Isabella held the phone to her ear, The silence that followed her selene's fatherâs words was deafening, ringing in her ears like an unspoken warning. Her heart pounded against her ribs, frustration and confusion clashing inside her like two raging storms.âI will tell you when it is time, but for now, give yourself a good rest,â he had said, his voice calm yet distant, before abruptly ending the call.Isabella stared at the dark screen, her lips parting as if to say something, but the words never came. A lump formed in her throat, thick with emotions she couldn't quite name. Anger? Worry? Fear? She clenched her jaw and inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the surge of questions threatening to drown her thoughts. What was he hiding? Why was he being so cryptic? She hated being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned something so obviously important.He should have just tell her right away. When he knew he won't tell her immediately, why did he call? She hissed in anger. With
A large wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by figures cloaked in darkness. The air was thick with tension, the weight of secrets pressing heavily against the silence.A man in a tailored suit leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the aged surface. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered with something close to amusement. âSoâĶ it seems our dear Adrian has found what we have been looking for.âAcross from him, a burly figure with a scar running down his left cheek exhaled sharply. âI told you we should have destroyed that underground years ago,â he growled. âLeaving it there was a mistake.âA woman with piercing blue eyes and an aura of authority spoke next. Her voice was calm, yet laced with venom. âThe mistake was underestimating him. We assumed he would remain blind to what lay beneath his own empire, but Adrian is no fool.âBut it is not the same underground. Our informant told us it was something no one could ever discover it was if not for their smal
The Gathering in the WarehouseParker stood in the center of the dimly lit warehouse, his sharp gaze scanning the masked figures surrounding him. Shadows danced along the cracked concrete walls, the single, flickering overhead bulb casting an eerie glow over the meeting. The air was thick with the scent of oil and dampness, the remnants of a forgotten storage facility now serving as the meeting ground for a faction that thrived in secrecy.Each figure stood cloaked in dark garments, their features concealed by masks of varying designs. Some bore symbols etched into the fabric,silent declarations of past allegiances or blood debts yet to be settled. Though their faces were hidden, Parker could feel their eyes on him, waiting, expecting."The Monadikos are moving," Parker announced, his voice steady, carrying the weight of the intelligence he had gathered. He took a step forward, his boots echoing slightly on the cold floor. "They already know Adrian has access to the weapon blueprint,t
The air vibrated with gunfire, screams, and the rhythmic thunder of boots pounding against the cracked asphalt. The war had begun.Mikhail, the ruthless leader of the Monadikos, stood atop the ruins of an old industrial complex, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos unfolding below. His fingers clenched into a fist as he watched his men swarm the abandoned shipyard where the Cartel had foolishly stationed their latest shipment of illicit arms. The plan was simple, wipe them out, seize the weapons, and cripple their operations."Push forward! No mercy!" he bellowed, his voice slicing through the night.His men responded with a battle cry, surging ahead like a tidal wave of vengeance. Gunfire erupted from every angle. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off rusted shipping containers, and the metallic scent of gunpowder thickened in the air. The Cartel, caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defense.****Alvarez, the cold and calculating leader of the Car
The Cartel had been shattered, And yet, amid the wreckage, Alvarez still drew breath.His body ached, every nerve screaming in agony as he forced himself to move. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the warm, sticky sensation of his own blood soaking through his fingers. The pain was nothing compared to the fury burning in his chest. He had been played. The Ghosted, his supposed allies, had turned against him at the last moment, throwing the battlefield into complete chaos. But why? Who had ordered this betrayal?His fingers curled into fists as he staggered forward, his boots crunching against shattered glass and spent shell casings. He needed to find answers. He needed to find the one who had orchestrated this disaster.A low groan echoed from the rubble. Alvarez turned sharply, gun raised, but his aim wavered when he saw who it wasâone of the masked assassins, barely alive, clutching a deep wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through his gloves as he struggled to breathe, his ma
A large map was spread out before them, covered in markings and notes detailing every inch of the Ghostedâs operations.âThe celebration will end soon,â Alvarez muttered, his fingers tracing a key location. âTheir leader thinks heâs untouchable, but his arrogance will be his downfall.âThe masked leader tilted his head slightly. âYou want him dead, or do you have something else in mind?âAlvarez smirked. âDead, but not yet. I want him to watch as everything he built crumbles first.âThe leader nodded in understanding. âThen weâll strike fast and without mercy. We have our entry points secured. The Ghosted will never see it coming.âMeanwhile, deep within Adrianâs pack territory, the Ghosted were moving ahead with their own plans, Their informants had pinpointed a potential weakness in the packâs securityâan underground passage leading to a hidden vault where the blueprint was rumored to be stored.Three elite members of the Ghosted, clad in dark tactical gear, crouched near the pass
