Chapter 4 Betrayal  

I ripped off the necklace from around my neck and tossed it to the ground as I headed for the front door. Stepping out into the night I felt a weight lift off of me. Those people were trying to control every aspect of my life. I heard quick footfalls from behind me and soon manly arms wrapped around me. I glanced back to see Galen looking worriedly at me.

"Did you know what Selene was planning?" I questioned sourly and he grunted and looked away from my accusing eyes.

"I love you, Nia. I have for a long time and I was so happy to learn that we weren't blood-related. We aren't mates in the traditional sense but we can grow to become a happy couple," he said and I shook my head.

"And when or if our true mate comes then what? We go our separate ways and say oops no hard feelings but I gotta go?" He frowned as he thought and said, "or we will never. It's difficult finding your destined mate in this small realm." My stomach was twisting in knots. I looked at him with so much confusion.

"How could you betray me? You're my only friend, Galen," I whimpered. He shook his head and told me he never would betray me as he gripped my upper arms. I could see the pain he felt in his yellow orbs and widened my eyes when he pressed his lips firmly on my own. I felt an odd stirring within me. My eyes slowly closed as I kissed him back. His lips were soft and felt warm as they moved against mine. It didn't feel wrong at all. Galen wasn't my brother, he was my center and rock in all things that mattered to me.

"Get your hands off the female," a man's voice growled. We both turned to see Lucian coming toward us. The delightful scent of cashmere and musk filled my nose and I breathed it in deeply.

"You sir are unworthy of this woman…she outranks you on so many levels," Lucian said with a smirk as he gazed down at me.

"Oh but she ranks perfectly for you, bloodsucker? I believe that you are a rogue vampire yet somehow managed to join the Elders." Galen snapped. Lucian Sokolov cocked his brow and grinned.

"You are a fool to spout things you do not know of, child. I am the head of the vampire Elders and the eldest one among them all. I'd tread lightly or I will enlighten you with proof that I'm gifted beyond your imagination," he growled in an authoritative manner that made Galen shudder. I was grinning because the old vampire was handsome and not intimidating to me whatsoever.

"Nia is the daughter of a vampire king's hybrid runaway queen and carries more of my species than yours. I'm certain Selene wants your union to create royal hybrids. She was a close acquaintance of Maria," he added with a huff.

"But only mates can reproduce," I mumbled and Lucian grinned slightly.

"You can reproduce offspring with anyone you choose, dear, because of your father, you are a vampire princess. I bet you feel at ease under the stars and prefer the night. I bet it even calls to you," he said softly and I nodded, feeling comfort in the night and his deep captivating voice.

"Lycans and wolves are the same," Galen scoffed and I nodded because he was also correct. The two men continued to glare at each other.

"Well I'm going to ask Noah and Jaxon to stay at their place until I figure out my next move," I blurted bluntly. They were friends with my two fathers. I turned without a word and started my way down the mountain path.

"You are royalty…well vampire royalty," Eva chortled within my subconscious, making me smile. I knew there was more to me. I glanced back to see both men talking with their hands moving about. 

"I kissed Galen and it was pleasant," I said softly to my wolf.

"He can't be your mate, Nia," she whined oddly and I nodded.

"I know," I sighed and cut through the village to get to Noah's home. I thought about what Lucian had said about me being a princess and chuckled deeply thinking about how disappointed Inaria would be knowing that. I walked up the steps to Noah's and rapped at the front door. Jaxon opened the door and raised his brow.

"Did I miss something, Nia? Was there a party?" He asked curiously. 

"No Jaxon. I came to ask you and Noah if I could crash on your couch. My life has hit a brick wall," I said sadly and his interest peaked.

"Come in dear and spill the tea. Oh and Noah's in Vegas with his dad. Maybe you can accompany me to the celebration tomorrow," Jaxon chuckled as I passed him to go to his living room. I looked down at myself and felt ridiculous dressed the way I was.

"Um, could I borrow a pair of blue jeans or sweats and a t-shirt by chance?" I asked curiously and Jaxon nodded.

"Of course but only if you tell me all that is going on. My wolf is telling me that your brother kissed you. Um, that's rather scandalous," he chirped excitedly as he rushed off to the bedroom in the back.

"Eva, don't tell his little wolf anything you know damn well he twists it into warped imagery," I scolded my wolf and heard her whine. Jaxon came back and tossed me a pair of blue jeans and a tee.

"They're Noahs and should fit if they're too big. There is a belt on the hook in the bathroom," he said kindly and I asked if he could get my zipper. Jaxon giggled and told me that I was the only female that he would. I rolled my eyes at the flamboyant man as I showed him my back to unzip the dress I wore. His nimble fingers undid the clasp and zipper. I thanked him as I headed into the bathroom to change. I was pleasantly surprised when the jeans fit comfortably and the t-shirt was large. Coming out of the small room I saw Jaxon with a cup of liquor and patting the space on the couch next to him.

"Come and tell me all because my wolf is chomping at the bit," he grinned and I started the entire tale from when Selene first came. Jaxon's eyes widened at the vampire realm part and he gasped when I told him I was a vampire princess.

"Well hell, your highness…you gotta marry a prince!" He giggled and I frowned.

"You are already drunk," I said firmly and he put his hand to his chest mockingly.

"Highness I know," he chuckled, making me laugh.

"Listen, sweetheart, go on up to the guest room. You and I will attend the full festivities, get hammered, and forget about our troubles for the night, okay?" He said softly and I nodded.

"Sounds good, thanks for the bed, and goodnight," I mumbled softly and Jaxon nodded and waved me off. I climbed up the stairs as the feelings of everything reared their ugly head and made me tear up. I'd lost all that I'd known in a single day and it sucked. I fell onto the small bed and cried myself to exhaustion.