Chapter 62 - This Isn't Real.

"Dalton...wh..what the f**k?"

"Please don't be scared Nattie, please"

He begged when he tried to approach me and I backed up on the bed away from him.

"Scared? are you freaking kidding me?"

He lets out a sigh as he drops his head and places his hands on his hips.

"What are you?"

I asked in a whisper as tears fell from my eyes.

"I'm me Nattie, I promise I'm still Dalty"

"No, you're not, I..I..I watched you die, I watched your parents die"

"Yer about that"

He said whilst nervously sitting on the bed next to me.

"You didn't see us die, Nattie, it was all a trick"

"A trick?...what do you think I am Dalton, stupid?...I'm not a little girl anymore"

"No you're not, you're definitely not"

He says whilst looking me up and down with a smile.

Most girls would probably get excited by how he's looking at me or be disturbed, it depends on who you are but for me, it brought me some comfort, not a lot but some and it's not because he's looking at me in a lustful way, he's looking at me like a man who last saw me as a six-year-old girl and is now seeing me as an eighteen-year-old woman.

"You're all grown up Nattie"

"Well, that's what happens with time Dalton, as much as all of us would love to stay young, it's impossible, we all eventually grow up and get older"

"Oh, I know that, it's just...look at you...you're a married woman now"

He says whilst eyeing my left hand.

"And you're pregnant too"

He tried to touch my stomach but I growled at him.

"Don't f*****g touch me"

He didn't listen to me and gently placed his hand on my stomach as his other hand cupped the side of my face.

"I've missed you, Nat...and Cole and Angelo...and Emily"

"Don't you dare talk about her"

I angrily growled through gritted teeth.

"You don't have any right to talk about her, not after you left her to suffer"

"I had no choice but to leave her, Nat"

"Everyones got a choice Dalton, you chose wrong"

I growled as I slapped his hands away from me.

"Well I didn't have a choice Natalia and neither did my parents"

I look up at him confused and I didn't know whether to be shocked or angry or both.

"What have your parents got to do with this?"

He looked at me and answered me with his eyes.

I know it sounds odd but it's true, you know the old saying the eyes are the window to the soul, well if you look hard enough, you'll be able to tell a lot more and from the pain, sadness and regret that are swimming around in Dalton's beautiful brown eyes, I got my answer.

"Your parents are alive as well"

He nods his head.

I was so confused, I tried and failed several times to ask him so many questions but each time the words got all jumbled up before I could speak.

"I know you're confused and scared and..."

"And hurt"

Regret and guilt paints his face as he looks away from me.

"You were like my big brother Dalton, hell you ARE Emily's big brother, how could you leave us all like that? how could you allow us to believe that you all have been dead for twelve years?"

"Because we had to Nat, we had no other choice"

"What do you mean?"

I asked feeling annoyed because I'm starting to get fed up of him saying that and not elaborating on why he never had a choice.

Dalton stands up from the bed and starts pacing, he looks scared and nervous for some reason.

"I'm guessing you know about Mason and Aubrey, right?"

"Yer"

I growled.

"Well Mason found out that he and Aubrey were mates when she was only a kid, you see...ever since Mason found out where you were, he's been following you but he never expected to find his mate in the process and in a little girl of all people"

"So, he's always been destined to be a sick freak...good to know"

Dalton chuckles and I swear I almost smiled hearing it...it's been so long.

"Anyway, Mason managed to use the bond to manipulate Aubrey and mess with her little head so that she'll do all of his dirty work"

"Like saying I attacked her when I didn't"

"Exactly and like convincing your parents that Emily was in on the rogue attack which supposedly killed me and my parents when she wasn't"

"I'm well aware of that, Emily wouldn't hurt a bug let alone her own family, well, now she probably would but back then she wouldn't hurt anything or anyone, especially you"

Tears filled my eyes as I tried my hardest to hold them back, these damn kids need to stop making me a hormonal mess at least, until I'm back home and safe.

"How is Emily? is she doing ok? has she found her mate yet?"

"Don't tell him, he doesn't deserve to know"

"Lucky, she's his sister"

"And?...he abandoned her, he doesn't deserve shit"

Urgh!!.

"At least don't tell him until we learn more, there's a reason he's here and not back at the pack with Emily"

I look up at Dalton who was looking at me with so much hope.

"I'll tell you everything about Emily when you tell me what's going on? why am I here? why are you here?"

He lets out a sigh.

