ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"There are mosquitos everywhere." Marisa swats at her arm.
I smile at her relentless complaints. We have barely arrived, and she has cursed every inch of this new place. I follow behind her, closing the van door. Countless other car doors shut in the background.
The new scenery grabs my attention. Green and fresh air distinguishes this place from our hometown. Vales is nothing but ancient buildings, stone on stone. Despite its extensive history, Vales is colorless and would be lifeless if it wasn't for the community I love.
This place isn't home. But, for Marisa and me, it will be. I place my hand on her pale arm, casting a simple protection spell. It will keep the mosquitos at bay.
"This should help." I smile at her before letting go of her arm.
She returns the gesture tenderly. A rarity only I get to witness usually. She gets on her toes and kisses my cheek. "What will I do without you Helena?"
"Die from malaria." I take a few steps away from her. She gets too close and forgets her place. She is to be above me, not at my side.
A dribble of sweat runs down my brow. The heat is intense. I pick up my hair. Its wavy texture makes it difficult to contain in one hand.
In a seamless motion, I reach for the wristband on my other arm with my teeth. To my annoyance, my teeth only graze flesh and not the rubbery, dependable band.
I hate my hair. I should have cut it off when I had the chance. Just as I'm about to let go of it in defeat, a pale hand comes into view with the exact thing I need.
Maddox extends his arm to me, but he does not pay me attention. He is too busy talking to my brother, Jason, about security measures. I take the band and create a high ponytail.
I raise my chin and enjoy the breeze passing by my newly exposed neck. Marisa gets closer to me. Her breath is right at my neck. Her height puts her face directly at my throat.
My gaze shifts to her. I notice her delicate grey eyes turn a blood lust red. She is hungry.
Her cold hand runs down the side of my neck. She stops only to lean close enough to my ear. "You're such a tease, Helena. I'm feeling quite thirsty."
My cheeks pick up color. I hate when she makes these comments in front of everyone. Although I am hers to command and she is mine to protect, she forgets there are prying ears who might get the wrong idea.
"It will be my pleasure to feed you, master. Perhaps, in a later time and a more adequate surrounding." I remind her of our roles and the wondering eyes of our entourage.
She smirks, "It's a promise."
I hear a cough, grabbing our attention. Maddox.
"Behave Marisa. There will be no feeding on the locals, and I would recommend keeping your eating habits under wraps. You would not want to spook them. The last thing you want is to stand out." His tone is icy.
I stare at the two. There is no way they will blend in. If their pale skin or elegant features like their snow-white hair won't give them away, then their fangs would be a dead giveaway.
Yet, someone noticing their fangs is probably paying too much attention to their mouth, which I would highly advise against. Unless they wish to become a snack.
The Malfattos naturally call for attention. There is no hiding it.
My brother nods his head in agreement. He knows what I am thinking. He probably thinks the same.
"If the locals spook so easily, then perhaps this whole arrangement is a mistake." Marisa grinds her teeth.
"It's been decided. You will marry Alpha Zain. You will be the first step to creating unity between our species," Maddox answers.
"Unity my ass. It will take more than this marriage before they see us as anything other than bloodsuckers."
"Then, don't continue to act like one. Remember your role, Marisa. Our parents gave their lives for this movement. You will not disappoint them now."
Marisa rolls her eyes, trying her best to brush off his comments. I feel bad for her. It is not fair. Maddox and Marisa are the last members of the Malfatto Clan, one of the few pureblood vampire lines. In total, there are four that run the vampire world.
The Malfattos were passivists who believed in peace between the species. One by one they were exterminated until only Maddox and Marisa remained. Their parents were killed by vampire extremists.
Vamps don't share. They would remove anyone whom they believe is a hindrance to their ultimate dominance, even if it means eradicating one of their precious pureblood lines.
Maddox and Marisa became orphans at a young age, 10 and 5 respectively.
My parents were Lord and Lady Malfatto's guardians. They sacrificed every ounce of magic to shield Maddox and Marisa, as well as Jason and me. We were both four at the time.
At age four, we became the head of the Thorn witch coven. We inherited our parent's role. Similarly, Maddox and Marisa became the last purebloods from the Malfatto clan.
