Chapter 1

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Since as long as anyone could remember, the world had been filled with supernatural creatures. There were species created from events, from magic, sometimes even seemingly from thin air, with new supernatural species seemingly being born every few years. The Ther were one of the more ancient species, one that was around seemingly from the dawn of time, and somehow survived to to present times despite all that the world had thrown at them. There were many reasons for this, mainly their ability to blend in with regular humans and their battle prowess. Not only were they insanely strong and fast, and trained to fight from the moment they could walk, but they were also immortal, filled with magic, and able to shift into animal form. They seemed to only get stronger through their parents' bloodlines when they were born, and at that birth, their magic immediately connected to one of the elements.

The magic elements were divided into levels, with the weakest levels being Pyr (fire), Aqua (water), Lapis (stone), Ventus (wind), and Planta (plant). The second level of power consisted of Bios (life), Cryo (ice), Fulgur (lightning), Metallum (metal), Bios (life), and Mortem (death). There were higher levels spoken about, the third strongest consisted of Erebus (shadow) and Lux (light) but the only way to obtain those powers was by a magical being aligning themselves with either the side of light or darkness. Both were hard to reach for anyone, but while people who ended up becoming Lux were revered and loved, known for creating miracles, those who became Erebus were feared and hated, known for causing massacres and suffering. Finally, there was the fourth level of power; one that was rarely talked about, considered nothing but legend.

Ther were either born to the first or second level of power, and their animal form, which manifested between the ages of five and ten, would reflect that element that they were aligned with. Once they manifested, they were grouped up with others who manifested that year, then given even harder training, pushed to their very limits and then past it. As they continued through the training regimens, they were eventually split into smaller groups with those who the children worked best with, who they shared the most camaraderie with, so that they were able to face any problem with a united front. The training ended after twenty years, where the teams were then fit to what suited them best.

It was a tough life, but one every Ther knew to expect from a very young age, and it kept their species alive where others had gone extinct. This lifestyle would guarantee that any young born would be able to protect their people, and their soulmate, once they find them. How could anyone complain?

Just like every other Ther Isabella was more than happy to continue this way of life. She had been considered a genius by her village due to being aligned with Cryo at birth, and because she had manifested into a snow leopard right on her fifth birthday. She was so used to being powerful, being the pride of the new generation, and she thought of nothing else but living up to the expectations placed on her and being there for her friends.

Every day was the same-training from dawn until sunset, hunting for meals with her friends during her breaks, and finally getting to rest only after she had exhausted herself completely. Then, when they finally could recover, she and her friends would go celebrate for a few hours at a tavern or party before passing out to prepare for the next day. It was routine, but she loved it. Loved spending every day getting stronger with her best friends Arlo, Kenzie, Merle, Ceres, and Roarke at her side. She never wanted anything else or considered anything else. Nothing else even mattered to her, save for eventually finding her mate and living out the rest of her life happily together with her.

Then, on a day like any other, Isabella would have an encounter that would change her destiny.

The Ther wasn't even twenty years old when she found her everything.

The sun had just finished setting, marking the end of another harsh day's training for Isabella and her friends. As they always did once free of hard work, they all gathered together to go to their favorite local tavern to celebrate their progress. As they entered through the front door, each one was bragging about how good each of them had been that day, exaggerating their achievements to try and top each other. Isabella was in the middle of telling her own story, which was why it was such a surprise to her friends when she suddenly trailed off. Not just trailed off, but froze in place so suddenly that Arlo bumped into her from behind.

"Isabella?" Kenzie asked, shaking her friend's shoulder when Isabella didn't even seem to notice Arlo's collision. "Are you alright?"

Oh, Isabella was much more than alright. She was in heaven. Before her, only twenty feet away with a goblet of wine in her hand was an angel. The woman wore a simple red dress, yet the color stood out brightly among the people who wore varying shades of brown. She had long, pale blonde hair that fell straight almost to her waist and dark red eyes. Her skin was pale, flawless. Her face the most beautiful she had ever seen, her naturally pink lips curved in a playful smile as she spoke to the barkeep.

Mine.

Without a doubt, Isabella knew that this woman was her mate.

"Isabella? Hello? Earth to Isabella," Merle said, waving her hand in front of Isabella's face. When that didn't work, she rapped her knuckles on Isabella's skull. "Anyone home?"

It was hitting her in the head that did it. Isabella blinked, coming out of her stupor, but didn't stop staring at the woman in awe. "See that woman over there? Long blonde hair talking to the barkeep," Isabella whispered excitedly, barely able to contain herself. She made sure to keep her voice low so that even supernatural hearing wouldn't be able to catch her words at more than a few feet away. "I felt it. She's my mate."

Her friends started to let out exclamations of protest, thankfully at a volume that the woman wouldn't be able to hear her at. Finally, all of them were silenced by Roarke.

