Not Your Mate Anymore

Chapter 41 Josey And The Fangs

“Are you ready? This is going to hurt. This will hurt." Evan says to Josey.

"Yeah you've about told me this twenty times. If you are trying to change my mind then this is not the way to do it. Did my mates send you? Or do you work for Sabrina?" Josey asks and I chuckle.

"It's Serene Highness." Evan says with a straight face. Josey and I burst in laughter.

Evan joins in eventually.

"You do know I grew up around your Serene highness right? It's Sabrina to me." Josey says and Evan nods as he injects the venom in to Josey.

I close my eyes, hugging myself as I hear Josey scream Fuck.

"I did say it was going to hurt. Enjoy your stay here." Evan says as he and I run out. The one guard locks the steel door.

"Will this hold her?" I ask Evan, not trusting this door.

"It was able to hold your father when he was a nuisance at a younger age. A lycan from the first family." Evan tells me.

“Okay I'll budge. Let's hope you're right." I say not completely sold on that. Josey was my mother's child and now about to a vampire, she was capable of breaking that little steel door.

"I won't break the door Sabrina. I have class." Josey shouts out and I roll my eyes.

Josey's POV

Since I can remember, I've always been second or last. With Sabrina, it was a given. I'd always come last to her.

She is naturally stronger and I didn't understand it at first but now I do. She has a crazy strong family tree and now it doesn't have to be a competition.

I'm not insecure or doubtful, I see light when everyone else chooses to give up. I find positive outcomes out of the grimmest situations and that's what makes me Josey.

Although I won't lie, I have waited forever for this chance, to finally prove to myself that I am more than just Sabrina’s little sister. That I am more than just Clayton and Chase's mate. I am so much more than your luna. That even though I couldn't carry a child to full term this time, I'm capable of so much more.

This was my chance to show everyone that even I can rewrite history and it is female. I want to be the face of all the girl's that had to fight for recognition, the girls that were ever overlooked because there was someone prettier, stronger or better suited. Finally, it was the time for a girl that was an afterthought to shine.

The one challenge only I was best suited for. To say I felt different would be doing my body an injustice.

I feel monstrous. I feel more animal and feral. I feel strong and unstoppable, I had the type of energy that doesn't run out.

Who needs sleep? Not me.

The walls around me were barely keeping me locked up. My power, now increased. I want to run a marathon and then run it again.

"Josey, it's been 3 days. How are you feeling?” Sabrina asks me. Interrupting my self hype moment. I was complimenting myself, trying to get used to the new me.

"I'm okay. I would like to get out of here though." I say.

"I think it's time we check what you are capable of anyway. I'll get Evan to let you out." Sabrina says to me.

I stand up so fast, I almost fall over.

Wow.

This is something to get used to.

Evan arrives and unlocks the door. Freedom felt different now.

I wasn't just Josey now, I was something else. A brand new animal and nobody knew what I was capable off.

Even I did not know, yet.

I walk out and make my way outside but someone pulls me back.

“Wait, walk slowly. We aren't sure if you can be in the sun.” Mother says to me and I just chuckle at her. I get out of her grip and walk out of the house.

The sun hit me hard but it was beautiful. Colors looked brighter and alive. My hearing was intensified and I could hear a bee buzzing from miles away and still be able to hear what was going on around me.

"She looks just fine to me." Sabrina says with a big smile on her face.

"I feel fine.” I say looking at my mother.

"And the thirst?" Mother asks. She was a ball of nerves as I could hear her heart beating so fast, it was about to break out of her chest.

“Okay whoa, you couldnt let me enjoy my little freedom, could you?” I ask mother and she smiles at me.

"I'm obviously hungry for blood but it's not driving me crazy. What I'd die for though is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Goddess I miss the taste." I say and Sabrina chuckles.

“I need a shower and a change of clothes first. Sabrina, tell me you have something for me?" I ask and she nods her head yes before grabbing my hand and dragging me back in to the house.

