Chapter 41: The Vampire King

Grandpa Ryan

“You don’t have the authority to promise your sister, the future Alpha of this pack, to another! She makes her own choices; besides, she has found her mate. She will be bringing him here tomorrow to reveal her true self to him.” I told my son, Martin. “Wrong father. She will be mated to Vampire King Steven Garan, or you and she will suffer the consequences.” He warned. “She will reject the human; King Steven will arrive this evening to collect his mate.” He said glaring at me. “I won’t go.” Nadia yelled. I squeezed her shoulder to try and keep her calm. “We will not have a female Alpha or a human as her mate running our kingdom!” Martin gritted. “Once Nadia is mated to King Steven, our people will form an alliance and he will rule the whole supernatural world.” He smirked. “No! I will not let your sister reject her true mate. Mates are a gift from the Moon Goddess and to deny her and her gifts...” “Please father stop with all this true mate bullshit!” He yelled. “You will have her do this or be challenged for the Alpha title. I will kill you and she will be his either way. There is no choice for either of you.”

“Son, please don’t do this.” Nessa pleaded with him. “I don’t understand where these beliefs came from. We never taught you this. We rule our kingdom with compassion, but we follow our laws and traditions. You can’t force your sister to be mated with anyone but her true mate.” “Yes. I. Can.! I challenge you father for the Alpha title of this pack and kingdom. You will fight me now or you will yield to me and save yourself and mother. I will allow you to live out your days without fear of death.” He offered with an evil smile. “Or I can kill you now and banish mother, making her a rogue, Queen or not, makes no difference to me. You have ten minutes to make your decision.” He walked away, leaving me, Nadia, and Nessa to make a life changing decision. “Daddy, please don’t fight him. I’ll reject my mate and go with King Steven.” Nadia begged me. “No, you will not give up your happiness. I have already warned our warriors, you need to go to your room and pack a bag, like you're preparing to go with King Steven. Once you’re ready Orion will lead you out of the castle, he will lead you to the edge of the territory, go to your mate, leave Europe, and never return.” I demanded of her. “Daddy, NO!” Nadia quietly sobbed. “Please, do not argue with me, we don’t have much time.” I told her giving her a hug, then Nessa embraced her. “Please go my child.” Nessa whispered. I nodded to Orion, and he led her to her room and I... we, never saw her again. I gave Orion a backpack that had enough money in it to provide your mother for as long as she needed.

“Well father, have you made your decision?” Martin asked smoothly. I looked at Nessa and then to Martin. “Yes, your sister went to pack her bag, I have sent my beta to watch her.” I told him, hoping that he wouldn’t pick up on my lie. “Very good and my challenge?” He asked crossing his hands behind his back. “You said if she did this you wouldn’t challenge.” I growled at him. “I lied.” He smirked. I sighed. “Do you promise that no matter what happens, your mother’s safety is guaranteed?” I asked him. He raised his brows. “Of course, father. I don’t wish to harm mother or you.” He tried to assure me. “Then you should relinquish your position to me and prepare for Nadia’s mating ceremony.” He smiled with such confidence. “You and mother may stay in your current room.” He told us waving us away, dismissing us from his presence. “Oh father, your renouncement, please.” He chided me. I sighed. “I, Ryan Rose Raven, Alpha King of the Rose Raven pack and the werewolf kingdom, hereby submit and relinquish my position as Alpha King to my son, Martin Rose Raven.” As I finished my statement there was a shift in the air. I heard Nadia’s cry through my mind link and blocked her. I could hear Nessa sobbing, I embraced her trying to comfort her that everything would be okay. “Thank you, father, you, and mother may retire for the evening. Make sure to say your goodbyes to your daughter. She will not be here in the morning.” His voice held no emotion of any kind.

He was no longer our son; he was a different person than the one we raised. His Beta, Adam, met us on the steps of the palace. “Your majesty, your sister is not in her room.” The former beta said he escorted her to her room, but she never left the room. Beta Adam informed as we continued to walk into the main hallway. Martin turned to me and stomped towards me. “WHERE IS SHE?!” He yelled. “Where did you tell her to go? Did you send her to that filthy human mate of hers?” I had to pretend to be angry at her for all of our protection. “Of course not! I don’t know where she is!” I shouted at him. “She promised that she would go with King Steven.” She said that she would reject her mate. “Maybe that’s where she went, to reject him.” Nessa whispered. “I don’t believe she went to reject him! She went to run away with him!” He bellowed. “Guards! Send the trackers, find my sister, and return her to me! They DO NOT return without her!” His voice resonated through the castle. “She is to be unharmed upon her return. King Steven will handle her punishment.” “Yes, your majesty!” They all responded in unison. “Dammitt! Steven will be here any minute! How could she do this?” He continued to yell. “Martin, please calm down.” Nessa walked over to him trying to sooth him. “Mother please!” He told her batting her hands away from him. She was being a mom and she was doing a good job at it. He believed our lies. “You and father are safe, Nadia’s the one who left after she promised father that she would mate with Steven.” He took his mother’s hand and for the first time in a long time, he kissed the top of it. “I know you don’t agree with me, but this is what’s best for our future and our kingdom’s future.” His voice softened as he spoke to his mother. “Oh, and mother, you’re going to be a grandmother. My mate is expecting twins. Twin Alphas.” He smiles proudly.

