Janice gulped as she stared at Annalise once more. She shook her head, not believing she was in front of her.Walking towards her, she gripped her hand. A gasp escaped her lips as she felt how warm it was to her touch. She was real.Even though Janice didn't need the affirmation as she had pinched herself and felt the pain. She still did it because it was surprising to see her.Annalise was her twin sister. They both lived with their father until she left.Annalise being in The De Luca's household didn't make her happy.Instead, Janice was furious. She let out a frustrated sigh and glared."What are you doing here? You should be with father!"Janice's plan would get foiled. Annalise's presence would destabilise everything, and her secret would be known in no time.Annalise shook her head. Janice was in front of her. She had felt her hands. She was real.She had assumed Janice was dead due to the many stories their father had told her. Also, she had felt the twin bond between them seve
Sandro paced around the large meeting hall and balled his hands into fists. He gritted his teeth and glared at nothing in particular. How had he not noticed?He must have been too preoccupied with his problem to have thought of that.Allesia had escaped the same way as Arabella, and he wondered how no one saw her leave as well.He glared at the gathered Werewolves, and his eyes narrowed on Francis."Where the hell is Janice?"Francis stood to his feet abruptly. He shook his head and wrung his finger together. "I do not know." He stammered, avoiding the glare Sandro was shooting his way.Francis hadn't seen Janice since last night. And he assumed she was mad at him for having kissed her without permission.It wasn't his fault, he had wanted to do so, and he had used the opportunity."How the hell don't you know? Isn't she your girl?!" Sandro glared."She isn't my girl," Francis mumbled. Then he heaved a breath and glanced around as if she'd magically popped out.But she had also denied
"That's an interesting update, daughter dearest." Paolo grinned, stroking his moustache. "She'd be one of the pawns to us being the most influential and powerful people in this world.""Sandro weakens by the day, and we need to act fast. I do not think there's a cure at present for him. He often used some shot given by his Beta, but I doubted it is available now." Janice said. Paolo nodded. He stretched out his hand, and Janice reluctantly placed hers on his.He squeezed it gently before caressing it.Janice squirmed under his scrutiny. She attempted to yank her hand away, but he held on tighter.She grimaced as he continued to watch her, and that made her even more uncomfortable."What is it, my little lamb? Didn't you miss daddy?" Paolo raised his brow.Janice swallowed down the lump in her throat. And she yanked her hand away from his before standing to her feet."I came back to give you the information you needed. I think I fulfilled all that you asked of me. It's your turn to do
They were in a bottomless pit. That was Blaze's guess. He could see nothing, and there was no light even to know if they were in a sort of cave or not.The worse was his secondary vision didn't work. It was as if he was blind. It was frustrating, but he had Arabella with him. That he was grateful for, she was curved into him and even during the fall, she didn't let him go."What's that?" Arabella asked.Blaze frowned as he stared at Arabella, even though she couldn't see him and he couldn't see her.However, he was startled. She had been badly wounded, yet she was still conscious. What exactly was she?He had never seen a supernatural creature that could stay a long while after ingesting the poisons from the rogues.At least, not Arabella; that seems as though she was an amateur.Yet, he doubted she knew anything. She had opened the portal, and only someone that had been practising magic for a long time could have that much power."What do you mean?" Blaze asked."That bright light ov
Arabella writhed on the bed, and Blaze furrowed his brows. He rubbed at his tired eyes and watched her. She had been thrashing around for some minutes, and he had tried his best to shake her awake. It didn't work. Heck, nothing seems to be working!Blaze watched Arabella mutter helplessly while tightening his hold on her hand.Arabella let out a shrill cry. She yanked at the chain used to hold her down in several places, but it didn't give away."Blaze!" She yelled. However, nothing happened. He still lay sprawled on the floor and in his pool of blood.If she didn't act fast, he was going to die."He's meant to die."Arabella gazed around. She saw no one. She narrowed her eyes at the walls and yelled."Fucking show your face, coward. You enjoy seeing a helpless girl in pain and killing an innocent man?!""You call yourself helpless? Arabella Collins, or should I say the Delicate Rose!"Arabella shook her head. The latter wasn't her name. She didn't know who that was, but she had heard
Arabella let out a sigh for the umpteenth time. She had passed by the hundredth person, she believed; he had bowed to her, and so did the rest.She wondered what Orga had told them as they all stared at her in awe. Like she was, a kind of God that had come to redeem them. Or maybe they were all staring at her because she was the only one without a wing. And Blaze too. Yet, they didn't accord the same respect to Blaze.Perhaps, she should start getting used to it, seeing as Orga told her she was a powerful being but having hundreds of eyes looking at her as though she had suddenly sprouted a horn was unnerving.Orga halted in front of what seemed to be a large gallery. Different large portraits decorated the wall, and with each one Arabella passed, it felt as though it was alive.She shuddered as she licked her bottom lip. Her eyes darted around as she sensed eye movement on her, or maybe she was being paranoid.But then, she seemed to be the only one distracted. Blaze and Orga walked
