Mated to the Lycan

"How do I bypass the forte?" Kenrik asked, pouring molten silver on his knee. The stream of molten silver burnt and peeled his skin to the bone and Adair bit his tongue to prevent himself from screaming. Blood pooled into his mouth from the self-made cut and he coughed at the metallic taste, choking on it. He would rather bite his tongue than allow Kenrik, the King of the Vampires, to get satisfaction by hearing him scream.

"You will never break me", he said with conviction, spitting a bloody wad of saliva at his feet.

The Vampires and the werewolves have been at war since the peace treaty was broken centuries ago. The werewolves had kept away from the night creatures, but the vampires soon got tired of animal and human blood. They wanted varieties. One by one, werewolves and Lycans alike began missing. After their bodies were found weeks later, drained of blood with puncture wounds all over.

In retaliation, the werewolves had set fire to an entire vampire village during the day while they slept. And so It began.

"We shall see about that" Kendrik said, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. "Bring her in!"

Bring who in? Adair wondered.

His question was soon answered when he scented his female. She was dragged in with a bag on her head as she struggled fiercely. A fist connected to one of her kidnapper's jaws which sent him flying across the room. Kenrik backhanded her and her struggling ceased as she slumped to her knees. The bag was removed from her face and she gazed at him with tears in her eyes, her words muffled by the dirty gag in her mouth.

"You touch her and I'll make you pay", Adair growled in anger, struggling against his silver chains. When he broke out from this dungeon, he intended to tear Kendrik limb from limb for all the pain he'd inflicted on him, but if Myra was touched in any way, he would make his pain long and slow. He conveyed this with his eyes.

Instead, the King only laughed. "My scouts caught her this morning, just north of your fortress. She had set out all alone to search for you" He laughed heartily once more, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know I can never understand this 'mate bond'. It seems it makes one dumb. Anyways, she's a fierce little fierce thing." he whispered, trailing his hands down her face.

"Touch her and-"

"And what? You can't do anything. So let's start again, shall we? How do I bypass the forte?" He asked once more, his fangs elongating as he snarled.

"Let her go and I swear on my life and hers, I'll tell you" Adair promised.

"You're in no position to bargain. Tell me what I want to hear and I will spare her. You have my word."

Adair sweated profusely as he thought of his choices. He had none. The secret way into the impenetrable fortress in exchange for her life and the life of their unborn child. He looked sadly at her form on the floor and smiled. "It will be fine, I promise" he mouthed.

She shook her head at him, warning him not to betray their people. His people.

But at that moment, the people didn't matter to him, only she did. He told the king what he wanted to hear. The truth.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? Love is a fleeting thing which makes one weak, but you animals never listen."

"Let her go now, you promised," Adair said, guilt eating at him. Because of him, thousands will die. The fortress was a sanctuary for thousands of his people, but he had now condemned them to death. He was not fit to be called a prince anymore.

But that didn't matter. Only she did.

"On another thought, torturing you has made me hungry and sadly, she seems to be the only meal around", Kendrik said, licking his lips.

"No! Please no...no...you promised. Take me, feed on me instead. I beg you please!", Adair pleaded with anguish.

But his pleas fell on deaf ears as Kendrik sank his fangs into her pale throat right before his eyes, making nauseating sucking sounds.

No...No...No!

He wailed helplessly as he felt her grow faint through their mate bond. He fought against the silver restraints which held him down in the wooden chair as he held her gaze transfixed at the lone tear which ran down her cheeks. More guards rushed in to hold him down and he was pushed to the ground as a boot dug painfully into his lower back. The pain was nothing compared to the growing one in his chest. The gag fell from her mouth and the words "I love you" were whispered weakly as she faded away.

Only after she was drained of blood did Kendrik wrench his fangs from her, tearing her neck open. He smacked his lips, catching the stray drop of blood on his lips. There was nothing like a healthy Lycan's blood, he thought.

Her lifeless body dropped from his hand and landed with a thud at his feet. Nodding to his guards, they dragged her out of the cell.

"I'll be back", he winked before stepping out, closing the cell shut behind him.

Adair heard nothing, his senses dulled by the increasing hole in his soul. He suddenly felt incomplete and untethered, floating through a cloudy storm of pain.

She was gone.

His mouth opened in a wordless cry as pain, despair and anguish rammed into him over and over. He let out a roar which shook the whole pillars of the castle as something snapped in him.

Adair

I was strung in an X position, pinned on the rock at each limb with a thick collar on the neck and waist which prevented my movement.

Time was endless in the deep dungeons beneath the castle, each day bleeding into the other. Day and night were unknown to me as time passed excruciatingly slow. My only company in the dark cell were my dark thoughts and the starving rats who had found my flesh appetizing.

