Mated To The Enemy (Previously TVKWP)

CHAPTER 5

No vampire on Earth holds a deeper grudge against my family than Nickolas. My dad was responsible for killing his father. The only reason he agreed to the peace treaty was out of concern for the potential extinction of his kind, or at least that's what he led us to believe. In recent years, werewolf numbers have surged and terrorized vampires. Nickolas requested a peace treaty, claiming to need the slaughtering of his people to end regardless of his wish to have my father's head.

When I entered the ballroom, I didn't immediately guess 'Nickolas' was my mate. He exuded authority, and I presumed him to be the King's general, not the King himself. I recognized his high rank due to the distinctive red eyes of an original vampire when he consumed blood. Originals, impervious to the sun's burn, typically belonged to the royal family, council members, and occasionally esteemed generals.

I dreaded that my mate would use me as a pawn in settling scores with those who harbored grudges against my family, especially after the ordeal with Ava. Now, I realize that his personal animosity alone could be enough to end my life. I must recover swiftly and rid my system of silver. Every passing moment in this place feels like a countdown to my mate's arrival, and I am astonished that Alissa hasn't traced and attempted to rescue me. Could they have employed a spell to prevent it?

"You're not dead yet," a voice resembling my mate's remarks, yanking me back to the present. I glimpse him near the door, clad entirely in black, mirroring the shade of his heart. His black dress shirt contours his form, offering a tantalizing view of the muscles beneath. Even though this is the last thing I should be doing, I catch myself biting my lip, unintentionally gawking. Shit! I hate the mate bond.

His long legs, encased in black slacks, carry him forward as he pushes off the door, his expensive shoes emitting a rhythmic click against the floor. With purpose, he strides toward me by the bed. I stare star stuck, cursing the moon Goddess for giving me such a sexy mate who will only bring me my death. His captivating scent, one that might elicit howls of pleasure from Marie if she were awake, engulfs my senses as he bends down to examine my face. In truth, even I would revel in delight with his scent enveloping me. This has to be the worst type of punishment ever.

"The damage could have been worse," he remarks, his gaze roaming over the bandages that cover my body. In this close proximity, I catch a glimpse of the chiseled chest beneath his partially unbuttoned shirt. He's undeniably well-built.

Nickolas performs an action that leaves my eyes wide and my heart racing. He seizes my forearm, drawing me closer until our faces are mere breaths apart. I notice his eyes have turned red, and the rhythmic pounding of my heart against my ribcage intensifies.

"You are not allowed to die. Do you hear me?" he declares, staring me directly in the eyes. I'm left utterly shocked. Does my mate genuinely care about me? His prior statements didn't suggest such concern, so where is this coming from?

"Amelia," he pinches my arm, pulling me back to the present. I nod, understanding that he expects a response.

"Good," Nickolas says, releasing my hand and moving away. As he reaches the door and turns the knob, he utters words that shatter any hope in my heart of us being together. "I can't have you dying before I have made use of you."

The door slams shut as he exits, making me jump in the bed. I release a relieved breath. For a second, I thought he was going to feed on me. Thank heavens!

I hear someone enter the room, prompting me to lift my head to see if Nickolas returned. Instead, it's a woman, likely a water witch. Her herbal scent matches the one who attended to my wounds earlier. She sports a secure bun with her brunette hair and appears to be in her early fifties. Flicking her hazel brown eyes in my direction, she walks towards one of the two doors in the room. One must be a bathroom and the other a walk-in closet.