Saving Sophia, page 7
“I can try. I’ll need to rest. I have a feeling that with the amount of magic Jonah and I are using right now, it will drain me. Maybe I can try to pull your sister in, too?” Aria asks. So, she’s doing this. She must be a powerful witch. I hope she kicks Katrina’s arse.
“That sounds good. Sophia, come here,” Tristan says, and Sophia pulls out of my arms.
“Stay safe, little one. We miss you.” He hugs her, and she hugs him back with tears in her eyes.
“Miss y’all, too… so much.”
The twins come up behind her, and she turns as they both hug her tightly.
“You’ll be home soon. If you must, you can bring your bloodsucker, too,” Xavier tells her jokingly. I know I’ll get along with her family because they have to see how much she means to me already.
I just smile at him and flash my fangs out, then draw them slowly back in. “I go where my girl goes.”
“You’re all right, vamp,” he says back to me.
“Definitely girl day the second you’re back home,” Londyn tells her as she hugs her.
“No, you’ll not be discussing other men. We have canceled girl days,” Tristan says with halfhearted seriousness.
“Nice try, Tris, but now that she’s pregnant, she needs more pampering. So, unless you’re going to the spa and getting your nails done, it’s going to be with us,” Sophia tells him cheekily.
He just grumbles and holds his mate.
“Nice meeting ye,” I tell everyone and hold on to Sophia again. Not sure how we get back to reality.
Before I realize what has happened, I’m back in Sophia’s room sitting up in bed, her eyes open, looking up at me.
“Did all that really happen?” I ask, only slightly confused.
“Aria pulls us into a dream world to talk. It’s usually only us girls. That’s how I’m able to communicate with them. That is the first time I’ve gotten to see my brothers, though. I miss them,” she tells me with a slight sadness coating her tone.
“So, can we have sex in that dream world, be as loud as we want, and it not be heard here?” I ask her with a grin.
She laughs and smacks me. “That would be the first thing you’d think of!”
“I’m dying to make love to ye over and over and hear you scream my name.” I lean down and nuzzle her neck, glad that I could erase the sadness from her eyes. I glance at the time and know I have to leave.
“Dammit, I wanted to have ye again before I left, but it’s getting too late. I have to get out of here before they catch us. One week and ye won’t be able to tear me from yer bed.” Crushing my lips to hers, I quickly leave before my control snaps again, and I ravish and mark her as mine.
I head to my room and throw my clothes in the fireplace and turn it on. Glad it’s gas. I jump in the shower and scrub myself raw, hating that I have to wash her scent off of me. I want to smell like her and for her to smell like me. I want everyone to know we belong to one another.
I have always known that vampires can’t kill their sires. Even as a born one, I’m not able to kill Drake. But with how I’m feeling, I am wondering if my mate bond with Sophia gets stronger, can I kill him to protect her? For the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful.
Drake will die.
Chapter 9
Sophia
This is going to be the longest week. I need to get ready for the day, but as I get up, I realize this room smells like sex and Finn. Probably not a good combination. Who knows what Drake’s servants will tell him. I think about how we were last night and the way he felt. I wanted to bite him so badly so that everyone knows he’s mine, but it would blow our cover. I’ve waited this long, so a week should be easy. Then again, now that we have made love, how was I going keep my hands to myself? Would he be tempted?
I strip the bed and my robe throwing everything in the fire and crank it up. Good thing it’s winter and not summer. It might be a little conspicuous having a fire when it’s hot outside. I shower and get dressed, a little sad that the smell of Finn is gone. After finding clean bedding and making the bed, I check the fire and see only ashes are left. That’s a really hot fire. I wonder if you can burn a body in there? Morbid, Sophia, very morbid.
Deciding I spent enough time in my room, I head out to see if I can bump into Finn or Saoirse, anyone but Drake and Katrina. As luck would have it, I run into the latter. Katrina is with a regular guard preening on how Finn is to be her mate and if he will help her sneak into his room to consummate their bond as soon as possible. Oh, how clueless she is.