"Isabella, you can't be serious," he said. "You know what she is, don't you? Or have you lost your mind at her beauty?" The words could be considered cruel, but they came from a place of concern, and Isabella knew that. It was the only thing that stopped her from smacking him upside the head.

"Of course I know what she is," Isabella hissed. "I'm not daft. Regardless, she's my mate, and I love her. I'm going to go over there and woo her and give her the world if I must."

"Does love really come that fast?" Arlo speculated.

"Isabella, think things through. Mate or not, she's still a vampire. You know what they're like. They don't even like other supernatural creatures existing." Despite Kenzie trying to stress the importance to her friend, Isabella wasn't budged. She started to walk toward her mate, but Kenzie grabbed her by the arm to hold her back. Isabella turned to Kenzie, blue eyes flashing in anger. It was only Kenzie's status as one of her best friends that stopped Isabella from getting physical with her. "Please, Isabella, just think things through. We appear human to them, but we're still Ther. They see us as nothing but beasts that can take on human form. Whether she sees you as human or Ther what's to stop her from just killing you?"

"The mate bond, obviously," Isabella said with a roll of her eyes. She shook off her friend's grip on her arm. "I feel it for her, therefore when she lays her beautiful eyes on me, she will feel it too. Mates can't do anything to hurt each other, you know that."

"That's myth spouted by hopeless romantics like you," Roarke spat. "If you aren't careful in approaching her, you are as good as dead."

Isabella fought back the need to hiss, both at the idea of her mate being able to hurt her, and the idea of Isabella being a "hopeless" romantic. All of them were just children themselves, none of them had ever experienced the mate bond. They just didn't understand. "I can't wait to prove you wrong as my mate falls utterly in love with me. You'll see." Spinning on her heel, she left her friends despite their protests and started stalking toward her mate. Realizing aggression might make her mate nervous, as Isabella knew she would hate for her mate to approach her in anger, even if that anger wasn't directed at her, she forced herself to calm. Only when the anger was gone and a smile was on her face did she approach her mate.

"Hello there, love. What's a beautiful creature like you doing all by her lonesome?" Inwardly, Isabella cringed at the words that spilled out of her mouth, but it was too late to take them back. Maybe she should have spent time with her friends when they went out chasing women, if only to become more suave when it came to charming her mate. Hopefully, her mate would find her innocence endearing.

The blonde looked over at her, her gaze starting at Isabella's feet before slowly traveling upward. By the time the vampire's eyes made it to her breasts, where they stayed, Isabella felt as if she had stripped bare and had to suppress a shiver. Now that the woman's eyes were on her, Isabella felt much more nervous. There were butterflies in her stomach, and despite knowing that they were made for each other, Bella still found herself worried if the vampire liked what she saw. Thankfully it looked like she did, if the way the blonde's eyes darkened was anything to go by. Isabella thought she got a whiff of the woman's arousal, but she couldn't be sure if it was true or just Isabella's wishful thinking. There were too many thick scents in the tavern for Isabella to be able to sniff out everything that belonged to her mate-at least, without being so obvious about it.

"May I ask for your name?" Isabella managed to say.

"Katrina," the woman answered, her voice as smooth as silk, making Isabella weak in the knees. "Aren't you something brave, coming over here?" Her voice took on a teasing lilt. Coupled with the smirk on her face, Isabella felt wetness gather between her thighs.

"Well, I...I had to. Obviously," Isabella stammered. "You're special to me, as I'm sure you know. I would be a fool not to speak to you."

Katrina almost rolled her eyes. Another hopeless romantic, charmed by her beauty and believing they were meant to be together. Some days, the humans made it almost too easy. Like they wanted to become Katrina's prey. Something about this girl was more endearing than most, and as Katrina liked what she had seen so far, she wasn't about to turn her down. She needed to drink anyway, it was why she came here in the first place.

"Mm...I have been waiting for you for a while," Katrina purred. Well, not this girl in particular; just someone who looked like they would be a good meal and a good fuck at the same time. It was something she needed, the combination being the only thing that could take her mind off of her maker's death.

The vampire reached out and stroked the trembling girl's cheek. The human all but melted under touch, making Katrina smile. This one would be much too easy.

"I love you," Isabella blurted. Katrina's eyebrows arched in surprise, making Isabella blush. Okay, maybe she was a bit of a romantic...an impulsive one. "I, er, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"No, it's fine," Katrina was quick to assure her. Oh, she hadn't met one of this type of human in a while. Had Katrina not been so in need of blood, she might have even felt bad for taking advantage of her. "My heart is already yours, beautiful. I feel the same." The girl was beautiful, right? Katrina hadn't bothered looking past the girl's magnificent breasts, so she wouldn't know. She wouldn't look in the girl's eyes, as something about doing so with her prey always made Katrina see more than just a meal, made her feel a little guiltier in the long run. However, she could look at the girl's face at least a little bit. The vampire's eyes moved higher, to the girl's mouth. Her tongue darted out to run across her lower lip. That was certainly a very kissable mouth the girl had there. Hopefully a talented one as well, given what Katrina had planned. "Why don't you and I get out of here? I want to get to know you some more without all of these distractions."

