Chapter 57 – Kidnapped by My Mate Series II: His Lost Queen

Filed To Story: Kidnapped by My Mate Novel (Belle & Grayson) Online Free by Annie Whipple

I didn’t want to stay here with him, knowing I should go help prepare my pack, but I had questions that needed to be answered.

Zagan looked around as he approached me, examining the large suite. He nodded in approval. “I have to say, Alpha, your pack house is very impressive.”

I nearly scoffed. This was coming from the man who had lived in a castle his whole life.

The royal family’s palace was said to be incredible, housing some of the most celebrated figures ever known to the supernatural world.

I couldn’t tell if he meant this comment as demeaning or genuine. Either way, I chose not to reply, crossing my arms over my chest in silence instead.

Zagan wasn’t fazed by my obvious contempt. He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “I just saved your life, Alpha,” he reminded me. “There’s no need for disdain.”

I growled softly. I didn’t like that he talked to me as if I were one of his children who was pouting. “You’ll have to excuse me if I have difficulty trusting vampires at the moment,” I replied.

Zagan nodded, his amusement fading slightly. “Yes, well, I suppose that is something I can understand.” He paused, crossing his own arms to match mine.

He met my gaze with the same intense fierceness. “I am pressed to remind you that I am not your enemy. We share the same goal. We both have much to lose if my brother takes the throne.”

The tension in my shoulders didn’t release at his words, even though I knew there was an aspect of truth to them.

As leaders, both of us would have the blood of our people on our hands if we failed.

Thousands of people would die if Azazel succeeded.

But none of this meant I had to trust him. At that moment, I would only consider standing alongside him during the upcoming battle.

This alliance was a difficult one for me to join, but I knew I had to do it for the well-being of my pack.

Kyle had done the right thing when reaching out to Zagan Mortar. But if Zagan was truly worthy of my trust, not just my partnership, he would have to earn it. I wouldn’t be giving it away just yet.

“How did Azazel get into my mind?” I asked, changing the subject to something useful.

Zagan raised his brows. “Which time? Just now? Or when he took control of your body two months ago?”

I hated the fact that he had to ask for clarification as to when a vampire had taken control of my body. “Just now.”

I knew how Azazel had taken control two months ago. I had access to his thoughts.

He had used black magic the night when vampires had entered my territory, the night that changed everything.

Azazel had practically planned out every single second. With the help of Adalee, the vampires were able to distract me and my warriors just long enough for Azazel to enter the territory unnoticed.

When I had decided to go back to Belle, completely alone in the forest without my pack members to help me, Azazel knew it was his opportunity to strike.

A few days prior to this, Azazel had stolen a dark potion from a witch. Specifically made for vampires, it allowed the user to enter the mind and take over the body of any person they bit.

All they needed to do was find a piece of the subject they wished to possess and put it in the potion. Perhaps a strand of hair or a nail.

I was sure that Adalee helped in this part of the plan as well. The vampire would then coat their fangs in the potion and bite the person they wished to control.

Afterward, they could enter the mind of their subject and take over their body. Just like Azazel had done with me.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘All magic comes with a price’?” Zagan started to explain.

I nodded.

“Well, it seems as though the price that Azazel had to pay was creating a connection to you. You saw him with his army, am I correct?”

I nodded again. “He was preparing them for battle.”

“Which was a significant moment in Azazel’s life, a turning point. He was creating a core memory which I’m certain is why you were pulled there.

“He left a piece of his soul with you when he left your body. It’s not unusual for that to happen with dark magic.” Zagan frowned.

“The piece of his soul that he left with you wanted to be there for the significant moment in Azazel’s life, the moment when he started a war. So you appeared.”

My jaw clenched at the news. I didn’t want any part of Azazel in me. “Will he appear for the creation of my core memories?”

“No. I believe the price you had to pay for participating in dark magic—whether it was voluntary or not—was losing your mate.”

I immediately felt my wolf and vampire surge forward at Zagan’s words. I growled, showing him my fangs. “I didn’t lose my mate. She is mine. She will always be mine.”

Zagan raised his brows in amusement, obviously not expecting my intense reaction.

This only made my wolf angrier.

I snapped my teeth at him and rolled my neck. I had to suppress the urge to shift.

My wolf wanted control. He had wanted control all night.

“I meant no offense, Alpha Grayson,” Zagan said, watching me. His amusement was fading quickly as he seemed to realize just how serious I was about protecting my mate.

“I have never been in the presence of an alpha wolf. Forgive me if I said something to upset you. I’m sure your mate is fine, and the two of you will be together soon.”

My wolf calmed only slightly but stayed at the front of my consciousness. It enraged him to be reminded that we had failed to care for our mate in her time of need.

