Protecting His Mate (Wolf Shifters 0f Wakerlin Book 5) Read online

  Protecting His Mate

  A Paranormal Romance (Wolf Shifters of Wakerlin Series Book 5)

  Alicia Banks

  Contents

  Title Page

  Protecting His Mate

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  About The Author

  Books In This Series

  Copyright © 2020 by Alicia Banks:

  All rights are reserved.

  It is illegal to reproduce any part of this Book in any form i.e. mechanical, electronical, printed, or audible form including storage information and retrieval system without any written permission from the Author, except brief quotation in a Book Review.

  PROTECTING HIS MATE: A PARANORMAL ROMANCE (WOLF SHIFTERS OF WAKERLIN SERIES BOOK 5)

  Protecting His Mate

  BLURB:

  What would you do when your inner wolf craves for a devil?

  Have you ever fallen for a beast?

  I did…

  I was living my dream life, away from my pack.

  I have been traveling the world, experiencing human life.

  And I ran into two gorgeous men.

  My life made sense when I met them.

  I bet you can’t resist them.

  They have alpha-like personalities.

  My human wants Eric but the wolf inside me yearns for Antoine.

  They are completely unaware of my werewolf identity.

  And I didn’t dare to reveal this secret.

  I don’t deserve their love.

  Before I could try to figure out anything,

  I was kidnapped by the beast.

  And nobody in the world knows that.

  Only my brother could save me.

  But he is a thousand miles away.

  Will anybody ever manage to reach me?

  Or my life will be sacrificed by the beast?

  ∞∞∞

  Prologue

  The volcano erupted, and streams of lava spread everywhere, covering the earth like a blanket. Ash and smoke spewed out, as more and more lava was expelled. Streams of lava cascaded down the mountain, and slowly spread everywhere. The volcano trembled and shook, it had been dormant for over a thousand years and today it erupted with an untameable fury.

  The air was thick with the sounds of screams. Screams of the poor humans who had the misfortune to live on this island. Screams filled with terror and pain, as the lava destroyed their homes. Screams of torture, as the lava burned them alive. Encasing them in stone as it cooled. As the lava rolled down and ash and smoke clouded the sky, a silhouette could be seen. A hooded figure, wearing a long cloak and a scythe in his hand.

  The lava cascaded around his feet, yet he remained unharmed. He stood at the very top, looking down at the great tunnel from which lava exploded. His face was barely visible, but what could be seen would incite terror into the hearts of the bravest warriors. His pale skin, sunken eyes, and his lack of lips gave him an uncanny resemblance to death itself. He was staring at the volcanic pit, eyes wide in concentration.

  The lava churned and exploded out once again; this time, a deep echoing voice resounded with it.

  “Who goes there?” the whisper echoed. “Who dares?”

  The hooded man stood there; his eyes were now glimmering. “Your devoted worshipper,” he said, his voice deep and guttural. “I have finally revived you, my Master!”

  “Revival?” the volcano whispered. “This is not revival, this is not living. Whatever you want from me, I cannot give you.”

  The hooded figure bent down, gazing deep into the pit. “NO,” he shouted, his voice filled with desperation. “I saw you in my dream. You came to me. You taught me how to revive you. I sacrificed all those humans to you. Just like you asked. You promised me rewards… Rewards.”

  “Not enough,” the voice from the volcano groaned. “Not enough sacrifices. Not enough to bring me back.”

  “Then tell me,” the hooded figure said. “Tell me what I must do. Tell me.”

  The voice started to whisper in a twisted and arcane language. A forbidden language. A language that would shake the very soul of a person, should it be heard by one. The hooded figure gasped, covering his ears with his bony hands. A scream erupted from his lips as the voice continued to whisper the arcane language. Blood started to leak from his ears and still the voice whispered. The macabre words that should never be said, were said. And he heard them. The hooded figure heard it all. He sat on his knees, weeping and clutching his ears, as the voice whispered to him the ancient secrets.

  The secrets from the darkest, deepest pits of hell were whispered to him in the filthy and occult language of hell. Slowly, the whispers stopped. Silence reigned. The screams of the humans had long since disappeared. The only sound was the weeping of the hooded figure.

  “Did you understand?” the voice whispered once more. “Did you understand what you just heard?”

  “Yes,” the hooded man replied, his voice shaking. “The cursed language was a torture to hear, but I understood. I understood every word.”

  There was no reply, and after a minute the hooded figure stood up. His mind burned from the words of the ancient spell that the voice had told him. He could feel the power of the words of the spell. He could sense the destruction they could cause.

  “All I have to do is the ritual?” the hooded figure finally whispered. “Then, you will give me the power you promised in my dreams?”

  “Perform the ritual. Bring me the sacrifice,” the voice whispered. "Your master is benevolent.”

  The hooded figure started to shake once again. “You want me to cast the spell. You want me to whisper the words of hell,” he gasped. “It will kill me. Saying the words of that spell will kill me.”

