The Lost Werewolf King's Mate

I took large shaky gulps of air as soon as Gabriel untied that chain from me. My whole body was shaking on the ground. I barely had anystrength to even look up.

I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breath. This had to be some terrible nightmare. I probably fell asleep in the car. Mike was still driving and he and I were on our way to the Werewolf kingdom. We were probably minutes away from arriving and Mike would wake me up any second now. I would be with Mathew again. I would kiss him the way I kissed him when he found me in that field. I would jump into his arms and he would catch me and hold me like I weighed nothing. Yes, this had to be some sick nightmare.

"How long until her beast returns?" Gabriel's cold voice echoed through the walls. It was nothing like Mathew's voice that dripped power and dominance or Killian's voice that sounded like defeaning thunder.

Killian...All my hope was on Killian. If he chose to ignore that mindlink, Mike would die. If he wasted time coming to my aid, Mike would die. Everything depended on him. I risked losing Phoenix because I put all my trust in him. He had to get to Mike in time. He just had to.

I clenched my jaw. I refused to even entertain the thought that Mike was already dead. He couldn't die after everything we've been through. And surely I'd feel it? Mike may not be my fated mate or family, but we still share a bond. He's the family I chose. The family that's stood by me even on days when I wanted to give up on the golden path. He urged me to keep going and protected me when I couldn't protect myself.

My head snapped to the direction of the footsteps headed towards me. I watched Raphael walk to me and pick up my limp naked body like I was his bride. He dug his nose in my neck and inhaled deeply before he groaned. "She did something that weakened her beast, but it's still there. Her beast should be back in a day or two."

Gabriel growled, but the growl was filled with more annoyance rather than anger. "Women in this time are too...wilful." He furrowed his brows. "If you truly intend to take her by your side, she must be broken down and tamed as one would a wild horse. Clara was always too disobedient for my liking, but it seems she's gotten more brazen in this life."

"That she has", Raphael smirked.

"Tell your witches to get her ready", he ordered Raphael with nothing but absolute authority in his voice. "She's coming with us to the Nymph kingdom. Let us break this wild steed of yours."

He walked off without waiting for a response from Raphael. As I watched him walk away, I could have sworn I saw something slithering by his side. I tried lifting my head to see more, but even that was not possible. I had no strength.

Raphael started walking while he carried me. He was silent. I was thankful for that. I couldn't bear hearing more nonsense about me supposedly being Clara and Jeremiah being reincarnated. None of that mattered. I just needed to escape.

I had no idea where that witch and Asha had disappeared to, but I didn't care. That too did not matter. What would I even do if they were here? I could barely move.

I turned to look up and observe the strange place I found myself in. We were walking down a long silver and white hallway. The hallway split into multiple paths that all seemed to form some kind of mezmerising maze. We were definitely in a castle, but not one that could be easily navigated.

The ceilings were high and the white and silver walls were covered in intricate patterns that kept changing their form. It was actually beautiful and had I not been in this unfortunate position, I would have voiced out my admiration.

There were mirrors and a few crystal furniture in the hallway. Had there only been a few of these things, perhaps it would have looked elegant. However, they were everywhere and reflected ones reflection throughout the entirety of the long hallways. It was eerie and reminded me of a house of mirrors.

I assumed this was a castle built by Raphael himself because it was cold. I could see my white icy breath leaving my mouth each time I exhaled. If I could, I would have warmed myself up, but I didn't even have the strength to do that.

I was suddenly laid down gently on a large white bed. I closed my eyes and felt a small tear trickle down my cheeck. I took deep breaths. No matter how bad things were, I wasn't going to cry and I wasn't going to lose hope. I would find a way out. I always find a way out. I just had to wait for my strength to return.

"Your brother is not fond of women?", I raised a brow at the warlock lying beside me. I couldn't fight him and kill him like I wanted to, but that didn't mean there was nothing I could do. I could try to get information out of him.

For the longest time Raphael was the terrible danger that threatened the magical world. The historical texts said he alone killed more than 200 people before he had even turned 18. After his death, witches killed hundreds more all in an effort to revive him. According to Agatha, even if the witches never found Mathew, Raphael would have still been awoken. The witches were merely a handful of kills away from getting enough magic for him. However, even she had to admit that Mathew's magic was crucial in awakening him. The magic of the first werewolf to have been created, sealed Raphael's revival.

However, none of us knew anything about Gabriel. I've never seen his name anywhere and according to the books I've read and stories I've been told, Raphael was an only child. But then again, all those stories also claim that Jeremiah and Raphael's mother were fated mates so maybe they got a lot of things wrong. Azrah, the Sun Godess herself, confirmed that it was Clara who was in actual fact Jeremiah's fated mate.

So I had to know more about Gabriel. I had to find out as much as I possibly could about both him and Raphael because I was starting to question everything I thought I knew.

Rapahel put both hands behind his head and seemed amused by my question. "He's from a different time and knows all too well how dangerous a woman can be when they have power."

