Shadow Creek ✔

Chapter Twenty-Two

\\Twenty-Two//
Demetri

Blood was spilled.

The metallic smell wafted through the woods. My senses were on overdrive. I was trying to hear Zoey call for help or something. I was nervous. Zoey absolutely needed to come through those trees.

Cassian stood by the trees, casually leaning against one. He addressed me. "You know, Zoey is weak right now, Caterina has been training for this for a while now. It's obvious whom will be the victor."

I rolled my eyes. "Fuck off."

Cassian chuckled softly.

My mother approached me. "Demetri, how come you didn't tell us about this?"

"About me dating a vampire? Would you honestly accept it? You would rather want me mated off the traditional way with Gemma. She's gone now."

My father strolled over to us. "You still could've told us. I know we may not always be around, but still. I'm disappointed in you."

"Why would you be together with a Draven? You know their history with us," Mom folded her arms.

"I didn't know she was a Draven. Plus, I care for her. She'll not be cast aside and be judged just because she's a Draven vampire," I stated strongly.

Cassian shot up quickly. He started making his way towards the trees. I turned my head and followed. Cassian laughed haughtily. "Looks like Caterina has won."

Caterina stumbled towards us, a big hole in her neck healing, various cuts along her. She raised her clouded gaze at me. "She put up a good fight. . ." There was a knife in her hand. Zoey's knife. She threw it to the floor.

My vision darkened. All common sense went out the door. I charged towards the trees. "Zoey!" I screamed. I couldn't lose her. I wouldn't. . . She was mine. My heart was beating fast, I could hear my blood rushing, my skin was ignited.

I took a deep breath as I approached the clearing. There was a thick branch on top of a prone figure. My knees went weak. I fell to my knees. "Zoey, baby."

Her eyes were closed, and she looked even paler than she already was. I grabbed the branch and lifted it off. My hands instantly went to her face, "sweetie."

Her eyes fluttered and she moaned softly. "What happened?"

Grabbing her softly, I lifted her up in my arms. I stood up and started making my way to the treeline. "You're okay."

Zoey's eyes grew wide and she whimpered in pain. "My thigh."

I looked at her thigh. She had a deep gash along it. Anger surged forth through my body. I wanted to hunt, to kill. She shouldn't have went through this, regardless if it was their law.

I briskly walked past Cassian and Caterina. He lead her towards the infirmary. Exactly where I was going. I pushed past him and approached Ms. Laila.

Ms. Laila gave me an exasperated look. "What am I going to do with you?"

Zoey chuckled softly. "Follow me around everywhere?"

Ms. Laila grabbed something from the cabinet and walked back. "This is to heal all your injuries quickly. Normally I only give it to wolves, but in this situation you'll need it." She opened Zoey's mouth and I saw the pink substance slide down her throat. From what I remember, that substance tasted ridiculously sweet. It was easy for supernaturals to get addicted to it. Faeries were the ones that created it, but medicines always had its drawbacks.

Zoey stared longingly at the vial. "More," she whispered, wriggling herself out of my arms.

I set her down since her wounds were healing rapidly. "No, that's addicting."

Zoey shook her head. "That's some heavy stuff." Her eyes grew wide and she groaned. "I lost."

I sighed and turned to her. "You guys fought in the worst circumstances ever. Firstly, you were already injured. Secondly, you could always challenge her again."

Zoey nodded and stared at her hands. "I'm sorry I never told you I was a Draven. I just didn't want you to look at me differently."

I took her into my arms and kissed her forehead, "I love you, I would never look at you differently."

My parents came barging into the infirmary. They stared at Zoey and I. My father stepped forward. "If you truly wish to be with her, then you must go through the mating ceremony with her."

My eyebrow raised. Zoey was a vampire. That would be almost impossible to do the ceremony with her. She could possibly die if she went through it. I wasn't willing to risk her life like that.

"Father, with all due respect, I cannot. It's a risk to her life. I'm not willing to do that," my eyes drifted to Zoey. Her confused gaze settled on me. Then her eyes darted to my mother.

"What happens if we don't do the mating ceremony?" She asked.

"He'll get kicked out from the pack from our allies. He'll become rogue and exiled," my mother was saddened as she spoke.

Zoey shook her head. "That's not fair to him. I'll do it." She sat foward, determination set in her eyes.

My dad stared at Zoey in shock. "You know the risk?"

Zoey shook her head. "No, but I want Dem to be happy. And if it means doing a mating ceremony to keep his title, then I'm fine with that."

"We'll notify the others." Mom nodded and took my fathers hand, both of them leaving.

My eyes turned to Zoey's catlike eyes. "Are you insane!? You do realize you could die, correct?"

She half smiled at me. "There's a chance I could, but I am strong. I can do this. It's the least I can do. I've caused much trouble."

Laila escorted Rose inside the room. Rose half smiled at us. "It's been a crazy day guys. I think it time that you have some rest. Sadly, Zoey will be staying in the witches dorm, the east one, since her life is at risk too. Dem, you're assigned to her. As well as Chase, since he volunteered."

My eyes raised. Chase. . . ? He definitely had feelings for Zoey. If he was to even touch her, I would break him. Chase was certainly my enemy indeed. Maybe it was time to have a serious chat.