Chapter 24：Thoughts- Part 1

Ruka's POV:

I brushed Eve's hair with my hand gently feeling its softness. Initially, she had trouble sleeping and clutched on to my shirt like a frightened little rabbit when I told her she needed rest. I could not blame her; she had experienced her life being in danger, not once but twice. Therefore, I sat next to her as she drifted off to sleep, her breathing becoming steady.

She looked serene and innocent, her head lying on the pillow and she was still holding my hand as she slept. Being the hybrid of two species never did it cross my mind that I would have someone specially made for me.

I remember the first day I met her in the woods.

*flashback*

I was having a small walk when I felt something delicious in the air, whatever it was, was enticing enough to capture my senses. I followed the scent wondering what animal it was, but to only find a girl all alone.

She looked like an Angel who was trying to find her way back to heaven. She was beautiful, with her soft brown eyes and black hair.

I could smell her blood, which meant she had injured herself. When I picked her up, she blushed making her cheek turn into a beautiful shade of pink. Her tiny body fit perfectly in my arms.

She fell asleep before we reached the place she had told. There had been too many spiking of drinks recently due to which I had one of my man working in this kind of parties.

Making my way inside I could see people wasted, few of them making out, beer bottles on the floor. The music was dimmed down to my surprise.

"Brandon," I called the guy in the bar counter. Looking at me his eyes went wide and he bowed his head with respect. He noticed the person in arms.

"Do you know her?" I asked him.

"I met her a few hours back, is she alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes, she's fine. She's asleep, I want you to contact one of her friends so that they can take her home right away," I ordered him; he nodded his head and went.

I placed her at the couch slowly, not wanting her to wake up. I felt the need to protect her from everything as I looked down at her. I felt my canine elongate as her scent engulfed me, I held back the need to bite and taste her sweet blood that was running in her veins. I caught sight of Brandon coming with a blonde girl. Giving a quick glance at the girl on the couch, I dashed out of the building.

*end of flashback *

Annesana being the elder had figured out that something was out of place and we then realized that my wolf was making its presence known after these many years. I had told Sebastian about meeting Eve in the woods, and they concluded that Eve was my soul mate.

Being the top vampire as a king, I could change my eye color from amethyst to red. The red eyes only meant the vampire side was projecting out.

My anger had multiplied into tenfold when I heard about what happened this noon. I know she did not expect me to kiss her in front of everyone, but I could not help it. She looked vulnerable and I needed to know she was safe in my arms right now.

We were out of leads in finding out who wanted to kill her; someone was after the throne that was clear enough. I had second thoughts of sending her to college at least until the whole thing was figured out. Nevertheless, I didn't think she would agree on it.

Annesana came back to the room. She had gone out with the one called Derek to talk about the protector, giving Eve and me some time alone.

It was the rarest of the rare to have protectors these days. I knew only two alpha females who had them. The whole information was shocking and I did not like the thought of having any other males around Eve.

She was innocent and naive, and I did not want people taking advantage of it. I am the only one who was allowed to tease her; it was my internal pleasure to see her flustered.

"You're worried," Annesana said noticing, "You know you have nothing to worry."

"It's been twice, she's experienced the same thing," I said gently stroking Eve's cheek with my thumb.

"But she's alright Ruka, we'll find the culprit soon," Annesana assured me.

"I have second thoughts of leaving her and going on the coven business," I said as Eve stirred in her sleep and loosened her grip on my hand.

"You have nothing to worry," she said, "Eve is stronger than she looks, and moreover she's been graced with protectors at her side. We do not know how your wolf is going to react after so many years. It's better for her sake," she pointed out.

"How bad is it going to be?" I asked her.

"It's been centuries since your wolf side disappeared in the need of its mate. It might want to mate with her right away once she turns eighteen, day after tomorrow, which is one of the reasons you'll have to stay away from her at that time," she explained and I sighed.

I knew Eve wanted me to stay and spend her birthday with me but with these conditions, I could not.

My phone beeped and I checked to find Louis's message.

"I'll be leaving now," I informed her, kissing Eve's forehead I got up.

"I too will take my leave now, let her get the sleep she needs," she said and I nodded with agreement.

I closed the door and walked down through the halls. I stepped inside the dungeon, continued walking, and saw Louis and Sebastian waiting for me.

"Did you get him to speak?" I asked them.

Sebastian shook his head no, "He isn't ready to speak to us we tried everything," he said. Louis had got the vampire rogue once he found him in the bathroom and brought him to the castle.

"Louis," I called him, "Have Andria check on Eve's wound." He nodded his head and left in less than a second.

Getting inside the room I found the person tied and was seated on a chair. His face and body were bruised and his back covered with wooden stakes.