“Morning,” I say as I walk by. I’ll not let her vile presence ruin my good mood.
“You should’ve seen Finn all over me last night. I only sent him away to make him want me more,” Katrina says loudly to the guard as if he or I care. I’d have felt sorry for him if he wasn’t one of Drake’s lackeys. Finn was with me last night, and my goodness was he delicious! I have nothing to be jealous of. I’m lost in thoughts of Finn taking me that I don’t hear someone else approach Katrina and the guard behind me.
“Little witch, the only thing that was all over ye last night was desperation. Stop spinning lies to make others think yer something special. No one believes it anyway.” Finn’s Irish accent is thick as he puts Katrina in her place. It seems to get thicker when he’s angry and turned on. His voice alone almost made me come last night.
As much as I want to see the look on Katrina’s face, I keep walking. I wonder if Drake has sent out the invitation to my family yet or who he has planning the ceremonies. It looks like I’ll find out soon because, lo-and-behold, my asshole mate-to-be is in front of me.
“Sophia, wonderful, I was hoping to catch you.” As if I was heading out to the mall to go shopping? Where else would I be? Asshole.
“I was hoping to run into you as well,” I say with an insincere smile.
“Perfect, let’s head to the gardens. I hear you loved them when you went running.”
I do love the gardens. So far, that’s my favorite place, except maybe in bed with Finn. As a shifter, I have always loved the outdoors. Being in the forest smelling the wet earth and pine from the trees, it’s a home away from home. This garden has that earthy smell that I love, along with the floral sweetness of the flowers. It’s a sensory overload, but it’s so peaceful. Well, it would be if I were here either alone or with Finn.
“Now, my dear, what did you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to ask who was doing the planning for our joint mating ceremonies and if invitations will go out to my family soon? I want to ensure they get them in time to make it. I miss them.” I try to seem as compliant as possible. I saw my family last night, but I still miss them, so I don’t have to fake that too much.
“This is what I wanted to discuss with you. I saw how upset you were about missing the holiday with your family, so instead of waiting until Friday, we could move it even sooner to Tuesday on human Christmas.” His voice is pleasant, but I can hear the disgust of celebrating a ‘human’ holiday. Prick.
“Oh, I’d love that. Will they get the invites in time?” I can only hope Aria will contact me again tomorrow. I know she needed to rest today. That would only give them a day to organize everything for an attack. Will they have enough time? I don’t let my worries bleed into my fake excitement.
“I could send a guard out this evening to give them the invitation. There will be restrictions. I know your family wasn’t very keen on the idea of this… pairing.” He’s planning on something, but I have no idea what. That’s what I’m supposed to do here, besides finding Finn. Finn was right to tell Tristan to prepare sooner as it looks like things are already set in motion. We need to figure it out. I know Drake doesn’t trust me. Damn him for being smart.
“They will understand this is my choice. As protective as my family is, they will concede to this mating because it’s what I want.” I look him in the eyes as I say this. I do want this, so I can kill him. I want to free Finn and Saoirse, along with any other supernaturals he has squashed under his rule.
“Our mating ceremonies will be simple with a light reception after. Since there will be a mixture of supernaturals, we shouldn’t keep them cooped up together for too long. My servants will take care of the planning and invitations, you need not have any worries, my love.” He reaches up and runs a cool finger from my temple to my jaw. If it were Finn, I might have swooned, but Drake is calculating.
“Drake, so I hear our matings will be sooner. Desperate to get your mate into bed, huh?” Finn holds his cocky smirk, and if I didn’t know any better, he’d seem to be as big of an asshole as Drake, but Finn is a good actor. With Drake as a father, he’d have to be.
“I wish my mate-to-be was a little more dignified, then I might be more thrilled to bed her, but it’s difficult to get past her whining. Insufferable. I guess I’ll just bind and gag her,” Finn continues, and I can see Drake is about to say something.
“I know, I know, I’ll still mate with the little witch. Can I be permitted to leave the grounds for a solo bachelor party?” He gives Drake his devilish smirk and wink.
