The Vampire King's Hybrid Mate

Chapter 5 - Freedom

My heart raced. I gulped, taking a deep breath.

"What attraction?" I spat, trying to sound bitter.

"The one your heart is advocating for." His fingers gently traced my collarbone. A shiver went through me, and I curled my toes, trying to gather my anger and my courage. "In case you've forgotten, revenants have a pretty good sense of hearing too. And I'm not even trying right now. Your heart is racing for me, Love."

"Get away from me," I stated, pushing him back by his chest.

He smiled, allowing me to move him back, as he raised his hands in surrender.

"I was just testing you, Imara," he said, satisfaction and victory clear in his tone. "Don't take it to the heart." He winked, and walked away before I could think of a reply.

I gritted my teeth, mentally cursing my body and the way it responded to him. I hated him, and the power he seemed to have over me. How could my own body betray me like that? Sure, he was incredibly handsome, maybe even my mate. But how could my stupid body overlook the way he had treated me? He did not care for my feelings. All he wanted was to have me for himself.

He needed to be taught a lesson. I wasn't going to let him close to me again. He wasn't over stepping his boundaries ever again. I was going to confront him about it that very instant.

I hurried up the stairs, looking around for him. But he was already gone. I could, however, still feel eyes on me. There was no way he was letting me move around without anyone watching me.

"Whoever is baby-sitting, get out here right now!" I announced, my voice booming through the supposedly empty hallway.

I heard a small sigh, before a dark haired girl appeared from the shadows.

"Hi, Milady," she said, bowing her head slightly.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Irene. I'm Eros's mate, and the stealthiest revenant from our clan. How did you know I was here?" She seemed confused.

"I could feel your eyes burning holes through me. Where did Draco go?" I wasn't in the mood of being friendly.

"To his chambers. I'm not sure if you're allowed in there..."

I stepped closer to her, my eyes gleaming with annoyance. "Take me to him, please. Right now."

Her fear cascaded off of her in a wave, and she quickly nodded, turning away from me. She started walking, and I followed behind her, only to realize that his room was in the hallway opposite to the one 'mine' was in. It was a large black door, with two revenants stationed outside like watchmen.

I rolled my eyes.

"Milady," both of them said in unison, bowing in front of me.

"Please open the door. I need to speak to him."

They looked at each other with reluctance.

"Miss King," Irene said softly, "may I knock first and ask him for permission? He doesn't like people entering his chambers witho--"

I didn't let her finish her sentence. Stepping forward, I pushed the door open myself, and walked inside with full authority. The door swung closed again, causing a loud slam. Anger and confidence radiated off of me as I marched forward, but the moment my gaze fell upon him, I immediately regretted not knocking.

He stood near his bed, watching me with a surprised look on his face, wearing only pants that hung rather low on his delicious v-line. His chest was incredibly toned, and his abs looked particularly enticing under the dim lighting of his room. I had seen my fair share of shirtless, hot men, having been surrounded my whole life by werewolves whose clothes got ripped whenever they turned. But this man... He was something else. He crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head to the side. I could sweat--swear, every muscle of his body clenched and unclenched in that small movement. It was impossible to tear my gaze away.

The rage had dwindled by now, and filling my mind were explicit pictures from my dreams, as well as new ones that my brain was currently conjuring up. My cheeks felt flushed, and I gulped, aware of my echoing heart beat.

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me.

I flinched, taking a step back.

"Can I help you, Milady?" His tone was teasing. He knew everything that was going on in my mind, everything that I was feeling.

"Yes--I mean no. I'm not here for your... help."

His eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he stalked closer to me, urging me to back away further. In a moment I was pressed against the door, and he was caging me between his arms again.

"What is it then, that you're here for?" His voice was huskier than usual, and his gaze was anywhere but my eyes. It was travelling all over me, just as shamelessly as mine had raked over him.

"I'm--I'm here to warn you, Draco."

"Warn me?" He chuckled, the sound making me want to cover my ears. Not because it was unpleasant, no, but because it was making my knees weak. I didn't even know I could feel such a thing.

Everything about him felt so wrong and forbidden, yet oddly correct.

"Warn me about what, Love?"

I swooned internally, quite involuntarily. His accent was definitely one of the best things about him. And the worst.

"To..." I trailed off, my voice suddenly deciding to fail me, as his hand gently brushed against my arm.

"To...?"

He had leaned in closer, and I could feel his breath, and smell his cologne. My heart fluttered, and I gulped, clearing my throat.

