Taken by Fate (The Alpha Territories, #1)

by Shannon Mayer

Bee still looked horrified as she whispered, “The Hunters. They must have taken her there.”

Oh, Hunter, not Vanator.

“To alert the guards to invaders, from the south, I suspect.” “They’re expecting invaders?” I asked in shock. “There’s always that chance.” She shrugged. “Things aren’t good between the vamps and the wolves.”

I thought the wolves were to the east…

Until now, I'd been resigned to my fate, so long as it meant those I cared for most were somewhat shielded from Edmund's cruelty. Things had changed.

So you might just want to check on your mother then…

"Interesting little confab with our father, brother mine?"

Oh, he’s his brother now?

Thick cock in hand, stroking up and down as he stared at me, cowering in my hiding place.

See, there’s definitely an editing issue going on because when it switches POVs the scene is changed. Dominic was in a hiding place, not Sienna. Sienna was looking for Holly. This has happened a few times.

After last night, there was no question that he wanted me. All I had to do was harness that want and I'd have him exactly where I needed him.

Did she get a new necklace?

Surely, I could withstand his attentions long enough to⁠—

Is she serious? He’s trying his damndest to ignore her.

I tipped my face to the sky and sucked in a breath until I could feel my breasts straining against the sweetheart neckline of my dress. Take that, big boy.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

I bet that's what you were doing in my dreams last night, too. I won't have it. Get the fuck out of my head!"

🤣🤣🤣

“But that garlic you have stuffed down your dress?" He reached out and plucked it free with a move so fast,

🤣🤣🤣

Men with more friends here at the palace than me...and far fewer enemies." "And if I don't want them?"

She’s not listening. He’s trying to tell her she’s a target with him.

“I think that you are a fool if you believe it, and from what I saw in the training grounds, you are holding your cards far closer to your chest than even I realized.”

Yep. Little Will let his beast out.

Will didn’t meet my gaze. “I find it best, in our world, not to tip one’s hand when it comes to true strength, to true abilities. Don’t you, General?”

Smart. I knew he knew.

was right to keep my hand hidden.” “Very much so,” I said. “Then, I would say our auntie loves me best, for it was on her advice,” Will said. “When I was twelve.”

Oh my! He experienced a lot with auntie at twelve years old! 🤣🤣🤣

Nothing more, General. I prefer a beauty whose hair shines like the sun.” His eyes swung my way. “Not you, though.”

LOL

A shape I could still feel filling my palms as I crushed her lips to my own, tasting her desire as I drank her down,

When did he drank her down?

Those golden eyes turned to me. “Yes, indeed, though not likely for the reason you think. I was in an . . .an accident, I suppose you would call it, as a child. Prior to that, I was fair, quite blonde. After, the roots began growing in this color.”

She’s been glamoured…

“And your real name⁠—” She leaned over the board. “Let me guess, you are winning, General?” she said, deftly changing the subject. Interesting. She didn’t want me to know her real name?

Oh really…

She bestowed on him a wide smile that made me want to smash something, flip the table, anything to draw her eyes back to me. To keep her looking at me as though I’d set the moon in the sky and named every star for her.

🤣🤣🤣

That thought fresh in my mind, to the stables I went, pausing at Havoc’s stall. The black bitch of a mare gave me a serious side eye and then lunged at me, teeth bared.

🤣🤣🤣

“That is because we cannot be friends.” He shrugged. “I watched ‘The Fox and the Hound’ with my niece, just last week. I do believe that is you and I.” I laughed. “You would relate our childhood friendship with a Disney movie?”

LMAO

“In perhaps a different form, you would go unnoticed.” Lochlin lowered his hands and wrinkled up his nose. “As a dog.” “Is that not one of your shapes?”

He’s a shapeshifter!

“A wolf would be rather . . . obvious. But a sweet mutt? One that I could gift to my aunt?” It was my turn to spread my hands wide. “No one would be amiss.”

And how would the dog gather intel with Evangeline? If he went out alone, he might actually get eaten.

