Torn between mates

41. Nemesis

Lea

When I went back to my room, I saw a little black box. I had no idea where this one came from. I’ve already opened all the presents from my family and friends. They showered me with books and DVDs. Nema of course had to give me a set of seeing-through lingerie and handcuffs! She gave me handcuffs! I didn’t even want to imagine what she thought I would do with those. 

I opened the black box. Inside it, I could see a card and a flower seed. 

I read the note.

‘Lea,

This is the seed of snow-blood rose. A very rare flower, which unites purity and tort in its petals, what provides it a unique and dazzling combination. 

I’m sorry for the way I treated you. 

Have a happy birthday! 

Alexus.’

I felt my body fall down numbly against the chair; I went pale out of shock, as my blood froze in my veins. I didn’t expect that at all.

I wonder why he sent me a present, why he apologized... he sent me the seed of a very rare flower; one that I wanted to have but couldn’t find for a long time. 

I sighed deeply. 

Was it his strategy to lure me and drink more of my blood? 

That’s the only possible explanation I could think of I wanted to send it back, but I didn’t even know how and to where. How could he even manage to get this box here? I just stood up and placed the box, with the seed and the note inside, on the back of my shelf, under my books; wanting to leave it there for forgetfulness to claim it. 

He won’t lure me to have my blood!

~ * ~

After a couple of days, we had the meeting my Sun wanted to have. 

Liv, I, and the four Kings, my mates Valentin and Richard, and Liv’s mates Avalon and Elric gathered again to discuss  King Alexus. The Kings‘ seconds in command were also there. This time it was a more official meeting, we even came to the official meeting room and sat around a round table. 

The 4 Kings have some soldiers infiltrated in the Vampire Realm, trying to find King Alexus and bring him to justice. 

Dad was of course present, as Elric’s second. Mom didn’t come yet again; she was still avoiding my father.  

“We could hunt and kill Alexus,” Richard suggested, as soon as we sat down. He didn’t lose any time.  

“No!” I yelled surprising even myself. Even after everything, only hearing those words made my heart drop and my stomach churn. That is how powerful the mate bond is, especially now that I’m of age. Everyone looked at me as if I have grown a second head.

“You can’t do it. That would destroy me.” I just knew that it would.

“She’s right, even though they haven’t marked and mated, they’ve already met, and their bond has already formed, especially after she reached mating age. His death would bring her too much pain, in such an amount that she might never recover.” Elric explained.

Richard growled and Valentin tightened his hold on my hand.

“We could invade and destroy his Realm and keep him in the dungeon forever.”

“And kill innocent people?” Avalon questioned in his imposing voice.

“They are vampires, they aren’t innocent,” Richard uttered. 

“Hey, don’t generalize! It’s not because Alexus is a psycho-monster, that all his people are bad like him. There are jerks and nice people in every realm.” Liv chimed in. 

“War isn’t the solution. Peace is.” Elric declared.

“I agree with them,” Valentin said looking at Richard.

I knew something about the feud between wolves and vampires, but Richard’s suggestion shocked and frightened me. He couldn’t punish the vampire people for their King’s crimes. Would he do such a thing to the whole population of the Vampire Realm? Destroy their home and their lives? Could he be this heartless?

“We should sign a new Peace Treaty, a more extensive and binding one. If we sign it as an Oath to the Goddess, assign her as the keeper of the Treaty, her Olympic Power will be the binding force behind the words of Peace.” Elric suggested attracting everyone’s attention. 

So, if someone breaches this Peace Treaty, they would be punished by the Goddess herself. That would for sure guarantee a long-lasting peace among the 6 Realms. It’s brilliant! 

“Haven’t you suggested that before, my Love?” Liv asked Elric.

“Indeed, but it wasn’t accepted. However, we had a change of circumstances, what could be favorable and give the peace negotiations momentum.” Elric replied looking so serious and diplomatic. Commanding in a soft but determinate way. He was truly a great King, that is why my dad put so much trust in him. 

“Well, Psycho-Vamp would never agree with it,” Liv said matter-of-factly.

“Maybe he will, we just have to offer him something in exchange,” Elric replied in an astute way. Oh Goddess, what does he have in mind?

Richard growled in response and his eyes started to glow, he was quite edgy. He wasn’t liking it at all. I squeezed my mate’s hand and got closer to him, trying to calm him and his wolf down, his eyes finally came back to normal. To his ‘man-form normal’.  

“It won’t be anything that compromises Lea, Richard. Rest assured.” He said looking at Richard and my wolf’s expression got a bit calmer. “That wasn’t ever even under consideration, she is my subject and my family,” Elric added flashing me a warm smile, I smiled back. 

His words earned him a sweet smile from my sister and a kiss on his cheek, he looked at her lovingly. 

“In exchange for his cooperation and agreement with such a Peace Treaty, we could offer him a truce. Better yet, amnesty. We all have soldiers after him after what he did and tried to do to Lea, he is been besieged, cornered, even in his own Realm. My proposal is we stop the searches for him, withdraw the searching agents from his Realm, and let him unpunished for his crimes against Lea if he agrees to sign the new Treaty.”

