Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection

by C. M. Stunich

  I was rudely woken up to growling and angry male voices. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “What’s going on?”

  Gary smiled at me from the doorway. “I asked them to wake you up so you could get ready for our date tonight. Thornton gave me permission to wake you and to tell you that you could leave the room now.”

  I stretched my arms and smacked Mason in the back of the head. “Okay. I’ll be ready in about ten minutes.” I walked by Nick who was standing between the bed and the door, past Gary, and into my room. What was I going to wear? I shuffled through my clothes and finally pulled out a pair of my favorite jeans and a silky blouse. I brushed my hair and tied it up into a ponytail. After checking my reflection, I slipped on my cleanest pair of tennis shoes and walked down the stairs. “Ready,” I called.

  Gary walked out of the kitchen and smiled. “You look nice.”

  I smiled back. “Thank you.”

  He opened the front door for me, and we headed outside to his car. He opened and closed the door for me and then drove us to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. At first, I felt awkward, but the longer I spent time with Gary, the more relaxed I was. He really was a nice guy and easy on the eyes. I remembered what Mason told me and was sure to keep things just friendly, even during the movies I kept my hands in my lap and leaned forward when he tried to put his arm around me. We drove home, and I chatted with him about the upcoming cheerleading competition. We stopped in front of the house and he turned to me with a frown. “I had fun tonight, but…” he stopped and looked down at his hands. “I just wish you would give me more of a chance. I know you’re into Nick, but I’m not a jerk like he thinks I am. I would never be like that with you.”

  “Gary, I-”

  He raised his hand. “I’m fine with being friends for now. I just want you to give me a shot. Just give me a chance. We still have time left before you make your choice for your mate.” He got out and walked to my door, opening it. “I did have fun though and wish we could do it more often, even if it is just as friends.”

  I smiled and hugged him. “I’d like that.”

  He hugged me back, and then we walked into the house to find it empty. “What the hell?” he asked in shock. He walked to the back door and pulled it open, but no one was out there and no lights were on in the forest.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked softly, feeling like I needed to whisper.

  Gary picked a note up from the ground and frowned. “It says they had to take care of a trespasser so you and I should just stay in the house until they get back.”

  “A trespasser?” My voice cracked as my core shook. “What does that mean?”

  Gary shrugged and let the note fall to the ground. “It happens from time to time. Hey, you want a root beer float?”

  I followed him into the kitchen and sat on one of the barstools. “Why are you acting so nonchalantly about this?”

  “Because it’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it. They’ll be back in a little while.” He took out the ice cream and root beer and set them on the counter. I watched as he made the floats, sticking bendy straws in the drinks and then set one in front of me.

  I had never seen this side of Gary before and I really liked it. I took a sip and sighed. “This is delicious. Thank you, Gary.”

  He smiled. “That’s what friends are for.” He sat down beside me, and we slurped on our treats in silence. Once we’d finished our dessert, Gary took the cups to the sink and rinsed them out. I stretched my arms and yawned. “Man, I am tired already. What time is it?”

  “Ten,” Gary answered. “If you’re tired, you can sleep on the couch while I watch television. I don’t think Dad or Nick would appreciate me being in your room while you slept.”

  I grabbed one of the quilts from the hall closet and lay down on the couch with it. “Shouldn’t they be back by now?” I asked around another yawn.

  “Hello, Sarah. Why have you been hiding from me?” asked a male voice in my head.

  I screamed and jumped up from the couch. “Stay out of my head, you creepy vampire!”

  “Sarah? What is it?” Gary asked, walking to me with the remote in his hand.

  “Come to me, Sarah. Come to me.”

  My legs started to move, and I threw myself to the floor. “No!”

  Gary dropped to the ground next to me. “Sarah!”

  “Hold me down, Gary. Please, whatever I do or say, please just hold me down and don’t let me go.”

  He straddled my body, holding my arms down with his hands. “It’s the vampire again, isn’t it?”