“Okay, we're going to disappear for a little bit. We will pass by your pack to get some clothes and to see your mates." Sabrina says to me, her grip on me tightening when I try to break free.

"I can't Sabrina. They'll just try to talk me out of this crazy idea that only makes sense to me. I'm also scared that I'll intimidate them and then they will pull a Max on me. I can't go through what you went through and come out strong.” I say panic rising inside me.

"I don't see that happening and I'm saying this as the moon goddess." Sabrina tells me smiling.

"I just know they miss you and are very worried.” She says and we disappear off and land in my room.

"You can go shower and I'll pack some clothes for you." Sabrina says and I bulge my eyes out.

“I will mindlink you on what to pack as I shower. I don't trust your fashion sense post baby, no offense. I may be a vampire now but I will not be seen in black leggings and a black tank top. Respect me please.” I say before walking in to the bathroom to finally wash off days worth of funk.

I take my time washing my hair, shaving my legs and just enjoying the hot water. I walk out to dry myself before I put lotion on my body.

I leave my hair in curls and walk out to go see what Sabrina’s been up to. She set aside some of her outfit choices and the ones I had her pick out.

"Well?" I ask looking at her.

"Whoa! That was fast. Are you sure you even took a shower?" Sabrina asks me.

"Yes and I took my time to better enjoy the water.” I say and Sabrina chuckles.

"Oh my little vampire. We seem to have forgotten about your increased speed." Sabrina teases and I just roll me eyes.

“On your right are the outfits you told me to pack and on the left, well, those are the clothes I think you should wear.’ Sabrina says to me and I smile at her.

"You still have style but why do I need to dress all fancy?" I ask and she pulls me to sit down on my chair as she starts applying make up on me.

"Vampires are night creatures because they can't do much during the the day. You're the only one that can walk around in the sun. Oh and about that, we will need to fake a ritual so you little sister, are getting a tattoo.” She tells me.

"Where?" I ask. I had to know, I mean I would never allow it to be on my face.

“On your wrist. Just a little sun tattoo, nothing crazy. I'll get one with you if you want" Sabrina says and I sigh in relief.

"No tattoos on my face Sabrina.” I say taking one of the outfits she picked for me, black dress pants paired with my YSL opyum slingback heels. A black balmain blazer with a black satin spaghetti strapped top.

I put all of that on and whistle.

"Sabrina, I have not lost you to mama fashion. There's still hope for you." I say as I pull her in for a hug.

"Do we get a hug too?" Chase asks and I quickly pull away from Sab.

"Don't be silly. You get kisses too!" I say before jumping on them.

"Sabrina filled us in on everything. We had no idea you felt this way." Clayton says and I put my index finger on his lips.

"I just wanted to put my powers to use and goddess herself knows how powerful I am right now. I get to help in preventing a war that can take thousands of lives in the years to come, some legendary shit right there! Honestly, I just want to make my mark. I am a gifted werewolf and it's time I put my gifts to good use before I'm all rusty.” I say trying to put some jolly vibes back in the room.

All the doom and gloom was really unnecessary.

“We just want you to be safe. Don't get me wrong but this could be deadly for you." Chase tells me and I roll my eyes.

“I'm only going to say this once and I need you to listen to me, open up your ears and listen to understand, not to just respond back at me. I am doing this, it has already been done. I am a hybrid and I agreed to do this because I want to. You both need to understand that before I was even a vampire, I could crush you both. If anyone needs to be babied, is the two of you. Put us all four in the

battlefield, Sabrina and I will walk out unscathed. We are that strong and now add some elemental power and I'm the bitch nobody can fuck with. Understand this, whether you agree with it or not, it's happening so you can choose to support me in this or get out of my face because clearly Ethia was wrong in pairing me with the two of you." I say before walking past them and out of my room.

"Come on love..” Clayton comes after me.

“We just, we don't want to lose you and none of us have ever encountered vampires.” Clayton says to me and I turn around to face him.

