Not Your Mate Anymore

Chapter 45 Hard Decisions

Sabrina's POV

It has been a few days since the drama with the vampire king, all those poor babies kidnapped for selfish gain. The guilt is still eating at me and I still have to deal with Cayden.

Taking the newborn pups was just unforgivable but my job is to protect the wolves and I thought it was more important to fix my life. Was I forgivable for the obvious negligence? Why would I even think it was important to focus on my life when even I know evil roams this world. I don't have the luxury to do that, not with what's happening out there in the world.

"Next week, I start school. First King's Academy they call it. From going to werewolf school to human school, to the heavenly realm for almost ten years to train and now I must go back for however long. I may not look like it but I'm almost thirty and nobody is taking that into account." I say to Xander, who's been keeping me on his lap since my return.

"Hey, am I interrupting? Anthony brought me here." Josey says as she walks into Xander's office.

I've been hiding out here most days because Xander is always in here, pretending to do some filing but I'm actually just trying to avoid everyone.

"No. Come in." I say in a whisper but she's a hybrid now so....

Josey sits down on one of the chairs opposite from me and Xander.

"So, Cayden...." I say and Josey shudders and not in a good way.

“I mean he is a very handsome man but the whole kidnapping nonsense was just ridiculous!" Josey says to me and I smile.

"Yeah, I am not listening to this." Xander says before placing me on my feet, kissing my cheek and walking out of the office.

I sit back down on his chair, giving Josey all my attention.

“I don't know. I feel like it was all too easy actually. I'm not sure if he made it easy so he would be my captive or he just wanted to father your children." I say.

The elders were still working on the amulet and it was clear there was dark magic surrounding it but they were not sure what Cayden would use it for.

“Well, I will not be giving him any sex so no. He must forget about it." Josey says to me and I just roll my eyes.

"Yeah I get it. Your mates would feel it and you made a commitment but something feels funny to me. I hate when my body senses something and can't tell me anything.” I say with great annoyance.

Since leaving Cayden with Evan, I've had a funny feeling. Like he surrendered too easily and it made me feel uneasy.

Why would a vampire king just surrender like that? Evan got hold of Cayden’'s sister, she agreed to a meeting later today.

In broad daylight!

This was getting more and more confusing.

I'm to meet her today and I asked Anthony to bring Josey here so we could go have this meeting with her.

“Anyway, what do you think about mom? I've been reading up on our family history and she wasn't exactly a saint. She was troubled and clearly that trouble followed her and now we are paying for it. Etihad hated mom for reasons I'm still looking in to." I say and Josey's eyes bulge out.

"So she took the moon goddess position out of revenge?" Josey asks me and I shake my head no.

"I think that was all greed but I mean it must have been sweeter to do that knowing she was doing it to our family." I say and Josey nods in agreement.

Ethia, the mess started there so her hatred for my family runs deep. Where did it even begin? Why did it have to get this far?

Her feud with my family caused trouble with my different mates, my life, Cayden's mother and so much more.

Her vendetta was the detonator to the mess that is my life right now and I'm not sure how to go about this.

"What time are we to meet Cherisse? I just got home and my mates did not want to let me go.” Josey says as Cj walks in with Arianna.

“Since everyone I need is here, let's get going. We will start with the heavenly realm where Jose and I will pay the vampire king a visit and then you two can go see the elders about that amulet." I say standing up to hug everyone.

We all hold hands before disappearing. Arriving at the door of the castle with Evan waiting for us.

I don't notify him when I'm on my way so I'm not sure how he's expecting us but time is different here so maybe he sees me coming.

“Your Serene highness." He says to me before bowing in front of me.

“Christopher, Arianna and Josey." He greets before turning around and letting us in the castle.

"Christopher and Arianna please follow the passage and the first door to your right is where the elders are stationed studying the amulet.” He says to Cj and his mate, who walk away from us.

"Now, the vampire king. Follow me please." Evan says as he begins walking ahead of us. We follow right behind him as Josey takes in the place.

Her facial expression reminds me of the first time I came here with Hunter. I was in awe of the place and all the furnishings.

