Torn between mates

18. Plan B

Liv

We were having an inter-realms meeting, as we do regularly, between the Elf-Realm, Emeraldia, and Avalon’s Realm. So, Elric, father, and I was there representing Emeraldia, while Avalon and his second in command, mom, were representing his Realm. 

It was always quite weird having these meetings with my mom and my father, having them that close when mom is still clueless, it seems even like we were trying to ‘parent trap’ them.

We were discussing our very important business when someone knocked on the door. 

“May I enter, King Avalon?” we heard Linus’ voice. 

He is Avalon’s 3rd in command and a quite chill guy. Avalon inhaled deeply, I knew that he didn’t like to be interrupted during meetings, especially when discussing high-level politics, like now. I squeezed his hand in reassurance and felt him relax a bit. 

“Yes, Linus.” He answered not so impatiently. 

Linus went inside in a bit clumsy way, dropping and breaking a vase. I had to hold back my chuckles, I’m in a serious meeting mood now, I can laugh like a little monkey. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Linus said trying to collect the shattered pieces of the vase. Avalon only exhaled sharply. 

“It’s fine Linus. What is the urgent matter that couldn’t wait?” Avalon asked. 

“it’s about the Plan B Club, some customers heard that the girls, the dancers, are being exploited and maybe even abused. They heard yells last night and just came to report it to me now.” Linus explained.

“And you couldn’t wait until the end of this meeting?... Never mind, you interrupted it already.” My mate grumbled.

“I… I was worried about the girls…in those situations, we shouldn’t wait much. I know some of them, they are lovely ladies and so well… I’m sorry Princess Livia.” He said stopping in his trail and flashing me a sheepish look as if he was about to say something offensive. Goddess, I’m not 5 years old, he could say anything about those chicks, I wouldn’t really care. How does he think I got as pregnant as I am now? 

“It’s okay Linus, don’t worry.” I smiled. “We have to do something about it. See what is really happening,” I turned to Avalon, “What kind of club is it?” 

“It’s a gentlemen’s club attached to a bar,” Avalon explained.  

“We should go and check if the females that work there are okay. I mean, if they are not forced to do anything, or being exploited.” I suggested. 

“That’s a great idea!” My mom remarked.

“It doesn’t concern you, Liv.” Avalon cut our vibe off.

“What?” I asked. I was indignant and I felt my blood boil. Damnit, is he playing the jerk card again? Seriously? After all this time?

He rubbed the back of his neck in a tense way. “What I want to say is that you, as a mated female, shouldn’t go to such a place. Besides that, you are carrying.” He uttered.

“You aren’t making it any better! That is total chauvinist crap! ... it’s not as I’ll have some fun with the girls there. For crying out loud, I just want to make sure our people are well.” I snapped back. 

Avalon sighed, “Fine.” He came closer and I stood my ground, my furrowed brows, and hands on my hips. So much for him changing and becoming a better mate, but I guess having a jerk-relapse is part of the process. Well, it doesn’t mean that I will take his bullshit. 

“I’m going with you.” He uttered, and I gazed him a pointed look. “It’s my duty to make sure my people’s well-being isn’t threatened.” He added. 

“Okay, so let’s go now. If something bad/wrong is happening, we should stop it as soon as possible.” I said. 

Avalon shook his head. “Now?” he murmured; his eyes grey with tension. 

“Yes. What is there to wait?” I replied. 

Elric held me by wrapping an arm around my waist, “I can go with you, love. To make sure you don’t stress yourself.” He glanced at Avalon as well and then turned his gaze back to me, “Why don’t you change to something more informal? The workers at the club may feel leery if you present yourself in such a courtly attire.” He added eyeing my long formal-ish dark blue dress. He is so right. 

I nodded.

“I’m also joining you, it’s a Realm matter. I should also attend to it.” My mom said. 

“Have you ever been to the bar attached to the club, Mel?” Elric asked, more out of curiosity or maybe for my father’s sake.  

“I don’t think so… I’ve only been to one bar…” she answered looking thoughtful. 

“I’ll join as well.” My father chimed in and Avalon nodded to him. 

“Let’s change,” I told my mom, taking her by the hand before we walked out of Avalon’s office.

~ * ~

Avalon

I was feeling edgy, running my hand through my hair constantly. I didn’t want to be excessively authoritarian and tell her she can’t go; I know it won’t ever work with my mate. It would only drive her furious and very mad at me. 

I huffed, “She shouldn’t go, she is a mated woman and especially in her state.” I muttered. 

