Chapter 22: One Week Before War

Tricia's POV

We have one week to prepare. Just one week and then all hell will break loose. My people are ready. We have come together, the wolves, witches, and the vampires. At first everyone was worried that I would be like any other newborn. But it turns out me becoming a vampire made me more immune to their weaknesses than the rest of my people. Meaning I can still be harmed it would just take a lot longer or a lot more to hurt me. I'm nearly indestructible.

I've done a lot of talking with the vampire elders and it turns out that Justin is also my beloved, so I don't have to worry about being in the middle of some love triangle. They also said that I will never be fully satisfied with my thirst until I complete the mating ritual of my vampire side. Witches however have more reign over who they are with.

The ritual for my vampire side consists of a separate marking and mating along with the exchange of blood I've talked to Justin about it and as long as he doesn't die with my blood in his system he wont turn. However, if he does then he should survive because we are mates and not poisonous to each other.

Our territory has expanded tremendously. We have also gained a lot of new pack members from the rouges that lost their packs or were kicked out for stupid reasons and false accusations. The Rouge members we have gained have surprised me in combat, they have bested some of my most skilled warriors which leads me to believe that they are no harm since they are helping to train the other members of my pack.

I'm so lost in thought that I almost get hit by the vampire Cornelius Salvatore.

"Your distracted pretty one. You have to keep focused at all times." He scolded.

"I'm sorry. I'm still getting used to my senses being sharper than most. It's all very fascinating." I said.

"Ahh, I remember when I was a newborn as well. Although things have certainly changed in the centuries I have been alive." Cornelius replied.

"When would you suggest would be the best time for me to talk to Justin about him becoming like me?' I asked. This thought has been weighing on me for a while now and I just don't want him to freak out.

"I would talk to him about it in a private manner. Ask him to have an audience with you and see how it goes from there." He answered.

"Thank you. We will pick up training tomorrow. You may go." I dismissed him.

As he left I saw a flash in my mind. Another premonition, and not a good one either. I need to talk to the elders. All of them because it seems as though I have figured out who the traitors are. It may have taken me a week to figure it out but I know now and I won't hesitate to slaughter all of them.

'Justin, get Ashley and the council elders and meet me in the throne room.' I sent through the mind link.

'One second, my love.' He said.

'NOW!' I yelled and sent all of my anger towards him.

I have developed another gift. I like to call it mind projection, and I plan to use it once we are in the throne room to allow everyone to see what I saw. It seems as though Kathrine has help from the Rouge King.

'Allen, Taylor lock the throne room doors as soon as everyone is inside. It's gonna get nasty." I sent them through the mind link.

"Yes, your highness." The replied.

Using my vamp-speed I was seated as Justin and all the council elders ran into the throne room with panic on their face.

"Justin, dear, what do we do to traitors of the throne and the pack?" I asked sweetly.

"Trial before the council." He growled back at me as he took his place next to me.

"And what do we do when we have proof of the traitor no matter his position?" I asked while looking Vladimir right in his eyes as realization crosses his face knowing that I know.

"They are executed on site." He stated with his wolf just beneath the surface since it is a traitor to him and his mate.

"Good. Now that we all know what happens without a doubt will you all please take a seat?" I said more as a command than a question.

I watch as Vladimir is reluctant to take his seat along with the rest of us. After everyone is seated I project my premonition into everyones thoughts and there are a lot of hisses and growls to be heard along with shouting.

Two of the vampire guards come to hold down the 500 year old vampire.

When I'm done listening to the shouting and restraining my mate I chose to end this quickly.

"Who else is working with you?" I growled menacingly.

"You'll have to drain me dry before I tell you anything!" He stated matching the growl I had with a tad bit more force.

"That can be arranged." I said with an evil smirk on my face.

"There's 6 of us in total. We won't stand to have a filthy witch tell us what to do!" He yelled then spit in my face and Justin lost complete control over Tanner as he lunged.

"Tanner baby, let me have just a few more minutes with him then you can do as you wish." I told him while rubbing my hand up and down his arm to calm him down.

"He disrespected you! He disrespected the throne." He growled.

