A slight breeze against his skin was the only warning he received before he was tossed against a thick tree. He crumpled to the ground at its trunk, wheezing as he tried to catch his breath. He forced his head up so that he could catch a glimpse of his assailant. His breath hitched as he stared into black eyes, the cold smile on his attackers face was, if possible, more frightening than a snarl would have been, promising intense pain. The man towered over him and for the first time in a long time, Sean felt fear course through his veins.
“You shouldn’t have come here. Whatever it was you thought to achieve, you’ve failed because I’m going to kill you.” Sean gulped, terror now running rampant through his system. “You aren’t armed so I presume you aren’t a hunter.”
Unsure of whether or not this was a good thing or not, Sean began to babble, desperate to save himself. “Look, I just got lost, I’m not from around here. I’m just a tourist. I’m sorry if this is private property. I didn’t mean to intrude. I think my car is back that way.” He pointed in the opposite direction of the estate. “I’ll just go and be on my way and we can act like this never happened.” He stood up, desperate to leave, his eyes never leaving the man’s dark ones.
The stranger’s nose wrinkled, sniffing the air. “You’re lying.” He moved, the action a blur of speed before Sean felt a hand around his throat, choking the life out of him. “I don’t like it when people lie to me. It’s as though they think they can get away with insulting my intelligence. You aren’t a hunter that’s for sure, if you were you would have put up more of a fight, so what are you?”
“What’s a hunter? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Dead men have no need to understand what’s going on around them and that’s what you are.” The hand at his throat tightened and Sean felt something sharp digging into his skin, drawing blood. “A dead man.”
His mind frantic, he began to draw on one of the few powers he hadn’t exhausted, reaching within the man’s mind to find what he most desired willing to use that knowledge to save himself. “I know what you want,” he choked, “and I can help you get it.”
“You have no idea what I desire, so if I were you I wouldn’t presume that I did.”
“The girl,” he wheezed, air becoming scarce, “you want the girl, Alexandria, and I can help you to get her.”
The stranger’s eyes narrowed as though debating whether or not to follow through on his threat and kill the man beneath his hand or listen to what he had to say. Apparently the latter desire won out as his grip loosened. “How did you know that? I’ve spoken of it to no one.”
“I’m different,” Sean responded simply, infinitely grateful to the witch he had stolen that power from for saving his life, despite the fact that he had taken her life to get her ability.
“You said you could help me get her, how do you plan to do that? She’s powerful, she could probably take you out without much effort, and even if she didn’t then Tobias would certainly deal with you.”
“Tobias?”
“Her mate. He rarely leaves her side.” The puzzled look on Sean’s face told the stranger that he didn’t understand the terms he was using and though it grated on his nerves, the stranger found himself explaining, his plans for Alex overcoming his intense dislike of the man before him. “To you, she would be the equivalent of a wife.”
“And here I thought she was being treated badly,” Sean muttered. “If you can get me in there, I would just need a few minutes alone with her and I could get her out.”
“Weren’t you listening to me? Even if she were alone she’s powerful, otherwise I wouldn’t want her, she probably wouldn’t have much trouble killing you. She’s taken on one of our kind and won, a feat I had thought impossible for a human. You don’t seem like much. I can smell how terrified you are, which says that you don’t have the means to defeat me, so how do you plan to win against her?”
Sean felt himself begin to shake beneath the stranger’s hard stare but he stood his ground, the desire to live giving him additional strength. “You’re right. In a fair contest between us she would probably win, but I have no intention of fighting fair. I never have.” And that’s what’s gotten me to this stage and it’s going to be what saves my life. “I can make something that will make her unable to use her powers.”
The stranger’s eyebrow rose in a silent question, demanding elaboration. “If her power is anything like her mother’s then she hears voices in her head and she can command them to do what she wants. As long as they can hear her then they’ll react, doing what they think is best for her. It’s a two-way thing. She can command them as long as she can hear them and they can help her so long as they can hear her. I can give her something that will muddle the voices, she won’t be able to understand what they’re saying and they won’t be able to hear her properly so she will effectively be powerless.”
“Is it permanent?”
“No, what use would she be to you,” Or me for that matter, “if she could never use her powers?”
“You have a point. Tell me how to make it and I’ll let you go.”
No. You’ll kill me as soon as my back is turned, I know people like you, heck I am a person like you. “Only I can make it, I need to use my ability to make it, so even if I told you what ingredients it needed and how it should be mixed, it wouldn’t work properly. Either she would be able to hear them or they her. Regardless of which one happened, she’d escape.”
“Fine,” he snapped, clearly unhappy with the turn of events. “Make this thing for me and I’ll help you gain entrance to the estate. But I warn you, don’t try to do anything stupid or I’ll have your head and I’ll smile while I take it from your shoulders am I clear?”
“Perfectly.”
A moment of silence passed, the two mulling over the terms of their agreement before Sean spoke up. “When are we going to do this then?”
“Soon. We’ll have to wait a few days, the moon will be full in the next few days and Tobias won’t leave her side until after he’s claimed her and she’ll be watched even more carefully until then. The people are anxious for a new King and she’ll be the one to grant it to them should Tobias claim her.” Or so they think.
