Aiden's Betrayal

by CT Nicholson

  “I’ll go in with you.” Julian joined them toward the front door.

  “It’s odd that I only smell two different scents of vampires and two humans. Your mate being one of them,” Gregory stated.

  Stranger things had happened. Most rogues didn't usually end up in groups and Aiden had killed two at Elle’s. Why didn't he smell any trace of them?

  Gregory sniffed the air again and his large shoulders dropped with disappointment. “I only smell one right now, he doesn’t smell rotten like a rogue and it's not Nicolas.”

  “No, he’s not here. I recognize the other human as Anya, Elle’s friend. I’ve smelled her on Elle and at her home.” Aiden tried the knob to find it locked. Twisting harder, the lock snapped.

  He moved into the darkness of the first floor, a glow from upstairs catching his attention. He started up the steps with Gregory and Julian following close behind, weapons out and ready.

  Opening the first door, he found the room empty. The next revealed the bathroom; also empty. Only two more doors were left and both had lights creeping underneath.

  Aiden sniffed the air and decided to start with the door of the room the unknown vampire hid in. Gregory and Julian stood on one side as he did the other. Lifting his hand, he held three fingers up and silently counted down.

  Slamming his foot into the door, pieces of wood flew in all directions. Aiden's only concern was the large redheaded vampire holding Anya around her throat. Then he noticed her silver eyes. The son of a bitch had turned her.

  “Don’t make another move or she’s dead.” The stranger pulled his arm tighter but Aiden could tell he wasn’t hurting her. His threat seemed weak.

  The male looked familiar. “I don’t think you’ll do that. Why go through the trouble of turning her if you're just going to kill her so easily?”

  Gregory looked at him funny as his gaze switched between them both. Julian did the same.

  “What?” What the hell did they find so damn intriguing?

  “He looks just like you. Well, except for the hair.” Gregory never turned his sword away from the target.

  Aiden held one dagger in his left hand and his gun in the other. Shock froze him for a split second. Sniffing, he smelled sex but more than anything he could smell the familiar scent from the warehouse. Gregory told the truth about the redhead. He could’ve been Aiden’s twin. All but the red hair.

  Red hair reminding Aiden of… He shook his head as he denied his thoughts. Luciana died. After she killed so many, Nicolas killed her for Aiden.

  Aiden brought his attention back to the redhead.

  “Who are you?” Needing to clear up the things running through his head, Aiden demanded an answer.

  “My name is Lucian Aiden Davron.” His lips lifted into a cocky grin.

  Gregory’s mouth dropped. “You had a son?”

  “Aiden, you didn’t mention a son. I know we weren't close for a while but I’d have thou—”

  “No! Luciana died. We never had kids.” He ended Julian’s sentence, not caring about formality at the moment.

  “You’re wrong. She nearly died but she survived and so did I. No one knew she was pregnant. Not even her.” Pain flickered in his eyes before his lips lifted into a snarl and his gaze narrowed on Aiden accusingly. “You failed in killing us and now you’ll pay for the fuck up.”

  Aiden couldn’t speak and he sure as hell couldn’t move. The red-haired vampire holding an innocent girl around the throat was his son. His son who had been raised under the guidance of Luciana, a rogue.

  Knowing Elle was still in danger, Aiden pushed all other thoughts away to analyze later. “Where’s Elle?”

  Fangs disappeared as his son closed his mouth tight. Stubborn ass.

  “Alright, if that’s how you want to play.” Aiden didn’t give a shit about hurting his son. One pull of his finger and the gun fired. The bullet hit Lucian in the shoulder and hit hard enough to loosen his grip on Anya.

  She collapsed with her body still weak from a recent transition. Falling hard, she still didn’t wake up completely.

  Lucian grabbed her but not in the threatening way he had before. The tender way he held Anya surprised Aiden considering who’d raised him.

  Aiden rushed in while Lucian was distracted and locked his arm tight around Lucian’s neck.

  Gregory didn’t waist a second, pulling Anya out of Lucian’s arms. All hell broke loose.