I was surprised, we didn’t even know he had found his mate. “That is wonderful! When can we meet your mate?” Nessa asked with excitement. “I don't know, she's very delicate at the moment.” He told his mother. “She is a vampire and she's much smaller than other females, the doctor wants her to take it easy and will be monitoring her condition. Hopefully once my boys are born and healthy enough, I will bring the three of them for a visit.” “Martin, are you not staying?” I asked him. “Pppfftt...no father, I am not. I need to get back to my mate. I have been away from her long enough.” “What of castle and your people here?” Nessa fretted.

“Excuse me, your majesty, Vampire King Garan has arrived.” A guard informed us. “Shit!” He muttered running his hand through his hair. “Show him in.” He instructed as Nessa smoothed his hair. He batted her hands away like he would do when he was a child. I had to chuckle at that. “King Steven, welcome, please, come in.” Martin greeted. “King Martin, good to see you.” Steven bowed in respect. “So, I see that you are the new Alpha King.” He said shaking Martin’s hand. “Congratulations. Yes, my father agreed to hand over the title to me, after some persuasion.” Martin said looking at me. “I’m sure you will be a most merciful leader.” Steven said dryly. He wasn’t here for small talk. “I’m here to collect my mate. Her new kingdom is anxiously awaiting their Queen.” He said tracing his index finger along a picture of Nadia hanging on the wall. “Steven, there’s been a slight...problem.” Martin slowly said. Steven frowned and turned to face Martin. “Problem?” He asked raising his brow. “Are you trying to tell me that my Nadia is not here?” He asked as his eyes went from brown to red and then back to brown. His fist was clenching opening and closing, his jaw tightens, and his eyes narrowed. “I have my trackers searching for her.” He assured Steven. Steven motioned to one of his men and whispered something to him. The man nodded and rushed out of the room. “I will search for her until the end of time, should your men find her before me, you will send her directly to me, unharmed.”

“Steven.” Martin called out. “I am sorry. I do hope this doesn’t affect our agreement. She not only betrayed you, but she betrayed her own family, her mother and father. She lied to them when she told them that she would be your mate.” He was laying it on thick. “Yes, well, I will grant you my forgiveness. Your parents will remain safe but...their pack and kingdom will pay the price for her betrayal.” He calmly started before he said anything else, we heard screaming. Steven smiled with so much evil in his eyes. “Your parents will remain here until my Nadia is found but your warriors will return with me. Your pack members, minus the ones who have met with an unfortunate death, can remain here under your rule or however you see fit.” He looked over at Martin. “Please, what of the pups, the young ones?” Nessa asked holding back tears. “What of them?” He asked dryly. Nessa glared at him. “Oh fine, I will take all the males and females that are over the age of 18 and leave all the underage ones with you until they are of age. When they come of age, they will be matched with one of my warriors to ensure the future of our blood lines.” Martin and I walked Steven out, when we walked out and down the steps, there were only a few females and pups left. “Where is everyone else?” Martin asked one of the sobbing pups. The pup shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t worry about them King Martin, they are either on their way to my pack or with your Moon Goddess.” Steven stated uncaring of what has happened. “Children, go inside and Queen Nessa will tend to you.” I told them. They quickly shuffled into the castle.

King Steven turned and walked away, your uncle followed him, and we never saw him again. Your grandmother and I raise the pups and young ones until they turned of age. Steven sent men every month for them and if they hadn’t already left to make their own way in the world to find their mate, they were taken away. Last year, Noah and Jonah showed up on our doorstep. I continued. Martin allowed Steven’s son, who has now ascended the throne, to banish his own children because they didn’t believe or follow with their beliefs. Steven never stopped looking for your mother even though he had taken a mistress. A female hybrid hoping that his child would carry both vampire and wolf traits, but his son was born with vampire traits and one wolf trait. He can go out in the sunlight and not be affected. He decided that he would breed his child with Nadia’s child. If he couldn’t rule the supernatural realms, his son or grandchildren would.

