EXCLUSIVE – The Bear’s Princess (Never Published)

Azaria is sick of life. She’s bored and hates the politics. She’s sick of being told what to do. Worse yet, her father is trying to marry her off to a Vamp three times her age—not her idea of a good union. She runs off and finds a wounded bear in the forest. When she realizes he’s dying she uses her blood to save him not even thinking of the consequences to both of them. He’s her mate and in that moment, nothing else matters.

Dulex is surprised when he finds himself naked in a dirty and dank cabin hidden far in the woods with none other than the Princess of the Vampires. Problem is she’s his mate and nothing will stand in his way to save her from the unwanted bonding. Dulex will do anything to protect his princess from harm, and when he wakes to find her missing… His beast takes control planning to wreak havoc on any that gets in his way or lays one hand on his mate. If only he could convince—her father, the king, that she is safe with him.

The vamp she was promised to isn’t playing nice and brings him before the Royal Council. It will take more than him alone to keep her safe. They must all work together to imprison the man sent by a rival to overthrow the King and Queen.

Will Dulex find a way to bring his princess home before it’s too late or will she succumb to the vile darkness threatening to take hold?

Chapter 1

Azaria

I wouldn’t do it. My father, fuck him, didn’t get it. Just because he was the King didn’t mean anything. How in the world did he get the idea that I’d want to bond with someone that much older?

I mean for real.

Just because I would live to be older than all get out didn’t mean I wanted to be stuck with some old school Vamp that had expectations of the Old Laws.

He lived by the Old Laws and that meant I would be nothing more than a live-in servant who had to do his bidding. It was my duty to produce the next heir to the throne as well, and I was nowhere near ready to become a mother. I was only 30 for heaven’s sakes. Living Vamps struggled to produce, but my family always produced a female heir and bonded with another royal family to keep the peace. It was our way. It’s why there were so little of us, and most of them ended in a horrible miscarriage and death for the female. I didn’t want to lose my life, and sure I understood what I had to do—but not with him. He was arrogant and old.

Love.

That’s what I wanted. No one seemed to get it. It was almost as if they wanted to force the bond so I couldn’t find my mate. I knew he was out there somewhere, but finding him was nearly impossible. Humans and other Supes populated the land. It was like looking for a needle in a stack of needles. I smiled at nothing. The saying was cliché but so true. I had less than three months to find my mate or I’d be stuck with Julian—forever.

Shuddering, I glanced outside. That thought didn’t sit well with me. Instead of focusing on my doom I realized it was raining again. Normally I loved watching each drop splash along the pavement outside my window as they glistened under the moon, but not tonight. My heart shuttered in my chest slowing to nearly nothing. That’s what happened when a living vamp stressed. The ache spread through my body thinking of how Father’s eyes had glowed when I fought. I hated when he was angry with me. Then he treated me like a teenager that rebelled and sent me to my room. I hated when he treated me like a child, yet he was trying to get me to act very much the opposite by bonding.

The hairs on my neck stood as footsteps sounded in the room. I didn’t move or acknowledge the man who wanted to ruin my life.

“Azaria,” Julian said with a deep and demanding voice.

I cringed. I had been taught to respect my elders, but I couldn’t do it. So, I sat immobile watching the clouds roll and the rain splatter against the asphalt. The street below was empty of its normal pedestrians.

“You should be so lucky to be bonded to me. I don’t understand why you seem so—unhappy about our upcoming union.”

I knew he really didn’t get it. There was no way I could explain it. Being the only child to the King and Queen meant showing no weakness. Wanting love was exactly that.

This time I spun towards him and narrowed my eyes when he seemed to take that as an invitation and sat next to me. His large, heavy hand was on my knee and I wanted to rip his fingers off when he squeezed.

“We’ll make a great pair for all the others to see.”

I sighed and lifted his hand moving it from my body. I held back the distaste as much as possible. “I don’t doubt that.” And that was the truth. We would make a great political pair. He was feared and respected across the world. I understood my father’s choice on that level. It was a smart move. But for me it was the wrong one. Not that it mattered.

“Then why did you fight the King.”

I rolled my eyes. “The King is also my father.”

Julian squeezed my knee again. “Princess, that doesn’t matter.”

He ran his nails over my bare flesh easing up my dress. This time I laid my hand over his using my strength to keep him from doing something he would regret. “It does, and I swear if you don’t stop touching me like this you will lose your hand.”

He chuckled but removed his hand from my leg. I didn’t let out the breath I was holding. Weakness wasn’t something I could show, because as my bonded he would use it against me. I needed to establish my dominance now or I’d never get it. Sadly, my mother hadn’t done that with my father, and that was exactly why she’d told me since birth to always be strong. Show the male we were a force to be reckoned with. I intended to do so.

***

Dulex

“Run little bear, run.”

The voice taunted from not as far behind me as I’d like. My bear wasn’t fucking small. That pissed me off more than the chase. I was used to being on the run. That wasn’t new. My paws sunk into the damp dirt throwing off my balance enough to slow me down.

“Dammit!”

It rained the night before, and it made for easier tracking.

I’d been running my whole life. Before Ma was caught, she told me to keep running and never look back—and that’s what I did. Being half bear and half Fae meant I was different and the magic worked a lot different for me. There wasn’t a day that I hadn’t been told I was an abomination. The Fae didn’t breed with the bears. It just wasn’t done. But Ma and her Fae lover sure showed them. I was proof of that. And I was certain there had to be others like me in the world—somewhere.

I’d spent my years as hiding with a traveling carnival. Being a smaller blue-black bear with wings tended to garner attention. Finally, the Fae trackers had found me. There was a pretty price on my head. I should take the compliment but instead I felt nothing but insulted. I hated running, and I was exhausted from always looking over my shoulder.

I’d always hoped to find another one—just one like me. It would get these Fae trackers off my ass and show the Fae council that they couldn’t kill me. I wanted that damn price off my head. I wanted my freedom and peace. It was only a matter of time before they caught me. In fact, they could have already, but these fucks liked to play.

