Editor's note: this story contains scenes of non-consensual or reluctant sex.
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Hello and thank you for reading! We're coming to the climax of this story, I anticipate another couple chapters after this one. I know we've been solidly in the Non-Human category for the last few chapters, but I've selected Non-Consent for this chapter just to be safe. It's not a very pleasant chapter for poor Anahid, so read with caution.
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The vampires ran through the dark woods all through the day. They danced nimbly, avoiding any sunlight and Anahid was carried along, trussed up like a pig to slaughter. Thrown over the shoulder of a hulking vampire, her head bounced painfully as she was lost in a haze of confusion and grief.
Ash. Funny Ash. Variya's mate, Varick's father. He was gone. Murdered in the forest because she'd been too stupid and hadn't sensed the trap. Would the pack know something was wrong? How long would it take them to find Ash's body? To find this trail the vampires surely left? Kaev. He would find her. He would kill all of them. He would. He was her mate. He would protect her. Tears streamed down Anahid's face.
After mindless days of running, they finally reached an imposing fortress. A stark citadel nestled in the trees. As they entered, the cheers from the walls Anahid's heart creaked. She was going to die here. A wolf in the den of monsters, of ravenous, twisted creatures. As they spilled into a large courtyard she was finally thrown to the ground. With her lycan pack her nakedness felt the most normal thing in the world. But now, surrounded by enemies, by the cold stares of the vampires, Anahid found herself trying to cover her aching breasts.
"We've captured Kaev's mate," Atalanta crowed as she stepped in front of Anahid. The lovely vampire crouched, catching Anahid's eye. She lowered her voice. "So you're what he's been waiting for all these years?" Atalanta spat in her face to the jeers of the gathered vampires.
Desperately Anahid cast around, for something, anything... Dymion watched her. His dark eyes now looked nothing like their kind father's. They were cold, empty as he stared at her.
The hulking vampire that had carried her through the woods grabbed her hair, lifted her to her knees. The silver collar and cords at her neck seemed to burn with the shame in her cheeks. Trapped within, her wolf howled in impotent rage.
Atalanta now stood over her. Her eyes were slightly manic with satisfaction as she watched Anahid struggled. She laughed. "I suppose you're thinking Kaev will come for you. He will. Of course he'll come for his mate," she spat the last word like it was vile on her tongue. "Do you think he'll want you back after what I have planned?" Atalanta nodded her head at the vampire that held Anahid's hair. He jerked her head back and leaned over her grinding his crotch into her face. Around them the vampires continued to laugh. The hulking vampire suddenly dropped a hand to her breast, grabbed a handful savagely and tugged her to her feet. Anahid struggled, anger now rising to replace her shock. She twisted, biting at the vampire holding her. He released her breast and slammed a fist into her stomach and pain bloomed within her, sucking the breath from her lungs.
Anahid shrieked in terror, bending over to clutch at her stomach, "Please, I'm pregnant!" the words fell from her lips and silenced the gathered vampires. The hand in her hair loosened slightly as a collective silence fell over the courtyard. Anahid stared at the ground, curling into herself to protect her child. Kaev's child.
At last, she slowly lifted her head and found Atalanta's eyes. The blue pierced her, blinding hate rippled beneath the surface of the vampire queen. She stared for a long moment at Anahid then turned on her heel. "Bring her to the dungeon."
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Atalanta clenched her fists and felt her nails pierce her palms. Cassian dragged the wolf-bitch behind her to the murmurs of the vampires in the courtyard. Pregnant. The whore was already pregnant. Kaev worked fast. Atalanta's head reeled as she tried to block out the image of Kaev fucking the woman behind her. His flashing gray eyes, the feel of his powerful hands... Cold fury bubbled within her.
She led the way to the dungeon, deep within her fortress. Stepping to the side, Cassian dragged the struggling she-wolf into the cell. He lifted the growling woman and snapped manacles to both her wrists. She hung from the wall, able to stand on only tip-toe though she lifted her chin in defiance, her green eyes glittered even in the dark cell.
"Leave us," Atalanta said to Cassian. Her most brutal enforcer and spy-master dipped his head and left without a word. He knew that tone of voice.
Atalanta stepped into the cell. She felt the rage just below the surface. A familiar friend. But now it bubbled and it took all her strength to hold it down. She debated murdering the she-wolf, drinking the blood of Kaev's mate would be poetic justice. But there was time for that. So. Much. Time. She examined this fated 'mate' of Kaev's. Pretty, in a homely way. Thick, wild bronze hair. Wide green eyes that betrayed the wolf underneath. She was tanned and had the sinewy muscles of a girl used to working in fields. Like her brother.
Atalanta let a cruel laugh erupt. "Dymion says your name is Anahid."
The girl lifted her chin, a snarl on her lips. Atalanta's heart panged. Yes, she could see why this one was Kaev's mate. Even with her silver collar and manacled hands the wolf shone through. She took another step towards the she-wolf. Close enough now to touch, she set a gentle hand on Anahid's stomach. Their eyes met. And then the fear finally filled Anahid's eyes. Replaced the defiance. Atalanta smiled as she caressed the smooth skin of the lycan's belly.
"You have everything I ever wanted." She dipped her head. "But now you're mine."
She raised a hand, slapped Anahid across the face. Slapped her again, again. She let a hundred years of rage and hurt and disappointment free. She screamed as she beat the woman that had stolen the life that was rightfully hers. But she didn't touch that newly quickened womb. Not yet. There would be time to take THAT from Kaev as well.
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Atalanta stepped from the cell to find Dymion standing stiff in the hallway. The sound of Anahid's rasping breaths sat between them. She watched Dymion's eyes flick into the cell. He swallowed, dragged his dark gaze back to her. Did his bloodied, weeping sister spark some remembrance of his human life?
"Do you want a turn? You deserve it for your help," she said softly as she stepped close. She raised a hand to pat his cheek. Giggled as she saw the knuckles were covered in blood. She held his eye, licked the blood from her fingers.
Dymion straightened, set his jaw. "What's the plan now? This lycan king will come looking for her?"
Atalanta chuckled. "Essentially. Really pet, you can have a turn. It's her fault your family is dead. Just don't hurt the child in her womb. That's mine." She slipped past him and continued out of the dungeons. She had to clean up, there was planning to be done.
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