Betrayal

Discovery

Chapter 8

When I awoke the following night, the spot next to me was empty. I simply stretched and went about my routine. When I finished with my shower I looked in the mirror and saw the fresh mating mark on my shoulder. It was raw and still tender to the touch from healing. Memories of the night before came crashing into me like a tidal wave and from the force of it I stumbled backwards before catching myself with my hands gripping the counter. I gasped as I gently touched the pink flesh, wincing slightly from the pain. I thought it had been a dream.

I left the bathroom to put my clothes on and sat down on the bed, thinking about what's happened in the last few days. I started laughing, almost hysterically. My poor bed is ruined. Looking around at the remnants of my sheets I shook my head and continued with my thoughts.

I had nothing to my name except two sets of clothes, one pair of boots, the killer's blade, and a room that I'm sure no longer existed. What I would call a peaceful existence when no one knew who I was. And now I found four mates trying to protect me from a man that I've never met, who killed my parents, attempted to murder me multiple times so far, and someone who is betraying me. On top of all that, I was pretty sure word had gotten out that the long lost princess was still alive. Half of the vampire race would more than likely try to kill me because of a bounty on my head that I was sure existed; the other half would worship the ground I walked on.

I can't wait for this shit to be over with. I left my room to get a couple of bottles of blood and gulp them down. I was working on my third when I heard someone come down the hallway.

"Thirsty today, are we?" Aris smirked at me as I finished off my third bottle.

I shrugged. "A little. What's your point?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

His smirk widened into a grin. "You weren't exactly quiet when everyone went to bed last night." He put his chin in the palm of his hand, watching me.

"Shit happens." I gave him a bored expression, "Jealous?"

He chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe, just a little. I mean, I did get shot trying to protect my Queen." He bowed to me with an exaggerated gesture.

I laughed and walked over to him and hugged him close. "You'll get yours." Cupping one side of his face, I kissed the other cheek lightly. "Where are the others?" I stepped away with a slight smile on my face.

"They'll be back soon. They had to get more blood and find a cheap laptop. For research purposes, at least that's what Liam says." He shrugged. "Want to just sit down and enjoy the peace and quiet while we can?" He held out his hand to me.

I grinned and took his hand. "I'd love to."

Almost 2 hours later

I must have fallen asleep on Aris because the next thing I knew, I was waking up with my head on his lap. I listened for anything that woke me. I heard nothing. I sat up and stretched before looking over to Aris, laughing quietly to myself seeing him fast asleep. I stood up and walked over to the window to look out, glancing around and watching a couple shadows walk up to the door. I ran across the house to grab my blade and press against the wall waiting for the front door to open.

As soon as the door opened, I whipped my arm out, pressing the blade against the person's neck.

"My Queen, please take the knife away." Jaxson swallows with the knife so close to his neck.

"Oops, I'm sorry Jaxson." I put the knife away and watched as my three mates walked inside. I shut the door behind them and kept my eyes averted from Ragnar specifically while I walked over to the kitchen area to get myself a bottle of blood.