I hated games, and this was no different.

I was so lost in my thoughts I’d missed the scent and the flutter of wings in front of me. I tried to stop my momentum but it was too late. The Fae was tall and thin with a bare chest. He wore trousers that fit like a second skin. They were black matching the suede boots that tied up the side of his calves. I wasn’t sure why I paid so much attention to him considering the sword he held was meant to take my head…

Only he didn’t do as I planned. Instead he shoved the blade right through me to the hilt. I didn’t even have it in me to growl. The agony started from the front of my chest and ended on the other side. My body shook and I panted before he yanked the sword back out adding more fiery pain through my body. A shifter could handle a lot but even this was too much for both sides. It was iron. As my body shook I was forced back into my human shape laying on my back and covered in dirt and blood. I felt the beat of my heart slow. I knew in that moment they had finally won. I was going to die.

Chapter 2

Azaria

Julian followed me around like I was going to run. He wasn’t totally wrong, but dammit. I needed time alone. I was sick of being watched like a hawk. Sometimes a woman needed a break. He didn’t seem to understand that. I walked down the corridor of the castle and looked over my shoulder to make sure I was alone before opening the trap door to the tunnels.

Most people didn’t know the original layout of the large castle. It had been in my family for hundreds of years. The Lucians were always royalty. They always ruled the Vampires. When Thomas Lucian came to the US and established his place, we’d stayed from then on. My family history was full of blood and pain, but I hoped to change that. It was time for the Lucians to pass the reign to someone else. Not that my parents would ever go for it. Father was nearing retirement. I knew that was why he pushed so hard, but he had to realize pushing only made me want to rebel.

I didn’t need light to guide me through the tunnels. I hefted my bag over my shoulder clenching the strap tight in my hands. I didn’t want to lose it. Ghosts loved to play pranks and this wasn’t the time. Normally I’d indulge them but not today. I was too close to getting away. This time I wouldn’t come back. I would not be bonded to that sorry excuse for a man.

I shuddered when a translucent figured grabbed my arm. “Princess,” he said.

I smiled at the boy I’d spent almost 30 years with. “Milo, my dear, not today, okay.”

He frowned. “Why, princess?”

“I’m leaving.”

He frowned harder. “But you’ll be back.”

I sighed. He was one of the spirits that attached to living creatures. And yes, I was living. My heart beats. I could eat and function like a normal human. I was just a bit extra.

Okay a lot extra, but that was beside the point.

“Not this time buddy.”

He seemed to understand and then cold arms wrapped around me. I gasped when I felt flesh. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

“I just learned how not long ago. I’ve been waiting to show you until I knew I could do it. Now hug me back.”

I did. He was my friend since my childhood. While I grew, he never changed, and I never thought he’d be able to store enough energy to become flesh. “I’m so proud of you.”

He pulled back and beamed. “Why are you leaving?”

“Julian McCallister.”

“Oh.”

And that’s all he needed to hear. “Yeah, Father is forcing the bond. I can’t do it. You know I need my mate.”

He nodded because he did know everything. I should have been worried that my best friend was a ghost who couldn’t move on, but it never fazed me. Milo was always there. He always seemed to know more than he should. He was killed at 15, drained by a rogue in this very castle. His mother worked for the family, and they lived in their own wing. It was devastating to the family that one of their own had drained him dry. He never held a grudge though, and Mother liked to say he stuck around for me only.

“Can’t I come with you?”

I opened my mouth to say no. He’d been in the castle so long, but I knew he didn’t have to stay. There had been weeks he’d disappear. I never asked where he went; it wasn’t my place. Instead I nodded. It couldn’t hurt to have an extra set of eyes for the Vamps that were going to be on my tail once they realized I was gone for good. I didn’t need that shit.

He smiled and grabbed my hand. This time I saw it coming, but still…something was different about him. How was it after so long he could mimic flesh? Something tugged at the back of my mind, but when he looked down at me I couldn’t help but smile.

I let him hold my hand until at some point he was back to his corporal self. We eased through the tunnels careful not to make noise. Vamps had supersonic hearing, and even though I was one, I hadn’t quite perfected the silent thing yet.

“Almost there, Azaria.”

I nodded seeing the door. I was almost home free. This would be the place I’d get caught if I were going to. But I hoped everyone was distracted enough. Milo rushed ahead and scanned the area. I froze when I saw his astral like body light up like a blue orb.

It was beautiful.

He really had been holding out. I didn’t know enough about those left behind to know how he was capable of this but unease filled me.

He floated back. “Nothing’s there.”

Milo came in handy. I let out a breath and started towards the end of the tunnel again. Each step made my unease grow, and I wasn’t one to ignore my instincts. Milo stood smiling and glowing and it was then I knew…

Milo wasn’t really Milo.

And then I spun and ran back the way I came. I should have known it was too good to be true. There was no way Julian—or my father would let me go. I wondered if I would ever find the freedom I needed.

***

Before the sun rose, Mother came in my room with a frown.

“Why must you always run?”

I huffed; she more than anyone should get it. “You should know why. I don’t want to live like you. I love you and Father, but you’re not in love.”

She moved into the room and shut the door. Her long dress slid along the flow making it appear as if she were floating. Mother was beautiful with long wavy red hair and the brightest green eyes; her Irish heritage, she said. She had the fullest lips and pale skin covered in freckles. I wished I was blessed with her looks. Other than the green eyes I got nothing else from her.

My hair was such a pale blond from a distance most wouldn’t even know I had any hair except I because of how I wear it. My skin was much darker like Father’s, and I had no freckles or anything defining mark marred my skin. Father was German.

“What was your purpose with leaving through those horrible tunnels?”

I sat up and sighed. “I just want a break, to get away for a bit before I’m chained to Julian.”

Mother laughed. “Oh Azaria, you’re so dramatic. He’s a good match for you. If you stopped to learn you might find you liked him.”

