Filed To Story: Claimed by the Alpha I Hate Book Read Free
The question caught me off guard, and I wracked my brain for every last detail I remembered.
Grandma had taught me the history of witches, though not much was known anymore. Most of the information had faded into obscurity, or had been buried over the centuries.
“Not much.” I admitted, “There used to be a lot of witches, but many lines died off or went into hiding.”
“Do you know why they went into hiding?” My Father pressed, and seemed to be amused at my lack of knowledge.
“No, I don’t.” I replied.
“My Grandfather had a plan, one that would rid the world of our enemies. A plan that would ensure
Vampires were finally able to step into the light.” My Father continued, “Vampires have been at the bottom of the food-chain for too long, letting the humans think they actually held some semblance of power. My Grandfather hunted the witches into near extinction, all whilst remaining under the noses of
Werewolves.”
“What does this have to do with me?” I asked, fighting to take the edge out of my voice. Before leaving the room, Tristan had warned me not to speak out against my Father, that he was cruel and vengeful when need be.
“It has everything to do with you.” My Father’s smile was oily and serpent-like. “Let me tell you a story, then you might understand your purpose.”
“Many years ago, the shadows guided me to a woman, one who would be my ideal mate. She was a werewolf, and lived in a small pack with her family. The moment we locked eyes; she was under the thrall of the mate-bond. I spent countless weeks with her, until she allowed me to mark her, and I let her do the same. I told her of my plans, and while she was conflicted, she remained by my side.” My Father began, and I knew he was talking about my Mother. I wanted to stop him, to deny that she would’ve ever had a part in his plans, but Tristan’s firm look stopped me in my tracks. “I told her of the child we would have, and her importance in this world. The child would be of three different species, and would wield power the world has not yet seen. She would be the product of a Werewolf and a Vampire, but hold power bestowed to her from generations of Witches. The young, mated Werewolf was horrified when she learned the truth, that she would sire a monster unlike any other into this world. She fled, but couldn’t remain hidden forever. I found her again, and when I did, I used the mate-bond she coveted against her. You were the product of that, Daisy.”
My heart constricted as I replayed his words over and over again, each time refusing to come to terms.
It wasn’t possible, it couldn’t be. My Mom would never join his side, would never abandon her people.
My stomach rolled, and I clenched my fists as I fought the urge to hurl all over the expensive Persian rug on the floor. He had used the mate-bond against her to conceive me, that much I expected. What I couldn’t understand was how he thought that child was me. Witches were all but extinct, and I had never seen one in real life before. My Mom was not a witch, that much I knew, nor had I ever exhibited any signs of strange power. My mouth flopped open, and I said the first thing that came to mind.
“My Mom wasn’t a witch.” I shook my head, “You’re wrong. I’m not that child.”
“Something you’ll learn, I am rarely ever wrong.” My Father smiled grimly; the shadow of the crackling fire wavered against his alabaster skin. “My Mother was the last in a long and ancient line of witches.
She was Half-Vampire, and had been sought out by my Father for a very specific purpose. The Magic in her blood-line skipped a generation, and only seemed to show in the women of her family. The Magic of my Mother’s bloodline skipped her generation, falling onto you.”
I wanted to cover my ears, to ignore everything he was telling me like a child would. Tristan’s firm gaze was the only thing keeping me sane, reminding me to remain calm, to remain respectful. My Father wasn’t above hurting me, nor would our family relations keep him from throwing me in a cell next to
Breyona and Giovanni.
“Now, I want you to listen closely, Daisy.” My Father spoke clearly, enunciating each word so that I might commit them to memory. “Do not overthink your purpose here. You will comply to my terms, or be eradicated with the rest of the Werewolves. I won’t for one second believe you have suddenly changed sides. As my first-born, you hold the most power.”
“First born?” I repeated, feeling my gut twist at his blatant threat. “My Mom never had another child.”
She hadn’t, not with the Vampire King. I was sure he knew about Sean, but I refused to speak his name, to give the Vampire King another person to use against me. My Father’s lips twitched, pulling up in that dry, serpentine smile he favored.
“You are not the only one to make deals with the Shadows, Daisy.” My Father replied, lifting his hand to wave at Tristan. “You would be amazed at what they can do, if one is simply willing to pay the price.”
I watched as Tristan left the room, returning a moment later with someone in tow. Every muscle in my body stiffened, every joint locked as I looked into the eyes of a girl no older than eighteen. My hair, my
Father’s hair sat on her head in long, raven-colored waves. Her face was soft and round like my own, her cheekbones high and lashes long. The only difference were our eyes. I had gotten my eyes from our Father, where the girl must have gotten them from her Motherwhoever that might be.
“How?” The word left my lips in a ragged whisper.
