His Detest

     DIONY EMPIRE

     ATARIAH’S POV

My head felt faint, and the pain that stretched through my body made me want to yell out in distress. The cold floor seeped into my skin like shards of glass. I blinked rapidly in a bid to adjust my eyes to the light. But there wasn't much lighting, just a small window spacious enough to enable a streak of the sun.

Swallowing the dry spittle in my mouth, I winced at the harshness in my throat. A pungent smell hit my nose from the darkness. It took me a moment to realize I was not alone. Turning my head cautiously, I almost jumped out of my skin when someone peeked their head out of the darkness.

“Oh my goodness! Who are you?” I queried at the sunken eyes staring intently at me.

The other people there moved forward as if on cue, letting me know they were more than enough in the space. I was dumped close to the door, which made me unaware of other people’s presence when I woke up. I didn’t need anyone to tell me they were humans.

At the thought of that, my memory spiraled, and the horrifying image that I had last seen evaded me. Goosebumps lay thick on my arms.

My words left my lips in a stutter. “What are you all doing here?” I caught sight of a young girl who wouldn’t be more than fifteen moving a bit closer to me.

“We got captured like you are.” She replied weakly.

Tears laced my eyes as I looked around the area, there are other cells. From my halfhearted counting, the people here would be over a hundred.

“Where is this place?” I asked, fearing that I might not like the response.

The young girl had genuine pity in her eyes as she held my gaze. “This is Diony Empire. I am sure you must have heard of it.”

No! No! That can’t be! This can’t be happening. Diony Empire should be a fantasy! There is no way I am on the territory of those blood-eating monsters. I want to scream and wake up from this crazy nightmare. My hands began to scratch my body viciously with the hope that I would wake up to life on Sheila’s bed with a hangover. Instead, I ended up peeling my skin with blood oozing from there.

The young girl held my hand, “do you not want to live a little? If any of them smells your blood, you will die before they decide what to do with you.”

How is she saying that so casually? My soul will be sucked out of me by someone who thinks I am juicy enough to eat, and she is here telling me to hold on further? How did I get here? My head was spinning, the cold took over every inch of me, and I wanted to run, but my legs felt weak.

“None of us wanted to be here. But it appears we are the ones with the doomed fate.” Someone said from the darkness.

I gulped hard; Sheila must be going crazy searching for me now. This place was never supposed to be counted as existing. They are vampires and werewolves who have lived longer than ten of my generation. These people see us humans as meals and toys. Even when I read about them, it gave me the chills, and I thought the writer was crazy. Now, it appears I am the one on the verge of losing my mind.

Tears rolled down my face uncontrollably as fear sank in. Is this how my life is supposed to end? After everything Mathew made me go through, am I just thinking of rotting away in the hands of a vampire or being clawed to death by a werewolf? What is happening to me?

I couldn’t control the tears, and my chest tightened like I might pass out.

“What are they going to do to me?” I asked, sobbing.

The girl shrugged, “We never know what exactly, but the people taken away never return, which probably answers the question.”

Death! Everything I have worked for. The struggle and hard times I have gone through would all go down the drain. No one would be able to tell me what happened to me. With the number of people here and probably long gone, it suggests why there are always weekly police reports of people missing. Those evil monsters! It has been them all along.

My life went from getting better to worse so fast. The tears have dried up now, and I don’t seem to have anything extra inside me. I finally dared to look at each person in the cell. Their eyes harbored no emotion like they had lost hope. Necks long and bones practically peeking out of the skins. The older folks looked like they were on the verge of death. Why keep them this long if they were going to starve them to death?

“Do people ever eat?” I muttered to myself.

“They bring by stale bread, never enough.” The young girl replied she must have heard me.

I was about to say something when the door opened abruptly, and everyone who had moved into the light hurried back into the darkness to shield themselves from the five men in guard uniforms who had just entered.