  The crack of head hitting jaw sounded loud as Lucian slammed his head back. Aiden’s grasp loosened but he didn’t let go completely until a boot connected with his shin. “Son of a bitch!”

  Literally.

  Lucian twisted then kicked his foot directly into Aiden’s gut.

  Fighting for air, Aiden could only watch as Lucian spun with his foot still in the air, going over Anya’s head to hit Gregory dead in the face. Curses exploded from Gregory’s mouth.

  With every bit of will power Aiden had, he tackled Lucian to the ground. Anya took a hit since Lucian had her in his arms once again but Aiden wouldn't let his son get away. Not when he’d just discovered him. He had to find out if his son had turned rogue like his mother or if the boy even knew the difference.

  Collin appeared with his sword raised directly against Lucian’s throat and Aiden started to panic. “No!”

  Collin eased his weapon away from Lucian when they both had him contained. Smells of multiple rogues hit his senses and everyone stiffened. Three rogues came through the door and more followed behind. “Son of a bitch! Everyone, ready!”

  Aiden held his daggers ready and waited for the attack as the first rogue went straight for him. Ducking from the gruesome claws swiped at his throat, Aiden swung one foot out and brought the rogue to the ground. He gave the rogue no time as he stabbed a dagger deep into the rogue's chest and used the other dagger to remove his head.

  Around him, Gregory took down his own vampire with the same speed before he started on the next.

  Lena held her own along with Collin who worked on his second.

  Aiden checked on the prince and when he saw Julian working his way through the rogues with his famous speed, he searched for Anya and caught sight of a stray rogue heading for her.

  Lucian jumped in front of her with a sword of his own and swung with ease. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Touch her and you die. Or better yet, I think you’ll just die.”

  Aiden didn’t understand his son. He thought the Guardians were bad though he obviously knew the rogues weren’t any good.

  “We were told to only spare your life.” With every word the rogue spoke, black spit came from his mouth. “She was not part of the plan. We were told she was to be killed for sure.”

  A scream full of rage and hurt exploded from his son’s mouth. Lucian lifted his sword high, swung fast and hard until the rogue's head fell to the ground. Black blood ate through the carpet like acid.

  Aiden went on full alert when another rogue crept up behind his son with his claws out and ready. Without another thought, Aiden threw his dagger to pierce through the rogue’s heart.

  Lucian took the rogue's head as he fell to his knees, screaming in pain. A look of confusion crossed his son’s face before he turned back to check on Anya.

  Aiden had to take Lucian in but he would give him his time to care for her. The connection his son felt toward Anya had to be strong to go against his own beliefs.

  Out of nowhere female laughter and Julian’s cry out in pain sounded in the hall. Aiden and the other Guardian took off at full speed. The world seemed to freeze as they watched their prince fall and Aiden’s mate, the one he believed to be dead, ran off laughing.

  Lucian tried to escape past them but Aiden slammed the hilt of his dagger into the back of Lucian's head, knocking him out cold.

  “Go get her, damn it!” Julian growled at them.

  Drake, Collin, and Gregory took off.

  Jerking his shirt off and tossing the cloth to Lena, Aiden gripped the long ass sword going through Jul
ian’s chest. Bones had to be broken and arteries sliced. Julian squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his teeth together as Aiden readied to remove the blade.

  “Just do it!”

  Nodding, he glanced over to Lena. “Be ready as soon as I pull it out.”

  Without another word, he jerked the sword out in one clean pull.

  “Fucking bitch!” Julian’s curses exploded from him but his body grew noticeably weak right before them.

  With his fangs, Aiden ripped open his wrist and shoved the opened wound against Julian’s lips. “Drink now.”

  Julian started drinking immediately and grabbed at Aiden’s wrist to keep him from moving. They all pledged their life to their prince. Giving blood was part of their pledge.

  “That’s enough Aiden. I’ll give him blood now.” Anticipation and longing lit Lena’s eyes.