"That is why I'm doing this. To prevent werewolves from having to encounter these nasty blood suckers. From what I can gather from my insides and the books that I have read, they are insatiable and blood crazed. There is a voice in my head telling me to get blood and that's all it's telling me. I can't imagine a life with those vile beings when there's more to life than just sucking throats. I am capable, I know I am and I will walk out of there not in a body bag but victorious. Whether you believe it or not, I do and I never doubt myself when it comes to a challenge, you should know this about me by now." I say and Clayton pulls me in for a hug.

"Okay I'm going go and give you three some privacy. I'll make you your sandwich Jose.” Sab says walking out of the room, making sure to close the door.

“Please don't take anything that we said the wrong way. We're just scared to lose you, we won't survive it." Chase says hugging me from behind.

“I'll be okay, I promise." I say as they continue to hug me. I close my eyes taking in their scents.

As much as I really wanted to do this, I am scared. I mean, what sane person wouldn't be? Right?

Sabrina walks in, with pleading eyes.

The twins pull away from me, each giving me a lingering kiss.

"Are you ready to go Josey?” She asks me, giving me a plate of my favorite sandwich before walking to my closet and carrying my bags.

I nod my head yes, walking towards her as I eat my sandwich so fast. I take one bag from her, blowing my mates a kiss before disappearing off and landing back to find mother, waiting for us at the door.

I was in their realm now as Sabrina didn't think it would be a good idea to put me around weaker beings.

"About time!" Mother says before dragging me in to the castle they call home.

"Hello Josey.” Hunter greets me, formally.

"Hi. Hi there.” I say. I am still a little awkward around Hunter. He us Sabrina’s dad but she's still awkward around him too.

“Anthony will take you to the last standing vampire community as Sabrina and I torched the other one. This one is bigger and with very old vampires who follow a certain kind of lifestyle. You will have to prove yourself continuously to move up the ranks to gain better information and possibly put a stop to the war looming above us. When I say prove yourself, you will have to do some gruesome things to appease them and to blend

in so are you ready for that?" Hunter says to me.

“Well no. Obviously not but put me on the spot and I'll improvise. Look I don't want to feed on babies or hunt humans, I mean as you can see I'm surviving just fine without blood. I will make my way. Respect

won't be given to a mere follower so I'll set my own rules and they will have to deal.

Who cares about old wrinkly vampires anyway?" I say trying to calm the situation.

I also know myself, I won't do anything I don't want to do. If they ask me to feed off a baby, I won't. I honestly don't care about old wrinkly vampires.

"Just stay alive!” Hunter says before pulling me in for a hug. Anthony walks up to us as Hunter pulls away.

Awkward.

“Let's get going, it's almost night time and I don't want to be ambushed by thirsty demon eyed vampires. Your eyes changed color by way, like a few seconds ago." Anthony says to me.

"You're right Anthony. They are icy blue like the vampire that bit Hunter." Sabrina says and I run to the nearest mirror to check for myself.

And indeed, they have changed. I love them.

"I love them!" I say enthusiastically and Hunter's face goes grim.

"Your eyes changed because of the venom inside of you. You now belong to that certain family and Anthony needs to take you to them.

Sabrina and I killed all of them but one. He is a prince so if anyone asks what family you belong to, just say you are from the house of Wordsworth.”Hunter explains to me.

“And what would be this prince's name?" I ask and Sabrina looks down quickly. Guilt?

"Evan!" Hunter calls out as mother fusses over my lack of warm clothing.

"You called?” Evan asks.

"Do you have the name of the prince that bit me?" Hunter asks and Evan nods his head yes.

"I believe his name is Thomas. Thomas Wordsworth." Evan responds and I see Sabrina look up.

"Josey, please be careful around him if you ever see him. He promised to kill my family because I killed his. When he finds out that you and I are related, I don't know what he will do. You are stronger than him so that eases things but never trust anyone that has a heart filled with hate.” Sabrina says to me.

