Disclaimer; I do not own the Carpathian series in any shape or form, nor do I own any of the characters, except Alandria and Lozeno and Aaron and Aleksandar.
A/N; Since I had some issues with the other character… which I see where everyone was going with it, I made my own character up. Actually… I added a brother. I always see fanfics where they add another Daratrazanoff brother/sister, and most are really good. But I am going to add a new Savage character. :D Sorry, I cannot get away from my Savage brother obsessions. Still, it's a made up character so that's all that matters. Enjoy!
Also, I will try my very hardest to keep the other Carpathians in character as well. If I mess up, forgive me. Thank you.
IMPORTANT; Also, for those of you who don't remember, or if you never read "Dark Celebration," Savannah was pregnant with two girls I think. It was a while ago I read it. So, she had children a while ago. Her children are older than Alandria since Raven was not pregnant with Alandria until a while after Savannah's children. So you could say Alandria, their aunt, is younger than them. Ironic, but that is how it is going to be. I should have made it that Alandria was Savannah and Gregori's child but the thought didn't occur to me until this chapter. How fate would have really done for Aleksandar to make Gregori his step-dad, no? Ah well, I guess we will end up screwing Gregori over by making Aleksandar his step-brother.
Rating; Young Adult.
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x; Dark Defiance.
"Mikhail, is it really ok for us to just let her go? To let her run off to America?" Mikhail's lifemate, Raven, spoke gently to him, while she placed her hand to rest gently upon his firm shoulders. She was right. It wasn't very wise of him to let his daughter run away to America to try and gain her freedom. Everyone knows it. Savannah did the same thing. But, as time goes on, more and more hunters go after his people and the Carpathians are in much more danger than they were before. It was not wise at all for Mikhail not to stop his own daughter from leaving.
"No." He spoke the word simply. Mikhail was angry with himself. Why did he not stop her? He could have; he should have. But he didn't. Alandria was far more difficult than he has seen other women. The women of his race were a challenge; difficult to handle. But Alandria is far more difficult than he could have imagined. She was defiant, rebellious, but in a whole new level. She treasured her freedom and she would most likely fight the man who tried to take it away from her, until the death. That is to be expected of the daughter of the Prince himself. And he thought his own lifemate was difficult to handle.
I heard that. Do not start with defiance and women needing to be obedient with me, my prince. Mikhail shivered. When she called him, "My Prince" he knew he was heading towards thin ice with her. And the thought made his amusement grow. "It is true, little one, and you know it."
Raven sighed. Once again, he was right. She may not be one to listen to things he says here and there, but Alandria was far more difficult than that. She, not only wants freedom, but she demands it. She hates being born into a dying race because it makes her feel used. She does not fully understand the true treasure that the women of this race are. And as much as everyone has tried to tell her the honor is great, she will not listen. She refuses to. If she has a lifemate, he is in for a long eternity with this child. "Yes, it is true."
Mikhail turned his head to face his lifemate and his arms embraced her tightly, needing to hold her and feel the smoothness of her satin skin against his hardened body. "Let us go." He whispered the words softly against her ear.
She felt the heat of his breath against her ear and it made her melt inside; melt into a liquid fire. She wanted him, needed him at the moment; and he needed her. But they would have to wait. Savannah and her lifemate, Gregori, were coming to the Carpathian homelands and Raven desperately wanted to welcome her daughter back home.
Raven's body was first to shimmer into a colorful mist and Mikhail felt a smile start to appear on his hard features. She is learning the ways of his people and he couldn't be happier for her. This once, human woman, now possessed all the gifts of a Carpathian and she is becoming more skilled with her new unique gifts each passing day.
Maybe one day I will be as strong as you are. She whispered in his mind and Mikhail found himself smirking out loud.
We shall see. His body, as well, shimmered into a colorful mist and both Carpathians flew through the night, over the trees, over the running wolves. Raven couldn't help but have this warm feeling burst inside her. Her homelands were so beautiful. She once lived a sorrowful, meaningless life; and Mikhail fixed that up with all of this. All of this beautiful, peaceful land and new abilities. He made her feel welcomed; not alone.
