards me, wrapping his arms around me.

  "They won't hurt you, My Queen." Aiden's words are exactly what I needed. I allow myself five seconds of peace in his arms. My wolf snorts, but I believe we can agree that these people need to see us in all our glory when we return. I step away from my mate, strip my clothes from my body, and allow my wolf to push forward.

  That moment is when I find myself looking out the eyes of both my wolf and Aiden's. I am stunned by what Aiden is watching, the most beautiful wolf I've ever seen stands before him. Red the color of blood, shorter than other wolves but sleeker than any other wolf I've ever seen. The fur looks like silk the way it flows, but what causes a lump to stick in my throat is when my wolf turns to look at her mate. The red eye matching her coat, while her golden eye a stark contrast to the rest of her. I watch my wolf throw her head back and howl to the moon in the sky. My vision clouds before I am back inside of my own eyes. Wordlessly, I relax and allow my wolf the control she begs for.

  Howls vibrate off the air, welcome home from the other wolves. It is foreign to my ears, my head searches as the shock leaves me. The wolf is excit
ed to finally hear others of her kind call to her, welcome her. It's more than she could have ever hoped for. She takes off to find the other howls, running with vigor as she comes closer towards pack territory.

  I hear the pack before I see them, all the wolves in their formation as they crowd me. I halt in my sprint as I accept the nips and rubs from each of my former pack mates. It's a joyous feeling as they crowd me. I feel my heart bursting with acceptance. My wolf approves each of the wolves' smells before one scent causes her head to whip up. Her eyes searching for the smell that could halt her entirely. My eyes connect with golden ones, we wait for him to do something. My wolf holds her head up high as the other back away from her. Aiden comes to stand next to me. I feel his quiet presence as strongly as I smell Malin before me.

  Malin's wolf slowly moves towards me, before he circles my wolf never taking his eyes off of me. My wolves' head is still holding strong as she refuses to give in to her mate. It is clear what she expects from him, and she will not be forced into a different outcome. Malin's wolf snorts before he brings himself to face me, coming up close enough to rub his fur against mine. The wetness from his nose meets my muzzle as his tongue licks my face. My wolf finally goes off the defensive, and Malin chooses that moment to playfully pounce of her. He nips her ear gently and whips her in the face with his tail. Aiden is smiling, as the pack throws their heads up in a joyful howl.

  This was the moment my wolf had been waiting for, the moment she was finally accepted into a pack.