Sandro let out a growl. He slapped his hands on the wall, and he narrowed his reddened eyes on Giuseppe. The latter backed away towards the door as Sandro neared him."What did you just say?!""I...I am quitting..." Giuseppe stuttered. His breath came out in short gasps.Sandro wasn't surprised. It often happened when the weakest member of a gang saw that too many crises were going on and they wouldn't be able to handle all the problems that come with it. Someone like Giuseppe, even if he didn't say he was quitting now, Sandro knew it was only a matter of time.And he loathed such people. People who run away at the littlest challenge."Do you remember the agreement you signed?" Sandro smiled wolfishly. "Tell me, Giuseppe, what was the rule on quitting?"Giuseppe shook his head, but no words came out of his mouth as he opened it to speak.Sandro whooshed towards him and snapped his neck. He tossed his limped body sideways and growled.He knew a day like this would come—a day where he h
A lot of things were wrong with today. Aside from Allesia and Janice's mysterious disappearance, Blaze was nowhere to be found.He had literally searched for him everywhere but couldn't seem to know where he had been to.Not even his Alpha to Beta mind link worked. It was as if he was sucked into a hole where a signal couldn't be gotten.The worst of it all was he was going to rage."This has the worst timing ever," Sandro growled, clutching his palpitating chest.He staggered towards the bags filled with blood he had taken from Allesia and tore it open, drinking from it.Sandro jerked and gritted his teeth as the blood seemed to quench his thirst momentarily. But that was all.It was as if the more he drank, the thirstier he was.He glared at the three blood bags he had emptied, but yet, he was still very much hungry.He clutched his stomach and gasped as he felt a twinge.The door opened, and he stared towards it. Thalia stood at the entrance."I couldn't reach him." She said.Sandr
EPILOGUEFOUR MONTHS LATERSandro stretched his legs, shielding his eyes from the sun with sunglasses. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Arabella had suggested a vacation by the beach, and they had been here for four months now. He still wanted to fulfill all her wishes, agreeing to everything she desired.Lately, it had been peaceful. Since the altercation with Paolo, there was no imminent threat to Arabella, though he couldn't say the same for himself, which he didn't mind. He didn't believe his enemies would ever cease, as wherever he went, he seemed to attract more.He didn't want to involve Arabella in his dangerous lifestyle, but he also doubted his ability to shield her completely.Alessia had disappeared. When Paolo had died, Sandro had taken the time to scour the building for her before leaving for the Villa, but he hadn't seen any trace of her."Why are you staring at her?"Sandro snapped his head at the sound of Arabella's voice. She stood above him, arms folded. H
Arabella wasn't as tired as she expected. She continued battling, and almost half of the members of the Salvatore house were already down. Although she couldn't unleash her powers to the fullest, she had imbued her knife with magic, enhancing its effectiveness even more.The enchanted blade caused immediate falls to anyone it touched, adding up to a high body count. Despite her victories, the number of foes she faced showed no signs of diminishing.Sandro, absent since his departure, left her uncertain about his fate. Paolo's absence suggested he wasn't defeated, as Paolo would have returned if he had been. Alessia was also nowhere to be found; Arabella wondered if Paolo had taken her with him.Yet, she was glad the merge hadn't happened.***Running after Paolo led Sandro to an unfamiliar location. Uncertain of his whereabouts, he felt a rush of anxiety as his gaze fixed on what appeared to be a full moon at the room's far end, shining brightly. Sandro, feeling a tingling sensation,
Paolo paced nervously, his gaze repeatedly drawn to Arabella, securely bound to the chair. At first glance, she seemed unconscious, her head hanging limply, but a closer look revealed that she was simply staring down."How much longer do we have to wait?" he inquired of Alessia, who had resumed her position inside the pentagram."A few more minutes or the ritual will be incomplete," Alessia replied.Despite the requirement for a special full moon, she had assured them of conjuring the moon to ensure the ritual's success. However, the actual full moon was still two weeks away, and Paolo couldn't afford to wait."Should I resort to force to speed things up?" Paolo clenched his teeth and advanced toward Arabella."I'll break ten fingers and ten toes if you lay a hand on her," Sandro declared, suddenly appearing in the doorway."Sandro," Arabella smiled, relief washing over her at the sight of him. Although she had never been particularly thrilled to see him before, his presence now offer
