Drystan sat with his back against the wall. He let his arms rest on his knees as his head fell against the wall. He didn't want to let Melora go with Dante and Draco. He didn't want her to leave. Melora had just gotten back to him, and now she was gone again. He knew it was a good idea for her to return to her room. He agreed with Dante but still didn't want to let her go.

His father was wise. He had lived this long and survived this long not to be smart. Drystan knew that whatever Alathic had planned was going to hurt. He had been hunting Drystan for centuries. Drystan knew that he wasn't going to let him live. Alathic had paid for his mate.

Drystan's hands balled into fists. He couldn't give up hope now that Dante and Draco were here. He trusted them with his and his mates life. He didn't blame them for what had happened. He knew that it wasn't his fault. Alathic was smart, but he wasn't going to win. Drystan vowed that he would kill Alathic when he got out of these chains and he swore that if Alathic laid a hand on her, he would make sure that his pain would last.

Drystan closed his eyes and prayed to whoever was listening that Dante and Draco would keep Melora safe. If either one of them were to make it out of here alive, he wanted it to be Melora. He knew that he wasn't going to be able to see her again. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that he wasn't going to make it out, but he needed to see her one last time.

Drystan didn't know how long he had been alone before Alathic busted through the door. Alathic sneered at him as he snapped his fingers, ordering a guard to bring in a chair. Drystan sat up straighter as Alathic sat just out of reach. He wanted to kill him. He wanted to maim him for what he had done to Melora.

Alathic's sneer turned into a chuckle as he looked down at Drystan. "Don't give me that look," he shook his head. "That's not a look you give your father."

"Fuck you," Drystan seethed.

Alathic rolled his eyes. "Stop being so dramatic, Drystan. I know you want your mate." He shrugged his shoulders. "But that's not going to happen. I'm not giving her up." He leaned forward in his chair. "I paid way too much money for that bitch and I'm going to keep her. Honestly, I should ask for my money back considering how much trouble she's caused me."

"You stole her," Drystan growled.

Alathic scoffed. "From who? You? Drystan, you stole her from me." He leaned back in his chair. "You stole my property. That's worthy of death in my view, Drystan."

Drystan shook his head. "She's not your property. She is no one's property."

Alathic cooked his head to one side. "She's not yours?"

Drystan nodded and he bared his fangs. "She's my mate, Alathic. My equal."

Alathic laughed. "You're a fool, Drystan. Anyways," he waved his hand. "I'm not letting her go. I want her and I paid for her. I'm not letting her go. I have been doing research into a way where everyone wins." He smirked at him. "Would you like to hear it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Alathic chuckled. "No. There's a way for you to survive all of this, Drystan. You can survive and still be around Melora. She won't be yours of course, but I have an solution for you. All you need to do is break the bond with Melora."

"Fuck you," Drystan growled.

Alathic rolled his eyes. "Keep listening to me. Break the bond with Melora so she is free to build a bond with me. I would then bring you into my court; which is your birthright, Drystan. You would become head of my army. I have already talked to my second in command Zaya. A worthy match mind you." He leaned forward in his chair. "You better understand, Drystan. This is the only way that you would be able to survive any of this. This is the only way that you will be able to see and talk to Melora for the rest of your life." He sneered at Drystan, showing his fangs. "You would be able to see her core swell with my offspring."

Drystan couldn't take it anymore. He lunged forward, slicing at Alathic but only hitting air. He was still too far away for Drystan to hurt him. "Shut the fuck up!"

Alathic chuckled as he leaned back. "I know you want to kill me, Drystan, but that's not going to happen. Your mate is mine now. She will bear my children - siblings to you - and you won't be able to stop me." He shrugged his shoulders. "She will love taking my-"

"If you finish that sentence, I swear I will rip your fucking tongue out of your mouth," Drystan growled.

Alathic ticked as he shook his head. "You were obviously never taught to respect your elders." He stood up and pushed his chair to the side. "I'll give you one last chance to accept my offer, Drystan."

"Go to hell," Drystan seethed. "Melora will always be my mate. I would never harm her in any way. I would die rather than hurt her."

Alathic smirked as he shrugged his shoulders. "You had your chance, but you get your wish." He turned toward the door and began to walk toward it. "I am slightly disappointed in your decision, Drystan. I had thought that you would agree that this was a thoughtful plan, but I was wrong. No matter." The door opened and before he stepped through, he turned to give Drystan a wicked smile. "This is just starting to get fun."