“Avalon detached yourself from such an antiquated mentality. She can go wherever she wants unless it means harm to her. The essential point is to ensure she doesn’t stress or exert herself, she is carrying a very powerful child or children, which will likely take a substantial toll on her.” Elric said calmly. 

How can he be so calm about it? That is not a place for our mate to go. It isn’t a place that I would even go myself. It is a low and degenerate den, not a place for my cherished Princess. 

“It’s not a place for our mate, Elric!” I affirmed, I turned to look to Maximus, “Are you content that your mate is also going to such a place?” 

“Content wouldn’t be the word. I’m not in the position to ask her for anything. Even if I were, it’s her decision. Moreover, she is doing her work and making sure those females aren’t being ill-treated. Liv is doing the same, she cares about your people enough to take responsibility and do it herself. You should be proud of your Queen.” He pronounced the last word with some bitterness. It was easy to see that he doesn’t approve that I haven’t made Livia my Queen yet. 

Not that his opinion matters to me. It’s my Realm to rule. 

But he is correct in one thing, Liv does care a lot about our people, and she is doing it thinking about them. About their wellbeing. I need to learn to trust my mate more. Give her my complete trust. 

Although it seems too hard for me to trust completely, rather impossible. Even when it comes to the one being, I love and care for deeply, my woman. That is the last ounce lacking for me to demolish all my walls for her and letting her in totally. But I still can’t avoid holding to such a piece of wall. 

~ * ~

Liv

Mom and I changed to jeans and shirts to look more casual. It was strange seeing her in something that wasn’t a dress. She is always wearing a classy cocktail dress, but she looked quite good this way, younger and chill.After that, we met the guys and we all portaled to the Plan B Club. 

It’s weird to see my parents interact when my mom has no clue that he is her mate. I feel so bad for her. 

They were talking and she was giggling. I saw the way she looked at him as if she understood that there was something there, the feeling, the connection. It was the look of someone who is falling hard mixed with guilty. She felt the mate attraction, call and whatnot, of course, she did. But she felt guilty because she has a mate. She only doesn’t know that HE is that mysterious mate of hers. That broke my heart a bit. Heck, I’ll give him a piece of my mind soon enough. 

The place was a bit shady. Not so many lights, some black sofas, and two stages with many pole-dance poles, a bar, and many cabins surrounded by red velvet curtains. 

We went to talk to some of the females, they looked very wary when they saw us. Probably they identified Avalon as their King and could feel the power vibes rolling off of Elric and even some from my parents. 

The chicks looked as if they wanted to hide. Poor girls.

“You don’t need to worry; we are just here to talk and check if you are working under fair conditions.” I started, trying to reassure them. They still looked very tense. 

“I imagine that your work can be exhausting and have unregular shifts. We just want to make sure it’s not too much and that you have all you need to do it safely.” My mom added with her soothing voice, she looked at Avalon and told him and the other males, “May you gentlemen please leave? I believe the ladies would feel more comfortable being only among females.” 

Avalon sneered and tightened his grip around me. What an overbearing man! 

“Come on, she is right.” I eyed him from over my shoulder, it won’t work. I sighed. “They can’t hurt me, they are no fighters, just dancers. They won’t attack me or anything. Stop being so over the top and let me do something for the people of this Realm.” 

He huffed but nodded and the males finally left. 

Then we could talk to the females and after some time they were much more relaxed. I’m glad my mom is so tactful and preceptive. The girls told us about the exhausting working shifts, the extra hours that they were kind of forced to do, and that the establishment kept a fat share of the money they earned with their dances and whatnot. With a lot of reassurance from us and hesitance, one of them told us about their abusive manager who harasses and abuses them on a daily basis. 

They deserve much better than that. I was very enraged that this place and this manager dude would do that to them. Avalon so needs to take better care of our people.

If only I were the queen or had any political power in this Realm. But at least my mom has influence here and she is doing a good job supporting the population more; especially the vulnerable groups, like children and witches and wizards that aren’t powerful. 

I am so proud of her and happy for her too, I know she really enjoys doing her work. 

This manager dude was nowhere to be seen. But I knew we need to do something now; we can’t let these girls go through this any longer. 

After the talk was over, the males came back to the main room of the club, Avalon immediately wrapped me in his arms. Did he seriously think I was in danger or anything like this? 

A few minutes later we heard the backstage door open and a man with very bright clothes entered the room. I heard some of the girls greeting him by muttering the words, “Mister manager.” There was the rat we were looking for. 