  “You insolent human brat! No one ignores me! Come to me now!”

  My body bucked up off of the ground, but Gary held my arms and legs down and grunted. “You’re safe here, Sarah. That vampire can’t get you, which is why he keeps calling you. He knows Thornton would rip his head off if he came here. He knows we’d do whatever we needed to, to keep you safe.”

  We sat in silence for a minute and then the front door opened. I peered around Gary’s arm and Gary turned his head sideways. Dad, Nick, Mason, and the Alphas all stopped and stared at us, mouths agape.

  “What is going on?” Dad asked calmly.

  Nick walked forward slowly, rage smoldering in his eyes. “Get off of her.”

  “Calm down, everyone. Gary saved me. The vampire was calling me again,” I said as Gary stood up off of me and held his hand out to help me stand.

  Alfred stepped into the house, and Dad said, “Sarah, up to your room. Nick, go too.”

  I obeyed and hurried up the stairs with Nick on my heels. He shut the door behind him and I sat down on my bed. “Are you okay?” I asked him.

  He kept his eyes on the ground and asked, “Do you like him?”

  “Who?” I asked, confused.

  “Gary,” he said, his voice taking on a slight growl.

  “I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “But, I swear that the only reason we were in that position is because he was holding me down to keep me from going to the vampire.”

  “I’m sure that was the only reason,” he spat.

  “Have I ever lied to you?” I asked angrily. He looked up at me and I said, “No! I have never lied to you. So, don’t get your panties in a twist over something you think happened. I’m telling you what happened. If you had been here you would have been holding me down.”

  He cringed. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should be!” I said angrily. “Now turn around so I can change.”

  He obeyed, leaning his forehead against the door. “Sarah, I didn’t mean—”

  “Stop. I don’t want to talk anymore,” I said through my shirt as I pulled it over my head. I changed into pajamas and climbed into my bed. “Light off, please.”

  He turned the light off, and then I heard him taking his shoes off. He climbed into bed beside me, but on top of the blankets. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered, “I really am sorry.”

  “Shh,” I whispered. “I’m trying to sleep.”

  He growled. “You are so frustrating sometimes. Why can’t you just accept my apology?”

  “Sleeping,” I whispered.

  “Are you really going out with Joseph tomorrow?” he asked. “I mean, you don’t even know him.”

  “Yes, and I don’t care. Now, be quiet.”

  He hugged me tighter. “I was thinking about you the entire time you were gone and worrying.”

  I exhaled. “Nick, please let me go to sleep. I’m tired.”

  “Did you miss me, too?” he asked as he pet my head.

  I loved when he pet me. It calmed me in a way that nothing else could. “Yes,” I whispered.

  He chuckled, his chest shaking against my back. “Good.”

  “Good night,” I said.

  He whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll be right here to protect you from your dreams or your vampire. I’ll always be here.”

  I wished I could believe that, but the past few days were proving that he wouldn’t always be with me. If I fou
nd a life of my own with a different guy away from the pack, he wouldn’t be around at all. The thought made my heart constrict and that made me wonder what it really meant.

  4

  At exactly ten o’clock, Joseph knocked on the front door. Nick opened it and waved him in. “Come in and meet the extended family.”

  I raced down the stairs and stepped in front of Joseph. “That’s not necessary. Come on, let’s go.”

  “Sarah,” Dad said softly behind me. “Are you going to introduce me to your caller?”

  My head sagged in defeat as I turned to let Joseph see Dad. “Joseph this is my dad. Dad this is Joseph.”

  “Name’s Thornton,” Dad said with a smile and a handshake. “Nice to meet you.” Joseph and Dad stared at each other a minute and then Dad nodded his head and released his hand. “Have her back by four.”

  Dad had informed me that we needed to wait to remove the mark. He wouldn’t tell me why, but that it was important.