Goodness!Sandro pressed the gas pedal, driving over the speed limit. Relieved that the road was empty, he was aware that if someone had been there, a collision was inevitable, and he wouldn't have cared.His sole focus was reaching Arabella."Is she foolish enough to go to that guy without telling me?" Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.He had only left to settle some business deal with another pack that he had an alliance with, and it was to get them to fight in the war with him.Of course, he had done all he needed to do, albeit too late.Arabella, that he was trying his best to protect, wasn't even in the villa anymore.His phone rang, and glancing at the screen, he swiped to answer. "If you harm her, Paolo, I'll make sure you regret it. I won't hesitate to take you down with me!""She's still alive, De Luca. Why not come see her condition for yourself?" Paolo replied.Just then, a scream erupted from Arabella, further unsettling Sandro. "Let her go,"
No sooner had Arabella left than a loud boom echoed through the air. Though Thalia wasn't sure if it was an actual cannon, it sure sounded like one."Ah, darn!" she exclaimed, gasping and huddling against the wall. The cannon seemed to have targeted the building, affecting all the rooms. The meeting structure teetered on the verge of collapsing, with the pillars bending sideways."Are you okay?" Elisha asked, pulling her towards a corner."I am. How about you?" Thalia replied, scanning the area to see if others were in the same predicament."What's happening? And where is Bella?" she inquired."The attackers are here," Janice explained. "I overheard their conversation earlier, and I think my father spoke to her. It's why she left.""Why would she do that? That's so foolish!" Thalia hissed."My father is sly, Thalia. I don't know what he must have said to Arabella, but he can kill anyone he wants if she disobeys. She probably left for everyone's safety," Janice reasoned."That doesn't
TWO DAYS LATERThinking all plans would come easily as they were all gathered together, however, the reverse was the case. It was even more difficult to agree with all that was said, especially since it was the last day.Still, there was no attacker in sight, and it didn't seem like anything was going to happen. It was almost noon, and Arabella, Thalia, Elisha, Janice, and Annalise were in the meeting room.Some members were on guard, watching for any activity to report to those inside. However, Sandro, Arabella didn't know where he had gone. He said nothing to her and left the house."He should be here; at least, he's the alpha, and many of these people can listen to him," Elisha said, eyeing the other members in the room, acting as if they were bothered by the current situation."They listen to Bella, too," Thalia said. "She should say something to them."Say something? Arabella didn't know exactly what she was going to say. They weren't the phoenixes, and even though Orga and the r
Sandro awoke the next morning, groaning and turning to his side. "Arabella," he murmured, breathing in her scent before slowly opening his eyes. Using the pad of his thumb, he gently rubbed her cheek to confirm she was really in bed with him. He wondered why she hadn't left after he fell asleep, maybe because she had dozed off too.Gripping a lock of her white hair, he swirled it in his fingers. His free hand moved down to her stomach, caressing it. Sandro grinned as he felt a kick as soon as he touched, retracting his hand as Arabella groaned and turned."Sandro," she murmured, gripping his shirt.Raising his brow, Sandro watched as she began to unbutton his shirt slowly. Her hands slipped into his shirt as soon as she finished unbuttoning."Arabella," Sandro groaned as her hands moved further downwards.He didn't know what she was doing, and the thought of stopping her crossed his mind, but he didn't want to startle her. She seemed deeply asleep, and he hoped she would stop on her o
Sandro's condition hadn't improved; if anything, it had worsened. Arabella doubted it was due to the injury, which had already closed up two days since it happened. She had returned only yesterday to the room and found him sprawled on the bathroom floor.Initially, she thought he had stopped breathing, given his lack of movement, until she checked his pulse. Though she wouldn't admit it, she felt relieved. As much as she detested his behavior towards her, she was relieved he wasn't dead."I hate this," Sandro groaned, snapping Arabella from her thoughts. His lashes fluttered against his cheeks, and he opened his eyes slowly.Frowning, he murmured, "Bella?""Yes," Arabella said, placing her palm on his forehead to check his temperature. "How do you feel today?""Worse," Sandro mumbled, attempting to sit up. His eyes stayed on hers for a long time, making Arabella conscious of what she was wearing. She had opted for one of Sandro's T-shirts as she hadn't had time to do laundry. Now, she
Entering Thalia's room, Arabella made her way to the couch where Thalia sat."Trouble in Paradise?" Thalia raised a brow, sniffing. "I can smell blood on you. Did something happen?""In short, we were attacked by rogues, and Sandro decided to fight them off.""Typical Sandro," Thalia smiled. "But why the blood? Did you both engage in some kind of blood play?""What?" Arabella scoffed, "Never. Just because Blaze is no more doesn't mean I'll forget our moments easily. Besides, Sandro got injured during the fight, and I'm here because he said some really insensitive things.""About you not being receptive to him as you were to Blaze?" Thalia questioned."How do you know? Did you eavesdrop on us?""I'm a werewolf, remember? I can hear things miles away. Plus, your attitude towards him says it all. I've been watching," she said.Arabella shrugged. "I don't think you'd want me to relate with him either. He's been cruel to me, tried to kill me, and took me against my wish.""I know he did aw