A Mate's Betrayal

Part 45

No no no... Not him, this can't be happening. I was a panting mess when my eyes opened and I saw Rex moving things around what looked like a cabin. I tried mind-linking Ryker but there was still nothing and all I could think about was my babies. I tried to reach for my bump but I couldn't. Then I noticed the IV drip connected to me. I tried to wake up but I couldn't. I was tied to the bed.

"Oh, you're awake. It's been a long time mate", he said with his back facing me. His voice was deeper than usual and I knew my nightmare was no longer in my head. It was his wolf. He lost control. He has become feral.

"You know, I told Rex we would find you but he didn't believe me. Fate is a very interesting thing and I don't blame him for giving up. I know how important you are to us and I was not ready to give up. You will make us unstoppable but first, we have to get rid of that mark", he said then finally turned to face me. He had a heated branding iron, he walked toward me with a smile that made me scream for help. He placed it on Ryker's mark making me scream in agony until I passed out.

I woke up and I was sweating, I started crying and for the first time, I prayed to the moon goddess to help me. "I'm sorry mate, I know this makes us look evil but I promise you, we're not... you'll see", he said then started cleaning the crock of my neck. He was halfway through when he started cursing. "It didn't work, I guess we have to try another way", he said then extended his canines. He tried biting on top of it but pulled away fast as if he was burned. "Fuck! Fuck!", he cursed then left the room. I tried moving out of bed but couldn't. I tried mind linking but I was too weak. I felt the darkness consume me so I gave in.

I woke up to a needle in my arm. He was drawing blood from me. "What are you doing?", I asked which startled him. "I figured if inject myself with your blood then your mark won't reject me so here goes nothing", he said then injected himself. We waited for hours but nothing happened. He roared in frustration and all I could do was be grateful that we were still alive.

It's been three days and we were still at the cabin. He has been doing unsuccessful tests trying to remove the mark. I don't know why his wolf wants to mate with me but I had a feeling he sensed the power that was within me the same way Renzo did.

I've been blaming myself for leaving the Royal Pack and not listening to Abe when he told me to think of another way or return immediately. All of this wouldn't have happened if I just stayed. I was pulled back to reality when I heard footsteps outside the cabin. Rex was on full alert when they knocked. He came to me removing the bed restraints and IV drip in a rush hurting me in the process. When I tried to scream, he covered my mouth. The door burst open and Ryker entered the cabin with Ethal and Hades.

"Your Majesty what a nice surprise!", Rex said nervously. "Rex, let her go", he said calmly. "But your Majesty, she is my mate, they took her from me. I claimed her first right my love?", he asked me and I shook my head and he pushed the knife deeper into my throat. "Rex, you don't want my wrath. Hand over my mate and I will let you live", he offered. Rex's body started trembling. "You're marked by the Prince? That's why I couldn't remove your mark. Fuck!", he said in shock. "You can choose how you want this to go Rex", Ethal said stretching her neck.

"I challenge the Prince for Erinna McLean", he declared. Ryker smirked. "I accept", he said stepping closer. I tried to mind link Ryker but failed again.

Rex started throwing punches at Ryker and before he could hit back Rex stabbed Ryker on the back of his shoulder with a silver knife. It was too deep and far for him to reach which made him groan in pain. Rex took advantage of Ryker's struggle and started scratching him over and over again. I knew all he needed to do was remove the knife and his body would take care of the rest.

Ryker was getting tired and on his knees. Rex stood in front of him with a huge smile on his face. "Submit your Majesty. Give her to me. She is nothing but a broken woman, I deserve her more than you", his words unleashed something in me. "Never! She is rightfully mine. I will die for her. She is my world, I will never let her go so do what you want to do", Ryker said as he tried to reach for the silver knife one more time but failed, again.

His words warmed my heart. They made me feel important... I am his world. He was sacrificing himself for me... for us. It hurt me to my core. I felt angry and useless. I felt like screaming and that's what I did, I screamed but it came out as a roar. My eyes landed on Rex and all I saw was red.

"You will not undermine me again. I'm not your property, I'm not your weapon and most of all, I'm not your mate!", I took him by the throat and slammed his body on the wall. He struggled to release himself but I didn't let him. The fear in his eyes made me feel more powerful like I was feeding on it. I squeezed until there was a snap. I dropped his body on the floor and roared again. When I turned, I found Ethal and Hades on their knees like they were bowing their heads in front of me. It felt right so I spared them.

"That was badass", Ryker said his voice sounding weak. I rushed to him and removed the knife. He screamed in pain and then passed out. I placed my hand on his wound and healed him, I felt my body relaxing going back to how it was before then I blacked out.