Holy Cow!!! I'm almost done with this book. I finally like what I did with it. 

One more chapter left. Can you believe it? I'm so happy its finally over with. Three long years. I  know, its long. 

I wanted to take the time to thank all my followers. You guys are awesome for sticking with me these past years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Chapter 36

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I felt my heart lunge up my throat. A single tear leaked down my cheek at seeing my two brothers lay dead at my feet. Ignoring the rogues, I bend down to brush my fingers through Taylor's fur. His body's heat pulsed under my fingertips. For a split second I held hope. Until I strained my ears to listen to his heartbeat.

Silence. Nothing to indicate life.

Checking Theo, I come to the horrible realization that I had lost both my brothers. They may have snapped and attacked me, but they were still my brothers.

This couldn't be happening. I wouldn't allow it to. They had to be alive, they just had to be. This had to be a drug of some sorts. Without blood dripping out of their bodies, how else were they killed? Bullets weren't used.

"Don't look so sad. You're the one who wouldn't listen and backed out on our deal. If you would have given yourself to me to take pleasure in that luscious body of yours, then your brothers would still be alive," he spoke smoothly. Winking at me as I sent him a glare.

How could he act causal as if he didn't order the death of two men? And to think he believes I will willingly allow him to touch my body. No wonder this man is a rogue. Who would follow a crazy man?

All I wanted to do was beat the living day lights out of him. To torture him until he was begging me to kill him. If only Taylor and Theo hadn't injured me.

I couldn't respond back to him. I knew if I did I would lose myself. Blowing up right now wouldn't be a smart thing to do. I had to use my brain for once before I acted.

What would Nikolai do if he was the last one standing? Fight to the death or run and fight another day?

Would Caden agree?

I swear once this day is over, Caden and I need to distance ourselves from the castle and its prying eyes. No duties to take time away. If we are to ever form a semi-normal relationship we need time to ourselves.

Thinking it over in my mind, I come up with fighting another day. Be smart and get revenge on the bastard that took my family and friends away. That's exactly what I will do once I have Caden and his pack warriors behind me.

Thinking on the warriors, I try to sense them. Last time I needed to think, Caden had sent out nearly fifty to protect me. Now there are none?

Did rogues attack the castle? Is that why I haven't been able to contact neither Caden nor my parents?

Shaking those horrifying thoughts out of my head, I focus my attention back on the rogue.

Why hadn't he attacked me yet? I'm left wide open. He could kill me in a heartbeat. What is his plan?

I watch as he stands with his hand in his short pockets. Apparently rogues carry around clothes. If only I could cover myself up.

Glancing down at my brothers, I can only hope that their bodies are left alone. It would rip my heart out if I couldn't give them a proper funeral.

Pushing the pain and heart break away, I look into the man's eyes I will forever hate. The man I will hunt down and kill with my own bare hand or in wolf form by my muzzle. He will know what true pain is like after I'm done with him.

"They would still be alive if you hadn't killed them. If you hadn't attacked us for no reason. We are servants, what reason do you have to harm us?" My voice came out raspy. I was on the verge of tears and he knew it. Agony and rage ran through my veins like hot oil.

"What reason do I have?" He laughed out loud. I watched as he looked around his men. "Boys this little lady wants to know the reason I want her to come with me. Can you believe that? I'm starting to think you truly are the innocent and clueless young lady everyone keeps talking about." He sounded amused.

I could tell by the twinkle in his eyes he was having fun with this little game. I wasn't sharing his enthusiasm.

"You see Princess Claudia; I have no idea why anyone wouldn't want to kidnap you. I mean look at your body. You're beautiful. Standing in all your glory right in front of me, not even flinching," he purred to me.

I could see all the lust written on every single man's face. Even the wolves were drooling a little bit. I didn't have a beautiful body. It was ok, but not amazing.

"If only I had you in my arms right now. My lips would be devouring your body as I pounded into you." This pervert reached down and stroked himself.

The disgust I felt at his words slithered across my skin.

"If I had clothes or could be in wolf form I would," I snarled out. My hand itched to reach out and snatch his heart from his bare heart.

"I'm glad you don't. Now I know what I will be touching, kissing and fucking tonight. I promise after me you won't ever be the same." His smile turned into an evil grin. He wanted to rape me. "With your disobedience you deserve a spanking. You will learn quickly how to obey the man who owns your body."

"You won't be touching me anytime soon. I'll kill you before you get the chance," I hissed at him.