I roll my eyes and act disgusted, but honestly, I know he’s planning something else besides getting laid.
“Would you want a bachelor night out as well?” I ask Drake in a voice that sounds a bit too whiney, but once again, I have to keep my role of dutiful mate-to-be. Disgusting.
“I don’t need a night out like that.” Drake seems almost annoyed as if maybe he wants to but has to be ‘classier.’ No matter how hard he tries, Drake will never have class.
“You know, now that I think about it, maybe you and your sister should take the invitation to Sophia’s pack with a couple of guards in case they attack.” Now it’s Drake’s turn to smirk. I bet he’s hoping they will attack and kill his son and daughter, but that won’t happen.
“Really? Should I leave Saoirse there as collateral as well?” Disgust dripping from Finn’s voice.
“Well, now, I’m impressed you’re thinking like me. That’s exactly what I want. She will be collateral as a sort of peace-keeping.”
“Ye can’t be serious. Who knows what those dogs would do to her!” Rage spews from Finn, and even I’m taken aback at his vehemence. Drake’s evil smile only seals it. Saoirse will end up staying with my pack. Oh, Finn is damn good.
“You and Saoirse will deliver the invitation to the Hidden Park Pack and give them your sister as a token of our goodwill. They can bring her back on the day of the ceremony. Now, go fetch her, so I can give her instructions.” Drake’s tone changes as he issues the directive. I can feel the magic of the command. This is what he does when he feels Finn or Saoirse will try to defy him. He issues his dominance, and they have to follow.
“Fine,” Finn growls, then storms away.
“They won’t try to hurt anyone at my pack, will they?” I force myself to sound fearful. I know I have to make it seem like I don’t want them to go. Drake may pretend that I can have anything I want, but I know he relishes in any suffering I have.
“No, he knows better. Hopefully, your pack will be just as magnanimous as I have been with you staying here.” I can almost see him puff up, awaiting his praise.
“They aren’t nearly as well off as you are. However, they will ensure she’s comfortable.” My family is just as well off, but I know I need to make him feel superior.
“Perfect, excuse me. I’ll see you for dinner, my dear.” He gives me a peck on the cheek before leaving me to my thoughts.
I love this garden. When I get back home, I want a garden like this, less snobby but homier. I’m confident now that I’ll make it home. I will not let Drake or his minions hurt me or anyone I care about. That includes Finn and Saoirse. They are going to be a part of my family. I feel him before I hear him.
“I’m sorry to leave ye, baby.”
“Be nice to them, tell them I love them.”
“Do you love me?”
I turn and look at him. “Before I even met you, I loved you.”
“I love ye, sweetheart. I’ll have ye again soon.”
His mouth crushes mine, and I’m quickly lost in his kiss. I can drown in this man.
“I need to leave before we get caught,” he whispers, nuzzling my neck.
“Shit,” he whispers, “you have to push and smack me.” We must have both smelled Katrina at the same time. Dammit.
I push him away and slap him hard, inwardly wincing.
“Is there no limit to your depravity!” I yell at him and wipe my mouth with disgust. I hate that I had to wipe his kiss away.
“I’d apologize, but we both know I’m not sorry. I just wanted to get an early start on my bachelor partying.” His signature devilish smirk is in play. He turns and faces Katrina. “Oh, it’s ye. My adoring mate-to-be. Since I have to kiss ye for our ceremony, ye will just have to wait until I make it through all the lasses in town.”
Finn leaves in a flourish as only he can. Katrina stomps her foot and screams like a toddler, then runs in the opposite direction. I shake my head and smile, turning back to the surrounding garden. That was so worth it.
Chapter 10
Finn
My face is still stinging from Sophia’s slap an hour later as Saoirse and I head to the Hidden Park Pack. It was worth getting hit to get to kiss her goodbye. It’s about an hour-and-a-half drive. I’d enjoy this trip more if Sophia were with us, and Drake’s two guards were not accompanying us. I’m looking forward to meeting Sophia’s family in person. Glad Saoirse is staying, being safer with Sophia’s pack than she will ever be with Drake.
