Chapter 10
It was the last lap, and Lucie was slightly trailing behind first place.
But she knew what she was doing. You NEVER want to be in first place on the last lap unless you know you can win by a significant amount.
She smiled as the all-too-familiar whistling sound of a blue seeker shell hissed through the television speakers.
She made sure she kept her distance from first place, Ryan, so she didn’t get caught in the crossfire.
“Who threw the blue shell?!” Ryan growled as he glanced over angrily at Enzo and Lenny. Lenny let out an airy laugh.
The blue shell collided with Ryan’s cart, slowing him down and sending him flying into the air.
She sped through the smoke of the collision, having saved her speed boosts just for this moment.
With the finish line in her sight, she released her speed boosts in a fury.
Sweet sweet victory! Aedan would be so proud of her right now.
She sat there with a satisfied smile on her face and gently set the controller down, her mic drop.
“You did it, Lucie! I’ll admit I didn’t think you stood a chance against these man-boys—” Tonya started but was interrupted by an enthusiastic Lucie.
“You use man-boys too?!” she said excitedly. This was exactly how she described Aedan and Justice.
“Haha yes! It’s the perfect term.”
“I know, right?” Lucie liked Tonya. She had a comforting personality, and there was a genuineness that emitted from her. This was someone she could be friends with. It would be nice to have another friend in the vampire kingdom.
“I see you are well trained in the art of driving kart,” Lenny said with a crooked smile.
“Don’t take it personally. I’ve played against the best and won. I always play against my brother, cousins, and also my best friend, Jasper.” Lucie looked at them. “Maybe you know Jasper? He’s Jester and Irene’s son.”
“Oh, he’s your best friend? Like best friend or … you know?” Enzo raised his eyebrows as he insinuated something more. Ryan growled lowly, glaring at Lucie.
Lucie could see his amber eyes darkening. His lips were slightly pulled up as he stared her down, looking for the answer.
Lucie shrugged. “I don’t see exactly how my relationship with Jasper is anyone’s business. Plus, I don’t want to incriminate myself.”
Ryan squeezed his fists tightly.
“Oh Lucie … you’ll have to tell me later.
Jasper is a cutie,” Tonya said, grinning as she heard a very unamused sound from Zach.
“Oh Zachie, you think he’s cute too. But don’t worry, no one is cuter than you,” she said as she ruffled his hair and tugged him down so she could gently peck at his lips.
Lucie soon realized she didn’t want any incriminating rumors about herself either.
It wouldn’t be fair to tarnish her perfect record.
“Jasper is just a close friend. He’s more like a brother to me.
Well, at least I think of him that way, but I don’t really know how close our friendship is.
” She frowned as her voice trailed off. The truth was that Jasper’s friendship seemed to be based entirely on Derrick.
He reported back to him yet never reported to her about Derrick.
“He’s Derrick’s cousin first, and my friend second. ”
Lucie could feel she was bringing down the room. She didn’t want to be that person. It was time to shift gears. “Don’t worry, guys. With a bit of practice, maybe one day you can beat me.” She looked up at the screen, which still showed her character driving the victory lap around the course.
“Well, we have time for that,” Ryan said with a small smirk. “It isn’t like you’ll be leaving my side anyway.”
“You know, I think you’re just a flirt. You can’t really be thinking of going against Derrick. That would be crazy.” Lucie furrowed her brow and gave him a half smile. There was no way he was really serious. He was just enjoying the feeling of the mate bond.
“Lucie.” Ryan’s face drew serious as he met with her green emeralds. “You are my mate. I’m not going to relinquish you to anyone. This isn’t a joke. You are mine … And I’ll be your best friend. You’ll never have to question where my loyalties lie. They’re already yours and always will be.”
“Ryan! They will kill you over something like this,” Enzo said, wide-eyed. He knew Ryan well enough by now to know when he was being serious.
Ryan continued to stare at Lucie. “You’re mine, Lucie. Don’t think of anything else but that. And start getting used to the idea of being with me.”
Okay, so deep down, a sick side of her liked his possessiveness over her.
It was thrilling in a way to see his gaze set upon her like she was his prize.
A fire had ignited behind his eyes, and she wanted him to burn her with it.
All of her. She wanted to feel his heat on her body.
It wasn’t always about what she wanted, though.
She promised herself that even if she found her mate, she would choose her people.
A small smile spread across her face, and she shook her head.
“I won’t ignore the treaty. I was born a leader to my species, and my union with Prince Derrick is something both species are depending on.
It doesn’t matter what I want … I have to do what’s right.
This is the promise my parents made to the Vampire King and Queen when they united to join forces in the war.
” She took in a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment.
“Who am I to destroy their plan? How could I possibly go against their wisdom for myself?”
“Have you ever asked Derrick what he wants?” Zach asked in a whisper. The whole room was quiet and drawn in to Lucie’s strength and determination.
“I don’t think … I don’t think he wants me.
But no … we’ve never talked about it. Honestly, we don’t talk much anymore.
We used to play a lot as children, but he changed as he got older.
I guess when he started understanding what he was really giving up, maybe it made him bitter?
I’m not sure.” Lucie searched through her memories of her times with Derrick.
During her most recent visit, they sat at a table drinking tea for an hour.
Derrick was cold and quiet, barely even glancing at her.
He seemed a bit preoccupied, and looking back, it seemed like he couldn’t wait for the mandatory hour to be up.
