**Three Months Later:** **In New York! At The Night Club . . . . .**Shakti was looking ravishing in her tight black knee-length dress. Her dark blood-red lipstick was the highlight of her makeup. A small smirk was visible on her beautiful, glowing face whenever she caught the eyes of another hungry man. She looked away from the eyes that were ogling her. While she wasn't uncomfortable in the dress, the place, atmosphere, and mostly the lustful gazes were making her squirm. She knew how to tackle the situation, so she just sat down on a seat near the bar area.Her phone rang, and she saw the flashing number, picking it up on the first ring."Hello, Brother," Shakti said."Are you fine, Shakti?" Yuvaan asked her."Yes, Brother! Don't worry. I'm good, and most importantly, I am not alone. Your bodyguards are here with me," Shakti said, hearing deep, heavy breathing sounds and chuckling loudly."Brother! If both of you are anxious for me, then you shouldn't have sent me here for this ki
**In India, a few days before Hades and Persephone clash...**Rudra was checking all the information he got from his team members who were working hard just to catch Avni (the villainess of the third book) who had hidden herself well from their eagle eyes."Are you sure?" Rudra asked as he gawked at the pictures of Avni."Yes, sir! I got this message last night that our informant saw Avni in NY," Rudra's female team member said."But she was in India a few months back," another member said."Someone is helping her with money and resources," Rudra's team members reasoned with each other."We are going to NY. Plan everything well," Rudra said and left his team members alone.Rudra had five members, including him. Four were male, and one was female. They were loyal, ruthless, cold, and dark, just like him.---**Current Time in NY:***At the Night Club*Shakti was drinking a soft drink when she suddenly felt a cold, rough hand on her bare back, exposed by her deep backless dress. She turn
**Two Years Later:****Somewhere in the UK**"Tweety! Tweety!" Dhawal shook Shakti's body."Tweety! Wake up, you're getting late for your farewell party," Dhawal said again, shaking her. Shakti stirred and fluttered her eyes open, looking at him."Finally, you opened your eyes, sleepyhead," Dhawal said dramatically, and she smiled."Good evening, Dhawal," Shakti replied, and Dhawal frowned."It's not morning, Tweety. It's evening, and I think you should get ready for the party, or you'll be late," Dhawal said and left her room.Shakti sighed deeply.She took her phone, opened the gallery, and saw pictures of her family. It had been two years since she last met them. For the past two years, she had cut herself off from her family, especially the Rathores.Shakti closed her eyes, trying to remember Rudra's face and his blazing red eyes. She shook her head, got ready for the farewell party, and went outside her room. She found two lovebirds cozy in their romance.Shakti cleared her throat
**In Rajasthan, India**"Happy Birthday, Durga," Shakti's brother wished her, and she nodded.Her brother performed a small pooja for her and applied a red dot on her forehead. She looked at her brother with moist eyes, her emotions welling up. She bit her lip to control a sob."Durga, I'm sorry, Sister. Please forgive me," her brother said, understanding her dilemma.He stroked her hair and looked at her with concern and guilt. He was sad to see his sister like this."I'm sorry, my little sister. Please forgive your brother," he said, and she smiled at him.Shakti hugged her brother tightly, and they shed tears for each other."Brother, I forgive you and Papa. It's just that I was hurt and took a stand for myself, for my self-respect," Shakti said, and her brother understood her words.Shakti had been like this since childhood. She always fought for what was right and wrong."It's okay, Durga. You're like your name—Durga—a powerful, strong woman who knows how to fight and wipe out evi
"What's going on here?", Rudra asked as his voice edged with concern. Shakti's father stood blankly for a few seconds, as if struggling to find the right words."Today is Durga's engagement. Her marriage is fixed now, and here is the groom," Shakti's brother said to Rudra while gesturing towards a well-dressed man sitting nearby.Shakti closed her eyes as her heart was pounding frantically inside her chest. Sudden appearance of Rudra caused another havoc in her life. 'What is he here?', Shakti though as she took a deep breath and continued to stared at Rudra whose face made her unable to look away. This face belonged to the owner of her heart However, listening to Shakti's brother's words, Rudra laughed maniacally, finding the whole situation very amusing. "Her engagement?", he scoffed and his eyes were gleaming with a dangerous mix of amusement and fury.Rudra stopped laughing and then looked at the groom's family. "If he is the groom, then who am I to you, to your family, and t
### Same Day, in Shakti's Brother's Bedroom{A telephone conversation was underway}"Yudhishthir Ji, are you sure this is the right course of action? Durga is heartbroken, and I don’t want anyone to hurt her further," Shakti's brother said, his voice tinged with guilt."Don't worry. I'll handle everything. As for Shakti, she'll soon be able to soar high, and Rudra will eventually understand what he needs to do with his life," Yudhishthir replied firmly."They need to resolve their own emotions; we're just providing the opportunities," Yuvaan added in an authoritative tone similar to Yudhishthir's."I was terrified. His face was red, and his eyes seemed to represent hell itself. I’m praying for my sister. It was the second time I met him, and honestly, he was very angry with us," Shakti's brother said, prompting both Yuvaan and Yudhishthir to laugh heartily."We’re just trying to help them find peace with each other," Yudhishthir said, and Shakti's brother sighed weakly."Shakti likes R
**Rudra’s POV:**The last few months have been very hectic. Arjun's accident was a turning point for all of us.My team is investigating the links related to Arjun's accident. We’ve discovered that Vikranth was behind it, which means Vikranth is in India and trying to play dirty with us again. But this time, I won’t spare him.Then there’s AVNI—she's truly something else. I don't even want to see her face. That’s why I’ve assigned my team to handle her.But this isn’t the end. Arjun has been behaving like a caveman for the past few months, and now he’s sitting in front of the holy fire in his wedding attire, smiling like a fool as if he’s gained something precious.I rolled my eyes at his beastly childishness, but my breath hitched when my gaze landed on the bride.Is it just me, or is the girl crying nonstop none other than Pashika?Pashika Sinha?My informant who indirectly works for both Arjun and me?The Black Shadow of Lucifer?Argh! I want to hit Arjun for his stupidity. He’s mar
**At K. K. Corporation**"I am submitting my reports to you," Shakti said to Mason, who was staring at her."Give me the past accounts records of the clothing lines," Shakti said to him. He nodded and stood up from his seat."Alright," Mason replied. Shakti wrapped up her work and started to move, but Mason stopped her by standing in front of her."How are you, sweetie?" he asked her sweetly, his blue eyes staring into her two blazing orbs."Mason, I don't want to talk to you, and why the hell are you even here?" Shakti was angry at him. She had been tolerating him for the past few weeks, but not anymore."Why can't I work in India?" Mason said dramatically, which increased her temper."Do whatever you want, but just stay away from me," Shakti said and moved, but he pulled her towards him.His hands were on her forearms. Shakti was shocked by his sudden actions. Her heart was beating very fast, and she was scared but didn't show her fear to him."Mason, don't forget who you are and who