Alpha's Abused Mate.

'Queen'.

 "I love you more than anything and anyone and this is why I am never going to leave you alone!"

~some hours later, palace’s hospital~

Cora’s pov

“Baby please stop crying!” my dad whispers tightening his hold around me.

How can I stop?

Almost three hours now I am crying, sobbing, cursing, I don’t know what I am doing but I know how I feel…

Scared, desperate, terrified, panicked, helpless!

Ivan’s image is locked in front of my eyes all these hours that he is in the operating room with the best doctors. I can’t stop thinking of him and the fear of losing him is killing me. I think I am in another world, everyone is here with me but…

It’s not enough because he is not here!

What matters if my dad, aunt, brother, Chloe, Caleb, Leo, Jose, Rosana, Natalie and Mischa are here when Ivan is not by my side?

Cynthia is howling constantly from pain and I think I am going to get crazy, I can’t do this anymore, I was counting on her but it seems that this time I have to be the strong one because no matter how I am trying to calm her down I can’t!

“Cora… Please stop, I can’t bear more!” my aunt murmurs through her sobs and I gasp trying to get away from my father’s hold.

I am drowning, I feel dizzy and I think I am going to collapse from second to second, I…

“Alena, Cora?!” the King of the werewolves, Adrian shouts and appears at the end of the corridor with Queen Amanda and King George on his side.

Yes, the last one I wanted to see now is Adrian!

I get up with my aunt doing the same and wipe my tears forcing myself to act appropriately and I give my aunt a meaningful look.

Just wait until I get sure Ivan is out of danger and I am going to tear down his entire palace!

“What happened to Ivan? My Beta informed us a while ago!” Adrian continues reaching us and I sigh leaving my aunt deal with it because if I open my mouth now we are going to have big problem!

“We don’t know yet. The doctors are still in the operating room with him!” my aunt replies and he taps her back in sympathy.

“How did it happen?” Amanda asks turning to me but Mischa clears his throat gaining her interest.

“We were just here together my Queen. He felt dizzy, then he said his stomach hurt him and… Then he passed out!” he explains and she places her hands on her mouth ready to cry.

At least she is present! I like her a lot, she is clever, sweet with understanding. She is not talking nonsense unlike some others…

“Everything happened in some seconds, we couldn’t react!” it’s Jose’s turn to say and George shakes his head in understanding.

“Cora, how are you my dear?” Amanda asks taking one step to me and I give her a weak smile trying not to cry.

She opens her arms for me and I allow her to hug me. Adrian and George are murmuring something with my aunt, my father and Caleb while Owen, Chloe and the rest sit down again.

“I know how it feels like sweetheart but I am sure he is going to make it! He is a very strong man, don’t worry!” Amanda whispers still holding me and I hold back a sob.

“I don’t know… If I lose him then…”

“No honey! Don’t think like this! Cora, come here!” she interrupts me and pulls back to take my hand in hers and lead me to some seats some meters away from the others.

I follow her without protesting, I have no energy left and also I admire her, she is something. I usually don’t like vampires but she… She is in my heart already!

We sit together and she takes my hands in hers with a sympathetic, soft smile on her lips and I sigh heavily.

“I… I know your story sweetheart… Your aunt told me, we are good friends with her and I wasn’t planning to tell you that I know but now I think I have to. I am older, quite older considering that I am vampire for more than 600 years and I have seen too many things! I know you are in pain now, I understand you but let me tell you something! He won’t leave you alone because you deserve happiness and I assure you that Ivan is your happy ending!” she says and I sniffle surprised yet touched.

I am sure he is my happy ending but what if I lose him? Maybe my fate is to keep on suffering, I can’t explain it otherwise and this is horrifying me!

“You are not ‘real’ mates but do you know what I see when the two of you are standing in front of me?” she asks next and I shake my head confused.

“I see too deep love, pure love and this is a gift Cora! Our Goddess gave you each other because she owed you true love but you chose to accept it and this is even more important! This is the greatest proof that you two are meant to be together till the end so head up and try to be patient for a while! Ivan won’t leave you, he can’t do this!” she says and hugs me again.

I bury my face in her neck and wrap my shaking hands around her while I feel some tears making their appearance again and she taps my back gently.

Her words are so touching and I hope she is right because I won’t bear his loss, I prefer to die in his place, I…

“DOCTOR!” Owen exclaims suddenly making me pull back and he jumps up from his seat as I snap my head to my left.

