The Beginning of The End
Chapter 20

it was true, I had been just barely surviving for years, not speaking to anyone, having no one to comfort me or pick me up when I fell. I had been alone for years! But then I found Miya and saved her even though it could have meant my death, and I realised something very important.

I would have died for her.

Ryker slammed his hand down on the table, cracking the thick wood with his fist, his eyes were alight with fury as he turned towards me, but I wasn't as scared as I should be, I was oddly calm for someone that could be ripped apart at any second.

It was strange, knowing my death could come but accepting it without fear. Could he really kill someone who he called his mate? Perhaps he could. The dragon king wasn't anything like the fae or humans, he didn't care who he hurt to get what he wanted. Neither did Maddox.

They had killed millions of people, fae, werebears and all sorts of creatures without remorse or concern, and they continue to do so.

I would just be another notch on the wall, another faceless name to add to many more.

"I will have no more talk of this! You are mine and I will not have you throw your life away. I decide how you live and die." he growls, ripping me from my seat and wrapping his large hand around my throat. "Do I make myself clear Fae?!"

I nod mutely, knowing that I probably shouldn't anger him further, it wasn't exactly like

I had a choice anyway, I would never have a choice again.

"Good." he growls, but my attention was no longer on him.

My eyes locked onto the leaf green eyes I used to enjoy seeing daily, her hair no longer mattered and brown, the strawberry blonde mass bright and smooth. I almost cried aloud as I saw her standing there in rags, shaking as her eyes locked onto me in fear.

She dropped the tray she was carrying with the vampire's blood on it, a gasp leaving her lips as she whispered my name; Ryker's hand still wrapped around my throat.

"Miya." I whisper-cried, relieved that she was alive.

Maddox held up his hand to the vampire who approached her, stopping him as he smiled. "So, this is the legendary girl you were so desperate to see. Aren't we all pleased she is still alive!" He laughed, clapping his hands.

"Don't hurt her!" I screamed, trying to break away from Rykers death grip on me.

The dragon King spun me around and pinned my arms behind my back, forcing me onto my knees as Maddox rose to his feet, slowly walking towards my friend as she shook and trembled in fear.

He walked around her as she cried, lifting her hair and sniffing it before smiling back at me. "What I could do with this soft flesh. How much fun I could have. How much pain I could inflict."

Miya stayed silent, trying her best not to collapse, she locked eyes with me and smiled sadly, knowing she was probably going to die.

"NO!" I sobbed, trying desperately to get away from Ryker so I could help her. But it was no use, his grip was too tight. "Please stop!"

Maddox wrapped his hand around her throat, a terrified sob/scream escaping her trembling body.

"Please! I'll do anything, please!" i had lost it, I never begged for anything in all my years.

But I was willing to beg for her life.

"Anything little mate?" Ryker whispered in my ear; his grip relentless as I tried to escape.

"Yes! Please just tell him to stop!" I cry, watching as Miya's eyes begin to close, her face and lips purple.

"Maddox, let her go." The Dragon king mutters as he releases me, my body crashing into the floor.

I crawl across the floor just as he releases her, inches away from catching her as she drops to the ground, coughing as she gasps desperately for air.

"Miya!" I scream, pulling her into my arms. "It's ok, its ok just breathe."

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"Don't do it Elora, whatever they want don't give it to them! You hear me!" Miya sobs, wrapping her arms around me. "I'm ready to die, so don't give them anything."

I shake my head, pulling her closer. "I can't let you die Miya, I thought I had lost you once, I just... I can't do it again."

Miya goes to speak again, but before she has the chance, she is ripped from my arms by one of the vampires, Ryker and Maddox blocking my path to her.

"Miya!" I cry, trying to fight my way to her.

I watch helplessly as she is dragged from the room, Maddox slamming me against the closest wall. "Don't worry she'll remain unharmed if you do exactly as we say."

"What do you want!?" I snap, pushing all my hatred for them into my voice.

"You will complete the mating ceremony with us tonight, if you don't, we will kill her." Ryker shrugs, acting like it wasn't a big deal.

It was either my freedom, or her life.

But which one am I willing to give up?

Which can I live without?

"W-what is a mating ceremony?" I ask, knowing my choice.

It is different for every race, I did not even know how a dragon or hellhound mate, Fae's exchange blood.

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"We will share blood and bind our souls together as one. Then, Ryker and I will seal it with our mark." Maddox smiles, clearly satisfied that I have agreed to it.

"Your mark?" I frown, "what's that?"

Ryker took me from his comrade's grasp, signalling for the room to clear before he spoke. Once everyone had gone he led me back to the table, forcing me to sit on his

lap.

"For me, I burn my mark into your shoulder, for Maddox it's a bite."

"What will happen to me when you do that?"

Maddox takes the seat beside us, "you will connect to us, you will feel the bond as

much as we will, it will draw you to us. Make you want to be with us."

"I don't understand." I whisper, shaking my head when Ryker tries to feed me.

"Eat and we will answer your questions." The dragon king compromises.

I nervously take a slice of meat and shove it into my mouth, needing to know more about my situation.

"Good girl." Smiles Ryker, "It's like a magnetic pull, only much stronger, you will only feel complete when you are in our presence. You will only feel whole when we touch you."

"And you will only know pleasure when we are the ones to give it to you." Maddox smirks, winking at me.

I nod my head, finally beginning to understand, and yet, dreading the moment I know will come where I can't resist them. Where I had to obey their every command.

But it was the only way to save Miya.

I should have just stuck to the rules, then I wouldn't be in this mess. But on the other hand I would have let Miya die, and she doesn't deserve that. She's a good person... and that is hard to replace these days.