Mikhail could sense a powerful aura in the area and instantly recognized that power. Savannah and Gregori are here.
Savannah looked up towards the night sky. Instantly she felt the presence of someone coming and knew exactly who it was. Her smile gleamed, a flawless smile that made Gregori's rock hard features soften. She was the joy in his life; the joy he needed from living an endless, bleak existence.
Mikhail and Raven transformed once again into their solid bodies and Raven walked towards her daughter, whom she had not seen in such a long time, and hugged her as if there was no tomorrow. Savannah replied back by putting her arms around her mother and giving her the love in return.
"So, son, how are you and my daughter fairing?" Mikhail folded his arms firmly over his well muscled chest and gave Gregori and amused glance. Never will he let one of the most powerful male Carpathians forget that he is now the step son of Mikhail. Gregori, on the other hand did not find that amusing one bit. He didn't find it amusing when Mikhail said it during Raven's Christmas party when he made him dress as Santa, and he does not find it amusing now.
"Well…Dad…Savannah and I—"
"We are doing fine." Savannah cut Gregori off, knowing he was going to say some smart remark back towards him and it would have been a male Carpathian glare off, which Savannah would much rather avoid. She came here to see her mother and father, not have a Carpathian show-down.
"Hello, grandma. Grandpa." Two beautiful women walked over, giving a small bow in respect and Raven cocked a brow at the odd behavior of the two women. "Gregori, what have you done to my daughter's children?" Mikhail had to hold in an amused laugh that was threatening to escape from his lips. 'My daughter's daughters?' He couldn't help but think nothing but amusement towards Raven at the moment. She refuses to be called a grandma. Absolutely refuses it. If someone dares call her that, they are in for hell for the rest of the night. She thinks herself as young, who compared to him, she is. But if you put her in human years, she is old enough to be a grandma.
Watch it, big boy. Do not make me punish you for the night as well. Mikhail censored his thoughts right away. At least all the ones pertaining to Raven being a grandma. He will never understand why Raven is so self-conscious about being a grandmother, when he is a grandfather himself. It must be some sort of women thing he will never be able to understand.
"I made them into respectable women. They know what is to be expected of them and they will not dare fight it. Although, I think all men will be very uncomfortable to have one of them as a lifemate."
"Ah yes." Savannah replied. "You made them into respectable women, that is for sure. Now the poor men of this race have to deal with trying to take claim on them with you, the Boogie-man Carpathian as their father. How interesting things will be." She hooked her arm into his and smiled up at him, with the love she always meant to give him and Gregori had to restrain himself from throwing her over his shoulders and carrying her off.
"I see you learned well about your lifemate, ma chérie."
Savannah and Gregori's daughters, Estelle and Jolie, rolled their eyes towards their mother and father's affections and Mikhail couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Maybe not as respectable as you think."
Instantly, the two daughter's stiffened and put on an innocent smile towards their mother and father. Gregori narrowed his dark eyes towards them and both women turned away. "Oh my, we should really get going." Estelle said, almost immediately after she saw her father's deadly glare.
The two came here to visit their family as well, but they don't live with Savannah and Gregori. Both women, in their twenties now, live alone, no lifemate, as of yet. But always, Gregori gave them some sort of fear. Although they do love him very much dearly, favoring their mother of course, he can still be terrifying to them.
"Come visit us more often. We never see you since your father," Raven glared towards Gregori, "scares you away all the time."
"We will." Jolie replied, giving a nod and both female turned into a colorful mist and vanished.
The two women stay very close to the Carpathian Mountains, loving the feel and serenity of their own homelands. But they are unseen; visiting rarely.
"Do not feel bad, mother. We never see them that much either." Savannah eyed Gregori accusingly and nudged her elbow into his hardened chest. "Because of this man!" Even with her nudge, it was like trying to dent a steel bar; unsuccessful. Gregori instantly wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him and looked towards Mikhail in a serious matter.
"You know why I am here as well."
Mikhail sighed. He knew this was coming. Raven shifted eyes back between Gregori and Mikhail, confused at what the two men were talking about. Savannah was doing the same thing. She came here to visit her mother and father. She has no idea what her lifemate is talking about.