I didn’t get to hear what Drake commanded her to do while there. I hoped to talk to her before handing her over, but we’re being watched closely by Drake’s guards. I’m observing her, trying to gauge her mood. If he’s forcing her to do something she’s dead set against, she’ll get agitated and nervous. She seems relaxed and happy, so I’m hoping for the best. I know she wants to take out Drake and his followers as much as I do. Unfortunately, neither of us knows who Drake’s allies are, either in our clan or other supernaturals.
As we drive through the town, I think about Sophia. This is where she grew up, this is her home. I see her name on the door of an office we pass, Dr. Sophia Jennings. She’s away from her patients and her family, and it’s all Drake’s fault. I hate knowing that if he hadn’t taken her, we might have never found each other. I never believed I had a mate out there, especially not a wolf shifter, so I never looked.
I haven’t forgotten that Drake still assumes I’m going to kill her. It makes me wonder why take her at all. I figure it’s breeding a half-vampire half-wolf shifter. I tighten my fists at the thought of him touching her like that, of anyone touching what’s mine. If he wants to kill her, what is his end game? Who’s he after? Her friend, Aria? All this guessing is pissing me off. I want this bullshit war over, him and all his followers dead. For fifty years, I have just existed, floating through life running away from Drake, convincing myself I was content. I honestly didn’t know happiness until I met Sophia. When I first saw her, I fought the feelings she stirred in me, but how can I fight perfection? That’s what she is—perfect.
“We’re being stopped,” Jack, guard asshole one, says as we get closer to the pack lands. Saoirse is sitting next to him in the front, and I’m in the back with Devon, guard asshole two. From what I know, these are Drake’s most loyal guards. I can’t wait to kill them.
“I’ll talk to them.” Saoirse gets out of the car before anyone can say anything, and I follow. “Just wait in the car,” I tell them both, but they don’t listen. Assholes.
“Stop! Who are you, and what do you want?” the head shifter questions as we approach, so all of us halt our progress. There are four wolves behind him watching.
“We’re here to speak to Alpha Tristan concerning his sister, Sophia’s mating ceremony,” Saoirse says with confidence as if she knows they won’t fight us. I’d fight us if I were them.
“One moment,” the shifter says. He doesn’t move but just stares at us with an almost blank look on his face.
A moment later, he speaks again. “What’s your name?” His question is directed to Saoirse.
“I’m Saoirse, this is my brother, Finn. These are our father’s guards, Jack and Devon.” Even though he only asked her name, she introduces all of us. I wouldn’t have introduced the jack-hole guards, but she has more manners than I’ll ever have.
“Alpha would like us to take you to the meeting house. However, you must be blindfolded.” I just nod my head as does my sister, but Jack and Devon tense up. I have heard that shifters can communicate telepathically, but I have never seen it.
“We’ll not agree to that,” Devon says as if he has some authority.
“Stay here with the car, boys. Saoirse and I will go.” We don’t need their pathetic asses anyway, even if we were to fight.
“We have been ordered to stay with you at all times,” Devon announces as if I give a fuck.
“Be blindfold or don’t and stay. I don’t give a rat’s ass, Devon. We’re going.” Enough of this bullshit. I stand next to Saoirse and look down at her. She’s grinning. The shifter blindfolds us, guides us to a car, and puts us in. I don’t even know if Devon and Jack came. I hope they didn’t, but they probably did because Drake would rip them a new one if they didn’t.
Before long, they lead us out of the car and into what I assume is a building because of the temperature change. Once our blindfolds are removed, I see we are in a large meeting room. All of Sophia’s brothers are there along with their mates and a few other shifters who I assume are guards.
“I’m Alpha Tristan, and this is my mate, Londyn. My Betas, Cole and Xavier.” He doesn’t introduce anyone else, and I realize he’s looking behind me, which means Drake’s guards are here.