“King?” Sean spluttered incredulous.
“Yes, didn’t you know?” The stranger smiled and Sean felt himself shudder beneath his gaze. “The girl is a Princess and soon she will be Queen.”
“Princess of what exactly?”
The stranger’s smile widened, revealing sharp canines, before his dark eyes were flooded with amber and Sean visibly trembled at the transformation. Breathing deep, he inhaled the scent of Sean’s fear revelling in it, immeasurably pleased with the knowledge that he had caused it. “The werewolves, my dear conspirator. She’s Princess of the werewolves and her mate is the Prince. But don’t let that worry you. I’m the one you really need to be afraid of because if you fail or betray me, there will be nowhere you can run to escape me. I’ll hunt you down and kill you. Don’t forget that. I’ll come to you when it’s time to go through with the plan.”
The stranger turned to walk away and Sean crumpled to the ground before a thought occurred to him. “Wait,” he called. The stranger turned, regarding him silently. “How will you know where to find me?”
“Didn’t I just tell you? I have your scent now. There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t be able to find you. Stay close though, you don’t want me to have to expend too much effort looking for you. I’ll be most displeased and that is a sight you don’t want to see I assure you.” He turned, leaving Sean crumpled on the ground.
Just what have I gotten myself into? he groaned, regretting more than ever not simply having abandoned the idea of getting Alex’s power the first night Fred had failed to return.
Chapter Thirty Five
“Xandria, wake up.” Tobias grinned, wafting a plate of freshly cooked pancakes under her nose in an attempt to rouse her. The scent of the food invaded the realms of sleep and she found
herself blinking rapidly against the bright light, straining to bring everything into focus.
“Tobias?” she mumbled, struggling to sit up while rubbing the last remnants of sleep from her eyes.
He smiled at the drowsy call of his name, a sense of contentment blossoming within him at the sight of his mate lying in his bed. I’ve waited so long for this day.
And it was well worth the wait, his wolf added. My choices are impeccable aren’t they?
For this once, I’ll agree with you. Just this once though. “Good morning dearest.”
“What time is it?”
“Breakfast time.” He grinned waving the plate under her nose.
“Are those for me?”
“Of course. Who else would they be for?” He handed her the plate, waiting until it was firmly in her grip before giving her the necessary cutlery.
Beaming at him, she quickly dug in, attacking the pancakes with a vengeance. I hadn’t realised just how hungry I was. “These are good,” she mumbled around the current piece of food that was in her mouth.
Taking in her bright smile, he sighed in relief, glad that she was back to normal state of being. When he had told her of her father’s demise, she’d cried, soaking his shirt with her tears. He couldn’t understand why she’d be upset that he was gone from this world, it was a better place without him in it. But still she’d cried and he hoped those were the last tears she would shed over the man. He’d consumed so much of her life and energy when he was alive and Tobias didn’t want the same thing to happen when he was dead. She hadn’t asked how he had died and he hadn’t volunteered the information. He didn’t think that she would find pleasure in knowing the details. The man had suffered before he was granted the final reprieve of death; Tobias had made sure of that. He liked to think that if Fred had been able to talk at the time, instead of simply coughing up blood, he would even have asked to be let go. They would never know now, but he was immeasurably pleased that he no longer needed to worry about it. And judging from the smile on his mate’s face, she had realised that she had to put her recently deceased father where he belonged – in the past.
“I’ll tell the head chef that you enjoy his work.” Tobias smiled back.
“Yeah, you should do that, they’re really good.”
He sat back content to watch her as she ate, comfortable in their surroundings. The food soon finished she began to fidget under his intense gaze, wiping at her mouth in case there were any crumbs of food there. “What?” she demanded, confused as to why he was continuing to stare at her.
He leaned forward, a smile still plastered on his face, before placing a light kiss against her lips. “Happy birthday dearest.”
“It’s my birthday?” she questioned, slightly surprised that so much time had passed since she had first been brought to the estate.
“Yes dearest, you’re twenty one now.” When I put it like that it does kind of make it sound like I’m robbing the cradle, she’s so young compared to me. His eyes roamed her small frame. But a mate is a mate regardless of what they are, mine just happened to be born human otherwise I would have found her centuries ago. I suppose I could have waited for her to grow a little more before claiming her.
No! The wolf snarled in response to the direction of his thoughts. No more waiting, we’ve been too long without her. I won’t wait any longer!
I agree with you again. I couldn’t have waited another day for her and what was the alternative? Leave her with that monster of a father? He might have killed her before she aged any further.
He’s not a threat to her anymore. The wolf practically purred before its voice quieted in his mind allowing him to become aware of what Alex was saying to him.
“How do you know?”
“Excuse me?”
“How do you know it’s my birthday? I’ve never said anything about it.”
“What sort of a mate would I be if I didn’t even know when your birthday was? I made it my business to know these things about you.”
“Well when’s your birthday then? I should know these kind of things about you as well,” she retorted.
