73. The Departure

Days pass quickly.

The day has finally come for the couple to embark on their one-week cruise ship holiday.

The couple bid goodbye to their son Caden, Beta Amir and Lorey.

"We will bring you along next time, son," Alpha Callum said, planting a kiss on his son's head, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Clarice hugged her son tightly, kissing his cheeks lovingly. "I'm going to miss you baby. I love you so much. See you soon!" she said teary-eyed.

"I love you Mommy and Daddy. Enjoy sailing on the ship," Caden replied, smiling brightly.

Alpha Callum gives last minute instructions to his assistant, Beta Amir. "If something comes up, call me right away or send me a message on my email. Alternately, seek Grandpa's help. Do you understand?" he said.

Beta Amir nodded his head. "Copy, Alpha. Rest assured I will take care of everything while you are away. You and your wife deserve a fabulous break away from home. Enjoy sailing on a ship."

After the couple finished saying their goodbyes, they boarded the rented car that would take them to the city's port.

After a half hour journey, they arrived at the port and boarded the Vortex of The Sea, one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

The couple got out of the car and got their luggage onto the ship. After presenting their ID's, boarding pass and travel documents to the boarding area, they were allowed to board the ship without any problem.

The couple proceeded to their expensive luxurious suite on the top deck of the ship, providing them with a breathtaking view of the ocean 24/7.

"Wow, fantastic view! I love it!" Clarice gushed in delight, admiring the blue ocean in front of her.

Alpha Callum smiled and enveloped his wife in a loving embrace. "We're finally here! Just you and I. We have all the time in the world to enjoy and explore the amenities, attractions and entertainment this ship has to offer."

"Yes! We shall make a ton of memories on this ship. I can't wait to explore the ship from top to bottom," Clarice responded in glee. "But let's unpack our bags first," she said merrily.

"Alrighty." Alpha Callum put the bags near the closet.

The couple arranged their clothes in the closet and put the toiletries in the bathroom.

"Let's rest in bed first," she said suggestively.

"OK, let's cuddle," he replied with a wink.

The couple got into bed and cuddled, kissing each other on the lips, fondling each other, enjoying their romantic moments together.

Meanwhile...

In the parking area of the port where the Vortex Of The Sea was about to sail within one hour, Kaspar and Aurelia can be seen talking to each other inside a luxurious black vehicle.

Kaspar was sweating and looking extremely nervous.

The atmosphere was tense.

"Kaspar, why are you looking so nervous?" Aurelia asked in annoyance.

Kaspar wiped the sweat from his forehead. The uneasy feeling in his stomach had intensified. He has been like this since the moment he stepped into the car. Now that they were finally here in the port, he felt like he was dying of nervousness. "I think I will fail this time," he said in agitation.

Aurelia shook her head, annoyed at Kaspar's cowardice. "No. You can't do this to me! You can't abort our plan! We have been discussing this for a million times, and now you are scared? Why are you acting like this?" she asked, enraged.

"Because when we tried killing Clarice the first time, she was alone with that maid of hers. They are weak and powerless. They can't do anything to fight back to protect themselves. But this time, Clarice is with Alpha Callum. I'm afraid I will get caught, and then they will kill me. That's what I'm afraid of," he explained nervously.

Aurelia sighed, her mouth contorting in dismay. "Have you forgotten that you are a shaman? You have magic spells, and you bring poison with you on this journey. Put poison on Clarice's food, cast a spell on her, make her freeze and throw her into the sea when no one was looking. We have already discussed the ways you can kill her inside the ship. There's plenty of time to do it. You have seven days to kill her. Be careful with your movements to avoid being caught. You can do it!" she said, trying to uplift his diminishing confidence.

Kaspar fell silent.

Thick heavy silence enveloped the vehicle, so thick it could be sliced with a knife.

After a few moments of silence, Kaspar finally said, "I don't know if I can do it again."

"Oh, come on! You killed her before, you can do it again," Aurelia insisted desperately.

Kaspar sighed heavily. "I failed at killing her the first time. Killing her the second time would be difficult because of her husband's presence by her side. I'm sure the couple will not leave each other alone because it's their wedding anniversary, and they will be extra sweet to each other..."

Aurelia was annoyed by Kaspar's cowardice. "Cut the crap! Will you do it or not? Are you just letting this golden opportunity pass you by?"

Kaspar bit his lip, confused about what to do. He still has enough time to decide whether to continue or not.

Upon realizing that Kaspar had a tendency to abort their plan, Aurelia was quick to remind him of the big reward. "Think about the $5 million dollars that Viviana will deposit into your bank account once you succeed in your mission and also the $5 million dollar I will give you as your reward for a job well done. Are you going to ignore that huge amount? You will get a total of 10 million dollars if you kill Clarice. Don't let such a huge amount of money go to waste..." she said convincingly.

A debate was raging inside Kaspar's head. Such a huge amount is hard to pass up. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Alright, I'll do it. But after I kill Clarice successfully, our partnership will end. I will leave your side and live on my own. No more killing for me," he said. Cutting his business relationship with Aurelia has been on his mind for a while now.

Aurelia was silent for a moment, letting go of Kaspar was fine with her. After Clarice's death she no longer needed Kaspar in her life. She had a doting, loyal husband, Alpha Bruce. She is financially secure, everything in her life is perfect, she doesn't need anyone anymore.

"Alright, after you kill Clarice successfully we will go our separate ways," she finally agreed.

Kaspar nodded his head. "OK, since we're done talking, I will board the ship now," he said with determination in his voice.

"Good luck Kaspar, please come home safely," Aurelia said, patting his shoulder, giving him her blessings.

Breathing heavily, Kaspar exited the car. He took his luggage from the trunk and proceeded to the ship. He gave his documents to the officer in charge and boarded the ship smoothly.

Aurelia smiled joyously as she watched Kaspar disappear inside the ship. Huge relief washed over her. It was quite difficult convincing Kaspar to do the dirty work again, but she finally managed to convince him. She was initially worried that he would back out, but after mentioning the $10 million reward, he instantly got the courage to kill again.

She knows deep inside that Kaspar can't refuse the $10 million dollar reward.

She continues watching the entrance of the cruise ship, making sure Kaspar won't leave the ship.

A few minutes later, the Vortex Of The Sea finally left the harbor to begin its journey, heading to 4 continents in one week.

After the cruise ship completely disappeared from her vision, Aurelia breathed in huge relief. She was confident Kaspar would finish his job for the $10 million reward and Clarice would be dead one of these days.

She was sure of that!

She started the car and drove home, wearing a triumphant smile on her face.