I'm not sure what told me I could do it, but I raised my hand and watched as my vanes turned black and the blood from within his started coming out through his eyes, ears, and mouth. I know I wouldn't kill him. I took my glass from the table next to my throne and willed the blood into the cup. Once I was finished Vladimir was writhing in pain and I just let out a laugh that made everyone shiver in fear except my mate.

I took his blood in my mouth and slowly drank it. While drinking his blood I saw 5 different faces. I know I have seen them all walking among my pack members.

2 males and 3 females and I'm betting one of them is his beloved Josette.

The 2 men both had brown eyes and jet-black hair. Except for a few minor differences they looked just like Vladimir. His son's I presume. That explains why he wouldn't give them up.

There is an older woman with blue-green eyes and dirty blonde shoulder length hair. She's smiling and looks happy. The other 2 women are very similar to her. They have the same dirty blonde hair color, but they also have brown eyes like the boys do. Must be Vladimir's daughters.

"Ashley the faces you just saw are the people that need to be brought in. Take as much vampire muscle that you need and bring them to the throne room immediately." I ordered, and she bowed her head and left.

After a few minutes Vladimir let out a hiss of pain and I can already guess what they were injected with.

When Ashley returns I see there are 2 vampires per criminal dragging them in. Upon seeing the state of his family Vladimir starts to struggle to get to them. I signaled my guys to get closer to them holding more Vervein, which would surely cause them to stay knocked out for a long time. After seeing my guys move closer he stopped struggling but let out a hiss that would frighten anyone. Good thing the people in the room right now aren't scared of him.

"Now that I have your attention, I'm going to kill every one of them in front of you then I'm going to kill you." I said with venom lacing my voice.

"NO!" Said one of my wolf guards that has been on his guard since they walked into the room.

Justin growled, but I just let it go.

"Travis, what is the meaning of this?" I asked but I have a hunch that I know what is going on.

"She's my mate." He said trying to gain control over his wolf.

"You need to get your wolf under control because as you can see, I'm much stronger than I once was." I told him.

"Yes Your Grace." He said as his natural brown eyes come back out of the blackness.

"I will spare her for now. If she steps even one hair follicle out of line then she's dead. I want nothing but happiness for you both." I replied.

"Thank you." He said. He scooped his mate up and whisked her away.

I really hope that anybody who finds their mates are happy. The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes.

"I was serious Vladimir, if that girl steps out of line or makes a move against the throne, I can guarantee that she wont live to see the sun rise the following day." I told him with complete seriousness.

"Okay, thank you for giving them a chance. I may hate your guts, but I am grateful you spared my Camille." Vladimir replied.

"Vlad, baby what's going on? Why do I feel so weak?" His mate Josette asked him.

"Joe, they found out what I've done." He told her with sorrow in his voice.

"Oh, Well I told you that if you die, I die. I'm not going back on my word now." She said with a sad look on her face.

As I walk closer to the boys, I see that one of them have a mating mark.

"Which one are you?" I asked.

"Jebadiah ma'am," He answered. He is shaking with fear and keeps glancing from me to his father.

"Jebadiah, who gave you that mark?" I asked in a calm voice trying to sooth him.

Just when he was going to answer my question the doors are thrown open. It shocks me to see that Violet Asher is standing there with pitch black eyes. Her wolf Lilly is in control. She's scenting the room looking for something. Or rather someone.

Her eyes land on Jebadiah and she lets out a warning growl to the guards holding her mate. They raise their hands to show her that they meant no harm and were only following my orders.

"My Queen, I have spent all morning waiting for you in your office." She said with a slight bow when she addressed me.

"Oh, and why is that?" I asked.

"As you know, Jebadiah is my mate. When he told me what is father was forcing him to do, he begged me to say something to you that way nothing happened to anybody here. I have a voice recorder with our conversation with his permission." She said and then hit play on the recorder.

Sure enough, it explains how he and his siblings were forced to do his bidding or he would starve them.

I just to there baffled by what I just heard. How can a father do that to his children?

"Guards let go of the other two. However, you Vladimir and your lovely beloved have broken one of our laws. So now is your time. I will have you locked in the cells and under tight security. You will have 2 hours that's it. Say your goodbyes in the meantime." I said.

I feel very exhausted.

"Justin, can you help me to bed please?" I asked sweetly.

"Of course, love." He replied.