book #1 : war of beasts

#7 enemies in every corner

it had been almost a month since Abby and David marked each other. the baby had been growing strong and steady and she knew it was time to be introduced as queen and David's mate. he could feel her nerves blowing through her out of control between their mate bond. she fidgeted with her fingers and he reached out to hold her hand. " they are going to love you like I do."

" I hope so." she felt his hand gently placed on her growing belly and rubbing circles across it igniting sparks through her body. she leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder breathing in his calming scent. the car stopped in front of a large building. it was easily the largest building she had ever seen, and it was decorated ornately showing off the family crest. " Wow this is huge. are you sure I'm ready for this?"

David chuckled as he took both her hands in his. " Abby look at me." her eyes drew to his and he kissed her soft lips. " you were made for this. you are amazing and I wouldn't have chosen anyone better than you. " he could feel her heart beating fast in her chest. he took a deep breath and his driver opened the door to the car. " my little fairy, you were made to be queen." he stepped out waving to the people then reaching his hand back for her she took his hand as he helped her out of the car. the crowd went silent as they realized she was pregnant and by his side. he looked around at the people and stepped up to a microphone with Abby never letting go of her hand. he cleared his throat to address the people. " today is a day we celebrate. I have found my mate and we have marked each other. today is a day we have found our queen." he paused for a moment as the crowd went crazy cheers erupting all over. he waited for it to quiet down then began again. " today I present to you queen Abigail and our future son." everyone went quiet for a second before bursts of cheer rang out and flowers were being thrown onto the podium. David leaned over kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear. " I told you they would love you." he rested a hand on her swollen stomach and could feel the baby move at his touch.

both their eyes met in surprise and smiled at each other. " well he definitely loves his daddy." taking her hand he led her into the building to crown her queen. the room was grand in every sense of the way. gold pews lined the walkway as he led her down to the golden altar. white rose petals were being thrown at their feet as they walked and everyone stood and bowed their heads at the royal couple. silk lined the seats of each golden bench and a velvety red runner lay along the path they walked. once at the alter they were ushered to kneel. David helped her down before kneeling next to her. she held his hand tighter as the nerves took her over. he could feel her discomfort. a man came from behind the alter and began his speech as their heads were bowed down. " do you Abigail winters ... Abigail king solemnly swear to uphold this kingdom as your own and obey the laws that were set forth from elders of the past. to uphold what is right even in times of danger? do you swear to be righteous and true of heart to rule with swift justice and a kind and giving heart?"

with her head still lowered she closed her eyes. " I do."

" Abigail king I crown thee queen. please take your righteous place along side your king on the thrown. " a crown was placed on her head and then she was being helped up and led to a pair of golden throwns lined with silk fabric. she saw the intricate designs of each thrown as if they were hand carved into the gold. David helped her to her throne before standing in front of his reaching out for her hand and then motioning for her to sit along side him. the elder turned to the pews and looked out across the many people. " please bow your head in respect to king David and queen Abigail." she could see everyone clapping and happy as she looked across the sea of people. she almost missed the two faces in the crowd that wore scowls on their faces. a man and a woman stood close to each other almost seemingly in an argument. the man looked familiar but she could not place it.

David led her down the long path filled with rose petals and through the doors. waving to the people as they walked. once through the doors he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. " let's go dance my little fairy. tonight we celebrate. " she smiled at him. they entered a long hallway and walked up to the giant double doors carved with the tiniest of details. they waited as the doors opened into a grand ballroom where everyone was standing and clapping as they entered being greeted by bows. he pulled her in closer to him and the music began as they moved effortlessly across the floor soon others joined them. " tonight maybe you can wear this to bed." David whispered in her ear. she blushed turning bright red.

" I'm not so sure everyone is happy I'm queen. there were a few scowls in the audience today. It felt different than just someone not liking me. I could feel their hate for me oozing off of them. it was a little scary."

