Chapter 46-

Irvin-
I ride alongside the carriage as we leave our home and pack behind. I still have my mother’s scent on me from her tight embrace and I steady my resolve, I won’t let her or Oriel down. I keep trying to tamp down my anger, but it feels like a loosing battle. The last few days are starting to take a toll on me, since I’m riding, I have time to think about all the shit that has happened. The girl I consider a sister and love has a true mate bond. I just had always hoped that we either wouldn’t have mates or would end up together. I know it’s weird because we were raised together, but none of the girls in the pack have ever made me feel the way Oriel does. She’s so beautiful and my best friend and now I have to sit on the sideline and watch someone else fall in love with her and have the future I would want to have with her. The other person riding with Oriel in the carriage has also brought on some painful emotions. I share so many physical attributes as my actual sister Ayla that it’s hard to ignore. I know we have different biological fathers but we both grew in the same womb. I feel curious about the quiet girl but also want to be cautious her crazy parents tried to kill my mother and hurt my pack. If she intends to bring harm to Oriel sister or not, I will kill her. Even if I can never have the relationship I want with her I am happy that I get to stay by her side. I will just have to put my romantic feelings away and support Oriel as we move into a den of bloodsuckers. “How are you doing in there firecracker?” I ask a bored looking Oriel as she leans out the window of the carriage. “I’d be doing better if I could ride with you instead of sitting in here, but the town looks amazing. I have never been to a human colony before, they look so modern and cultured.” “They might look cultured, but they can’t be trusted. Most of them are savages doing anything they can to gain wealth and status.” I clench my fists tighter around the reigns as Rowen talks to Oriel, I hate the way she blushes whenever he is around. “We will stay at the inn tonight just up the road, my ship will be ready to take us home by sunrise.” I growl low and the bastard smiles at me. “Oriel you will share a room with Ayla and Irvin can stand guard by your door, he is after all your guard dog, isn’t he?” Just as I’m about to put that smug dick in his place Oriel shakes her head and speaks up. “Irvin is my chaperone and close confidant and you agreed to the request that he would accompany me during my stay at the castle. This should go without saying but I like Irvin am a proud shifter. If you don’t want a dog as your queen, then maybe it’s best that we turn the carriage around now. I’m sure someone else wouldn’t mind claiming me, even if I’m a dog.” Oriel’s face is red, and she is shaking in anger, I didn’t think Rowen would already be the recipient of her temper, the idiot gets what he deserves. “Halt!” The carriage suddenly stops, and Oriel turns to Rowen and her mouth drops open as his chest heaves in angry breathes. He looks at me and his eyes have the appearance of being on fire. “Take Ayla to the lodge ahead it is only up the road, I need a minute with my mate.” I get off my horse and stand in front of the door to the carriage blocking Oriel from his hateful gaze. “Go, now!” “I don’t think so. I promised Oriel’s safety to our pack, and I will protect her…even from you.” Rowen steps forward and grabs my throat in a punishing grip and hisses out his anger. “Oriel in mine! You will never stand between my mate and I again.” I claw at his veined hand that is crushing my windpipe, hairs sprouting as my body tries to force my shift.
Rowen:
All I see is red when Oriel says that someone else wouldn’t mind claiming her. Of course, no one would mind claiming the beautiful, bold, strong girl who is scolding me. If she hadn’t mentioned belonging to someone else, I would have been proud of the way she stood up for her brother or whoever he is to her. I did feel a bit duped when my advisor told me that Irvin is not actually her blood relation but that they grew up together and only consider each other siblings. He is in fact my newly acquired nieces blood brother. If I would have known that I probably would have suggested someone else to watch after her for the pack. The easy way they interact and the longing that I see in his eyes when he is near her makes me feel murderous. I’m glad that I promised to kill anyone who touches her before our mating ceremony. I might just continue squeezing this annoying kid’s neck who thinks he can come between my mate and I, but I feel a small gentle hand touch my strained face. “Please Rowen let him go so we can talk.” I blink a few times trying to control the rage coursing through my body. I can’t stand how out of control I feel right now, with just a few words and an attitude she has unnerved me more than seeing my brother die yesterday and that also was technically at her hand although if he would have continued, I would have killed him myself. “Rowen…let him go.” I reluctantly drop him to the ground and watch as he gasps for breath, Oriel kneels down and I see that they share in a silent conversation, another thing that ignites my anger. Irvin nods at Oriel while glaring holes through my head. “Ayla could you please walk with Irvin up the road to the inn? I will join you shortly and then we can settle into our room, okay?” Ayla says nothing but takes Irvin’s outstretched hand and they start off. As soon as Irvin and Ayla are out of sight, and we are alone I grasp Oriel’s throat in my hand firm enough to keep her in place but not hard enough to hurt her and I lean in so that my breath is fanning her face. “You belong to me Oriel. No one but me will claim you, understand?” She releases a breath and with a strength that surprises me turns us so that my back is pushed up against the carriage with her throat still in my grip. “Yes, I belong to you, but I am not a throw rug for you to wipe your feet on. I may not have been your first choice, but we have been paired together, so don’t start off by making me hate you. We have a long way to go yet.” She pushes my arm and I release my hold on her. Oriel turns from me and takes a few steps away to create space. Fuck…I didn’t want to hurt her, but I have certain expectations for my future mate. She will have so many eyes on her and I can’t let her slip. I see her shoulders shake slightly so I go to her and turn her around to face me again. I feel more in control of myself and need to resolve this before it gets any worse. I lift her chin so she can see me through her shiny eyes. “I’m sorry for my insensitive comment but I need you to know your place. I rule over many covens, and they can be harsh especially to someone who is different. I won’t have you siding with other people over me. If there is division between us, they will take that and create division everywhere. I know you are close to Irvin, but your allegiance needs to be to me alone. You will have much to learn over the next six years before you become queen. I have many who want to see me fall, the dreams I have are what some believe to be extravagant, and they want to see them crushed along side of me. I will work to control my anger and you will work to obey me.” I wipe the stray tear that escaped her eye away. “I will respect you and I am loyal, but I don’t want to only be an object. Something trained to know my place.” I sigh maybe bringing her was a mistake, I need to control her strong will even if it makes her hate me. “For now, that’s all you can be. Show me when you become queen the gem that I believe you to be because then you will have the status that offers you more protection, until then you must work hard and be my rug.” I see the disappointment all over her face. “Very well then, your rug has grown tired. Let’s meet the others.” She doesn’t get back in the carriage but walks to the inn without granting me another glance. This is off to a great start.
Oriel:
Ayla is such a sweet, quiet girl to be honest I am glad to have some female company and for something to take my mind off of the horrible conversation I had with Rowen. He didn’t take long to show his true colors. I know this wasn’t a love match and that we still have quite a bit of time before we can be properly mated but I never thought of my future and dreamed of being a quiet wall flower, even if I got to call myself queen while doing it. He doesn’t know me yet, but he just challenged me and I never back down. I will be the best thing that has ever happened to his people while advocating for my own and for unity for all supernatural beings. When he realizes how much of an asset I can be to him, and when I am powerful enough, I will reject him. Even if it kills me too, I would rather see him suffer and die as well then be nothing to someone I am destined to crave for my entire life. Fuck you Rowen! I am the daughter of a powerful alpha and beta, my mother has been to hell and survived and I am a shifter in my own right, I won’t bow down to you. The only one I need, is the one who has always been in my corner, my best friend Irvin. Tomorrow we travel to my new home, and I have a renewed energy for my task ahead. I’ll close my heart to him and win.