Alpha's Abused Mate.

Five Years Later...

"And when you think you are too close to the top... Fate shows you have another difficult path to pass in order to succeed!"

~five years later~

Third person's pov

Five years had passed since the day Cora found her family and began her life as the lycanthropes' princess. Five years away from the people that killed her and made her suffer. Five years without her angel, her Miles. Five years without feeling any kind of pain from Noah, without his mark on her, without the bond.

She couldn't feel anything from her bond with him after the night she sifted. Her personal doctor told her that she was too strong and accepting his rejection broke the bond enough for her to stop feeling him and his actions. She was relieved, she was happy and pleased with her life now. She had a great aunt that was treating her like she was her daughter and was always by her side. She was helping her with some of her lessons, she was teaching her some important things related to her future duties as a Queen and they had fun some hours every week on their own without the others.

Rosana was a sister for her, they were going out some days every month to go shopping, clubbing and have fun. Rosana knew every thought of Cora, every feeling, every wary and was encouraging her to continue being strong and optimistic. She still hadn't found her mate but she didn't mind, she had a feeling that she would meet him soon and she was getting ready.

Mischa was their protector, their older brother, the one who was able to control them better than the others as he knew their weaknesses and their way of thinking. He had found his mate three years after he moved into the palace and he was happier than ever. His mate was another young Duchess, her name was Natalie and she was pretty, kind and sweet. Natalie created almost immediately a strong bond with Rosana and Cora, she was helping them make wise choices as she was some years older than them and she had more experience to some things. She was now one and a half month pregnant with Mischa and hers child and they were all very excited and happy.

Mischa and Rosana's parents were visiting them very often and they were staying with them at the palace. They were always good friends with Queen Alena and King Nikolai and they adored Cora for her strength and kindness.

King Nikolai, Cora's grandpa was finally happy and calm. His younger daughter might have been dead but he had her daughter, his little girl, his one and favorite granddaughter. He loved watching her training, talking, laughing, smiling and being around him. She came and gave him back his lost happiness, his optimistic thought. She was his biggest weakness, one word from her and it was a rule, one tear and he was getting crazy, a laughter from her and his heart was melting. He was spending lots of time most of the nights discussing with her about their lives, his experiences, his stories and their feelings. He could see the good in her, she was a kind soul, she had been broken before but she was strong and she was another person. He wanted so much to kill everyone that had dared to hurt her in every way but he knew that she was able to deal with everything and everyone when the right time would come and he was fine with it.

He was also the one who could see something between Cora and...Ivan. Despite their distance and contraries he was sure that these two had lots of things in common and they could stand next to each other perfectly. He tried to talk with them separated but both of them denied to discuss anything related to each other. He decided not to pressure them, he was certain that when the right time would come they would finally manage to soften and open up to each other. He was hoping they wouldn't be too stubborn and they would follow their instincts and needs.

Queen Alena was a different woman, she was happy and couldn't hide it. Cora was the light in her life. She didn't have kids on her own, her mate had died lots of years ago and now she felt alive again. Cora was her sister's daughter, her daughter. She adored this kid, she could she her sister's spirit in Cora, her heart, her warmth. She was sure her kingdom would be in good hands, her niece was a smart woman, strong with understanding abilities, kindness but also determination for perfection and a great feeling of justice.

Her palace had back its life, Cora, Mischa, Rosana and later Natalie were young people with energy and liveliness and their voices, shouts, laughters and games were making the palace a beautiful and pleasant place. All her servants and best fighters and trackers who were living with them could see the difference, their princess had made everything seem different, she had changed everyone's lives. They all loved her, she was kind and caring with all of them, they were loyal to her and she was grateful for their love.

They were all happy except from...

Ivan. 