"To stay away from me," I stated, clenching my fists at my sides.

"What was that?" he whispered, putting his finger under my chin and tilting my face up. Our noses were almost brushing, and I wanted to close the space. "Hmm?" he asked, his eyes flickering to my parted lips.

"Don't you dare kiss me," I said softly, but my tone negated my words.

He smiled, leaning in even closer. "I won't." He then stepped back, and turned away, casually walking over to his bed.

I opened my mouth to yell at him, but he spoke first.

"Close the door on your way out, and you're allowed to enter without knocking. There's nothing I'd want to hide from my mate. Send for me if you're in the mood to talk, or need anything else. Okay?" He turned and offered me a smile.

My chest was heaving up and down, and my jaw was clenched. I stood there, watching him as he threw on a shirt, my fists tightly balled. He was completely ignoring me as he went about with his work, pushing his shoes off, combing his fingers through his hair. Every second of it angered me further, and my eyes now began to glow, my claws digging into my palms.

He glanced at me almost immediately, rushing to me in a mili-second, his hands grabbing mine. He glanced down at them, and then at me, staring at me incredulously.

"What is wrong with you Imara?" he scolded. He pried my fist open with his hand, and held onto my fingers so I wouldn't close it again. There were deep cuts in my palm, oozing with blood. Draco glared at me again, and for some reason, I couldn't say anything to him. He brought my hand up, and leaned down, gently pressing his lips to my wound.

I frowned, my heart giving an odd thump, as I felt his tongue lick the blood off. I blinked at him in confusion, as he slowly cleaned it off, before pulling away. His eyes were a deep red now, and I felt the urge to pull my hand out of his hold, but there was a weird warmth on my skin at the same time. It was comforting, and it begged me to let my hand stay in his.

He took my other hand too, but I had already loosened my fist, so the wounds had already healed. He wiped off the blood with his thumbs, before stepping closer to me and cupping my cheek.

"Don't do this again, alright? I will not tolerate you harming yourself."

"I... I didn't do it on purpose. It happens when I'm angry." I didn't know why I was explaining it to him. I didn't owe him this.

"Then stop being angry," he snapped, his gaze hardening.

His tone pulled me out of the trance his touch had put me in.

My eyes narrowed, and I yanked my hands out of his grip now. "So now you want to control my emotions as well?" I stepped away from him, feeling my eyes slowly start to change shades. He let out a tired sigh, slowly shaking his head. "Is this what you call being someone's mate? I was right about this whole thing. I was right about mates, and about you. You think that just because the Moon Goddess decided you're the right one for me, I would accept you with my eyes closed? No, I won't. It doesn't work like that. You say you want me to be your Queen, but a Queen is a partner, an equal. Not someone you can order around, kidnap when you want, tease and control. I will not tolerate this behavior, do you understand?" I poked his chest, my eyes and tone filled with aggression.

He stared at me with a stoic face, as if he was waiting for me to finish with my tantrum.

"I do," he then said simply.

I blinked at him, waiting for him to say something further. He didn't, which annoyed me even more.

"I'm not gonna stay here!" I exclaimed, walking towards the door. "I'm leaving, and you're not going to stop me."

"Okay. Close the door on your way out."

I paused.

"What?" I turned to him.

He shrugged. "You don't want to be controlled? I won't control you. You can go."

"Wait, for real?"

"Yes, for real."

"But... I don't understand...?"

"You wanna stay?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No," I replied quickly.

"Then go. Go back to your pack house. Be safe."

I bit my lip, confused. Was he serious?

"You're gonna sedate me as soon as I turn around, right?"

"I won't. You're free to leave. You've made it clear that you don't want me, in spite of the way your body aches for me. You must have your reasons. So go."

"I'm not gonna come back."

"Have a good life." He smiled.

Okay. That's your cue, Imara. Leave before he changes his mind.

I turned around and rushed out the door, seeing there were really no revenants around to stop me. I could smell freedom, the fresh air waiting for me outside, as I rushed down the staircase, looking for the exit. The castle was a maze in itself, and finding the door was taking too much time, so I did the mature thing and crashed out through the window. I landed on the grass outside, a few pieces of glass sinking into my arms and feet, but I didn't care. Letting out a growl, I transformed into my wolf, running free.

- - - -

Oooh. So she has left. What do you think she's gonna find? And why did he let her go? Stay tuned, loves! Next chapter will be updated on the fifteenth!