Tears filled my eyes and pink stained my cheeks. “No Mother he isn’t. I feel this ache,” I rubbed my hand over my heart. “Where my mate should be.”

Her eyes widened. “Ache. Tell me about it.”

I shrugged. “It just hurts. Fiery pain, all the time.”

“How long?”

This was ridiculous. “How long what?”

She growled and that had my attention. Mother didn’t growl.

“How long have you been hurting.”

“It’s been almost two days.”

Mother nodded and stood up from my bed and paced the room. “I’ll think of something. You must go now though.”

I felt my eyes rise so much my brows rose to my hair line. Mother never defied my father. “What?”

“Go, it’s your mate. And something’s happened to him, and it’s likely he will die without you. He’s got to be close.”

My mate.

How would she know? I went to ask but there was this strange look in her eyes. One that begged me to ask—yet not. She was in her own world. I would listen. I would find him. If my mate really was hurt, I’d save him. He was mine to care for.

Chapter 3

Dulex

I didn’t open my eyes worried where I’d find myself. The pain was excruciating but it wasn’t as bad as it had been when I’d lost consciousness. How could that be? There was no way I’d healed from that iron enough to be alive. I should be dead. They should have won.

But I was alive.

Still with my eyes shut I smelled something delicious. The bear in my head roared and the Fae preened flapping its translucent wings. I pried my eyes open and came face to face with the most beautiful woman Fate had ever created. She smiled at me, and my body went hard. I sucked in a breath.

Mate.

“Holy fuck.”

When her smile disappeared, I realized I said that out loud.

She sat at the edge of the bed and frowned. “Are you hurting really bad?”

I lifted the thin sheet and realized I was naked in a strange bed and my mate was less than two feet away. This had to be heaven. I had literally died and this was my happy place.

“I had to give you my blood. Though I wish I’d known you were Fae too.”

It was then I realized she was a living Vampire. Her fangs extended and she shrugged. “Our kinds don’t get along.”

If that wasn’t obvious. “I know, but why did you give me your blood. “That was what I tasted on my tongue and my mouth watered. I only craved blood in beast form, and not the way a vampire did, but right at this very moment I think I might have understood her in a way that should have come later.

“You weren’t breathing when I found you. I knew as soon as I felt you a week ago. I knew I had to find you, and I did.”

She smiled at me showing fang and dammit if that didn’t turn me rock solid. I’d never liked a Vamp before.

I sat up slowly as to not open the stitches. I looked down.

Stitches.

She must have really taken care of me. “How long?”

Azaria scooted closer bringing that delectable scent with her, and then I realized—it was her.

“A week. I found you and you were out. You haven’t really woken up, but I did all right I think.”

My hand found hers before I could stop it. It was instinct. My beast was nearly salivating to take a bite out of her. “Thank you.”

“Of course, you’re my mate.”

“Who are you?”

She frowned. “Azaria Lucians, Princess to the King and Queen.”

Oh no.

That couldn’t be good. I had the princess of all Vampires holed away in some place, I had no clue, and now I realized I was the mate to a princess. I wasn’t cut out for this. I was an abomination. I wouldn’t be able to survive and be the mate she needed. Not when there was a high price on my head.

“You’re the princess?”

“I just said that.”

“I see.”

This time her lip wobbled and I felt like an ass. I squeezed her hand. “Look at me.”

She glanced up but struggled to meet my eyes.

“Look at me, Ria,” I said softly.

This time she did and licked her lips. “I don’t have to stay.”

Thump-thump.

The others I shared my soul with weren’t happy. The bear roared in rage. The Fae curled its lip and its wings fluttered.

“No, don’t leave. I’m just shocked that Fate deemed me worthy of a mate of your stature.” It was true. I never thought I’d ever find a mate. Better yet, the royal vampire princess.

“If you’re sure. I’d like to stay and help you get better.”

“I want you to stay—for good. Where ever it is we are?”

She laughed. “Oh, it’s an abandoned cabin. I have some people after me.”

Great, I did too and now not only was I on the run but I was harboring someone who would be missed. “Why are you hiding?” If someone hurt her, I would rip their hearts out and feed it to them.

She fidgeted and it was then I knew she didn’t want to share, but I needed to know what we were up against. I knew she could hold her own, but she was my mate. I was bound to take care of her. The bond between us would have to be different. I wasn’t any type of Vampire. “Tell me.”

“I’m supposed to be bonded in a few months. Father ordered it. But I can’t do it. I knew you were out there somewhere.” She chuckled and pushed her hair from her face. “Well I knew my mate was close. Mother told me so. Once I felt your pain.”

That told me everything I needed. “You felt my pain—from the attack?”

“Yes, you were stabbed.”

I sucked in a breath. “I should have died.”

“But I found you, saved you. I don’t know what that means though, since I’m a vampire, and a living one at that. My blood is potent”

With how I healed that was obvious. “Thank you, Ria.” I liked calling her that. I was certain no one else did.

“You’re not out of the woods yet. It could very well backfire.”

I tugged on her pulling her closer. She didn’t fight. When she was next to me I brushed her hair from her face realizing how unruly it was. She leaned into my touch and I sighed. Even through the pain for the first time in my life I felt a sort of contentment I’d never thought was possible. It had everything to do with the very woman sitting next to me. I leaned in, hoping it would be okay and brushed my lips across hers. It was a light touch, but it sent a spark through our bodies. She shivered and leaned into the kiss as if she wanted me to press my lips harder against hers.

I did.

Kissing her was like nothing I’d ever felt before. Her lips were full and soft when they moved against mine. The tip of her fangs peaked out and I ran my tongue along the point.

She gasped when they pricked my tongue and pulled away.

When I looked into her eyes, they glowed. She tried to look away but I gripped her jaw. “Never hide who you are from me.”

She licked the tip of her fang that pierced my tongue and the glow grew brighter. And if that wasn’t the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

“You taste good,” she said and groaned.

I couldn’t agree more about her. I pulled back and smiled. There was no need to rush this. We had plenty of time to create our bond. But first we needed to find a way to survive those who were after us.