It felt rather like that time I’d spotted a massive spider on the bedroom wall, only to have it disappear before I returned with my shoe in hand to get rid of it. Unsettling.

Isn’t it though?

I turned a corner and found myself in a long hallway of windows overlooking part of the castle grounds, including the stable.

Of course it’s the stables… where Dominic is.

“Don’t you want a side-saddle, Miss?” the other boy asked. “She don’t use one,” Timmy said. “But she don’t usually look this pretty, either.” I wasn’t sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.

🤣🤣🤣

Then, as though she knew what our mission was, she headed in the direction Dominic had taken.

She’s clever.

Not Ares with Dominic on his back. It was Earl Anthony DuMont, and his face was filled with almost maniacal glee. How had I confused the two?

Wow…

He kicked his horse’s flanks hard, barreling straight at us, driving us toward the river… and the bridge. I’d led us straight into a trap.

Wow…

Most of my hair had fallen down and I was astride the back of a horse, gown hitched high around my thighs.

I thought it was covering her thighs and Havok’s rump as well…

Havoc snorted and whinnied as Anthony used the hem of my dress to drag me across the ground and toward the bridge.

He’s going to say he caught her running away and killed her…

“Boon! I want to use my boon!”

Is she serious? This is Anthony… hopefully Dominic is coming soon…

Havoc let out a loud scream of protest, then charged Anthony as he started across the stone bridge with me in tow.

I was wondering when she would react.

A searing agony ripped through my throat. It was as if I’d been injured myself, and I knew Anthony had sunk his monstrous teeth into her.

I hope she lives!

“You bastard! Your brother will have your head for this!” he sobbed, snot and tears running down his face. “That bitch doesn’t deserve you!”

Well now…. Just came out with it, huh?

A second later, there was a curious gurgling sound and I turned away with a gasp.

Go check on Havoc!

He set the cup on a rickety table beside the bed.

Where are they that the table is rickety? Across the bridge or mom’s house?

"My horse...is she⁠—?"

Your horse? 🤣🤣🤣 Yep. I guess so.

"I don't understand it, but she's very much alive. In fact, when I went out to water her, the ungrateful harpy tried to bite my face off.

🤣🤣🤣

"When you what?" he cut in, his expression incredulous. "Do you have a death wish, woman?" I scowled at him and crossed my arms over my chest. "I prefer the concerned, doting Dominic to the General, if you please," I shot back.

🤣🤣🤣

This is magic, Sienna, of a kind I’ve never seen. The question is, how? Why? Your parents...they are both human?"

Nope. Probably neither. LOL

"Yes. I'm as sure as I can be they were, at least. They're both dead now."

And I’m wondering how they both died…

Dominic's face darkened. "Good. Maybe you can tell me what happened? Did he follow you?"

Uh oh…

I could’ve sworn I saw Ares and I thought maybe you were in trouble. You said something about enemies and⁠—” "What were you thinking? Godsdamn it!

Exactly.

Which is what I was attempting to put into motion when you likely saw me riding out this evening."

So Anthony was following him! But why wouldn’t he think they were sneaking off to have a tryst and that Dominic would turn around soon if she didn’t arrive?

"You're killing me," he growled. “Go.” As if he would take one last stand at sending me away.

LOL. Give it up, dude. She’s not leaving.

But all I could do was watch, breath suspended, as she dipped her head forward, slid her ass back, and lowered her mouth to me.

Is there any water in the tub? Cuz, shouldn’t it be bloody and dirty?

“I’m so sorry, Dominic. Your father is dead.” Which meant… ”Edmund is the king,” I muttered.

I knew it. As soon as it was said that he was outside the door when they spoke, I knew he heard the king and I knew he was going to kill him.

I couldn’t help glancing over at Dominic, leaned over the stallion’s neck, body moving in perfect rhythm with his horse. Damn, that had almost been me under him. If not for the whole, King is dead business.

🤣🤣🤣

There was no more discussion after that. The men prepared the horses, and without another word, we’d been off.

Lochlin too?