Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Mason

Katie was half vampire?!

My mind raced with a million thoughts.

Was this how she knew Braden?

Was this why she lost all her memories?

It had to be, otherwise how the hell could she not know?!

I'd been taught from a young age that vampires were the enemy, but | couldn’t imagine Katie ever hurting anyone. Then again, her vampire side was dampened-would that change if it were somehow reawakened?

“Why is it that Katie’s blood that can heal Braden?” Xander asked, tearing me away from my thoughts. Everyone turned to look at Rhiannon. He was asking the question that was on all of our minds. “Awolf shifter’s blood has a natural resistance to wolf bite venom, and so do hybrids,” Rhiannon explained. “They are the only vampires with natural immunity to the venom, an immunity that can be transferred to another vampire through drinking their blood.”

“Could you draw some of Katie’s blood to give to Braden?” Gabriela asked.

Rhiannon shook her head. “It won’t work that way. It must be at full potency, direct from the source.”

“Braden has to bite me and draw the blood himself?” Katie asked in a small, shaky voice. Her eyes were

glassy and unfocused.

“Yes, dear. It’s the only way.” Rhiannon rested her hand on Katie’s shoulder. “But | wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Why’s that?” Zane asked, a suspicious expression on his face.

“Once vampires latch onto their victims, it’s extremely difficult for them to stop drinking their blo Rhiannon said. “He would have to have incredible control, otherwise he'll wind up killing her.”

“She's right,” Braden croaked out from where he was slumped over on the couch. “I haven’t had non-animal blood in decades. If | tasted Katie’s...1 don’t know what would happen.

My stomach turned over.

“Then that’s not an option,” | said firmly.

No way could | ever let her make a sacrifice like that for me.

“There could be other consequences for Katie even if Braden can somehow stop himself,” Rhiannon agreed in a warning tone. “I've only heard stories of this cure. I’ve never witnessed it working myself.”

Xander pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Isn’t there another hybrid whose blood we can

“That’s because it is cruel,” Gabriela interrupted icily

It wasn’t very Alpha-like to volunteer a stranger to possibly be sucked dry by Braden, but | wasn’t exactly thinking straight, either. | knew why he’d suggest something so crazy: he was desperate to save Katie, just like | was, | could see it on his and Zane’s faces.

A hot rush of jealousy pr ickled up the back of my neck. Katie was mine to protect.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Aside from cruelty,” Rhiannon said, “hybrids are a dying breed, | couldn’t even tell you where to find one at this point.”

If they were so rare, then what were the odds that we'd all been drawn to one of the few that

that was still alive? Or was that why we were so drawn to her?

“Someone is targeting hybrids, and | don’t know if it’s the Council or what, but whoever it is has enough power to cover it up.” Rhiannon turned to Katie. “Perhaps that’s why someone put a spell on you. To protect you.”

Katie raised her eyebrows. “Can you tell who cast the spell to dampen my vampire side?” she asked.

| was curious, too. Was whoever did it really protecting her, or did they have other more sinister Intentions?

“It's impossible to know,” Rhiannon said, shaking her head. Katie's face fell. “I can detect the magic itself, but not the specific source.”

Zander and Zane exchanged a worried glance. Did they know something | didn’t?

“Ma, we need to speak privately,” Xander said to Gabriela.

Gabriela startled, blinking rapidly as she met Xander’s eyes. | suddenly realized how strangely quiet she’d been through this whole thing.

What were these people hiding?

“Sure,” Gabriela said. “Rhiannon, can we use a back room to chat?”

“Of course, take the old place.” She motioned to a back hallway.

The old place? Why had Gabriela been here before, and why was she keeping company with witches in the first place?

After Gabriela, Xander, and Zane left the room, Katle turned to Rhiannon, a wild look in her eyes. “Can you do a spell to recover my memories?” Katie asked.

She bit her lip and glanced from me to Braden then back to Rhiannon.

“| feel like I’m in danger because | don’t know who | am. And if | don’t know who | am or what kind of

danger exactly, then how can | protect my daughter? Her voice broke, and my heart panged.

| walked over to her and took her hand in mine. To my surprise, she accepted it and even squeezed it.

Rhiannon looked at her sadly. “I can certainly try to figure it out while the others are deciding what to do about Braden.”

Asmall smile tugged at Katie's lips. | could tell she was relieved, and | wanted to be happy for her, but

instead, my throat tightened.

If she got her memories back, would she forget about me?