Chapter 001

The wolf…

I saw it again - this time there was something different in its eyes.

An anger that was never there before, that confused me.

I leaned closer and touched its furry head with a smile.

It was warm. So warm that I had this crazy urge to just wrap my arms around it and close my eyes.

When I removed my hand though, my heart skipped a beat as I saw it covered in so much blood.

Before I could react, the world threw its head back and howled, and I could feel its pain and anger In that single howl.

It sounded like a cry of sorrow.

My mind was frantic as I looked at it.

Was it hurt?

And why was he suddenly staring at me sadly?

When I woke up from that sleep - I got the worst news I could ever think of.

My father was found dead in the streets.

***********

The morning started out like any other morning.

My alarm clock wakes me up at 6, the birds chirping, the sun rising from the east and people going about their day, as if everything was normal and perfect.

But everything wasn't normal.

Not since one week ago.

Not since I lost my father to the hands of a cruel gang of mafias.

I shuddered, as a sudden chill ran down me and stepped away from the window.

I've been standing at the window a lot these days. It offered me some sort of comfort having to look outside each morning, and see the activities going on.

It almost made me feel like nothing has changed. Yes, when I look out and see the sun still bright, the grasses still yellow and humans still walking on two legs, I fall under this illusion that our lives haven't drastically changed.

But the moment I stepped away, as usual a wave of reality hit me but this time around I didn't rush to the bed to sob.

No.

This time I took a deep breath, an attempt meant to stabilise my racing nerves - and walked straight to my daughter with my chin high.

I have cried enough.

Every day, every night for the past week I have been crying.

I have sobbed heavily, I have wailed, wishing each time I close my eyes that I'd open it and see my father standing before me with his sheepish smile.

But no amount of tears brought him back and I know that it wouldn't.

Father would not want me to be a sobering mess for this long.

He would want me to step up and be strong because I have my family - my little sisters counting on me.

I opened my door and made a turn to the door for the nursery my little sisters shared.

They had no idea what was going on, they were just two years old.

And God knows that even their mother doesn't give a damn about them.

When I opened the door however, they were still sound asleep, cuddled closely in each other's arms like everything was perfect.

I leaned close to them, smiling at how adorable they looked.

“Father really wanted you two to have a perfect life, like he gave me. He wanted you two to know love.” I traced my hand over Bree's arm and smiled when she shifted and snuggled closer to her twin.

They are so perfect.

“I know he left us so soon, I know he isn't here anymore. But I promise you today, by the moon and by the goddess - I will do everything in my power, I will give anything, to give you two the life that you deserve. To protect and watch over you.”

I stood up and with another shaky breath left the room.

The house was still a little bit dark despite the sun rays filtering in through the open doors and windows.

I walked into the kitchen, whistling loudly and wasn't surprised when I saw that the whole table was already filled with different types of food.

My stomach growled as I pulled out a chair.

I can't remember the last time I had a proper meal - two days ago?

I was just about to dish out good for myself when I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

Another groan - this one filled with frustration - left my lips as I turned around, just in time to see Vivienne walking into the kitchen - or should I say staggered in.

The sweet scent of lavender in the kitchen suddenly disappeared into the strong reek of alcohol.

Amazing.

The sun is not even up yet and she was already drinking her heart out.

One would think that she was just grieving the loss of her husband.

But I know Vivienne enough to know that she was just celebrating her sudden freedom.

“Good morning ma'am,” I greeted as she walked to the counter with her nose high in the air.

“Hey bitch,” she answered sniffing into the air, “get me something to eat, will you? I'm famished.”

I did as she asked, without a question and served her with a plate of rice.

“You know, the twins will be up soon. It won't be good for them to see you in this state.”

She shrugged, “so? What's my business in that?”

I mean, aside from the fact that you are their mother?

“They just experienced a life changing loss - we all did. They might not be old enough to know what Is going on, but they need their mother.”