"I'll tell you everything Nattie, you just have to promise me that you'll trust me"

"Trust is earned Dalton, you lost mine the moment you abandoned Emily and the pack"

"Nattie, please"

He grabbed hold of my hand as he once again sat next to me on the bed.

"Tell me you trust me Nattie, please"

He begs in a whisper.

"Ok fine...I trust you, now tell me"

Dalton smiled but it didn't reach his ears, his face then turned serious.

"The day of the attack, me and my parents were left for dead in the woods but we were saved by Mason who healed us, he brought us back to his mansion and told us all about his plans to have you and the throne, we thought he was crazy at first but we learned very quickly that he was actually being serious and he wanted us to help him"

"Help?...how?"

"Well, he wanted to know everything about you and the pack, things that your grandparents didn't put in that stupid file"

I look up at him shocked.

"You know"

He nods his head.

"Yer, Angelo told me...it's weird because I always thought he'd be the one who was adopted not you"

"Oh yer, how so?"

"He's just different compared to you and Cole, don't be grossed out by this but I think you two look more alike then Cole and Angelo"

I chuckled slightly.

"So, you know about me and Cole as well?"

"Yer"

He chuckled.

"Everyone here knows you're married and mated to Cole"

"How?"

I highly doubt Dalton has gone around talking about us so my guess would be Mason.

"Well, let's just say Masons thrown more hissy fits over you two then a teenage girl has over not getting her own way"

"Wow, that's a lot"

"Yer...it is"

He sighs.

"Anyway, Mason wanted our help but we refused, we didn't wanna help him to hurt someone we love...but..."

"But what?"

Dalton looked down as tears fell down his face and his bottom lip trembled.

"He threatened us Nat...he threatened to hurt someone really important to us if we didn't help him"

"Emily"

I whispered and he nodded his head.

"He said he'd rape, torture and kill Emily if we didn't help him so we had too...that's why we faked our deaths....we were just protecting Emily"

Oh my god.

"That sick, twisted, f*****g asshole"

"Jesus colourful language there Nattie pie"

Dalton said with a chuckle.

"It's just one of my many amazing traits"

"Well, I don't like it...it's just further proof that you're all grown up"

"Oh and the wedding ring, the mark on my neck and the three alpha cakes that are currently baking away in my oven didn't give it away"

We both chuckled.

"Three kids, huh...Cole sure moves fast"

"Yer, you don't need to tell me that"

I said whilst rolling my eyes.

"Anyway, if you think I've got a foul mouth then wait until you hear Emilys...that girl can put sailors to shame"

Dalton once again chuckled.

"Tell me about her, is she ok?"

I sighed.

"She hasn't always been, Dalt...it took her a very long time to get to where she is now, she was heartbroken after you guys...died and she suffered so much because of Aubrey, if it wasn't for me and Angelo..."

"What, Angelo?...what's Angelo got to do with anything?"

Shit.

"Erm..."

"Are they mates?"

I look up at Dalton and nod my head.

"My little sister is mated with my best friend, great"

"Yer well try being the little sister who thought she was mated to her big brother only to be relieved to find out there's no familial connection"

"Hmm, you win"

I chuckled.

"I always do"

I tell Dalton everything about Emily as he sat listening to me intently like I was reading a really interesting book to him which I guess in a way I was, I was telling him the story of his sister's life after all.

I was in the middle of telling him a really funny story when I saw his eyes had glazed over and his face had paled.

"So then she...Dalton, are you ok?"

"Shit"

He muttered.

"I've gotta go"

"What? why? what's going on?"

"Mason's here, I've gotta go"

"And you're just gonna leave me alone with him"

"I have to Nattie, I've got no other choice"

He panicked and I guess he sensed mine because he was quick to comfort me.

"Calm down Nattie ok, everything is gonna be ok"

"Oh really, I've been kidnapped by my crazy psychotic uncle and now I'm being left shackled to his bed"

He cupped the side of my face and gently caressed my cheek.

"I know but I promise you, I'm gonna help you"

"How?"

I asked with a shaky voice.

"I don't know yet but I promise you, I'm gonna get us out of here"

"Ok"

I whispered.

He smiled before leaning in and kissing my forehead.

BANG!!.

"Shit...look Nattie, I need you to listen to me ok, don't try to fight these shackles and whatever you do, DO NOT attempt to use your powers, do you understand me?"