  “Yes, sir,” Joseph said with a smile. Gary, Mason, and Nick were standing by with their arms folded over their chests giving him the evil eye. The Alphas were standing behind Dad and I realized that many of the other pack boys were inside as well.

  “Bye, everyone,” I called as I opened the door and ushered Joseph out. Once we got into his small Honda I said, “I’m really sorry about all of them. They aren’t used to me dating yet.”

  He laughed. “I could tell.”

  “Do you have any siblings?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “No. I’m an only child.”

  “Must be nice,” I muttered.

  He shrugged. “So, how did you end up with Thornton and his adopted kids?”

  “He was friends with my parents. They were murdered when I was in elementary school, and Thornton adopted me, raising me with the others he’s adopted.”

  “So, he just finds random kids and adopts them?” Joseph asked.

  I shook my head. “No, most of the guys were brought to him because they all share a similar trait. I was just lucky enough to know him.”

  “Do you like it there?”

  “Yeah. The guys are great. We’re all great friends. I mean, it’s like I’ve been growing up in a fraternity or an apartment complex really. Only one of the guys really treats me like his sister, the rest just treat me like I’ve always been, their friend.”

  Joseph thought about this a moment and asked, “Are you dating any of them?”

  This was not what I wanted to talk about. “Um, I went on a date with one, but it didn’t work out. I do have a date with one of the other guys, but I don’t know how that will go.”

  “Since you’ve known him forever.”

  “Yeah,” I whispered.

  He parked in the visitor area of the lot and then grabbed a basket from the back seat. “You ready?”

  I stretched my legs and smiled. “Yes! I love this state park. Though I have never had a picnic here before.”

  We headed down one of the trails, and I saw a flash of grey fur to my right. Dad was here. We walked down the trail in silence, enjoying the smells and sights of nature. I ran my hands along one of the trees and noticed Joseph doing the same.

  “I wish I could speak to the trees,” I whispered. “I would love to hear the stories they have.”

  Joseph smiled. “I’d think a lot of it would be boring.”

  I laughed. “Well I wouldn’t ask them for their life story, just stories that are interesting.” The path started climbing upwards, forcing me to dig in as we walked. I loved the strain and turned to Joseph. “Race you to the top?”

  He smiled, and we both started running up the slope. He reached the top first, and I laughed happily as I looked out at the waterfall just over the edge of the mountain. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked softly from beside me.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Want to go for a swim?” he asked.

  “What?” I frowned. It was warming up, but I doubted we were supposed to go swimming.

  “Come on,” he said with a smile as he took my hand and led me down a smaller path that looked like a trail used by animals more than humans. “I know the perfect spot.”

  I followed along behind him, feeling slightly uneasy as he led me farther and farther away from the trail and up the mountain.

  He showed me a small pool and smiled. “We can go swimming, if you want.”

  “Not this time,” I said. “I didn’t bring my bathing suit. But I’d love to take a raincheck.”

  “Okay,” he said, his smile not falling at all.

  We walked back to the trail and I felt my unease disappear. He led the way to a flat area and we sat down to eat.

  After a few hours of small talk, we took a walk, and then he took me home. Overall, it was a nice date and I enjoyed it, but I’d felt nervous most of the time. I sat on the back lawn, staring at the forest and the pack running around. As sad as it made me to realize, I didn’t think I could be with a human. They weren’t strong and I knew they couldn’t protect me.

  So, I marked humans off my mate qualifications list.

  “Come play!” Charlie called.

  I smiled. “Coming!”

  I leaned against a tree, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

  “You alright, Kitten?” Nick asked as he paused at a tree several away from me, his eyes scanning for Charlie, who was currently “it”.

  It took a moment for my eyes to lift to his, but the words that came from my mouth weren’t my own. “She will be soon.”

  Nick’s eyes widened and he reached towards me, but someone’s arms were already around me and pulling me upwards.

  “Sarah!” Dad yelled.