“Who is his son?” Koltyn asked. I exhaled. “Luther Garan. I had feeling you were going to say that.” Reign said holding tight to Damien. “Steven tracked your mother and sent Luther to bring both of you back.” Noah started. “He still wanted Aunt Nadia and he wants you to marry and provide heirs for his sick ideas.” Jonah continued. “Steven will do whatever he has to build the world he wants, right or wrong.” I paused for a moment. “When Luther was fired as Reign’s private security, Steven went crazy, he wants Reign. He will not let her go, he passed that on to Luther. Neither of them will not let her go, the only way they’ll give up is if they’re...dead.” I finished.

Reign

We sat in the conference room for a little over two hours. I just couldn’t believe what grandpa was telling us. It was a lot to take in. I frowned. “What’s the matter little one?” Damien asked rubbing my arm. “He knew who I was all these years! He lied to me all this time! How could he do this?! I never wanted this!” I felt Damien tense up at my last statement. The way he looked at me, hurt and sadness in his eyes. “No, no, no Damien, I didn’t mean you, I love you.” I told him wrapping my arms around his waist. “I meant that I never wanted any of it with Luther!” I cringed. “You are what I want, the one I want to be with.” I told him cupping his face in my hands. “Don’t ever doubt that.” I whispered kissing his lips. Damien tightened his grip around my waist and nuzzled into the crook of my neck and inhaled. “I love you Reign Rose Raven Hunt.” He whispered in my ear.

“Okay love birds, we need to figure out what our next step is but first, I am starving.” Jonah chuckled rubbing his stomach. I glared at him, he shot me a huge toothy grin. “Let’s get something to eat and we will discuss a plan.” Beta Luke suggested. “I think we should keep the same plan.” I started. “But maybe move the meeting to the castle.” I looked at my grandpa. “Castle, wow, I never thought I would see a castle.” I giggled. “My dear,” Grandma said, getting my attention, “that castle is your rightful home. Your mother was our first born and you’re her first born, so it’s all yours, including the right to rule the kingdom of the wolves and all supernatural's. If you want to, you, Damien and this whole pack can move there now and put the kingdom back together.” She finished with a smile. “Are you serious?” Koltyn and Jyden asked at the same time. “You’re kidding, right?” Jyden asked. “Very serious and not kidding.” Grandpa chuckled. “It’s big enough for the whole pack. There are plenty of cottages for your warriors and pack members. The castle has plenty of rooms for your high-ranking members. There is a hospital with all the state-of-the-art equipment. I made sure to keep up with everything, you know, just in case.” He finished explaining. I looked at Damien then to dad. “Let’s eat get some rest and we will discuss this tomorrow.” Dad stated. “You two need to discuss all this.” He mind-linked us. We nodded at him. Noah and Jonah stood up and walked to the dining room. I wasn’t paying attention and ended up running into them. “What the heck guys, get outta the way!” I snapped at them. They just stood there, frozen, I walked around them only to see them staring at Cloie and Cloie staring at them. The next thing I hear all three of them say “MATE.” The boys rushed to her side and sandwiched her in between them with a hug. They inhaled her scent and in unison said “MINE.” I could see that Cloie was happy but when the realization hit and that her mates were not only twins but my cousins, she tried to push away from them. Both of them growled lowly.

“Guys! Chill out!” I demanded of them, they both growled at me. “Oh, hell no, you didn’t just growl at me, did you?!” I raised my voice walking towards them. “Sorry cuz, didn't mean too.” Noah sheepishly apologized. I glared at both of them. “You need to give her some room to breathe, finding out that you have two mates, and they are twins? That’s a lot to handle. Cloie, are you okay?” I asked her. She was still in a little bit of shock. “Baby.” Noah called to Cloie, he helped her sit down. “Sweetheart.” Jonah said sitting next to her. “I-I-I...don’t deserve either of you.” She whispered. “I’m...just an omega, you’re from royalty. I’m a nobody.” She cried softly. The twins looked at me, they had no idea what to do. I glared at them, and mind linked them. “If you are accepting her as your mate, then you need to comfort her and let her know! Damn you two are true dummies! She needs to know that you accept her as she is!” I scolded them. “Cloie, love.” Noah leaned into her ear. “You are my mate, our mate. You’re a somebody to us.” He said softly. “Sugar, we both accept you; it doesn’t matter what your rank or status.” Jonah told her kissing her cheek. “You’ll get tired of me; you’ll want someone prettier than me. You will end up rejecting me.” She sobbed. “Never!” Jonah growled making her flinch, Noah smacked him on the back of his head. “I’m so sorry my love. I didn’t mean to scare you, please don’t ever say things like that. We have been waiting to find our mate since we turned sixteen.” He caressed her cheek. “We would and will never reject you.” They both told her as she started to sob. “Please don’t cry.” Noah said wiping her tears with the pad of his thumb as Jonah gently rubbed her back. “We will go as slow as you need us too. We will prove to you that we will and can be the best mates you would ever want. We will make you proud to call us yours.” Jonah assured her giving her his big toothy smile. Ana walked into the dining room. “Ana.” I called to her with excitement. “Allow me to introduce you to Cloie’s mates and my cousins, Noah and Jonah Rose Raven.” Ana’s eyes widen and then she looked at Cloie, she had a small smile. “Cloie, my baby, I’m so happy for you, congratulations.” Ana said hugging Cloie and then the twins.

