ORION'S POVBy the time I finished dressing, it was twelve noon. A restless and annoyed Elena was waiting by the passenger door, her face a mask of annoyance. It was clear that she had wanted to be there earlier but had been waiting for me. I shrugged inwardly, wondering if she was doing too much. The fact that I had already been to a lot of places concerning the case of Emilia's disappearance was why I was rarely excited by the act of playing detective. But I could understand that Elena, who had just come, was filled with energy. It wasn't her fault, and I knew that if I too had come a few months ago to find a missing lover or a friend, I would've been filled with the same energy too. “I'm sorry I took a little too long to prepare.” I apologized, staring into her eyes. Apart from the anger which was directed at me, what I saw in her eyes encouraged me. The determination in there, the courage to do anything to find her friend gave me strength. And even though I thought she was doi
EMILIA'S POVI stared at the chains in my hands, knowing that if I had been brave and courageous a night ago, I probably wouldn't be in those chains. After Charles had professed his love to me, I had freaked out. I wanted to expose Tristan so badly, but I was afraid. I wasn't only scared of what he could do to me, I was scared of what he could do to Charles too. Charles who had done nothing but love me exceptionally. Although I didn't love him back in the same way he loved me, I feared for his life. I was afraid of what Tristan could do if he eventually found out, and a part of me knew that I wasn't prepared to see the dead body of Charles yet. He had done a lot for me already, and trying to make him even do more while pretending I loved him was villainous. But what could I do?What choice did I have?Getting out of the warehouse where I was in wasn't going to be possible without an inside party. And that inside party was willing to do it without nothing in return. He was willing t
EMILIA'S POVI continued eating, deciding not to think too much about it. That was what love did to people. It made them think less and use their heart more. It turned their brains to jelly and made them unreasonable. Love had happened to me, and I knew what it felt like. “Have you considered my proposal? We can be out of here as soon as possible, Emilia. You're the one holding us back, sincerely. I have everything in place, all I need is your word. Come on, you know we can do this. Together, it can work.”I smiled at him, wondering if he was thinking clearly. Tristan wasn't only a wolf, he was one of the most powerful ones. How was I sure that he wasn't going to find me with just a sniff? How were we sure that he wasn't going to fish us out and kill us?For a moment, I acknowledged the truth that indeed Tristan might have gone a little crazy. How much of a threat was I? How much of a threat did he consider me that he had kidnapped me without any just cause?It was clear that he had
EMILIA'S POV I noted that it was the first time I had seen Henry smile. His smile was even more beautiful than his frown and I wished he would smile more. But I found myself thinking instead about Charles's proposal. It was clear that Tristan was even becoming very easy going with me. He clearly didn't know what was coming and wouldn't see it until it was too late. It was pleasant to know that. It was good to know that even Tristan Ironclaw who I clearly was scared of was letting his defenses and his guard down. It was high time I used that to my advantage. _________TRISTAN'S POVI stared at Emilia for a while before I left the room where I had kept her locked up for months. Nowadays, there was something about her, something in her eyes that was beautiful to look at. She seemed happy, way too happy for somebody that was locked up. I found myself wondering if there wasn't something I was missing. Why was she so happy? How was it possible that she looked happy even though she wa
TRISTAN'S POV“How much is there?”It was Edgar's voice, and I found out that it was music to my ears. The guilt in Edgar's eyes coupled with the salivation that was happening in his mouth was truly a beauty to watch. The man was going through a thousand and one emotions all at once, and I marveled at the power that money had over people.Imagine a man as strong and powerful as Edgar King being a pawn and a puppet to my games. I was enjoying it. It was pleasant to watch his downfall, a man that had always made things difficult for me, snooping around my goods at the border, making life difficult for me and my agency. “Fifty grand, Mr King. And another fifty by the time my name is officially cleared from the suspect list of the drugs commission. What do you say?”In his eyes I could see the need for the money, the urge to immediately take it, to immediately cradle it and begin to count it. It was the urge to count it that I found funny. A resilient and honest Mr King had been reduced
TRISTAN'S POV “Yes, Edgar. I'm not forcing you into it, but I'm presenting the opportunity to you. Instead of waiting for twenty grand every month from me, you have the world before you. Make your own money, smuggle and set up your own cartel, under mine, of course. We work together, hand in hand. Think of what we could achieve, Edgar.”I offered him a glass which he accepted. He was nodding even without knowing it, and I knew that I had successfully brought the commissioner of the drug commission into the fold of drug peddling without even forcing it. “For God's sake, you could even own twenty or more casinos. As much as you wish to have. What do you say, Edgar?”His eyes darting from corner to corner of my office, avoiding everywhere but my eyes, I knew that he was still uncomfortable by the fact that he was discussing drugs with me whilst he was supposed to be arresting me. Smiling within me, I knew that he would get there eventually, even though it was going to take some time.
