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
EMILIA'S POVThe brown paper bag still covered my face and I felt terrible. I was on my period, and I was bleeding profusely. I could tell that it was bad from the way the room smelt. God, I felt dirty. I reeked of dirtiness. It was the first time I had felt like that in months, and I found myself silently cursing Tristan Ironclaw. I had done absolutely nothing to deserve being treated like a criminal and a slave, and I knew that he didn't care one bit about what was happening to me. I also cursed myself for even loving such a man in the first place. How did I do that? How had I managed to put up with all the years of evil, the trauma and everything that had gone on during our relationship? How did I manage to turn a blind eye to his evil side, to how much of a beast he was?He was a man that didn't possess human sympathy and emotions, a man that probably didn't have a conscience. Because I saw no reason why I was still tied up even though I was practically harmless. He was a cowa
DETECTIVE WALSH'S POVBy the time I had managed to wring information out of Gary, he was shedding tears profusely. He clearly knew the consequences of what he had done, and that was why I was driving him home myself. Because I wanted to be sure of his safety. I had been shocked to the bone marrow by Gary's confession. His father was the one who had given him the drugs to sell, his father was clearly in affiliation with the black mask agency. It was crazy. I was having difficulty believing that a man who was supposed to help the city move forward by getting rid of the drug cartels and gangs in it, was actually one of them too. I shook my head sadly. That was clearly the reason why drug barons were rarely arrested. I shook my head sadly. Who knew how many more of the officers were involved? These were people that were meant to protect us, people that were meant to make sure we lived in a crime free environment. Instead, he was a criminal himself, joining even the worst of the crimin
TRISTAN'S POVWe parked our trucks and vans a mile away, away from his house. Then, craftily, we unlocked his door, using the pick. It was my idea to come with Henry because I wanted to witness the downfall of detective Walsh firsthand. A few minutes ago, I had received a call from chief Tom explaining the visit of detective Walsh. It was just like I had predicted. He was too dangerous, way too dangerous to be allowed to go Scot free. And that was why we were in his house, hiding, preparing for the moment. His house had just little furniture, and it smelt good. I found out that him deciding to stay among old people was a pretty decent disguise. That way, he wasn't going to be easily found out. He was a small private detective, but a very intellectual one. A big one, if he played his cards well. I didn't want to feel anything as we waited in his house in the dark. I shut out whatever emotions and whatever human sympathy I was about to garner. What I was doing, I was doing for my ow
ORION'S POVThe next morning as soon as I woke up, I felt something was amiss. Detective Walsh was supposed to reach out to me at the end of the day concerning what we had discussed, but so far, I hadn't heard from him. It was unlike him not to keep to time and appointments, and I spent the entirety of my breakfast wondering what was wrong with him and praying he was okay. By the time I was done with breakfast and was about to take my bath with the mindset of going to his apartment to check on him, my phone rang, the sound shattering the peace and stillness of my room. Rushing because I thought he was the one, I found out that it wasn't. It was a number that wasn't on my contact list, a number that I didn't have saved on my phone. There was no caller ID and I stood for a moment, wondering who it was. When I picked up, I could hear the sound of babies in the background.As soon as she talked, I shook my head sadly because I knew who it was. I knew the voice because she had been the
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