I couldn’t force my eyes from the girl. She gazed at me with the same curiosity, though hers was laced with caution and suspicion. My eyes darted over to Tristan, silently pleading with him to tell me this was some elaborate lie. From the hardness in his eyes, I knew my Father had not told me a single lie since arrivingthat everything he said had been the truth.
“Two years after your birth, I tried relentlessly to regain you and your Mother, but the man she chose as a mate had a witch for a Mother.” My Father laughed dryly, his eyes burning with that uncontained, murderous light. “The woman possessed little power, but was able to keep your Mother and you safe.”
I wracked my mind, lingering over each word until I finally understood. Grandma, my Dad’s Mom. She had always seemed to know when something was happening, when someone was hiding something from her. Her little cottage came to mind, the old and dusty books she kept littered on shelves, and the sprawling herb garden she had outback. Grandma was a witch, a part of a breed that was thought to have died off many years ago. I wanted to be surprised, but I found this information the least surprising of the bunch.
“I needed an alternative, in case you proved to be unreliable.” He sneered, “I called on the Shadows, who were happy to do my bidding. They offered me the chance at another child. Not as powerful as a first born, but not without potential. All I needed was a powerful witch to sire this child. I found one in
Craiova, Romania. A blood-witch who had grown tired of hiding, who had grown comfortable in her habits. She didn’t have the gift of foresight like her Mother, and never saw my men coming.”
My stomach rolled again, and I pressed a hand to my throat as the urge to hurl increased. He had sought out a witch, and forced her to carry his child. My brain refused to process the thought, to accept that someone was capable of such a vulgar action. I knew without asking that his request had come at a steep price, but couldn’t hold myself back as I asked.
“What did you pay?” I asked, my voice weak.
“As you’ve already figured out, the higher the request, the steeper the price.” He smiled grimly, “I paid ten years of my life. After the witch was with child, I fell asleep for the next ten years. In that time, the witch used what remaining power she had and escaped my men. Ten years later, I sought out the child she had stolen from me. I perfected my plans, gathered my recourses until I could finally come for you.”
“You know why I’m here.” I stammered, forcing the words from my lips as I struggled not to think about what he had done to the poor witch. “I’ll do whatever you need, just let Breyona and Giovanni go.”
“I am a man of my word.” He nodded, “Despite the fact that Giovanni was one of my best men, I will let them go. I’m sure you wish to see proof of that before moving forward.”
“I do, I want to know that their still alive.” I nodded, leaning forward in my seat.
“Very well, but I must take measures of my own to ensure your compliance.” He replied, his eyes flashing with deadly intention. “There is nothing stopping you from betraying me once your companions have been released.”
“Tristan, you may proceed.” My Father nodded, his eyes never once straying from my own.
I knew what was coming next, as Tristan had warned me before taking me to my Father. I watched as
Tristan stepped forward, and shuddered as he slid into my mind. I could feel him trail his fingers down the shield I had around my mind, the steel door that kept him barred from my innermost thoughts and feelings. The door shuddered and shook as I wrenched it open, allowing Tristan access into my mind.
Tristan had told me what to expect when my Father finally called. My Father had a back-up plan, one where he would not need me. It was in my best interest to prove useful to him, to show that I was willing to do anything for Breyona and Giovanni’s freedom. I believed Tristan when he told me the only way my Father would allow their freedom, was for
Tristan to infiltrate my mind.
My Father did not know that I had long ago learned to shield myself. In those few minutes I had with
Tristan, he taught me how to carve out a small piece of my mind for him. I would be able to keep my wits, my thoughts, and my self-control. The hardest part would be pretending that Tristan had control of my mind, that he was able to make me compliant. I had no time to practice, and unfortunately had to place my trust in Tristan.
I wrenched open the door that blocked my innermost thoughts, carving out a small section for Tristan.
After a dull headache began prickling along my forehead, I was confident Tristan could venture in my mind no further. My Father sat silently, watching Tristan and I with an unwavering gaze.
‘It’s your turn.’ Tristan’s voice echoed in my mind, ‘Play your part well, or we’ll all be doomed.’
I didn’t have the time to mull over what my Father had said, or the fact that my Grandma had kept this from me. The sting of betrayal was brief, as I had more important things to focus on. My sisterhalf-
sister, stood at the other side of the room, her chestnut eyes on me, her lips parted with words that would not form.
For a split second, I wondered what her life had been like. Our Father was subdued for ten years, his payment for her creation. She must’ve lived a normal life until then, until he snatched her from her home in an attempt to turn her into a monster. It was a riskone I prayed would pay off, but I couldn’t leave her behind. She had spent far more time with our Father than I had, and I wondered how grievously she suffered. No matter what happened, I’d find a way to take her with us.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
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