ORION'S POVThanking the cook briefly, I ate from the steak she had offered me, downing it with the wine in my glass. My love for a good steak was one of the things that had never died even after my father's death. The image never seemed to leave my head. It was always there, haunting me in different ways, making me feel bad even though I knew that his death wasn't my fault, even though I knew that his death was something that didn't have anything to do with me. But it haunted me still.That image of him thrashing around, that image of him fighting with death. It is an image that never seemed to leave my mind no matter how hard I tried. It was a firm imprint on my mind, and that was why most times, I knew that I wanted revenge, but I didn't know where to start. What did I know about my father's death apart from the fact that he was poisoned? And even if he had been poisoned, by whom? Who had the guts to take my father out, the great Alpha?There were suspects, a list I had in my mi
EMILIA'S POV“You should call him, you know. I leave for school in a few weeks. You'll be awfully lonely here, Emilia. You need company.”I scoffed, wishing that she dropped the topic. I was wishing that she would drop the topic because I knew that it was true, because I knew that she had a point. I was going to be lonely, and I needed companionship. Why was I always trying to play it down? Why was I trying to pretend that I didn't miss him? That I didn't miss his touch on my skin, his beautiful body and his hair? I missed every part of him, and I knew it. I didn't just know how to say it. I didn't know how to tell him, to make my feelings known. “Thank you!”Elena said, smiling at the waiter in a manner that I found suspicious. We were at the blue pound restaurant, one of the popular and beautiful ones that had just opened recently. It was Elena's plan to visit it, and I knew that she did it because she didn't want to stay in the house all the time. Elena was one of the most fun
TRISTAN'S POV The warehouse was filled to the brim when I parked my car in the garage and found my way inside. There were dozens of men inside, and the heat emanating from it was crazy. Everyday, my band of followers seemed to increase. And I knew why. All of them wanted a taste of what it was to be the troublemaker I was, to be the menace that I was starting to become. And I was going to show them all. I was going to give them a piece of me, them and the entire brotherhood. They were never going to see this coming. “Masked agency!”The chant from the men told me that indeed, they were ready to wreck havoc on the city. They were brandishing their weapons, their cries renting the air. It was what I loved to hear, it was what I wanted to hear. “Now, we're going to do this as clear as day. We're going to go into the city, and we're going to destroy as many properties as we can. We're going to show them who owns the city, who runs the street. We're going to show them that we aren't c
ORION'S POVWhen I awoke the next morning, I could barely believe my eyes or my ears. The news on my television said the same thing, and even the gossip on the lips of the servants carried the news. While the whole city had been asleep the previous night, schools and clinics had been attacked. Vandalization had occurred while the whole city was asleep. While people slept at night, the masked men had gone and done it again. I stared at my screen, unbelieving. Shaking my head, I stared at the news, noting the schools and the clinics that had been destroyed. They were in the same part of the city, the northern region. The bulbs were destroyed, even the desks. Nothing was spared, nothing at all. It had to be them. It had to be the masked men agency. No other group would go around causing chaos and pandemonium in the city. No other group would go around destroying government properties. It was them. It was the masked dealers agency. Staring at the window that overlooked the city, I r
TRISTAN'S POV“Good morning chief.”The whole brotherhood chorused, and I found myself staring intently at the chief. In his movements, I found fatigue, I found tiredness. In his movements I found weariness and fear. He was tired of carrying the burden of the city on his shoulders, I could see it, but that was his job. There was nothing he was going to do about it. He had sworn to do it, the oath was sacred, and no matter how tired he was, he was going to continue doing it. He was going to continue carrying the burden of the city on his shoulders, even if he liked it or not. I stared at him, laughing inwardly. I had done that. I had made him tired,I had made him weary. I had made all of them in the courtroom tired. I had made all of them wondering what was next. I was doing it, I was trouble itself, I was that menace they were looking for. I was that menace they were never going to find, sadly. The chief took the last drag of his already finished cigarette, then dumped the remains
ORION'S POVI watched my twin brother head to his seat, irritated. What was wrong with him? Who did he think he was, holding the chief by the collar, embarrassing such a great man, embarrassing a man of the law? Why was he behaving so unruly? Why was he behaving as if he hadn't been trained by the great Alpha, as if he was one of the ruffians that lived their lives on the streets?He was a troublemaker, nothing less and nothing more. It was annoying to see him assume the role of always trying to act like an alpha,of always trying to act as if he was a representative when he was not. Who did he think he was to impersonate and try to challenge the chief? I shook my head in anger and irritation, giving him a look that told him to respect himself, or I was going to come for him myself. The chief lit another cigarette, his hands trembling. It was clear that he was afraid, that he was scared. It was clear he now knew and felt like he was in enemy territory, that his words, his orders an
TRISTAN'S POVStaring at my brother, a wicked smile lit up my face. Gone were the days when I was afraid of his words, gone were the days when I actually considered his words. Now his words meant little to me. They were like chaff, they were like pouring water on a duck's back. It was impossible to talk me out of what I was about to do. It was impossible for me to sit down and watch them embarrass and humiliate the courtroom that our very ancestors had stepped foot in. It wasn't as if I really cared,but I knew that that was a step in my quest to be the great Alpha.And if I was going to indeed be the great Alpha, then I had to start resuming my duties. I had to start making sure I was going to act like a true Aloha would, without fear and without remorse. I wasn't one to be scared, and I wanted them to not only know that, I wanted them to see that. And that was why I was smiling evilly at my twin brother, the evil glint in my eye I was sure was now visible. I was ready to introduce
TRISTAN'S POV“Stop this, this minute!”It was Logan's harsh voice, and that was when I relaxed my fighting stance, inspecting my injured chin and pleased to see that it was healing quickly. I had always had a problem with healing so fast, and I was happy that my body was slowly adapting.“Brothers, this meeting is dismissed and adjourned till further notice. If we are going to come to the courtroom and always fight, then I suggest we don't come at all. If this is what the brotherhood has been reduced to, then I think it's best we remain in our rooms and fight there!”I watched my brothers began to leave the courtroom, some of them even disappointed that Logan had robbed them of an all timer fight. I could see in their eyes that they wanted more, and Logan had just put an end to the entertainment they were enjoying. While Orion cleaned himself up, I adjusted, folding my hands. “I'm disappointed in you two, to be honest. I expected more from you both. But you can see what it is now.
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