  “Well, my devoted worshipper,” the voice whispered, “you can escape it no longer. Your fate is sealed. The moment you spilled blood and sacrificed those humans, your fate was sealed. The moment you stepped on this mountain and revived me, your fate was sealed.”

  The hooded figure started to shake his head, and he slowly started to walk backwards. “No…” he stammered. “You came to me in my dreams. You promised me power, and now all you offer is death. I won’t… I won’t.”

  “You will,” the voice said, demonic. Suddenly the hooded figure rose in the air, his eyes open wide. He tried to scream, but no voice escaped his throat. He saw flashes of images, horrible images. His eyes started to bleed as the voice tormented him with unbearable visions. Visions that threatened to break his mind.

  Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it ended. The man fell to the ground where he lay, not moving. Anyone would have thought that he was dead from the vile images he was shown. Yet, a few minutes later, he slowly got up. His eyes were glimmering red, his face frozen into a horrifying expression.

  “Now, you see?” the demonic voice whispered. “Your fate is sealed. You have no choice. Accept your fate and become my ever-willing servant. Refusal will only result in torture. The torture that you saw.”

  The man stared ahead, his eyes vacant. He did see. He saw his future was chosen for him. He saw what was written for him, and that he must bow. Bow to a maste
r far more powerful and superior than he had ever imagined.

  “Yes,” he whispered. “I see now. I am yours. My life is yours. I will sacrifice my life and perform the ritual. You will be revived, and no one will survive your fury.”

  The voice started to laugh, a cold, terrible laugh. “It’s time for a new era. There will be a new leader. The ultimate, immortal leader.”

  Chapter 1

  Bellatrix

  Bellatrix felt the wind blowing through her hair as she screamed. The monster under her dived, and she grabbed on for her dear life. The monster accelerated, and then started to turn upside down. Bellatrix screamed once again, closing her eyes. It was almost over, she thought to herself. It will soon come to an end. The monster turned once more, and she screeched as she was turned upside down once again.

  Then finally Bellatrix stepped out, her knees shaking. This had been her first time riding this monster that these humans called a “roller coaster”. She didn’t know why the pack insisted on staying so far away from these humans. They seemed content staying in the woods, unaware of how far humans had come.

  She had always dreamed of exploring the human world, and it had meant a lot to her when Dominque had allowed her. The elders opposed it vehemently, but Dominique had supported it. So here she was, exploring the human world. Experiencing all these things that her pack refused to enjoy.

  “Wohoo,” she heard a voice shout, and she turned around and saw it was Eric.

  “Eric,” Bellatrix shouted, running towards him. “It was magical. I can’t believe I have never ridden it before. That was the best, ever. Thank you for making me do this.”

  Eric gave her a charming smile. He was tall, with light brown hair that fell on his forehead endearingly. His hazel eyes were covered with a pair of glasses. He smiled, a charming, adorable smile.

  “I can’t believe you have never been to an amusement park. I should take you to a water park next,” Eric said. “I am hungry though, maybe we should eat first.”

  “Yes,” Bellatrix said. She was starving. “I want one of those ice creams, and I want those things on a stick, the one with meat inside.”

  “A corndog?” Eric asked, amused. “How do you not know the name of these things?”

  “I told you, I come from a very small and secluded town. We lived in a rather old way of living. That’s why I am traveling. To experience all this. To experience corndogs,” Bellatrix said, glimmering with excitement.

  “That’s a lot of hard work just for corndogs,” Eric replied, laughing. “Come on, let’s go get food.”

  Bellatrix followed him, looking around the amusement park in wonder. She was so glad that she had run into Eric. He had been helping her out for weeks. In fact, they had become fast friends. She liked Eric, she liked him a lot. He was the sweetest little thing.

  Eric, like her, had been traveling. He said he was a blogger. He visited various places and posted on social media. Something that had initially confused Bellatrix, but with Eric teaching her, she had become an expert. She had her own Instagram account, and she had managed to get quite a following.

  She and Eric had run into each other when she lost her money in Spain. He had seen her arguing with a police officer and had stepped in. Ever since, he had been showing her around, and they had been traveling together. It was Eric’s idea to bring her to the amusement park.

  He had even shown her how to earn money while traveling. Odd jobs here and there meant that they could enjoy different experiences. He had taught her to stay in cheap establishments and to eat street food. It saved enough money for travel and other forms of entertainment.

  “Where are we going next?” Bellatrix asked, when Eric had brought her an ice cream.

  “Well, I actually got very good traffic on my blog last month and managed to earn pretty good. So, I thought I would take you to see the opera,” Eric said. “There is a ball afterwards, with music and dancing, and I thought you would enjoy it.”

  “Oh, opera,” Bellatrix said, trying to remember what it was. “It’s the one with the loud, mournful singing?”

  Eric laughed, and said, “That’s one way to put it.”

  “Well, I look forward to it,” she said. “Thank you, Eric, for being with me.”

  Eric blushed, something that Bellatrix didn’t notice. “It’s my pleasure,” he replied, choking.

