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“They requested me to escort you down to the ballroom,” he says in a semi-formal tone.
In all honestly, I know it was Kaedyn. After the whole Relic thing, he doesn’t want me to walk alone. I can’t blame him. The whole situation was a shocker for all of us. To think one of the King’s most trusted historians tried to kill me. Stepping forward, I link my arm with Derrick’s, and allow him to lead me back to the Grand Ballroom. The music changes after he knocks on the door. He steps before me and adjusts my tiara so that it’s sitting properly on the top of my head. The doors open as he brushes a strand behind my ear.
Derrick stands taller and prouder than he did before. His chin juts out, shoulders back appearing more like a Prince than a beta. We step in time with the music as if we’ve practiced it many times before. The oohs and ahs surround us as we enter catch me off guard. I’m used to being shunned and cast aside because of my dark gifts. This is a welcome yet uncomfortable change for me. I’m not used to people wanting me around, nor am I used to having parents like Kaedyn’s that accept me and show me affection. Derrick walks me across the hall to stand before the king, queen, and my mate.
You would think somebody set Kaedyn’s ass on fire with as fast as he ran down the stairs to stand before me. Giggles erupt from those that are standing close to us as he wraps me up in his arms, picking me up off the floor and spinning me in a circle. His lips crash down against mine, and I feel like I’ve died and gone to Heaven. I’ve long been told the first kiss with your mate will be the most magical experience In your life. They definitely undersold that one. I feel like the beginning and end of all things lie within this kiss. I feel my blood thrum to life as my heartbeat aligns with his. For once, the beast within my chest lies quiet, watching contently. She’s usually very wary and cautious, watching and waiting for anything and everything to go wrong. But right now she’s happy.
Her tail would be wagging if I had to picture it. Someone clears their throat behind us and reluctantly Kaedyn sets me down. He’s still sipping from my lips before reluctantly breaking away. His mother is three shades of red. His father has a wicked glimmer in his eye, and the broadest smile I’ve seen on him to date.
“Well, now that, that’s over,” his father says joyfully as he descends the stairs. He separates Kaedyn, and me and takes a hand from each of us in his.
“As everyone can guess at this point. I’d like to announce my son Kaedyn’s mate Belladonna, Queen of the Shadow Court.” Hushed whispers spread through the crowd before cheers erupt. The tense moment turned into a moment of celebration and joy. My father had tarnished his name long ago with the treatments of the other packs. It overjoyed the representatives from the other three elements with the possibility of change. Kaedyn’s father squeezes my hand and gives me a gentle nod.
I step forward and curtsy to the crowd. “I will bring about a time of change and progression for everyone. No longer shall the Shadow Court only be concerned with their own borders.” My tone carries throughout the hall, and everyone goes wild.
“As it was decreed as the last act of my father, the King. I am going to take a mate from each pack.” Murmurs move through the crowd, and I raise my hand to silence them. “We have not done this in many generations, and I know it is strange and unusual.” I swallow, taking a deep breath before continuing, trying to formulate the words for myself before I say them to the crowd.
“With Kaedyn as my first mate and future King of the Shadow Court. He will help me decide not only for the Air Pack but also when it comes to which pack I visit next and take my second mate from. We decided that we are going to the Earth Pack first. King Idris is aware and already on his way back home to make arrangements for our arrival.” I motion for Kaedyn to move closer to me and I take his hand, gripping it.
“We are not breaking any forms of protocol. As it stands, Earth is next and I’m still in debate whether I will go to Water or Fire after the Earth Pack.” Murmurs move through the crowd again as representatives of both factions vie for the chance to have their pack visited third.
Raising my hand, I silenced them again. “That decision will be made after I bond with my mate from the earth pack and no sooner.” My tone is firm. I look at Kaedyn, and he nods in agreement with my decision. “Please go forth and enjoy the night. Celebrate with us.”
The band strikes up a lively tune and the guests dance again. I remain standing, watching the crowd as they move about, dancing and mingling. “You can’t stand and watch all evening, beautiful.” Kaedyn’s soft tone soothes the edges of my nerves.
“I know I can’t. Doesn’t mean that after Relic’s attempt I’m completely at ease.” Sighing, I try to get my mate to understand where I’m coming from. Some facts just don’t add up to me. The Vampires and Fae working together trying to eradicate me and my twin. Since when do such polar opposites decide to work together?
My thoughts swirl around the one constant that is before me. I must seek out a mate from each element to achieve my full strength. Me, the genetic reject. The child my father treated like garbage will be queen of his pack sooner than later. Kaedyn grabs my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor and twirls me around. It’s so sweet of him to distract me from what’s plaguing me.
