COLE

So, they can be touched? But who helped me?

"I told you not to hurt her."

Came the velvety voice. Was he here all this time? Was he waiting for the right moment to help the damsel in distress? God, I should have looked like an ugly, scared rabbit. Nope, not a rabbit. Rabbits can never be ugly. The surrounding fight was still going on energetically, and I noticed that none of the werewolves could get a hold of the creature. Then how did Ryan do it?

"Leave. Every one of you."

My chauvinist mate called out in a commanding voice. I thought he implied the wolves, but I was stunned to see the dull animals vanish. Are the creatures that vampires are afraid of scared of him? Wow, I must be losing my mind. Anyway, you got what I said right. As there were no more opponents, all the wolves began to change their shape. It was a sight to see. I didn't notice it before, but when they turned, a layer of fur still covered their private parts, and I was grateful for their decency. It would have been fine if it were all young guys, but obviously there were old ones too, and I wasn't interested in seeing their birth suits. Geez, Atty, you sound like a real pervert.

My 'grandfather' already stood with a shocked face staring at Ryan, who was, unfortunately and fortunately, beside me. The other wolf that was with him also turned into a human. And I was right. He is indeed handsome. Everyone had a strange look, and it was all directed at Ryan. I wanted to break the silence, but my grandfather won me over.

"You controlled them. It's you. It was always you."

"What is what?"

I asked, confused as usual. I was still sitting on the ground, but in a more comfortable position. My legs have not regained their energy yet.

"He didn't tell you, did he? In fact, he didn't tell anyone. Thought you could keep it a secret forever?"

Alexander said, raising his voice now. Ryan was calm, so freaking calm. How can he maintain his composure after all that has happened?

"I was about to tell her myself, but it was my bad luck that you morons had to interfere."

Dang... He has no respect, does he? I tsked under my breath, watching the scene unfold like a spectator. A bucket of popcorn could have been really good right now.

"Why should you call us morons when it's actually you bloody vampires?"

The words were not from the old man but from the handsome one. Such a temper. But did I have the patience to see another male ego clash? Nope!

"Okay. I can smell a fight right now, but I am seriously not in the mood. So, can you please tell me what is going on?"

I got up from my VIP seat and dusted my jeans. I will have to wash them before returning to Eva. My grandfather scoffed, catching my attention, and spoke with venom in his voice.

"I will tell you. Your mate is not just a vampire, but the king of Dark Shape Shifters, or rather, Demons."

The way he said that resembled an investigator giving the details of the psycho they are searching for. It was that dramatic.

"Good. Now, what do you mean by that?"

I said it nonchalantly, and I heard a chuckle from behind me. Was that seriously Ryan?

"You don't know?"

Alex asked incredulously. What does he take me for? Encyclopaedia?

"You know, I was not brought up in this hell of a place. So how will I know about these things?"

"Don't curse in front of your grandpa, young lady."

My 'recently discovered grandfather' scolded. But it felt good since my grandpa back home never actually talked with me.

"Whatever."

I murmured, hiding a smile.

"Demons or these dark shape shifters were created by someone," Alex said, taking a gander at Ryan now, "with the idea of annihilating vampires, werewolves, witches, and each component of life in this world. How can you do this to your own race?"

Disbelief filled his voice when he looked at Ryan.

"I don't have to tell you."

Ryan was calculating, as usual. How is he able to do that all the time?

"You may not have to tell me, but to your father? You have no other option."

Alex was angry now. I know that these strange creatures are dangerous, but why is he blaming Ryan for that? Not that I am supporting him. It's not his problem that he was king.

"I am not answerable to him either."

It seemed like Ryan was provoking Alex, and I smacked my lips in frustration. This was not going anywhere, and it was already past three in the morning.

"And to me? Aren't you answerable to me?"

I questioned, breaking their gazing challenge.

"I really need to understand what's happening here."

I looked gently at Ryan, hoping he would fall for my puppy-dog eyes. I thought he would gag, but I was amused to see his eyes softening. Did that actually work?

