GRAYSON

My head was spinning.

Everything was a blur, my ears were ringing, and my stomach felt as if I were about to heave up my intestines. What the hell had just happened?

I opened my eyes. Still disoriented, I looked around the room, trying to gain my bearings, although it proved very difficult.

One second I had been standing in my room with Kyle and three red-eyed vampires, and the next, I was in a forest in front of hundreds of newborn vampires and Azazel, all of them determined to kill me and my pack members.

I was relieved when I realized I was back in my room once again, lying on the hardwood floor.

Although my body felt sore and weak-an effect of some sort of magic, I'm sure-

the pain coursing through me wasn't my initial worry. War was coming. And soon.

Azazel's threatening words were fresh in my mind.

"Tell my brother to prepare himself, Alpha Grayson. His time as king is over," he had said. ~"We're coming."~

I became aware of other people in the room, and once the ringing in my ears stopped, I was able to register what they were saying.

They were arguing. One person, in particular, sounded very upset. I recognized his voice.

"Do something!" Kyle's angry tone rang out. "Why are we standing around when my alpha just fainted? Minnie-"

"I assure you, he is fine, young beta," someone else interrupted. Zagan. The king of vampires. Azazel's brother. "I implore you to remove your hands from my body before I decide to rip them off."

"Oh, yeah? I'd like to see you try," Kyle challenged. "You're not the only one in this room with vampire abilities."

I groaned and rolled to my side, not wanting to listen to any more of their incessant arguing.

All heads snapped to me. Kyle was at my side in under a second, using his newfound vampire speed to move in a single, blurry motion.

He crouched down next to me. "Alpha," he breathed out, "are you okay?"

I nodded and forced myself to sit up even though my body felt weak. "I'm fine.

Disoriented." I looked at Zagan, who had moved to stand next to Kyle. "What the fuck just happened?"

"You tell me," he replied in a gravelly voice. "What did you see?"

I stood slowly, grunting with effort. My wolf growled. He didn't like feeling weak, especially now when so much was at stake. "Azazel," I said. "He's coming."

I heard Kyle suck in a breath. "You saw Azazel?"

"When?" Zagan snapped, stepping forward with interest. "When is he coming?"

I shook my head. "There's no way to be sure. I don't know how fast his army of newborn vampires can run." My teeth grit together. "Soon, though. Tonight."

Zagan's eyes narrowed. Minnie and Casimir, royal vampires and two of Zagan's children, looked at their father in shock. Their tension and anxiety were tangible in the air.

"The Clan of Azazel is back?" Minnie whispered. Her already squeaky and high-pitched voice seemed to rise an octave with fear. "Father, did you know about this?"

Zagan nodded. "The beta informed me in his letter. It is why we wasted no time in aiding this pack."

"We have to move quickly," I said to Kyle. "Prepare the pack for battle. Fill them in on what has happened."

Kyle was already halfway out the door. "On it!" he yelled as he sprinted down the hall.

I turned back to the three vampires, watching them through narrowed eyes. It was a bit disturbing how alike they all looked with their straight black hair, lean bodies, and striking red eyes.

They were smaller than werewolves and, therefore, not as strong. It didn't matter, though. Vampire training focused less on strength and power and more on strategy and stealth.

It was as if their motto was, "Work smarter, not harder." And it worked for them.

As I studied their startling yet stunning red eyes, I couldn't stop myself from glancing in the mirror next to me, noticing that my own usually green eyes were also red at the moment.

However, unlike the three Mortars, mine were darker, clouded in blackness with the presence of my wolf. I could feel both my vampire and wolf pressing up against my conscience.

It wasn't invasive as neither of them was trying to take control; they were just revved up and ready for battle, anxious for any reason to break free.

I looked away from my reflection quickly, tensing in anger. The last time I had seen my eyes in this color had been when Azazel had taken over my body, showing his true eyes as he looked at our reflection.

I flinched, suddenly being pulled back into the memories of being in my own personal hell. My mind involuntarily replayed a scene from the past few months.

I was watching my hand hit Belle, my mate, the love of my life, on her beautiful face, having no control, watching in horror as she flew to the side from the force of the blow.

But the worst part came after the strike had taken place. Belle had looked up at me, her teary blue eyes round with shame... and apologized.

She apologized to ~me~. Even though it was my hand that had just marked her skin, she thought she had been the one who had done something wrong.

Twice. Azazel had hit her two times, taking complete joy in the fact that she thought it was me who was doing it. And each time, Belle apologized to him.

They were genuine apologies, too, ones that made evident her regret. I didn't know what she was ashamed of, but God, I could feel it. I could feel her indignity growing with every passing day.

She was so hard on herself, beating herself up and racking her mind over what she had done wrong. She wanted to fix whatever it was, unaware that it had absolutely nothing to do with her.

I had been screaming inside my head the entire time, pounding against the bonds that kept me trapped. It felt like I was drowning.

I struggled so much trying to get past the control that Azazel had over me so I could go to my mate.

I knew she wasn't eating or sleeping. I knew she was basically being spat upon by all the pack members. I could feel how weak she was getting. But I couldn't do a damn thing.

Every day, I hoped she would leave and run far away. But every day that I still felt her in this house made me completely fucking enraged with Azazel for doing this to her.

I wanted to tell her to leave, to talk to Kyle or Elijah or someone, anybody, and get the hell out of here. I couldn't understand why she would stay. Why the fuck didn't she run away?

