" I FUCKING KNEW IT!" a growl tore through the forest. I closed my eyes and slowly attempted to get up, but I was pinned back to the ground by strong hands.
Coen," I exhaled, almost laughing at the situation. Serious? The man who has a crush on my mate is the first to discover my secret.
" Valord, I knew that name," he chuckles humorlessly.
" Yes, I'm a vampire," I admitted. There was no way to go about it. Their only way was to kill him, which I could, but I couldn't do that to the pack.
" I don't have bad intentions against anyone. I swear," I said gently. Hopefully, he'd hear the truth from my heart.
" I'd mind link the alpha to come so that he can see for himself," he growled.
" Coen, don't, please,"
" You have a plan, don't you? You want to attack the pack. How did you manage to falsify the mate bond? Are you working with evil witches?"
" I didn't falsify the bond. It is real, and I'm not working with anyone. I was surprised to find out Aerys was my mate. That was why I ran. You have to believe me; I love him and wouldn't do anything to hurt him or his pack," I said. He was silent for a moment. He seemed to be in thought. I used this chance to butthead him. He growled, and I got to my feet. Coen was scared but was still brave.
" I swear I won't hurt you!" I said quickly before he could mind link anyone. That was if he hadn't already.
" I will tell the alpha the truth when I'm ready. I know it would be mayhem if I did. That's why I haven't told him yet. I'm just trying to enjoy this while I can. I'm selfish," Coen was staring at me intently. His teeth were barred, and his eyes were glowing. His claws retracted, and his eyes returned to their standard brown color. He trusted me. I stiffened when I sensed intruders. Coen sniffed the air, and his eyes darkened.
" We have intruders," he said, coming to me. He stood in front of me protectively. I was shocked by his actions.
" Look what we've got here," a deep voice said. Five buffed rogues appeared from the trees. Coen growled at them.
" Don't waste your energy, kid. We outnumber you. It's one against five," another rogue smirked. I narrowed my gaze on him,
" Um, here too," I raised my hand. They chuckled on cue.
" Like you could do a damn thing, sexy lil thing."
" She's hot," One of the rogues said, his gaze roaming over me. I felt disgusted.
" Get out of our territory if you don't want to die," Coen growled at them.
" No. We like it here. I want more time with sexy behind you," the rogue smirked, staring at me.
Coen shifted into his lycan. He was huge for an eighteen-year-old kid. Two rogues shifted, too. He immediately lunged at them and tackled them to the ground.
I glared at the man who was eyeing me. He didn't see it coming when I jumped on him. His eyes widened in horror as I extended my fangs and pierced into him. I killed him instantly before he could shift. Coen was biting and fighting two rogues while I took the other two. I killed one and pushed him against the tree with my telekinesis and snapped his neck. Coen was on the ground, bleeding. I rushed to him to assess his injury, ignoring that he was naked. It was usual for shifters. I inspected the injury. It will heal soon.
" You are so good and fast," he pants, smiling at me.
" You too," Just then, Harry came to my side.
" What are you-"
" The alpha will be here in approximately ten seconds. I'll tell them I did this," he points to the rogues killed by a vampire. I nodded, happy he was there.
" I came to find you, but someone said you had gone for a walk, so I followed you,"
" Oh, it's good."
" And him?" he glanced at Coen. I stared at Coen, and he only sighed. I smiled at Harry,
" I think we are good for now with him," I answered.
Aerys and three huge lycans appeared. My mate looked relieved when he set his eyes on me. I went to hug him. He held me tightly, kissing me again and again.
" Baby, are you alright?" he sighed.
" I'm okay. Harry and Coen protected me," I cooed. I almost applauded him for how good my acting was.
" Tommy, clear the area, and I want to know why rogues got this far into the territory," Aerys ordered. Two other men had shifted into their human form and wore shorts. They started to pile the bodies of the dead rogues.
Aerys went to Harry and extended his hand toward him, " Thank you for being there for my mate when I wasn't," he said thoughtfully. Harry reluctantly shook his hand.
" Of course, I'll always protect Elizabeth, I'm her loyal servant," he said. Coen had shifted and ran to the house. My mate and I walk hand in hand.
" I was so worried," he sighed, pulling me closer. He inhaled my scent.
" I'm fine," I assured him.
Tonga hugged me when she saw me emerge. I hugged her.
The rest of the day, the men were busy improving security on the property.
The following days were the happiest. Aerys and I were closer. I seldom saw Liace, but when I did, she only glared at me without saying anything snarky.
I loved him so much. I was glad that my life was going well.
" Do I have to go to university?" I complained. It was a cloudy day today, and I wanted to stay in. Aerys chuckled and kissed my temple. He got on one knee and helped me in my boots.
" You have a test," he said, getting a bag from the bed. I grumpily let him guide me away from the bedroom to the car.
He opened the door for me and went to the passenger seat. He gave me a coffee as he drove us to the university. We arrived in a few minutes.
" I'll come pick you up after the test," he said. I shook my head. I wanted to spend more time with Yorna because I hadn't paid her attention lately.
" Yorna and I are going to the mall for girl time," I told him. Aerys scowled, worrying about my safety.
" You can ask Coen to hover around us," I sighed. Coen had been treating me well lately and told me he wouldn't tell my mate the truth about me. However, he gave me three months to come clean. Time was ticking fast at my end.
" Okay. All the best in your test," he said, and I smiled at him.
" Don't need it,"
" Cocky much,"
" You're rubbing off on me," I winked and went to my lecture room. I took the test and then went to meet Yorna at the mall. I spotted her at a café we liked. She was smiling and texting. I wondered what that was about. Lately, she has been happier. Was she seeing someone? Anyway, this would be my time to pry.
" Hey, beautiful girl," I said once I neared her. She lifted her gaze to mine.
" Hi, Gorgeous girl,'' I sat before her and ordered an iced tea.
" So, what are we doing today?" I asked, excited about our day.
After our drinks, we went to the spa. I saw a figure of Coen, but he didn't bother us. After our facials and massage, we decided to go shopping. We had the most fun shopping for lingerie. She bought a couple, too.
" Are you seeing someone?" I asked in the changing room. Yorna blushed profoundly and turned from me. I could see through the mirror that she was smiling. I went behind her and grabbed her waist.
" So, he's making you blush?" I asked close to her ear. She laughed and took a snap at our sensual position.
" This is all wrong," she muttered.
" So, who is it?"
" I don't know how you'll feel about this, but Harry and I are talking. I think I like him," I didn't expect her to say Harry. I gape, swallowing. Her eyes were worried. I inhaled and smiled.
" Of course, Harry is lovable," I told her. She exhaled and hugged me.
" Okay, we are hugging in lingerie, not weird at all," I commented. She chuckled and pulled back,
" I was worried because I know of your relationship," she said.
" No, I moved on with Aerys, and I want Harry to do the same with someone else," I said.
We got dressed and paid for our items. We went to grab dinner. Yorna suddenly looked serious.
" So, when are you telling him that you are... A vampire," she whispered, glancing around the restaurant.
" I decided to tell him next week, after his birthday," I said. It was time to rip the band-aid off. After dinner, I escorted her to the car because I wanted to return home.
" I'll bring the things we bought to the house tomorrow!" I nodded and watched as she drove off in her sports car.
I intended to run back to the house but decided to go for a walk. I needed it. I put my phone in my pocket and turned. However, I bumped into someone.
" Sorry," I murmured.
" It's alright, Princess Elizabeth," the soft, deep voice said. I felt my blood cold, and color lef