Mated to the Unknown

Threats

        'Nicholas's eyebrow was raised, interested in why I had a sudden interest in the girl in room one, the beauty that made my heart sing. "If I were to allow you to pay off the girl's debt, what is in it for me if I allow this?" he probed. It was clear I had already slipped up too much. Nicholas was smart from all his years, he knew she was my mate the moment I asked.

        "Loyalty," I responded. I had no choice but to offer a truce.

        "Hm, quite on offer, oh true Alpha," Nicholas taunted.

        "Clearly you already know what she means to me. You already know why I was here. So you must also know what would be to come if I do not get the girl," I was upfront. I knew it was pointless to beat around the bush. My beta and I's original reason for investigating, went out the window the moment he showed up. How stupid was I to assume he would not be watching cameras and know what I looked like?

        "Yes, and quite frankly I was bored with her. She had paid off her debts 2 years ago, but now I just found a good use for her." Nicholas smirked.

        Malachi was begging to come out to rip his head off, but I had to hold him back. Nicholas was one of the oldest vampires, he would be a fair match. "She should have been freed 2 years ago then, how dare you mess with fragile human lives. That is against supernatural law of the highest accord," I reminded him. It was against our laws to mess with human fate beyond debts. They were not even to know of our kind unless a soul mate.

        "Mm, go cry to daddy then. Because she is mine," Nicholas spoke venomously.

        The softest voice just spoke. "I'm sorry but, my debt was paid?" My mate, my precious mate. I shifted my body slightly, prepared to jump between her and Nicholas if he struck.

        I could tell he had not intended on her hearing. How could she have heard, she was still in the soundproof room. I took a moment to look at her in awe, but the door must've been open. I turned back to see Nicholas's reaction, he was not pleased, his lower lip almost out in a pout.

        "Sir, I said, my debt was paid," she spoke louder this time. Oh how she was turning me on, but also she was being quite stupid.

        Nicholas was caught, I was curious how he planned to get out of this. "Yes, your debt was paid. You may go."

        She was about to walk away at that but turned back around. "I want my two years' worth of earned wages. All those disgusting men I had to please. I'm owed what years I worked when I was supposed to have been freed," she said holding out her hand.

        "You're pushing it, Violet," Nicholas spoke, his voice gruff.

        Violet is such a beautiful name. "The girl is owed her keep," I inserted myself into the conversation.

        She looked at me, questioningly. "I don't need your help," she said. Her true personality was showing and I could see why she was my mate now. Such fire within, strong, and courageous, but of course she most likely does not realize she is in the same room as an ancient vampire and an Alpha, a true Alpha.

        I held my hands up in surrender, letting her handle her own for the time being.

        "Go before I decide to keep you forever," Nicholas threatened.

        She was about to speak again, but Malachi took over. A deep guttural growl resonated from my chest as I took my arm against Nicholas's throat, my canine's poking out.

        A devilish grin appeared on his face. "Fine, I'll pay your 2 years if you promise to stay away from this man," Nicholas compromised.

        "Easy," she scoffed.

        My heart shattered. Of course, she would not know we were mates, she did not smell like a wolf but of the purest of hearts, like rain on a warm summer's morn and freshly blooming tulips. And some other scents I could not quite describe, but it sure was tantalizing. Miles was about to claim control again and I allowed it, knowing it was best to not frighten our mate, our Violet, too much.

        "Now, sir, I want you off my property," Nicholas taunted me, but luckily I had control again as my canines retracted.

        "Not until I ensure the safety of the girl and that you truly have freed her," I compromised. If he killed me, so be it, but I would see her freedom through.

        She looked at me confused, but she held her tongue.

        Nicholas groaned. "Fine, Eric fetch this woman a cashier's check for two years of her keep and her cash from the earnings of tonight."

        She crossed her arms, pleased. Her next question shocked me. "So why do you not want me to see this man?"

        I was all ears, waiting for his response. "You already agreed, are you taking back the deal?" he asked, evading the question.

        She shrugged, "No, I was just wondering."

        "Watch your mouth," he threatened.

        I held back the growl that was bubbling in my chest, but she was quick to respond. "I'm no longer yours to control. I am free."

        Just then, Eric walked in. "Here it is," Eric said, handing it directly to Violet.

        "Thanks, I'm gone," she said, turning. With practically nothing on. I quickly took off my shirt, throwing it at her without thinking.

        She flinched, looking over her shoulder. Her eyes grew wide for a split second before regaining her composure."Thanks," she said in a soft and sincere voice.

        "Keep it," I said.

        "Enough, leave my premises. Both of you.

        Sam! "I must get my beta first," I said, realizing he was still most likely trying to investigate or enjoying the evening.

        I walked back to where we had been, to booth 2, knocking on the door. Giving him a minute before I barged in. "Gig is up, let's go."

        "What?" he said, confused.

        "I'll fill you in," I said before turning to give Nicholas one last glare. "You may think you have won by telling my mate to stay away from me. But you and I both know, mates always end up together one way or another. It's not my fault you killed yours because you couldn't control yourself."

        That was it, I hit a nerve. He lost his composure. His fangs appeared as he moved too quickly to be human, and his eyes shifted to a veiny appearance with pure red.

        Eric screamed and ran. So he didn't know.

        "How dare you mention my dear Elizabeth to me. It was a pure tragedy," Nicholas hissed, yet true emotion showed through his own harsh words.

        "A tragedy done by your own doing. And now you've gone cold. Even cold for a vampire. I tell you this, today I was civil. I obeyed your rules. But if you so much as come after Violet, I will come for your family, your empire, and then you," I promised.

        I felt Sam trying to pull me away, but the energy radiating off of me demanded submission. No one messed with a true Alpha and I would make sure all creatures from here to the ends of the earth knew that.