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
ORION'S POVParking my car in the police station, I found my way to the reception. My hair was tousled, my trousers were rumpled, and my shirt stuck to my back in sweat, but the last thing on my mind was my appearance. What was I going to do without Detective Walsh? How was I going to find the love of my life, the woman that had brought me this far, the woman that had become my priority. What was I going to do without the people that I deemed important?Without them, how was I going to cope?For days on end, I had been unable to sleep, imagining the suffering, the pain and whatever Emilia was going through wherever she was. I had imagined how lonely she must feel, how dejected she was going to feel because she was alone. I had thought about it, and sleep had eluded me. Now, detective Walsh had been added to the list. A man that I had thought was the answer to my problems was dead, a man that I thought could help me out had been killed in cold blood, all because he was on my case. R
TRISTAN'S POVAnytime I looked at Emilia Roberts, I hated her even more. I hated the fact that she was a woman who was supposed to enjoy the benefits of where I was now, the upper hand that I was having. But there she was, still agreeing to remain steadfast to my twin, Orion. I had no problem with her remaining steadfast. As long as she was able to take the heat, then I was going to give it to her. It was as simple as that. Getting out of bed that morning, I smiled widely at Christopher who didn't smile back, his eyes widening in surprise. I knew that he was afraid of me, and that was the distance I wanted. Despite the fact that he had been assigned to me personally, I felt that he had no right whatsoever to dictate my movements. Who I killed and who I decided not to kill was entirely my own business and mine alone. He had no say in the matter. And that was why I patted his shoulder as I made my way to the bathroom even if he didn't smile back at me initially. I wanted to make
TRISTAN'S POVThe warehouse was filled with working men by the time I got there, their boots slapping the tiled floor. I smiled at the greetings and the handshakes I gave, the respect in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. They respected me, they treated me as their king, as their leader, as somebody they looked up to. While I was being ridiculed and disrespected in my own family home, here, I was respected. I was accorded that respect in each and every form, and most times I couldn't help it but smile. They were my subjects, all of them, and I loved the way they all treated me. Henry was waiting outside my office when I got there, a smile on his lips. “Boss. Good morning.”“Good morning Henry, how are you? How's work?”Henry nodded, slipping my key into the office and opening it for me. I entered gingerly, placing my suitcase on the table and then flopping into my chair. I turned on my laptop in the process, deciding to go through the finances of the company I had come to ca
ORION'S POVI was tired. My efforts were yielding nothing at all, and even though I suspected my twin brother for everything that was going on, I had nothing to show for it. Absolutely nothing. I found my way back to the palace, my head low, the desperation in my eyes. I was annoyed. I wanted to find her so bad, I missed her. The fact that Elena had called me again but I had ignored her call because I had nothing to say to her. I was afraid of dashing her hopes once again, afraid of saying anything at all to her. Entering the palace, I found Logan in my room with Denver, and I could tell from the look in his eyes that he knew what I was going through, and he pitied me. “From your face, Orion, I know you don't come bearing good news.”I turned my face to the right, anger coursing through my veins. I didn't want them to see the pain, to see what was going on inside of me. I was angry, and everyday I grew even more and more bitter. I couldn't see myself making it past them without bur
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