The fantasies of revenge and retribution I had before that cursed day had dissipated into nothingness. I no longer cared about anything, the pain within was much worse than anything they dealt me with. I was forever drowning and suspended in an abyss of despair, misery and pain.

No longer cared as I was mocked and treated less than a child's ragdoll.

No longer cared as my wrists and ankles were slashed open, draining my life source.

No longer cared as they spat and threw dirt into my eyes.

No longer cared as I was whipped, my skin flayed to the bone.

No longer cared as spears, the metal tips burning red hot were stabbed through me repeatedly.

No longer cared as molten silver was poured over my head. The smell of my burning flesh, a now familiar smell.

Since the day Myra, my mate, was brutally wrenched from me, I hadn't given the vampires the satisfaction of hearing my voice nor my screams, which only seemed to infuriate them more and in retaliation, they became sadistic with each torture.

The pain was nothing compared to the one in my heart. It felt like my heart had been bludgeoned repeatedly till all that was left was a void with hot needles pricking my chest with each breath.

When I did sleep, sagged against the chains, I was tormented more by the happy memories we had had. The sound of her laugh, the bright twinkle of her eyes as she lovingly gazed at me. No matter how sad the dreams were, I embraced them just to torture myself that I couldn't protect my mate, my other half.

It was said that where your mates go, you follow and yet, I couldn't do that. The vampires knew no matter how much they hurt or tortured me, my immortality would always revive me. I was chased to the edge of death by each torture, fully ready to embrace the caress of death and yet, each time it was ruthlessly snatched from my grasp.

Yet, I had tiny hopes for a rescue. As the King of the Lycans, one of the strongest factions of immortals, surely my family would have scoured high and low for me. My brother Orion would have been king by now as the throne couldn't be left vacant for long, but knowing Orion, he would never give up on the search for me.

The door to my prison cell rattled open as a low whistle sounded. I didn't bother looking up, I already knew what they came for. The guard tramped up the stairs, coming to stand behind me.

The press of cold silver on my wrist burned me as a deep line was carved into my skin drawing blood. The same cuts were made severely on my other wrists and ankles before they could regenerate.

I felt myself go lightheaded as the drip of my blood into the channel resonated loudly in the cell.

A living blood bag.

That was what I had been turned into.

**

I lay on my side in a corner of the cell, as I stared at the wall in front of me, not seeing it. My mind went back to the day I'd been released from the chains only to be escorted down to this cell, an even deeper and damper cell, dimly illuminated by the blazing torch in the corridor.

Finally free of the restraining shackles, I had dug my hands into the soft earth and walls looking for something- anything sharp I could use to sever my neck and end my pitiful existence. Maybe if I slashed hard and fast, I could at least tear off enough to end my pitiful existence.

The only way to kill an immortal was to sever the head from the neck (decapitation) or to burn them in the undying fire, till nothing was left to be regenerated.

I had wailed in despair after the frenzied search around the cell had proved fruitless. The stones had been wedged so tightly, that they could not be pried apart.

Now I lay on the damp soil resigned to my fate, the frigid air in the cell seeping into my bones. My hunting gear or what was left of it was nothing more than scraps of clothing, held together by flimsy tendrils of thread. They offered no protection against the biting cold. My stomach growled loudly as another wave of dizziness hit. I was starving. The last time I had a meal was the morning of my capture. My flesh had long since pulled taut against my ribs, my skin an ashen sickening pallor.

The little fire of hope I had of a rescue had long burned out. No one was coming. My family - a brother and step-father, probably thought me dead by now. Who knew how much time had passed?

I absently scratched at the silver collar on my neck, the skin there still itchy from the caked dried blood. Once or twice, I had madly clawed at my neck repeatedly, desperate to join my mate and leave this bleak cell behind.

Of course, I had coughed awake moments later, the savage cuts healed.

Day after day, I stared emptily into the distance lost in thoughts. Many times, I have caught myself laughing hysterically or wishing the guards would come to torture me. Anything to end this bleeding solitude and my impending insanity.

**

I had been forgotten in the deepest, darkest parts of the dungeons. The guards no longer made their rounds or came to jeer at my lying form. I am now mad.

For centuries, my only companions have been the scurrying rats who no longer feared my presence. Many times over the centuries, I heard laughter and the sound of music above me and swayed in rhythm, moving around as much as the chains on my neck and legs could allow.

The mouth-watering scents of food and mead that wafted down the dungeons made my stomach shudder violently, but yet I welcomed it, closing my eyes as I imagined myself tearing into meat, a goblet of wine in my hand.

I was happily moaning in my imagination when suddenly a new scent assaulted my nose.

My eyes widened in confusion and I hastily sat up sniffing at the air.

Mate

My beast muttered. The first time hearing its voice since Myra died. It was said that once your beast fell silent, a Lycan was as good as dead. Our beast, a spirit guide we had both been blessed and cursed with by the Moon goddess was ever present and always guiding our species.