I was surprised to see who the ‘manager’, who exploited those poor girls, was. It was the scumbag himself, Galvin. He had the nerve to show up with a disgusting smile. Argh! Some of the girls went backstage, maybe afraid of him. Elric came closer to me and wrapped two protective arms around me, pulling me against his hard chest, maybe imagining what I had in mind.  All I wanted to do was shoving the grin off the scumbag’s stupid face. But apparently, I wasn’t fast enough. 

Mom went closer to him, I swallowed hard. She was only a step away from him when she threw a punch straight to his face, making him stumble back shocked. My eyes flew open. I heard some of the girls that were still around gasping and some of them even laughed. 

Galvin took a step towards mom and in a second my father was between them both.

“Don’t you dare to come any closer!” my father hissed, taking a protective stance.

Galvin walked back dumbstruck. His face was priceless. No more nasty smile. 

My father turned to look at mom, “Are you well?” he took her fist in his hand and looked at her bruised knuckles, “Is it hurting?”

She looked at him a little surprised for an instant. “A bit, but it was worth it.” She answered with a small, satisfied smile.  

Avalon cleared his throat and my mom walked back towards us. 

“Mel, do I have to tell you that as my Second in Command you shouldn’t punch people’s faces?” Avalon told my mom. I hold back a chuckle. 

That was amazing! 

“No, you don’t. It was a one-time event. Very called for and well-deserved, I may add. I won’t be punching anyone else.” My mom said with a gracious smile. 

How can she look like a lady even after blowing someone’s nose? I wish I could have her natural elegance, but I’m more of an untamed spirit; my deep sense of freedom and my sense of ‘what the freaking heck’ won’t let me to.  

I need to tell this to Laius; he will laugh as hell. I mind-linked him and told him everything. In the next minute he was at the club with us. I didn’t see it coming. 

“Sugar.” He lifted me carefully by my waist and pecked my lips, before he turned to Galvin with a wicked smile.

The scumbag was cowering at the back of the club, as if he was only expecting the opportunity to disappear backstage without anyone noticing. Not having his powers and titles, (what he lost when Avalon learned that he drugged my mom attempting to rape her with the lame excuse that he loved her), he was just our everyday coward.

~ * ~*~ * ~

Alexus 

When I learned she was my mate, I was shocked. But soon the cursed spell of astonishment and its fog were lifted, making my senses come back to me.

I don’t feel a pull towards her. However, I crave her blood, I crave her body, and to look at her gorgeous goldeneyes. Her blood calls me and the most baser way. That is why I lied that I needed a daily dose of her delectable blood. To my surprise, the bimbo enjoyed it a lot. 

She is beautiful, that is for sure. But she is only that. 

I don’t want, nor need a mate. They say a mate makes you strong. That is far from the truth. It’s ridiculous! Look at Laius, he used to be the almighty and ruthless King of Hell, now he became a lovesick clown bending to his witch’s every whim. Wrapped around her little finger. That b***h made 3 powerful kings became puppets in her hands. 

Totally p***y whipped. At least his minx seems naughty and fiery, she should give him a hell of a ride.

Moreover, the darkness in me is strong and it makes me stronger. A mate would dilute, diminish, that darkness, what is all that I don’t need. Especially having a weakling as a mate, she is a simple witch and a very soft, fragile, and innocent one. She is not fit for a King. She is not fit for me. The Goddess is playing one of her jokes, executing her revenge by binding me, us, to that childish lame duck.

But I will keep her, for her delicious blood and her beautiful body, she is going to be my blood and s*x doll. No one else will get close to her or her blood. I don’t share what is mine. She will be only mine. Mine to drink. Mine to pleasure. Mine to claim! 

I just have to take the mutt and the fairy out of my way. Now that she made me make that unbloody promise, I need to find a way to do it. I know that I couldn’t count on my old battle-field comrade to help me, Laius wouldn’t do anything to displease his wench. 

However, Broadrick could help me. After the incident between him and Lea, I’ve just scolded Broadrick and told him to never dare to touch what is MINE. There is also a rogue witch who is indebted to me, she owes me her magic services in exchange for staying in my Realm. She could also be of some help.

I only have to find the perfect moment to put my plan into action. To have Lea alone and steal her for myself. Which is very hard, taking that the Fairy King and the Mutt are always around her, like two lovesick puppies. Thus, I already had to wait for a whole month. But at least in this month, I got to taste bits of her delicious blood. Soon I will be able to taste her and have her freely, not only as an appetiser.