Vivienne slammed her hand on the table loudly, I almost jumped “Do not feed me with that crap! They just experienced what? The only one who should be complaining is ME! Your stupid father had no business bringing me into his life then dumping me with three kids! How could he be so heartless?” She hiccuped, and I clenched my fists, an attempt to stop the retort at the back of my throat for calling my father ‘stupid’.

“I am not a kid, Vivienne” I said calmly, “I'm twenty one years old so all you really have are YOUR daughters. They are your responsibility.”

She scowled but I ignored her and continued, “besides look around you. Father practically built an empire that could last us a lifetime. We have his businesses, the estates and money, so I really do not know what you are worried about.”

Although it is ridiculous that my father has just been dead for one week and we are already talking about his wealth.

I shivered in disgust.

Vivienne let out a hysterical laugh, and looked at me with a weird expression, “You think so? Don't you know, sweet child - every single thing is gone.”

She punctuated her last word with another palm slam on the table and I chuckled.

“Sure, it's not.”

“Yes! Yes it is. He took it all - every single thing your father has worked for. Caius took them all, down to the last cent. We have nothing left, this house - we have just one week to leave because it's not ours anymore.”

My blood ran cold - and I froze at her words.

Surely she's joking, but from the horror in her eyes, the way her face was contorted in pain - I could see that Vivienne wasn't joking.

Caius was the top leader of the gang who had murdered my father.

“That cannot happen,” I said shaking my head strongly, “it cannot be. Caius has no right to take away father's things.”

Vivienne laughed again, “This is Caius we are talking about. He has the right to do everything and get away with it.” She hiccuped again and buried her face in her palms, “we have nothing left. And there's no way we can fight Caius.”

True - Caius definitely has the power to do anything he wants in the city. Hell even in the whole country and no one dares to stop him or challenge me.

But that - he cannot do that.

First he takes my father's life, then he takes everything he has worked hard for?

Why?

What exactly did my father do to him to deserve these?

I placed a reassuring hand on Vivienne's cold ones, “look at me Vivienne. We cannot back down that easily. No one has ever dared to challenge Caius but that doesn't mean we silently let him kick us into the corner like that. Look at me. I will try my best to get us something back. Trust me.”

My words came out way more fierce than I felt - and I was glad. At least there was no point in letting her see just how much I was panicking.

Vivienne raised her tear stained face and stared into my eyes before she sighed, “there's nothing we can do.”

“Listen to me Vivienne…”

“No! I mean it. I'm not as delusional as you are. However,” she dropped her arm and shook her head, “Caius did give me an alternative. A way out.”

I froze, and bit the insides of my mouth waiting for her to drop whatever bomb she had to drop.

I wasn't an idiot. I do not need a prophet to tell me that whatever it was that Caius offered her- it wasn't good.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Caius wants you.”

I raised my brow, “wants me? I do not understand….”

“I don't understand either but I didn't have the courage to ask. He wants YOU. For whatever reasons he has, he wants me to trade you for your father's empire. I sell him to you and we get to keep everything - plus an extra 50 million dollars.”

Her words sounded so ridiculous and unbelievable that I burst into a fit of laughter.

Did Vivienne drink so much that she can't tell reality from delusion anymore?

My laughter died in my throat when I met her serious gaze, “you can't be serious.”

“But I am.” She nodded, “I spoke with one of his men last night.”

She was really serious.

Fear gripped me, and I placed a palm on the table to balance myself because it suddenly felt like I was too dizzy to stand straight.

“We have to go to him and shove the offer in his face.” I snapped angrily, “let him know that I'm not for fucking sale! I'm not some property that he can purchase no matter how much power he thinks he has.”

Vivienne tilted her head to the side and just stared at me as if I had grown two heads.

As if it was I, who had grown crazy.

Why wasn't she saying anything?

“I'm not delusional, Dahlia” she simply said then shrugged, “I accepted the offer this morning.”

I froze, “what?”

“Yes. As from now, you are actually Caius' property because he has paid for you - in full.”