It was impossible. I was definitely hallucinating its voice and what it had said. It can't be Myra. She was d-dead.

Not Myra, but Mate.

I sat up. A second chance mate? Had I grown fully mad now to imagine such a thing?

Mate!

My beast's voice rang loud and clear as a crystal this time. I was not hallucinating or imagining this.

I felt a surge of energy run through me as her scent hit again. It was not Myra.

S-second chance mate.

I pulled at the silver chains shackled on the wall, connecting to the collar on my neck and wrenched it free from the wall. I stared dumbstruck as it rained stones and bags of dust, unable to believe I still had the strength in me to do that. My palms were sizzling where the silver had made contact but I didn't have the time to register the pain.

Next was the chains on my right leg... With a grunt, I yanked with all my might, feeling a little tremor in the ground beneath, but the long pin somehow remained secured. The muscles in my weakened body strained heavily as I gave it a second yank, getting desperate as her scent got stronger.

She was so close... Must get to her...

The heavy pin popped free, the recoil throwing me onto my ass. Quickly, I scrambled up and focused on the shackles on my left leg. Bringing out my claws, I sharpened them on the stones nearby before attacking the chain.

My desperation made my aim blurry and I tore the tendon in my ankle. The pain was unregistered as my leg popped free and I almost did a celebratory dance, unable to believe the feat I'd just achieved.

The only thing stopping me was the silver door locked into place at the entrance of the cell. Did I have the strength to break through the door or the energy to withstand another contact with silver? Only one way to find out, I guess.

A hiss of pain escaped my mouth as I gripped the cell door, the silver searing me. I was already envisioning my escape and a small silver door would not stop me from meeting her. I heaved but nothing happened.

Adjusting my grip, I heaved again. Nothing.

Desperation and urgency ran through me as her scent began to fade.

No!

I pulled at the gates even as my hands screamed not to and finally felt it begin to shift. I would rather die than face another eternity knowing I lost my second mate.

One side of the cell door broke free from the surrounding walls and I managed to drag it a few inches inward, creating a small path for me to pass through.

Glancing at the cell one last time in disgust, I dragged myself through the small path. It wasn't wide enough for my wide albeit thin frame to pass through and my skin ended up getting snared by the silver gates burning me.

Nothing I hadn't been through before.

With a grunt, I yanked myself free of the gates and sniffed the air once more. Her scent was almost gone!

In haste, I clambered up the stairs with as much speed as my weak body could muster.

I need her...so much...

This time I would not let her go. Would protect her with every fibre in my being. What was she doing in this vampire's evil lair? I would save her.

Protect! My beast screamed in my head.

I felt pity for her. She would have me for a mate. I was now a past shadow of myself, driven to the edge of sanity. But still, no matter how she saw me... I will never let her go.

She was mine!

I lay sprawled in the fields outside my home, a large mansion reading a novel, basking in the late afternoon sun. Ever since getting, I had gotten my sunlight spell on my 21st birthday, I had enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my skin. I had missed this, running through the fields, horse riding, even the maids-

"Rhea!" Naina said as if on cue. Naina had been the daughter of the nanny who had nursed her from birth. I had seen her playing in the stables and we've been best friends ever since then, never been separated even tho she was as human as I was a vampire.

Well... Half-vampire.

Vampires were known to be a cold and unfeeling species except when it was with their blood match, a female vampire. Yet, my father had found a mate with a human. She had been a hooker and had made his heart beat again after they'd shared a kiss. Unable to let her go, he kidnapped and then raped her. Moments after birthing me, she had thrown herself off the balcony, ending her life and my uncle had taken me under his wings after.

Naina looked down her nose at me with a hand on her waist as she scowled taking in my muddy legs.

"Did you roll around with the pigs? Why are you so dirty? You're going to get sunstroke staying too long under the sun like this. Get up"

"To answer your question, I did not roll around with the pigs, I fed them and two, I can't get sunstroke because I'm not human remember?"

She nodded in affirmation but then pointed at the house.

"Get up, you've been summoned by Lord Kinun"

Dusting my palms on my already dirty gown, I shouted over my shoulders as I raced into the house.

"Last person in will grant the other a wish"

Naina laughed in return, racing after me. She was always up for a challenge.

I burst in through the doors a few seconds after her and watched as she held her knees catching her breath. Just two years ago, I was like that.

Naturally born vampires keep growing until they reach their prime and then when they're at their strongest, their immortality kicks in and their heart stills. Only your blood match can make it beat again.

Unfortunately, most vampires don't find their match because naturally born females were few and infertile. Yet our numbers never dwindled because King Kenrik had taken to turning sick humans to replenish our numbers. He would appear to terminally ill humans like a knight in shining armor promising life if they swore loyalty to him. Foolishly, they took up his offer leaving behind their past lives for one where they're cursed with insatiable blood lust. Cursed to drink from the same species they had originated from.