"Do you honestly think that? Look back down at your feet. There are two dead wolves. Male wolves for that matter. I have a gunman behind you that will shoot you, not kill, but injure you with a nod of my head. Don't underestimate me darling," he sneered while taking two steps towards me. There were only a handful of steps between us and I was getting worried. If he grabbed ahold of me I wouldn't be able to run.

"Believe me I won't." I glowered at him.

"Now back to your question. I want you because you're the Princess. If I kidnap you the Prince will not be able to take the thrown. With that mark on your shoulder, your dear mate will no longer be able to claim another. You would have to die before he could obtain a second choice mate. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to fully take on the role of Princess. It has to be you or no one. I take you and the kingdom falls," he gloated. Howls erupted around the two of us. His minions were excited.

I felt the fist around my heart squeeze tighter. If it squeezed anymore my heart would explode. Would he destroy the kingdom or take over?

"Plus you would be an amazing fuck. If I don't grow tired of you within the first month, I might even mate with you. My mates dead and being that yours will follow soon, I see no reason to not mate with you," the gloating was back.

Lifting his eyebrows up and down he strokes the front of his shorts. Proving to me how badly he desired to claim my body as his.

I wanted to throw up as he continues to pleasure himself in front of me. Clearly amused at the disgust written all over my face.

I would rather die than allow that repulsive piece of filth touch me.

"We won't let it happen! I will only let you mate with Caden. No other male is worthy of us." Annabelle snarled inside my head. It's the first time she has spoken to me since before Nik's verdict. She felt the loss of our brother as well.  

"I feel the same way, but if we get caught running and it comes down to him mating with us, I want you to kill us." I explained desperately. "You know what could happen if we mate. He would have complete control over my body. We would earn for him, even if our minds despised him."

"You want to take the easy way out?" She screamed at me. I try not to flinch at the loud noise.

"If Caden is dead then yes because we will have no one to live for." I yelled back. Why didn't she understand my thoughts? She was me after all!

"What if he is alive? Will you want to stay alive and let him find us? You know he loves us Claudia. And you damn well know he wouldn't go behind your back and force the council members to send Nik to jail. He isn't stupid enough to push us away like that." She pleaded with me to understand her reasoning.

I didn't have to think about it. If he was alive and kicking I wouldn't leave this earth without a fight. We may be at each other's throats constantly, but I wouldn't wish to be permanently separated from him. "Then I want you to put this asshole six feet under if he dares to rape us. Do you hear me? If I have to give over complete control, forcing me to black out, I do not care. You do what you have to Annabelle."

"I see your talking to your wolf. It won't help. Your mine no matter what. Now why don't you step over your dead brothers and come stand in my arms. I want to feel how soft those lips of yours truly are." He held himself together perfectly. His dark brown hair cut nice and short. His body was built like every other werewolf, strong with pure muscle.

"Run! Claudia dammit run now! Do what you do best and get the heck out of here." Annabelle screamed in my head with fear. "He gave his men an order, while you were thinking. They are closing in on you! You need to run right this instant!"

Listening to her, I took a step towards my brother's killer. Once my second foot landed a smile formed on his face. He thought I was giving in. Oh how wrong he was. I knew this forest better than anyone alive. If anyone had a chance to out chase these men it would be me.

While we had our little discussion, my leg had head up nicely. It was now or never.

Lifting my right foot up I start to take another step towards him, but in a split second I leap in to the air and shift.

The moment my paws hit the ground I was off. Jumping around the first three wolves I come to. I'm glad all the training with Nikolai paid off. He taught me to run head on, but at the last second veer to the side.

            I didn't bother weaving in between trees. All I needed to do was make it to the castle. If I could get to the castle grounds, the royal guard would be notified instantly that I was the one being chased. They would come to my rescue in a blink of an eye.

            At least I prayed they would. It worried me still to this point that I hadn't been able to contact anyone. I had even tried the King and Queen along with Jason. No one had answered me back. It was as if our connected had been cut.

I felt something wiz by my head attacking the tree in front of me, but I didn't have time to stop and look. I needed to get away from those monsters chasing and now shooting at me.

I needed to find Caden. He would protect me. He always did.

Forcing myself to continue on I feel my lungs fill up with air as my legs move faster.

At that moment, I felt the slashing of a paw against my hind leg. An ear piercing howl left my muzzle. The pain was horrendous.

"Keep pushing forwards Claudia, you have to keep running. If you stop now because of pain you won't make it. You need to run towards the castle, towards safety and our mate. He will be able to help us,"she hollowed at me. "Marcus will protect us Claudia. He will extinguish these mutts."

