"Nice catch Nesrin" Dad praised as I returned to camp. "Thanks" I smiled. I carried the deer to get prepared for dinner before walking back to Dad. "Did they get the letters?" I asked. "Yup, all of the groups responded that they're coming" He said happily. I smiled "Good." Dad nodded and went off to organize border patrols. "Hey Nesrin" Cath waved. Her red hair was pulled up in a tight ponytail and her brown eyes were calm. "Hey, are you coming to the ball?" I asked. Cath cringed "I don't know. Mingling with dogs and witches isn't my idea of a good time." I laughed at the insults. "I just saw a few werewolves a little bit ago" I recalled. Cath gasped "They were on our territory?!" Her shock turned into anger. "How dare-" I lifted up my hand to silence her. "I was on their territory" I admitted. Cath grinned evilly "Really?" I smiled back "Yup. Where did you think I got such a plump deer?" Cath nodded and was about to say something before my brother Kyle walked over. "What's this about going onto the werewolves territory?" He demanded. Me and Cath flinched back. "Nesrin you know it's dangerous. Those Werewolves are more vicious than you think" Kyle scolded. I rolled my eyes. Kyle was only 2 years older than me. I'm 15, and hes 17. I always try to convince people we aren't related, it's kinda easy because he's a blonde with grey eyes and I'm a brunette with blue eyes. I'm glad I look like my Mom. She's known to be the most beautiful vampire that's ever lived. Kyle takes after my Dad, overbearing and brooding. "I can take care of myself you know" I retorted. Kyle sighed in frustration. I rolled my eyes and shoved past him. "It was just Asena and four other werewolves anyways" I assured him as he followed me. "Just Asena and some wolves? Asena is next in line to be Queen of the Werewolves! She's dangerous!" Kyle said with worry. I scoffed "Asena and me are friends." Kyle snorted with disbelief and amusement. "You can't be friends with a dog" Kyle said. "I can be friends with whoever I want" I said tartly. Kyle sighed knowing he wasn't getting anywhere. "Whatever. How about you go on a border patrol with me?" He asked "We haven't done a patrol together for a while" He added. Maybe I was too harsh with him. He is just trying to protect me. "Sure, can Cath come?" I asked while gesturing to Cath, who backed off the second me and Kyle started fighting. "Ok" Kyle agreed. "Cath! Come on we're going on border patrol!" I yelled across camp. Cath perked up and ran to the entrance of camp. "Hey! Are you guys going out on patrol?" Mom asked as she walked out of her hut. "Yup" Kyle said. Mom glared at us playfully "Don't go pulling any pranks!" She scolded. I blinked in feigned surprise "What pranks?" Mom scoffed "What pranks!? What about the time you put pine sap in our beds? Or the time you put a snake in the food pile? Or the time you put snow in my socks?" Me and Kyle clutched our stomachs, trying not to laugh. "We have no idea what youre talking about!" I said before I laughed and ran out of camp before Mom could say anymore. Kyle decided to check the northern border, since the other borders were checked this morning. "Those Angel's better stay on their side of the boundary" I muttered. And I hope I don't run into Lukas again, I secretly added. I met Lucas a few months ago when Asena turned 15, I turned 15 a few weeks ago. Lukas was incredibly good looking I'm not gonna lie. He flirted like crazy with me, and lost a race to Asena twice. He seemed to like Amara though. "The Angel's usually stay on their side of the border" Cath assured me. That didn't convince me though. Ever since I met Lukas, he's been creeping further and further into our territory. I'm the only one noticing though. It's kind of funny seeing him come back day after day hoping to catch a glimpse of me. He's even left love poems for me to find. I hate to admit it, but I'm slowly falling for him. He likes me for being Nesrin, not for being the heir of the vampires. All the Male vampires in my tribe have tried to win me over, but they've all failed. They only want to marry me so they can be king of the vampires, not because they actually like me. But I don't want Lukas to know I like him, I can't like him. Maybe in another world when our clans aren't so hostile towards each other, we could be together. But right now it's impossible. Right now, I just need to focus on my tribe. The breeze was pretty cool since it was almost evening. A few distant howl's echoed through the trees and Cath cowered back. Cath has always hated Werewolves the most. The other clans she doesn't care for. After twenty minutes when by, the sun sank behind the trees and the stars came out. "I love it out here when it's night" I said while twirling around with happiness. Cath giggled and spun around too. "Girls" Kyle muttered. I gasped with fake hurt "How dare you!" I took a stick and threw it at the back of his head. Cath gasped with shock and then roared with laughter when Kyle turned around. Kyle grinned mischievously "You're gonna get it." Me and Cath shrieked and sprinted away from Kyle. With our vampire speed, the trees became blues around us. Suddenly I was slammed to the ground as Kyle tackled me. "Admit it, I'm stronger than you" Kyle said while puffing out his chest. "I will when it's true" I laughed while shoving Kyle off of me. Cath snickered and helped me up. Suddenly I heard a scream come from the western border. "That's where the training arena is" Kyle said with horror. Cath snarled "And near the Demon's territory." I gasped with realization and immediately started sprinting towards the training arena. I heard Kyle and Cath following. Once we saw the training arena, I heard a moan of pain. I saw the training captain, Josh, crouched over Alana, one of the apprentices. A circle of apprentices were around her, all shivering with fear. "What happened?" Kyle demanded. Josh turned to look at us, fear and anger was written on his face. "We were attacked by a patrol of Demon's. They came over the border and attacked the first werewolf they saw, Alana and then left" He explained, his voice wobbly. The three of us snarled. "How dare they?" I growled. "They're just kids" Cath whispered with horror. "Is anyone else injured?" Kyle asked calmly. "No. Just Alana" Josh said with worry as he glanced back at Alana. A few doctors were frantically bandaging Alana's arms and legs. "She'll be ok" I assured him while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Josh shot me a grateful glance before herding up the warrior apprentices. "We should head back, Dad will be wondering where we are" Kyle murmured. "Ok" I agreed. Cath looked at Josh before following me and Kyle back home.