***

Azaria

I knew he was my mate before I touched him, but the moment he pressed his lips to mine, it was even more apparent. Lust shot through my body in ways I never knew possible, and just from the smallest of touches. His lips, they were rough, yet smooth at the same time. Who knew a man could make me feel the way he did with just one kiss, and I didn’t even know his name?

“What’s your name?” It should have been the first question I asked. I was more concerned about his wellbeing, at that moment it had been most important.

“Dulex Devore.”

I smiled and held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

But instead of taking my hand in his he leaned towards me and kissed me a second time. This time he pulled me onto his lap and I gasped hen I felt his arousal, and then when he tensed when my body brushed his wound. I’d done the best I could with the stitches, but I was no doctor.

When I would have scooted away, he wrapped his arms around me like steel iron. As much as I wanted to be wrapped up in his arms, I wanted him to heal first. I was strong, but not that strong.

“I’m fine.”

“Right.”

He sighed. “Really, having you close helps. A mate is healing to a shifter.”

That much was true, I knew. Through the years I’d heard that, but mating to a shifter had never even crossed my mind. It was going to cause a rift. Because feeling his arms around me was all it took to realize that I wouldn’t ever go back if it meant I couldn’t be with my mate. If I had to bond with a Vamp I’d wash my hands of my family—but only if Father forced my hand. And I wasn’t sure he’d want to do that. Our family would never rule again.

Chapter 4

Azaria

I watched outside standing with my arms crossed, tensed and prepared for them to strike at any moment. I knew they’d found me, but they were toying with me.

I hated that crap.

We needed to leave before they broke the door down, but I couldn’t bring myself to wake him. He needed to heal and I needed to keep him safe. Every instinct I knew I’d one day had fought to the surface. Vampires were protective, but the females…No one messed with the ones we loved. We were possessive and protective. He’d never have to worry about anyone coming after him. Anyone who tried would have to contend with me. And they would learn quickly not to fuck with a Royal.

I sighed. There was only one thing to do—

Go with them without a fight.

I didn’t want to, but even though I’d just met Dulex I didn’t want to be the reason he died. I would be okay, after punishment of course. That I wasn’t looking forward to. Father could be a real bastard and he was especially hard on me. He had such high expectations, and I always seemed to fail him. Now things would be even more tense between us. I wanted him to accept me as I was, not mold me into what he thought I should be. I’d never be the kind of daughter he wanted. I wouldn’t be my mother. I wanted more than that in life, and no matter how much I loved her, I knew she needed a backbone. She needed independence and to use the strength I knew she had hidden inside.

Taking one last look at my mate I ignored the tears that threatened to fall. I shouldn’t be so upset. At least I’d gotten to meet him, heal him, touch him, and best of all kiss him. That was more than I could have asked for. At the rate, I’d been going I wouldn’t have ever even gotten to see him.

I opened the door to the cabin and didn’t look over my shoulder to see him again. It would hurt too much. Instead I rushed out shutting it quietly. I started my descent down the rickety stairs when I was grabbed from behind. I should have known there would be someone in waiting for me to decide what to do. They had to know how fast I was. They didn’t want to give me a chance to run. My guard was too far down after nursing Dulex back to health from the fatal wound, and I didn’t realize until too late that the men who grabbed me, couldn’t be from the council. In fact, they weren’t even vampires. I wrinkled my nose when the scent of Fae surrounded me, and I was appalled that my family would even considering using that sort of magic against me. Mother was the one who helped me run, and now I feared she was in trouble. They drug me through the grassy field and back into the woods where I’d found Dulex. When they stopped in front of the very place he laid I realized that maybe these men weren’t after me—they were after my mate. My fangs extended and I nicked my lip letting out a feral growl.

“Where is he?”

“Gone.” There was no way I was telling them anything and I prayed he wasn’t in the cabin. I prayed he could run before the other Fae searched.

“You have his scent.”

“Well, he is my mate.” There was no sense in lying. The bond between them was growing more each second, and the longer they were apart the worse it would become. Fate didn’t like her plans failing. Even though we hadn’t bonded there was still intimate contact.

The kiss. That’s all it took to start it.

The Fae stared at me. “Mate with that abomination?”

I glared at him even though They couldn’t see my rage, I knew they could feel it building. The Fae were magic. Plain and simple, and they knew better than to take me. “Do you know who I am?”

Silence.

“Oh, come on, one little guess?” It was going to be fun toying with them.

The stupid asses.

They shouldn’t have taken the Princess of the Vampires. Not only would my father be pissed—no matter how angry he was with me—but now I had a mate. Mates were fierce.

The obvious leader curled his lip into a snarl. “It doesn’t matter who you are, little one.”

It would have been endearing without the growl. “Oh, I think it does.” I held up one finger. “Just one little guess?” I let my eyes glow lavender; it was unique to my family line. Each of the four royal families had a different color and different gifts, but my father ruled them all. It was how others knew who we were by sight alone. It would show them and I wasn’t surprised when his eyes widened in surprise.

“Princess of the Lucians?”

“Yeah, dumb ass you just kidnapped King Quinton’s only child.”

“Scheisse,” he muttered.

I laughed. The German Fae were the type that jumped without thinking. “Yes, shit.” I smiled showing fang. “He’s not going to be happy.”

It was then the other male smirked but kept his glare as if he were contemplating. “We could use this to our advantage.”

Damn, he was the dominate one. I should have known that when the first male cowered. “Not a good idea.”

He looked at me. “I don’t care. It’s too late now, might as well go out with a bang. Once our queen finds out we failed in getting our target we’re as good as dead anyways.”

Great nothing to live for. I sighed. “Fine if you insist.” I held out my wrists allowing the beta to wrap the cuffs around my wrists. They didn’t bother me, but they did block my magic. I wasn’t really concerned. I should have been. The other Fae with the long black curly hair and deep green eyes, well he was pure evil. I felt it to my bones and shuddered as he watched his partner lock up my magic. He really didn’t care if he died. I wondered what turned him so cold.

