Chapter 7
2317 Words
~Selena~
Saddling a horse, I ride out to the border. The horse starts getting restless and I look out into his territory.
Selena “I know you are there. I can sense you.”
Wolf “Yeah well, you just stay on your side of the border. We don’t want your kind here!”
Selena “Oh, but you have my blood in your veins! Then you should banish yourselves!”
Wolf “We no longer have your filthy blood! It drained when the King called us.”
I didn’t see or smell blood in the eating hall. Where, how?
Selena “I’m not here to argue with a minion like you. Where is my mate?! I want to speak to him and not you!”
Knowing they can’t resist my demand to speak to Thomas, I see one of them run in the direction of the house. The warmth radiating off his body as he runs. I don’t even know what I’m going to say when he gets here. Will he be that horrible monster again or will he be Thomas? I hear the rush of breath coming back and look for Thomas.
Wolf “The King said to let you know he isn’t in the mood to talk to you right now.”
He laughs, meaning Thomas isn’t in charge at the moment.
Selena “Tell your so-called King. When I return tomorrow and I will, he better be in the mood, or I will come into your territory and take it back like mine! Like it supposed to be!”
Losing my temper with the wolf that used to be one of mine and is now thinking he can order me around. I turn the horse around and ride back to the castle, hearing their laughter ringing in my ears. How dare they!! Thomas will hear about this! But I will do the punishing!
Lucille is preparing to go and see the bank about opening the old branch of the bank in town, Brian is out organizing our patrols, David and Charlie are packing to go in search of stock to fill our shops with. In the next day or two, the lot of them will leave me behind, alone.
~Azi~
So, the blood Queen is demanding to see us or she will attack what she thinks is her territory. I need to find a way to overpower Thomas and keep him down tomorrow. I need Blaze to let me out of the cuffs!
Azi link “Blaze! Someone knocked me out and locked me up in the cells!!”
I growl through the pack link, making him come running. Thomas has fallen asleep and thought that they wouldn’t be strong enough to open the links. Blaze calls one of the other wolves and soon there are a couple of them trying to get me out of the chains and cuffs, but they aren’t budging. What the hell are these things made of and how did he know without me knowing?!
I feel him stir within and I’m in control so I’m not concerned.
Thomas “Azi, I told you. You won’t get out of the cuffs without me. Stop trying.”
Azi “I have somewhere to be! Why would you do this to me?!”
Thomas “Because I can’t trust you! You will attack the Vampire territory and take what you think is yours. Selena is my mate and I won’t allow you to attack!!”
Azi “She is not my mate and I will do as I wish!”
I pull at the chain on the wall hearing the concrete between the rocks crack, giving me the strength to pull even harder. One of the chains snaps and my arm is free from the wall, although the cuff is still around my arm.
Azi “Tell me how to get out or it will be your body suffering the injuries!!”
I shouted looking at my bleeding human wrist.
Thomas “NO! You are still chained by one arm! I’m not going to let you go!!”
I pull with all my strength on the other chain, having turned around, using my full body weight. Shifting should break the cuffs for sure! I decide and shift only to double down in pain. The pain is indescribable! The cuffs cutting into my flesh and I immediately shift back to human form.
Azi “What witchery is this?!!
Thomas “I’m not going to tell you Azi. Now let me rest and let me take control when I wake or you are never getting out of here!”
~Thomas~
I didn’t think these would work! Wow! The King must have really kept wolves down here in these enchanted cuffs. Luckily, I found the drawing of their design between my father’s paperwork. It almost looked as if he was planning on having this floor closed off.
Azi “Human! Are you listening?!”
Thomas “Azi… I’m not going to react to insults, that much I can promise you!”
Azi “Fine then!! Thomas! Let me out! NOW!”
Thomas “No, I told you why not, and when I will.”
My wrist is dripping blood where he broke the chain and it doesn’t look good.
Thomas “You might think to ask one of these wolves to clean and close this wound you caused or we will die… both of us.”
He is quiet for a second or two then orders Blaze upstairs to find the first aid kit. Cleaning the wounds hurt Azi more than it hurt me… I reminded myself that it was the first time in his life that he had felt the sting of wound cleaner. If I had to be honest with myself… Even Xavier was easier to deal with! His struggle had tired him out, but although my body was tired, my mind had rested and I was strong enough to take control before he could stop me.
With him being in pain after all his fuss, I had the perfect chance to say the word to release the cuffs, without anyone hearing it.
Azi “That was all?! One word? That was all it took to get out?”
Thomas “Yes, no violence, just a kind word. Now shall we get to work?”
I walk up to the bedroom to clean up. I got a total of two hours of sleep and it won’t be easy trying to make it through with only that little sleep. I need to see Ariel, but I need to be sure Azi will stay down. His struggles have tired him out and I hope that it is enough for me to find out what I need to and get back in time.
Thomas link “Brian, I need to speak to Ariel, but I require an escort should Azi make an appearance.”
There is no reply. Why can’t I reach him?
Azi “He is no longer pack! His link with us is broken!”
He growls softly, sounding half asleep.