He was always serious, he wasn't talking a lot and he was distant and cold almost with everyone. Cora's appearance made him even ruder and arrogant than before and his anger was out of every limit. He was training and teaching Cora everything he knew, he had promised it to his Queen, he couldn't do otherwise but he wasn't happy. He was feeling only hatred for Cora or... That was what he was thinking. His anger was blinding him, he wanted to kill her but he knew he couldn't, his duty was to stand by her side. Alena had also asked him to become Cora's right hand when she would become Queen and he couldn't say no. Day by day he got used to be with Cora but he was still insulting her, he was rude and rough with her. He knew nothing about her past as Cora had asked from the others, he couldn't imagine what had happened to her and the reveal for her past was going to happen soon even if no one had thought about it. He didn't want to stay close to her for too long, he was trying to control Vital too as he was crazy for Cora and Cynthia and Ivan couldn't understand the reason. He was sleeping with other women almost every night out of the palace of course trying to control his temper but the results weren't satisfactory. The only thing he was thinking of was Cora and her behavior, she was killing him...

Cora was another woman, she had Cynthia and she was afraid of nothing and no one. She was her biggest supporter, friend, encourager and help. She got used with her new life quickly, she had become the best fighter in her kingdom and her body was stronger, harder and more attractive than ever before. Her hair was longer than any other time, her skin was perfect, she was not skinny anymore, she had the right curves and everyone was admiring her. Her eyes were shining all the time, she was smiling to everyone expect from Ivan and she was talking with all the people in the palace about everything. She had asked from them not to call her formal without reason and most of the times they were all calling her with her name or with nicknames. She was in lead of the fighters with Ivan even if he was trying to be above her but she didn't mind. After three years she could read his mind and his every next move and she knew when and where to interfere and put him in his place without fighting or insulting him. She had no mood to deal with his rudeness, she was hurt from his behavior but she couldn't change him so she preferred not to get too close to him.

Cynthia was very close with Vital from the first days that they met but Cora was trying to reason with her in vain as Cynthia was a Princess too and her word was final. Cynthia wanted Vital even if Cora didn't want any relationship with Ivan and she was managing to be close to him because of their wolves. She also had learned about Ivan and the women he was sleeping with and she was feeling disgusted. He was reminding her of Noah more and more every day and he was hurting her at some point. She wasn't angry with him anymore, she was just disappointed, hurt and disgusted, she couldn't understand him in some things and this was driving her crazy.

She was feeling a bit alone sometimes, her family and friends was not the same thing as a mate would be. She needed love and affection from someone but she couldn't try anything with anyone yet. She was a bit afraid and she didn't want to get hurt again. She didn't know how to be in a normal relationship either, she never had one and after she became princess no one could stand next to her like this, they were all afraid and respectful to her. She had to be focused and she didn't have time to find the right one, she had to take care of the others first and then herself (if she had the time)...

She had no idea what was happening back to her old packs and 'family' and she didn't want to think about them. She was sorry about Chloe and Caleb with Leo but she didn't want to talk and communicate with them. She was avoiding her past even if she would soon face it again and she had no idea that her 'past' was devastated from her absence...

Chloe and Owen had an about five years old daughter, her name was... Cora. Chloe gave birth some days after Cora shifted and they thought that she was dead. Noah had felt the pain when she shifted but as they didn't know about Cora and her mother being lycanthropes but humans he thought she died and he informed them the next day.

Chloe and Owen with Sebastian and Chloe's parents were trying to find her until that day but after they were informed she was dead they stopped and their life changed immediately. Chloe was crying for days, she was feeling so guilty for not being able to protect Cora earlier and when she gave birth she asked from Owen to name their daughter with hers only aunt's name.

Owen agreed without even thinking about it. He needed it too, he wanted to die, the pain was killing him. He had lost his sister because of his stupidity, she had suffered so much to die somewhere away from all of them alone and without anyone's help. It was his fault, he wasn't a good brother, he wasn't even a brother for her. She was afraid of everyone, she was done and she couldn't trust them, that's why she had left them. He was thinking about her all the time and tried to become the perfect father for little Cora in order to be proud of himself for even one thing.