"Okay. Why do I feel like there's more to this story?" I ask looking between Hunter and Sabrina.

"I passed out after being bitten and Sabrina brought me back here. The last thing I remember is throwing that blood sucking tick off of me." Hunter says and I turn my attention to Sabrina.

“After he bit Hunter, I went crazy and burnt his family alive in front of him. My ear piece fell out and he used his compulsion so I don't move as he uttered words of vengeance to me." Sabrina says to me. I nod my head in understanding but I'm not done with this one just yet.

Anthony takes my hand as everyone says their goodbyes. We first land on human territory, right in front of a tattoo parlor.

We walk in to find a lady with pink hair and a big smile on her face upon seeing Anthony.

"Hello Fiona. This is my sister, Josey. She needs that sun tattoo I told you about.” Anthony says and Fiona jumps out of her chair to kiss Anthony's cheek.

"Hi." She says to me without turning to look at me. Humans are so rude!

"I see you're the only good looking one in your family.” She says as her hand touches his arm.

Barf.

“You know, you have to look at me to greet me and why do I need to get a tattoo from rude girl over here? I'm sure there are plenty of tattoo parlors around here." I say.

Fiona turns to look at me, her smile long gone.

“I'm the only one that can do the tattoo on you. You're not human so you think a normal ink tattoo will work on you?" She says to me confidently.

"I'm well aware that my body will heal the tattoo since I'm no human but you are...” I say.

I walk up to her, standing eye to eye with her.

".. And do best to remember that you are human and one more rude comment from you will have you squeezed like a lemon. I don't like lemons." I say as she tries to keep calm.

"Okay ladies let's play nice." Anthony says and Fiona's smile returns as she turns to give her attention to Anthony.

I pull her back to me.

“If you don't want to do this then don't but don't think for a second that Anthony will stop me from snapping your neck. He is not fast enough to do so and he will go back to being a werewolf, with the love of his life and make babies.” I say. Okay I know low blow but Anthony is not the only good looking one in this family!

“Love of your life?" Fiona asks Anthony. He throws me an annoyed look and I just roll me eyes.

"There's nothing like that. My sister is just upset and you were being a little rude to a paying customer.” Anthony says and I smile triumphantly.

"Let's just get this over with." Fiona says as we follow her to the back of the store. I sit on the old, worn out chair.

"How about getting new chairs, this one is done for.” I say and Fiona scoffs.

“Sorry to disappoint you princess but we all don't have the means to just pop money on whatever is worn out." Fiona says to me and this time I scoff.

"This is your business. It will only generate more income if your heart and soul is in it. I may come from wealth but I know that what you invest in to your business, you'll get the return too. Your whole look is perfect but your store needs work, that's all I'm saying.” I say and she just rolls her eyes at me.

She takes almost an hour to do the small cute sun tattoo on my wrist.

Once done, we make our way to the front of the store, where she gives me the bill.

"400 for this small thing?" I ask. What in the daylight robbery is this?

"I'll pay." Anthony offers and I let him.

"Thank you Ant. Thanks for bringing me business too." Fiona says.

“Ant will be bringing you a new chair too. Give him a few days." I say as I walk out.

Anthony walks out a few minutes later, annoyed at me.

"Why would you say that?" Anthony asks me and I chuckle.

"Well, Ant, you are using her and I don't like it when men use women so you'll be sending her that chair and more! Do I need to use compulsion?" I ask and Anthony moves a few steps back.

"No no. Calm down. You know me buying her store furniture will only grow her feelings for me." He tells me and I nod my head yes.

"You should've thought about that before jumping in to anything with her. We are capable of doing friends some favors too. You don't need to flirt with us to get what you want." I say as I grab his hand, waiting to be whisked away.

We disappear off and land on a very icy pavement. Anthony looks at my shoes.

“I'm not so sure about those here." He says to me and I just roll my eyes.

"Just carry me, like you're carrying those two bags. Until we get to those steps." I say before jumping on Anthony's back.

