The Beginning of The End
Chapter 23

Ryker led me back into the dining room, though it looked nowhere near the way that it was this morning, it had been completely transformed. Instead of a table there was a red carpet leading to a small stage that held a small, raised platform, and I was guessing that was where they would make me lay. Chairs lined either side of the stage and they were filled with hellhounds and vampires, all of them dressed up in fancy clothes and jewels.

It was nothing like the life me or the other humans had led, they lived with all the finery that humans once knew whilst we were hunted to the brink of extinction.

It was wrong on so many levels, and the worst part was that I now looked like them, they were trying to make me one of them.

But I wouldn't become a monster.

I wouldn't betray Miya and the others, or anyone else who had been hunted down by these creatures. Or at least, I hope that I wouldn't.

I harshly reminded myself that I had to go through with this, I was doing it to save Miya's life. I didn't have choice if I wanted her to live. If I wanted to live.

Ryker walked to the very edge of the stage, gently pulling me along whilst Maddox mingled with his own kind, laughing about how he was going to make me a woman.

He would never make me a woman because I will never let him touch me. I didn't have sex with monsters.

The dragon King lets go of my hand and steps onto the stage, his very presence making me tremble.

How could I ever hope to escape someone who held so much power? Especially now that I had none.

"Welcome, friends, allies." Ryker's voice booms above all others, the room going eerie silent.

They all waited for him to continue and for some reason I found myself holding my breath, I was terrified, afraid that I would pass out.

I couldn't show them how weak I felt on the inside, I had to remain strong.

"Today is a glorious day for us all, I have finally found a mate. My true mate." The room cheers and my heart sinks. "We have all waited a long time for this moment, but fear not, an heir will come before the year is out, I guarantee it."

He was so sure I would allow him to impregnate me? I might have agreed to be marked, but that is all I agreed to. He will NOT have anything more from me.

My body is my own.

Again, the crowd of monster's cheer, they were eating out of the palm of his hand, and he knew it. He knew how to win them over. However, he doesn't expect me to defy him, and if he is foolish enough to believe I will grow to love him, he is very, very wrong. I hate him. I hate all of them.

"Today marks the start of a new era, today I will mate a fae woman and she will become queen."

The room is silent once more, Maddox's smile dazzling as he moves to stand beside

me.

Me? A queen? No thank you.

The only thing I want is to save my friend.

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Ryker holds his hand out towards me, Maddox giving me a slight shove so that I would move, I really hope that this won't hurt too much.

I hated pain.

I took The Dragon king's hand and walked onto the stage, the monsters all around me cheering and whistling. They loved the idea that their kings were mating someone after centuries. But I didn't. I was the unlucky soul who had no other choice but to obey.

I was doing this to save my friend, to give us both a chance to leave here one day, if that is even possible. Ryker and Maddox would track me across the world if I ran away, they would replace me, I was certain of that, but would they kill me?

No, I doubted it. They would hurt me, kill Miya and anyone else I got close to, but I doubt they would kill their mate, especially seen as they had waited for so long.

I was too important to them, not easily replaceable. That had to count for something right?

I looked up at Ryker, his hard and muscular frame, I don't think I would make it far if I tried to escape, he wouldn't let me. He'd know right away and come after me. I was certain of that.

I sigh, trying to hide my fear and I was led to the stone altar, I felt as though I was being led to my death, not a marriage or bond or whatever they want to call it.

I didn't feel happy or excited at the thought of being joined to them for eternity, I felt scared and powerless.

I felt alone.

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I saved Miya all those weeks ago, but now? I had no one to save me. No one would come to my aid when I needed it, no one would dare to defy Ryker or Maddox.

"Is this going to hurt?" I whisper to Ryker and he lifts me by my waist and sits me on the alter, my back facing the crowd.

Why did there have to be so many people here? Why couldn't this have been done in private?

He nods, his eyes soft and tone gentle. "Yes, I won't lie to you, it's going to cause you great pain as your body accepts my mark and then Maddox's." He taps my leg. "But don't worry, your body will pass out as soon as it begins to change."

I swallow my saliva, my throat burning with emotion. This couldn't get any worse, right?

"Change how?" I ask, dreading the answer.

"It will become immortal, you will be stronger, faster." He eases me onto my back, the stone of the altar like ice. "You may even get further abilities, which is why I attached a power blocker to your wrist."

I shiver. This doesn't sound good at all.

I didn't want to change. I was fine the way that I was.

Fuck. I hated my life.