Beyond The Shadows

RHEA
A glowing sword appeared in Haru's grip, her eyes turning a bright yellow. She seemed to glow, especially in this state. I contemplated using my magic to fight. But, I could perceive the presence of fourteen vampires and we were only three. I quickly took off my shirt and sweatpants. The shift happened. It was faster than the first time I'd shifted.
'Your wolf is beautiful' Haru commented through the mindlink.
"Thanks, Haru" I responded. The vampires stopped in front of us, glinting fangs stained with blood. Their clothes were blood stained as well and they were as pale as corpses. They stank badly. The stench from them could have been processed into a poisonous gas that would have taken down even the largest of elephants. They growled at us and I saw red. I attacked the one standing in front of me, my movements quick and precise. My fangs ripped through skin, my claws tearing muscles apart. By the time we were all done, the vampires were on the floor, a bloody mess. They began to burst into flames as a result of the sun. Hera blew out a breath, a smile of triumph tugging her lips.
"We are totally badass" she breathed.
...
"Vampires?! In my territory?!" Jaden thundered when he learnt about the rogue vampires that had trespassed.
"Don't worry, we have destroyed the whole lot" Dana assured Jaden.
"They smelled weird, though" Haru said and Jaden's frown deepened.
"What do you mean?" He asked, his fists clenched.
"Well, for starters, their scent smelt different, like they had been drugged up in a way. They continued to attack us tirelessly. It was like they were completely out of control" Haru said.
She was right.
Jaden slowly lowered himself onto his chair, his brows furrowed.
"You have done well. You can go" he said, leaning back on his seat. After Dana and Haru had left the office, I sat down on the chair facing Jaden. Then, I placed a hand over his. He looked up, his gaze meeting mine.
"What do you think?" I asked and he sighed.
"If they were drugged, it means someone sent them and the only person I can think of, is Zaden. Still, I can't shake off the feeling that I might actually be wrong.
"Then, follow your instincts, Alpha" I said.
There was a knock on the door of Jaden's office.
"Come in" Jaden stated, closing his eyes. Trisha strode in with a tray containing two glasses of orange juice. There was a hint of a smile on her face.
She handed me a glass of juice. But when Jaden opened his eyes, he took the glass of orange juice from me. When, I reached out to take the glass that he was supposed to take, he took it from me as well. I frowned, folding my arms across my chest, my brows furrowed with displeasure.
"That's mine" I said and he shrugged, emptying the glass.
"Thank you, Trisha. You can go now" he said and she gave him a smile.
"Are you upset?" Jaden teased after Trisha had left his office.
"You stole my..."
"Your name was never written on the glass of orange juice" he drawled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me down to sit on his lap. Then, he kissed me. Well, you should know me by now. I am trouble.
I kissed him passionately. Then, I let my hand trail down his body until I got to my destination. His low groan told me I was doing it right. He'd gone hard in a couple of seconds. So, I cast a slumber spell on him. He was out like a light. I placed his head on the table and kissed his temple.
"Now, we're even" I grinned and straightened to my full height.
...
When he woke up the next day, he went straight to my room. I'd just stepped out of the bathroom with a towel tied around my waist and the third round of the tournament was in a few hours. The door to my room jerked open without warning and Jaden stepped in. His eyes were dark. I have him a sly grin.
"You must be pissed. Sorry, I couldn't resist it. I had to make things even" I told him. In a flash, he was standing right in front of me, holding my hands above my head with me pinned to the wall.
"Teasing me isn't nice, Rhea" he said, his voice guttural. He teased the mark he'd left on my neck, sending waves of pleasure shooting through my body, my knees trembling as they threatened to give out. He moved away from me and I gasped, taking hold of his hand.
"You can't leave just like that" I breathed, my mind hazy. A dark smirk curved his lips.
"Then, you'll have to beg for it."
...
"Zaden knew what the second round was going to be. What if he already knows what the third round is going to be?" I asked Jaden. We had just arrived at the venue of the tournament. He sat down and I did the same.
"Even if he knows what we have to do in the third round, it doesn't change anything" Jaden said.
"It might be something very tasking. Something that might make you injure people badly" I pointed out.
He sighed, taking my hand in his.
"You don't have to worry, I've got this" he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
I was sure I was quickly falling in love with him. I cared for him, a lot. And, I wanted to protect him.
A horn went off. It signified the start of the event. The five contestants for the third round of the tournament had arrived. The crowd cheered.
This was it. The last round of the tournament. Anything could go wrong. Anything at all. I looked around me, checking for signs of anyone who could sabotage the third round. My gaze rested on Zaden and his mate. Thalia glared at me and Zaden regarded me with hatred. My gaze met Jaden's and I gave him a reassuring smile.
'We're going to be okay' I said to him, through the mindlink.
'I know' he breathed.
Our heads jerked up as the Alpha King made his way to the podium.
"Welcome to the third round of the tournament..."