Castle! The thought popped into my head with horror. "Annabelle, I can't. Do you see, if I go towards the castle all the people who are outside are at risk.  As a Princess, I can't put their lives in danger because I'm scared for my life. I have to think about the children playing outside, or the unsuspecting mothers chatting away as they watch their young pups play tag."

"You have to, they are there to protect you," She said.

"I won't put innocent people in danger. I caused this by being a brat and I will damn well fix it. If I hadn't had run once again, I wouldn't be in this mess. Taylor and Theo would be alive and joking around with me. I would be wrapped up in Caden's arms as he whispered sweet nothings in my ear, trying to sooth my pain." When will I learn? Think before running, dammit!

"How will you solve this?" She questions with pride. "Next time take your advice, maybe we won't be attacked for a fourth time."

"They don't know all my hiding spots. We don't have a scent. They won't be able to find us there."

"Where?"

"The only place we've ever hidden." I knew it to be a risk, but the rogues wouldn't follow. No one ever follows.

"No, Claudia you can't. Last time we were extremely lucky. Who knows what will happen now. You could fall to our death! Then what? It would be all for nothing."

I could feel the anger through her words. "I have to Annabelle. It's my fault they found me. Like I said before, I will not endanger the people surrounding the castle walls. My problem, I will fix it."

I had only been to this place once and if it was still there, no one would be able to find me. Not even the man who I have broken.

I needed the beating Taylor and Theo landed on me. I needed to see how utterly stupid I am continuing being.

If anything is to come of this day, I've learned to suck of my damn feelings. The world is bigger than me.

Pushing myself harder, I take a deep breath before I swerve off to the right, cutting off three wolves and making two tumble over their paws. They weren't expecting me to turn away from the castle.

            Pushing my legs to their limits, I can only hope Annabelle will be able to keep us running. We will escape these murders if it's the last thing we do.

            Jumping over a log, I dive through a small hole in a tree. The wound on my left hind leg is already healed, but the dried blood is pulling at my hair. All I want to do is wash it off, but I have no time. I could feel the rogue's feet behind me. There was only one place where I could escape them for good.

            I had to reach the bridge. A small rope bridge bordered our land with no man land. It wasn't the only way over, but it was the only way on this part of the land. To go over in another spot you would need to run straight for at least four days.

If I could get to the bridge without them tackling me, I would be safe. Once I reached the other side, I could pull the lever and let the bridge fall into the ice cold water below.

            Passing the tree that was hit by lightning I realize I must have been running faster than I thought. Only two more minutes before I reached the bridge. Years ago when I was dared to cross the bridge we had come across a tree split in three. Carving our names on each part we naked it the three wolf tree. Our tree.

            If only Taylor and Theo could look at me now. Out running rogues is a first.  

            "They would be proud of you Claudia. So very proud." Annabelle whispered in my head. I felt her pain at losing our brothers.

            I couldn't respond back to that. If I thought about my dead brothers, I would start to cry. If I did that, then all hope was lost. I wouldn't have the strength to hold on. The need to grieve the loss, ached and pounded in my chest. Taking the air right out of my lungs.  

            "You know they have always had faith in you Claudia. You can do this. Push harder. You have the strength in you dammit. You're a Princess for goodness sake. Push those legs of ours and race towards that bridge. Its right over that hill,"Annabelle's demanding voice roared in my head.

            Her little speech of inspiration did a number on me. I had to survive, if not for me then for my brothers. I can't let them die in vain. I knew why they opened that can of whoop ass on me. I desperately needed a punch to the head to knock some sense into it.

            My legs ache from the strain of running. If the bridge wasn't in my eye sight, I do not believe I would make it.

Twenty feet to the bridge...ten...six...two...one...

I let my body shift into my human form and race across the wooden planks. As I cross over half the bridge, I feel the boards disappear from under my feet. Without notice, my body follows the falling wooden boards and rope.

            Falling through the air, I fear for a split second I won't catch it before it's out of my reach. Luck was on my side this time. I barely catch the last board on the bridge as it swings itself to the other side.

With my body weight, the cliff wall was heading my way fast. I knew without a doubt the impact would severely hurt my already aching body.

            Taking a deep breath, I grip the wooden board to my face. Fear courses through my body as time seems to slow down in anticipation of the collision.

Seconds later, I feel the hard stone and earth wall slam into my body. Every bone in my body shakes until I hear at least four cracks. The pain from my broken rib's instantly making me go dizzy. My hand loosens its hold on the last board. I could feel wetness on my head where it connected with the wall. Black dots were appearing all over my vision. This was not good. I cannot lose consciousness. If I do, I will fall into the frozen water.

In the background I hear howls echoing the walls inside my dizzy brain. They weren't the callous ones I thought would leave a rogues muzzle. These howls seemed worried, almost desperate.