“No. We can’t let him escape after all he did to MY MATE.” Richard hissed.

“If we keep soldiers in his Realms, it could justify an offensive from him and instigate a war.” Elric reasoned calmly. 

“We are 4 Realms against one, he has no chance.”  My father added. It’s weird to see him not agreeing with his King. Normally they have a single strategy and act as a united front when talking with other species Kings or representatives, or at least Liv told me so. 

“That is if Laius doesn’t join Alexus,” Richard said with venom, he was still very angry that Laius let King Alexus escape. 

“He wouldn’t!” Liv said with emphasis almost standing up from her seat. Doesn’t matter what happens between them, I know she is loyal to Laius and knows he wouldn’t fight Elric’s troops, which are also her troops. Laius wouldn’t ever go to war against his beloved Queen. 

Liv let out a sigh and adjusted her body on her seat, recomposing herself. “We should try to avoid the war anyway. The most vulnerable people, the ones that have nothing to do with it are normally the ones who suffer most. We can’t have innocent vampires being killed in the crossfire. Besides that, if Alexus signs the treaty it’s for our own benefit, we could just write it in such a way that says that if he attacks or threatens a Queen, as Lea will soon be, he is bound to be punished by the Goddess herself.” Liv added with a sly smile.

I am so proud of my sister, she is such a great Queen and has become an excellent strategist and even quite diplomatic, at least sometimes. She always has not only the interest and wellbeing of the people of her 3 Realms at heart but also, the people of all the 6 Realms. I looked around and saw Elric and, even, Avalon flashing her proud smiles.

“That is a great idea, baby.” Avalon’s eyes were a mix between hazel and green, as he looked at my sister in wonder. I knew that his magic eyes changed to these colors when he is calm and being affectionate. His eyes were hazel and warm mainly when he looked at Liv. 

“That is quite smart. Besides ensuring the peace, we would make sure Lea is protected by the Goddess herself.” Valentin smiled.

“I agree.” Richard exhaled sharply. “That is the best way to protect Lea, it’s what matters most.” He added and I squeezed his hand and smiled, even though in the crooked and scary way, he was trying to protect me. 

“So, it’s settled, we shall get all the Realms and the Pixie Queen on board and start the Peace Treaty 2 negotiations,” Liv said. 

My father and Elric sneered when they listened to Liv mentioning the Pixie Queen, they didn’t like her at all. Liv was actually the only one that was somehow on good terms with Queen Ariel. 

~ * ~

Richard

When I arrived at my Realm, I went directly to my office with Luke. We’ve serious matters to discuss. Luke was about to sit down, but my words stopped him.

“You don’t have to take a seat. It won’t take more than few minutes. Prepare the armies. We must be ready to attack and soon.” I told him and he looked at me dumbfounded. 

“Attack? What?” My wolf and I didn’t like when anyone challenged our commands. But we had more tolerance with Luke and Sarah. Anyway, my wolf let out a low growl, and Luke cast his eyes down.

“The Vampire Realm. We will kill Alexus.” 

Because of the promise I made to Lea, I can’t attack Alexus, I can’t hurt him. However, my armies can. 

“How about the Peace Treaty? How about Lea?” He asked. 

He was abusing my good patience, and patience is something I don’t have in abundance. All that I have of it, I save for special occasions and special people, like my Luna. 

I knew that my eyes were glowing, as a deep growl rumbled in my chest. Titan felt that Luke was defying him. Luke noticed his mistake and bared his neck to us in a sign of submission, calming my wolf down a tad. 

“I just wonder, because I care about you and our Luna. I don’t mean to challenge or disrespect your authority, Alpha.” 

He has good intentions and is a good friend; I must acknowledge that. I huffed, trying to keep my wolf in check. 

“Alexus won’t sign the Treaty. Why would he? He only acts for his own benefit. Lea hasn’t a strong bond with him, she will overcome his death with time. It’s better than having him free, at large. That would represent a greater risk to my Luna.” 

“But what if he agrees with the Peace Treaty?” Luke asked, his eyes still cast down. 

“Then, we must act before the Peace Treaty becomes binding. Before it’s sealed by the Goddess' magic.” 

Luke nodded in response, “Yes, Alpha.” 

“Now go and start the necessary preparations.” I dismissed him.

Alexus is the absolute opposite of everything I am and all I represent. 

I’m loyal, act with instinct, and share my soul with an animal. A noble, fair and community-oriented animal, who is protective and caring towards what is his. My mate, my family, my pack, my Realm. 

Acting with instinct, emotion, and bravery. Not only the rational side of a man.

While Alexus is just for himself, he doesn’t even really care about his Realm. He has no soul and no emotions. He is a cold, calculating, and empty monster. 

I won’t be in peace as long as Alexus is alive. We can’t cohabitate the same Realms, we both always knew it. This moment was always bound to come and now I’ll seal his destiny.