***

Dulex

I woke to silence. It didn’t take me long to realize the cabin was empty and had been for quite a while. Azaria wasn’t there. I sat up too fast and groaned when pain shot through my chest. The stitches tried to pull but luckily, she’d done a great job sewing me up. I slid from the bed and gripped the headboard until my balance was stable. I needed to find her. Certainly, she wouldn’t have left me alone. As a mate, she wouldn’t go far, unless there’d been no choice. The beast growled and my hand lit up with a bright white light. The Fae in me wanted to go on the defense. It was the first time my duel nature was on the same page. It only took finding our mate.

‘Must find her,’ the bear said growling low.

‘She is ours,’ the Fae said just as possessive as the beast.

I agreed with both assessments. The problem. I was in shit for shape. Right now, I wouldn’t do her any good. In fact, if I were to be honest, which I wasn’t prepared for, I would probably end up getting us both killed. That couldn’t happen. Now for the first time in my life I had something—someone to live for. A smile tugged at my lips. It was such a foreign feeling. I wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Part of it scared the hell out of me. What if I fucked this up?

Having the Fae on my tail constantly and being kicked out of every den; there wasn’t much I could do with my own kind. I might as well join the guard staff for Ria’s family. It would tie us even closer together. The idea struck me so easily. But first I needed to get the damn Fae off my ass and the price off my head. That would be easier said than done—if even possible. There was a chance I would leave my mate before I even had a chance to love her the way she deserved—the way I deserved. My shoulders fell thinking of not getting to be with her for the rest of my life. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel, would she?

Chapter 5

Dulex

I opened the door right as a gentle breeze blew the autumn leaves and was slapped in the face with the scent of the Fae, the same Fae that had been tracking me for the last several months. My beast roared in despair and the Fae bellowed realizing his own kind took our mate. Again, I was struck by how much my dual nature had coincided. They were pissed. Ria was gone and it was because of me and the fact that

I shouldn’t even be.

The worst part of it all…I scented no blood and very little aggression from my mate. There was no fear or even remote sadness.

She didn’t fight.

She let them take her—to protect me.

The worst part of it all—I should have known my mate would be protective and strong. She was the first woman that shared equal, if not more, strength, than I. It was eye opening how much I needed someone strong. It would be nice to have a partner, someone to lean on, especially in times like this.

One slow step at a time, I made my way down the stairs off the porch from the cabin. It was hidden all right, but that hadn’t stopped the Fae from tracking me down. The sun was low in the sky and trees surrounded me. Even with my enhanced vision there was nothing to see for miles other than pure nature. I sighed.

“This would be perfect in a better situation.” I spoke to no one, but as my heart rate picked up, and I knew I was being watched. There were more Fae somewhere. I closed my eyes trying to zone in on their location. I took a deep breath and let my sense expand.

In the distance, I felt the magic. A lot of it. There were at least three other Fae in waiting for me.

They’d come prepared. Their magic strummed through my veins waking my Fae half wake up further. It was almost if their energy recharged me making mine come alive. A shard of pain whipped through my chest. I felt the would knit itself back together and chuckled through the process. It seemed being so close to my kind only helped me—not hindered me. Within minutes, my wound was healed and the stitches pulled outward. I closed my eyes and held my arms out palms out to either side of me. The magic of nature come to my fingertips and when I squinted my eyes open my palms were lit like the brightest of lights.

Tipping my head back I watched the sun descend the horizon. Not far in the distance to the east I saw a lone figure. He was large with white hair flowing in the breeze. Even far away I felt his stare. Icy cold and filled with such hatred. Why was it the Fae were so bitter and angry? I didn’t know. The only thing I did know for certain was I needed to find Azaria. She was with these beings and who knew what they were doing to her.

I made my decision then and pushed forward. Stalking towards the lone Fae I was focused. He would take me to my mate. I was healed. In fact, I felt better than ever, strong and lethal. Energy radiated off me in waves surrounding me. I was protecting.

The blood she’d given me mixed with my own power and grew. I needed to release the raw power and I knew exactly how I was going to do it.

I was going to kill anyone who got in my way. If they so much as laid their filthy hands on her, they needed to hide.

***

When I woke up I was in a cell. It was dark, but that didn’t bother me, and I wasn’t alone.

“Dulex?”

Her voice was both a balm and a trigger to my soul. It was quiet and held fear. The fear I hadn’t sensed from her back in the cabin. I wanted to run to her but I was on a short chain. There was a metal, magic infused collar around my neck. I cringed when it sparked.

“Ria, I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

Whispering was no use; they could hear every word we said.

“What did you do?”

When I would have answered a new voice did so for me.

“Nothing little one, he didn’t have to. Existing is enough.”

I felt her tension rise and realized he was one that had helped take her.

She growled low in her throat. “Shut up.”

The male chuckled. “I told you we’d end up in the same place, only I might be able to save myself.” He clucked his tongue. “You two on the other hand—not a chance.”

It didn’t pass my notice that he was resigned and didn’t care.

“I did better than anyone else, I may gain my freedom yet. The fact that he followed after you and landed in my trap might just be enough.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she replied low. “just because he came for me means nothing to me or anyone else for that matter.”

I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I hoped she didn’t mean that. Sure we hadn’t gotten a chance, but we were mates. “Ria,”

“Shut up,” she replied. “I need to think. Father will surely be looking for me. Hell, I thought he’d sent his trackers. But of course, I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

She was angry with me. “I’m sorry I got you into this.”

She didn’t respond but I felt her stare, and her eyes glowed purple. They were stunning.

“Looks like she isn’t happy to see you, big man. If your mate doesn’t want you that just means even more how little of importance you are. I don’t even know why my queen wants you so badly.”

There was no reason to respond so I kept my mouth shut and studied my mate. Her body was tensed in a coil, much like a snake that was ready to attack. Her fangs extended and her fingers curved like claws.