"What do you mean by that?", I quickly inquired. They both had the same icy tone. However, Gabriel's icy exterior and personality seemed impenetrable, while Raphael seemed like he was more likely to entertain my questions. One thing was certain though and oozed out of their auras with ease - they were both ruthless.

He turned his head to look at me. His icy blue eyes looked so deeply into mine, it felt like they could snatch out my soul right out of me. "Perhaps I'll tell upon my ascension." He mocked coldly.

Before I could roll my eyes, he lifted me from the bed and carried me into what looked like a bathroom made entirely of white, silver and gold marble.

"Get her ready" He ordered calmly in his ice laced voiced.

He had put me in a light blue couch of some sorts and three witches were already waiting for him in the bathroom. They didn't say anything, but I saw them all bow their heads at him while he walked away without giving them a second look.

"Sabrina?" I muttered in shock as soon as I noticed her.

She was one of the three witches left here with me. Her face looked younger and more innocent, but I would never forget her. She and Jerry almost beat me to death in that office. She's the reason Mathew got kidnapped all those years ago and now she was playing a part in my own kidnapping as well.

She smiled menacingly while the other witches prepared a bath for me.

"You remember me?", she asked mockingly. "I should have killed you back then. If I had known you would be the reason why Raphael, the greatest wielder of magic, would refuse me, I would have tore open your throat back then."

I laughed sarcastically while I sat on the soft bathroom chair, still too weak to move. "You went through all of that ... beating me to a pulp, taking Mathew away, killing everyone so that you could revive Raphael just to end up being my servant?"

"I am not your servant!", she roared at me. Her lips and hands were trembling from anger. This was definitely a sore spot for her and I would keep pressing it.

I continued my mocking laughter. "You're about to bathe me, Sabrina", I growled coldly. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but you and I both know before Raphael was awakened, YOU were the master. Not the servant. I guess that's all over now."

She and the other two witches who were preparing the bath stopped what they were doing and looked at each other. One of the witches balled her fists and threw a vase filled with white roses against the marble floor. It shattered into pieces, but none of the witches even flinched or took a step back.

"I told you Freya has led us astray!", the girl snarled. "Why the hell am I washing some girl? I am a hundred years old. I sacrificed my entire coven for Freya's cause. I didn't sign up for this shit!"

The woman's reaction gave me hope. I said what I said because I was angry, but this girl's reaction gave me renewed strength. There was something I could do to help everyone while I was here.

No matter what they told themselves, no witch could let a warlock rule over them. Agatha told me that was unnatural to witches. The powers they wielded were jealous and possessive over the witches. They demanded that warlocks come second in a witch's life. If I tried hard enough, perhaps I could even convince them to abandon Raphael. It seemed impossible, but even if I could plant a few seeds of doubt maybe that could help.

"Come back here!", Sabrina roared at the girl. "Freya has never led us astray." She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders so that she looked like the perfect innocent blonde teenage girl she was pretending to be.

"She is the head of our coven", she reminded them. "Because of her we wield power beyond our wildest imagination. We trust her...right?" She stretched her hand out to the other blonde witch. The witch pursed her lips and twitched before she reluctantly took Sabrina's hand in hers.

"Yes", the witch responded. "I trust Freya."

She bent down and started cleaning the mess she made.

A small smile curved on my mouth, but I quickly wiped it off as soon as all their attention turned back to me. There was something I could do from here. I would try to turn Raphael's own witches against him. Maybe the prize they all sought after all these years wasn't meeting their expectations.

They helped me stand up and slowly lowered me inside the large bath tub that was filled with foam and surrounded by large candles and white roses. The water was hot. I could tell by their gasps and the shock on their faces that they expected me to yell and cry in pain due to the scolding hot the water. But that wasn't the case at all. The heat felt like heaven. It soothed me, comforted me and cleared my mind.

I leaned back in the bath tub as I tried to contemplate my current situation.

I could barely feel Phoenix, but the single flame that was still burning inside of me, told me she was still there. She just needed to rest. She would come back soon and when she returned...when she returned, I would most likely go feral. According to Mike, Luciene said my heat would reach its precisely three years after I met Mathew. That's tomorrow. If she returns before Mathew and I can even mate each other, it will be too late for me. Whatever I did while I was here had to be executed before Phoenix came back.

I looked at Sabrina and the two witches who were bathing me. They were definitely holding back their anger. This was demeaning to them and if they could, I'm sure they'd kill me right this very instant. Perhaps reminding them of their new position in Raphael's world would be enough to turn them against him.

"Even without your beast...you can still withstand the heat?", Sabrina eyed me suspiciously with disdain in her voice.

I took a deep breath and sunk further into the hot water. It would have been peeling off any normal person's skin, but I've been burned in actual flames. I watched it peel off my skin repeatedly while I thought I would die. This water was nothing. "My very DNA is made of fire." I dipped my head in the scolding hot water. "This is nothing."