  I tried to fight. I tried to do something, but I felt numb. The vampire laughed. “Bye, Thornton. I’ll be sure to take good care of her from now on. Thank you for keeping her healthy for me.”

  “Sarah!” Nick yelled frantically as the vampire carried me farther and farther away. “Sarah!”

  “It’s so cute how the dogs are fond of you. I never dreamed that the pack would take you in. It’s sad though, since your Guardian will be punished for failing to keep you safe.”

  The vampire carried me up over the trees, away from the pack.

  We continued flying over the town and then he started to descend towards a house on the outskirts where several abandoned homes sat.

  Please, Nick. Find me.

  The vampire landed on the doorsteps of a small house and carried me inside. I felt like I was going to go insane if I couldn’t move soon. The house was empty except for two large chairs in the living room and the burgundy drapes. He set me in one of the chairs and then sat in the other one, facing me.

  “Sarah, you don’t remember me, do you?” he asked as he stared into my eyes.

  My body burned a moment and then I could move. I shivered and asked, “Should I remember you?” I wanted to scream and run away, but I didn’t want to piss him off to the point that he killed me.

  He smiled. “You were young and your mind probably blocked out the events from that night since it was so tragic.”

  I stared at him, my heart pounding as I understood. He was the monster. He was the vampire who’d killed my family. My fear skyrocketed and I cowered into the seat. “It was you.”

  He nodded and moved towards me. “Your fear is delicious. I would have taken you that night, except those wolves interfered. Now that you’re older and stronger, I can keep you alive much longer.”

  He lunged across the room, pinning me to the chair and his fangs pierced my neck. I screamed in pain and tried to get away from him, but he used his powers to freeze me again. With every suck, I felt a piece of me disappear into him. It was like he was drinking my soul instead of my blood. The pain disappeared and he released his power, but now I just couldn’t move. I knew it was hopeless, so I didn’t fight. What could I have done against a vampire? Hell, what could I have done against a man his size? I’d taken Nick’s skills for granted when I should ha
ve been working out and learning to fight beside him.

  The vampire pulled back and smiled at me. “See, that wasn’t so bad.”

  There was no point in even trying to formulate an escape plan. The pack would probably give up on me. I was giving up on myself, so why shouldn’t they? I knew I would never truly belong with the pack anyways. They were supernaturals, and I was just a pathetic human. Too weak to hold her own. Too weak to keep up. Too weak to be allowed to live. He’d been wanting to kill me since I was six. Now that we were alone, he could finish the job.

  A wolf howled nearby, pulling me from my stupor. The pack! They’d found me! I started to get up, but the vampire pushed me down. “Just sit. It’s only one wolf, not any trouble for me.”

  I cowered on the couch. He was right. I was doomed to spend the rest of my life as the vampire’s prisoner.

  Something slammed into the front door and the vampire hissed, making me whimper in fear. He turned to me and smiled. “Perhaps I should drink a little more to quench this thirst.”

  He turned my head to the side and bit into my neck again. I screamed as his fangs pierced my skin and then my body went numb again. He drained more of my blood and soul. Maybe it would be better if he just drained me completely. Then, the pack wouldn’t have to worry about protecting me. Nick would find a girl he loved and be free of guarding me.

  The front door flew open, snapping off its hinges and sliding down the hallway to stop in front of us. I watched it with apathy, not even jumping at the loud noises it made.

  “Step away from her,” Nick said angrily from the doorway. Dad stood behind Nick with the other Alphas and the pack behind him.

  It should have made me happy that they’d come, but I didn’t feel anything, except sleepy. The vampire pulled back and smiled. “It’s so nice of you to join me for dinner. Sadly, I don’t think she has enough to feed all of you.” He picked me up, making me stand in front of him. I could feel blood dripping from the wounds on my neck and running down my shoulders and chest. Wasn’t it a bad sign that I was still bleeding?

  “You know we can’t let you live, don’t you?” Dad said as he stepped inside the house.