She was breathtaking.

“Stop staring at me.”

I didn’t.

She huffed and stared back. “Why do they want you so badly?”

“Because I exist. I’m a bear-Fae hybrid, not supposed to be. Apparently, a strong one considering the price on my head and how long I’ve been on the run.”

The male hissed. “I almost had you,” he pointed a finger at Azaria. “Had this bitch left you be you would be dead right now.”

“Watch yourself,” I said and licked my lips when the bear tried to come out. It didn’t happen. The cells were magic. I couldn’t shift or use my power. I could feel it locked up with chains and there was no breaking them.

“Oh, protective,” the male taunted.

He was trying to get under my skin. It worked. I wanted to rip his fucking head off.

She stared at me now. “So, you didn’t do anything to deserve this?”

“No, I’ve been running my whole life, they murdered my mother for her affair with a Fae.”

My voice went cold. The disappointment that she assumed the worst tasted terrible on my tongue. “She protected me from them. And once she was gone I kept going.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

I shrugged. “It’s my life. I deal okay. If fuckers like these would just leave me the hell alone. I don’t cause any problems. Neither did my mother. She couldn’t help who Fate deemed her mate.”

The male laughed. “They were not mated. Fae do not mate with bears.”

I glared his way. “You’re stupid if you believe that, and your queen knows it too. She isn’t as innocent as she appears.”

He stood and came to the bars, not touching them. His face contorted into an angry mask filled with rage. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. “

I smiled showing fang. I could do that. “I know a lot more than you think I do.”

A door creaked in the distance and we stopped talking. He didn’t realize that my father taught me many things of the Fae before he was killed.

Footsteps echoed down the hall as someone came the direction to our cells. It was a woman in an old-fashioned dress. She had long blond curls and golden eyes.

“Dulex, we finally meet.”

Her voice was nothing more than a soft purr. I didn’t say a word.

***

Azaria

I flinched as the woman’s stare lingered on his bare chest. Tension ignited between me and this woman that dared stare at my mate in a lustful way. He was mine dammit!

I growled keeping my eyes on her. She was trouble. Her stare shot to me and her pouty lips turned up into a smile. She was going to do whatever it took to ruin me. Her eyes shined knowing I was about to freak out.

“So, you’re Quinton’s daughter. Funny I thought you’d be prettier.” She pushed her upper body out making her breasts pop over the top of her dress. As if that would get my mate’s attention.

It didn’t.

Lucky for him or I’d have his balls.

“I suppose even less than average women need a mate too.”

Really? She played petty games saying stuff our kin would say.

“Does my father know I’m here?”

“Why would he? You interfered with our rights. We don’t answer to the Vampire council any more than you answer to us.”

“Not true. Father always tried to work with other Supes.”

The woman laughed and opened the cell door. She sauntered in the room to my mate watching me the entire time. It took everything in me not to rip her throat out. And as fun as that sounded, it wouldn’t get us out of the mess we were in.

I sighed watching her run long nails over his healing wounds. For his part, Dulex stood still and glared at her. He didn’t like her touch.

Good.

Chapter 6

Dulex

The bitch needed to get her hands off me. I knew it was a ploy to piss Ria off, and from the looks of things it was working.

Her eyes flared and she hissed when the woman ran her nails down my chest. I shuddered but not for enjoyment. It was disgust. I hoped my mate understood that.

I frowned when a tear slid down her cheek.

“It’s okay Ria.”

She didn’t respond and my heart ached. I tried to convey how I felt without words.

The female growled. “Come on, it’s time for the trial.”

I knew one day I would be behind those doors, but I never thought my mate would be. “Take me, leave Azaria out of it.”

She laughed. “No can do, beast. The queen wants to see her specifically.”

Well hell.

“How can I get the queen to let her go and take me—”

“No!” Azaria said. “We can do this together.”

Her voice softened at the end melting my heart for the first time in so long. I needed to get us the hell out of this. We needed to complete the bond. It would be like we knew each other forever then.

Fated.

The woman sighed when I didn’t react the way she hoped. She didn’t like that Ria had my complete attention.

“Fine, let’s get this over with.” I knew there was no way out of this and Azaria had to be involved. She was a princess for fuck’s sake. That was asking for war. I couldn’t believe they were stupid enough to take her—just to get me. They were on the verge of a cliff of desperation. They might as well have jumped without looking because once King Quinton found out his daughter was in a dungeon, they were up shit’s creek.

The female nodded and unlocked the chain from the wall. She tugged it a bit too tight to assert her control. There was no reason to fight her.

“Come on mutt,” she said.

I growled but followed her.

She looked at Azaria. “Someone will be back for you.”

***

Azaria stood next to me in front of the Fae council. None looked very happy to see us, but none stopped me from sliding closer to her so the sides of our bodies touched. She sucked in a sharp breath and I tried not to smile. The warmth of my body seeped into the chill of hers. A vamp went cold when stressed, angry, or hurt. Needless to say, she was two out of the three.

“So, we finally have you here, Dulex.”

It was the queen. Of that I was certain. She radiated power and domination. The Fae were led by the women, and the men stayed in the background unless called upon. Women were more power both mentally and spiritually. Men were strong physically and with magic. That’s how my mother explained it to me before she was killed.

“I don’t know how we ended up with her though,” the queen said and pointed at Ria.

She glared behind me and I knew the male who had taken my mate was there. It was tempting to turn around and rip his head off.

“I thought getting here would lure our target to us—and it worked. He is here because of her.”

Azaria tensed beside me and I wondered what happened. She didn’t look my way. Her eyes were glued to the wall above the council’s head.

***

Azaria

I’d never been inside the Fae’s council chambers. It was exactly like I pictured it. The walls were made of some natural thin material with colorful fabrics flowing in the light breeze. Candles lite every inch. There were bright orbs that floated above me. It was magnificent. If they weren’t holding me captive things might have been different.