They are the youngest purebloods and have adopted the ideologies of their parents. As for Jason and I, we had no choice in the matter. Before their deaths, our parents tied our lives to the Malfatto children.
I am tied to Marisa. Maddox to Jason. My parents believed in the Malfatto's views. They wanted to end the bloodshed. For many years the allegiance between the Thorn coven and the Malfatto clan was fruitful till they were all betrayed.
Today we make their dreams come true. It is their dream. I had no choice.
I love Marisa and Maddox. I will protect them not because it's my job. But because they have been the center of my life since I can remember. They are precious to me.
When Maddox landed the agreement with the Blood Moon Pack, the largest werewolf pack, I was not thrilled. On one hand, both sets of parents would be content with this huge step towards peace. On the other, we will be exposed.
Marisa was thrown into the marriage without consideration of her feelings. I am pissed for her. Not to mention, we had to be the ones to meet them in their territory to show an act of good faith.
I would have much rather preferred them to come to Vales where my coven resides, and countless charms are in place. Jason and I picked a handful of our members to come with us.
I argued with Maddox against the risks, yet he insisted it was necessary. We also brought a few vampy that are loyal to the Malfatto.
Trying to ease the tension, I clear my throat. "We should get going. They will be expecting us."
Maddox pierces me with his amber eyes. I swallow hard. Even after all these years living with him, his grace does a number on me. He moves forward with Marisa next to him.
Jason and I follow behind. We are tailed by our coven members and the other vampy. I turn to give them the order.
Each witch is assigned three vampy to protect. A formation they are familiar with and have already executed. I turn my attention back forward.
"Wipe the drool off your chin," Jason says.
I look forward and catch a side-eye look from Maddox with a smug smirk. I punch my brother. Marisa warns her brother with her eyes which is enough to pull his attention back forward.
Jason knew Maddox would hear. How would they not with their hearing?
What an asshole. I'll get him back.
We walk further. I expect to see cabin homes and chopped wood, but as we continue our stroll, we notice big estates and clean gravel roads. A small paradise in green forestry.
I sense others. I can't see anyone, but I feel eyes. They are hiding.
I look back at my coven. Their vampy confirms that we are being watched with a nod. Jason lifts his hand, and they change formation.
They are some behind us, beside us, and next to the Malfattos. Marisa hates to be enclosed so we leave the front open, but those near the front will be there in case anything pops up.
Jason and I move closer to our masters. Marisa relaxes. I place my hand on her shoulder to remind her I have her back.
People start to emerge as we enter the center of this place. A group of individuals come out of the biggest estate. It must be the alpha's place.
A strong energy around me makes its presence known. I keep my attention forward, trying not to show how unsettled I am.
Maddox comes to a halt. We all stop. The tension is high. There are growls in the background.
The vampy respond with a snarl, their fangs on display. They are not pleased by the reaction their leaders are getting. Neither am I.
My attention gets snatched by a tall figure. He tilts his face to the side and the crowd stops. To say he is tall is an understatement. He is about 6'6. A few inches taller than Maddox and Jason.
Where Maddox is handsome and full of aristocratic grace, this man is stoic with power seeping out of his wide shoulders. I move slightly to the left to see better.
He has skin loved by the sun, the darkest of hair, and blue eyes that match the cloudless sky.
He snaps his attention back to the front, and our eyes lock. I quickly lower my gaze and get behind Marisa. My heart skips.
What the hell was that?
I totally must have looked like a scared chicken. I give myself the fastest pep talk and square my shoulders. I will not let them rattle me. I will not let him rattle me.
Maddox takes charge. "Alpha Zain, I presume. A pleasure to meet you."
Alpha Zain takes a few steps to close the distance. Jason goes on alert and moves from behind Maddox to next to him. I do the same for Marisa. Our members get closer to us.
Alpha Zain stops, unbothered, extending his hand. "Maddox Malfatto, the pleasure is mine. I seem to have riled up your crew." His voice carries an echo, despite not shouting.
That's how much power he possesses. I sense it. He is a threat.
He eyes Jason then moves his attention to Marisa and me. The gaze is daring, so I move slightly in front of her. I squint my eyes back at him. My face is serious despite the adrenaline that courses through my body.
