Kade furrowed his brow in thought. "We do not know for sure. Her plans are shrouded in mystery but what we do know is that she wants control over all the packs. She wants to be the alpha of alphas. If she succeeds she will destroy the pack structure and kill anyone who opposes her. She will start a war with the vampires and we very well could be wiped out." I could feel the deep anger coming from him through the blood bond. It was quite unsettling to feel anything through the bond for the first time. "The vampire population has dwindled over the years and as far as I can tell the wolf shifters outnumber us greatly."
"So she's going to try and unite everyone under one banner? How is that going to work? Not everyone will just follow her blindly." I looked at him questioningly. "Why would she think she could get away with something like that?"
"She seems to think there is something hidden in the dark forest that can bolster her power." He stated as if that explained everything. "If there is such an item it could allow her to bend the will of any alpha that is susceptible to the one wielding said object."
"That's insane." I breathed as I sank back into the chair. "What kind of person would want that much power?"
"A tyrant or a fool." He answered simply.
"So by keeping me alive you are hoping I will be the key to stopping her?" I couldn't keep the bitterness out of my tone.
"I saved your life because I could not stand by and watch someone die. You are also my fated mate and are therefor under my protection." He stated as if that should have been obvious.
I shook my head as I took another sip of the burning amber liquid. "I just... this is all too much." I sighed as I placed the glass back on the table. "What do you want from me?"
"I want what everyone wants. To find happiness with my fated mate. To be able to live in peace without the fear of annihilation." I could feel a wave of sadness wash over me from him as he spoke, and it broke my heart just a little.
"I don't know if I can give you that." I whispered.
I watched as a flicker of pain crossed his face before he hid it behind a mask of indifference. "I understand."
"I didn't mean to hurt you." I started.
"Then don't." He replied. "Accept the bond. Complete it. Let me protect you."
Kade got up from the chair and started to walk towards the door. "I am sure you have many more questions for me but the sun has reached its peak and I must rest. Jiro will watch over you until the sun starts to set. You should get something to eat and rest as well." Then he walked out the door and disappeared like a shadow down the hall.
Sebastian appeared a few moments after Kade left. "I will show you back to your rooms." He said with a soft smile.
I stood and followed him out of the library and down the long hallway. The entire walk I was trying to sort through everything I had just been told. Fate, mate bonds, blood bonds, war, ancient magic items. My head was spinning and the one person that could answer my questions had just vanished to go rest for the day.
"I know this must be overwhelming for you Riley." Sebastian said as he stopped in front of the door to the suite. "Lord Kade is not very good at expressing himself. He can be quite abrupt and overly formal at times but he has a good heart."
"I'm just... I don't know what to think." I admitted. "A week ago I thought I was going to die. Now I find out that I am fated to be with a vampire. That shouldn't even be possible. I mean my father is an Alpha shifter so I should have shifter blood that would have protected me from the effects of Kade's vampire blood."
Sebastian chuckled softly as he opened the door. "Yes, well the fates do have a twisted sense of humour."
Jiro was in the sitting area of the suite cleaning a massive sword that looked like it could cleave a man in two with a single swing. He looked up from his task when we walked in and his eyes assessed me.
"Where the hell did you get something like that?" I gestured to the sword. "I know full well that you did not hike through the woods with it."
Jiro's lips twitched in what could have been a smile. "I may have found the armoury while you were busy chatting and helped myself to a new toy."
Sebastian didn't say anything about the new acquisition and decided that this would be a good time to take his leave. "I will have lunch brought up to you." He bowed and left the room.
I walked over to Jiro, took a seat on the couch and watched in silence as he continued to clean the sword from her perch on the chair beside me. After a moment Jiro paused and looked up at me. "Are you ok? I'm sure your chat didn't exactly go as planned."
"Jiro, how much did you know before you brought me here?"
He sighed as he dropped his gaze back down at the sword. "I know enough."
"Did you know Kade was my fated mate? Did you know he was the one who saved me?" My voice was barely a whisper as the questions tumbled out.
"I did."
"Why didn't you tell me?" My voice broke as I tried to bury the torrent of emotions that were flooding through me.
"You wouldn't have believed me, and if you had there was a chance you would have run."
He wasn't wrong. I was still contemplating escaping from this place but first of all where would I go? Back to Marcus? How would I survive without Kade's blood? I did not want to go through that pain again. So for now I was trapped.
"I could have, but I'm guessing I wouldn't have gotten very far."
Jiro just nodded in response and went back to cleaning the sword.
There was a soft tap on the door and Sebastian entered with a tray of food and two large glasses filled with a deep red liquid. He placed the tray on the table in front of me and I looked at the food. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to eat after the emotional morning but my stomach had other plans and growled as I took in the delicious smell of a rare steak and roasted vegetables. "I took the liberty of adding a few things you may find more appealing." Sebastian said as he gestured to the red liquid in the glasses. "Drink this. It will help with the transition. Your body is still changing and it will need more than what you can get from the food alone."
"What is it?" I was hesitant to drink it after the conversation I had with Kade.
"It is a mixture of fruit juice and a small amount of Lord Kade's blood."
I froze at the mention of Kade's blood. Did I really want to drink more of it? Did I even have a choice at this point. Sebastian saw my hesitation and smiled. "I know this is a lot to take in, but for now please trust Lord Kade."
I sighed, took the glass from Sebastian and took a sip. The liquid was sweet with a coppery undertone that I found strangely appealing. It coated my throat and sat heavily in my stomach, chasing away the hunger that had been gnawing at me since I had returned to my room.
"Thank you Sebastian."
"It is my pleasure Riley. If you need anything at all do not hesitate to call for me." Then with a slight bow he left the room.