Chapter 2 His mate

"Good morning."

Sophie stared blankly at the lady.

The woman gave Sophie a friendly smile before helping her into a sitting position. She tucked the pillows behind her back and brushed her hair away from her face.

"How do you feel?"

" tired," she said hoarsely,

The woman nodded. "Yes, you'll be tired for a while. You lost a lot of blood. Honestly, If not for lord Alexander you might have been dead now.

Who is lord Alexander??, Sophia questioned.

Don't worry, you will meet him soon, my name is Ziphora, by the way. And you're??

Sophie Diego,"

"Where am I?" Sophie looked around with a deadened sort of curiosity. It didn't Look like a hospital room, with its walls covered in badly-fading wallpaper and its rough wooden Floor.

The door opened and two men stepped into the room. Sophie moved back as they approached the bed,

Don't be frightened." ziphora smiled at her.

They stood at the end of the bed and stared silently at her for a moment.

My Lord," Ziphora bowed greeting one of the men.

How is she," the man she greeted spoke with a deep voice.

She is alright now, though she still seems frightened," she said still bowing.

You can go,"

Yes my Lord," she bowed moving backwards.

"Hello," My name is Leona and this is lord Alexandra.

Sophia glanced at Alexander. He was tall with thick dark hair, broad shoulders, and piercing blue eyes. He was conventionally handsome.

As he stared at her she felt a little shiver run down her back. She gave him

a weak smile and he nodded curtly.

Leona leaned forward, placing his hands on the footboard. "How much do you remember,

She started crying,

My mum, dad......the monster...it..it, we need to save them, I need to go back to them," she said in hot tears.

Sophie pushed back the covers and slid off the bed before Leona could stop her,

She took two steps from the bed and her knees buckled.

Almost hitting the ground, the man

named Alexander caught her neatly around the waist. She leaned against him, feeling light-headed and weak.

Alexander's large hand wrapped around her waist, and the sight of his tanned

skin against her pale flesh made a shiver run through her.

His hand tightened a little and she looked up at him.

He was staring at her, his light blue eyes had darkened considerably, and she was oddly fascinated by the curly brown hair peeking out from his open-collared shirt.

The heat was radiating from him, and she was very aware of how well their bodies fit together. She was a tall girl but the top of her head just brushed his chin, and with a weary sigh she let her head fall onto his shoulder.

I need to see Mum," she whispered.

Leona sighed sadly.

Am sorry but before we got there...

"Your parents are dead," Alexander said bluntly.

You would have suffered a similar fate if lord Alexander hadn't rescued you," Leona said.

You should be grateful you're not dead as well, they were killed by werewolves,"

"werewolves! They're not real, you idiot! It was a monster," Sophie could feel hot tears down her face.

She looked at their faces,

"I don't know what kind of sick joke this is, but I want you to take me to my parents,

Do you hear me? Right now!" She started slamming her fists into his back and kicking.

"I want to see Dad!" She continued to punch and kick, but Alexander only stood there holding her

passively.

His arm was still around Sophie's waist and his fingers were digging so tightly into her side that Sophie suspected she would be bruised.

With a sudden, dismissive snort he pushed her away from him, Sophie stumbled and fell, banging her knee painfully against the wooden floor.

I hate weak humans, your parents are dead, accept it,"

He turned and left the room, letting the door close quietly behind him.

Leona helped her to her feet and back into the bed.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Sophie,"

The warmth and sincerity in his voice broke through the fog of disbelief that surrounded her and she began to sob. Leona moved to the bed and Sophie felt the sharp sting of a needle in her arm.

"This is just to help you sleep," Leona said softly.

Warmth spread through Sophie's body and she drifted into the dark.

***

It was just over three weeks since the day Sophie's parents were murdered.

She had spent the first week

after learning about her parent's death, she was in a state of shock so deep it was almost catatonic.

Sophie was sitting on the couch in the living room of the house, wrapped in a blanket and staring out the window.

Leona walked inside, holding a tray of food,"

Eat up, you will need to regain all the strength you've lost," Leona pushed the tray closer to her.

Why are you kind to me, why does that grumpy man hate me," Sophie pouted.

Leona hesitated, "You've been through a terrible trauma, Sophie, You lost your parents and discovered that vampires and werewolves exist, It can be helpful to have someone to talk to",

Also, he is not a grumpy man, his name is Alexander, the leader of the vampires, "Leona chuckled at Sophie's funny face when he said that.

Eat up, I will come back some other time," he left

Leona had visited her three more times, and she had to admit that it was helpful. Leona was kind and had a quiet and thoughtful manner that made it easy for her to talk to him.

He had given her suggestions on how to work through her grief.

One evening, Leona sat her down in the large, worn kitchen and regarded her soberly.

Do you want to leave, Sophie!, "Leona asked.

She frowned, What do you mean?"

If you would like to leave, you are free to do so." Leona said further.

Sophie stared at him, Do you honestly think I would last minutes out there? I'm still not entirely sure I believe in vampires and werewolves and If what you say is true, then I'll be dead the first

the thing I step out of these places.

Leona stared at her thoughtfully, "I just don't want you to feel like you are been forced to stay here, You're welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like."

"What exactly is this place, Leona?"

"What you see here, is a coven for vampires, it's a place where thousands of vampires live,

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Sophie said.

But how are you guys able to walk in the sun?

vampires can walk in the sun if they wear a special protective amulet or garment, such as a ring or cloak, that blocks the harmful effects of sunlight," Leona explained.

Then how do you guys feed... hum.....I mean do you drink human blood," Sophie whispered the last part.

Leona laughed hard at Sophie's naive ways,

Nah.... We take synthetic Blood, we also obtain plasma bags from blood banks.

Some take fruit and vegetables they find that consuming. certain types of fruit and vegetable juices can help satiate their thirst to a certain extent. While it doesn't provide the same sustenance as blood, it can offer temporary relief.

Ohhhhh.....now I see," Sophie nodded smiling.

So, you are also a vampire?"

Yes I am,"

Get some rest I will take you around the vampire realm tomorrow," Leona said.

***

ALEXANDER MANSION

How is she," Alexander asked.

She's catching up quite well, my Lord," Leona bowed.

Leona is a loyal vampire and trusted confidante of Alexandra, he is Alexander's second-in-command a fierce and loyal vampire warrior.

My Lord, Leona said with a puzzled expression on his face.

" may I inquire as to how you knew Sophie was in danger? It seemed as if you appeared out of thin air to rescue her."

"I felt the mate pull, Leona," Alexander said, his voice tinged with both tenderness and urgency. "

It was a force that drew me to her side, guiding me through the darkness to rescue her. Sophie's life is now intertwined with mine, SHE IS MY MATE.

But she's human "Ele na exclaimed.

She's hybrid Leona, she's too weak for my liking," Alexandra grunted.

Keep it a secret,"

Leona nodded, "I understand, my lord. You will have my unwavering support in this matter.