“Can we eat now?!” Jyden groaned. Ryott smacked the back of his head. “What?!” He whined. “I'm hungry. Don’t ruin their moment you big goon!” She huffed. “Don’t you remember when we first met?” He nodded and kissed her in apology. Everyone settled in, the food was brought out and everyone started chatting amongst themselves. Damien told Cloie to relax and not to worry about her duties, that we would find something different for her do. She tried to argue but I gave her the look. She smiled, relaxed, and reluctantly agreed. The boys tended to her hand and foot, they served her plate, got her something to drink and even tried to feed her. They had her giggling and smiling, I didn’t even know she could smile so big. I was happy for them.

“So, my love, what are you thinking?” Damien asked. “Just that I’m happy. I’m also still trying to digest everything grandpa said. The Vampire King was obsessed with my mom and now his psycho son is obsessed with me because of my mom. I’m also the rightful heir of the Werewolf and supernatural throne. I-I never even...I’m barely adjusted to the whole Luna thing, now he’s throwing in a Queen thing?” I mumbled. “Oh, and my wolf made her appearance.” I said rubbing my face. “What do you think? I mean this affects you and me, we also need to talk to mom and dad about all this.” “Tell you what.” He said pulling me onto his lap. “Let’s relax tonight, hang out, have fun and we will figure things out tomorrow. The last couple of days have revealed a lot of surprising things. We need time to absorb this information so we can make decisions that would be best for us and the pack.” He said placing a light kiss on my shoulder.

“Who wants to go swimming?” Jenny asked winking at Shadow. “Sure, let’s go.” Jazlyn agreed, she looked around the table to agreeing nods. Cloie looked a little scared, but the twins whispered something in her ear making her blush. I hope they can pull her out of her shell. I’m really glad that she’s mated to them and she’s now officially apart of our family. “Boys.” Our grandparents called out. “Come here my sweet girl.” Grandma called to Cloie with her arms open. Cloie walked over to grama; grama hugged Cloie. “Welcome to the family. If you ever need help controlling these two, you let me know.” Grams laughed. “Awe, grams.” The twins whined. “Yeah, don’t forget she has me also.” I glared at them. “Oooooo, like we are so scared of you...” They said covering their faces like they were scared. “Watching it, I can kick both your asses with ease.” I smirked. “Need I remind you of our first sparing session?” I laughed tilting my head to the side narrowing my eyes. “That was funny shit!” Koltyn snickered. “Okay, okay, c’mon let’s get this party started.” Jyden said clapping his hands. “Da, do you have enough snacks for later?” “Snacks? You just finished dinner.” Damien grunted. “Oh, please you know we need drinks and snacks.” Jyd reminded him. “Besides, this...” he motioned to the table “...was just the start, you know that.” Jyd rolled his eyes. “Fine, I think we have enough but better bring extra just in case. I know the way you and Kolt eat and now add the twin wonders over there.” Damien snorted; I stifled a chuckle. We all made our way to change into our swimsuits and head to the pond.

Damien and I didn’t spend too much time at the pond, we would stop and drink when we let Ayres and Dyanera out. The pond was their place to spend time together. I pulled out my swimsuit. “You know I don’t like you wearing skimpy clothes.” Damien grunted. “It’s called a swimsuit.” I said dryly. He never liked some of the cloths I wore but they were your just your average everyday shorts, tank tops and so on. It was his and Ayres’ possessive Alpha side. It irritated me beyond belief. “I’m wearing this for you and no one else, besides every male there are not only mated but they are also family and those who are not know that they will suffer your wrath and mine if they try anything. Besides, they have too much respect for not just me but you as well. You should really trust your men more.” I titled my head a little looking up at him with a smile. “C’mon, let’s go everyone’s waiting for us.” I said pulling him behind me out the back door. He huffed. “At least put on a t-shirt.” He said holding out one of his shirts and gave me his puppy eyes. “Fine.” I said I rolling my eyes at him and put on the shirt. “Thank you babygirl.” I snickered at him as we made our way to the pond.