10_You're My Mate
1646 Words
Ariella POV
I am about to go to my room when a frowning Grandpa Jack enters.
“Good morning, sir,” I greet politely and look at his soft-brim hat and overcoat he is wearing. “Are you on your way fishing?”
“I tried to,” he huffs while filling a plate with scones and bacon. “But mother nature is in a mood today. A thirty-minute thunderstorm at 5 am followed by insufferable heat is nothing other than a mood swing.”
Okay, I no longer wonder – I know. It was real. I had a visitor.
“Has something like that ever happened before?” I ask curiously.
“Not in my eighty years,” he grunts and sits down.
“Wow, eighty years,” I look at him with big eyes. Yes, he is grey and wrinkled but he still walks upright, and his blue eyes are alert. I did not expect him to be this old.
“If you’re going to imply that I’m lying because I’m old and senile …”
“Not at all,” I say quickly. “I’m impressed, sir. You’re still very active for your age, and I thought you were much younger.”
“Wolves have a longer life expectancy,” he replies, and I notice he seems flattered. “But maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps. And don’t call me sir. I’m Jack.”
“I’m Ariella,” I rest my elbows on the table and lean forward. “Jack, how much do you know about vampires?”
“I know everything there is to know about those vermin,” he huffs. “They’re an abomination and shouldn’t exist.”
“One can argue that if it weren’t for their existence, you wouldn’t have been here either,” I reason. “Humans wouldn’t need your protection if they didn’t exist.”
“We were human in the beginning. Then they surfaced and the heavens stepped in to help and gave us the ability to shift. We have souls, Ariella,” his blue eyes hold my gaze. “They don’t. They take what’s beautiful and pure and turn it into darkness. When we die, we go to the heavenly realm. When they turn a human, they rob that person of their humanity, their soul, and their opportunity to a heavenly afterlife. You can do everything right your entire life and then a vampire takes it from you without any remorse.”
“That’s so morbid,” I look at my fingers. “Doing everything right and then losing it because of another’s actions.”
“Hence my first statement,” he sighs and shakes his head. “I’m telling you, Ariella, people don’t understand the price they pay for immortality. They think drinking blood and avoiding sunlight is all they’re giving up. It’s not, it’s so much more. And for what? Money, fortune and fame. None of those matter in the afterlife.”
“Is there like … uhm, a vampire king?” I ask.
“The f*cker’s name is Victor,” Jack confirms. “Wolves have been looking for him for centuries, but so far, we’ve been unsuccessful. He keeps on moving and we have traitors helping him evade us.”
“Why would the wolves help them?” I ask in shock and disgust.
“Money and power, mostly,” he sighs. “But there have been cases of wolves and vampires falling in love. Vampires are sly and conniving. They will tell you everything you want to hear to get what they want. They’re incapable of love. They only pretend to love a wolf for information. Idiocracy, I tell you.”
“What would happen if you killed the vampire king?” I ask eagerly.
“It’s not a patient zero thing which will wipe them out when he dies - if that’s what you’re thinking,” he exhales deeply. “He commands them all. They come and go as they please, but when he says jump, they obey. Killing him will turn the vampires against one another when they fight to take the throne. Not only will that give us ample time to wipe them out, but they will also start killing one another.”
“Well, that’s just …”
“That’s why Cole’s so upset with Ruth,” Jack continues as if I have not said anything, and I look at him in surprise. “There are rumours that her friend’s pack supports and helps vampires. And she keeps wandering around in the dark. It’s dangerous. Vampire attacks are increasing rapidly.”
“Jack, I don’t think I should know that,” I clear my throat. “It’s none of my business.”
“Bah!” He waves at me and stands up. “Ruth’s business is not a secret. That girl should be chained to her bed.”
My mind is in overdrive as I watch Jack leave. An angel visited me, she called me by my name. She knows me and my capabilities. There are scars on my back … I think I know who – or rather what – I am.
I owe Cole so much more than my life. He saved my soul and my ever after. I owe him everything. I should not squander this gift of a second chance.
It does not matter who I am or what my name is. It matters what I do with my life. Like werewolves, I have a purpose and an obligation. I need to find the vampire king and kill him. I owe it to Cole and his pack to leave and fulfil my purpose.
Cole POV
My day started so well, and now this. It kills me to keep Ruth locked up, but I do not know what to do anymore. She is my only sister, my only living sibling. How can I just sit back and watch as she destroys herself? How am I supposed to keep her safe?
“Order the Gamma team to guard her,” I say to Preston as I push my fingers through my hair in frustration. “And stay here until they arrive.”
“Will do,” Preston nods. “And may I ask how things are going with your mate?”
“I don’t know,” I exhale deeply. “But I’m about to find out.”
“Good luck with that,” he shouts after me as I walk away.
Honestly, at this point, I do not even care about telling her. All I want is to hold her and absorb her scent. To have a moment of serenity in a world where everything is going for sh!t.
“Are you okay?” Ariella asks when I enter the dining room.
“You’re still here,” I look at her in surprise. “I thought you went to your room.”
“I was, but then I ended up talking to Jack,” she replies and stands up. “But I’ll go if you need time for yourself.”
“No,” I stop her quickly and take her hand. “We need to talk. I’m only here for a cup of coffee.”
“Yes, we should,” she pulls back her shoulders and looks at me. “I know what I must do.”
“You do?” I raise my eyebrows. What the hell did Gramps say for her to make a decision?
“I must leave,” she says determinately, pulling her hand from mine.
“I don’t want you to leave,” I admit, and reach for her but she steps back.
“Neither do I,” she pulls her shoulders back. “But it’s something I must do. I owe it to you and all the other wolves.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” I am stunned by her words. It does not make sense. “And how is leaving helping me?”
“I’m going to kill the vampire king,” she says adamantly, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor. Of all the things I thought Ariella might be, crazy was not one of them.
“You’re joking, right?” I chuckle uncomfortably, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “I mean, I had to save you from an ordinary vampire and now you want to kick the king’s ass. You’ll be dead even before you find him.”
“Then I die trying,” she shrugs nonchalantly. “Somebody must do it; it might as well be me.”
“Ariella, please,” I fight to stay calm and patient. I already had to deal with my rebellious and dramatic sister. I do not have the energy for crazy. “Werewolves have been trying for centuries to get to Victor. Wolves who trained for it since they were teenagers, and every one failed. What makes you think you’ll be successful?”
“Because I’m an angel,” her words are unwavering and clear. “It’s what I’m meant to do.”
“An angel?" I frown. "Don't you think …”
“No, Cole,” she says firmly and her eyes pierce into mine. “Thank you for everything but I must fulfil my purpose.”
“Ariella, wait,” I follow her as she walks away. “You’re simplifying a complicated situation. You have no resources, and …”
“I’ll manage,” she cuts me off and keeps walking to her room.
“Dammit, Ariella,” I lose my patience, grab her arm, and swing her to face me. “Don’t go, please. You’re not an angel, you're my mate.”
Her amber eyes swirl with confusion and disbelief and I let go of her.
“It’s the truth,” I sigh heavily. “You’re my mate.”
- Writer
