Royal shuffle: Vampire’s mate

ANDREA

On the outskirts of the werewolf border, I could see a few SUV’s parked and waiting for us as we burst our through the thick forest.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Your highness,” They greeted, and bowed their heads a little as we got to them.

They regarded me with a somewhat uncertain, slightly demeaning look. Leo got into the backseat of one of the SUV’s with me still attached to him.

“Straight to my house,” He said to the driver, and he immediately started the vehicle.

Just before he closed the door, he whistled at one of the security.

“I want the doctor at my place before the time I get there.” The man nodded.

The car moved, and throughout the drive, I couldn’t stop wincing at the pain that the jerking and galloping was causing. I buried my face in Leo’s shirt, and let the pain take me.

One would think that a werewolf would at least have fast healing qualities, or at least be a bit stronger. Nope. Not me. As an omega, I was almost the same as a human, only difference was my werewolf genes were almost recessive. It was as though the moon goddess wanted to make a joke when she created Omegas. I couldn’t help but gasp in awe as we crossed the borders, and were now on Vampire territory. Leo leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“Welcome to my home…” Leo said.

His home was beautiful. It was like a cross between the ancient times and new designs and technology. I couldn’t concentrate on the beautiful architecture because I was currently going through intense pain, and the effort it took to pay attention to my surrounding was adding to it. I buried my face in Leo’s neck again, and sighed in relief when he finally announced that we had arrived.

“We’re here.”

The door was opened from outside, and Leo gently stepped out of the car with me in his arms. I could sense the surprise and shock combing from the few people standing around the place. One had on a white coat, so I assumed he was the doctor. I could sense disbelief too. Disbelief that their prince would bring home a girl looking this battered. What’s worse? She’s werewolf. Fresh tears sprung to my eyes. I would never be accepted here.

“Shhh…” Leo whispered in my ear, gently stroking my hair.

His house on the outside looked like it was taken out of a 1800 magazine. I half expected to go in and see torches lighted in place of electric bulbs. But it was a perfect contrast to the inside. The interior of the one story building was ultra chic, and beautiful.

As I entered the modern house, I was struck by the contemporary elegance of the interior. The living room was spacious and airy, with large windows that let in natural light. The walls were painted a soft, neutral color, which contrasted beautifully with rich, dark hardwood floors.

The furniture was sleek and modern, with clean lines and minimalist design. It seemed to me like the perfect man cave. We went up a flight of stairs with the doctors hot on our heels. Leo opened the door to what I assumed was the guest room, and gently deposited me on the bed. I caught a glimpse of myself as we walked past a mirror, and fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. I looked a hot mess.

One of my eyes was so red and swollen that it was a surprise to me that I could still see out of it. I had a split lip and one side of my mouth was swollen. My hair looked like a bird’s nest, and purple, black and red bruises littered my face and neck. I groaned as I tried to adjust myself in the softest bed I had ever laid in. I could already feel my muscles relaxing as my body loved the coziness. Plus how the silk sheets felt on me.

The doctors got to work immediately, touching and prodding while I winced. Leo stood in the corner, and his expression was a mixture of feelings. Anger, fear…love? Maybe. I don’t know.

“Ma’am, I’m going to lift your shirt up, is that okay?” The doctor asked.

I nodded, and he gently lifted up my shirt and began to wipe down the area. He felt around the area gently and began giving me instructions to breathe in and out. When he was done, he stood up straight and sighed.

“Well. Thankfully, nothing is broken. Just swollen. That’s easy to fix.”

He opened his bag and brought out a bunch of drugs, ointments and bandages. Depositing them on the bedside table. I hated medicine.

“We just need to see to it that she takes these drugs. I would love the bandage for you to wrap her midriff. I suppose she would want to take a bath before that. Hot water only,” the doctor instructed.

Leo stood to the corner, listening intently and nodding his head as the doctor rattled off instructions. I was in my head. Where were my sisters? I waited till the doctor took his leave before I spoke.

“You’re going to be okay, my love,” Leo said.

I nodded.

“Where are my sisters?” I asked.

“They’re in my condo.”

“How many places do you have?”

“A couple,” He answered, laughing.

“Are they safe?”

“Yes. I swear on my mother’s life. They are under very strong supervision, and protection. I will have them brought here when the dust settles, and you’re okay. Except, you want them here now?”

“No,” I answered sharply. I wasn’t in the mood to answer any questions. Especially not the biggest question. Where our mother was. “I think they should remain there. Are…will they resume their education here?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m working on it. I’m trying to see if they can be absorbed into a school here,” Leo relied.

