My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

12 Be Prepared

Drake POV

I shoot up in bed as sweat pours down my body. Thankful that the nightmare of the day I lost my parents that has plagued my dreams since my birthday is over for now. Something about the nightmare is different from when I was a child. I'm not sure why, but when Samuel takes me into his arms, I keep seeing a woman wearing a long white dress watching from the trees.

She isn't alone. A large red wolf is sitting on its haunches at her side. Before I wake up, I

watch my parents walk toward her even though I know neither of those things happened that day.

Every time I wake up, it's the same. I'm sweating and my chest aches. The pain of losing them never lessens. Watching my uncle kill my parents and not being able to stop it or tell anyone

is worse than death. I remember wanting to scream that day. Tell Elder Samuel that David

killed his king and queen. That my parents would still be alive if not for the evil man

pretending he cared about me. Pretending that he was there to fight the rogues when in actuality he sent them.

He took everything from me that day. When I realized that, not only couldn't I speak, but I couldn't write about anything that happened. It was like he locked that memory in my head to

replay over and over. I cried even though no sound would come out. I remember Jasmine

holding me as I sobbed for my parents and all I had lost. She offered me comfort when my world was crumbling.

Watching how my uncle treated his beloved was like another stone added to the heavy weight

that weighed down on me. Not being able to speak or use my powers to protect Jasmine still

kills me.

Having that ba**ard threaten to hurt her again made me sick to my stomach. He is so evil I don't even think he really has a soul. I couldn't help but focus on his words about punishing her. What has he been doing to her all this time when she visits me? I knew he was a pr*ck and hurt me, but I had hoped he wasn't physical with his wife.

I will never forget my birth mother, but Jasmine is my mother now. She is the woman that, despite my circumstances, has cared for me. She has loved me even when I felt like giving up. Now to find out that he has been hurting her when she visits me, I need to make sure she doesn't come here again. I will not have her suffering because of me.

I roll out of bed and grab my things to shower. It's already five, and I need to be in the kitchen. before Jared makes his rounds. I head into the communal shower that the slaves share. I peel 1/4

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12 Be Prepared

off my sweaty shirt and shorts. I step under the spray using what little we're given to get

clean. If my father was still alive he would never have allowed the weaker elves to be used like

this. 

They are provided the bare minimum. Those who are now slaves were once considered elven laborers. Once Elder Samuel disappeared, my uncle used intimidation to sway the remaining council about the need to make changes in class. He compared slaves to omegas. They are provided for, but they have no power or status in the elven community. He also was able to convince the council that since I couldn't speak and never received my royal powers because

of the trauma I endured, that I was not fit to rule our people.

He, along with his queen, would rule the kingdom until a proper heir was born and came of age. I just hope that Daniel continues to be like his mother. He and Dianna are like my brother and sister. I love them. Oh, goddess, does he hurt them too? I push those thoughts from my mind. After today, I will tell Jasmine not to visit or bring the kids to see me.

I just pray that when Daniel becomes king things return to what they should have been. Then at least my people will have a fair and loving leader again. I just pray that my uncle doesn't corrupt him. I towel off and quickly dress in my worn pants and shirt.

I return my things to my room and slide the watch that Jasmine gave me into my pocket. As I make my way to the kitchen, warriors either sneer at me or give me looks of pity. Some are too young to know what happened to my parents, so they just think I'm some defective elf that is getting what I deserve by being treated as a slave.

As soon as I reach the kitchen, I start to prep breakfast. "It's such a pity that such a handsome

man is so useless," Jiselle says from behind me. Goddess, she is such a slimy b**ch. It is

hard to believe that she is any way related to Jasmine. Hell, from what I hear, my uncle f**ks

her far more often than he does his own wife. Although I'm sure Jasmine is grateful for that since she loathes him. I smile before I can stop myself.

"Do you find something amusing mute" she asks. I shake my head and continue to tend to the

eggs. A hand on my a** has me practically jumping out of my skin. I turn glaring at her. She has never touched me before, but I guess that's because I wasn't eighteen before. I can't stop the feeling of disgust at the thought of this woman lusting over me.

