The question, however, was what was it? How shady was it that it had to involve the usage of teenagers to avoid suspicion? Could any of it be linked to the disappearance of Emilia?If we were going to answer these questions, then I knew that sitting in the car wasn't going to fetch us the answers. It was time to answer them ourselves._________TRISTAN'S POVBringing my car to a halt next to the assistant elder of the moon arc pack's house, I parked, then slipped out of my car, instructing Cavill to wait in the car while Henry followed me. The night was still young, and so was I.I still had a lot of time ahead of me, and with this time I could achieve numerous and countless things. One of these countless things was going to be my installment as the crowned alpha in a few weeks time. There was no other way to wrap up by youthful age. Knocking, I smiled at elder Vincenzo's child who came to open the door after I had knocked. I could see that she was scared because of the faces we bor
TRISTAN'S POV“My God, Tristan Ironclaw, that is a lot of money. Why..why is it here, in front of me? Why do you have such an insane amount of money in cash?”I smiled at him, trying my best not to burst into laughter and replay what I had just seen in my mind. Was it the money that was making him tremble and stutter? I wanted to know, I wanted to laugh, but I held it within. “That money will be all yours, Vincenzo if you support my movement for the throne. That is all I need from you. You don't need to do much, I just want to make sure that I have you on my side as one of the prestigious elders in the city.”He stared at me, unable to speak for a few seconds. He was dumbfounded. The shock on his face was none like I had ever seen before, and the way he caressed the notes time and time again told me that elder Vincenzo had probably not seen that kind of money in a very long time. “You know you don't need my support to be the next Alpha. This is between you and your brothers, it is a
ORION'S POVWithout batting an eyelid, I got out of the car, transformed in seconds into an eyesore of a wolf, and found my way to the guard room where the security was inside, counting the proceeds of the bad thing he had just done. I stared at him, irritated. Elena was beside me, also transformed into a wolf. That was how we were going to interrogate the security guard if we wanted to achieve our purpose,if we wanted to intimidate him and get him to confess. “What's all that money for, young blood?”The notes dropped from his hand, and he took a step backwards, petrified. The fear I saw in his eyes was greater than anything I had ever seen when I attacked a human being. Clearly, he had heard of werewolves, but it was probably his first time seeing one.“My mother, please. She's sick, with cancer. She needs treatment, please. I wouldn't have done it, but I had no other choice, please forgive me. The money helps me foot her hospital bills and also helps me put food on the table. You
EMILIA'S POVI could feel the tension in the air and the anticipation. My skin was thick with sweat, and so were my clammy hands. I was being pursued by the entire brotherhood of the moon arc pack. They wanted my blood, they were stretching, exclaiming and searching for me. They needed my blood, they wanted me. I ran as fast as I could, my legs carrying me. Until I fell down, and Tristan Ironclaw was above me, staring down at me. He was smiling, a smile that said his intentions were anything but pure towards me. Transforming into a fearsome wolf, he growled, a growl that sent shivers up my spine. At that moment, I woke up, my entire skin shining in a sheen and a film of sweat. It was crazy. I had been having one of my nightmares again. No matter how I tried to hide it and sleep as peacefully as I tried to, it wasn't possible.There was nowhere to hide, Tristan Ironclaw ended up finding me, even in my dreams. He was there, no matter how I tried to run and no matter how far I wanted
TRISTAN'S POVAs soon as I made my way into the palace, I went into the kitchen. As soon as the chefs and cooks saw me, they began to fret. I smiled within me, knowing that it was normal. I viewed their fear as the emergence of how powerful I was. If I wasn't going to be feared so early as I made my way to the top, then there was something wrong somewhere. I watched each and every cook, studying them, observing slowly. I was looking for something, searching for something I hadn't seen in any of them so far. Anytime I went near one of them, there was that nervousness, that trembling. It was good to know the kind of effect I had on them. That they were scared of me, that they knew the kind of power I had, and how it was important that they respected me. Had my notorious stories reached the kitchen? Had the stories of my wickedness and troublemaking gotten to the ears of the kitchen staff as well?It made me happy seeing them afraid of me. But that wasn't why I had come to the kitche
TRISTAN'S POV“I can't do that, your royal. I can't kill people that are meant to protect us and rule this city. Please any other thing, I'll do it. Please…”Without skipping a beat, I grabbed her neck, then with speed that wasn't human, I dragged her all the way to the door, slamming her head against it. There was no need to emphasize on it. If I wanted it done, then I had to use force. And force meant violence. “You will do it, Rosalind. Look at me. Look at me! You're going to do as I have said, or you won't go back home to your parents by the end of your shift. Do you understand me? Is this clear?”She had begun to cry instantly, and for a second, I felt pity towards her. But my quest to be Alpha of the arc moon pack was obviously greater. I was going to do anything to eradicate whoever stood between me and the throne, and that involved my brothers as well. Even if it had to mean wiping a family of five. “Please, your royal. I can't do this. I'll be sinning against mankind and
EMILIA'S POV With Charles, I felt protected, but for how long? How long was I going to be in the custody of a man I knew I didn't love, but loved me wholeheartedly. I didn't mean to deceive him, but what choice did I have?What other alternatives were there?“Come on, Emilia. Stick with him, hide in the shadows.”I followed him, literally holding my breath as we made our way out of the room where I had spent the last two months in. I was scared to death, terrified even. I followed him slowly, and we stealthily made our way through the hallway without any incident. It was when we got to the back door that we found two men standing, sharing a joint of marijuana. They were laughing and looking at something on their mobile phone, and I stood there wondering if they were alright mentally. Marijuana had its own side effects, and I wasn't going to blame them if they were starting to go crazy, even if it was just a little. We waited in the shadows for about ten minutes before the men final
ORION'S POVChief Tom's house was a bungalow that had flowers around it. Flowers that had been neglected and were beginning to die off. I didn't blame him though. How was he going to take care of his flowers when his mind was elsewhere? When he was always busy, selling drugs, moving around in the streets and in the park?I ran a hand through my hair, my heart hammering in my chest. I wouldn't even believe in my next life that an important man like the chief of police could be involved in such a mess. Before I transformed into a wolf, I stood next to the balcony of his house, retrieving my phone from my pocket. Then I put on the recorder before giving it to Elena who was by my side. So far, I admired her courage and bravery. She had shown that to find her friend, she was going to do all it took, and this was part of the job. About to go and interview an officer of the law, a man who was supposedly dangerous. It was risky, but it was going to be worth it, I had told myself over and ov
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