Sure, Azazel had told her he wanted her for the power she could give him, demanding that she stay because of that. But, in reality, he wouldn't have noticed if she had left.

And that was what killed me. If she was staying out of fear of being punished if she were caught, her fear wasn't necessary. Azazel's mind was occupied with other problems.

I knew this because I had spent over two months hearing his thoughts; I basically knew every single detail about the former vampire king.

He had been unimpressed with the fact that she was human, and although he found her attractive-and loved to remind me of it- he wasn't actually interested in having her around.

He only tried to sleep with her because he wanted to taunt me and make me weak.

But, surprise, surprise, trying to mate with an alpha male's female doesn't make them weak.

No, it had the opposite effect-it made me furious. I became so blind with rage each time he laid a hand on her that, finally, my wolf was able to slip through the possession and take control to tend to our mate.

Azazel had learned from that experience. Seeing my mate get hurt made me furious enough to break free of the control he had over me.

He knew then that the best way to truly weaken me was to stay away from Belle.

And he did just that. He starved the mate bond. And as I felt my mate slowly dwindle, I faded along with her.

It wasn't until two nights ago that Azazel tried mating with Belle again. Only, this time, it wasn't to taunt or anger me-although it definitely did both of those things.

Azazel realized that someone had gone through his desk, which meant that one of my pack members knew about the letters he had been sending to the Clan of Azazel.

It was the first time I felt him experience true fear.

Knowing that his war could be happening sooner than he was anticipating, he decided he wanted to complete the mating bond with Belle in order to be as strong as possible during battle.

When Belle refused-to my absolute fucking relief-he didn't hesitate to kick her to the side and choose another.

Azazel didn't know that that was the decision that had finally set Belle free. She was heartbroken, but in thinking I didn't want her, she was finally able to force herself to leave.

And while it had made me proud at the time, it caused me physical pain to think about how long it had taken her.

Why hadn't she left before then? The door was wide open. God, why did she stay in this damn pack house where she was being abused and treated like nothing more than the dirt on the bottom of someone's shoe?

Did she think she deserved that? Did she expect this to be her new life?

She was worth so much more than all that, and I thought she would know that-

because, hell, she is so much stronger than anyone could ever imagine.

She had been through so much. And yet, every time her life burned down, she was still able to pull herself from the ashes.

I understood now, though.

With each passing day that Belle continued to endure my abuse without fighting back, it became more clear that perhaps she had come to face too many fires, that her life had burned down too many times.

She became convinced that, after a certain point, fires stop being coincidences or accidents. When fires follow the same person everywhere they go, it is evident that that person has an affinity for starting them.

And so, Belle let herself get burned. My strong mate watched in defeat as the fire began to consume her once again.

Because, according to her, no matter what she did, the fires followed her everywhere she went. She escaped only when the pain became too great, when the burns were too much to handle.

When she thought I had rejected her to be with another.

I had no doubt that the burns she endured would leave scars. It would not be easy to gain her trust again, but fuck if I wasn't up for the challenge.

I wouldn't give up until I had her back in my arms. I would never let her go again.

Together, we would build her back up until she remembered just how strong she really was.

GRAYSON

"Go with the beta," Zagan told Minnie and Casimir after Kyle had left the room.

"Inform the wolves how to fight vampires during battle."

They nodded and followed in the direction that Kyle had gone.

Once alone, Zagan and I faced each other. I didn't hide my narrowed look. I wanted him to know that I didn't trust him. Not yet, at least.

How the king of vampires came to be standing in my bedroom, in front of the bed where my mate and I were meant to sleep, was beyond me.

Never in a million years did I think I would allow this to happen. My wolf and I were on edge with the entire situation. I was anxious to leave.

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.

3. The Unwilling Alpha

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.

I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from shifting out of blind fury. So, instead of talking, I stiffly motioned for them to continue with their training.

I didn't even notice when Kyle started to approach me, too consumed with anger.

"Hey, Alpha," he said warily when he was within hearing distance, taking small steps toward me.

"How ya doing?" He obviously sensed my touchy mood.

I grunted in response.

Kyle nodded slowly and stood next to me. He knew not to push me.

We watched in silence as Casimir continued to direct the wolves. He began splitting them up into pairs, telling them to go attempt to fight in the ways that he had just shown them.

Kyle sneered as he looked at Casimir in disdain. "This is so not fair. The dude's taking my job."

Kyle was usually the one to lead the pack warriors, having been the head of our army for years now. He was good at it and would continue to be the head of my armies after this war.

I knew that Kyle understood that. He wasn't actually worried that Casimir would be taking over his position. He was just trying to lift my spirits.

Only, he didn't understand that I wasn't in the mood for his jokes.

"He knows more about vampires than you do, Kyle. Let it go," I snapped.

Kyle's brows rose in surprise. "Ouch," he said.

I didn't respond. Guilt touched me for a moment but was quickly replaced with anger once again.

After a few more minutes of silence, during which I continued to glare at my pack members, Kyle spoke again. "Okay, seriously, what's got your panties in a twist?"

He just didn't know when to let go, did he? I growled and turned to him, baring my teeth threateningly. "I mean it, Kyle. Drop it."

He raised his hands in surrender and took a step back, which was a smart thing to do. But the extent of his intelligence ended when he continued to push me, opening his mouth again to speak.

"Look, you might kill me for saying this, but I don't care. I don't know what's going on with you, and that's fine.

"You're going through it. I get it. But whatever this is"-he gestured up and down to my heaving form-"needs to stop.