"What? why? if I use my powers then I'm out of here and I can get Cole and we can save you guys"

"You can't because Mason's put a spell on these shackles, Nattie which makes you completely powerless and I mean that literally but the more you try to use them the more it will drain you of all your energy and...."

"And what?"

Dalton looks deep into my eyes with so many mixed emotions floating around in his but I couldn't pinpoint a single one.

"You'll miscarry your babies, Nat"

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hands.

"Please don't panic Nattie, panicking and stressing will only make it worse"

I nodded my head as the sound of a cheerful whistle was heard.

"I've gotta go but remember everything I said, ok"

He kissed my temple and walked away.

"One more thing Nattie, don't believe everything Mason tells you or makes you believe is real because it most likely isn't"

"What do you mean?"

The footsteps were getting louder meaning he's getting closer.

"Let's just say a witches power is very strong and should never ever be underestimated"

What the f**k is that supposed to mean?.

The sound of the door creaking open made me flinch and in walked in my living breathing nightmare who is covered in blood and smirking.

"Hello gorgeous"

Uncle creepy greeted me whilst staring at me like I'm a juicy steak, filthy pervert.

"Dalton, leave"

"Yes, your highness"

Dalton bows and leaves the room but not before giving me one last look.

"Well, this is a sight I've been looking forward to seeing for a very long time, only I imagined you naked on it not fully clothed"

He said with a smirk as I groaned in disgust.

"You're a sick bastard, do you know that?"

"Meh, I've been called worse"

"I bet you have"

I roll my eyes which he chuckles at.

He takes his top off and places it on the chair next to him, I looked at his body and noticed that he had no marks, no stab wounds, no scratches, no bullet wounds, no nothing so, who's blood is that?.

"Checking me out, beautiful"

"Eww, don't be so disgusting, we may be related but it doesn't mean I share the same sick, perverted thinking as you"

Mason chuckles as he starts to unbuckle his belt.

"Do you have to get undressed in here?"

"Why? are you worried I'll turn you on?"

He said whilst winking at me.

"There's only one man who turns me on Mason and it certainly isn't you"

"Oh and who's that then?...Cole?"

"Well, who the hell else would it be dickhead? Cole is my husband and my mate"

I roll my eyes, god he's so stupid.

"Actually babe, he's your deceased mate and deceased husband"

Deceased, what the hell?.

"What?...wh..what are you talking about?"

Mason looks at me and smirks.

"Cole's dead"

"What?"

No this isn't true, it can't be true.

"Oh, it's true Natalia, it's very true"

I shook my head in denial.

"No, it can't be"

I look down at my ring and see the moonstone is still white and iridescent.

I then looked up at Mason and growled.

"You're lying to me"

"And why would I do that, huh?"

"BECAUSE YOU'RE A SICK BASTARD, THAT'S WHY!!"

I tried to free myself from the shackles but I couldn't.

"I'm not lying to you Natalia, I killed Cole, I shot him several times before shooting one final bullet straight into his heart...he's dead and there's nothing you can do about it"

He chuckled.

"No, no, no, IT'S NOT TRUE!!"

"Ok fine, it's not"

"Urgh!!"

I groaned in disgust when he threw his t-shirt at my face.

"Sniff up, honey, tell me who's blood you smell"

Tears filled my eyes as I looked down at the t-shirt which was stained with so much blood, I didn't wanna smell it but I had no other choice, the smell was so pungent...it's Cole's.

"Lucky"

I whimpered.

"It's just blood, Nattie"

"IT'S COLE'S BLOOD!!"

"I know but m..maybe he's just had a fight with him, maybe it's something small, it doesn't mean he's dead"

"Can you contact Ace?"

She doesn't answer me and I assume she was trying to contact Ace which gave me a little hope but all that hope was dashed when Lucky spoke again and told me that she doesn't even feel a connection with him anymore which can only mean one of two things, a full rejection and acceptance has taken place or our mate is dead.

"Do you believe me now?"

The bastard asked me whilst smirking.

"Why?....WHY?"

I scream at the top of my lungs.

"He was a loose end I had to tie up and now he is, we can talk about us and our wedding"

He said all giddy whilst rubbing his hands together.

"Have you lost your f*****g mind?"

"It's a little late to ask me that question, babe"

He said with a slight chuckle and to be honest, I did feel a little stupid asking it, this boy hasn't been sane since forever.