I watched as Dulex tensed when I did. It seemed he could already feel what I did. I tried to calm my nerves because if he could sense it there was a good chance the others could as well. I was a Royal Living Vampire for hell’s sakes. I was tougher than this. Problem, I’d never be accosted by the Fae. Father had such a good relationship with them throughout the world, I never thought it could be.

“You’re the princess?” The queen sneered as if she smelled something bad.

I licked my lips and cleared my throat suddenly very nervous. “Yes, Princess Azaria Jade Lucian.”

The queen stood and stepped of her pedestal. No joke this queen was that kind of female. She glided towards me and I made sure to hold my head up high. She circled around me and sniffed. “You stink of fear, little girl.” Then she touched my arm and her magic flowed through me. I shuddered not happy very this was going.

“You’re not much are you. Sort of puny compared to your ancestors.”

I’d show her puny if she didn’t get her filthy hands off me. She pissed me off, but there was nothing I could do. I had to keep my cool and stay calm.

A loud explosion shook the grounds. I teetered to the side and gripped the queen before she fell. Her hands went cold at my touch and then I was thrown across the room. I whipped through the air knocking one of the beautiful orbs to the side. My back slammed into the wall that didn’t look like it had amounted to much. But it did. The breath was taken from me and I slid to the floor too shocked to keep from falling. I landed on my back.

The bitch was strong as hell. I should have been able to with stand her magic—apparently, I couldn’t. I blinked as the orbs floated above my head. Lights danced before my eyes before I felt the building magic. It heated its way through my veins and then wrapped around my heart. Breathing, became harder and I gasped as my throat began to close.

Standing over me was the same male Fae—the dominant. He smirked and waved. “Buh-bye, bitch.”

My eyes fluttered closed.

Chapter 7

Dulex

I couldn’t find her. I wasn’t even sure what the hell happened. One minute I was bursting to knock the queen off my mate, and the next the whole chambers shook. Everything went to hell after that. The Fae all banded together to figure out how to fight whatever it was that attacked. The chambers filled with the whole platoon of warriors in a matter of minutes.

I took that moment to find my mate and get the hell out of dodge. It was perfect distraction. The room filled with smoke smelling of Vampire magic and then I knew. Ria’s family had arrived. Part of me worried I’d be killed on the spot, but the other part was over joyed with the help. As soon as I knew she’d gotten involved I was willing to do anything to make sure nothing happened to her. It was my responsibility to make sure she was safe. It wasn’t her job to protect me, and the beast inside of me cringed we hadn’t been able to do anything to ensure our mate’s safety. The Fae wanted to come out and play.

Neither could come out. The collar sparked.

“Fuck!”

I had to find her. I narrowed my eyes and saw the male Fae from the dungeon standing over her with a wicked sword. My beast roared and my canine irrupted from my gums so bad I yelled out.

“Stay away from her, you sorry excuse of a Fae.”

That got his attention and he spun towards me with fire in his eyes. I couldn’t combat magic, but brunt force would have to be enough.

“Get out Ria.”

She didn’t move. It was then I realized she wasn’t conscious. Everything froze inside of me watching her to ensure he hadn’t already taken her from me. When I saw her chest moved I sighed in relief. The collar unclicked and fell to the ground meaning the specific magic was from someone who was no longer among the living.

Finally.

Just as the Fae went to slam the sword down into my mate’s heart, essentially shattering me, she rolled out of the way. Her eyes flared when she noticed the change in my scent. The Fae part of my dual nature broke free and I threw a ball of fire from my hand to him. It flew faster than the human eye. It slammed into the Fae’s back and he screamed with eyes full of agony. The sound of his pain and suffering echoed through the room but the warriors didn’t pay him any attention.

I wasn’t going to stick around and watch him burn. The part of me that was Fae and Bear relished in the fact that he was suffering.

He was trying to kill our mate.

I knew it was true. If I hadn’t noticed she would have been slaughtered right before my eyes. My body shuddered with an awareness.

We needed to mate.

It was the only way to make sure something like this didn’t happen again. I strode over to the beautiful Vampire in front of me and before she could speak or fight I cradled her face in my hands as if she were the most delicate butterfly and kissed her. She gasped in shock allowing my tongue access to her mouth. I took advantage and caressed her tongue. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around me. As soon as she touched me, it was now or never.

Lifting her into my arms and ignoring the chaos surrounding us I carried her out of the large chambers.

***

Azaria

I could have died. Right then and there, but for the first time in my life, I had a mate, and he didn’t let me down. He was there to save me from the sword that was inches from my heart, and there wouldn’t have been anything I could do about it.

Then to make everything even more apparent was the kiss, and how he pulled me into his arms. He didn’t ask. He just did. My eyes flared as he carried me from the Fae Council chambers.

It was this moment that changed my life. I could see my need reflected in his hazel eyes. There was such a look of longing that I ached. My heart raced when he smiled at me.

“It’s time, Ria.”

I nodded. There was no arguing with Fate. I didn’t know where he was taking me and I didn’t care. My people had caused enough of a distraction we left without hassle. He didn’t speak as he carried me. I wondered where we were going but there were no words to explain how it felt to be in his arms.

It wasn’t long before he stopped and put me down. My feet hit the soft grass in front of a cute cottage.

“Where are we?”

He didn’t answer at first seeming to be deep in thought. “My mother’s home.”

“Why are we here?”

He raised a brow. “I think you know, sweet mate.”

I blushed and the red tinged my cheeks so bright there was no way I could hide it from him. “Completing the bond?”

“Yes,” he replied.

I didn’t say anything else. Instead I held out my hand. He took it with the same ease he did with my body. I was more than ready to mate. My body was on fire for him. And I finally realized that I had been so angry at him. It was because I was worried I would lose him before I had even had the chance to have him. It wouldn’t have been fair. Fate couldn’t mess with me this way. I’d never survive if I had to bond with Julian. Nothing compared to a mate.

“Let’s go inside,” he said and reached for my hand lacing our fingers together.

