Saving Sophia, page 2
I head toward the rooms where Saoirse and I usually stay, the pull getting stronger the closer I get into the bedrooms. Knocking on Saoirse’s door, she quickly opens it and excitedly throws herself at me, catching her in a big hug.
“Finn! I’m so glad you’re here!”
“Little sister, you have grown. You look beautiful, lass. How are you fairing?” I ask, looking her over. I don’t think Drake did anything to her, but you never know.
“Same as always. You still have a bit of your accent, I hear,” she says with a laugh. My Irish bleeds out when I’m drunk, happy, or pissed. I try to tone it down around Drake as much as I’m able. He likes to pretend he’s some fancy English bloke.
“I be Irish through and through. I be good ‘round Drake, don’t ye worry.” Exaggerating my accent for her, she giggles, which is what I was going for. Clearing my throat, I need to get in character for dear ole’ pa.
“We get to meet his mate tonight, poor girl. I hear she’s a shifter,” Saoirse says, almost excited.
“Why do you think he’s going for a different creature?” I wonder out loud.
“Well, I hear that he wanted a different girl who was a witch and shifter, but she has three bonded mates already, and he wouldn’t be able to break that bond. The girl he has now is unmated. She offered herself as long as he left her pack alone,” she whispers as if dishing juicy gossip.
“Where do you hear this shite, Saoirse?” I ask with a laugh. It sounds like a goddamn soap opera. I feel that tug again. Dammit.
“You okay, Finny?” Saoirse asks, catching me rubbing my chest.
“Aye, I’m fine, lass. You see him yet?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Yeah, unfortunately. He told me to tell you to see him as soon as you get here, you get to meet his mate before me.” She pouts. I just shake my head and laugh.
“Yes, I’m so lucky.” I hug her and head toward where I can feel Drake is. It’s like slime against my soul, but the closer I get to him, the harder the tug on my chest is.
“Finn, my boy!” Drake comes toward me, passing a woman in a green dress, her back to me.
“Hello, Drake, good to see you,” I answer politely, schooling my accent as I don’t want to argue already. I just can’t call him pa or father.
“Now, now, no formalities here! Come meet my mate-to-be!” Drake says in a jovial voice as though we’re a doting family. We walk toward the woman in the green dress he is with. She is listening to another woman, and from her posture, she’s not enjoying herself. Join the club.
“Sophia, meet my son, Finn. Finn, this is my mate-to-be, Sophia.” The woman turns around, and we lock eyes.
Fuck me! She is gorgeous, and she’s my fucking mate! Her eyes widen slightly, then catching herself, glances at Drake, then back at me and holds out her hand, “Hello, Finn, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.” I shake her hand as expected, and I feel the connection, and the tug in my chest settles as if our bodies are content to be touching.
“Nice to meet ye as well, I have heard nothing about ye.” I give her attitude and completely neglect to school my accent. How can he be taking my fecking mate? Does he know? I’m pissed, but I also can’t show any weakness around Drake.
“Finn, be polite, and speak correctly. Now come meet this lovely lady. This is Katrina Everly, daughter of a powerful witch family here in Montana.” He introduces me to a blonde cheerleader- type who looks at me as if I’m melted dark chocolate, and she’s PMSing. Ugh, please don’t tell me he promised me to this simple female.
“Master Finn, it’s such an honor to meet you,” Katrina enthuses. He does want me with her, I can tell. Feck, no.
“Pleasure, I’m sure.” I turn to Drake, avoiding looking at Sophia, my mate. Dammit. I want her, I want to pull her away from him, from this place, and bury myself between her thighs for days. “I’m going to head to the kitchen for some blood, then to my room. I’ll see you all at the ball this evening.” Not directing my response to anyone in particular, I need to get away before I do something stupid like kiss my girl.
Turning and walking in the direction I mentioned, wishing I could run, my brain runs through the last few minutes. I need to be away from everyone. I have a fecking mate, my damn father is going to bond with her, and she’s a shifter. Can things be any more messed up?