Two doctors are getting out of the operating room and we all rush to them with me in front of everyone.

I am shaking and Amanda takes my hand in hers as my aunt joins my side and my dad comes behind me while the others are making a small circle around us and the doctors.

I stare at the doctors’ faces for some seconds trying to read their expressions and I feel my legs shaking, Cynthia has already perked her ears and I think I can’t breathe.

“How is he?” I ask breaking the silence unable to wait for more and the one doctors clears his throat.

“His condition was crucial Your Majesty but he made it!” he replies immediately and I sigh overwhelmed yet relieved ready to pass out.

Thanks Goddess!

“Really? Is he alright?” I ask breathless and he nods with a big warm smile.

“Yes! We got late because we wanted to clean his blood and we made him gastric lavage. He was too lucky he was here and we didn’t lose time. Also, he is extremely strong, he reacted too well during the whole process and now he is still sleeping. Two doctors are going to stay with him in order to supervise his vitals and once he wakes up you will be the first to see him. I am sure he would like it as well!” the other doctor says with meaning and I nod crying while the others smile and murmur something to each other.

“Thank you, we owe you! Thank you!” my aunt whispers emotional and they smile at her but the one of them turns again to me again and clears his throat nervously.

“I know this look doctor… What is it?” I ask shortly and he taps my arm with a worried look.

“Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, my Duke, Duchess and Alphas… We need to talk about something, it’s serious and it has to do with what happened to the Archduke!” he begins and I narrow my eyes in frustration.

Of course we have! I haven’t forgotten about it and guess what!

Adrian is in deep s**t!

“Archduke Ivan was poisoned and we have to know everything he ate or drank the last hours!” the other doctor continues and I nod firmly.

“He ate with us, he chose his food on his own! My personal chefs cooked everything, there is no way something was poisoned!” Adrian states and my aunt with Amanda and George shake their heads in agreement.

FUCK!

Then…

“He drank vodka with me…” I murmur lost and they all snap their heads to me panicked.

“Cora!” my father exclaims turning pale and my aunt starts shaking.

“We have to run some tests to you Your Majesty, we…” the doctor begins but I raise my hands before they get out of control from wary and they freeze.

“I didn’t drink, I had some soda from a closed can but… The bottle of vodka was opened some days ago!” I explain in hurry and they sigh in relief.

“So this means that…” my brother murmurs and I lock my eyes on his.

“…Someone got in the room and put something in the drinks. The door was open when we got in. Ivan forgot to lock it and the maids had cleaned up everything earlier, they had also filled the bar.” I say and Adrian blinks his eyes shocked.

“What are you telling me Cora?”

“That your safety measures are not enough, obviously!” I say through my teeth and turn to Mischa that takes one step forward reading my thoughts.

Okay! Ivan is out of danger so…

Let me become the b***h I know I can be!

“Mischa, I want all our fighters and guards here in the next five minutes!” I state and he nods firmly.

“And you brother!” I continue turning to Owen.

“Tell all your fighters and guards except from the two that are guarding Cora to come here as well!” I order and he groans in agreement.

“Cora could you please calm down honey?” my aunt asks me nervously and I growl at her in annoyance.

“No, I can’t because I nearly lost Ivan and I am done with these bullshits! I don’t need anyone’s help to protect my family!” I say through my teeth and Adrian stiffens nervously.

“Cora, I know you are right but I can put guards outside your rooms and I will do anything I can to find out who did this, you know that I mean it!” he says and I nod turning to him.

“I am sure about it Adrian, I know you want to help and you can, I appreciate it and I trust you but I am not so sure I can trust your men! Your men would do anything to protect you but not me, they won’t be so careful, so determinate. The same goes for my men! They love me and I love them, my word is more than an order for them!” I reply and he gives me a warm smile with George nodding pleased while my aunt and Amanda tap my back.

“I guess that our young lady here is wiser than us my friend. She already knows that loyalty and loves comes above any power there is.” George states.

“I think that loyalty and love is the real power!” I say and my aunt hugs me emotional.

“You did an excellent job with her Alena! The next Queen is more than ready and she has everything it takes!” Amanda whispers and my aunt smiles with pride.

“Cora was always kind with a rare grace! It’s not a surprise!” Caleb says next and my dad with Leo nod in agreement.