"Mikhail, you know times are getting worse for our people. Our enemy is growing in numbers while our species is decreasing. There is still a small amount of hope for our people. And it does not help when you let your daughter run around in America alone and unprotected. She should be here. Here in our lands seeing if any of the males here are her lifemate so she can save his blackened soul. Yet you have still allowed her to leave this land and run off to America where she tries to declare her independence. This is not acceptable. She must return, immediately. She has a duty to attend to."
Savannah punched at her lifemate's chest again, but Gregori did not expect it. Although he was like an unmovable rock, he was surprised with himself for not being able to see in her mind what her next move was. She was outraged. "If you put it like that, I can see why Alandria left! You would not be a good choice of someone to persuade her to return."
"I would not need persuasion, bébé, I would simply take her back by force. Which is exactly what someone needs to do."
"Good idea, make her despise us even more." Savannah replied sarcastically.
Gregori tightened his hold around her waist and smiled deviously, a glint of light shining off the whiteness of his teeth. "She will come around. It's coming to the point that she needs to be forced into compliance. She needs to return here, and find her lifemate. Or have protection with her at all times wherever she goes. She is a female, and our enemies will want her."
"I couldn't agree more, Gregori." Mikhail nodded. It was what he was thinking from the beginning anyways. He shouldn't have let Alandria go. He could have stopped her if he tried. She thought she was being sneaky, but she cannot out beat her father who has lived for centuries, when she herself is only a mere fledging.
"Don't you think you should be easier on her than try and force her back here?" Raven offered, but she knew it was a pointless suggestion. She is talking to Gregori, the Dark one, and Mikhail, prince of their people.
"Absolutely not." Both male Carpathians replied at the same time, same answer, and same uneasiness. Both Savannah and Raven sighed. They both know how Alandria is and how she will deal with being forced to comply. She will be rebellious like there is no tomorrow. She will defy whoever is sent to retrieve her and fight him to know end. She treasures her independence. If he forces her compliance, she will give him hell and make him annoyed and miserable until she is freed. Either that or she will end up being locked away. But that cannot happen. All women are treasured. They will have to find some way to deal with her.
"She must return. Who should be sent to retrieve her?" Mikhail questioned Gregori. He knew Gregori had an idea on who should retrieve her. Or Gregori would not have brought it up in the first place. He always thinks these things through before mentioning them.
"I know someone. This would be a perfect opportunity for him to spare some time. He is struggling to continue living. The darkness is strong in him. He needs this. Aleksandar Savage."
The Prince nodded, agreeing immediately. It's been so long, and Aleksandar still has not found his lifemate. While his brothers, Julian and Aidan Savage have both been blessed with the gift of a lifemate, Aleksandar has struggled to find his. He was always about to end his existence. Every time he was, Gregori or Mikhail would send him on some sort of mission, to spare time. Because of all the enemies that are after their people, it has been easy to assign Aleksandar with something to do to spare some time before he took to the dawn. But Gregori and Mikhail cannot keep giving him missions. One day it will be too late and they will have to destroy him if they do not let Aleksandar take to the dawn. Neither Gregori nor Mikhail want to lose someone like him. Aleksandar is loyal to the Prince and one of the strongest hunters out there. Brooding and dangerous he is. Losing him is a hard blow to their people.
"Is it a good idea to send him, Mikhail? He is so close to turning. At the moment he must be fighting for everything just to keep standing tall and proud. Would this put him and Alandria in danger if we sent Aleksandar to retrieve her?" Raven sounded worried. She was worried. She met Aleksandar once, and knew he was a man of honor. A good man.
"If we put Alandria under Aleksandar's protection he will fight his very being to protect her. I know Aleksandar. It will be a struggle, but he will not let the demon in him be set free, especially with one of our women in his care." That is the kind of man Aleksandar is.
"You do know that we cannot give him any more missions. This is to be the last. I am not certain if he will be able to even last this. You saw how close to the darkness he is. I know Alandria will be safe with him. But, Aleksandar wishes to take to the dawn, like the honorable man he is. We cannot stop him. Aleksandar will go and take Alandria under his protection and bring her back here and then we will let him make his own choices after that."