***

I wanted so badly to become one. My body shook with a need I’d never felt before. It ran deeper than physical. It was emotional and spiritual as well. “I’m ready.”

He looked at me with wide eyes. “I wasn’t sure if this was the best time considering. But your family is the reason we got free.”

“I don’t want to wait.” I licked my lips and slide my shirt over my head revealing my satin bra. I was glad I decided to always wear sexy under garments. It was times like these when they came in handy. And from the look in his eyes, he appreciated it too.

“Perfect. You’re beautiful, Ria.”

I let out a shaky breath wondering how this was going to work. Would he become someone else; hell, would I?

He stalked towards me like the graceful bear he was. I stood still waiting for him to take the lead. He didn’t disappoint. Before I could say anything else my bra was slid from my arms and I dropped it to the floor revealing my breasts. He lowered his head and bent at the knees to suck one a nipple into his mouth grazing it with his fangs. The bear had come out to play.

“Take me, make me yours, Dulex.” My voice had taken on that throaty quality that happened when I was aroused. But this was so much more.

He growled and stood back to his height, nearly towering over me and grinned. “As my lady wishes.”

Then he scooped me back into his arms and carried me across the room to a room that looked like it hadn’t been lived in for ages. I wrapped my arms around his neck letting him take the lead.

When we were in the room he laid me on the bed and I sighed as he stripped down to nothing. He was big and large everywhere. My mouth watered and I licked my lips.

“Pants off.”

I obliged.

Both nude, he crawled onto the bed and hovered over my naked body. His lips met mine in fiery passion. I kept up and nibbled on his bottom lip. “No more waiting, we don’t have time.”

Sadly, our mating was on a time close. When all I wanted to do was let him love me all night. It wouldn’t happen. Not yet. But for now.

I’d be happy for now.

Chapter 8

Azaria

“I don’t think I can wait, Ria.”

“Then don’t. I want this.” I really did. There was no question. The consequences be damned.

Dulex didn’t hesitate. He took me for my word and didn’t question me. There was not any need for foreplay. Just being close to him was enough. My body tightened when his eyes lit.

He slid his cock past the barrier and took each inch in slow succession. I gasped at first realizing it had been far too long since any man had ever made me feel. In fact, I was certain I’d never felt this way before.

I wrapped my legs around his waist pulling him further inside of me.

“Damn woman. You’re hot as hell.”

It was the first time he hadn’t been proper with me. And I found myself relaxing as he thrust into me making our bond complete. Magic ran high in the air. It was the bond. With each moment we were making love, we were one.

I’d never felt anything like it before. The faster he moved the more it felt like being on air. When I finally managed to open my eyes, we weren’t on the mattress. We floated.

We were on air. No, we were on magic.

The magic lingered in the air and when my inner walls tightened and I orgasmed, so did Dulex. He growled and released inside of me, completing the bond that would last for as long as I lived. That’s how it worked for Living Vampires. It was forever. There was no such thing as divorce. Fate deemed who was meant to be with us.

1 week later

Azaria

It was time to show Father that Dulex was the right one for me. Things in the last week had been hectic and with Julian waiting in the wings, tension rose. Mother was thrilled I’d bonded with my true mate, but Father wanted Julian to be my master. I refused to let them win. It didn’t matter that they’d locked up my mate as soon as they’d found us. It was shortly after we completed the bond. I’d barely gotten dressed when Julian and my father, the King himself came into the house. They both weren’t happy with what they’d walked in on, but I didn’t care.

I stood in front of the council. Father hadn’t really talked to me since that night, but now he glared at me as if I were a problem. He was taking it too personally. I found my mate plain and simple. He needed to understand I couldn’t force his political agenda.

After staring me down, my mother smiled.

“It’ll be okay,” she mouthed. No one knew she was talking except me.

It had to be official.

A few moments later Dulex was brought into the room. He smiled at me and I sighed knowing what he was going through. It was the same thing every day. No one let it go and grudge holding was a must within the walls of the cattle. Everyone was different. Everything was different.

***

Dulex

Ria and I were doing great with each other. She was worried about her father, but otherwise, Julian had bowed out well enough. He realized nothing could come between a true mate. Fate couldn’t be stopped. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. I’d never let the bond between them happen. She was mine and I was hers. I’d never been happier.

It had been a week since the bonding and a week since I’d moved into the castle. I walked down the silent hall realizing for the first time I didn’t have guards following me. A smile crossed my face before I could help it. That had to be a sign the king was agreeable to me. He’d had me followed with every step I’d made in the last week, but now I roamed alone.

It felt good. No one had ever accepted me outside of my mother. This had to be a sign that we no longer had to worry.

When I made it outside of the chamber doors I took a deep breath. This was the meeting I’d been waiting for. I’d asked to join the guard staff.

“why do you want to join?” he’d asked several days before.

“I want to protect my family.” It was the only answer. They would be my family. It would be a new type of family bringing together not only the bear shifters but the Fae and Living Vampires as well.

I opened the doors and sucked in a breath seeing my mate dressed in a pale lavender dress. Her long hair was in some sort of intricate hair style and she spun towards me with a smile.

That had to be a good sign, right?

“Come,” the king’s voice boomed, echoing along the stone walls. There were little tea lights on each of the window ledges. The flames danced along the walls creating a romantic atmosphere.

I wasted no time and strode to my mate. She laced her fingers with mine and squeezed.

“This is it,” she whispered keeping her eyes on her father.

I nodded but stayed silent.

“We have decided…”

Her mother rose and in a blur, she was in front of me pulling me into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Dulex the Fae-bear of no clan, you are now our newest warrior and protector. Serve us well.”

And that was it. All I needed to hear. I was too stunned to feel the relief that swept over Ria, but her hand tightened further on mine.

When her mother finally backed away and went back to her throne, Ria looked at me.

“I love you mate,” she whispered.

“I love you too.” I followed up with a brief kiss ignoring her mother’s sob.

It seemed I’d finally found my place in the world. It had only taken me almost dying and being saved by the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.

THE END