So here is the second chapter. It's also kinda short and I'm not very proud of it... but it's good for set-up. =) I hope you all like this prequel!

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2

Pet

When I re-opened my eyes, I felt like I was coming out from the womb again. Everything was blurry and my mind was fogged. When I tried to sit up, my entire body ached and I forced myself back into a horizontal position with a small groan.

Despite my confusion, I tried to assess my surroundings as well as I could. I was in an old Victorian-style room with old, red velvet furniture and a lovely four-post bed with a cream silk canopy. The drapes were drawn closed over the window, making the room dark and musty looking.

"He's awake…" someone whispered from the shadows, causing me to hold my breath.

I held still as I heard someone getting closer and I tried to appear like I was still unconscious. My act must have been unconvincing because whoever it was kept coming until they were leaning over my body.

"Open your eyes, young one," they said and I slowly looked up into their face.

Bronze eyes met mine and I jumped back, remembering the eyes of my attacker. I sunk into the chair beneath me, trying to gain some distance between the person and myself.

"Wh-who are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking. "Where am I? What did you do to me?"

"Relax, young one…" another person came into view. "We know that you are frightened. We've come here to inform you."

I swallowed hard as the bronze-eyed man above me leaned away, studying my face.

"You wish to know who we are, yes?" he asked.

I nodded, trying to stop my body from shaking.

"My name is Toris Laurinaitis," the man in the background said. "This is my coven mate, Gupta Muhammad Hassan. We're here to help you understand why you're here." He held a hand out to me. "Here, let me help you sit up."

I hesitantly took his hand, letting him help me into a sitting position. I groaned as my body began to ache and Toris frowned, taking a seat next to me. He inspected my neck and I noticed that there were bandages applied to the area.

"You're no longer bleeding there," he smiled, peeling the bandages off. "But it will ache for a few days."

"Wh-what's going on here…?" I asked, my mind still a tad foggy. "What…? Why am I…? What happened…?"

"Be still, young one," Gupta, as he was called, said. "All will be explained."

"You're a long way from home," Toris said, as if he already knew about the situation. "And you're in pain. On top of that, you're confused." I blinked at him, surprised. "I can sense your troubled emotions, young one. You're in a place that is home to a coven of vampires."

My heart sank into my stomach. "I'm… what? Vampires?"

Toris took my hand and stroked my skin to comfort me. "You were turned and brought here by our coven leader, Sadiq Adnan. Gupta and I have been put in charge of watching over you."

"T-turned…?" I stuttered, my brain processing what Toris had told me. "You mean… I'm a… vampire?"

Toris nodded slowly and put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I know that it's a shock, young one. But please, do not worry. Gupta and I will take good care of you."

I glanced at Gupta, who watched me with a calculating gaze. It took all that I had not to panic or scream. I was breathing fast until I realized that my heart wasn't hammering in my chest, as it should have been. The organ was completely still, not beating at all. I grabbed at my chest and tried desperately not to panic.

Toris tightened his grip on my shoulder, a look of understanding etched on his face. I glanced up at him, trying to conjure up questions.

"So… I'm dead…" I muttered. "But at the same time, I'm not. Why… why did he bring me here? Why me?"

"Sadiq's actions are never clear," Toris sighed. "But here's some advice, young one… Never question him. The last person who did… well, let's say that it took a while to pick up all of the pieces…"

I felt my throat tighten. This couldn't be happening… I had to get home, I couldn't stay there. I had to leave.

There was a sudden commotion from outside of the room and the door was flung open, revealing the man that had attacked me in the alley. Toris and Gupta were gone from my side, lurking in the shadows as the man entered. He smirked upon seeing my face, the expression sending chills up and down my spine.

"So you're awake," he smirked, walking closer to me. Something about his presence caused me to back up, pressing close against the couch. He cupped my chin and I shuddered, turning away. "Afraid to look at me?" He chuckled and then turned to Toris. "How is he?"

"He's still confused, sir," Toris said, bowing his head and not making eye contact. "But he will adjust in due time."

"Good," he smiled, turning back to me. "Leave us."

My heart sank when Gupta and Toris left, leaving me alone with my attacker. He smirked at me and leaned close, cupping my chin again.

"Good evening, pet…" he muttered. "I am Sadiq Adnan, your coven leader. You will do as I say without any questions, got it?"

I nodded slowly, my breath coming out in panicked gasps. Sadiq smirked again, his grip tightening on my chin. I squeaked in pain and his smirk became wider. His face became uncomfortably close and I tried flinching away but his grip kept my face there. He chuckled again, digging his fingers tight into my cheek as his other hand began to move somewhere else…

"Stop." I commanded, batting his hand away from my crotch.

"You're a feisty one…" Sadiq chuckled, his expression malicious. "But I'll break you."

His fingernails dug into my cheek, causing me to gasp. Sadiq smirked again but backed away, heading for the door.

"Toris," he called and the vampire was in the room in a matter of seconds, standing at attention.

"Yes sir?"

"Get some clothes for Mr. Kirkland," Sadiq commanded. "He needs to look nice for tonight."

"Yes sir," Toris said and was gone.

Sadiq turned to smirk at me, his eyes flashing menacingly. "Do as I say and you might come out alive…"

I swallowed hard as he left, shuddering as Toris came in with a bundle of clothing.

"Wh-what was that?" I asked as he handed me the clothes.

"That was Sadiq," Toris sighed as Gupta slowly crept back into the room.

"What… does he want with me?" I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Why is he doing this?"

"Vampires have mates, like most animals do," Toris explained as he unfolded the Victorian-styled clothing. "We choose our mates and then stay with them for life, bound for eternity. Sadiq has always been trying to find a mate. However, every vampire chosen has ended up dead due to be… uncooperative."

"And… what does this have to do with me…?" I asked, knowing what the answer would be.

"Sadiq has chosen you," Toris sighed, loosening my tie. "Shirt off please." I shot him a confused look. "I must clothe you. It is my job." I took off my shirt, the garment being replaced by a silk jacket. "Sadiq will go to any lengths to acquire a mate. Be careful, Mr. Kirkland."

I nodded as he tightened an ascot around my neck. "But… what if I don't want to be his mate?"

"Please, don't say that!" Toris begged, looking fearful. "He'll kill you for sure! Please, Mr. Kirkland, cooperate. I don't want to clean up after him again…"

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I-I'll try…"

But I won't go quietly…