He grunts but continues to walk until we get to the front of the castle steps. I hop off and walk around him.

"It's almost night time so, we meet here again tomorrow at noon. Make sure you are not followed." He says and I grab his hand before he disappears off in to the night.

"Why noon?" I ask him.

“The sun will be high up in the air so I know for a fact there will be no vampire out in the sun except for you. These fanged demons have servants, mostly humans so make sure they don't follow you. Oh and if they ask about that tattoo, tell them you got it from goddess flora, the witch goddess. Tell them

witches have their own heavenly realm and only a witch god can do the ritual, granting vampires the ability to walk in the daylight and when it's warm." He says and I nod my head yes in understanding.

He slips away in to the night.

I let out a loud sigh before banging on the castle doors. It was now or never and even if I wanted to, I couldn't run. Not in my human form anyway.

The door opens, revealing a scary looking little girl, her eyes deep red and scary. So scary.

“Who are you?" She asks me.

“I'm Josey. Josey from the house of Wordsworth." I say and she smiles in a sort of creepy way. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Oh! Thomas is here too, shall I go get him?" She asks and I quickly shake my head no.

"Just lead me to his chambers sweetie.” I say and she opens the door wider for me to get in.

There is not one person to help me carry these bags with the shoes I have on. Goddess, isn't this a castle? Where's the staff?

We walk for over 10 minutes until we reach a door. Little girl knocks on the door before a very handsome man with eyes as icy blue as mine opens the door. He first looks at me and then at the little girl in front of me.

"Hello Thomas. Your sister is here." She says before giggling and running off. Thomas looks back at me, blocking the door.

I huff before pushing him inside his room and throwing my bags on the floor. I close the door and eye him up once again.

"You look familiar..." He says to me.

".but you are not my sister." He says in a serious tone.

"No shit sherlock. You bit my father and I extracted the venom from him and injected myself with it.” I say honestly but trying to keep everyone else out of the story.

“Ahhh I see it now. Your sister killed my family and I turned her father in to one of us, only for you to switch things up and take the curse for yourself. How is your sister by the way?" He asks me and I roll my eyes.

"Mated and with child." I say and he chuckles.

"You think I missed the mark on her neck? I'm a vampire. We are the demons human churches talk about, you think I have any respect of werewolf customs?" He asks me.

"I honestly don't care where your respect goes, I just want you to forget about my sister.” I say and he chuckles again.

“That I cannot do. She and I will meet again but it will not be anytime soon so relax. Why are you here, in my chambers?" He asks as he walks up to me.

"You turned me so you will be my caretaker.” I say. He stops in his tracks and gives me the once over.

"Do you also possess those witch powers?" He asks and I smile.

"Want to find out?" I ask smiling widely at him.

A knock on the door interrupts us and Thomas quickly opens it. A naked woman with long curly red hair and red lips walks in, freezing when she notices me.

"What is this Thomas?" She asks still looking at me.

Before Thomas could respond, I chime in.

“I'm Josey. Josey from the house Wordsworth. You?" I ask and she scoffs at me.

“Lam your queen!” She shouts out and I chuckle. Thomas looks at me with one eyebrow raised.

"Who is this disrespectful child?" She asks, this time, looking at Thomas.

"She is Josey. I turned her because I fell in love with her. The transition was taking too long and after the attack on my family, I thought she had been killed too." He says and my eyes bulge out.

"Okay. I need privacy with you so get out child." She says.

“I will leave only if you tell me where the king is so I can also sleep with him." I say and the queen tries to slap me but I move out of the way.

"You imbecile!” She screams out before coming to attack once more and I throw a water ball on her face, drenching her hair and make up. Thomas quickly covers her body and leaves the room with her. A few minutes later, he returns.

"The queen wants you dead." He says and I smile.

"Good. I read up on vampire laws and it says I get one request before I die.” I say and Thomas chuckles.

"What do you want?" He asks.