The decor changes as we head down the stairs. From all white and gold to dim and boring. We were definitely headed to the cells where we keep prisoners.

"No luxury here..." Josey says and I smile looking at her, as if she read my mind. Evan stops at the door, looks at me as he hands me earpieces.

I guess I won't get to hear any conversations between Jose and Cayden.

"It's for our protection, your highness. If he gets to you, it's over for all of us." Evan says to me and I nod in understanding.

I put them on as we all walk in to find a sleeping Cayden. Do vampires even sleep?

Josey groans when she notices Cayden sleeping. Shirtless.

I don't tease her about because it's all too soon but I really believe there's some serious sexual tension between these two and Josey is fighting it hard. I can imagine how bad her vampire wants the king, disgusting her wolf who is sworn to her mates.

I'd pay to watch such a show on TV.

Cayden wakes up fast, making his way closer to us but an invisible barrier throws him back from coming too close.

Josey's POV

This man was beyond handsome. His perfectly messy ‘I just woke up’ hair and just you wait, I'm so sure he's got the sexiest voice too.

"My queen..." Cayden says groggily and I swoon inside but maintain a calm face.

I called it.

"Vampire king. You look well for someone who hasn't fed in days." Sabrina says and I smile, checking him out.

He was pale already so there's no way to tell if he was not feeling well.

“Yeah it's a little rough and quite a smart idea leaving me to go hungry. I underestimated you moon goddess.” Cayden says and I look at Sabrina who just shrugs.

"It's common sense really. You don't eat, you grow weak." I say, not liking that Cayden was complimenting Sab.

Wait.

What? Am I jealous??

Cayden smiles and Sabrina raises her eyebrow at me.

"Just couldn't stay away huh?” Cayden asks and I return the smile.

"No. I wanted to be the one to tell you that we will be meeting your sister today, want me to deliver a message?" I ask, showing him my pearly whites.

"The message has already been delivered. I asked nicely before but it looks like I'll have to exert some force to get my way and since I cannot use compulsion, this is the only way. With what is about to happen, I am glad you are here and not there.” Cayden says to me and I blink twice.

"What message?" I say waiting for an answer but Cayden walks back to his bed, which looks comfortable by the way and throws himself on it.

He says nothing and I look at Sabrina, who's waiting on me to give some answers since she's got blocked ears.

'He said that he has asked nicely before but now he will have to use force to get what he wants. I say over mindlink to Sabrina.

She signals for me to walk out with her and I follow her out.

She removes her ear pieces, running a hand through her hair and biting her lip.

"I had a feeling about this. It all seemed way too easy, I mean what vampire king, the first of it's kind, surrenders without a fight? This man can freeze anyone still and yet he let me take him in. He has not caused any problems since coming here and he's not in any way hostile. We need to see Cherisse, NOW!" Sabrina says grabbing my hand and leading me out of the castle.

"Sabrina, wait up." Cj calls out, running after us with Arianna behind him.

"The amulet is dark magic but it's to give strength. I believe Cayden’s mother saw his struggles when she went to the future and this was her way of making sure her son stays happy even after her death.

He needs the amulet to make sure whoever he decides to have a baby with, survives. It will carry the woman through the whole ordeal, I can't fault it." Arianna tells all of us.

"Can it not be used for anything else? Like break out of prison or give extra strength to an already strong vampire king?" Sabrina asks Arianna who takes a minute to think about it.

"He could use it for extra strength but then he would be wasting it's power. Your mother has used some of it already so there isn't much left. He, of course, doesn't know if the amulet was used but Sabrina, your mother needs to explain a few things." Arianna says and I look at her funny.

“Explain what things?" Cj asks Arianna. He has grown fond of my mother and this was him being protective.

"Why she would need black magic as a superior wolf and on who. What kind of strength did she need?" Arianna asks and I hold my chest as it constricts.

"She had this when she disappeared with Sabrina and fooled father in to being her mate. Could that be the reason?" I ask and Arianna shakes her head no.

“Your mother, just like Sabrina can get anyone to do their bidding." Arianna tells me.

