Sandro stood in the centre of the hall, his eyes scanning the crowd of his pack members. Simmering anger radiated from him in waves, noticeable to everyone present. His fists were tightly clenched at his sides, betraying the frustration he desperately tried to keep in check."Listen up," he barked, his voice echoing against the stone walls. "I have decided on our current Beta. He is no longer loyal to us and has betrayed my trust. He is unfit to serve me and our pack. We need someone who will step up and take charge."The pack members murmured among themselves, confusion evident on their faces. Towards the back, two members whispered to each other, trying to make sense of the situation."What the hell is going on?" one of them asked, scanning the room for any clues."I don't know," the other replied. "But did you see the rage on the Alpha's face? I've seen him angry before, but this is on a whole new level."Sandro continued to speak, his anger intensifying with each passing moment. "
Janice and Alessia stumbled out of the dark, damp prison cell-that had been their home for what felt like an eternity, though it had only been two days- into the lush green garden that surrounded the Salvatore residence.As the fresh air caressed their faces, they inhaled deeply, relishing the newfound sense of freedom, although they weren't entirely free as they were still in the house but no longer in prison.The relief coursing through their vein was short-lived as Paolo appeared before them, his eyes flickering with dangerous intensity. "Alessia, I know you're the Delicate Rose," he said. "Don't bother denying it anymore."Alessia's jaw clenched, and she shook her head. "I'm not who you think I am. I've never heard of the Delicate Rose before."She was lying, of course. Paolo could see it in her eyes, how they darted back and forth, searching for an escape. He wasn't convinced. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over them like a dark cloud. "You're lying," he hissed, reaching o
Arabella's wooden sword collided with Blaze's once again, she hissed and pushed against him, but he didn't yield.Smirking, he mumbled, "Try harder, princess.""I'll make you beg for mercy!" Arabella shouted, her words laced with amusement. She and Blaze were sparring in the Phoenix cave, honing their skills. Thanks to Blaze and Orga's tireless lectures, she improved significantly.She understood the importance of becoming a well-rounded warrior, not solely relying on her phoenix powers to defeat her enemy and his armies."In combat, keep your eyes on the enemy at all times," Blaze lectured. Their feet scraped against the cobblestones as they circled each other.Abruptly, Arabella sprang forward with lightning speed, her sword slicing towards Blaze's chest. However, he effortlessly blocked the attack and used her momentum to push her backwards."I need to end this!" Arabella exclaimed."Don't forget, as a beta werewolf, I can be as powerful as I desire," Blaze's eyes flashed golden, c
Seeking solace, Arabella retreated to the bathroom to shake off her unease. Standing under the soothing stream of hot water, she felt Blaze's strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close."Blaze," she mumbled, trying to turn and face him, but he pressed her firmly against the shower wall, preventing her from moving."Why don't I make you feel better?" Blaze murmured, his lips trailing kisses down her shoulder as the water cascaded over their bodies. He remembered that Arabella had mentioned how hot water helped her relax."Yes," Arabella whispered, letting out a moan as Blaze's arousal pressed against her back.She bit her lower lip, briefly closing her eyes before reopening them to find herself locked in Blaze's intense gaze. The lust and desire in his eyes tempted her to scream, to let him take her and make her forget everything else. But instead, she settled for a soft smile, reciprocating his gaze."For how long have you been staring?" she asked playfully."Just in case I die,"
It took a few seconds for the shock to subside. Arabella stumbled backwards, her heart pounding as she regained her stance. Her eyes narrowed at the old, wrinkled woman standing before her."Who are you?" she asked her voice tight with tension."Hello, darling. I am your mother," the woman replied, a sinister smile curving her lips and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes that Arabella couldn't decipher."My m-mother?!" Arabella stuttered. Her eyes widened like saucers as she gazed at the woman. After years of resentment and bitterness towards the woman who had abandoned her, standing before she evoked no immediate feelings. No love, no anger, no bitterness—just a sense of disbelief.The emotions she felt, she believed, were not directly connected to her so-called mother. Blaze's absence influenced them, the man who had been her constant support."I am your mother...""Liar!" Arabella snapped.Then anger surged through her. Clenching her hands by her sides, she scowled. How could she bel
Paolo stormed into the room, his anger noticeable, where Janice and Alessia were lounging on the couch. He growled, "Listen up. I've got a job for you two. You're going to find out where Alessandro De Luca is!"Janice and Alessia exchanged nervous glances, sensing the seriousness of the situation. Janice bit her lower lip, unsure how to respond to her father's sudden anger. "Sandro?" she asked hesitantly. "Why do we need to find him? I thought you only needed the Rose... "Paolo scowled, "Because the De Luca Villa is deserted, and I have no idea where the hell he's gone off to. Also, the fact that I'll be getting the rose doesn't mean I shouldn't kill my enemy if I got the chance."Alessia fidgeted, intertwining her fingers as she spoke softly, "Exactly, we don't know where Sandro is either. How are we supposed to find him?""That's your problem, not mine," snapped Paolo, his impatience running thin. "I need no questions or protests from you two. Just do as I say. And don't come back
After the initial shock wore off, Alessia tightened her grip on Janice, who groaned as a series of unwanted thoughts enveloped her upon contact. Biting her lower lip, she focused her eyes on the creature."I have no idea," Janice replied unsteadily, trying to keep the fear out of her voice, though she doubted it went unnoticed. "But I hope we don't get eaten by them."Janice intended it as a joke, but Alessia's eyes narrowed as she took it to heart. "Let's get the hell out of here," Alessia exclaimed, and Janice nodded in agreement.However, before they could make their escape, the beasts merged in an instant, united in their cause, and pounced upon them without hesitation. Janice's voice caught in her throat as she was lifted off the ground."Stop!" Alessia's scream pierced the air, and Janice's eyes widened in response.They were firmly trapped within the creature's grip, tossed about in the air. Janice groaned, feeling her stomach churn and vomit surge up her throat. She attempted
Sandro barged into the pack house with Etas trailing behind, and Thalia's heart skipped a beat. She felt the intensity of his anger radiating off him in waves, causing her to take a step back instinctively. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and Thalia saw the muscles in his jaw ticking as he fought to control his rage.The room suddenly grew colder as Sandro stormed towards her, his eyes blazing with fury.Nervously, she licked her lower lip and glanced at the ground before meeting his gaze again."Take her down to the dungeon," he ordered."W-why?" Thalia stuttered, her eyes widening. Even though she knew the reason, she couldn't resist asking.Sandro snarled, "Do you have a right to ask me that? After you lied to my face?!""Sandro, please. I didn't intend to hide it from you for so long. I didn't know how to tell you because I feared your reaction. I didn't mean to betray you. I swear it. I love you."Love. That was the last thing on her mind. She h
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