She had to blink back the burn she felt in her eyes and nose.
She wouldn’t cry in front of them. And she didn’t want to talk bad about their prince.
“Anyway, he’s never been mean to me. I’m sure we can manage a clumsy friendship.
” Lucie forced a smile out as she looked up.
Ryan’s amber eyes remained fixed on her face.
It was a predatory gaze that she wasn’t sure she wanted to understand further, but she imagined it had to do with the idea of his mate being discarded.
“I think it’s interesting that they chose you to be their son’s mate. Couldn’t they have come up with another plan to solidify the treaty?” Tonya asked as her eyes watered. Her chest hurt for Lucie and what she would be sacrificing.
“I think there are a couple reasons. One reason is that a child between our two species would form a lasting bond. The other is I think they want my grandfather Gilbert’s bloodline.
I guess he was sort of special since he had original vampire blood.
And for some reason, it has maintained its purity in my mother and me.
I believe they think an heir from Derrick and me would be an asset to the vampires.
In a sense, they want me for breeding.” Lucie didn’t need to really mince words.
That was exactly why they wanted her. It was to produce a stronger heir for the vampires.
Tonya frowned. “Well, I don’t want to give her to them. Let’s hide her.” She gazed at Lucie and pursed her lips together tightly. “You deserve better than our prince.”
Lucie smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think that’s fair to say.
After all, none of us really know him. And Jasper has told me he’s a good guy.
I’m sure he has his own reasons and feelings he’s trying to sort out before we get married.
His parents are good people, so I have to have faith that Derrick is too. ”
“You’re a very loyal person, Lucie,” Ryan said quietly as his eyes shined on her. He looked at her face and the hurt she tried to hide. But deep down, he could feel it.
She felt herself being pulled into his amber eyes. The more she was with him, the more connected she felt to him. She cleared her throat and changed the subject. “So, what are you guys doing out here? Does it have to do with the witch, Beryl?”
“The prince has ordered us to figure out what type of experiments she’s conducting.
It took us a long time to hunt her down.
To be honest, at first we didn’t understand the order.
But …” Zach got quiet and looked at Lucie.
“But he said that Beryl was a danger to the Black Ice Pack, and he wanted the problem taken care of.”
Lucie felt as if her chest had run out of air.
Derrick had ordered them out here? And it was to protect the Black Ice Pack …
her pack. Someone wouldn’t order his men to risk their lives like that unless he cared, right?
Maybe he was always preoccupied when they were together and busy.
She felt bad about how she talked about him just now.
They were honest observations to her, but maybe there was more to it.
“Have you learned anything interesting? Besides the weird mixture of vervain and silver?”
“There is something else she’s working on.
We aren’t exactly sure what it is, but the last werewolf she injected with it died in their cell.
It appeared to be very painful, whatever it was.
There was something else, too.” Tonya flicked her gaze at Ryan, unsure if she should continue or not.
He nodded his head slowly, and she took in a breath.
“We saw weird creatures in there. They were like some type of undead army. We call them the voidless. They have an extreme bloodlust that seems to only be quenched by drinking werewolves’ blood.
These attacks make it look like a savage vampire is killing the wolves, which is probably the intention. ”
Lucie shook her head slowly. Her parents needed to know about this.
What did Beryl think she could accomplish?
The werewolves had allies everywhere. With one call, the armies of the dragons, vampires, fairies, and witches would come to their aid.
Maybe this wasn’t a mission about taking over.
It must be a suicide mission. Beryl most likely didn’t care about dying as long as she got revenge on the Black Ice Pack.
“I guess I’m going to need to go witch hunting.” Lucie sighed in frustration as she looked at her wounds. It would still be a couple more days before she was ready to fight.
Ryan laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m not letting you anywhere near that crazy witch. It is your pack she’s after. She’s after you. Like I would let you walk right into her hands.”
“You can’t tell me what to do. I’m going to protect my people.”
Ryan sighed in agitation. “Which is it, Lucie? Huh? Are you going to risk your life looking for a witch who wants to kill you? And then if she does, the treaty is ruined. Or are you going to protect your people by staying safe so you can solidify the treaty? You can’t have it both ways.
Your people are important. I get that. So choose the path that makes the most sense.
We’ll take care of Beryl. That’s why we’re here. ”
Lucie scoffed and folded her arms over her chest. “Well, according to you, I won’t be solidifying the treaty anyway, right?
” Her blood was boiling. She didn’t know what the right decision was.
Did anyone in these situations? You could only do what you felt was best. She was strong, so shouldn’t she fight?
Or would it be better for her to stay hidden while others did?
What if her being there made less people die, though?
And yes, there was also the possibility of her own death.
Everyone faced death daily in different ways.
But honestly, she knew going after Beryl was more dangerous than simply waiting around.
What would her mother do? She didn’t even need to ask that question.
Her mother would be in the battle with her daggers drawn.
That was who she was. Her aunt Reiya, the Fairy Queen, would also be right in front, fighting.
So would her cousins Alexa, Raine, and Destiny.
Heck, even her grandma Lita would fight.
They were all strong and important. Without Alexa, there would be no next-generation fairy princess.
Unless that role somehow shifted to her.
In the end, it was all about balancing your choices. She needed to think about this situation. She looked at Ryan in annoyance. How could she want to strangle and kiss someone so badly? She wanted to punch him, but she was also dying to feel his lips on hers. Ugh. Having a mate was frustrating.