My hands curled into fists. I had an intense urge to punch something. The moment this war was over, I would have Belle back in my arms, and everything would be okay.

Afraid I would shift if I stayed in Zagan’s presence, I grunted and walked out the door of the room, intent on finding Kyle and helping to prepare for battle.

I could vaguely hear the sound of Zagan following behind me. I was glad he didn’t talk. One more word out of his mouth, and Azazel wouldn’t be the only Mortar killed today.

GRAYSON

The training grounds—a huge plot of land, only a five-minute walk from the pack house—were full of werewolves.

Most were already in wolf form. Some were fighting off in the distance, but many were in a large group, listening to Casimir speak.

I wasn’t surprised. Casimir was Zagan’s second-born, a vampire prince.

I remember sitting with my father when I was young, listening to him tell me about the Mortars and the special abilities they obtained.

They were an exceedingly gifted family and had been this way for centuries.

Depending on when they were born in relation to their siblings, each child that was conceived had a unique role.

As expected, the firstborn was the heir to the throne. They were born with natural leadership skills.

The firstborn Mortar became king or queen when they came of age. Azazel had been the firstborn of his family, destined to be king.

The second child born into the Mortar family was a warrior, strong and agile. They would take over as the head of the royal army when they came of age, leading them into battle whenever necessary.

Casimir was the warrior of his family. This is why I wasn’t surprised to see that he had taken it upon himself to lead my pack in training. It was a natural role for him.

The third-born was the smartest, born with an incredible mind and problem-solving skills.

Third-born Mortars were some of the most intelligent people in the world and were known for always having their noses stuck in a book.

And then, finally, the fourth child born into the Mortar family was the clan healer.

They were born with magical properties in their blood that could heal any injury when it was consumed.

They were also kind and compassionate—easy to talk to. Minnie was the fourth born of Zagan. She had saved my life with her blood.

Azazel had the throne before Zagan. Together, he and his wife, Queen Cordelia, were to produce the next four Mortars meant to continue the family legacy.

The heir, the warrior, the scholar, and the healer. However, this plan quickly changed when Cordelia died during childbirth, along with their firstborn and heir to the throne.

Azazel was overtaken by grief after Cordelia died. Many believe that it was due to this grief that fate decided to pass the throne down to Zagan, his family’s second-born, and warrior.

Zagan was never meant to be king. It wasn’t in his nature. Yet, he was a fair and just ruler, leading his people with a gentle yet firm hand.

As I continued to study the scene in front of me, I noticed that Minnie was also in the group of werewolves receiving instructions from Casimir.

She didn’t seem to be listening, though, too busy studying the large wolves around her with obvious fascination.

As if she could sense my eyes on her, her head turned to look at Zagan and me. She smiled brightly.

In a flash, she had basically flown across the large field and was standing next to her father. He smiled down at her when she wrapped an arm around him in greeting.

“Aren’t they incredible?” she said in amazement to her father as she looked around.

Zagan nodded in agreement, assessing the hundreds of werewolves before us.

Minnie’s gaze snapped to mine. “I’ve never actually seen a werewolf in real life, only read about them in books.

“But you guys are way cooler in person! And so strong! I couldn’t believe it when I got to see one of you guys shift. Fascinating!”

I nodded once in response. I wasn’t in the mood to humor the overly excited vampire princess.

We continued walking until we were in view of the entire training grounds and all of my pack members. My body tensed as I watched them. Unexpected anger and resentment surged through me.

“What color is your wolf?” Minnie asked me, continuing with her chattering.

“Black,” I grunted.

An awkward silence overtook us, and for a moment, I thought Minnie might be done talking. But then I heard her whisper to her father, “He’s not a very happy fellow, is he? Are we sure we want him to be king?”

A growl loud enough to shake the earth left me. Everyone’s heads turned to us in shock, and the werewolves dropped to their knees and bared their necks as a sign of respect and submission.

I only saw Minnie’s horror-stricken face for a second before Zagan stepped in front of her protectively. Smart.

I wasn’t usually this on edge, but with everything that had happened over the last twenty-four hours, my wolf and I felt ready to bite someone’s head off. Minnie was one more smart comment away from being that person.

“Minnie, why don’t we go help the wolves train?” Zagan requested.

I didn’t hear her response. However, a second later, I saw a blur of movement fly from behind Zagan, and Minnie’s small form appeared on the other side of the field.

Zagan nodded at me once before following her.

I looked back at all of my pack members watching me with wide eyes, waiting to see what I would do next.

I knew they were expecting me to say something, maybe give an inspiring speech to prepare them for battle. But that was the last thing I wanted to do.

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