Nathan stood by the window, his arms crossed as he watched another group of Adrianâs men load ammunition into vehicles. He didnât like the feeling in his gut.âWhat the hell is he planning?â he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.Isabella sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through her phone in frustration. âVictoria still isnât answering. Iâve called her five times.âNathanâs brows furrowed. âSheâs not the type to ignore calls but since it is yours she can definitely ignore you. Isabella tossed the phone beside her and stood. âSomething is going on, Nathan. This silenceâĶ this secrecy, itâs not just about protecting the pack. Adrian is hiding something.âNathanâs gaze flickered to her, unreadable. âThen maybe itâs better we stay out of it.âIsabella looked at him, stunned. âYouâre just going to sit back and do nothing?âHe shrugged slightly. âItâs not my fight. Adrian made that clear a long time ago. And honestly? Iâm not about to throw myself into a war that has nothin
Matteo blinked hard, blood draining from his face the moment Rosco stepped out from behind Alvarez. His breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, the hardened warrior faltered.âNoâĶâ he whispered.Rosco smirked, eyes gleaming with venomous satisfaction. âHello, Matteo. Still wagging your tail behind him, I see.âMatteo took a step forward instinctively, but Adrian raised a hand, his arm sweeping across Matteoâs chest to stop him. The motion was subtle but firm.Matteoâs chest heaved with betrayal, his eyes fixed on Rosco. âYou were with usâĶ you trained with us.âRosco chuckled, slow and condescending, before turning to Adrian, the amusement on his face deepening.âBut him?â Rosco nodded toward Adrian. âHe trusted me. Gave me everything. Took me into his inner circle. Showed me where the real power lies.âAdrian arched a brow, his expression unreadable.âPower?â he echoed, voice cool and distant. âWhat power?âRosco sneered, reaching behind him.With a flourish, he reveal
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fear.Selena sat in the hallway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, Adrian beside her, silent. The last hour had felt like a lifetime. Paramedics had managed to stabilize Nathan, but the bullet had done damage, too close to his lungs. Now, he was in surgery, fighting for his life.âHe saved me,â Selena whispered, her voice barely audible. âHe could have let me die... after everything...âAdrian turned his head slowly, eyes shadowed with guilt and pain. âHe wasnât always a traitor.ââHeâs still your cousin.âAdrianâs jaw clenched. âAnd he was still working with the woman who tried to destroy us.âSelena didnât argue. Because he wasnât wrong but neither was she.âI want to see her,â she said suddenly, her tone sharp.âWho?â Adrian asked.âIsabella.â---The police had taken Isabella into custody, but Adrian still had strings to pull. Within the hour, Selena stood behind a pane of glass, watching the woman who had nearly taken everything from
Isabella's phone buzzed sharply that evening. She answered without checking. The voice on the other end made her sit up straighter.âItâs done,â Your father said. âHe was one of them. Adrianâs sister, she was caught in our crossfire that year.âIsabella gasped, hand flying to her mouth. âAre you serious?ââShe trusted one of us. And it got her killed.âIsabellaâs shock quickly twisted into excitement. âAdrian doesnât know, does he?ââHe doesnât. But you can change that. Leave a trail. Let him find it himself. If he connects the dots, heâll never look at Selene the same again.âA slow, dangerous smile spread across Isabellaâs face. âConsider it done.âShe ended the call and practically flew out the door, her mind racing. She reached Nathanâs place breathless and laughing.âIâve got it,â she said, barging in.Nathan raised an eyebrow. âWhat?ââThe information that will destroy them more. Since they have reconcile too quickly, I have found something to break them back. Adrianâs sisterâs
Adrian stood by the window of his study, hands clasped behind his back. He hadnât slept.Not out of fear or restlessness, but because his mind was already three steps aheadâplotting, calculating, ensuring no detail escaped him. The blueprint sat in a locked briefcase on his desk, untouched since he'd retrieved it from the safe.Every line on that paper held power. Power people had killed for. Power that could dismantle empires or birth new ones.A soft knock disrupted his thoughts.He turned, voice low. âCome in.âMatteo entered, freshly changed, though his knuckles were still stained red. âThe chamber is secured. Both men are restrained. Specterâs injuries are worse, but theyâll live.âAdrian nodded once. âNo one gets near them unless I authorize it.ââUnderstood.âMatteo hesitated. âAnd the court tomorrowâare you sure itâs wise to go yourself?ââI wonât trust this to anyone else,â Adrian said, his voice like steel. âToo much has been sacrificed for it. I need to see it through.âMa