“You’re the prince,” I stated.

“And they’re werewolves. How do you think other vampires would react to them?”

He had a point. I sighed.

“So, their education is on hold?”

“No. I’m looking at homeschooling. I have the teachers go there and teach them. No bullying, and other nonsense like that.”

I nodded. I wanted them to resume school, but one thing was certain, they will not be well received. They were werewolves. In addition to the fact that our mother was dead, I didn’t want them to have to face any more mental trauma. It was probably for the best.

“Come on. You need to take a bath, so we can begin your treatment.”

“Are you…” I started, looking at him skeptically.

He laughed and shook his head. “No. I’m just going to prepare your bath, and stay right outside, just in case you need anything.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He disappeared in though a door that I assumed to be the bathroom, and I heard the sound of running water. Few minutes later, he reappeared and handed me a towel.

“Change,” He said and left the room.

I quickly changed into the towel. When he came back in, I was sitting in the rather large towel.

“You ready?” He asked.

I nodded, and he hefted me into his arms, and into the bathroom.

“Wow!!!”

I couldn’t help myself. The bathroom was so large that my whole house could have fit in here. He set me down gently on my feet, and I sat on the edge of the large tub filled with water and bubbles.

“Can you manage?” He asked.

I smiled at him and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay. I’ll be right outside the door if you need me,” Leo replied.

I nodded again, and he left. I took off the towel and swung it over the shower rod, then slowly slid into the tub. I sighed as the heat of the water touched the wounds on my body. I sighed as the water became soothing on my skin. I took a deep breath and relaxed in the water, and began washing myself, washing my hair. Watching the lather on my skin. I rinsed off and stayed in the water for a few minutes, and then drained the tub. I wore the towel, and dried myself off.

“Hey!!!” I called out to Leo.

“Are you done?” He asked.

“Yes,” I relied.

Leo came back in, and carried me, taking me back to the bed.

“Your hair is wet.”

He went back to the bathroom, and brought another towel, tying it around my hair.

“Thanks.”

He handed me a big tee shirt, and a pair of joggers. He left the room again, and came back a few minutes later, when I had dressed myself up.

“Lay back,” he instructed.

I did. He pulled out the ointments, lifted my shirt, and began to rub the awful-smelling balm into my skin. I winced and held my shirt tighter, as his hands worked.

“I’m sorry.”

I looked at him and looked away. I didn’t need any sympathy. I lifted my body off of the bed, as he began to roll the bandage on me. He tapped it gently when he was as done.

“We’re done.”

I nodded and lay back on the bed. He went into the bathroom, and fetched a brush. He took out the towel, and brushed out my hair. The action brought tears to my eyes, as it reminded me of my mother.

“Shhh…”

Leo pulled me into his arms and held me while the silent tears flowed. He finished up with combing out my hair, and put it in a single braid at the back of my head.

“You should rest,” He said, after he was done. I nodded, and closed my eyes. Surprisingly, finding sleep in such a critical time wasn’t so difficult.

I opened my eyes with a loud gasp, and realized that it had all been a dream. I had seen my mother, she was calling out to me, crying. I was trying to run to her, but my feet were stuck in quicksand. I kept sinking and sinking till I was gone below. I wiped my hand across my face, and was surprised that it was wet despite the well air conditioned room. I took several deep breaths to calm myself, and then sat up on the bed. The ointment must be magic because the pain had significantly reduced.

I got out of the bed, and walked slowly to the door, opening it and stepping into the doorway. I heard loud voices coming from the lobby downstairs. I walked down the short hallway, and held on to the stair bannister, looking down and watching the source of the noises. It was like watching Leo arguing with his older self. The only time I had been in such proximity with the vampire king was at the ball. Now, he looked like he wanted to commit murder.

“You’re risking peace, and the safety of our people over a stupid girl!!!” He screamed.

I winced at the harsh description I was being given.

“She’s not just a girl, and she’s not stupid!!”

“Oh? Maybe it’s you then. What were you thinking fighting the werewolf Prince on human soil?! Do you know that this is enough to declare war?!”

“We are more than able to fight them. You’ve always wanted their territory, now you have an excuse to have it,” Leo replied.

“Do you know the ridicule that you have put us through? The crown prince of the vampire kingdom…fighting on human soil with a werewolf over a girl!!!”

“Dad…”

“She’s not a powerful queen. She’s not the daughter of a powerful man. Her father was a fucking weakling, and so was her mother too.”

I gasped loud, and both eyes fell on me. I gently stepped away from the bannister, and retraced my steps back into my assigned room.