Page 5 of His True Beloved

“It’s for the best, Chrissy.” Mom leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Are you sure Wyatt is okay with you living with us? Moving states away?” Shaking my head, I pulled on the whisker string on Bob.

“We broke up, I don’t really want to talk about it,” I mumbled.

“Chrissy,” she cooed, but I pulled away. I was being an ass, I knew I was, but damn it, I was given a lot of information today. “Sorry, Mom, I didn’t mean it.” She pulled my blonde hair from my face.

“You’ve never had luck with boys. Maybe you will find a real man soon?” She said hopefully.

“Like you?” Giggling, she playfully pushed me. “Love isn’t on the cards for me. I’m thinking about becoming a nun.”

“That sounds utterly boring.” Mom rolled her eyes. “I heard they can’t even masturbate.”

“Mom!” I slung Bob, landing perfectly in her face. She gasped, grabbing another stuffed animal as we repeatedly bashed each other. Our laughs echoed through the room until we heard that deep chuckle in the doorway. Justin stood with his arms crossed, his white dress shirt rolled up his forearms.

“There are my two favorite girls. I ordered pad thai.” Justin leaned over to get a better look at me. My hair was a mess, but I kept my smile on my face. For her, for Mom.

“Care to join us, Christine?” Justin asked. Mom looked to me for approval.

Come on, Chrissy, let’s do it for Mom. At least until we know she’s safe.

“It’s Chrissy, and sure, I’d love to.”

Chapter 3

Sebastian

Theworn-outJeephadseen its better days. The times I filled up with gas, I had to put oil in it as well. I was surprised it was still running after the hundreds of miles that were already put on the Jeep before I received it. The transmission was failing, and my lack of knowledge of vehicles in this realm made me cringe to try and fix it if I landed on the side of the road.

If all else fails, I’ll just walk.

I had continued north, going with my gut as I traveled across the country. The further north I went, the daylight fleeted far quicker than in the south, which was for the best. The sun was different here than in Bergarian, harsher on a vampire’s skin. I hope that it didn’t matter much. I was old and used to the many hours in the light sources of home.

I wasn’t some noble back in the realm of Bergarian; I was nothing but a commoner. I worked hard as a merchant, buying produce from those that farmed the land, small trinkets from humble witches and warlocks. My wagon was filled with nothing but random rare oddities from all over. Building a name for myself all over the land for my fairness, rare oddities, and even greater tales of better times. I often spent nights in front of high alphas, elders, and the like of various species conversing.

Not anymore, though. Now I’m really nothing.

What was I even doing? Going out to find my mate and offer her nothing? I had made my coin. I was rather well off at home, but my gold wasn’t here with me now. How would I convince my second chance that I would take care and provide for her with nothing but my beating heart that would spring to life at the sight of her?

Hold that thought.

Darkness fell around me as the Jeep rattled over another pothole. How could I even think I had a second chance? Second chances were rare. I didn’t even know of any vampire to have one. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, gritting my teeth until the tip of my fang pierced my lip.

Because she said I would,the whisper of my subconscious still gripped that hope.

The map that laid in the Jeep after I left Princess Clara’s mating ceremony had already had areas circled where to go. All these red circles were close to nearby towns and slightly off the grid. This was where a coven must lay. Clara really thought of everything. She had that much hope for me in my own search.

Letting my fanged smile rise slightly, I turned off to a graveled road. The grated road wasn’t used often; the potholes were sure to tell me that. The smell of pine, spruce, and sap hit me like a battering ram, making me sneeze.

So much damn pollen.

The branches hit the Jeep. Not worried in the slightest that I scratched the hunk of metal, I pulled up to the back of the coven territory. This region differed from the other covens I had already visited.

This was an abnormally bright area for territory with nothing but vampires. The sun shined clear overhead as the large white plantation house with black shutters came to view at the top of the hill. It still had rod-iron fences, some of the classic gothic styles that most vampires appreciated, but the bright yellow, pink and white roses that littered the property came in as a shock. Flowers were usually deep red around my homeland, but nothing as bright as these.

Houses were lined up in perfect little rows, reminiscent of the classic 1950s Earth decade. I raised a brow. Continuing to drive past, kids sprang from houses, running into the backyards. Fountains sat in the front yard, the patios filled with vampires, humans, and pets. They all mingled with each other without a care in the world.

It was surprising, pleasantly surprising, to see humans mingle with our kind. I was confused as hell about it.

As soon as I drove up to the white gravel round-about driveway, I pushed the Jeep into park. The cranking, pushing of the gears forward to keep it steady squealed, and I shut the Jeep off as quickly as I could. This would have to be my last stop with this junker. I didn’t think I’d make another few miles out in this thing.

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