Silence.Not the peaceful kind that comes after a storm, but the haunting type, the one that settles over a place that has seen too much blood, too much loss. The kind of silence that screams.Adrian stood in the middle of the aftermath.His estate, his home was now a battlefield littered with corpses. Blood pooled around bodies, soaking into the soil, painting a gruesome picture of what had transpired only moments ago. He didnât flinch. His eyes were steady, scanning the carnage with a sharpness that betrayed no emotion. He had seen worse. But he had never tolerated betrayal.His boots crunched over gravel and glass as he moved, his gaze settling on one of the only bodies that still drew breath. The figure was barely conscious, chest rising and falling in shallow, labored intervals. A black veil obscured the face.Adrian narrowed his eyes.There was something about this one.He crouched slowly, his movements controlled, almost calculated. He reached forward, fingers tightening aroun
Matteo blinked hard, blood draining from his face the moment Rosco stepped out from behind Alvarez. His breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, the hardened warrior faltered.âNoâĶâ he whispered.Rosco smirked, eyes gleaming with venomous satisfaction. âHello, Matteo. Still wagging your tail behind him, I see.âMatteo took a step forward instinctively, but Adrian raised a hand, his arm sweeping across Matteoâs chest to stop him. The motion was subtle but firm.Matteoâs chest heaved with betrayal, his eyes fixed on Rosco. âYou were with usâĶ you trained with us.âRosco chuckled, slow and condescending, before turning to Adrian, the amusement on his face deepening.âBut him?â Rosco nodded toward Adrian. âHe trusted me. Gave me everything. Took me into his inner circle. Showed me where the real power lies.âAdrian arched a brow, his expression unreadable.âPower?â he echoed, voice cool and distant. âWhat power?âRosco sneered, reaching behind him.With a flourish, he reveal
Nathan stood by the window, his arms crossed as he watched another group of Adrianâs men load ammunition into vehicles. He didnât like the feeling in his gut.âWhat the hell is he planning?â he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.Isabella sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through her phone in frustration. âVictoria still isnât answering. Iâve called her five times.âNathanâs brows furrowed. âSheâs not the type to ignore calls but since it is yours she can definitely ignore you. Isabella tossed the phone beside her and stood. âSomething is going on, Nathan. This silenceâĶ this secrecy, itâs not just about protecting the pack. Adrian is hiding something.âNathanâs gaze flickered to her, unreadable. âThen maybe itâs better we stay out of it.âIsabella looked at him, stunned. âYouâre just going to sit back and do nothing?âHe shrugged slightly. âItâs not my fight. Adrian made that clear a long time ago. And honestly? Iâm not about to throw myself into a war that has nothin
A large map was spread out before them, covered in markings and notes detailing every inch of the Ghostedâs operations.âThe celebration will end soon,â Alvarez muttered, his fingers tracing a key location. âTheir leader thinks heâs untouchable, but his arrogance will be his downfall.âThe masked leader tilted his head slightly. âYou want him dead, or do you have something else in mind?âAlvarez smirked. âDead, but not yet. I want him to watch as everything he built crumbles first.âThe leader nodded in understanding. âThen weâll strike fast and without mercy. We have our entry points secured. The Ghosted will never see it coming.âMeanwhile, deep within Adrianâs pack territory, the Ghosted were moving ahead with their own plans, Their informants had pinpointed a potential weakness in the packâs securityâan underground passage leading to a hidden vault where the blueprint was rumored to be stored.Three elite members of the Ghosted, clad in dark tactical gear, crouched near the pass
The Cartel had been shattered, And yet, amid the wreckage, Alvarez still drew breath.His body ached, every nerve screaming in agony as he forced himself to move. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the warm, sticky sensation of his own blood soaking through his fingers. The pain was nothing compared to the fury burning in his chest. He had been played. The Ghosted, his supposed allies, had turned against him at the last moment, throwing the battlefield into complete chaos. But why? Who had ordered this betrayal?His fingers curled into fists as he staggered forward, his boots crunching against shattered glass and spent shell casings. He needed to find answers. He needed to find the one who had orchestrated this disaster.A low groan echoed from the rubble. Alvarez turned sharply, gun raised, but his aim wavered when he saw who it wasâone of the masked assassins, barely alive, clutching a deep wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through his gloves as he struggled to breathe, his ma
The air vibrated with gunfire, screams, and the rhythmic thunder of boots pounding against the cracked asphalt. The war had begun.Mikhail, the ruthless leader of the Monadikos, stood atop the ruins of an old industrial complex, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos unfolding below. His fingers clenched into a fist as he watched his men swarm the abandoned shipyard where the Cartel had foolishly stationed their latest shipment of illicit arms. The plan was simple, wipe them out, seize the weapons, and cripple their operations."Push forward! No mercy!" he bellowed, his voice slicing through the night.His men responded with a battle cry, surging ahead like a tidal wave of vengeance. Gunfire erupted from every angle. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off rusted shipping containers, and the metallic scent of gunpowder thickened in the air. The Cartel, caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defense.****Alvarez, the cold and calculating leader of the Car