Finding the refrigerator with blood, I grab two bags and down them quickly, not even bothering to warm it up. As a born vampire, we don’t need to drink blood as often as made vampires. We can go weeks, even months, without becoming bloody thirsty. I don’t enjoy drinking from others, it’s too intimate. I have never felt the urge to be that close with someone. Except maybe now.
Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I drank from a vein, possibly as a teen when I was doing everything I could to piss off Drake. Human blood tastes the best, but we can feed from any species. I don’t, but Drake and his followers like to show their dominance by drinking from other supernaturals. Drake will drink from anyone under his control just to show he can, just as his guards will drink from lower-ranking guards. Vampires are all about control and power.
He better not have drunk from my mate. No one should’ve been able to touch her. Of course, I haven’t been here, so I don’t know what they have done to her.
I’m so out of control right now, which is something I despise. It took every ounce of restraint not to grab Sophia and run off with her. What did she think about our mate bond? Does she want to be with Drake? Is Saoirse right, and she’s only here to help out her pack?
Deciding I need to talk to my little sister and find out how much she knows, where she was getting her gossip, and how much was the truth, I head toward the back staircase to go up to the living quarters when I’m stopped by Katrina. How did this bitch find me already?
“Master Finn, I hoped we could spend time alone. Master Drake would very much approve of a union between us. I’m a powerful witch from the Elemental Coven, and I know I could make you very happy.” This witch is going to be a pain. Even if Sophia isn’t my mate, I wouldn’t touch this power-hungry whore.
“Listen, Katrina, is it?” Her eyes widen as if pleased I remembered her name, but it’s only because I have been raised to ensure not to forget anything I’m told.
“I don’t know what Drake told ye, but I don’t want nor need a mate.” Except for Sophia. “Ye don’t interest me in the slightest, not even as a passing distraction or a blood donor. Yer a child. Go be Drake’s plaything, ye will never be mine.” With that, I walk past her and head toward Saoirse’s room.
I get there just as she comes out. “Have you come to fetch me?” she asks, confused why I’d meet her here.
“No, I need to know what ye know about Drake’s mate-to-be. Is all that ye said true?” I demand quietly. I don’t want anyone to hear, but I know we have little time before Drake summons us.
“Are you okay, Finny? What happened?” Saoirse asks, concerned. I’m losing any semblance of control.
“Saoirse, please tell me quickly,” I urge her. I don’t have time for her concern.
“Okay, Finny, okay. I have a source that Drake is unaware of, a shifter. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times over the past couple of weeks. He’s in the Hidden Park Pack, his name is James. He is close to the Alpha and the family. He seems to be a good guy. During a fight Drake started with Hidden Park, Sophia traded herself to Drake. Her friend, Aria, the witch shifter hybrid, was supposed to be the one given to Drake by an arrangement previously made by Aria’s sire, Damien. Anyway, Sophia promised to come and agree to anything Drake asked as long as he promised not to go to war with Hidden Park or the Elemental Coven.” Saoirse rushes through the explanation.
“Elemental Coven, that Katrina witch is part of that coven? Are they working with Drake?” I ask, confused. Who is on whose side? Who can be trusted?
“She was from there, but only her parents and a couple of others sided with Drake when the boy she wanted rejected her for his true mate, which was Aria. It was an enormous scandal, apparently. Aria has three mates… one witch and two shifters,” she tells me with a laugh. All of this is a mess.
“Saoirse, I need to tell you something, but you can’t let Drake find out.” I need to tell someone about my mate tie with Sophia, and she can help me figure things out.
“You can’t tell me, then, Finn. You know he can trick us to talk about each other. Keep it to yourself if you want it safe,” she urges me. We’re out of time and need to head to the ball.
“Yer right, shite. Come on, we had better head down before he gets impatient.” We both turn and head down to the party. I need to stay away from Sophia because either I’m going to steal her away or be the arsehole I usually am, and I don’t want Drake to find out about our connection as he’d no doubt use it against her or myself. Hopefully, Drake doesn’t have any control over her, and she will keep things secret.