Yes yes yes! Isabella couldn't even explain the elation she felt in her chest at how things had been going. Her mate already loved her, just as Isabella did. Her friends had been wrong, and Isabella couldn't hope for a better first meeting.

"Of course," Isabella's reply was so quick, so eager, that a surprised laugh escaped her mate. "Wherever you want to go, my love."

Katrina gracefully rose from her stool and smiled at the girl, holding out her hand to her. "Come with me."

Isabella took hold of Katrina's hand, sighing in relief at the contact. It was only the vampire's cool palm against hers with their fingers laced, but nothing had ever felt better to her in her life.

The girl was in such a daze, she didn't think twice about even trying to memorize the route Katrina was leading her down. All Isabella knew was that in what felt like only a few blissful minutes, she was suddenly in a bedroom, being slammed against the wall with Katrina's hands holding her by the collar. Then the vampire's cold, firm lips were on hers, and Isabella was in absolute heaven as she groaned and did her best to return the kiss.

The moment Isabella groaned, Katrina's skilled tongue forced its way inside her mouth, not requesting access but taking it. It excited the beastial part of Isabella, made her want to match Katrina's ferocity, but she held back. Regardless of what she wanted, she had no experience, and she wanted Katrina to enjoy herself first and foremost. Despite what her instincts were telling her, despite how hard it was for Isabella to relent, she let Katrina take over and lead. For now, she would enjoy and learn. They had eternity for Isabella to top her, after all.

With one last nip to Isabella's lower lip, Katrina ended the kiss. Her mouth moved to Isabella's neck, her tongue running along sensitive skin. Isabella's kind would view her as foolish to allow a vampire free access to her throat, but this wasn't just any vampire. This was Isabella's mate, and she knew that her mate wouldn't kill her.

"You're amazing," Isabella breathed, in complete awe of her mate's very existence.

Katrina couldn't help a chuckle from escaping her as she pulled the brunette's top over her head. "I know." And I'm not the only one, Katrina thought with some surprise as she leaned back to get a better view of the girl's body. While the girl's attitude and lovesick attitude made Katrina think the girl was some kind of villager, her body, strong and toned with rippling muscles, told Katrina the girl was a warrior. A part of Katrina wanted to meet the girl on the battlefield, to at least spar just to see how skilled she was. Of course, it was a stupid desire, as the girl would have no chance against Katrina as a vampire. Instead of fighting her, Katrina would simply have to enjoy the girl's body thoroughly the way she originally intended.

"Well, look at you," Katrina purred, her eyes now pitch black with lust. "I didn't realize you were hiding such a body under that adorable attitude."

"Oh, uh…" Isabella trailed off with a low growl when Katrina lowered her head to lick a line along her abs. Had Katrina been less driven by her lust, she would have noticed the growl wasn't quite human. Instead, she hummed in appreciation as her hands moved up the girl's body. She wanted to see more, needed it even. She hadn't felt so much lust for a human in a long, long time.

Isabella's hands tangled in Katrina's hair, encouraging her to keep her mouth against Isabella's skin while doing everything she could not to take the lead or flip their positions. She had always wanted to give her mate her virginity in that "hopeless" romantic way of hers, and was more than happy to do so, but at the same time she cursed her inexperience. If only she had at least fooled around, she would know how to take Katrina properly and make sure her mate enjoyed it.

Katrina made it up to her breasts, still wrapped up in cloth. That was something she would have to change; this was not a body that Katrina would allow to remain covered. "Let's get rid of this," Katrina said, tugging at the bindings almost teasingly, were it not for that tinge of need. She glanced up at the girl through her lashes, giving her a flirty look that proved to only temporarily distract Katrina herself when one glance at the girl's lips drove Katrina to kiss them again.

This time, it was Isabella who broke the kiss with a whispered, "I'll show mine if you show yours." This time, there was no blush or stutter or hesitancy to her words. She was no longer shy, but hungry to see what her mate had to offer.

Just when I thought you couldn't get any hotter, you show some backbone. Katrina was more than pleased with this, and let out a laugh. "If you insist, I shall." Katrina reached behind her, undoing the tie of her dress. Isabella was too focused on the sight she was about to see to pay attention to how Katrina got the dress off, only hissing in lust once her body was revealed. Her mate's body was glorious perfection, and Isabella couldn't believe this woman was actually hers. Isabella completely forgot about her original plan as she stalked toward Katrina, slowly herding her to the bed.

