[Chapter {18}]

Callum's POV

"Nathan,"

I didn't feel like passing out because it was Nathan, I had a big hunch that it'll would be him, I feel like passing out because of the state he was in.

Nathan almost looked dead and despite that fact, I still saw him try to smile when he spotted me. It looked painful considering the fact that his whole body was bruised.

I felt tears rush to my eyes and I had to choke down a sob that still made it's way out anyway.

Every inch of Nathan was covered in injuries and the silver on him weren't letting them heal. Standing seemed to be causing him a great deal of pain and at that thought, I finally let the tears stream down my face.

I can't believe they dared to do this to my mate. I'll make all of them pay painfully I told myself now spotting a waterfall of tears.

When Nathan noticed my teary face, he once again tried to give me a reassuring smile but really, he wasn't fooling anyone, most especially me.

Suddenly a new emotion courses through me, I had the sudden urge to hurt everyone who ever hurt Nathan.

The longer I stared at Nathan, the more my rage built up. I'm about to unleash all my pent up emotions on the blood sucking demons in front of me -forget that I'm one of them for now- but something rather someone stops me.

I made the mistake of glancing at Nathan once again and I could tell he was feeling the rage flowing through me. He tried once again to calm me down but couldn't go any further because his expression twisted into one of pain, and that's where I lost it.

"You'll pay for what you did to my mate," I growled my fangs popping out eager to kill.

I was about to launch at Matilda when I caught sight of one of her guards injecting something into Nathan, and then it clicks, silver.

My body launched on its own accord in Nathan's direction but before I could get there, I was pulled back by three, four, five guards. A scream pulsed it's way through my throat and my limbs thrashed about frantically but their hold on me was impossible to get out of.

I watched in fear as a dizzy look crossed Nathan's features his eyes glazing over. He tried to speak and from what I was able to read, it seemed like he was saying my name. I struggled more against the burly men and my rage tripled as I saw my mate slip in and out of consciousness.

I looked over at Matilda and almost growled at the fact that for some sick reason, she seemed to be enjoying all of this. I glared furiously at her with a plausible amount of hatred but before I could so much as speak, Nathan let out a piercing scream which was subconsciously followed by my own scream as he lost consciousness.

I continued to scream as they dragged Nathan's crumpled body away.

The sound of Matilda's laughter fueled the fire burning within me, "Relax, he's not dead yet, hopefully" she added chuckling. Oh so she thinks this is funny, she thinks messing with the life of the person I love is funny. You heard me right, I love Nathan freaking Packer and I'm in no mood to think about the weight my words hold.

"He will be fine and you will get to leave with him unscathed......if you give me what I want," she teased but you could hear the threat behind her teasing demeanor.

I suddenly felt useless and defeated. What was I thinking, that I'll be able to rescue Nathan just by arriving here in one piece. I've always been weak and nothing's going to change that. My mom was very wrong, I haven't got what it takes to rescue Nathan, heck I can't even harness the powers everybody claims I have. My whole posture slouched despite the fact that I was still in the restraints of the guards.

I let my eyes settle on Matilda's tall and graceful figure, she looked like the perfect description of a devilish angel.

And so I spat out the words I knew she was eager to hear, "I'll do it Matilda, I'll give you my powers, just let Nathan go," I sighed completely defeated and feeling utterly disappointed in myself.

Nathan knew what would happen if he came here and he still did just so he could get back at the people who were threatening to take his mate away, and here I was giving my powers without a fight and feeling extremely sorry for myself.

Sometimes I wish I could be strong, brave and fearless like Nathan. Contrary to what everyone seemed to think, I'm still that weak, helpless little boy, and I always will be.

I'll never be like Nathan, he and I are entirely different, in more ways than one. Maybe that's why fate brought us together, so he could be my strength.

Matilda was ecstatic at my surrender, she flashed me a look of approval going on and on about how I made the right choice.

I don't care about my stupid powers anyway, I haven't even seen it yet and for all I know me having powers could be a complete fib although I doubt Matilda will be wasting her time on me if she wasn't hundred percent sure I had them.

Besides, what is someone like me doing with power. Powers are for people like Nathan, brave, strong and unyielding, not for cowards like me.

If my act of cowardice brings safety to Nathan then honestly, it's the least thing I care about. I guess that's what love does to you, it makes you utterly selfish and willing to do anything you can to keep the ones you love by your side.

I would do anything for Nathan because come to think of it, my heart beats for no one other than him. If he were to be gone, I'm afraid my heart will lose it's beat.

I was ushered to a vacant room not quite far away from the Queen's chamber.

"The procedures will be carried out tomorrow Callum," she had said going on to brief me about everything.