Thomas “That is not possible! He is my beta!”
Azi “Not anymore. Blaze is now the chosen Beta remember.”
He yawns and silence falls. I had two betas before, why can’t I have three? If I can’t get to Ariel, I need to find better ways to keep Azi down.
Thomas link “BLAZE! WHERE IS MY BREAKFAST AND MY COFFEE!”
Blaze link “On its way your Highness.”
Thomas link “Where are you?”
They don’t have anything in the packhouse to cook with.
Blaze link “In your kitchen…”
Thomas link “Fine. I will be in my office.”
Blaze link “Yes, Your Highness.”
Walking into my office I smell Blaze starting with breakfast and one of the omega wolves comes running into my office with coffee. Bowing his head, he stands there like a statue.
Thomas “Well? What are you waiting for? An invitation? Put it there on my desk!”
He is out of my office before I can even apologize. I should have slept longer, and what was with screaming at Blaze?! I sigh, taking the seat behind my desk. Blaze walks in with a perfectly cooked steak. Bowing his head, he walks around to my side of the desk and puts down the tray.
Thomas “Thank you.”
I feel a growl rumbling from deep within me, making him bow and disappear. Forgetting all manners, I grab at the steak and start chewing on the delicious meat. I can’t remember when I last felt this hungry! Finishing it off in a matter of minutes, I wipe my mouth on my sleeves only to realize what I had just done. This is not me! What the hell?!
~Ariel~
I need to speak to Thomas. They can’t keep me locked up here forever! Especially not with this damn pixie and all her questions!
Donella “You are a witch… why don’t you just spell yourself out of here. If you were as good as they say…”
Ariel “Has anyone told you how tiresome you are?”
Donella “What? They wouldn’t dare! I’m not tiresome, I can’t be! I’m a Queen.”
Ariel “Looks to me like you are a sewer rat. Where is your crown?”
If I could do magic… I would have put a furry rat head on her head to make her look like a proper sewer rat!
Chloe “Oh, Donella, do shut up! You are giving me a headache and I’m sure Ariel as well.”
Ariel “What a refreshing surprise, a pixie with some sense. What are you doing here?”
Chloe “Waiting for death thanks to Donella here.”
Ariel “I see. You actually like it. How did you end up here with her?”
Chloe “I was the General of her army until I got caught. But that feels like forever ago. Now I just lay around, waiting for my day in the gallows.”
Ariel “Oh darling, Selena doesn’t do gallows anymore. You can rest at ease.”
I laugh at the dramatic way in which she waved her hand around while laying on the floor. She seems quite the character. At least she is better conversation that the damn so-called queen.
Donella “I said nothing about getting caught. I simply told you…”
Chloe “Oh, shut up Donella!”
Ariel “Yes, it’s decided, I like you Chloe, and should I get out and I can convince Selena, I would like to take you with me. Maybe as a witch’s apprentice, you are a pixie after all. You should have a natural talent.”
Chloe “That would have been awesome Ariel if madam Donella over here didn’t steal all the pixie dust and keep us away from our magic for so many years. I’m afraid I’m unable to do any magic because I have none.”
Ariel “I see.”
So that is how Selena is keeping them in their cell. Neither of them realizes that the magic is not just in the dust, but it lives inside of them. How could they not know this?
Ariel “What about you Donella? Have any magic in you that I can use?”
Donella “No. They took my necklace which contained the dust that I used for myself.”
So, she also didn’t know… Well, now that is an interesting turn of events. I might just use this information to get myself out of here. How… I will have to decide while I plan an escape…
~Selena~
I haven’t heard a word from Thomas or his other side, and I was now starting to get worried that he might not be able to get out of Azi’s control! My darling Thomas, I reach out trying to feel out mate bond, and this time I feel it coming through stronger than before. Oh, thank the goddess! He must have gained control somehow.
Deciding to ride out to the border again, I again run into the rude wolf.
Wolf “I told you, he doesn’t want to see you.”
Selena “And I told you, to go and tell him I’m here!”
With reluctance, he turns around seeing that I’m not going to leave and retreats in the direction of the packhouse. It doesn’t take nearly as long as before for Thomas to arrive.
Cautiously I stay on the horse should I need to leave fast.
Thomas “Selena!”
He sounds relieved to see me and dismisses the wolves, sounding agitated and angry in a way I don’t know him to become.
Selena “When I felt you in our bond, I had to take a chance again.”
I say, climbing down into his embrace when he holds out his hands to me. I can feel our strong bond and don’t feel any remnants of the other wolf.
Selena “Thomas, what is happening?”
Thomas “There is a lot to explain, but for now, be careful when you are around me. Always first make sure it’s me. The wolf inside me can be cruel and for some reason feels the need to attack any and all obstacles in his way. Including you, because of Ariel being held in the castle.”
Selena “I know, I can take care of myself Thomas, you just keep those dogs of yours under control!”
Thomas “My what?!!”
Selena “You heard me! They have no respect for the one person who they should be showing the most respect.”
Thomas “Oh, and who is that supposed to be?!”
Selena “Me! Your mate, remember!”
- Writer