  They all knew she cared deeply for Julian but they also knew Julian loved her more like a sister. Aiden wouldn’t stop her from giving Julian blood, even though doing so would only cause her more grief.

  He pulled his wrist away and Lena pushed her own against Julian’s lips. Jumping up, he checked that Lucian stayed unconscious before he went to search for Elle. His heart pounded and his palms started to sweat. If he found her dead, his life would end.

  “Someone help me! Aiden?” Elle’s voice sounded through the door.

  Relief filled him as he burst through the door and straight to the bed. Her legs and arms were tied but she still looked healthy. Her skin seemed pale and he saw bite marks that hadn't come from him.

  “Stop it,” Elle fussed.

  He didn’t realize he was growling until she spoke. Within seconds, he had her free and in his arms. When he tried to kiss her, she turned her head away and he knew then something had changed. Of course things changed. Who wanted to be with a vampire?

  “Anya?” Elle pulled from his grasp and ran to her friend and her knees hit the floor as she dropped before Anya.

  When he heard her sharp intake of air, he knew she knew. His son turned Anya and everything bad that had happened was because of Aiden and his crazy lover. Stepping back into the hall, Aiden left Elle to tend to her friend when all he wanted was to wrap her in his arms and never let go again.

  Julian sat up, keeping his gaze averted from Lena, and a curse left his mouth every few seconds as the others explained how Luciana escaped.

  “We have to get you back to Sanctuary and get you more blood.” Aiden, along with Drake, helped Julian up. He nodded toward Elle and Anya as he spoke to Lena. “Help get them to the vehicle.”

  She sulked away and he started down the stairs. He almost made it to the car when Elle’s scream pierced the air and gutted his very soul.

  Chapter Twenty

  With a headache from hell, Nicolas watched as his cousin and Drake helped Julian out of the two-story home. What the hell happened to Julian?

  Collin came out carrying another vampire he didn’t recognize. A red headed male.

  After being knocked out in the warehouse, he awoke to the smell of the Guardians moving closer to him. He stumbled out and knowing they searched for the rogue, went in the opposite direction.

  Seeing her had brought back too many damn memories and questions. It also made him realize her being alive was because of him and no one else.

  He only had one choice. He would turn himself in. Stepping from behind the tree cloaking him, he started to move toward the Guardians when a loud scream tore through the house for all to hear. Forcing himself to stand still, he watched as they all took off at a run. Even Julian moved with speed for someone who had needed help only moments before.

  The redheaded vampire was dropped carelessly on the ground, showing he wasn’t on their side. When he started to stand and look around, Nicolas stepped forward, waiting to see what the vampire did.

  Nicolas took the weakened vampire down with one kick to his back then slammed his sword handle into the back of the unknown vampire's head. Once he had the vampire's hands cuffed and his legs tied, Nicolas rolled the big ass vampire over.

  Holy shit! He looked just like Aiden, minus the read hair.

  Everything clicked into place as his mind worked over-time to put two and two together. Luciana had been pregnant. He knew before her ‘death’ that she smelled different but he chalked it up to her becoming rogue. If this was their son then he’d lived the life and been raised by a rogue.

  With his weapons thrown to the ground, Nicolas crept up the steps on the front porch and watched as Aiden leaned over the human he’d seen earlier. Did Aiden meet his mate? Again.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Aiden darted up the porch stairs and through the open door to find Elle choking for air as blood poured out of her neck. Lena had Anya by the throat and pressed against the wall.

  Lena looked at him with regret. “I’m so sorry, Aiden, she just ripped into her. I should've known better than to take my eyes off a new turn. She’s hungry and went for her first opportunity.”

  Aiden should have realized Anya would be hungry. He fell in front of Elle. “I’m sorry, Elle.”

  He put pressure on her wound but knew she had no chance of surviving. Her artery had to be severed for so much blood.

  Wide blue eyes filled with tears and fear as she looked up at him. His heart shattered, forcing him to realize his love for her. Everyone surrounded them. Even Julian had come back into the house.