" what did they look like?" before she could answer they were interrupted by a man. Abby recognized the man that was next to the woman. she immediately went tense as he came close. " father, " David bowed to the man and Abby's eyes raised slightly trying not to give away her shock. " this is my mate and queen Abby." he gestured towards Abby as the man nodded at her.

" I came over to see if I could take over this dance with your lovely queen my son." David nodded clearly not seeing how uncomfortable Abby had become. without notice the man had his arm around her waste and a hand in hers and was dancing further away from David. her nerves began to take over once she could no longer see David. " I see that you have fooled my son into making you queen and that you are having his baby."

" I wouldn't trick anyone that way. I actually didn't even want the title. he insisted. "

" so you tricked him by making him believe you aren't greedy and then took the title anyways? this title should have gone to someone who deserved it."

" and why don't you believe I deserve it?"

" you have the blood of a nobody girl. and now you're bringing a half breed into the mix. you are not worthy to be a queen let alone rule next to the likes of David. he should have rejected you."

Abby quit dancing and had stopped to stare at his father. she pondered for a moment and then averted her eyes around the ballroom. she didn't see David anywhere but she could feel anger welling inside her and not her own. her eyes came back to the man standing in front of her and locked eyes with him. taking a deep breath in she smiled before responding. " it seems to me that you under estimate my value and my worth as a queen based on things you do not even know about me. nor do I feel you want to know about me. to you my merit as a queen is only based on the blood that flows through my veins rather than the fact that I am going to be a great queen and rule the way these people need rather than what my birth right says they need. further more, this little half breed will be raised to take over the kingdom and be a better king to these people than you ever have been. I think that fact makes you nervous because you know you had a chance to be great but instead you were more concerned for yourself rather than your people whom you were supposed to serve." she cleared her throat nervous about saying anything.

his hand reached out and grabbed her closer gripping her arm tight. she struggled to pull back but he held her tighter and she could feel the bruise beginning to form. " watch your back my queen. not everyone is excited to have your half breed come into this world and not everyone will be as nice as I am about it " he released her and walked away. she could see his finger prints on her arm. she looked around not seeing David anywhere and started looking for him.

She could hear him in the hallway talking to someone as she approached. " David, I was promised to be queen. you were supposed to be marking me not some human carrying a half breed."

" Chloe watch your tone when it comes to my mate."

" well David maybe if you had not stuck your d**k into some woman who didn't deserve any of this we wouldn't be here now." David moved with a flash as he wrapped his hands around her neck. she gave him a sickly smile. " I love foreplay."

" you were never going to be queen. you never had a right to think that. I told you I didn't want you to be my queen. now stop talking about my mate and your queen that way or I will have my guards take you away."

Abby stepped out of the doors walking up behind David just as Chloe said one last thing knowing Abby was there. " just remember how fun we had it in bed and all the things I did for you to satisfy your every need my dear. some one of her caliber could never keep you satisfied. " he released her throat as she walked away smugly knowing she had created a seed of doubt.

" David?" he spun around wrapping his arms around her. placing his head in her neck breathing in her sweet calming scent. " are you ok?"

he placed a kiss on her forehead as he whispered to her. " yes, now that you're here I'm much better." they both took a deep breath together and released it as the tension subsided. " my little fairy are you tired? maybe we should go up to bed and get you off your feet?"

" I don't want to take you away from the party honey. why don't I go upstairs and take a bath and you can come up afterwards?"

" nope my place is next you. you head upstairs to our room and I will say goodnight to people. it won't take me long. but there is no way I'm staying here without you by my side." she nodded at him kissing his cheek then his lips then his jaw. she turned around and began to walk the long way to the elevator leading to their suite in the castle.

she pushed the button and waited for the elevator when she felt something prick her neck. she fell to the ground and everything went black. Abby had a piercing headache. the throbbing was radiating down. she looked around but her vision was blurry. there was hardly any light in the room a small lamp casting a small shadow everywhere. Abbys hands were tied to a post. she could feel someone watching her but she was still so tired. her head leaned against the headboard as her eyes closed again. she knew she was in trouble but she was just too tired to keep her eyes open.