"I challenge her. I challenge the queen, the fight is to the death and if she wins, she gets to kill me." I say confidently.

“You do know she is centuries old right?" He asks and I chuckle again.

"You do realize I'm not your average girl?" I ask and this time, he chuckles.

“Come on then. You have been summoned by the royals." He says and I follow him out of his room.

We walk down dark and creepy corridors, passing a few vampires with crimson red liquid in their whiskey glasses. Something told me it wasn't your usual blood.

I followed Thomas, were he led me to the dining hall, where only the king and queen sat feeding on what appears to be a human. The king was balls deep inside this human as the queen had her fangs sucking out blood from the girl's wrist.

When I walk in, the queen hisses at me. This prompts the king to stop his activity and to look at me.

I say this with the most love for my mates. I love them and I will only ever have love for them but this man was a god. If Sabrina thought Thomas was good looking, boy was she wrong.

This man, looking back at me was everything a man ought to be. His hair was disheveled but in a sexy way, his beard trimmed and neat. He had blue gray eyes that could look in to your soul.

Wait, do vampires have superpowers?

He pushed the girl off his lap, his eyes still locked on me as he stands up, his member down south still commanding attention. He walks towards us, where Thomas bows his head in respect and I remain standing.

"Who is this Thomas?" He asks in his deep strong accent. I'm not sure from where but if I was an ordinary girl, I'd be swooning.

"This is the girl I told you about my love. The one who showed me disrespect." The queen adds as she walks up to us.

"I just merely asked the queen if she could lead me to your chambers. If she was to bed my man Thomas, then I feel it was only fair to sleep with you." I say and Thomas coughs, his eyes pleading with me to shut it.

The king smiles and my insides churn because of the disgust I feel for myself. I am disgusted that this man is this handsome and I have to fight with myself to remain calm.

"That is a fair trade. My dear I had no idea you were sleeping with Thomas. For goodness sake he is my nephew!” He says, his face drained as he looked at her.

"In all fairness, she just walked in to my room naked. We had never been intimate before.” Thomas says and I smile at him.

The queen hisses at me, which reminds me why I'm here. Why I told Sabrina she should let me be the one to infiltrate this community.

"I hear the queen wants me dead. Well, I challenge her. For her place in this kingdom and if she wins, she gets to kill me but if I win, I kill her thus taking her place and ruling beside you.’ I say. The king turns his entire body away from the queen to face me. He smiles again.

"It has been decades since someone challenged the monarch. I accept. She asked for your head and as the law states, you get one request. Go get ready, I say we meet again in two hours at the arena.” The king says and the queen throws me a look, a very angry look.

“Lam your queen my king. I can't be challenged by some newly transitioned vampire!" She shouts out but the king chuckles as he walks back to the young lady they were feasting on.

Bending her over the table before plunging back inside of her. Thomas looks away but I don't. I'm a werewolf in a lycan pack.

Most male lycans would mount their mates right in front of everyone when they first realize who their mate is so this was not new to me and besides, he was not my uncle.

"Don't tell me you fear the child?" The king asks as he continues with the young lady's moans filling our ears.

"I don't fear her. I just want her dead but I will not degrade myself by fighting with her. I refuse!" She says. The king is next to the queen within seconds, grabbing her neck. Boy he moved so fast. I mean for a minute there I had forgotten we were vampires.

"You are the queen consort. You forget I make the rules here. Don't you remember how you became queen? You challenged my previous wife and won now history is repeating itself. I've been challenged before and I always come out victorious. You turn now." He says before pushing her hard on the floor.

She stands up quickly and dusts herself off. The queen throws me one last look before storming out of the hall.

Thomas leads me out and I steal one last glance at the king. He catches me looking and throws a wink my way.

I am here to get to the top and this was the easiest and fastest way to do it. My strength and powers will work in my favor and I will be the new female head of this last surviving monarch.

I am here to prevent a war that will kill my family, my people and the future of the wolves. There is no better way to do it than becoming the new vampire queen.