Raven could sense sadness in her lifemate's voice. He hates losing Aleksandar. Both him and Gregori. Do not think negative, my love. Have hope for Aleksandar, like he has for our people.
"You called?"
Both male Carpathians took the stance in front of their lifemates when a familiar voice was heard. This is the lifestyle of their people. Aleksandar is a respected man. But he is close to turning and without a lifemate, they cannot risk their own.
Aleksandar stood in front of them, tall and ruthless. A loner. That's what he was. Gregori had called to him a while ago and asked him to return to the mountains. Usually, using their physic link, he would have told Aleksandar what needed to be done, but Gregori needed to see for himself just how close Aleksandar was. How much time could be detected in the male Carpathian as to how long he can last. And what Gregori calculated wasn't what he wanted to determine. Too soon. His golden eyes gleamed with darkness. Raven and Savannah's heart went out to him. Where is your lifemate, Aleksandar? Savannah whispered in her mind.
Gregori sent her warmth, to ease her sadness. She did not know Aleksandar well, but she knew he a man fighting for the life of his people and his own. He was precious to her father and Gregori, so he was also precious to her.
"Raven and Mikhail's daughter, Alandria has run off to America to claim her independence. You know as well as anyone that our enemies are all over, and the danger she is putting herself into. Aleksandar, this is the last thing we will ask of you. Bring her back here, force her if you must, and put her under your protection for the time being."
Savannah stepped to the side of her lifemate, but Gregori held his hand out, halting her from going any further. "Aleksandar, fate has a way with surprising people. You think yourself a monster like Gregori thinks of himself. But you are not. She will come. I know she will. I have faith in you. Please try and have some faith in yourself."
Aleksandar's golden eyes glided over to Gregori's lifemate and he looked at her with a stoic stare and gave a respectful nod. "Do not put too much faith in me. The results will be disappointing."
Raven shook her head, disagreeing with him. "Find her, Aleksandar, please. I may not know you well enough because I am still somewhat new to your ways. But you are important to Mikhail and Gregori, so you are important to me. Find her."
"Time is not on my side." He stated simply. He turned around, having his back face them and started walking off. "I will retrieve your daughter. Do not worry, I will not harm her and she will be safe. I will take her under my care and bring her back."
Mikhail sent a picture of what Alandria looked like into Aleksandar's mind and he jumped up, into the mist of the night and disappeared.
"Destiny has a way with messing with people. But I think if you are as strong-willed as Aleksandar, or even you two are, I think he can hold out for her. The ones who turn, I believe, are ones who do not have as strong as a will as others do. Aleksandar has lived for a while, and is about to give up. But his will is strong. Maybe there is hope for him after all." Mikhail and Raven nodded towards Savannah agreeing. But deep down in Gregori and Mikhail's heart, they were unsure. It really would be a pity to lose Aleksandar.
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Aleksandar Savage walked the night, looking like a deadly predator. He was so close to turning, yet Prince Mikhail and Gregori, the dark one, were so determined to give him time to hold off and find his lifemate. Aleksandar lost all hope. He had no future. He had no happiness. His life was a bleak existence filled with black and white. There were so many males who couldn't find lifemates. Most of them deserved one, more than he did at least.
He was a monster. A monster with no equal. He isolated himself from everyone. Even his own brothers, his own flesh and blood, Aidan and Julian Savage. He was heartless and deserved no happiness. Even if he did find a lifemate, it would be like tying her to a demon, the monster he is. Could he really make her happy?
It does not matter. He should only worry about that if he found his lifemate. Which will not happen. After this mission, he must greet the dawn. He must. He planned to do so years and years ago, but held off because the Prince still needed him. But now, the demon in him is so strong, so relentless and powerful, he cannot hold off much longer. But he will have to. He will not let this demon get lose while a woman is in his care. No way, no how.
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From the treetops above the unconscious woman, was a man watching her; looking down upon her with a predator's gleam. He couldn't believe it. Just could not believe it at all! A female Carpathian. What luck for him. His colors still remain black and white and he feels no signs of emotions, but that's ok. Because this . . . this is a female Carpathian! Such of his species are so rare to find. And yet, here is this one, lying on the ground, motionless . . . but available.