They never seemed to regret their choices though. Bloodlust to them seemed to be a small price to pay for heightened speed and hearing, sharpened smell and an almost immortal life.

The turned human females rarely survived the transition, the few who did were crazed with bloodlust and had to be put down or imprisoned, their only use for breeding.

I shuddered, feeling pity for their existence. Vampirism was a curse and yet I was a hypocrite because I did enjoy the perks of being a vampire. While Naina panted from the long run, I remained unwinded. She knew I had let her win because she stuck out her tongue at me as I climbed up the stairs.

Knocking on the door to my uncle's studio, I let myself in after hearing his grunt.

His wheezing could be heard as he looked up at me. He had an even paler complexion than the last time I'd seen him. Two weeks ago, when I'd flown back home from college after receiving his letter informing me of his 'little' accident. The King had invited him to the castle for polo, a horseback sport which King Kenrik thoroughly enjoyed and hosted once a year. During the game, the king's mallet had somehow slipped from his hand and had smashed into my uncle's chest shattering into a hundred pieces. Most had been dug out but some pieces were too tiny to be seen.

The toxins in the splintered wood were already taking a toll on him.

He raised an eyebrow at my soiled clothes scrutinizing me but before he could say a word, a barking cough racked through him and he turned away raising a handkerchief to his lips to cover his mouth and the white came away stained with blood.

He wiped his lips vigorously before facing me once again.

"As you know, there is a yearly introductory party at the castle for the newly turned vampires. The ones who have been deemed stable are introduced into society. As a high ranking official, I would need to go but I'm currently weak and unable to. You would need to go in my stead."

My head whipped up in alarm and he raised a hand to calm me down.

" Of course, you'll be escorted and your guards would never leave your side"

It was still not enough. As one of the few half-vampires in the city, I was called names and treated with disdain anytime I went to a gathering with the pure-blooded vampires. It had never ended well.

Half-vampires were treated less than servants and considered impure. Growing up was hard. My classmates had found being in the same class with me revolting and had vented out their anger physically. It also didn't help that as a half-vampire, I was very much weaker than a pure one.

When my uncle, Lord Kinun found out about the bullying, he withdrew and had me homeschooled. Anytime I went out, I was followed by menacing guards. Yet that didn't stop the whispers and stares, especially when I went to public places like the mall. Sometimes I craved a change of scenery and begged Naina to sneak me out to her home in the next city but she was always too terrified of my uncle to even dare.

My first time in 24 years leaving the city was for my masters and yet, my uncle always made sure I checked in daily by 7 pm. One time, when I had had a few drinks with Naina and some human friends and had dozed off on the couch in my apartment. We had been awakened by a loud knock on the room's door. A furious Lord Kinun had been at the other side of the door, shouting in fury and worry about not being able to reach me, absolutely fearing the worst.

He always stressed how terrifying the vampire society and humans were. How the humans would capture or worse still, do unspeakable things if they ever knew what I was, It didn't matter if I'd never killed before and only bought drugs from blood bags. In their eyes, I was vile and unnatural.

Life with the vampires was not any better. Being one of the few unmatched females, every unmatched male gave me a once over, wanting to touch me or at least make a conversation to see if I could make their hearts beat again. The only makes I trusted were my uncle and two guards, both happily matched with their females.

"The party starts at 6 pm. Unless you want to be late, I suggest you start getting ready now", my uncle said dismissing me.

I matched to my room, and took off my soiled clothes, threw them into the laundry basket and plodded into the bathroom.

After shampooing my hair and scrubbing my body, I get out of the bathroom to find Pen, the daughter of one of the live-in housekeepers waiting by the dressing table, a lilac-looking bundle in her arm.

She doesn't take long to apply my make-up and get my straight blonde hair into an elegant updo, holding it in place with a silver hair clasp. The dress is a fitted lilac satin gown which feels so lustrous and soft as I run my fingers across it. The cowl neckline shows off my collarbone and slim shoulders, The thin straps crisscross at the back, with it ending at my waist where the silhouette molds into my ass hugging my figure as it ends in a train.

I quickly wear a water drop diamond earrings and glance at the clock on the wall. Shit! Two hours had passed.

Sliding into silver strapped heels, I grabbed my purse and raced out of my room almost colliding with Naina in the corridor.

She whistles when she sees me and claps her hands in glee.

"You look good. When was the last time I saw you in a gown? Wow! I would have loved to tag along but I don't want to be anyone's dinner so off you go", she said ushering me down the stairs and into the Mercedes-Benz sedan waiting outside.

"Have fun!" She shouted, nodding to the driver as he put the gear in reverse. "Don't forget to call!"

As the car drove down the driveway, I felt a surge of foreboding raced through my spine.