5

Her lips were soft and plum. She kissed me hard and I wanted to make her mine. “Asher” she moaned.

“You’re mine” I whispered against her lips.

“Always” she whispered back.   

A fierce knock on my door woke me up. Sweat covered my forehead. It was her! Why am I dreaming of her? The door banged again. I frowned in anger. “What?” I shouted. I was so worked up I didn’t realize I had spent the night sleeping on the couch.

“Alpha! Derek and his companions have approached our borders” It was Gray.

Immediately, I got up and rubbed my face. He’s here!

“How many vampires?” I asked as I rushed out. Gray walked with me, matching my speed.

“Twelve”

I was expecting him to come but not so soon. What’s he going to do? Why would he bring only twelve vampires with him? He would be foolish to attack. My warriors are stronger. One bite to their neck and they are gone. No, he’s here to talk. He wants to negotiate. He’s here to make a deal. And I think I know what it is.

“Cole, bring them towards the tents. We’ll talk there. Keep them away as far as possible” I mind-linked him.

“Yes Alpha”

Gray and I reached to the tents. Five of my warriors stood behind me and Gray beside me. Gray was the King Omega and Cole was the King Beta.

A strange sickly smell filled the atmosphere. They were here. His smile never left his face showing his canines.

“Old friend!” he greeted.

“We were never friends” I smiled as calmly.

“Now, now let’s not be grumpy. You’re breaking my heart. Do you know how much we had to kill to get here?”

My eyes went dark but I managed a smile.

He smirked satisfied by my reaction, “I’m kidding.”

“Why are you here Derek?” I asked and then my gaze went past to his twelve vampires. “Obviously you didn’t come to fight”

“You are indeed right Asher”

I blinked. Trying to hide the irritation off my face due to his taking my name, I asked him, “Let’s hear it then. What is that you want? Or to be more precise, what is it that your King wants?”

The cocky smile disappeared from his face and was replaced by a sharp look.

“Oh Derek,” I chuckled, “You actually thought I don’t know you’re working for your King now? You should know always know the person you’re getting into bed with, friend”

He tried to hide his anger. “I am not your friend” and then without a second thought he said, “My King wants peace with your kind”

“Forgive me but that’s something hard to believe when coming out from the mouth of a reckless bloodthirsty vampire who killed thousands of my kind.” I answered sitting down on the chair. He remained standing.

“Don’t be the good guy here. It’s not like your kind didn’t try to destroy us completely. My ‘movement’ was just to balance things out”

“Cut to the chase, Derek.” He was getting on my nerves now.

He nodded, smiling. “I want us to make a deal. A promise…” he watched my eye carefully and I nodded at him to continue.

“I come here with a marriage proposal sent by King Monroe” he said and I smiled at myself for being right.

Cole looked at Derek as if he muttered gibberish. “What?” Cole spat in disbelief. “Have you lost your mind, vampire?”

“It’s alright Cole. Let him finish” I urged him to continue.

“Princess Lisa Monroe, daughter of Vampire King Luther Monroe, has agreed to be your bride. She is the only daughter of The King and he wants you to consider this proposal. It will be an act of an alliance and truce between us. No more wars or bloodshed. No more dominance over each other. Just friendship and happily ever after” he grinned, finishing what he said.

“Hmm” I hummed and acted as if I was thinking it through. “Yeah, no if that’s the only reason why you came here then you wasted my time and you’re wasting your time Derek. You would seriously think that I would even consider this offer. Hell, this isn’t even an offer. Its complete bullshit! I think you agree with me, don’t you? So why don’t you just put this…act aside”

His eyes twitched in anger. I got him.

“Besides, why are you playing the messenger for The King and Queen? I thought you played solo, took no orders from others and shit. Damn, I guess I was wrong”

I smiled proudly at his aggravated face. “You’re making a mistake Asher. This was a good and fair deal. Rejecting it means declaring war and making us permanent enemies.” He gritted his teeth.

“I know. But I would rather you be my enemies than my friends” I said grimly.

“You are going to regret this” with this he turned around and left. Noises like flash of the wind was heard and they were gone in a blink of an eye.  .

I need to find my mate.

Help me, please, Moon Goddess.