The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 89

Amber POV

We reluctantly pulled apart, Stefan with a thoughtful expression on his face as he ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. "I have an idea," he said slowly "but I need time to organize it. Do you think you'll be fine for an hour or so?"

I was a little incredulous that he felt I needed him for protection. I shook my head and smiled at him wryly. "I'll be fine," I told him, fervently hoping that I wouldn't run into Elaine or any of the other council members. Except for Gerald, that is. I was more than happy to have a chat with that man if I came across him. He seemed like such a nice fellow in comparison to the other elders.

"I might just tour the castle," I told Stefan excitedly, wondering if there would be anyone willing to talk to me. It was times like this that I missed Tessa and the conversations we would have together. I wondered how she was doing and what she was up to. "That sounds fine," Stefan said lowly "but do keep an eye out. I can't say why, but I feel like someone is watching us, waiting to make their move."

I shuddered. It was probably his imagination or maybe he was getting that vibe from Elaine. I wouldn't put it past that b***h to do something considering she had referred to me as a mangy mutt. My hands itched to put themselves around her neck and strangle her. "Well, I must be off," Stefan said reluctantly, and then, his hand shot out, pulling me towards him.

"Just one more kiss" he growled and bent his head to mine, my lips opening eagerly to him, this time the kiss more rough and primal as he plundered my mouth, his tongue delving inside. I felt the heat, where his hands were gripping me, and tingles, ran down my spine as we kissed. It was electrifying. I had never felt this way before, not even with Darius and it was nerve-wracking. How could I feel so strongly towards another, when I had felt the mate bond before and it hadn't even come close to this? This was amazing, spell-bounding, and the stuff of fairytales. I moaned into his mouth, my hand slowly trailing up and down his arm, stroking it, wishing that I had the nerve to go any further. Right now, Lilac and I were about ready to jump him, we were becoming that aroused and just from a kiss.

His kiss became gentler, slower, his tongue winding around my own. I leaned against his chest, my hands going beneath his sweater in an attempt to feel his skin. He panted, reluctantly grabbing hold of my hands and stopping me in my tracks. His eyes were glowing red and I wondered if my own had gone pitch black or not. I was feeling pure unadulterated lust toward him. "As much as I enjoy your touch" he growled, "you keep touching me like this and we'll never make it out of the throne room."

I pouted, slightly disappointed and a little ashamed of myself. Why was I feeling so damn horny? Must be those pregnancy hormones, I thought a little dazedly.

He gave a chuckle as I began to come back to my senses. "I better go, before it becomes too hard to" he hissed and my eyes shot down towards his nether regions of their own accord, my eyes widening as I saw his erection through his jeans. I wasn't the only one affected it seemed.

I watched him leave, him glancing one last time over his shoulder as he gave me a wink and a grin, before leaving through the doors. I followed slowly, making my way downstairs and hesitating. Should I go to the kitchen, or would a walk on the grounds be better? Part of me was itching to go for a run but the council believed me to be a plain silver wolf, something that was irking poor Lilac no end.

I can't believe you let them believe I was a normal wolf. We're special Amber, unique and very rare.

I know Lilac, but you heard Stefan. He doesn't want the council to use us because of our abilities.

It still rankles. What's the point of being a rare and unique wolf, if you have to hide it?

It's just, for now, I promise

I'll take your word for it.

I sighed and made my way into the kitchen where there were servants bustling to and fro. I grabbed a plate of food from a nearby servant who directed me toward the dining table. I sat down, eating my food and just watching them work, when one took a break and sat next to me, eating her own lunch. She was a pretty girl and was very much like Tessa, with auburn brown hair and dark brown eyes, a tall slender physique, and pale skin. She wore a maid's uniform. "Hello," she said shyly "my name is Teresa, what's yours?" I was stunned. Even her name was close to Tessa's! I gave her a smile. "It's Amber," I said quietly and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you the Vampire King's Mate?" she said in a hushed voice, looking around in wonder.

"I guess so," I said uncertainly "does everyone in the castle know about me?" I felt very awkward asking that.

She nodded emphatically as my heart sank. "Yeah, it's been spread all around the castle about you. You're a shifter, arent you?" she asked with curiosity "what's that like?"

"It's no different to being human," I said with a murmur "other than we can change into our wolf form at will and fight and I guess hunt animals. Most of us just enjoy being out for a run in our wolf form though" I assured her.

"What about you?" I asked calmly "what's it like being a vampire?"

Her face dropped. "I'm only a half-vampire" she said in a whisper, glancing around the room "which is why I'm a servant. I tend to be looked down upon because of it."

"I'm so sorry" I exclaimed "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Oh you didn't" she assured me "it's just the way things are. Besides you're much nicer than her" she added with a scowl, gesturing towards the entryway where Elaine was now standing and ordering a servant about.