The ball is in full swing when we get there, immediately spotting Drake and Sophia holding court as he introduces her to our clan. I study Sophia since they are both distracted. I can tell she’s not comfortable, but to any other observers looking at her, you would think she’s enjoying the party and happy being Drake’s mate-to-be.
Being in the same room with her, all I see and feel is her. Jealousy burns through me as I see Drake with his arm around her. I force myself to turn away and keep my attention on my little sister. Deciding I’ll dance with Saoirse and keep my thoughts on her instead of where they want to stray to—Sophia. I’m too confused about how I am feeling. Emotions aren’t something I am accustomed to having.
“You better stop looking at Drake’s mate-to-be, Finny. He won’t think too kindly on that,” Saoirse whispers. So much for keeping my thoughts off of her. I’m going to get her and I both in trouble.
“That’s the secret, you like her?” Saoirse asks me, and I just shake my head. I won’t answer her, unable to give her too much information, or Drake will use her against me. “James told me she’s a genius doctor, everyone in their pack loves her, never dates, always works, and keeps to herself only socializing with her family she’s fiercely loyal to. I know she can help us take Drake out.” As much as it shouldn’t, that makes me feel better.
About to tell her so, we’re interrupted by the man himself. “Finn, Saoirse, come,” he commands. We don’t argue, following along as the trained ducks we are.
“My love, you haven’t met my daughter, Saoirse. Saoirse, meet my mate-to-be, Sophia,” he introduces them with a flourish, and they say women are drama, he can put any woman to shame.
“Sophia, wonderful to meet you. I don’t mean to be rude, but you look so young!” Saoirse has a knack for insulting Drake, but in a way that seems innocent. It’s brilliant.
Sophia laughs, and it hits me in my solar plexus. She has the most beautiful laugh as if she weren’t already perfect.
“I’m twenty-two, you’re young as well, even for a vampire if I remember correctly?” she asks honestly, curious and not trying to offend.
“Yes, I just turned eighteen, I graduate this year. I attend a boarding school in New York,” Saoirse responds, sounding interested in talking to Sophia.
“My sister-in-law is graduating this year, too. Well, she isn’t my sister-in-law yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. Her mates love her so much.” I can tell how much those people mean to her, and I believe so can Drake.
“Well, we may be able to invite them to our mating ceremony as long as they can be peaceful, of course,” Drake throws out as if they are the violent ones. He’s the one who would incite a war, not the shifters or even the witches. Same arsehole as usual. I see anger flash across Sophia’s face before she quickly schools her features.
“Yes, we know how peaceful ye are, Drake, ye would never start something with others.” I can’t help the sarcastic comment that falls out of my mouth, and I know it will piss Drake off.
“Saoirse, take Sophia to get a refreshment. I need to speak to Finn.” Drake’s politeness is coating the anger I see radiating from him. Saoirse gives me an apologetic look before taking Sophia away, the latter looks between Drake and me, concern marring her beautiful face. I keep my features blank as I pretend I’m not worried.
“You seem a little too interested in my new mate-to-be, Finn. She’s stunning, is she not?” Drake asks, trying to bait me. I won’t fall for it.
“She seems okay for a shifter. Is she here under false pretenses?” I can play the game just as well as he can.
“Here, I thought you didn’t like me, son?” Drake says proudly. I’m may be getting better at my acting.
“We may not always get along, Drake, but this clan is still family, and we need to be careful of outsiders. I’m also not sure you should trust that witch, Katrina,” I tell him, hoping he will get rid of her.
“Son, I don’t trust anyone, especially witches, and I definitely don’t trust Sophia. She’s only here because she wanted to save her friend and pack, but in the end, it only serves my purpose.” He smiles diabolically.
“What’s your purpose, control of this area?” I know he wants to rule over all the sups he can.
“This area? Finn, that’s too small. The world. You’re going to help me.” His smile tells me all I want to know.
“Perhaps you should try to get close to Sophia to find out all you can, then we can have her killed. One less traitor among us,” Drake says this as if he told me to get him a drink.
