Dear Enemy, You're My Mate

Chapter 29 **

William

Blood trickles down from my chin when I roll my head to the side, glancing down at June. The giggling vampire hybrid reaches out her hand, taking some of the red liquid on her fingertip to put it into her mouth as she sucks it clean.

"You taste delicious."

I don't reply.

"Too bad you're a traitor, William." June circles the room and picks up a whip. Her lips art to reveal sharp teeth in a deranged smile. "Not only do I have to get stronger to kill Patricia—I also have to deal with that witch from your dreams."

I'm still silent, barely even breathing as I hang on the wall. We are down in the basement, and my entire body is burning. June has been hurting me since morning. She entered my dreams and found out about Alice's existence, and now she is making sure I will remember my master's name and that I can't have a happy ending.

Honestly, I'm glad I'm the one taking this punishment instead of Alice. Her eyes, so bright and lively, deserve all the happiness in the world, and sadly, I can't be her person. I'm broken and connected to June—if she dies, then I will follow.

Therefore, I rejected Alice. If I could have my way, I would leave this town with Alice. I want to experience the setting sun hiding behind the ocean waves and learn how it feels to be free and alive.

And I want Alice by my side, not power-hungry June and her inner demons. The woman is a nutcase, and regardless of the mate-bond forcing me to feel things for her, I know that my heart doesn't truly beat for her—it thumps for Alice alone and not for anyone else.

"Tell me," June leans close to my ear, sniffing me before licking more blood from my naked skin. "Do you think about Alice when we make love, William? Have you ever pretended it wasn't me riding you, love? If you have, then the bitch needs to die."

A wicked smile takes a toll on my lips, and I whisper back at the woman staring into my eyes. "Don't kid yourself, June—you're not powerful enough to harm Alice."

Her eyes widen, and surprise flickers within them. "Y-You're talking back to me? How is that possible..."

Usually, June's compulsion is too strong for me to resist, but I've been feeling a lot like myself recently. Perhaps my connection with Alice is stronger than June's mind-control.

"Yeah, darling, and now that I can speak my mind, I want you to know that I find you ugly—both your heart and soul."

I know it's dumb to taunt June, but she will force herself onto me and rape me anyway, so I don't see the point in staying quiet. I'm not a lamb, and I want June to hear the truth. I need her to understand that I think she is a monster—I won't be silent.

June narrows her eyes, whispering threateningly. "What did you just say?!" She stalks closer, placing her hand on my chest. Her nails dig under my skin. "If I were you, then I would be careful of what comes out of that mouth, William. So far, I've been rather nice to you, but that might change if you keep being disrespectful."

I'm not afraid of her. The alpha blood is running thick in my veins, and my wolf doesn't enjoy being challenged. He is proud and ferocious, not meant to be treated like one of those tamed dogs.

"Is that so?" I ask. "Because I think it's the other way around—never underestimate an alpha."

June stares at me in confusion, gasping when I break free from the chains in a swift movement. My lungs are cooking, and my muscles are locked in a permanent state of pain from all the abuse. Somehow, I ignore the ache and fire raining over my skin and lift June off the ground.

My fingers press against her throat, drawing blood, and I growl when she kicks her legs in the air. Her hands travel to mine, and a bell rings in my ears—June is trying to compel me.

I avert my eyes, only to release the hybrid when Jessica, June's witch, enters the room. She is speaking in tongues, forcing my body against the wall with her dark magic.

"Oh-my-god," June is panting and sitting on the floor, glaring up at me with her conveying hatred. "How did William do that? I don't understand how he could withstand my compulsion."

Jessica, who recently was recruited, helps June stand. Her hand is still held up in the air, seizing me to the wall. I wish I knew how to revert magic, but I don't and can only glare at the two women.

"William is an alpha," Jessica explains warily. "And since he has met the mate who the moon goddess chose for him, I would be cautious to challenge him, June. You're still not strong enough to take him on."

June swallows thickly. "But I will be soon enough. Your coven only needs to summon a demon so I can drink its blood and steal its strength."

A dark smile crosses Jessica's features. "Hopefully, it will work—my coven depends on it," she seizes up June, smiling brighter. "This town used to belong to the voodoo witches. In the past, many centuries ago, we enslaved humans and did whatever we wanted. We lived like queens, and with a flick of our wrists, we made our humans dance. My coven was truly happy and extremely blessed to live a life without worries, but the Lavigne family chased us away by forming the Winterbite pack one day. They took most of us out, but now, we are back."

June smiles back. "Don't worry, Jessica. After taking out the Winterbite pack, you and your sisters can have this town—I have bigger plans than staying here."

"Oh?" Jessica sounds surprised. "Tell me all about it."

June's face turns into a livid picture of madness. "I want world domination. The humans will turn into mindless slaves, and every town should be wrapped in darkness so that vampires and creatures of the night might reign. Every werewolf will become a slave, and you, William," she smiles wickedly. "Will stay alive to witness it all. We are bound to each other, and once I'm powerful enough, I will eat both Patricia and Alice for dinner and have you watch."

I glare at her. "You're insane, and as I said, your heart is ugly. Even if you build yourself a throne, you will never be loved. Not by me."

June frowns, almost looking hurt. "Jessica, can you shut him up?"

The witch cocks her head. "With pleasure."

Magic wraps me up like a blanket. I close my eyes at the lack of oxygen and succumb to darkness. My lungs get crushed further than I desperately try to grasp for air, but it's futile—I can't fight the witch. Therefore, I give up and let myself pass out.