"I wanted to tell you, but as I said, they interfered."

His orbs became cold again. This guy is going to be the death of me.

"So? That doesn't stop you from telling me. After all, I am your mate."

I regretted saying the last sentence, especially when I still hadn't forgiven him for abandoning me. I almost imagined my funeral.

"His mate?"

I shuffled my feet and turned to look at that handsome werewolf man.

"Yes, Cole, she is my mate. Didn't you hear her?"

It was Ryan this time. Why do I have a bad feeling about where this discussion is going? Cole gritted his teeth and smirked when he replied.

"If you are his mate, then what does that make me?"

Hold your horses, fella. What? What does he mean to me? Seeing that Ryan wasn't answering, he took a step forward and folded his muscular arms over his chest.

"Alex gave me his word that she," he said, pointing at me, "will belong to me. As my significant other, or as my mate, to be exact."

What in the world?! How can I be the mate of two attractive men? I haven't seen this in any movies or anything. Wait, Twilight is something like that, right? But my life isn't a movie; it's my life. How can it be like a movie? I haven't been in a movie before. I haven't even been in a skit. No, I was there in the school drama, but it was not like this.

Stop blabbering, Atty....

I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Why is this happening to me? In my eighteen years, no guys were ever interested in me. I always knew that I would end up alone with some cats in a country house. However, I never thought that two handsome men were already my mates.

"Oh really? You mean to say she's your mate by word? It's sad because she is my mate by fate."

Did Ryan just seriously speak a sentence that rhymed? And were they fighting for me? Isn't there any better thing to fight for? Like pizza or burgers or limited-edition Barbie dolls or...

ATTY.....

I tend to lose my senses when I am tense. My life is screwed. Totally screwed. First, I lost my parents, then my grandparents, and now myself. The Wolfman, or Cole, was getting redder after each second. Good gracious, there will be a major battle, and that, too, for me. I'm not going to allow this to happen.

"Guys..."

My voice was loaded with concern.

"You don't meddle in this, Atarah. The vampire kid must be shown a thing or two. You will marry Cole and just him."

It was Alex this time. What a lovely grandpa! Hasn't he heard the phrase, 'Don't rub salt in the wound'?

"What did you say?"

I saw fangs popping out of Ryan's lips, and my guards were up. What should I do?

"Stop it. I said, Stop it."

I screamed, shutting my eyes. I have gotten all the attention now, or maybe a bit too much because everyone's head was in my direction. Was I that loud? However, that wasn't important right then.

"Let me make one point clear to you. THIS IS MY LIFE, and not yours to play with. It's my decision whether or not to marry. I have given no one the right to decide it for me. If you once again bring up the word mate, husband, or anything, you will see my real face, and I am sure you will not like what you see."

I felt hot, like I was burning. I was furious beyond control. These ancient people have to be taught how to treat humans. I glanced at them, and all their eyes were staring at me as if I were an alien.

"What are you guys looking at?"

I asked, still shouting.

"You are on fire," said Cole. His arms were loosely swinging by his side, and I was proud of myself.

"Oh really? Then what do you expect a girl to be when she is in a mixed-up situation? Of course, she will be angry."

I exclaimed in exasperation.

No, Atarah, you are really on fire."

First, I thought Cole was joking, but later I found myself burning in flames. I didn't know what to do. I looked at my body and then at them.

Someone, please help. Why is it not burning me? How come it's just warm?"

I was literally screaming. No one took a step, not even Ryan. He was shocked. Yes, guys, mark my words, Ryan the Vampire and Demon King was shocked to the point that he couldn't move.

"diftfflms." He murmured, still looking at me.

"What?"

I asked, roughly patting my body in order to cut out the fire, but in vain. It was increasing as time passed.

"The Gift of Flames."

This time he was loud and clear, just that I didn't comprehend what he implied.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ignacia."

Out of nowhere, Helena came flying like a heavenly messenger towards where I was standing. Where did she come from? I hope Sid is not here.

"Yes. She got the gift from Ignacia. She is the future fire goddess."

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