“I will not influence your mind just yet. However, if you can pull it off, and I can kill her before I have to mate with her, I’ll release you and Saoirse from the sire-control bond. You can create your own little clan or live among humans, do whatever and whoever you wish. I will never call on you again. Complete freedom from me.” I don’t want to believe him. However, a part of me feels he’s being honest, but it’s always a game with him. He’d rather kill Saoirse and me than free us. I’m sure he’s playing both sides. As of now, he doesn’t know Sophia is my mate. I can’t and sure as hell won’t kill her. All of us will be free, one way or another, even if it means ending him.
“Consider it done.”
Chapter 3
Sophia
“You aren’t what I expected as a mate for Drake,” Saoirse tells me with a smile. For being Drake’s daughter, she’s much more likable than I expected. I didn’t expect his son to be my mate either, so there’s that. I know he felt the connection. However, he has pretended it doesn’t exist. Part of me understands he can’t act on our bond in front of Drake, but there’s also a part that wonders if he will reject me. I came here hoping I’d find my mate, help Hidden Park with intel so they can attack and be free from Drake. I have yet to find any useful information. My mate is possibly not interested in me, and I’m no closer to getting free from Drake than when I first got here. Frustrating.
“You aren’t what I expected as Drake’s daughter either. However, your brother… I can see the connection. Both are assholes.” I probably shouldn’t be so honest with Saoirse, but I feel surprisingly comfortable with her.
“Finny has Drake’s stubbornness and complete lack of manners, but that’s where the similarities end.” This both surprises me and doesn’t. At first introduction, Finn didn’t seem enthusiastic to be here, and I assumed it was because he didn’t approve of Drake having a shifter mate. He didn’t seem at all bothered that I was his mate and was soon to be bound to his father.
“Can I be honest with you, Miss Sophia?” Saoirse pulls me from my thoughts.
“Sure.” At least one of us can be.
“Finn and I dislike our father as much as I assume you do. He controls us. In most ways, we’re prisoners just as much as many of the clan vampires are. As our blood sire, we have to obey him. We may live away from him and try to lead separate lives, but if he commands us, we can’t say no. From what I understand, you have a witch’s spell on you, blocking you from being able to contact your pack or shift. Is this correct?” Her brief speech has me at a loss. I’m not even sure how to respond.
“Uh... yeah, but Drake said that I could go outside tomorrow to shift and run.” I almost forgot about the spell. Will Katrina have to undo the spell so I can shift? Will she be able to? I just grabbed onto the idea that I’d get some semblance of freedom.
“He may come up with an excuse, so it won’t happen. He likes to pretend to care, then takes away the one thing you want to have, just to be cruel. I know you already don’t trust anyone here, keep it that way. Even with Finn and me, be careful. We may not want to betray your trust, but sometimes we have no choice. I’ll try as much as I can to get you information as long as I can keep it from getting back to Drake. If you have an opportunity to kill him, take it. Decapitate him. The clan will put up a fight after he’s killed, but they will be unsure of themselves without a leader. Drake and Finn are coming back. Be strong, Sophia.” Reeling from what she just revealed, I’m more confident that even if I don’t get my mate, at least I can help my pack kill Drake.
“Ladies, so sorry for keeping you waiting!” Drake announces as if I was pining after him. Please.
“Saoirse, would you honor me with a dance?” He takes her hand without Saoirse even agreeing, but how can she refuse him?
“Sophia, I’d very much enjoy a dance with you next.” Drake gives me the creepiest smile, but all I do is smile and nod. He turns away, leading Saoirse to the dance floor, and I’m left alone with Finn. What the hell do I say?
“I heard you’re here as a replacement for Drake’s original mate.” It should be formed as a question, but Finn’s tone is as if he’s simply stating a fact. I answer him, anyway.
“Yes, I don’t have a mate. Therefore, I had no one to leave behind. My friend, Aria, just got her mates, and they wouldn’t have let her go.” I observe him, waiting to see if there are any emotions about my stating that I don’t have a mate, but nothing shows in his expression. He just looks bored.