Four went into the other other cells to grab women. The last one came to our space, grabbed me by the arm, dragging me out of the cell after tying my hands.  I struggled to free myself from their grip, but my strength to theirs was unmatched. The tears had returned now, and this is for the misery that is awaiting me. I prefer to die quickly and not have to be tortured to death. Even if it would end with me having a vampire’s fangs buried in my nape.

A large door with mystic carvings was opened, and we were all pushed roughly to the ground. With my head bowed and my heart racing fervently, I could feel their eyes on me. But I was too scared to look up at their reddened eyes that were probably fantasizing about how delicious my blood might be.

“Get on your feet!” One of the guards that brought me over ordered.

I staggered in his grip and stood up with my hands stretched forward, still tied. I got the chance to take a glimpse at the people sitting. None seem aged; it won’t surprise them if they have lived for centuries.

“Turn around.” Another person instructed.

I was hesitant, but the guard forced me to do it.

“She would make a good sex slave with that kind of body. I call dibs on her.” One of them with a croaky voice said.

 I thought they were perfectly made, so why does he sound out of tune? Also, what the hell does he mean by sex slave?

“I think I would love to have her as a pet.” One with an almost seductive tone added.

It took me a moment to realize this is more of an auction. Someone either wants me as a sex slave or a pet. These savage bastards! Who do they think they are to decide what to do with me? I am going to die anyway. I would be cold dead rather than be used for such condescending acts.

Raising my head to call them the names they all deserve. My feet went cold when my eyes met with his. Even though he was so far away, his presence made goosebumps swell on every part of my skin. His eyes practically burned into my skin despite the cool but dark gaze he had on.

Without breaking eye contact, he stood up with his hands folded to the back. The room went silent, and a pin drop would have made an excess noise. His build towered over me when he finally stood in front of me. Something about him made my heart thump in fear and my limbs weaken. When his lips parted, I almost passed out as the words he said echoed through the entire room.

“Mate.”

               ******************

   NEKTARIOS’ POV

“My Mate!” The words left my lips carelessly for the second time.

A surprising gasp resounded through the room. What the hell is this? Is this some joke from the universe? The gods are probably just pulling a prank on me. This thing, my mate? That doesn’t even sound right. I want to deny it. I move farther away from her and curse her out, yet my wolf yearns so badly for her that I can’t garner enough strength to move past her.

My feet moved closer, and my cold heart beat with life. My palms inched to cup her face and rub my nose against her. She looks so small that I can’t help but envision what it would be like cuddling her. In a snap, I realized what I was doing. Rage filled my insides all at once.

“Get out, all of you!” I ordered in a low growl.

They didn’t let me repeat myself before everyone scampered out of the hall. I would have preferred it if this shameful occurrence wasn’t in front of the council of elders. I can’t believe all of my sacrifices to Ares, Dracula, and the moon goddess, respectively, were all a waste. After years of waiting and hoping, I was handed a piece of garbage for a second chance.

“You filthy thing!” I gritted, clenching my fist tightly. “How can you be my mate?” I snarled at her.

Her throat bobbed with difficulty as she staggered backward, eyeing the door. I slammed it shut with my eyes, causing her to jolt with fear written all over her face. Humans are weaklings. They have been cowards since immemorial and have nothing to offer the universe. It is a complete waste of creation.

“Please, who are you? Why are you doing this to me? This is injustice.” She wailed, avoiding my eyes.

Her tears angered me because they were beginning to affect my wolf. The threat left my lips easily. “If you make that tear sound one more time, I will have your insides gutted out!”

The tears choked her, and her eyes jutted out of their sockets as she tried to catch her breath. Something inside of me twitched with the intent to help her. I flared my nose, tightened my muscles, and refused the emotions that kept coming to my heart. Angrily, I kicked at the long table, causing it to break in two. She screamed in response.

“Shut up!” I bellowed.

This can’t be happening. It is probably one of god Ares attempts to trick me into giving him more portions and sacrifices. Or is Dracula and the moon goddess trying to humble me?