“So I guess you have taken some decisions!” Rosa says in acknowledge and I nod while the first of my fighters make their appearance running to us worried.

I take a deep breath and gain my mind again, Cynthia is smirking at me with confidence and I pass by everyone to get in front of the fighters and guards that keep on appearing.

After about two more minutes I get sure that they are all here and Owen assures me that the same goes for his men and I shake my head pleased.

It’s time!

“Hello everyone and I am sorry for the time but I am sure that most of you know what happened to Ivan and this is why I and Owen called you here!” I begin and almost everyone nod.

“How is our Archduke Your Majesty?” Ronald, one of my most trusted men and high in the army’s rank asks worried and takes one step forward.

“He is out of danger thankfully but I called you here because from now on things are going to change! I want everyone safe and sound and I trust you blindly, Owen feels the same way and I decided to put some measures for safety reasons!” I reply and after I see no protesting I continue.

“I want two men guarding Ivan’s room all the time until he gets out of hospital and the same thing is going to happen for everyone, Rosana and Jose, Mischa with Natalie and my aunt! Owen’s men are going to guard Cora, Owen and Chloe and my father’s rooms all the time nonstop! Ronald you will be the main head of our fighters and guards and you will make the program, I want everyone resting enough and having time to relax a bit! Owen is going to decide about the head of his men and these two people are going to give us full report every day for any suspicious moves or anything else that seems strange to you! Also… You are not allowed to drink any drink that is already open and be very careful with what you eat! If any of you feel sick I want to know it immediately and he is going to be checked from the doctors! Am I clear?” I say and they all bow quickly.

“Good!” I murmur under my breath and Owen caresses my back with a proud expression.

“Um… Your Majesty, I think you have forgotten about you! I am sorry but you want guards to everyone’s rooms but not yours and my opinion is that someone has to guard your room and you all the time as well!” Ronald speaks up and I can do nothing else but smile at him.

See?

This is what I meant when I said that I trust them blindly and my word is not just an order for them! They love me and they want to protect me in every way they can!

“Thank you Ronald but I won’t need a guard for me although I think you are right about guarding my room, so yes… Put two guards in my room as well! And now…” I say and turn to Adrian and the doctors.

“It’s time to run some tests on the drinks!” I state and they nod immediately.

“Ronald, I want two men to accompany the doctors in my room and take all the drinks for examination.” I say turning again to him and get ready to continue but I freeze as some images pop in my mind out of nowhere and I gasp.

Natalie…

Orange juice in my room…

Ivan…

Orange juice in his vodka…

FUCK!

“s**t!” I roar and punch the closest wall there is outraged.

This is not a coincidence! Natalie had the same juice Ivan had in my room!

“Cora what is happening?” my father asks panicked and grabs my hand before I punch the wall again while everyone else is staring at me terrified.

“Natalie was poisoned just like Ivan! She drank from the same juice!” I roar and pull back shaking uncontrollably.

How on earth didn’t I think of it earlier? How?

“She is right… We were together that day and Natalie drunk juice after lunch!” Rosa murmurs and I turn to Natalie that is already staring at me worried.

“Cora, it wasn’t about me or Ivan… It’s about you! You are the target!”

~about two hours later~

I close my eyes and sigh heavily on my seat, I can’t calm down, I am in tension all these hours and not even the sedative injection the doctors did to me had any effect.

I was so mad that even my aunt got scared of me, I was controlling Cynthia with difficulty and I was threatening everyone but no one specific and the doctors were afraid of a panic attack and they decided to make me an injection to help me with no success as I see.

Really now, I was threatening everyone!

I guess I meant the one that decided to play with me and not the rest but I feel bad I had to react like that in front of my family, Amanda, Adrian and George, not that they don’t understand, in fact they think that I was right for getting so mad. Natalie could have lost her baby and I could have lost Ivan or anyone else.

I don’t care about myself, I am a tough b***h, believe me no one wants to mess with me now that I became who I am. I am not an easy opponent and I am not afraid of death!

I reached so close to die too many times but I never surrendered, I won’t do it now!

Anyway…

Two men of mine went with some specialists, doctors and some of Adrian’s men to take every drink not only from my room but from all the others’ because we want to make sure what is happening and Ronald with Owen decided the guards and the whole program with the groups.

After that I told everyone to leave and go to rest because they were all tired yet in tension and they were making me feel even worse.