Sebastian was a ghost, he wasn't living, just existed. He wanted to join his mate and daughter. He was sure that his Nadia would be ashamed of him for the way he had behaved to their daughter and he knew he was unforgivable and inexcusable. He wasn't a father, he was a monster and his daughter's image the night she tried to get herself killed was always in front of him. He was living his personal nightmare and only his granddaughter was helping him smile and talk a bit. His wolf wasn't talking to him just like Owen's and he didn't have any interest expect from little Cora. When Noah called to inform them about Cora's death he locked himself in his room for about two months and never stopped crying and cursing himself for what he did. He just wanted his little girl back...

Caleb, Leo, Jose and Patrick from the other side were trying to run their pack as Noah was... He was broken. He was trying to find Cora for about two months until he felt their bond 'breaking' from her 'death'. He had no idea what was happening in the reality and the only explanation that everyone gave him was that Cora wasn't alive anymore. He was visiting Miles' grave for days asking for his forgiveness and begging him to take care of his mother now that she was by his side and he was the man of their family up there.

He was crying and mourning days and nights for years, her loss was killing him slowly like he had killed her. Natan, his wolf was blocking him all the time, Cora's 'death' was the last hit he could bear and he didn't want to talk about it with anyone. Noah knew it was his own fault, he had to be more careful, not to get drunk that day, not to cheat on her but... He couldn't change what had happened and they were all right to blame him but he was too lost and weak those days that Cora was unconscious at the hospital murmuring Miles' name all the time. He had to leave for some hours back to his pack that day when Cora run away. He was next to her for three days without leaving her side but something serious came up the fourth day and he had to leave for a while. He asked from Owen to take care of Cora and call him if anything would happen.

As he had asked from him Owen called him some hours later and informed him that Cora was too restless after he had left and she was screaming Miles' name but without waking up. It was then when he broke completely after three days of being strong and began drinking. This was the last thing he could remember from that moment with the next to be Sebastian and Owen who broke his bedroom's door and almost killed him because next to him was sleeping his mistress Camilla. He had cheated on Cora while she was unconscious in that condition, she woke up from the pain and she left because of him and his mistakes...

He was broken, he was dead inside, he was a monster and he knew it. He wanted to die too but he had a pack and it was his duty to take care of everyone and do the right thing even if he did it with half a heart.

He betrayed her again and he had no idea what he was going to face in front of him in the next days...

Cora's pov

"Why do I have to come? I don't want to, I am fine here in Russia, thank you!" I yell shaking panicked and fall on my bed ready to cry.

"My little rose you have to join me. The werewolves' King and the vampires' King and Queen want to meet you. You are going to become Queen in one month from now, you have to meet them." My aunt says smiling calmly.

"I can't believe you are being so calm auntie. I don't want to see them, they will be all there and I don't want to be there too." I shout and begin crying.

"Cora baby let's talk about this, you are ready but you are just a bit nervous now." Rosana tells me with sympathy.

"And you? I thought you knew me..."

I jump up and begin walking up and down my room like I am a maniac. I can't go back to USA and leave in the same palace with all the alphas and high ranked vampires and lycanthropes for two whole weeks. My problem specifically is with the 'alphas' and nothing else as you can understand...

"Come on sweety, your aunt is right. We will all be by your side, they won't come close to you. And don't forget out fighters, they will never let them touch you." Natalie adds seeing me like this.

"I am not afraid of them Nat, I just want them away from me. I don't want to see them." I shout shaking.

"Cora I will not let them even talk to you. Are we okay like this?" Mischa asks smiling.

"No, we are not okay. Don't pressure me, I can't."

"Maybe she is right, she can stay here with me." My grandpa says and stands up.

I run to him and bury myself in his embrace relieved. He is awesome, my savior, he doesn't want me sad.

"Father I said she is coming and she will. I am her Queen and if I want her with me she has to follow me." My aunt shouts and gets up serious.

"But Alena, Cor..." he begins but she cuts him.