The clanging of glasses catches my attention and Kaedyn leads me back up to where his parents are. “Now comes the start of the fun part of the evening,” King Coro says as he smiles. “Per tradition the exchange of the mating bites happens during this very ball.” Arching a brow, I look at Ari and then Kaedyn. Both look quite sheepish.
I can sense the undercurrent here and I know that in the best interest of the Air Pack, I need to submit to Kaedyn. It does not thrill my beast and me about the prospect of submission. But, to keep the peace here and possibly going forward, I must take one for the team. Stepping forward, the room falls silent, and I hear Kaedyn’s breathing and the thudding of his heartbeat. I know it’s the predator in me that’s focused its senses on him like this. His eyes flicker with the power of his wolf and take on a blue glow to them. Resisting the urge to subjugate him, I close my eyes and roll my head to the side, exposing my bare shoulder to him.
Soft kisses start just under my earlobe and trail their way down to my shoulder. Each kiss heats my blood, making liquid magma pool in my greedy core. Kaedyn gets to my shoulder and hesitates. Slowly, I slide my hand up his broad chest to rest against the back of his neck, encouraging him to bite me and mark me as his. He huffs out a breath before opening his mouth. I feel the tips of his canines pressing against my flesh, bending it before the sweet burn of surrender when his teeth sink in. My blood hums with satisfaction as the burn increases, racing through my blood. Gently, I stroke the back of his neck, soothing the beast within him. I can scent his need. A rutting alpha is no joke, and I can almost bet I will have my hands full tonight. He withdraws his teeth then licks the wounds he created, lapping up every drop of my blood. Kaedyn pulls back and looks me in the eye, his are glowing a brilliant blue and his smile is brighter than a thousand suns.
A wicked grin crosses my crimson lips as I eye up his throat. Oh yes, my mark will be visible. Clothing will not cover my mark if I can help it. Reaching forward, deft fingers unbutton his shirt and he watches intently. The thudding of his heart echoes in my ears. My beast is awake and eager to taste our mate’s blood. She wishes to judge him on a primal level. Reaching up, I push the collar of his shirt away from his neck and examine how his arteries run in his neck. Pressing my lips to his throat, I kiss along the pulse, making sure I know where it’s safe to bite him. My canines lengthen and I taste my own blood. A deep rumble escapes my lips before I press my canines into his flesh, warning him where I intend to bite him. His large hand cups the back of my head, holding me against him. A soft “do it” escapes his lips, and that’s all the consent I need. Sinking my teeth into his flesh quickly, the explosion of the taste of his blood is euphoric. That oneness is humming with a life of its own. The mate bond is no joke. I feel his strength as if it’s my own.
Breaking away, I lap at the wounds I’ve created, sealing them, and start the healing process. Pressing a gentle kiss to the center of my bite, I pull away to look up into my mate’s eyes. There’s nothing but love and adoration shining back down at me. Behind us, the crowd erupts in cheers, and I couldn’t give two shits less. My mate is the center of my universe now, and Goddess help any that stand against him. I will rip them to shreds.
Chapter13
Kaedyn
I will not lie.Belladonna’s bite hurt worse than any wound I have ever endured in my entire life. I swear to the Goddess above, my blood ignited the moment her canines broke my flesh. Standing beside her now as dad announces her ascension to Queen of the Shadow Court seems lack luster in comparison. I catch her glances over in my direction and I can feel the hunger in her gaze. My wolf is warning me we’re about to be hunted. He’s concerned because of being smaller than his mate. Shaking my head, I clear the thoughts from my head as Bella approaches me.
“Something vexing you, love?” Her tone is low and sultry to me, sending the blood straight to my groin.
“Yes, and no. My wolf is concerned he’s smaller than yours. Other than that, we’re good.” The mate bond acts like a lie detector. She would know the instant I wasn’t completely being honest with her. To be perfectly frank, the idea of being the focus of her rage scares the shit out of me.
Smiling, she nods slightly. “I get that. She’s huge in comparison. From what your dad says, my wolf is bigger than all the species currently alive.” Shrugging her shoulders, she glances back over to my father and gives him a nod.
“What was that about?” I motion at what just occurred between her and my father.
Belladonna’s eyes flair to life briefly, then fade. “They gave the order for my father’s execution. It was unanimous between all the presently reigning kings.” She draws me to her and hugs me tightly. “It’s all over now. I’ll never have to worry about him attacking mother or me ever again.” Relief is the strongest feeling pulsing through the bond to me.
“It’s over? How? Everyone is here.” Quickly, I do a head count of the dignitaries in the room and the remaining kings. The only king not present is Idris, and that’s because he left earlier to prepare for our arrival.
Shaking her head, she locks eyes with me. “I carried out the sentence just now. That flair of power. He’s no more.” Her tone is devoid of emotion, and it sends a chill up my spine.