"You mean to tell me she used this amulet on something else when her children were more important? The turmoil we have all been through and she didn't think at the time that this amulet could be the key to making things right and preventing all the chaos?" Sabrina asks, anger clear on her face.

"Also, what gave her the right to use it? She was told to give it to Cayden. What else has mother done? Do I need to probe her head for answers?" Sabrina asks and we all just shrug.

To be honest, I am a little disappointed. Mother doesn't seem like the selfish type. Whenever we bring up her abandoning us, you can see the hurt in her eyes but now I'm not so sure.

“How strong is this amulet?" I ask looking at Arianna.

"Let's just say, if this amulet got into the wrong hands, thousands could die. This is dangerous magic and because Cayden is the first of the vampire kind, he needs it to bring a child into this world. That's how strong he is, that's how strong the curse goes. A whole coven cursed his mother but she was powerful enough to survive him growing inside of her and using the last of her powers to allow him a little bit of happiness. Shadow was a force on her own, it is impressive." Arianna says to us.

"Anthony!" Sabrina screams out and within minutes, dear old brother shows up.

"Get Evan and have him give you the amulet I took from the vampire king. Guard it with your life and do not, I repeat, do not tell mom and Hunter. This stays between us as siblings." Sabrina says and Anthony looks confused but he nods his head yes and walks in to the castle.

"Ok, Arianna I need you to stay here. If the amulet leaves the castle then there will be trouble. I need you to be able to track the magic, can you do that?" Sabrina asks and Arianna nods her head yes.

"Cj you can stay with your mate. Josey, we need to see Cherisse and figure out what Cayden’s plan is. I'm not going to use these earpieces, if somebody uses compulsion on me, you find a way to break it or kill them. Don't hold back." Sabrina tells me and I hold her hand as we disappear.

Landing back on vampire grounds. We were standing right in front of the castle or what was left of it.

It was burned to the ground, no sign of life. Anywhere.

"Took you long enough, my queen." Cherisse says as I turn around when I felt a presence.

"You bring company. You are definitely a wolf.” Cherisse says with utter disgust in her face and tone looking at Sabrina.

"What happened here Cherisse?" I ask and she just smiles at me.

"We moved. Can't have the traitor queen know of our plans. What you should be worried about, is not the state of this castle or your position but your pack. Did you really think we wouldn't come for yours after you came for ours?" Cherisse says too proudly. Sabrina walks up to her, snaps her neck and throws her over her shoulder.

"We won't get anything done listening to her. We go back to your pack and if they are not in danger, we take measures to protect them. Okay?” Sabrina says to me but I don't respond.

Were my mates under attack again? When they were kidnapped Cayden made sure nobody else got hurt. They were in and out without detection, kidnapping two alphas and not one person knowing it happened.

Now it was happening again.

Sabrina grabs my hand, which shakes me out of my head and I nod my head yes at her. We leave the vampire castle, arriving back on packlands, my packlands.

Chaos was the word of the day.

The sun was up so there was no way in hell that vampires would do this. This was the work of werewolf hunters, the same ones that kidnapped my mates and almost got away with it.

Today, they will not live to see the end of the day.

I run, inhumanely so using my vampire speed, in to the field. Knowing my mates, they would place themselves right in the middle of danger, to save and protect the pack.

And right in the middle were my mates but they were not alone. My mates were on their knees surrounded by men carrying guns and behind them were two males, holding knives on the necks of my two mates.

It was as if the hunters knew I would arrive at that exact moment before slitting their throats.

A scream escaped my lips as I looked in horror, my mates falling on the grass. They were losing so much blood and I stood frozen in place.

Sabrina runs to their aid, a gust of wind throwing the hunters far off from my mates before she released balls of fire on hunters that were close by. Each hunter bursting in to flames and screaming in agony.

She placed her hands on each of my mates necks, her eyes closed and then I snapped.

My mates were dying. My pack was dying and I will not sit here and just watch. I will save my kind to the end!

I look at my mates one last time as Sabrina tries to heal them and run off to fight off the threat.

I choose to trust Sabrina to save my mates. It was now up to me to save my pack and I will do just that, I will slaughter every hunter here and those that run. It was now up to me to save my pack.

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