"I'll need the scepter I had gotten from a witch years ago, and of course my orb and......" She continued to blabber on excitedly while I glared daggers at her, not that she noticed anyway, she was so high on the prospect of having my powers that she kind of blocked everything around her even my killer glares.

I let my eyes scan the surprisingly nice room, no doubt a privilege I earned at surrendering my powers.

The room was dark with it's navy blue curtains and matching navy blue bedsheets, just how we vampires like it. But for some reason, I wasn't entertained at the idea of sleeping in the dark. I guess being exposed to brightness made me somewhat wistful. Moving had brought a lot of good things in my life, sunlight kind of accompanied all of them.

It brought my wolf boy Nathan, Lincoln his oblivious rival, Justin his best friend and Britney your all so stereotypical blonde also Justin's girlfriend, and then there's Eliza.....

Eliza! I gasped in shock at being able to recognize her voice through the surprisingly thin walls.

I stepped out of the unlocked room making sure to stay in the shadows of the dark hallway. I strained my ears a bit since their voices weren't really loud even though I had heightened senses. They let their guard down by having this conversation anywhere near me.

"I did what you ordered me to my Queen, I befriended Callum, I convinced a guy named Lincoln to go after him, I wrote your request with blood at Nathan's pack as you demanded and I slipped your message into Nathan's pocket when he took Callum out on a date. I did everything you requested, I even got you the scepter and the orb, now it's time for you to grant me my wish as promised."

I gasped silently at the revelation. Eliza is a witch and she was using me.

How come I couldn't scent anything from her, come to think of it, Eliza had no scent.

Fucking hell, I'm so stupid. This must be why Nathan used to feel uncomfortable in Eliza's presence, I on the other stand stood insanely oblivious and let my self be gullible. So much for putting my trust in someone.

"I have one last request and then I would give you what you desire," Matilda said tapping her claws on her throne.

"I'm tired of being your little bitch Matilda, you keep telling me one last request anytime I ask you for your part of the deal," Eliza responded a blue shield beginning to glow around her.

Matilda didn't seem phased, infact she looked almost happy at having ticked Eliza off.

"I would advice you to shut your fire Eliza, without me, you forever remain a useless witch so keep that in mind before thinking of double crossing me," Matilda said a cherssire grin that spoke volumes etched on her face.

"Your request is my command, my Queen," Eliza drawled out sarcasm dripping off every word as she gave Matilda a mocking bow.

Matilda cackled at the scene, "This is why we have a mutual understanding, you know your place," Matilda said an underlying note in her voice.

"You know I haven't told Callum about the last deed needed for the power transaction, Callum has no idea that we have to be mated for it to work. He would never willingly mate with me on his own so I have a plan. Here's what you're going to do for me," Matilda stated a devious glint in her eyes. As they went on and on, my eyes widened with each word.

Their whole plan had solely one aim, to rip Nathan and I apart. If I hadn't been able to listen in on their conversation, there is no doubt that this plan of theirs would have worked.

I would have been too much of a wreck to see reason. But even with that, how dare Matilda assume that I'll ever want to be mated to her. She's older than my great grandmother for crying out loud, also, she's got a bloody vagina, I thought it would be pretty obvious by now that I don't swing that way.

I shook my head at the devious scheme Matilda had planned out. Sometimes I wonder if she's a vampire, or a witch, or just a really really evil being.

When I had heard enough, I walked silently back to the room I had been given, pondering on their every word along the way. If they think they can separate me from Nathan, they have another thing coming.

I felt a new amount of determination surge through me. Even though I am weak, even though I am a coward who will willingly choose the easy way out by giving his powers to a power hungry vampire, I'm not about to sacrifice the best thing that has ever happened to me to anybody.

They would never be able to take Nathan away from me, I can promise them that.

I stomped my feet in the direction of my room and opened the door with unnecessary force only to let out a muffled scream as a hand reached over to shut my mouth pulling me into the dark room. Why do things like this keep recurring, it's like my life is on repeat.

A light bulb was switched on and it took everything in me not to shriek at the sight before me.

"Mother,"

*****

Well, another dramatic chapter. What do you think Matilda and Eliza's plans are? Also did anyone suspect that Eliza was a snitch?

The next chapters are going to be interesting so stay tuned.

In the meantime don't forget to vote, comment, fan, share or just read the book (it'll be insanely appreciated).

PS: Who else noticed this chapter began and ended with a name (well a person but you get what I'm saying), check it out you'll see what I mean. It was totally not planned so I think it's super cool.

Anyways, Thanks for reading this chapter, see y'all in the next. Byee.