I am responsible for all these and now it’s my duty to protect them, there is no way I am stepping back and also my aunt had told me from the beginning that I am in lead here so…

Everyone left except from Caleb that insisting on staying with me and I accepted for a very specific reason. My dad, aunt and brother also insisted on staying but I denied, they are at the worst condition because they are too worried for me and I needed them to sleep.

“Sweetheart, you need to rest as well, you are pale!” Caleb says gently breaking the silence that had been taking place for about an hour and I give him a hurt smile.

I take his hand in mine and caress it touched. I love him very much, he is my second father, he always loved me, he never betrayed me or the love I have been having for him, I adore him and I know how much he loves me! I am glad I have him here with me after all these years.

“I am fine, don’t worry! And also I think it’s obvious that I won’t sleep for the next 24 hours at least! My nerves are a mess!” I murmur and he leans and kisses my forehead.

“Do you need anything? Something to eat, drink?” he asks but I shake my head negatively.

“I can’t, my stomach hurts anyway but you have to go and get some rest now! It’s too late and it was a big day…”

“You know I can’t leave you alone!” he cuts me firmly and I smile at him emotional.

“I won’t be alone, Ronald and the guards are here. Ivan is going to wake up soon as the doctors said so I will have to go with him! Don’t worry, really!”

“Are you sure?” he asks with concern and I nod.

“More than sure and also… I want to ask from you something!” I say and he signs nervously for me to continue.

“I want you to ask from Noah to go and take the file the sooner! I need it, I have a bad feeling and I have to find out the truth about the note! If it’s the same person then… I don’t know! Could you please tell him to hurry?” I whisper and he sighs shaking his head in frustration.

“I will honey and I am sure he won’t deny. You will have the file until tomorrow night, I assure you!” he replies and I hug him relieved.

“Thank you Caleb! It’s means a lot!”

“Don’t mention it, you know that you are my only daughter!” he whispers and I giggle weakly as we stand up.

“I know and I love you very much! Go to sleep now, yes?” I say tapping his arm and after he kisses me one last time he turns and leaves while I sit again and Ronald approaches me anxious.

“Your Majesty… Are you alright?”

I tap the seat next to me for him and I smile as he sits and places his hand on my shoulder.

I love him very much! At the beginning when I wasn’t so experienced and strong my aunt, grandpa and Ivan had trusted him with my protection when they had to do something and I wanted to go out. He was one of those that believed in me from the first moment and never stopped supporting me, he…

He is discreet yet imposing at the same time!

“Do I look so bad?” I ask him ironically and he laughs.

“For those that don’t know you no. But I do know you!” he replies calmly.

“Yes, you are right! I am worried for the others and…”

“Ivan!” he cuts me and I roll my eyes.

“You didn’t even have to say it! It’s a fact!” he continues and I punch his arm playfully.

“Can I tell you some things?” he asks without giving me time to speak and I nod quickly.

“I am happy that you and Ivan are together! You are a great couple and I am sure that with the two of you our Kingdom is going to be stronger and more united than ever! You are an ideal couple, you are strong, wise, mature, clever, generous, kind, with understanding but at the same time you allow no one to play with your generosity! You are fair and fearless and now that you are together Ivan is softening, he shows his real self, I know both of you very well and I see things clearly, this relationship is helping both of you in different things. And something else…” he says and pauses to take a deep breath.

“Don’t blame yourself for what happened to Ivan and Natalie because you had no idea and you could do nothing to protect them or prevent all these from happening! I know you Cora, you are too strict with yourself and you have to relax a bit! You are strong but you are not a Goddess, you can’t be aware of everything but now… Now you know and you do anything you can to protect all of us because this is who you are, you have the greatest heart there is and this is why we all love you and were are never going to leave you alone! No one will harm you or anyone else as long as we live! I am never going to leave your side, never! With you in lead no one can mess with the lycanthropes Cora! Don’t you ever forget my words!” he say serious yet imposing and I hug him before he reacts.

“You have no idea how much I needed to listen to these words from someone! You just killed me…” I whisper with some tears falling from my eyes and he hugs me back chuckling.

“I am here for you, what I said is the truth and you know it, you can feel it! You are a gift for all of us, we are grateful that our soon to be Queen is you!” he replies and we pull back smiling.

“Thank you Ronald, from the bottom of my heart!” I say and he nods in understanding.