She has not been claimed. He could sense that right away. She is a female Carpathian with no lifemate. Perfect. Even though she is not his destined lifemate, there may be a possibility that he could save some time from turning and mate with this woman.
From the state she was in, it would not be as hard as he thought it would be when he sensed her from far away. She had scars up and down her bare back. Scars from whips, he presumed. Her blood was spilling everywhere and she had bruises covering her pale skin. She was a mess. But all women of his race were beautiful, so he figures she will be, too. And that's all that matters.
With a devious smirk he jumps down and stares at her bare back for a second. He may not be able to have a full vision of her face but even so, he starts fantasizing about erotic dreams him and this unknown female Carpathian will have.
With ruthlessness, he forced her body over and gasped. The familiarity of her face. . . this female . . . she was Prince Mikhail's daughter! Oh how ironic things have turned out to be. How ironic indeed.
A long time ago, Prince Mikhail shamed him. And Aaron still holds that against him. Aaron was just trying to find a woman to appease his sexual needs, and it came down to Mikhail almost killing him. Aaron had no idea that the female, Raven, was his lifemate. Aaron was not one of the strongest of males, so he could not sense it. If he had known, he would have never of hit on his lifemate.
But times have changed. Aaron has become somewhat stronger. And he knows this female, Alandria, has not been claimed. And she is Prince Mikhail's daughter. How perfect things seem to be turning out. But what is she doing in America?
Who cares. Aaron will make this woman his until his time has come. Then whatever happens to her . . . happens. Oh well. That will not be his problem.
His arms go under the female's body, lifting her to him and he looked down at her. She was such a mess. It would seem that the vampires have gotten to her. It was surprising they have not killed her. Or taken her to their lair. Whatever happened to her, she can tell him if she wants to. But right now, he wants to clean her off. No fun looking at hag looking women when she can be much more beautiful than that.
I will make you mine. Hear me, young princess. He whispered into her mind. He knows nothing of this woman. Just that she is Mikhail's daughter, and at the age of seventeen. Old enough to be claimed. Even though he is not her true lifemate.
No, you will not. The words snapped back into his own mind and he continued to stare down at the unconscious woman in his arms. She defies him, even in her state. She sure is an interesting thing. But he will deal with her. She is just a mere woman. A fledging at that. What can she possibly do? But for her to be able to talk to him in his own mind is amazing. A fledging has a hard time with that unless it is their lifemate. Yet she is doing it. Unconcsious none the less.
You will wake up when I tell you too. He mentally commanded her, but to his surprise he heard a soft laugh back in his own mind.
Do not attempt to tell me what to do. I will wake when I please. And do not think yourself as so strong. You attempted to put a sleep compulsion on an unconscious woman. Hmm, how tough you are.
Aaron grew aggravated. Even though she is unconscious, she still has enough mind ability to mock him. The nerve of this wench! She will be dealt with when she wakes up. That is for sure.
We shall see. Were her final words before shutting him out of her mind with a barrier. He was more than surprised at the capability of doing such things while knocked out. Will she be more trouble than he anticipated?
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A/N; Finally, I was able to get chapter two out. For some reason I had the biggest writers block to this story. Like, I had so many ideas but couldn't put them together. But I was finally able to create this chapter. Most of it was just talking with Gregori and Mikhail. But I was trying to devise a plan and a reason as to why and how I should bring Aleksandar in the story. I mean I didn't want him to just randomly show up. I like having reasons for things. And you saw a small glimpse at Savannah and Gregori's daughters. Not much of them. I just wanted to show you Savannah had her kids. So they really aren't going to be here much. Unless I give them lifemates? Who knows.
And anyways, I know nothing exciting happened in this chapter. I was trying to get the story and characters rolling so I can bring Alandria and Aleksandar together. Like I said, having them randomly meet just didn't work for me. Now he has a reason to go after her. And get jealous of Aaron. :D Yay! We all love the jealously. Haha anyways... So, please review or PM I love hearing opinions. Please please pleeeease.