“My birthday is in November,” he commented off hand quickly dismissing the issue. “But let’s not get distracted, it’s your birthday and I have a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
“Yes, that’s what usually what happens when it’s someone’s birthday, they’re given presents.”
“Oh.”
“Is something wrong?” he asked concerned at the sad expression that had flitted over her features.
“Nothing’s wrong, it’s just I can’t remember the last time that I got a present for my birthday. We could rarely afford them when mum was alive and Fred never cared enough to remember my birthday let alone sacrifice money that could be spent on alcohol to buy me a gift.”
“Well he’s not here anymore.”
No, his wolf rumbled contentedly happy at the reminder of Fred’s fate, he’s not.
“I’m the one looking out for you now and if I thought you’d let me, I’d shower you with presents everyday but if memory serves me right, it was a mission just getting you to accept a simple plant. Never mind though, it’s something we can work on together. Anyway, I don’t think you’ll be able to deny me getting you presents today, after all it’s your birthday and that’s what’s expected.”
“I suppose I’ll let you get away with it this once,” she chuckled, surprisingly excited about the idea of receiving a gift.
So you think. I’ll eventually break down your defences and you’ll soon accept me giving you things whenever I feel like it.
Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a small velvet blue box and handed it to her. “Happy birthday dearest.”
Looking down at the small box that rested within her palm, she felt butterflies multiplying within her. “Tobias?” she squeaked unsure of how she should be reacting.
“You have to open it Xandria, go on,” he urged, wrapping her fingers around the small object.
“Right.” His fingers left hers and she slowly pulled back the lid of the box opening it and revealing what was beneath. A small locket lay against the blue material and her trembling features reached forward lifting the silver coloured trinket from where it lay. Her thumb ran over the intricate floral etching, smiling at Tobias’ thoughtfulness. “Thank you Tobias. It’s beautiful.”
“You haven’t finished opening it,” he mock scolded.
“Oh.” Turning the piece of jewellery so that it rested in her palm she thumbed open the lock; gasping at the miniature picture of her and Natasha that stared back at her from within the locket’s casing. Her finger ran reverently over the picture before her eyes moved to look at the other half of the locket. Lifting it closer to her face she stared at the small print, reading it over and over again in her mind as she smiled to herself.
To my dearest Xandria, so you never forget. Love Tobias. X
“Tobias, thank you!” she beamed, throwing herself into his embrace. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything dearest. I do these things to make you happy and that’s all I need. Do you want me to put it on for you?” She nodded; handing him the locket and lifting the heavy fall of hair from the back of her neck.
His head bent and he nuzzled the exposed skin of neck before placing the locket around it. “Get dressed dearest, I have something else I want to give you.”
“Tobias, this is more than enough, I don’t need anything else,” she said, pulling away from him and clasping the locket within her hand.
“No, I’ll decide what’s enough and today is a special occasion. I’ve never celebrated a birthday with you, I get to give you whatever I want and all I want to hear from you is thank you.”
“Fine, but just this once.”
“No. There’s next year to think about and the year after that and so on. They’re all special occasions so get used to presents, lots of them, now go and get ready dearest, I’ll be waiting
for you.” He grinned, gently pushing her off the bed.
“Fine, I get it, I’m going,” she replied, rushing from the bed to the shower. Showering and dressing in what she thought had to be record time; she quickly re-emerged in the bedroom.
“That was quick dearest, excited?” He smirked, leaning against the doorframe.
“Maybe,” she mumbled, walking towards him.
Holding out his hand, he beckoned her forward. “Well then let’s not keep you waiting any longer.”
Grasping his hand she allowed herself to be led out of the bedroom and along the corridors that led to their destination. They finally stopped at the door she knew led to her garden and she looked at him quizzically, slightly confused as to his actions. A wide smile was the only answer she received before the door was opened and she found herself squinting against the bright sunlight. Her eyes immediately took stock of the large number of men that were wandering through her garden and she felt her ire rise.
This is meant to be my place, what are all these people doing here? her mind growled, angry at the perceived intruders in her personal space.
Apparently her mouth had mirrored her mind as Tobias pulled her closer to his body to answer the question that she had unconsciously spoken. “I know it’s meant to be a private place dearest and it still is; they’re just here to deliver some things and then they’re leaving I swear. Now look.” His arm around her waist, he guided her towards a crate that one of the men had just deposited on the ground forcing her to crouch so that she could look into the crate and examine its contents.
She gasped, her hand shooting out automatically to stroke the petals of the fragile flower. “Bluebells.” She whispered almost reverently. Her eyes darted to the next crate, her body dropping to the ground to inhale the fragrant smell of the next flower. “Buttercups.” Her green eyes widened as she finally took stock of the sheer number of crates that literally covered every inch of the large garden before she took off running, identifying the flowers as she passed her smile widening with every step she took. “Evening-primrose; clovers; goldenrod; honeysuckle; lily-of-the-valley.” She laughed, listing the plants that she was familiar with as soon as her eyes landed on them. A sense of elation filled her and she found herself smiling wider than she had ever thought possible. Mum’s flowers. How did he know? “Are these all for me?” she questioned. Please say yes. Please say yes, her mind chanted, hopeful.
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