  “Is that cotton candy?” Bellatrix asked, pointing. “I want that.”

  Eric laughed once again. “You eat far too much sugar. It’s not good for you, you know.”

  “Where I lived, most of the time everyone ate meat,” Bellatrix said. “We never had stuff like ice cream and cotton candy. We had meat and fruit.”

  “What is this place you lived at?” Eric asked. “You never tell me exactly where.”

  “Ooh, I want to go on the roller coaster again,” Bellatrix said, changing the subject. It was her usual tactic for dealing with questions she didn’t want to answer. She didn’t know if Eric had figured out what she was doing, but he didn’t ask her again.

  She went on the roller coaster again, and then again. She had never had so much fun before. Maybe if she told the pack about this, they might join her. Or at least show more interest. Especially the pups, they would have so much fun.

  “Bellatrix,” Eric called her out when she tried to join the line for the ride once again. “We need to get back. We have that shift at the café, remember?”

  She and Eric had been working at a local café. They worked as waiters, serving food to people. The café paid them well enough that they could eat comfortably. Eric had rented a cheap apartment from his friend, and they stayed there. Bellatrix worked as hard as she could. Even though Eric was often paying for her, she liked having some money so she could treat him as well.

  “Eric, I am so glad I ran into you,” Bellatrix said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. Probably be back home.”

  Eric blushed, something that once again went unnoticed by her. “I am glad too, Bellatrix. I really am,” he whispered.

  Chapter 2

  Bellatrix

  Bellatrix yawned. This opera is more boring than she had expected. The woman sang in a mournful voice and Bellatrix turned to Eric. “What is happening now?” she whispered.

  “Now? Well, the phantom has kidnapped Christine, and he is taking her to his house,” Eric whispered back.

  “Hmmm,” Bellatrix replied, yawning again. “That is her lover that is following her?”

  “Yes, he is trying to get her back,” Eric said.

  “I wish I had a lover,” Bellatrix said. She didn’t notice Eric freeze besides her. “Where I live, your lover is decided for you.”

  “Like an arranged marriage?” Eric asked, frowning.

  “Who is that man with her lover?” Bellatrix said, changing the subject.

  Eric continued explaining to her what was happening, and the torturous opera came to end soon enough. Eric said that there was a ball afterwards and had made Bellatrix rent a dress from a local shop.

  She had selected a long black dress, with a slit to the side. She liked the way it showed her legs. She had come out of the changing room and asked Eric’s opinion. He had choked up for some reason and acted all weird.

  She had done her makeup, following all those videos on Instagram. She had then carefully arranged her hair and finished off with a bright red lipstick. Eric had acted in the same weird manner when he saw her ready. He had rented a suit, and Bellatrix thought he looked rather nice.

  They walked to a large room; Eric had called it the ball room. It was magnificent, with golden decorations and enchanting music.

  “This must have cost you tons,” Bellatrix whispered. “You know how bad I am with these things, but even I can tell that this is only for those very rich people.”

  “A friend works for the opera company,” Eric whispered back. “He gave me a decent enough discount.”

  Eric was pretty popular. He always had a friend in some city, and
it often meant discounts and cheap offers. Bellatrix looked around in wonder. She couldn’t believe places as beautiful as this existed. If the pack ever saw this…

  “What do people do here?” Bellatrix asked.

  “Well, they dance. They eat and socialise. It’s a party. You enjoy yourself,” Eric said.

  “Back in my hometown, the parties had us dancing our tribal dance. We chanted the ancient tribal words and drank Sayor. It’s like alcohol,” Bellatrix said.

  Just then, Eric’s friend turned up. He asked Eric if he could talk, and Eric walked away. Bellatrix stood there alone, watching the place in amazement.

  “I must say, you are the most beautiful sight I have seen all night,” a deep voice said. Bellatrix turned around and saw a man. He was tall, broad, and handsome. Exactly like all those models. He had sharp, chiselled features. His eyes were the color of grass, a lovely green. His hair was jade black and set back.

  “Hi,” Bellatrix said. “I am sorry, I don’t know you.”

  “Antoine,” the man said, bowing. Bellatrix caught his scent, and something inside her stirred. “I saw you from across the hall and was instantly mesmerized by your beauty.”

  “I am Bellatrix,” she replied, smiling at him. Something about him really attracted her, and she blinked at him flirtatiously. “I am here with my friend, Eric. I am a traveler, and this is my first time to the opera.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Bellatrix,” Antoine said, giving her a charming smile. “It’s not every day that one meets a woman as beautiful as you are. Your friend is very lucky that he is traveling in your company. How did you find the opera?”

  “A bit boring,” Bellatrix replied. “I know people really enjoy it, or at least that’s what Eric told me, but I did not enjoy it much. A bit droll.”

  “Yes, I believe it is more of an acquired taste,” Antoine said. “Not everyone likes it. People say that only sophisticated people can appreciate the opera. I digress. It is music. You enjoy what touches your soul.”