  “It’s not too late to turn her, Aiden.” Drake kneeled beside them. “You can feed her your blood now and she might still make it. I mean if she’s your mate...”

  They all teased earlier by calling her his mate, but could she really be? Had everyone realized the truth before him? He shook his head. He still couldn’t change her.

  She would despise him for turning her. The way she turned her head away before was proof of how she felt now that she understood the full situation.

  “My mate is the reason we’re in this situation.” His voice came out strangled, emotions plowing through him as he thought of never seeing Elle’s blue eyes dancing with laughter or darkening with passion again.

  “Get over it.” Nicolas walked in and everyone turned slack jawed toward him. “The way Elle brought your passions back to life, I’d say she’s your mate. As such, you need to change her now. That crazy redhead running around isn’t mate material. She’s a madwoman.”

  The others, with exception of Julian, who still slumped against the wall, jumped into motion. Nicolas was right. The thought of losing Elle felt like someone slowly ripping Aiden’s heart from his chest. Without giving himself any more excuses, Aiden bit into his wrist and forced her mouth open for him.

  “Drink, Elle. Please don’t leave me this way.” He knew deep down she’d hate him but watching her die wasn’t an option. Not now, after his realization of his love for her. Blood dripped down her throat. She coughed and choked. He didn’t look at anyone else, only her.

  Ten minutes went by and she never started to drink on her own. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. Tears streamed down his face as he heard her last heartbeat. Felt her last breath.

  He didn’t remove his wrist, praying he wasn’t too late. But even he knew he couldn't bring someone back from the dead.

  “Fuck you! Let me go and help. We can’t give up on her!”

  Aiden looked up when Nicolas yelled.

  Nicolas struggled against his hold. One foot stomped Gregory’s foot, causing his hold to falter giving Nicolas just enough time to swing his arm straight into Collin’s nose. A string of curses left them both as Nicolas dropped beside Aiden instead of running.

  Drake and Lena grabbed Nicolas and started to pull him away.

  “No.” Aiden shook his head. Looking at the prince, he told the truth. “Nicolas isn’t the rogue. Luciana has been framing him for the deaths.”

  Julian gave him a look filled with regret and nodded at Lena and Drake to let Nicolas go.

  “I’m so sorry, Aiden. I failed you once but I can’t d
o it again. She needs more help.” He placed one hand in the middle of her chest and the other on top.

  Aiden knew what he his cousin planned to do but the human treatment wouldn’t work. “It’s too late, Nicolas. She’s dead.”

  After pushing down onto her chest over and over, he stopped, tilted her chin back, opened her mouth and pinched her nose. Nicolas leaned in and blew two deep breaths into her.

  Her chest rose and fell and Aiden’s heart stopped. Knowing her chest rose only because of Nicolas didn’t make a difference. He wanted her alive.

  “It’s not going to work.” God, he wished it would work.

  Nicolas started pumping again. “She had to have gotten some of your blood.”

  Hope filled him and when the time came to breath into her, Aiden didn’t leave the job up to Nicolas. He copied what Nicolas had done before and gave her two big breaths. His throat closed when she actually started to breathe on her own. Her precious heartbeat started again. The thump started off weak before getting stronger.

  “Now give her your blood again.” Nicolas pointed at her neck.

  Shock froze him when he saw her neck had actually started to heal. Aiden tore into his wrist again and pushed the dripping blood against her lips. She didn’t drink on her own but he still hoped.

  That hope started to falter as her heartbeat started to slow once again. Aiden panicked then yelped when out of nowhere, her mouth moved. Sucking on his wrist, everyone let out a breath when Elle started to drink from Aiden.

  “It worked.” Nicolas’ shocked words whispered beside him.

  Aiden looked around at everyone, unable to wipe the grin off his face. When his gaze touched on Anya, he noticed tears in her eyes.

  The horror on her face showed the realization of what she’d done.

  Anya’s eyes stayed on Elle as she took a step forward. He growled and her gaze jumped to his. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.”