"Really? She doesn't seem so bad" I commented, lying through gritted teeth. After all, I couldn't just judge her by her appearance and comments in the throne room, as much as I'd like to.

Teresa rolled her eyes. "You should have been here when she was dating Stefan. She ordered us around like we were nothing but her personal maids. She was rude and she still is. I get that I'm a servant, but I still have feelings" she confessed.

I opened my mouth to say something when Stefan appeared in the doorway, a wide grin on his face, that disappeared the second he saw Elaine who made her way toward him. I hastily stood up. "I guess that's my cue to leave," I told Teresa who was watching Stefan and Elaine with disgust "it was really nice meeting you," I told her sincerely.

She smiled at me, before looking back over to Stefan who was shaking his head at Elaine and recoiling when she tried to place a hand on his arm.

I hastened to his side. "Stefan," I said sweetly "is everything ready?"

He gave a sigh of relief and quickly tugged me towards him as Elaine scowled at the interruption.

"I haven't finished talking to Stefan" she protested.

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait. Stefan promised me some personal ahem" I coughed lightly "time and I'm taking him up on it."

Elaine looked scandalized. God knows what she was thinking.

"Well then, shall we?" Stefan said smirking, holding out his arm to me. Around us, I could feel the stares from the vampire servants and I swallowed hard, taking hold of his arm and holding onto it for dear life. "We shall," I said thickly.

He lead me out of the kitchen and made his way upstairs. I wondered where we were going, as it was getting late in the afternoon, but he made his way towards the west wing and up the stairs, each step feeling like I was coming towards something private, something special, the further away from people we got. Eventually, it lead up to the roof and he helped me out the window, onto a ledge where there was a picnic basket set up, with blankets nearby and glasses of wine to drink. I gaped, astonished at the effort he had gone to. There were even fairy lights winding along the roof and twinkling brightly.

"Stefan" I breathed "it's beautiful."

He looked nervous as he helped me to sit down. "Some wine?" he asked and I shook my head, watching him bite his lip as realization dawned and he face palmed himself.

"Of course," he said crossly "you can't have wine. I should have remembered that."

"That's okay," I said, touched by his efforts.

He frowned and began to rifle through the picnic basket, grabbing hold of a water bottle and handing it to me. I unscrewed the lid and began to thirstily drink.

"Sorry about that" he apologized and I just smiled.

"Really, it's fine," I told him. He still looked so unsure, it was pretty damn adorable.

I leaned back and crossed my ankles, enjoying looking up at the sky which was slowly getting darker as the sunset. It was magnificent to behold, Stefan next to me, lightly stroking my leg as we watched. "It's so beautiful," I said quietly.

"Yes, you are," he said firmly, making me blush as I hastily took another sip of water.

For a while, we were content to watch the sunset, both of us lost in our thoughts. It wasn't an awkward silence though, merely one of contentment, both of us glad for the companionship of the other.

Eventually, though, my stomach growled and Stefan raised an eyebrow and laughed. "I take it you're hungry" he teased, opening the picnic basket and piling things between the two of us. There were crackers and cheese, grapes, fruit salad, meat and salad rolls, and more wine I noticed with a grimace. He hastily tucked the wine back away when he saw the look on my face. I hid my grin. I wasn't angry at him for forgetting. It's not like he had experience with pregnancy and what you could and couldn't have.

Both of us began to eat, piling our plates up and munching away happily.

"So how old are you?" I asked Stefan.

He looked at me. "225 years old," he said softly "how about you?"

"I'm eighteen," I said, in awe of his age.

"So young" he mused "and the pregnancy, are you happy about it?"

I nodded. "I got pregnant my first time though" I admitted a little ashamed "we used a condom and everything but..." I trailed off.

He nodded. "Sometimes things just happen," he said nonchalantly "what about the father though? Does he know about the child?"

I sighed. "He does and he wants to be a part of the child's life. But I don't know" I exhaled "I'm not so sure that's what I want. It really hurt, you know, when he married my sister and gave me up without a fight." "Whoa" exclaimed Stefan "your ex married your sister but you're pregnant by him?"

"Yeah," I said slowly "and he's having a baby with my sister as well. It's all so confusing. It's why I was so surprised when you said the child would be like your own. Not everybody would be that generous" I told him.

"I won't lie, it does hurt a little bit that you're already pregnant but I can't change that, and neither can you. Besides, you'll make a beautiful mother and I bet the child is as lovely as you are. You are my mate and I want all of you, child and all" he said fixing those big dark eyes on me that made me flush and look away.

"So tell me this story about your ex-boyfriend. Was he your mate?" he asked with interest and I shook my head.

"Actually" I began "it's a long story but I did meet my mate. How about I tell you everything..." and he nodded eager to hear my story as I began the long winding tale of everything that had happened to me up until I met Stefan.