I shake my head again and she laughs. "Come on now mute. It's not like you have a lot of offers. You probably will never find your beloved and, even if you do, who the hell would want to be mated to a mute slave? You don't want to die a virgin. Besides, I can show you exactly why the king prefers me over my sister."

"I don't prefer you, Jiselle. You are simply a warm body that can be used anyway I see fit. I f**k

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12 Be Prepared

you like a wh*re because that's what you are. I love my wife and I show her that often. She is my queen, while you pale in comparison. Now leave the slave alone and return to your room. I'll be there soon to remind you what happens when you act like a wanton sl*t" he says. I can see the fear and hurt in her eyes. If she wasn't such an evil b**ch I might actually feel bad for

her. 

He stalks toward me while two guards remain by the door. I prepare myself for what's coming. His fist connects with my stomach before his knee connects with my face. I manage to stay

on my feet, which only pisses him off more. He grabs me by the hair, forcing me to look at him. 

"Get back to work before I take you to the cells, you pathetic waste. She was right about one thing, you know. You will never know what it feels like to have the love of a woman because no woman will ever want you," he says. He drops his voice so only I can hear him. "You are just as pathetic as your father. It's too bad I had to let you live." I ball my fists at my sides. I say a silent prayer to the goddess that some day he gets everything he deserves.

Lily POV 

I make my way to my father's office after leaving Colton to deal with the rejection. I know I

should feel more, but all I feel right now is numb, which is better than falling apart. Colton made his choice and I made mine. My concern right now is learning all I can about my true mate. He is suffering and I need to find him.

I knock before I push the door open. My parents, Mindy and Reese, are already waiting. Seeing Reese after everything the goddess showed me reminds me just how strong my mother is. She not only refused to accept him, but she forgave him. I hope in time I'll be able to do the

same. I don't want to make our family choose between me and Colton.

"Are you alright Lily" my mother asks as she pats the seat next to her. "I will be. Now that I've dealt with Colton I need to tell you about my visit from the Moon Goddess" I tell them about everything she showed me. When my eyes fall on Reese, he looks like he's about to be sick. His eyes meet mine and fear flashes in them. This is a man I've considered my uncle all of my life. "I'm so sorry Lily. Sorry that you had to see that. Sorry that I was ever a man who thought he could be so f**king selfish. I love you like you are one of my own pups. Please forgive me?" Tears stream down his cheeks as Mindy rubs his back. "Reese, that is not who you are anymore. Everything worked out the way it was supposed too," my mom says. I stand coming

around the small coffee table and hug Reese. He holds me tight for a few seconds before he finally releases me. "I love you too, Uncle Reese. I'm glad you aren't that man anymore. I'm happy that you realized how horrible your decisions were. I hope someday Colton will do the

same." 

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I retake my seat next to my mom. "The goddess said that you would give me something I would need when I leave the pack," I say to Mindy. "What do you mean leave the pack? You can't leave the pack. You are protected here" my father says, his voice laced with panic. Before I can answer, Mindy pulls a ring from her pocket. It's beautiful with a modest-sized ruby set on a platinum band. She offers me the ring and I slip it on my finger.

"What the hell just happened" my mother asks. I look at her confused. She stands moving toward my father's desk. She riffles through the drawers until she brings out a small mirror. When she brings it to me, I almost drop it. I look totally different. My hair is red and freckles dot my cheeks, but that's not the biggest change. The tips of my ears are both pointed.

I look at Mindy and she smirks. "You will need to be hidden in plain sight. I have a leather bracelet for Liam as well. They are both enchanted and will still allow you to reach your wolves, but no one else will be able to sense them. You will also receive your powers as you need them. Trust your instincts and Liam," Mindy says.

"What the hell are you saying? You were the one that said she needed to be in the pack. Now you're giving her enchanted rings to look like an elf. Did you forget the Elven King is the one that wanted her dead" my father asks, his voice rising with each word. I know he's scared, but he has to trust me.