Forbidden Mate: Awakening

There was nothing I could say in defence.

She grabbed my hand and shook my limb, “Get a hold of yourself! What is this man turning you into?! I know we raised you better than this! If your father finds out about this, you know he’d ground you for weeks.., why be foolish, Lily?!”

She yanked her hand away from me and turned to Adrian. “I don’t know what kind of magic you used on my daughter, but you’re gonna pay for the trouble you’re trying to cause here. We gave you a place to stay and food, and this is how you repay us?”

Adrian looked down and stepped aside from me. My mouth and heart were tied.

I realized the consequences of my actions. Adrian was right…I didn’t even think things through. I had made the situation worse.

I thought I could outsmart the watchful eyes of my parents, but I had been caught in the act.

I knew my mom was still going to ground me anyway, so I just took a step back, ashamed to look at Adrian.

“Guards!!” Some men came rushing in minutes later to take hold of Adrian.

My mother’s words echoed in my ears as I walked back to my room. Tears welled up in my eyes, clouding my vision. I failed to save Adrian and I also had angered my parents further.

What worse could happen?

••••••••••

I woke up the next morning, laying on the floor beside my bed. My clothes were soaked with tears and I looked like a mess. I sluggishly got up to rinse my face in the bathroom. When I saw myself in the mirror, I almost felt like punching my reflection. I was an utterly useless person who caused more conflict by the second.

Someone knocked on my door and I took my time to answer it. It was the guard from last night, the one I tried to seduce. He looked bashed and couldn’t face me when talking to me.

“Miss, your father sent me to escort you downstairs for the prisoner’s judgement.”

Prisoner? Judgement?

This sounded worse than I had imagined.

He stood aside for me to walk in front and I brought myself to do it. I didn’t want to see Adrian in so much pain, but I knew if I disobeyed my father, it would only incur more punishment on both our heads.

We had reached the meeting room and all the pack members were seated already. Space had been created in the middle for Adrian. He was kneeling, chained to a huge metal ball beside him that constricted him from attempting to flee. I almost choked on my tears. My eyes jammed Jax’s. His eyes showed pity for me. I wanted to go meet him but the guard held my hand. I reluctantly stood still where I was.

My parents entered with 3 mysterious looking men, slim figures draped in dark robes. I had recognised them from the previous time I had watched one of these. They were the Black Healers.

My mom glanced at me and I could feel her reckon.

“We are here today to enact judgement on one of our stray kind that we had welcomed into our home and gave necessities to live comfortably. He has done the worst sin of all – Enticing my innocent daughter and leading her to commit fornication in front of one of our elders.”

I could feel people’s eyes on me so I faced down where I stood. Why was my father over exaggerating?

“This is why my wife and I, the two heads of this grove, after much thought, have decided to subject him to this fate. He will not be killed, nor will he be thrown out of this grove as I do see potential in him, but he will be stripped of his individuality and autonomy. He will be turned into a Limean.”

Gasps erupted in the air and I couldn’t help but stare around too. Was it so bad, even worse then I had presumed?

“And that is our final say. Please, begin.”

I stood there, paralyzed by the cruel sight in front of me. I could feel my heart shatter into a million pieces.

Adrian was brought to lay down on the floor, bound and helpless and I could feel his body wracked with pain. The pack had their eyes on him, some with malice, some with curiosity.

At that moment I had remembered Don, after so much had happened. Don. He was the one, with the keys…where was he? I searched around for him with my eyes but only met with Jax’s eyes again. He was nowhere to be found. Where had he run off to hide?

My attention shifted back to the Black Healers. They approached Adrian and in no time, began the ritual. Their hands moved in a synchronized dance, tracing intricate patterns in the air. The air became thick with an ancient aura, and I could feel the dark power that enveloped the room.

Funny how father preached against dark magic but still used it to his own advantage.

The ritual was horrendous to watch. Adrian’s body convulsed with each surge of energy. His agonized cries and shouts echoed through the room but it affected no-one except me. The Black Healers chanted incantations that were inaudible to understand and their voices had a haunting melody that sent shivers down my spine.

After what felt like an eternity, the ritual ended. A blinding flash of light illuminated the room, and I covered my eyes quickly. When the light dissipated, I looked at Adrian, hoping he was okay.

I was the only one who knew he was truly a vampire so I wondered how he’d look after this process.

He had survived the transformation, but his appearance had drastically changed. He now bore the markings of a Limean werewolf – a less honourable breed, less dominant and easier to control. I could sense the power flowing through him, but it was subdued.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

In that moment, it hit me. My suspicions about my father were true. He did this entire thing to ensure Adrian’s unwavering obedience. He wanted him to be his lab dog because Adrian had proven to be stronger than most in the pack. I knew he had been watching him closely since the day he was brought before him by Taylor. By turning him into a Limean werewolf, my father could mold him into a loyal servant, one who would never dare to oppose him. That was really his plan all along.

As the Black Healers finished their task, their attention turned to me. Their eyes held a knowing gaze, as if they understood the truth that I kept within me. The grove members were busy onlooking Adrian’s ordeal and new appearance and my parents were talking to one another.

I felt a chill run down my spine as the healers approached me, cornering me in an eerie silence. The guard behind me stood aside.

With solemn expressions, they spoke in unison. Their voices were low and cryptic.

“When the shadows and flickers unite to bring light, then you’ll know the new era has come.”

“We know who that man is.” One said.

“We know of his true identity.” One continued.

My eyes widened in fear.

“But don’t be scared, young mistress. What’s to come is worse than what already is.” The last said.

“Find the key and find the way.” The three concluded.

As they left, leaving me standing there, my mind raced with possibilities.

I knew I had to solve the riddles to find the truth about what’s to come. But at that moment, I only wanted to be beside Adrian.

Though, I knew I couldn’t.

My father spoke, “The meeting is dismissed.”

And the guard beside me held my hand to take me to my room, as I continued to look at Adrian being tied and bundled up on the floor.