Hey readers. Again. I don't really have much to say. Again. I haven't even finished my first cup of coffee for the day. I wish I was as rich as Laurell K. Hamilton. Then I could afford to just do nothing but write all day, like her. Sigh. She's my role model. Anyways, on to the story.

Chapter Thirteen

Rei released a strangled moan. His mate smirked as he arched up to meet him. He could already tell that the ten's energy was returning slowly but surely with every small touch they shared. His mating mark was burning pleasantly between them. Jackal was able to erase every hurt and horror from his lover's mind at least for a small time. He kissed the whimpering teen passionately as if he were going to breathe him in. Everything was perfect now. Nothing could interfere now that he was truly his. Not even the bloody Dark Lord.

He swam back to consciousness groggily and unwillingly. Rei was warm, full and satisfied. There was no more pain. His whole body felt good and a comforting hand was stroking his head. A strong pair of arms held him close to a firm body. Then the memories began to return. Jackal. Dumbledore. Mates.

"I was wondering when you would wake, my lovely. You've slept for quite a while." Jackal whispered in his ear.

Rei opened his eyes. The vampire gazed down on him with a pleased smile, making the teen gasp at the lovely feeling that echoed through him. He knew that if they got closer, if they were to kiss or more, the sensation would grow to be almost unbearable. The knowledge made him shiver eagerly. He didn't know how he knew these things, just that they were an unwavering truth. Unquestionable. He couldn't seem to get a firm grasp on his emotions and his thoughts. It was as if his thoughts were disassociated from his emotions. The wrong emotion with the wrong thought. He knew that he should feel angry and hurt and ashamed that he had finally given in to Jackal but all he felt was a deep sense of contentment. Like he hadn't just cheated on Tom. But Jackal was his mate. His instincts were pushing him, urging him not to question this undeniable truth, that there was no one else for him but Jackal. That it was blasphemy that he had anyone else before his mate. The word echoed through his being, and he felt it spill out of his mouth in question.

"Mates?" He asked, testing the word out on his tongue.

Jackal nodded, running his pale hand through the black, unbound hair. Rei purred low in his throat.

"How did you like it? Was it better than with your Dark Lord?"



Jackal's displeasure merely at the thought of Tom could be felt by the teen and the vampire's name escaped Rei's lips in a gasp. The anger receded quickly but left with it an urging to answer his mate's question. He bit his lip.

"It was…the most amazing thing I've ever felt." He answered truthfully.

Jackal hummed, his smile growing. His fingers played down the teen's spine teasingly. The urge to answer faded at last and Rei gently touched his mate's collarbone, the small V at the junction between that pale chest and his neck. Never before had he felt such a need to touch him. Now, Rei surrendered to it and leaned up to kiss the point chastely, his fingers shaking. Jackal had saved him from the old man and his terrible school. By consummating their mating fully at last, he had been getting what he wanted, yes, but he had been protecting Rei too. He knew that the teen was grateful. Something horrible would have happened if he had stayed there any longer. Jackal nuzzled the top of his head gently before speaking

"Don't think that this means I'm letting you off for what you did with the Dark Lord. You will be punished, lovely. Count on that." He hissed.

Almost like a reflex, to protect himself from his mate's anger, Rei buried himself as far as he could in Jackal's body, in his arms. His conscious mind had taken a step back and suddenly, he knew how to ease his mate's anger. Rei slipped his arms around Jackal's neck, pulling himself flush against his body. He kissed the vampire, gently at first but it soon became filled with passion. Jackal's rage did ease and he rolled over with Rei on bottom. The teen found himself arching up to meet the offered skin above him. He pulled the vampire down and bit his neck, sucking on the flesh as if he could grow fangs like his lover and drink him down. Jackal hissed but not in anger. Rei felt his mate's body responding delightfully and radiated in the pleasure flowing from the man.

Tsuki reread the letter three times before a huge smile broke out on her weathered face. Kyou was cradling his coffee cup as if it were the last sane thing in life. He scowled at the woman with a hint of bitterness in his expression.

"What are you so happy about?" He groused irritatedly.

She beamed at him.

"It's from Rei."

He jumped up and snatched the paper from her with a cry of joy. Rei was alright! He was with Jackal but he was alright! He broke into a huge idiotic grin as well. Tom sat in his office with two similar letters. One from Rei and one from …Jackal. Rei's was the one that made his hand clench in fury but not at the teen. At Dumbledore. Rei told him everything the old man had done 

and said that if he didn't want to be with him after being tainted by the old man he would understand. He said how much he missed him and that Jackal was treating him alright or at least he wasn't hurting him. Rei begged him to please write and finished off with saying that he loved him more than anything. Jackal's letter was less infuriating.

Dark Lord Voldemort,

I realize that I am the next to last person you wish to receive a letter from but what I have to say must be made known. You must know that I claimed Rei as my own several months ago. I imagine that this must have angered you greatly seeing as you are my only competition for Rei's heart, however, I must make you aware of my sentiments. Our mating bond, since it had not been fully consummated at the time of Rei's capture by the Headmaster, began to punish Rei for not submitting by sucking his energy and strength away. To save his life, I completed the bond with him. Now I did not do this by force. Rei knew what was at stake. I believe that he did it really to get one more chance to see you but you must realize that I cannot allow this. He is my mate and I would ask for you not to try to ignite any old flames. Rei will have a very comfortable life with me and I will treat him as if he were the most precious thing in the world. To me, he is. Please do not contact him as a lover again.

Sincerely,

Adair Jackal Thayer

Could he give Rei up even for him to have a comfortable and happy life? Yes. But he was convinced that Jackal was the last person that could make Rei happy. Rei despised him. He may have agreed to complete the bond but only because he had no other choice. He did not blame Rei or even Jackal. The vampire only wanted his mate to be safe, really. He blamed Dumbledore. That man had tortured and raped his beloved. Rei had begged him not to tell Jackal so he would not but he would be damned if he let that man get away with what he had done. There would be hell to pay indeed. He set the letters aside and began to pen a response to both letters.

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