"Oh, no," Katrina teased when Isabella got too close. "You can't have me until you hold up your end of the deal." Her eyes had never left Isabella's breasts for a second, making it more than clear what she was talking about.

Does my body really matter when I could be worshipping every inch of hers? Despite her thoughts, Isabella did as asked, removing the wrap from her breasts.

Katrina's lust became almost unbearable. It was unfair for a human to be this tempting. "They're even better than I thought." She was in front of the human faster than the human could blink, forgetting herself in her lust, yet the girl didn't appear surprised or startled at all. She seemed much more concerned with grabbing Katrina's ass with both hands, pulling the vampire against her body.

The woman's cold skin felt amazing against Isabella's own. That was only another way they were compatible in Isabella's mind. After all, she was Cryo-a magical beast of ice. It was only natural that her mate be someone who could handle the cold, just like her.

We fit perfectly together, Isabella thought sappily as their lips met in another hungry kiss. Shit. Maybe I am a hopeless romantic.

"I'm going to enjoy these breasts of yours first, and then we're going to get around to taking these off of you," Katrina told the girl, tugging playfully at the waistband of her breeches. She gave the girl one last kiss before moving her mouth to a more important area on the girl's body.

"It's my first time," Isabella admitted softly before Katrina's mouth could reach its destination. Katrina paused, but Isabella didn't even notice, all but vibrating with her own need to touch and fuck her mate. "I don't know what I'm doing, but I can't hold back much more. I need to have you."

Katrina wanted to curse. Just how innocent and naive was this girl? Katrina had originally told herself that the girl was trying to use sweet words to get Katrina in bed, but the vampire could sense the truth in the girl's voice. How had this girl retained her outlook for so long? She should have been dirtied by the world already.

Damn it all, Isabella couldn't take it any longer. She had done her best to silence the beast inside her, but having her mate so close and naked was too much. She needed to take her, to fuck her, to claim her in some way, or she was going to lose it.

Without thinking it through, Isabella pushed Katrina back onto the bed. The vampire barely had the time to let out a sound of surprise before Isabella was on top of her. Now it was Isabella's turn to have her lips on Katrina's neck, teeth grazing Katrina's skin as her hand traveled up Katrina's inner thigh.

"Eager thing, aren't you? Perhaps you-" Katrina's teasing ended with a gasp, her hips jerking with pleasure as Isabella thrust two fingers inside of her. The girl's inexperience showed, and usually Katrina would have been grumpy that her lover had skipped over the foreplay, but Katrina was already beyond soaked. Not to mention the girl's fingers...she was certainly a natural, to say the least. It was like the human had fucked Katrina a thousand times before and knew just what to do to play the blonde's body.

"Katrina," Isabella breathed. Her voice caressed Katrina's name in worship the same way Isabella's tongue caressed Katrina's skin. Isabella was barely able to restrain her strength as her fingers moved inside of her mate, wanting to be gentle despite knowing that Katrina could take so much more.

"Fuck!" came Katrina's hiss as the vampire threw her head back. Her nails scratched down the brunette's back, so close to drawing blood, but Katrina didn't even notice. At the moment, not only was Sasha the last thing on her mind, but even her bloodlust was forgotten. The only thing in Katrina's mind was a haze of pleasure as she tightened her legs around Isabella encouragingly. "Fuck me harder...please…!" She needed it; if someone was going to try to take her, think they would top her, they had better be rough about it. How else would someone be able to dominate another but with strength?

Isabella was all too happy to give it to her, but even as she put more strength behind each thrust of her fingers, she still held back a great deal. If she went all out, she knew she'd lose herself to instinct and animalistic need. For the first time, she wanted to be in complete control, to show how much she loved her mate.

It wasn't too long before Katrina came, clutching Isabella against her body with a cry of pleasure as she rode out the waves of her orgasm. Isabella smiled, filled with euphoria; making her mate come apart at her hands was one of the best feelings in the world for her. Kissing her mate lightly on her parted lips, she poured all of her heart into the four words she said next; "I love you, Katrina."

Katrina grabbed Isabella by the shoulders and pushed, flipping Isabella onto her back and straddling her. "Yeah, yeah," Katrina said, dismissing Isabella's words as she reached between their bodies. Her fingers started to loosen Isabella's breeches as she grinned at Isabella's tits. "Now it's my turn."

Isabella didn't notice Katrina's dismissal. She was too high on happiness, too eager to have her mate in who knew how many other ways. Not for a second did she think that Katrina hadn't accepted her words or that the vampire didn't feel the same for her.

"Let's see what you've got," Isabella taunted.

Katrina let out another laugh. The human had guts, and she loved it. "You're going to regret those words, lover. Just you wait."

She was going to show this human just what a vampire was capable of.