I couldn't understand them. Why were rogues worried about me? Or am I mistaking the words they are screaming at me? I could very well be as the black dots in my eyes aren't leaving.

Glancing towards the side I fell from, I see the rogue leader along with a few of his men standing at the edge. Some were even climbing down the wall.

Focusing on alpha rogue, I squint to see his face. What I saw surprised me. He looked as if death was knocking at his door. Not one of rage, which he should have held because he lost me. Why the sudden change of character? What was going on? Why would he be scared?

Slowly the ringing in my head dims as I tighten my grip on the half broken board. I needed to climb up.

"Princess, you have to pull yourself up," I hear a rogue holler over the rushing of the water below.

"Don't black out Princess!" Another screamed. But why do they care? And why are they calling me Princess?

"You have the strength to do it. Pull from your inner beast if you have to." I recognize the voice behind the words. The Alpha rogue wanted me to survive.

"If you want to see your family again you have to pull yourself up!"

Each one came from a different voice. I was confused. Why were they helping me? Maybe they are helping so that I live and they can capture me later on. That has to be it. Nothing else makes sense.

"If you let go and die at the bottom of the river, your mate Caden will have to choose another mate. Do you want him to cuddle up with another she-wolf? To kiss her lips day and night? Can't you picture him pleasuring her with his hands, lips and body? He will growl out her name, not yours if you don't pull yourself up. Do you want that?" The alpha growled at me.

His words infuriated me. No one was allowed to kiss my mate. That right belonged to me and I would murder the she-wolf who would think herself worthy of my mate. No more would I be walked all over by those females.

Putting all my anger into my mind, I pull myself up one board at a time. It was hard, but I did it. The spots were growing in my vision, but I had to push on. If I didn't, I would surly let go and drop to my death.

Looking up, I notice I only have ten more boards to go. Half way there.

Each time I lifted my arm up to reach the next board, I felt my ribs scream in agony. They wanted me to stop moving. By the time I reached five more boards, I froze. Griping onto the board for dear life I let out an agonizing scream.  One of my ribs stabbed my lung. This was not good. My breathing became shallower. Taking one breath hurt too much. I had to push on thought. Once I reached the top I would be fine.

Two more boards to go until I could reach out and pull myself over the grassy covered earth.

The shouting from the rogues continue. Encouraging me to pull myself up.

My hands were getting slippery from the sweat drenching them. I was having a hard time holding on. Thank the spirits I only had one more board to go.

Reaching up with my right hand, I grab ahold of the board. Instantly I yank my hand away. Warm red liquid flows freely down my arm. I hadn't seen the sharp nail sticking out of the wood.

This couldn't have been a normal nail because I felt my hand instantly go numb. A witch had to have put a spell on it. But why? For what purpose?

Now I only had one good hand and one more board to go. This would be tricky.

Wrapping my right arm around the board I was now holding onto. I reach up with my left hand, but make sure I check for nails before I place it down. I couldn't use my right hand making the climb awkward. Lifting my right foot up, I prepare to place it on the next step up. Instead I feel the board break underneath the heavy weight of foot. My body jerks with the sudden loss of a foot rest.

I try to grab ahold of the last board to gain control, but realize too late that my right hand has no feelings. It's completely numb. My left arm becomes dislocated as my body clings to the board. I couldn't help the scream that left my lips. Tears were streaming down my cheeks at a rapid pace now.

The cracked ribs ached excruciatingly as my lungs pushed out all the air with the loud screams of pain. My now dislocated left shoulder made me grind my teeth as the full weight of my body pulled my arm and shoulder fuller apart.

Why did I think this was a good idea? I should have ran to the castle.

I felt my fingers slipping from the wooden board. Splinters slicing through my skin.

In the blink of an eye, the board disappeared. It took my mind a few seconds to realize I was now free falling and the bridge was already out of my reach.

In that split second before I hit the water below, I could only think of one thing. How I wish I hadn't run from Caden when I was ten.

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So what do you think?

Hate me yet for killing of Taylor and Theo? I was supprised no one yelled at me in the last chapter for killing them. 

Only one more chapter to go until I can finally place the green check mark on this book. :)

If you'd like to read Book 2 and most of Book 3, please head over to Reamstories.com/TessaT . It is an app, but you don't download it through the app store. You will have to install it(it's super easy to do).

A Servant for a Mate is on it to read for free. A Servant for a Mate - Mature version is also being updated for free on it. A chapter a week. If you wish to read it all at once, all the books are in tier 5, along with a bunch of other books.