(Amaia)

For the first time, I do want someone to die. The hurt and pain I am going through, have gone through, is immeasurable, and there are so many obstacles I still need to pass.

"I want that too. Together we will get to him."

Zille’s fluttering of wings diverts my attention. He has been sleeping in the window and now wishes to leave.

"Let me open the window for him," I ask Alnitak, and he lets me go, unwillingly.

Climbing down his lap, I approach the window and throw it open. Zille instantly takes flight and disappears into the inky night. The cool rushes in, stating that the weather is slowly changing.

I turn around and Alnitak is already lying down on his bed, facing me.

"Come here." Alnitak pats the place right beside him. He has made space for me.

With warmth wrapping me in its embrace. I frisk towards him and he grabs me in his strong arms, lifting me and spooning with me.

"You are sleeping in my arms tonight and every day from now on," he declares, intoxicated on the drug that is the newly forged mate bond.

This is all new for him because unlike Mintaka and me, he never had a mate before. I don’t counter him that I have other mates too, but melt into his arms, my body flush against his.

His lips rest just behind my ear, slowly kissing and nibbling.

"There is nothing I want more but to mate and mark you," his lusty whisper comes and a thrill runs through me like a bolt of electricity flashing through the night sky.

"But, not like this. Now that I know you are mine, I will do it properly. I will speak to my mother and we will find a way to break that curse on you. Then Mintaka and I will both have a proper ceremony where we will mark you." He has already planned everything. I am sure it’s Zevran and Erebus putting ideas in his brain.

"I don’t think you will be able to discuss the curse with anyone else. You have become a part of it."

"We will see about that," he says with determination.

But a fear climbs in my heart. He is not someone ordinary. Just because he is a recruit here and acts all sweet and goofy, I can’t forget he is royalty and so are his brothers.

How will his parents accept me when they come to know that I am not only mated to their son but also to a vampire?

"Amaia?" He questions, his hands clutch my waist and instantly flips me over so I can face him. His fingers lift my chin.

Several creases fit his forehead.

"What’s wrong?" he worriedly asks.

Damn! I have forgotten he can understand me on an emotional level now. The bond with him works two ways.

"I am worried about meeting your parents. How will this even work?"

His thumb rubs small circles on my cheek and he faintly smiles. "Our father is tough but he doesn’t care if we find our real mates or not. He understands how fucked up this world is. Actually, it was he who insisted that Alnilam take a chosen mate since he is next in line for the throne. I am pretty sure he would be delighted to know that both Min and I have the same mate or that we have finally found you."

I slowly nod but my heart won’t ease.

"What about Ezran? I am mated to him too. Will that be acceptable?" Rage descends in Alnitak’s eyes at the mention of Rigel.

"What do you even see in him, Amaia? Reject him. Taka and I are more than capable of keeping you happy."

The very thought hurts me, destroys my mental peace.

"Don’t...if you ever find another mate and she tells you to reject me. Will you?" His pointer finger comes to rest on my lips and he presses it down with a frown covering his handsome face.

"There is not going to be anyone else but you."

"Ali, I don’t know why our destinies have intertwined like this but god must have a plan for us. Trust the process and maybe we will get the answers soon," I tell him, trying to hide the painful emotions in my chest.

I am not sure why Rigel is my mate along with three brothers, but I believe that once I find out who he is, everything will make sense.

"We will cross that bridge once we get there. For now, let’s focus on ourselves. I wanted to say not to tell my mother about him being your mate for now. I just hope Saiph mustn’t have already informed her."

That makes me frustrated and Alnitak can sense it.

"Don’t worry our mother is chill, more than our father and understanding. Once I speak to her, I am sure we can find a way to make this work."

Alnitak is optimistic but I am not that sure. I don’t think they will even agree with me being Alnilam’s mate once that truth surfaces. They will want him to marry Jamina and even that thought crushes my heart.

"Your thoughts are spiralling again. Let’s sleep and not think too much about it." Alnitak puts an end to this discussion and closes his arms around me again, pulling me into himself.

He places several kisses on my forehead. "Sleep now, tomorrow I have a surprise for you."

A little thrill touches my heart as I close my eyes. Tonight I sleep peacefully in his arms. My heart is an amalgamation of joy and sadness.

One of my mates has finally recognised me and the mate bond has developed between us.

Another knows I am his mate. At the same time, I am worried about Rigel and Alnilam.

What if his parents made me choose between their sons and Rigel?

What will I do?

All these questions remain in my brain as I drift off to sleep in his arms. Only to be awakened by Mintaka’s soft touch and husky voice.

"Amaia?"