"Please excuse them. They have no manners," Maddox answers.
I get a look from him and ignore it. Alpha Zain is close to my girl. I won't let my guard down. It does not go unnoticed that there are more of them than there are of us.
I hear a husky laugh. "I understand. This must be my future bride, lady Malfatto." He inches closer to Marisa.
I move my body completely in between them. He stops. I stare him down.
There's a giggle in the background, and a delicate hand on my arm pulling me back. "Please forgive my companion. She is quite protective over me." Marisa smiles.
Her smile does not meet her eyes. She is not happy. She puts her arm through mine, intertwining us. "There, there, Helena, he won't harm me." She kisses my cheek.
I give her a face. I won't be scarring anyone if she keeps this up.
"Oh. I did not know you were...spoken for," he says.
Marisa does not correct his wrong. I roll my eyes. "Marisa is my master. You can say I am her bodyguard. My brother Jason serves lord Maddox," I snap.
Alpha Zain tilts his head as if I grew a third head. He sniffs the air. "You are not vampy. You must be the Thorn twins. I heard rumors that the Malfattos were protected by a witch coven."
His blue eyes linger on me before slowly moving them to Jason. "You are both welcome. Follow me into my study where we can talk without any eyes." He moves toward the big estate.
I stationed members outside the compound and outside the study door. Only Jason and I are inside the study with the Malfattos and Alpha Zain.
"Take a seat," he orders.
He sits in front of a desk. His back faces a huge window in which I get a clear look at my members outside and his pack. Marisa and Maddox take a seat while Jason and I remain behind them, standing.
"I can call for more chairs."
"That is not necessary," I reply instantly, sounding more like a snap.
It gives Marisa satisfaction. He clears his throat. "Very well, I am glad you have made the trip. This alliance will be beneficial for both parties."
"Sure, it will," Marisa mumbles.
"Are you not pleased with me?" He studies Marisa.
"You are not hard to look at but as I tried to explain to my brother, this marriage is a farce. It's going to take more than our bedding to create peace."
Jason crosses his arms. I hide my content. I wondered when she would explode.
Alpha Zain looks down at his desk. He also appears to be hiding a smile. He relaxes back against his desk chair. "I like you, Marisa. You are exactly what I had imagined. Might I add, quite beautiful. Although, I did not expect you to be so small in stature."
She is petite, about 4'11. Her attitude makes up for the height. She portrays herself to be seven feet tall with all that ego.
She winks at him. "It has its pros. Good for a tight fit."
I almost snort. Maddox glares at Marisa.
Zain laughs. "Quite an enticing offer. I want to be clear. You do not have to do anything you do not wish. This union is important. As you can see, my pack is not entirely convinced. They are apprehensive. I hope that your stay can convince them we are not that different."
I interrupt, "but you are different. Vampires are immortal. Werewolves may live longer than humans but still die. They are cold. You are warm. They feed on blood, ANY blood. The only thing you would have in common with them," I eye Marisa and Maddox, "is that both are inclined to display power to demonstrate who is superior."
He stares me down. "I had no idea witches were so opinionated. Here I thought you were merely subordinates."
Marisa answers for me, but he never takes his eyes off me. "Helena and Jason were raised with us. We are bonded. They are not slaves, although they insist on keeping such appearances in public. Since we are alone and in trusted company, they have every right to act as they please."
"Tell me, do the witches not covet power? Should we not extend the alliance?" He eyes me down.
I raise an eyebrow.
He clarifies. "Given that Marisa and you are bonded, should I take you both? Maybe, Helena, it's our union that will bring everyone closer. My kind is not fond of vampires, but witches are a different subject. Your closeness with vampires will help create bonds with them and not overwhelm my kin."
He finishes his rash suggestion. His blue orbs pierce through my soul. I feel utterly exposed to him. For an unexplainable moment, I consider it.
Until the person who has always held my heart intercedes, reminding me that it is my fate to serve the Malfattos. Like Maddox's fangs, my feelings for him are relentless and unyielding.
Maddox gets up slamming his fist on the desk. "Helena is mine."