Last To Know (The Wanted)

Chapter Twenty-Five

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"Everyone, gather around!" Tom called as he descended into the cellar. I looked up from the card game I was playing with Jacie and Danielle. "We have received mail from Solaris. I'm hoping it is a decree that states the end of the war."

We all stood up and gathered around Tom as he began to open the letter. He was about to tear open the envelope when suddenly an image of Tom's skin burning at the touch of whatever paper was inside of the envelope flashed across my mind. Instinctively, I jumped out and ripped the envelope from his hands, throwing it across the room.

"Maisie! What are you doing?" Jay asked, grabbing my arm.

"That paper was made of material that would have burnt Tom's skin off." I said, yanking away from Jay.

"You had a vision?" Tom asked me and I nodded.

"It must have been a fake." Siva said, picked the envelope up and being careful not to touch the paper.

"What is it made of that could burn off a vampire's skin?" I wondered.

"Obenca." Nathan said quietly. Everyone gasped and I looked over at him. He was studying the envelope laying in Siva's hands. "I am sure of it."

"What's Obenca?" I asked.

"An herb. Over a millennia ago when vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures were first created by a group of powerful witches, they gave each species a weakness. For vampires, it was a special herb called Obenca, however it died out just a few decades ago. Any vampire that was injected with Obenca would become severely sick and die. It burns our skin to the touch and is our only weakness besides our hearts." Tom explained to me.

"If it died out decades ago, why is that paper made of it?" I pointed out.

"It must have not died out." Siva suggested.

"I knew the mutts had something up their sleeves." Tom said, shaking his head.

"What do we do?" Hailey asked.

"Hold on, Tom, do you know remember all that stuff from the training we went through for being heirs?" Siva asked.

"Most of it. Why?" He asked in reply.

"Because, I seem to remember one of our Royal rules is that no kingdom may harm royal family." Siva said explained.

"Yes, but why does it matter? They aren't planning on killing Kassimuss, you, or I. We are the only royals." Tom said in confusion.

"If Maisie marries you she becomes a royal." Nathan said, catching on. My eyes widened.

"Right." Siva nodded.

"Oh, I get it! Because Danielle is royal family as well because you two are married." Talia said, referring to Siva and Danielle.

"I don't want to marry her." Tom said, making my heart crack. He paused at looked at me before adding, "Not forced."

I released my breath but I still felt a little upset.

"It may be the only way. Have a secret wedding and then announce it afterwards that way they can't hurt Maisie." Jay agreed.

"It is the only way to keep her safe. We must begin planning immediately." Jacie added.

"I will write a letter to Solaris. Jay, Nathan, Max, can you all help me? You girls can go plan it." Siva told Talia, Danielle, Jacie, and Hailey. Everyone nodded and set to work while Tom and I stood, still trying to fathom what had just happened.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out so I snapped my jaw shut. Tom was frozen in place, staring at the wall behind me. I couldn't move; I was fixed in place. I had no say in my own wedding.

I didn't want this. But what were my choices? Either marry Tom, let the way carry on and let people die because of me, of surrender myself. And the two last options weren't acceptable by anyone.

This was never how I had pictured myself getting married. However, there before me stood the person I knew that no matter what I still loved with all my heart but I didn't want to marry him. At least not yet, and not anytime soon.

I had no idea how I felt about being forced into marriage. I didn't know how Tom felt about it either, but it was the only thing we could do to stop the war and keep the wolves from getting me.

All I could think of was how I almost allowed King Matthies and Carmichael to have me. I wasn't even fit to be a vampire, let alone a queen. I was no leader. Maybe Ava was.

I scolded myself as a quick thought flashed across my mind. If I somehow died, would Tom marry Ava?

No, no, I couldn't think about that. I had to believe that he wouldn't do that to me, even if I was dead.

Don't worry, I wasn't being suicidal or anything. I just couldn't help but believe that Ava was probably the first replacement for me.

I mean, there must have been a reason that Tom did 'it' first with her, even when he knew she wasn't his mate.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I felt my legs begin to buckle. I felt like I was going to be sick, but at the same time I felt like flying up into the air and just exploding into a giant firework or something.

I wobbled over to the corner of the cellar and sat down against the cement wall, pressing my cheek against it. I looked across the room and felt regret for that one night that I took Chance for a walk. I was now being hunted down by werewolves, I was a blood-drinking demon, betrothed to a man who could easily replace me, while the next-generation royals planned my wedding.

If only I had stayed in and watched Netflix that night.

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