My Hunted Mate

Chapter Nine

Corinna

My eyes slowly open, it takes me a couple of seconds to realise I'm still in the apple orchard and that

the night is now pitch black. I slept all day. Flashes of the hours before bring tears to my eyes, I let out

small whimpers thinking back to my mum's lifeless face. The grief I'm feeling overwhelms me and I end

up shifting back without meaning to, I curl my naked form into a ball on the grass at the base of the

apple tree I'm under, as I sob uncontrollably.

An unknown amount of time passes before I can slow my breathing enough to calm myself, the

exhaustion causes me to feel heavy to the point I start to drift off to sleep again but as I do I hear three

sets of footsteps approaching, instantly I'm on edge and alert. I push myself to sit up, scanning the

area, allowing my senses to heighten.

I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of blood, burning flesh and death. I spring to my feet to make a

run for it but I don't manage to take even one step before I'm knocked to the ground, my eyes widen in

shock as I take in the pale raven haired woman on top of me with black holes where her eyes should

be, deep veins under her eyes and extended fangs that are still dripping blood from her last kill.

My heart rate sky rockets as she grabs my throat, turning my head to the side to give herself access to

my neck. I'm completely frozen as she runs her nose up along my neck, inhaling me. It quickly clicks

for me what is happening and my own panic sends a blast of energy from my body, sending the

vampire flying off of me and onto the ground a few feet away from me.

Rushing to my feet, I stand preparing for her to attack again but my focus is broken when a sweet scent

wafts through the air, wrapping around me, I inhale it deeply and find muscles in my body I didn't even

know were tense relaxing instantly, I close my eyes suddenly feeling like my insides were melting and

I'd found a new meaning for warmth.

Shaking my head, I snap my eyes open just in time to see the vampire was coming at me full speed. A

quick wave of my hand sends her flying backward, barrelling into a tall pale brunette woman, no not

woman, vampire who had just come out of the trees at the other end of the field where the orchard was

located.

It only took them seconds to get back to their feet and the woman from before to come sprinting

towards me, I watched her run across the field, waiting until she was closer, only before anything could

happen she is tackled to the ground roughly by another figure, a man this time, they roll around,

fighting each other so fast that I can only see the two blurs.

Before getting a chance to blink, the man is standing in front of me protectively and I realised he was

the cause of the addictive, sweet scent that had distracted me. When I look up to take him in, my eyes

are met with his toned back that is covered by a white dress shirt and I let out a slight huff that I'm only

able to see the back of his wavy shoulder length brown hair.

" What the hell Mal?! I found the dog or whatever that thing is first! " The raven haired woman shouts in

confusion, a low growl rumbles in my chest at her choice of words.

" If you don't shut your mouth Josie, I'll shut it for you. " Mal warns his companion, giving no signs of

moving away from me.

" What's going on Mal? It's not like you to interfere with someone feeding. " The brunette asks, her

voice is soft.

" She... " He trails off and turns to face me. I find myself getting nervous, fumbling to cover myself in

front of him, my tan cheeks burning red as my eyes attach themselves to the floor. His fingers are

suddenly cupping my chin gently, indicating he wants me to look at him, I find myself melting into his

touch and trailing my eyes up his toned pale body to scan his defined jawline, blood stained chin, soft

pink lips, high cheekbones, dark full eyebrows and finally his deep ocean pool eyes, that looked as

though I could go swimming in them, by now I have long forgotten about being shy and covering

myself, instead as I look into his eyes I feel completely safe, comfortable and accepted.

" I'm his mate... " I whisper, but from the shocked noises in the background I don't doubt I was heard.

He moves his hand so his palm was resting against my cheek. " My name is Malakai Orion, and you

are? "

" Corinna Scott. " I breathe, titling my head into his hand.

A loud squeal comes from behind Malakai. " My brother has finally found his beloved! " The brunette

grins happily, showing off her blood stained teeth. " Aren't you going to introduce us? "

I glance at him. " Brother? " I ask.

Malakai smiles, dropping his hand from my face and begins unbuttoning his shirt. I watch him reveal his

torso as he slowly slips the material from his skin, my lower stomach knots as my eyes wander all the

way down to the trail of hair disappears under his black skinny jeans. I'm snapped out of my trance

when he wraps his shirt around my shoulders, holding it out for me to slip my arms into, I do so quickly

muttering a soft thank you.

Malakai gently takes my arm as if he is escorting me somewhere, then guides me over to where the

two women stands. The raven haired girl now has a deep scowl on her face and is openly glaring at me

with her hate filled hazel eyes, the brunette beside her on the other hand is still grinning at me happily,

her crystal blue eyes shining with happiness.

" Corinna, this is my sister Dahlia. " Malakai introduces, I open my mouth to speak but end up whipping

my head to the left when I hear shouting off in the distance. The two siblings curse her their breath,

while the other vampire just rolls her eyes.

" I told you there was more of them. " She sneers at Malakai, I take a small step forward releasing a

warning growl to which she scoffs.

" We have to leave, now. " Dahlia says, grabbing the raven haired woman's arm, dragging her through

the orchard.

" Come. " Malakai demands softly, worry flashing through his eyes when the shouting starts getting

closer.

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