ORION'S POVBy the time I got to the end of the Sheffield estate, my heart was hammering in my chest, the blood was ringing in my ears and my hands were trembling. I was afraid. I was afraid that even through a private detective, I might never see Emilia Roberts, and that was why I turned my car, driving to the station first. I parked in the station parking lot, getting out of my car and locking the doors firmly. Since I had called the police and told the detectives all I could about the case, they hadn't gotten back to me. That was what I was starting to discover that I hated about the police. The fact that I had done everything I could in my power to help them, the fact that I had tried my best to further the investigation, but they weren't replicating the same energy was what I hated about them. All I wanted was to talk to the detective that I knew was in charge of the case, to give him a piece of my mind. When I got to the reception of the station, I could see that it was fill
ORION'S POVI smiled broadly at him, then shook his hand firmly when he stood up,offering his hand. He shook it, his handshake very weak. He was a weak man, I found myself thinking. Even as a man that commanded authority and had dozens of men underneath him, he had still been afraid of Tristan. It didn't sit well with me. Men of authority knew that Tristan was always somebody who loved to act tough, and I was annoyed that he hadn't been able to depict that immediately. Instead what had he done?He had been afraid of my twin brother, shivering and trembling to my embarrassment. He was clearly a man that didn't know who he was, and even if he knew, it struck me that he couldn't use it to his advantage. He made me hate him even though I didn't want to, even though I wasn't to. “Ahh, Orion Ironclaw, how pleasant of you to drop by. When I heard my receptionist call, I was ready to give him a piece of my mind until I heard you were the one. Nice to meet you once again.”He patted me on t
TRISTAN'S POVWhen I heard the good news, that she was alive and kicking, I had entered my car, driving as fast as I could to see her. I couldn't believe that she had actually made me wait for three days before she had become conscious. I didn't even think that hitting her with the weapon I had used could make her unconscious, and for a very long time too. What I found difficult was the way I was presenting myself to her. I wanted to appear aloof and uncaring, but I knew there was a part of me that still loved her, a part of me that even wanted to snatch her from my brother. But I knew that I was past that lover boy stage. I had my eyes set on the throne, and nothing else. Now, all I wanted to do was punish her. I wanted her to see that I could still own her even if she had done nothing wrong, All I wanted to do was to show her that I was in control. That I was in charge, in command. I wanted to show her that maybe if she had stuck with me, this was a world she would have also e
TRISTIAN'S POVHenry bit his lip, and I could see that he was excited. It was clear that whoever the buyer was, he was a big person and was probably somebody that had never bought before. “It was the chief of police, sir. Chief Tom. Apparently, he wants to sell the drugs using his child at school. I think he borrowed some money from the police coffers which he is unable to pay back.”Nodding, I smiled. That was a new one. Chief Tom. The man who was supposedly supposed to protect the city and uphold the laws. The man who was supposedly supposed to act according to the laws of the land and the constitution was disobeying. He was doing the very thing he preached against, and it was beautiful to see. It was beautiful that I wasn't the only villain in the town, that I wasn't the only one that led a double life. Opening the freezer that was in my office, I retrieved a bottle of whiskey, then poured it into two glasses, inviting Henry to drink with me. I gave him a glass, then stretched m
ORION'S POV “I'll cut to the chase, Detective Walsh. My girlfriend, if you saw it on the news, is now a missing person. She was the woman that was abducted from her apartment in Rochester.”I saw him nod, then dash into the corridor. When he returned, he held a yellow paged jotter and a pen. “The police don't seem to be helping. There has been no clue, nothing whatsoever. It has been a series of nothing to write home about events, and I have to tell you, I'm nothing but disappointed at what has been happening. Which is why I'm here. I believe you can help me, Detective Walsh.”I watched the detective nod, his smile showing off his perfect dentition. “I can help you, Orion. Now, I'd like to know how she disappeared, tell me everything you know.”I scratched my head, wondering where to start. “Well, we were to have a date that night before she was kidnapped. We wanted to go out initially, but I decided to have dinner at her house. I decided to buy groceries, which I gave to her a d
TRISTAN'S POV When he spoke, it was the voice of a man that was in pain,the voice of a frustrated and an angry man. He was clearly annoyed by what Henry had done, but I knew better than to even show the slightest emotion. I hated him, and I wanted him to know who was in control of the underworld, no matter what it was going to take. “I bought those drugs with the aim of making returns next week, Tristan. I can't deal with what you've told me. This is not how business is done.”I stood, flying into a rage, transforming into a wolf immediately, spittle dribbling down my chin. My ears stood on its end, and the hair on my body was twice the normal size. “Business?” I roared. “And who said this is business, chief? You work for me now, I own you. You do as I say, is that clear?”And with those words I charged, dragging him to the wall and pressing my hands on his neck. It took a combined effort of Henry and another man to stop me from suffocating him totally. “Listen to me, chief Tom,”
ORION'S POVTalking to detective Walsh had opened my eyes. It told me of how little I knew my brother, of how I knew nothing about his friends or where he went to at night. He was a prime suspect in Emilia's case, not because of her disappearance, but because he was in the house when the tires had been slashed and although I had no idea if he was in the house when she was abducted because as usual, he always made sure his room was locked. That was why as soon as I came back from the detective's house, I ate, abiding and heeding Logan's advice of eating as much as I could because I definitely needed the strength. As soon as it was late and I was sure that everybody was within the walls of the palace, I sent Denver to instruct all the brothers to make their way to the courtroom. By the time I went to the courtroom in my purple robe, the room was a beehive of noise. I could see the strained and tired faces of the brothers, and I could see that most of them were probably wondering why
TRISTAN'S POVI woke up, stretching. I looked at the clock above my bed, acknowledging that I wasn't too late. There was only one thing on my mind, and that was finding detective Walsh. I was annoyed, offended even. Where was this coming from? Where was the guts to consistently attack me and time and time again coming from? Where was the effrontery to continue to insult me and treat me like trash coming from?I sighed, taking a very quick shower. The most important thing at the moment was to get rid of Detective Walsh. The previous night, I had done a very quick research and I was shocked at the results. Detective Walsh was dangerous. He not only knew his job very well, he had received accolades for doing very well in the past, even from the police themselves. That was why I knew I shouldn't let him sniff next to my business. If I wanted to keep my matter a secret, then detective Walsh had to go. It didn't matter how I was going to do it, or when. Taking my car, I found my way to
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