"No father. I know how she feels, I understand but she has to face them now. She will become Queen too soon and she needs to be done from this too. She has to face her last fear, she is strong, she can do it. I am doing it for her, I am not having fun knowing she is in pain and she is anxious but it's the best for her. Am I clear Cora Petrov?" she asks and turns to me.

I sigh sad and nod defeated, I know she is right and she wants the best for me but I don't feel that ready and the last days I have a weird feeling. Cynthia is more silent too and she is not talking to me that much despite our last fight about Ivan and Vital...

"I want a proper answer Cora Petrov." My aunt says.

"Your wish is my command Your Royal Highness. I will gladly accompany you." I say and bow.

"Good. Thank you my little rose. Now please let me alone with her and ask from Ivan to come here too. I need to talk with them." She states calmly and I roll my eyes annoyed.

"Great, now I will have him in my room too..." I tell Cynthia and she howls excited.

"I have a good feeling you know..." she whispers and shakes her tail impatiently.

"And I have a bad..." I reply back and block her immediately.

They all leave my room and I stay alone with my aunt waiting for  'mister donkey' to come. After some minutes he knocks the door and gets in smiling. What an i***t this man is?! Such a great actor...

"Your Royal Highness, you asked for me." He says and bows.

"Yes Ivan. I want to inform you about our travel and stay to the Kind's of werewolves' palace. Let's have a sit." She says and points for us the couch while she sits on my big white armchair opposite the couch.

I nod a bit unwillingly and sit next to Ivan after I give him a meaningful look not to touch me. He smirks and sits some inches away from me and smiles ironically. I roll my eyes and turn to my aunt when she clear's her throat discreetly.

"So, as you both know there is going to be the annual competition which will win the best fighter from the three kingdoms. We have lots of contestants and you know them very well. What I want from you is to be in charge of the whole number of them. You are in lead of them already but there I will let you have full control over anything. Cora you have the freedom to do whatever you wnat, you won't need to ask me in order to take any decision. Ivan I want you to be by her side as always and help her deal with the fighters and the general decisions she will have to take. Also, I won't stay at the same floor and side or the palace with you and Mischa, Rosana and Natalie will be one floor under you so as your rooms will be next to each other's I want you Ivan to take care and have an eye on her. If she needs your help be there. I want her safe and sound. Try to work together and get closer because you like it or not when you, Cora become the Queen in one month from now Ivan, you will have to be her right hand." She says and gets up smiling meaningfully.

"I have to leave you now. Have a nice rest of the night and don't kill each other, I will have my eyes on both of you. We are leaving in two days from now, get ready." She continues walking to the door.

She stops, opens the door, turns and smiles and then gets out leaving me and the 'donkey' alone. I cross my arms in front of my chest and shake my head disappointed. She just killed me, I can't f*****g stand him and I have to be next to him all the time... Damn it!

"It looks like I can't get rid of you, can I?" he asks ironically and moves closer to me smirking.

I don't reply to him, I just give him a warning look and turn my face to the other side ignoring him. He raises his hand to touch me but I quickly snap it and move a bit away from him. He laughs and comes closer again. I sigh frustrated and stand up to leave but he grabs me from my elbow and turns me to look at him.

"Are you going to act like a mute? I have to say I like it when I don't hear your voice but it is not funny either to stay silent..." he whispers and leans closer to me.

I take one step back but he wraps his other hand around my waist and pulls me on his body with power. I hit on his hard chest and he smirks wickedly. I stare at him in the eyes without moving or talking, his scent is killing me and he is so hot. I always loved his eyes, I get lost when I look inside them. He is so handsome damn it! He is not talking either and this is dangerous, soon he is going to throw his next insult and I will get madder again.

"What?" I whisper annoyed after some seconds.

He smirks again and he moves his hand from my elbow to my shoulder, my neck and finally places it under my chin. I raise my eyebrows surprised and he lets out a low laughter.

"Asshole!" I say through my teeth and try to move away but he tightens his hold around me waist and I get stuck on him.

"I was wondering..." he starts and caresses my chin softly.