"You know with what Gabriel has planned for you and your beast, you'll probably die, right?" Sabrina smirked.

I chuckled. "I didn't expect I would be kept alive so that doesn't surprise me at all. Do you care to tell me how he plans to kill me?"

She started slowly and painfully scrubbing my back and arms as hard as she can. I winced from the pain and even saw some parts of my arm bleeding, but I let her be. Perhaps this was her way of getting back some of that power she clearly handed over to Raphael.

"You posses and endless source of magic. He plans to drain every ounce of that infinite magic that lies within you and your beast. Your magic might just be the key to freeing Legion, Selene's mate and Gabriel's father."

"Who's Legion?"

She smirked again. "A God. He will bless Raphael and Gabriel and once he does that, they'll be gods as well. You won't survive it. No mortal can. I may be bathing you right now, but I'll be burying you very soon."

Our conversation was interrupted by Raphael who came waltzing in the bathroom like the master he is.

He narrowed his eyes at me and I sunk even further into the water to avoid his lust-filled gaze.

He started walking towards me. My heart was racing. He was naked and could decide to climb inside this bath with me.

He bent down and dug his nose in my wet hair. I flinched away in disgust.

"I've always wanted you, Clara", He groaned into my wet hair. "I was going to kill you, but the moment I saw you again..." He scoffed jokingly, grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. "I want her ready right now", he instructed the witches while looking into my eyes. "We have to go."

The moment he let go, I let out a deep breath I didn't even realise I was holding in. He waltzed out of the bathroom with the same arrogance and elegance he used when he came in. He was unbothered by the witches who were clearly angered by our exchange and the woman who clearly did not want him to touch her.

Sabrina and her friends quickly got me out of the bath and took me to the bedroom.

The two witches held up a long white and silver almost see-through gown for me to wear while Sabrina got my hair ready. She dried my hair and braided it into an updo held up my intricate braids and silver-like jewellery. Her friends helped me into the long silver and white gown. The material was thin and light and hugged my curves the moment it made contact with my skin. It felt like a second pair of skin. Cold air that kept evaporating from the dress. The gown was ice cold, but that hot bath had returned some of my strength. I could hardly feel this cold.

The patterns on the dress kept changing just like the patterns I had seen earlier on the walls. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.

I looked up in the mirror and my appearance left me speechless. The only way to describe how I looked is that I resembled all the pictures of the Moon Godess that I've seen over the years. If I had the same pale white skin and dark blue eyes, I would look exactly like her.

Sabrina started putting make up on my face while the other two witches fetched more jewellery.

I couldn't stop looking at my reflection. What the hell was going on? Why was I dressed like this?

I gulped while I tried to steady my breath.

The make up Sabrina was putting on my face was light and matched the dress and jewellery that was draped over me. I was shining like the moonlight. Some kind of regal light was emanating from the dress. The light followed each movement I made with the dress. When I quickened my movements it even looked like I was floating.

All three witches stood next to me as soon as they were done. They were wearing long white gowns with red hoods. They looked beautiful, but compared to me in this majestic dress, they looked like actual servants.

If you want, we can bury you in this dress", one of the witches whispered in my ear. "You're going to die an infinite and agonising death."

"We'll see about that", I retorted.

We all snapped our heads towards the bedroom door when it was suddenly swung open. It was Gabriel. His long black hair was cascading beautifully over his broad shoulders. It kept moving like waves just how it was when i met him a few hours ago. He wore black pants, a black shirt and black boots. He looked ready for battle.

The witches suddenly tensed up. They were more tense than when Raphael had been in their presence. They stood more straight and made sure their breasts were pressed up against each other. Their eyes were pleading for him to glance at them, but his eyes remained fixated on me.

"Leave us", he ordered them while looking only at me.

They left the room, but each of them made sure to brush up against him as they left. Sabrina's hand lingered against his. The other witch's shoulder brushed up against his arm while the last witch made sure her leg brushed up against his leg.

He didn't pay any attention to them. His eyes were fixated on me like I was the only one in the room.

As soon as the door closed, a menacing smile appeared on his face.

"I see my brother has already prepared you to take Selene's place, Clara."

"I am not Clara", I said firmly. "And I am not taking Selene's place."

"Aah yes", he started walking slowly towards me. "You go by Elizabeth in this life."

The door flung open again and this time Raphael waltzed inside wearing the same clothes as Gabriel. He immediately walked to me and stood behind me. I tried moving, but he put his hands on my shoulders and held me in place.

"I almost thought I was looking at Selene, brother", Gabriel smirked.

"She's much better than Selene", Raphael said a bit more aggressively. "I told you her magic is different. It's...", he paused and inhaled my scent as deeply as he could, "it's pure and untainted."

Gabriel laughed. "Let's take Clara to the Nymph kingdom so she can see her mate."

Raphael instantly growled at him.

"I meant her ex-mate", he laughed again.