“You bitch!” I hollered, pulling her forward with my mind. She looked helpless, and her pale skin became paler. “Was this your intention? To come around and seduce me? Is this your plan all along? How the hell is a pest like you, my mate?” I yelled in her face, pushing her to the ground.

She gasped tearfully while clutching the floor. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I have no idea how I got here. Please let me go!” She sobbed loudly.

The noise was getting to me, and I felt the inch to slam her against the wall until she became breathless.

“She is our mate!” My wolf stated in conviction. “Do not even think to hurt her!” Our tempers are just the same.

Hell no! I would be damned before accepting this lowlife creation is going to be my forever mate. Turning my head towards where she curled herself up against the wall like a ball, I heaved. One more step, and I might strangle her to death.

Suddenly, The door opened, letting in Drax, my right-hand man, and Beta. There was mischief dancing in his eyes when they landed on the human. He must have heard about the ruckus on his way back since he wasn’t around a while ago.

“Your majesty, I heard the news. You found your mate.” He muttered after a bow.

“This filth can’t be my destined other half! I want her out of my sight!” I ordered storming out of the hall.

I headed for the woods to clear my head. But nothing felt light. Like a heavy load that can’t be eased off its carrier, that is exactly how my thoughts weigh on my head. I am never going to let myself be dragged into this humiliating pit.

“We have waited centuries to be with her.” My wolf interjected.

“And I will wait centuries to have the right one with me. It won’t be this one. It can’t be her!” I insisted.

“You cannot push her away and know well that there is no chance of a third mate. I am not missing out on a partner because of you!” My wolf groaned.

“Shut your mouth!” I ordered, shutting him up.

The nerve to talk back at me with such disregard. I will not be mated to a human, and that is it. After running around the wood for a long time, I returned to my private space. And it was no surprise to find Drax seated in the study, waiting for me.

Drax jumped to his feet and bowed. “Your majesty,” He began, but my cold glare shut him up. “Will you at least hear me out?”

“What is there for you to say? I can hear the excitement in your tone. Say one thing, and I might bury you alive.” I warned, settling into a chair.

I ruffled the depth of my hair until the tight buns came off, letting the hair cascade down my back.

“A mere human, Drax. She doesn’t even have a long life. So I am supposed to end up with a human mate only to lose her in a decade or even less.” I hissed.

“That is not the bone of contention.” He mused.

“Oh, so you are going to teach me that? I prayed and pleaded with the gods for a second chance to have an heir. They must have tired of my pleas and sent me a worm instead. Who the hell brought her to my kingdom in the first place?”

Drax exhaled slowly. “Michal did. She saw him when he was sucking on another human. He couldn’t leave her with all the information and brought her over.”

“He deserves to be hanged to death, that Buffon.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, he only did as it has been done for ages. How did he know he would bring your mate to your feet?”

“So you are supporting him now?!” I snarled.

Drax raised both hands in surrender and mouthed an apology. I sucked my teeth, turning away from him. Those eyes of hers keep haunting my memory. I growled in frustration, tugging at the root of my hair. I have met her for barely an hour, yet it feels like I have known her all my life. How is one brief encounter when I haven’t even accepted her making me lose my mind? I am never disoriented. And here I am, acting spooky.

“There would never be another chance to meet a mate, Your Majesty. And as the Alpha King, the kingdom already expects you to produce an heir.” Drax said, infiltrating my thoughts.

“Are you saying I should bring myself low to the level of a worm like the human?”

“I am only saying you can have her as your baby mama, considering how much you want your child to be from your mate.”

“I am never going to lay with that misery of a being!” I gritted.

“How, then, do you intend to continue your bloodline? From what I know, there is no third chance, mate, Your Majesty.”

I scoffed in disgust and held his gaze with a burning intensity. “Listen to me, Drax. I would rather rot childless than have a life with that distasteful object! I am never going to accept her as my mate!”