He gets ready to say something more but the door from Ivan’s room next to us opens and I jump up with Ronald doing the same and I turn when a doctors gets out smiling.

“He has just woken up Your Majesty! His vitals are way too improved and now he just needs to rest but he is asking for you…” he states before I manage to ask him and I smile excited.

“Thank you doctor!” I exclaim hugging him like a flash and he freezes surprised but some seconds later he laughs and taps my back.

“We will leave you alone and I will come to check on him again in an hour!” he continues and I nod as the other doctor gets out and I smile at him as well.

“Go Cora, I will stay here for a while and the guys are going to stay until their shift changes.” Ronald tells me once I turn to him.

“Yes, thank you and you… All of you!” I reply turning to the doctors and the guards and after I take a deep breath doing my best not to scream from enthusiasm I get in and close the door.

The moment I turn to face him and his scent hits my nose Cynthia gets even more ecstatic and I lose the ground under my feet, I think I have forgotten how to breathe and my heart is ready to explode in my chest.

Once my eyes land on his figure this is it!

I start crying and rush to his side while he is smiling and tries to open his arms.

“Baby!” I exclaim and hug him as carefully as I can while burying my face in his neck.

“There you are! I missed you!” he whispers and I laugh excited.

You tell me?!

“I was so worried, I died, don’t you ever do this to me again!” I murmur and take his scent with some long, deep breaths while he purrs.

“Yeah… I will tell everyone not to poison me again or I won’t drink vodka!” he teases and groans in annoyance making me jump back worried.

To be honest…

He is not pale, he just looks tired and he is not so warm because as they told me they took some blood and gave him new. It is going to take him some hours to get back to the usual temperature so we have to cover him very well.

“Are you in pain?” I ask worried and he raises his eyebrows ironically.

He was just teasing me?! Really now?

“Ivan is not funny!” I yell and he chuckles.

“You are adorable when you are worried…” he says wickedly and opens his arms for me.

“Yeah? Then you have to get sick or hurt more often!” I say through my teeth and hug him with complaint.

“I am fine, don’t worry! They explained to me everything in hurry. You will tell me more but can we leave this discussion for some hours? I just want to sleep with you in my arms.” He whispers while caressing my cheek and I nod.

“You are right baby! We need to calm down now, we’ll talk in the morning for everything but… Are you sure you’ll be alright if I sleep here with you?” I ask worried and he smirks pulling me down next to him.

“Yes, I will be great as long as you won’t lie on top of me and also… You are warmer than I am now, you are an excellent source of warmth!” he replies teasingly making me laugh.

I cover myself with the blankets as well and lay next to him more comfortably in silence but this time I hug him like he is a small boy and he wraps one arm around me and buries his face in my neck. His hot breath makes my skin shudder and Cynthia finally relaxes so much that lays down and shakes her tail in relief. My heartbeat turns back to normal gradually and Ivan purrs as I start caressing his bare back.

Thanks Goddess he is alright and safe in my arms. Everything went good!

“I love you!” I whisper after some time believing that he has already fallen asleep but he tightens his hold around me and kisses the crock of my neck catching me off guard.

“I know and I love you more than anything and anyone else and this is why I am never going to leave you alone!” he states and pulls a bit back for his beautiful, big, bright green eyes to meet with mine.

“I want to marry you Cora! You are the Queen of my heart, you are my whole life from now on!”

****************************

Hello dear friends!

I am back and in less than a week after the last update with the 19th chapter and the chapter is longer than the previous one because I owed you as the last one was shorter!

First of all please follow me if you want because in this way you will see some announcements I make (it is not easy to write notes in here all the time)...And moreover if you want you can go and find me in w*****d with the same name and photo.

I has also my i********: is is ria_kyriakidou and I have the same picture I have here.

And now I am waiting for you comments about this chapter! What do you thing about this chapter? What is going to happen next? Who is trying to harm Cora? What about her tough side?

And as always at this point I would like to thank you very much for your love, support, commends and impatience in order to read the chapters. I am trying my best so continue showing me how much you want more and commend and tell me your opinions and thoughts, or share the story.

I would also tell you that I am going to update Mates And Enemies today and His Rejected Queen in the next two days. I know I had to update Mates And Emenies yesterday but something came up and I didn't have time so I am sorry for this delay, you can read it from now!

This is it for this week, see you again in the next chapter. Be safe and happy until next time! 

I love you all,

                                       Marie...