---
"They did WHAT" Dad roared. The whole clan seemed to flinch at the anger in his voice. "How dare they attack a group of children that are simply training?!" Dad growled with fury. "Demons are filthy creatures" Cath snarled. The clan grumbled in agreement. "What about the Peace Ball this friday?" Someone asked. Dad froze and then sighed in defeat. "The Peace Ball will still take place. I just hope that the Demons have a good explanation." Some of the clan members growled softly at his decision. Me and Kyle snarled in response, defending Dad. "You're all dismissed" Dad said "I'd wish to speak to my children first." Me and Kyle exchanged a look of confusion before following Dad into his hut. Dad sat down at his desk and motioned for us to sit on his bed to face him. "What is it Dad?" Kyle asked. Dad folded his hands on the desk. "I need to tell you guys something. It mostly effects Nesrin, but I'd like Kyle to know too because I want Kyle to be Nesrin's personal bodyguard at the Ball." How does it affect me? I wondered. Dad sighed and turned to me. "Nesrin. What I'm about to tell you, is probably going to make you upset. But know that it's for the better of the whole Vampire world" Dad said. I cringed back a bit "Dad, you're scaring me" I wavered. Kyle wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Nesrin. You and Lukas must marry to enforce an alliance that can't be broken. At the Peace Ball, you and Lukas will be officially announced as engaged and you'll go home with him afterwards" Dad explained. I jerked out of the bed. "WHAT?!" I shrieked "You set up an arranged marriage for me with an Angel?!" Kyle stood up next to me "Dad you're making her marry and live with one of our enemies? What if they hurt her? She only just turned 15!" He demanded. Dad lowered his head into his hands, as if he was ashamed. He should be. "Im sorry, but it's done. This is the only way to completely enforce an alliance with the Angels" Dad explained. "What about the other heirs?" Kyle asked. "They're all arranged to marry one of the other heirs too" He said. "Who's with who?" I rasped. "You're to marry Lukas, Asena is to marry Gabriel, and Amara is to marry Jack" He told me. I gasped with horror "Asena has to marry that monster?" Gabriel is the most dangerous and merciless person in the supernatural world. He wiped out 90% of the human population because he believes that supernatural beings are the superior race. "Unfortunately" Dad murmured. Kyle sighed and sympathetically glanced at me. "I'm going for a walk" I said firmly. "Nesrin" Dad said with sadness. I didn't respond and left camp. The moon was shining brightly and causing shadows to creep along the trees. With my Vampire hearing, I heard Kyle creep up behind me. "Kyle, I'm serious leave me alone" I snapped. I heard him sigh and trudge back to camp. I continued my walk through the forest. My mind drifted off to Lukas. Maybe it won't be that bad, I mean he obviously likes me and I kind of like him. But this is arranged we never got to actually fall in love together. I feel bad for Asena though. Amara is pretty lucky I guess. Jack is the heir of the Sorcerers and Witches. Jack has always been very mysterious and cautious of other clans. I heard it's very beautiful in Witch territory though. Suddenly I heard a twig snap. I crouched down immediately and growled softly "Who's there?" There was no answer except the cool breeze drifting through the treetops. But with my vampire hearing, I heard a quick heartbeat of someone behind a tree. "I know you're there" I growled. Someone chuckled and came out of their hiding place behind the tree. "Lukas" I gasped. His brown hair was messy and blowing in the wind. His hazel eyes were hard not to get lost in. "Nesrin" He murmured. His eyes were fixed on mine and I stumbled a bit. "W-what are you doing here?" I asked stiffly. Lukas sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I just wanted to see you" He admitted. I ignored my heart fluttering and placed my hands on my hips. "I dont think its appropriate for me to be alone with my betrothed" I snapped. Lukas's eyes widened "You know." It sounded more like a statement than a question. "Obviously" I muttered. Lukas straightened his white t-shirt. "You're mad about it?" He asked. I clenched my fists "Of course I am!" Lukas sighed "Is it really that bad to marry me?" He asked quietly. My heart almost stopped when I saw how vulnerable He looked. Was is really so bad? I did like him and he wanted to marry me. At least he wasn't absolutely disgusted by the fact that he had to marry me. Suddenly Lukas was face to face with me, his hazel eyes blazing. My first thought was, is he going to hurt me? He lifted his hand and brushed my hair behind my ear lovingly. "Mate" He whispered. I gasped and stumbled back. "Did you say M-Mate?" I asked. Lukas nodded and reached for me again. He was my Mate?! How is that possible? We're from different species! Usually when Males see their Mates for the first time, their primal instinct tells them that they're Mate"I've known since I met you a few months ago, I was waiting for the right moment to tell you" He explained. "Then no. It won't be terrible if I married you Lukas" I murmured. Lukas smiled softly and walked up to me slowly. His warm hand caressed my cheek and he leaned in. When his lips met mine, sparks fired. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in tighter. I slipped my arms around his neck. Soon, he started trailing kissed down my neck. "Lukas" I whispered. "Hmm" He said while kissing my neck. "I'm glad I get to marry you" I murmured. Lukas stopped and stared at me intently. "Really?" He asked hopefully. I nodded, a grin forming on my lips. "Really" I promised him. Lukas smiled kissed me under the stars.