ORION'S POVAfter we finished our lunch which consisted of tacos and soda drinks, I found out that I was insanely tired. Tired of sitting in one place and watching the police station for a man that would probably never show up. It was Elena that I felt sympathy for. For the fact that she had invested a lot into trying to find him and was still unable to do so was going to be a bitter pill to swallow, but I felt that she was going to survive eventually, she was that strong.“I think we should leave. Nothing here tells me that we might even find him here today.”I nodded, retrieving my keys and pulling out my airpods that had been in my ear during the waiting period. Music helped me to pass time, and I had been using it as a form of escape. It had helped me get through the hours of waiting unproductively for a man that probably knew what we were up to. Could it be that he had been given a heads up?I doubted that. It couldn't be possible. No one apart from the both of us knew about tr
ORION'S POV Excited and feeling my heart pound in anticipation, I put the car into gear, then followed chief Tom as fast as I could. My mind was laden with a thousand and one questions I didn't have answers to. Where was chief Tom going? And what was in the black bag he had carried?___________ORION'S POVWhen chief Tom's Hilux parked next to the park, I found myself wondering what a grown and married man with a kid was doing at a park by seven in the evening. Wasn't the park just for kids?Why was he entering inside if he didn't have a child with him? What was inside the black bag? If chief Tom had wanted to meet with someone, then why do it in a park?I waited until he got out of his vehicle, my heart hammering wildly in my chest. I could also feel the tension and the anticipation in the air. Even though we were both tired, I could tell that our bodies were reacting positively to what was happening before us. Chief Tom was starting to look like a suspect in the disappearance of m
TRISTAN'S POV He laughed again, laughter that burnt my chest. Laughter that made me want to punch him in the stomach and hit him on the face until I drew blood. “Who knew that in a few weeks, you'll be here with me, eh? Eating leftovers, and about to be judged by a panel of Elders and your own brothers. Life is a rollercoaster, Tristan. And it's your turn to go on that ride.”I shook my head in anger when he shoved me again. “Don't push me!” I hissed angrily. “I'm in charge here, Tristan. And you're going to do as I say. Now move!”He was right. I was now underneath him. He was in charge, and there was nothing I could do. How the mighty falleth!_________ORION'S POVStanding before my brothers and the elders, I raised my hand in silence. Before me, I held the bottle that was filled to the brim with acid, which served as an evidence before the whole court that my brother, Tristan Ironclaw had been charged for the death of a dozen people and conspiracy to kill me and the rest of t
ORION'S POVStaring at Rosalind, I was filled with rage. How could Tristan be so callous? How evil could he be? For him to do such a thing to his brothers meant that he could go to any length to try and destroy most of us. It meant he was willing to go to any length to destroy whoever had been standing in his way on his charge to become the Alpha. It was a good thing that he was locked up, just where he deserved to be. There were no two ways about it. “Denver!”I called out, placing my hand atop Emilia's in order to let her know that she wasn't alone. I was annoyed, but not at her. I was offended by my brother's callousness, by his lack of human empathy, sympathy and love. Being his brother at that moment was something I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy. He was an evil man, a very callous person, and I wanted him to be paid according to how he had lived his life, according to how evil he had been. “Yes royal one.”Denver was beside me in a flash, the worry on his face mirrorin
EMILIA'S POVBrushing my teeth in the bathroom, I couldn't help but smile time and time again. My head was filled with pleasant thoughts, and that was all I cared for at the moment. I wanted the pleasant thoughts to continue, I didn't want them to end in any way. All I thought of was marriage with Orion Ironclaw, and how I wanted to spend the rest of my days with him. I imagined living in the palace, and I imagined our children running around. He was eventually going to be the Alpha, and I imagined him being disturbed by one or two thoughts and problems that plagued the land, and there I was, comforting him, telling him that everything was going to be alright. It was all I wanted to think about all day, it was where I wanted to be. I loved him to the moon and back, and with Tristan gone and locked up in jail, it was going to be a rollercoaster ride for all of us. I wanted us to get married immediately, because I didn't want any problems or obstacles. Because I wanted to continue be