"Has anyone ever touched you or you are the failure I believe you are as a woman?" he whispers wickedly and boom!

I slap him with so much power that even my hand hurts. His cheek is getting red and he is staring at me shocked. I push him away and turn to leave when he grabs me from my arms and pins me on the closest wall there is. He is breathing fast and harsh, his face is red, he is shaking, my arm hurts and I can't move without knowing the reason. I stare at him angry and grab him from his shirt's collar shaking. The hell with this man. What does he want anyway?"

"You will never know, I promise you." I say through my teeth and with my other free hand slap him again.

He closes his eyes once my hand hits his cheek and turns his face from the power I hit him. I let my hands fall on his chest realizing what I just did and sigh desperate. I am losing myself with him, he is doing anything he can to make me feel worthless and I let him play with me.

"Ivan, I..." I whisper and pause.

I don't know what to say, I was angry two seconds ago and now I am sad and desperate. I want to cry and run away, I can't run away from my past, it is still here. Ivan keeps on bringing in front of me images from everything I suffered and he doesn't even know... If he knew I don't want to know what he would do in order to break me even more.

He turns his head slowly to me and opens his eyes. I stiffen awkwardly and try to push him gently away from me.

"Leave..." I whisper and turn my head not to look at him.

He doesn't move, he stays right there with his body pressed on mine and his hands holding me. I close my eyes and sigh. I won't cry now, I can't let him win me, I am strong.

"Cora look at me." He whispers through his teeth in a husky voice.

My whole body shudders and my legs are shaking. My heart begins beating fast and I breathe faster. I feel hot and a wave of pleasure building inside me and between my legs like... I close my eyes and try to push him again but he grabs my jaw forcing me to turn and look at him. I open my eyes and meet his, his face is tensed and I feel ready to fall down, my legs won't hold me for too long. I feel him shaking on my body and his eyes are locked in mine drowning me.

"Leave Ivan..." I whisper again and my voice cracks.

I can't hold it, one tear falls from my eye and he groans annoyed.

"Hell no Cora!" he almost shouts and the next thing I feel is his lips crashing on mine.

I open my mouth surprised and he presses his hot soft tongue in my mouth. I moan instinctually and he groans in my mouth. He moves his one hand on my waist and the other on the side of my neck holding me steady. I move my hands and wrap them around his neck pressing him on me. I feel hotter than ever and I am wet between my legs for the first time in my life. He kisses me hungrily controlling the kiss and I kiss him back like crazy trying to take as much as I can from him and his taste. He moans and presses his manhood on me making me almost scream in his mouth and I move my one hand burying it in his soft black hair. He presses me more and moves his hand from my waist down on my butt. I moan again and continue kissing him without taking breathe. I just surrender, I am just losing myself with him, he is so...

I let out a loud moan once he rubs my butt roughly and he breaks the kiss staring at me breathless. I try to catch my breath and find again myself. My heart is still beating like crazy on his chest with his doing the same on mine. I sigh loudly and he finds back his breath speechless.

I want to kiss him again but then I remember he hates me and wants to hurt me and... He is about to talk when I push him away and slap him for the third time and with even more power than the other times. He takes some steps back and stares at me shocked yet confused.

I feel tears in my eyes and I begin shaking. The pain is killing me, he doesn't... He is just like Noah...

I turn and run out of my room like someone is chasing me. My past is chasing me, the pain and the disappointment are chasing me. Ivan is nowhere behind me as I run downstairs and outside the castle. I pass the garden running and get in the woods of the forest. I take off my clothes in hurry and shift as quickly as I can.

"Cynthia!" I shout desperate.

She appears in front of me smiling warmly.

"It's okay Cora. Let me take control and go for a run. We won't talk about it if you are not ready. Just keep in mind that we both liked it, be strong and patient." She says and I nod.

I give her full control and she begins running deeper and deeper inside the forest.

"Get ready Cora. A lot will happen the next two weeks. I have a feeling..."