"Why'd you kill him? I mean seriously...y..you can't be that f*****g obsessed with being king that you'd kill an innocent man for it"

"Pfft innocent, what's so innocent about him? he abused you, he bullied you, he tortured you and he rejected you...there's nothing innocent about Cole Vasquez but me on the other hand...."

"COLE WAS A f*****g SAINT COMPARED TO YOU!!"

I growled.

"He wasn't an angel but at least he didn't try to destroy his own family for something and someone that was never his"

"THE CROWN IS MINE!!"

"NO, IT'S NOT!!, IT'S MY FATHERS AND WHEN HE'S READY TO GIVE IT UP, IT'LL GO TO NATHAN AND THEN MAX, YOU HOWEVER ARE JUST A PRINCE, A SIDE PIECE, A WANNABE, NO ACTUALLY, YOU'RE A NOBODY, A FREAK WHO HAS TO RELY ON MURDER AND INCEST TO GET HIS OWN f*****g WAY!!"

"ENOUGH!!"

I flinch when Mason throws a vase at the wall smashing it to pieces.

"I REFUSE TO TOLERATE SUCH DISRESPECT EVEN IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE MY QUEEN!!"

"You're queen?...you're f*****g delusional"

"Maybe, maybe not but it doesn't change the fact that Cole is dead and you belong to me now"

"NO I DON'T!!"

"Yes you do, Natalia, believe it or not, I don't care but you're mine now, you belong to me and from now on you'll be staying here with me until I abolish your entire f*****g family and become king, do you f*****g understand me?"

I run my hands through my hair in frustration as I rock back and forth.

"I hate you...I hate you, I hate you, I f*****g HATE YOU!!"

"Hate me all you want Natalia, it doesn't change anything...now I'm gonna go and shower in the spare bedroom, I wanna get all of that mutts blood off me, hopefully, you'll be in a better mood when I come back in"

He walked out of the room whilst whistling all happily.

"YOU BASTARD!!, YOU f*****g BASTARD!!, you bast..ard"

"N..Nattie, th..the r..ring"

"What?"

I look down at my ring and my heart shatters into a million pieces when I see the moonstones turned black.

"No, no, no turn back...turn back to white you stupid piece of shit, turn back"

I pleaded hoping the ring would turn back to white but it didn't.

"I'm sorry Nattie but it's time to face the facts...Coles dead"

"No he can't be...h..he can't, w..we're gonna be parents, I..we..no"

"I'm sorry Nattie, I can't feel anything anymore, the mate bond is no longer there...he's gone"

"AARRRRRRRRGGHHHHH!!, NOOOOOOOOOO!!"

I broke down in tears, my hand was clawing away at my chest wanting to ease the pain but I know it never will.

"Bring him back moon goddess, please...bring him back to me, I can't do this alone"

A Few Hours Later...

Mason's P.O.V.

"Has she calmed down yet?"

"You told her, her husband is dead, what do you think?"

I turn around and glare at my second in command.

"Are you giving me attitude?"

"Of course not, your highness, I was just merely saying that it's not out of character for her to be acting the way she is, after all, her soulmate is dead"

"I'M HER f*****g SOULMATE!!"

I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against the wall.

"O..of course, y..your h..highness, I..I a..apologise"

"Good"

I shove him away from me and go back to getting ready, I was in the middle of buttoning up my shirt when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter"

I look in the mirror to see who it is and I saw it's Dalton.

"Dalton, what can I do for you?"

"I thought you should know that Natalia has calmed down now your highness...she cried herself to sleep"

"Great, I shall go and see her"

I walked over to Dalton who looked odd, normally he's a very stoic person you can never tell what he's feeling or even thinking but right now he looks strange, I can't pinpoint it but I know that I don't like it especially if it's got something to do with my Natalia.

"Is everything ok, Dalton?"

"Just perfect, your highness"

"Good...you did stick to the plan...didn't you, Dalton?"

"Of course I did, your highness, as far as Natalia is aware...I have no memory of my former life with her and The Dark Shadows pack"

I scan his eyes, body and emotions for anything abnormal.

A part of me believes he's lying to me and lucky for me, I have this nifty little power which can help me to read peoples emotions, it's the same power Natalia has and it can be quite powerful and overwhelming when it wants to be, fortunately enough for me I can sense that he's telling me the truth so I don't have to use it to the point of draining all of my time and energy.

"Good, make sure it stays that way"

I gently tap his face a couple of times before leaving the room, it's time for me to go and see my beloved.