ORION'S POV “Good morning chef Sarah. I want to prepare something for my girlfriend. I know you guys must have already prepared a meal for the occupants of the palace, but I'd like to prepare something special. And yes, I'd like you guys to help me. But from a distance, please don't interfere.”Sarah smiled, then nodded. It was obvious that she understood where I was coming from. Most of them had heard about the showdown with Tristan, and had probably heard that he was in prison too. Nodding, I noticed a young cook who seemed disturbed by my presence. Her hands were trembling, and she was in a corner, standing as she stared at me. Smiling at her, I noticed that she averted her eyes. But I didn't take it to heart, that was the reaction of most servants when I tried to be friendly. Without skipping a beat, I decided to start preparing breakfast for Emilia before she woke up. Asking questions, I managed to find the eggs and then put them into a bowl before whisking them. Bread was wh
ORION'S POVI stirred awake, the rays of the sun that pierced the windows blinding me monetarily. For a minute, I didn't know where I was. I stared, surprised and in clear wonderment. And then I remembered. I was in the palace, in my room. And beside me was my girlfriend, a woman that I loved and had always loved. A woman that I was ready to lay down my life for, a woman that I was ready to spend the rest of my life with. Just seeing Emilia beside me made me excited. The fact that I hadn't been this close to her in months, that we were not allowed to be close to each other because of obstacles that existed in the form of my brother and her ex boyfriend made me bitter. But all that bitterness had been transformed into love now. I no longer felt bitter towards my brother, who at that moment had been handed unto the hands of the pack by the police force. We were going to deal with him, just as our laws, rules and regulations required, while they were free to deal with the remainder of
EMILIA'S POVI was seated on my bed watching the television when Elena called me, telling me to turn to the NBC News channel immediately. I did so, and I was shocked at what I saw on the television. Tristan Ironclaw had been arrested after he was identified as one of the most notorious criminals of the past year. I couldn't believe it. I was actually free. Him being arrested meant that I was free to go back to my lover, and I was free to go back to the palace as well. My life had been pretty messed up, filled with ups and downs, and it was eventually time for a change. I broke down and wept, still looking at the television. Tristan Ironclaw had been the worst thing to ever happen to me. And now, he was going to jail, where he was going to spend the rest of his days. The evidence against him according to the television was massive, and I found myself wondering what they had found on him. I didn't care.All I seemed to care about at that moment was that my life was finally mine agai
ORION'S POVAs soon as they shook hands, our van drove in, and in a twinkle of an eye, I could see Tristan transform into a wolf. But I was ready. Clutching the gun that was armed with several bullets, I transformed into a wolf as well, blocking his path and tripping him as he began to run. He fell in a heap on the ground, and I pointed the gun at him. He smiled at me, a nervous smile, and I shook my head, perplexed. My twin brother was a hardened criminal. He was laughing even though death was staring him in the face. He was showing that he had no remorse for whatever he had done in the past. He was just showing everybody the type of man he was. “I should've known. Who else will be in charge of my downfall if not for my own twin brother, if not for my nemesis from day one.”“You are your own nemesis, Tristan. The evil you've done in this city is only coming back to haunt you. I am your karma, and I'm telling you right now that you should surrender and hand yourself over to the pol
EMILIA'S POVI nodded, acknowledging at that moment that I loved listening to Orion Ironclaw speak. His voice was soothing, especially for the fact that I hadn't heard it in days. As soon as we were done discussing the matter of Tristan Ironclaw and his masked dealers agency, I proceeded to tell them that I couldn't live with Charles anymore. It was going to be better if I checked into a hotel on the outskirts of town where he would never find me. Agreeing immediately and seemingly annoyed, Orion immediately agreed to it. He wasn't going to let anything happen to me while he was alive, he swore time and time again. I entered the car while we drove to a hotel in the outskirts. There, I checked in, and Orion paid for everything, including my room service. “After all this is over, you'll be back with me in the palace as my wife. We've suffered so much, Emilia, we deserve every good thing in the world. Which is why I'm going to say we should get married as soon as possible.”I clutche
EMILIA'S POVI had swallowed it for too long. I knew that I had tried my best, and I was supposed to move forward. At least, I was supposed to be treated as if I wasn't in a dungeon anymore. If he loved me, he was going to allow me to do what I wished. He was going to let my plans flow as smoothly as I wanted it to. “I need to go out, Charles. I've been locked in here for two weeks. You've bluntly refused to let me go out. Is this love? You say you're afraid of Tristan, but you go out everyday yourself? What does that mean?”He shook his head, then tried to touch me. I ducked immediately, then swore inwardly. Why did he keep trying to touch me? It only made my skin crawl with repulsion, and I wondered if he couldn't see it. I hated him, and he wasn't even seeing it. “You need to understand that you are fragile, Emilia. I love you, and I'm trying to let you understand that.”I shook my head angrily. This wasn't love. It was something else. I didn't deserve to be locked up like an ani