004

Lena walked sluggishly out of the palace, brooding about the assignment that had been assigned to her. To put her through a little more suffering, he demands that she conduct the errand personally even though everyone knows that the police and investigative bureaus should handle such a chore.

A little distance from the palace, she remained motionless, her features sculpted as she examined the picture once more. She recognized that face, but there was one thing she was unable to do: remember where they had first met. Or was it just an imagination? "I had nothing to do with him—he is not even a young guy." She slipped the picture inside her dress and continued walking, without planning to check the assignment once more.

She squinted as she walked past a roasted chicken that was being sold. “I have no dime with me for the first time in my life, or I would have grabbed one…” she licked her lips, savoring the aroma of the chicken. "I can just leave, and he will not be able to locate me again." Her pupils widened as she considered it. "I think I can handle it, and then this will be over, right? Perhaps moving to a distant Pack where he will not even consider visiting…” her lips slightly smiled.

She could see the logic in that notion. “Let's do it!” Her wolf gave her a quick head scratch just as she was ready to run off. “Hey! What is wrong? You absolutely can not do that.”

"Do you believe that we will be secure outside? Did you forget that he is in control of the entire werewolf pack? That means it will not be difficult to find us. Do you have a death wish?” With fury, her wolf growled at her. “Girl! Before acting, you must consider things out.”

Lena clenched her hands around her dress. "So we should continue to be slaves there, huh? Are you aware of how excruciating it is at all?” With a protective stance, she bit her bottom lip. "Knowing how terrible he is, you will not even consider staying there for a night ever again," she shot back with a sneer.

“Then if you must run away, it should be after the full blue moon….” her wolf added and went mute instantly.

She persisted for a bit before taking off. "Until then, I am unable to remain here. This is an opportunity I must take advantage of.” Her movements quickened, desperate to get out of the Pack before the Alpha Don realized his slave was still missing. "I need to get a few items from that residence, or at minimum enough money to keep me fed," she thought as she hurried to her father's home.

It seemed eerie when she got there. Her limbs shook and she felt a chilly pit grow in her stomach. She muttered under her breath, "Why do I feel nervous so suddenly?" as she cast a few glances at the structure. She prodded her head, trying to shake off the horror that was starting to take hold of her. "Is this not my father's palace anymore?" she said.

She plucked up enough bravery to enter the structure. Even though her body shook, she pushed her feet to move forward. She wondered to herself, "Why does it appear like a haunted building simply within a week?" and raced to her room. There, she quickly grabbed some of her clothing and placed them in a small bag before taking her savings box containing cash. "My father's chamber will contain additional cash. I have to check.'' She put on one of her shoes before leaving the room, grabbed the others, and entered her father's room, which was next to hers.

She trembled while she looked for his money since the room was so chilly. She discovered them in his drawers and snatched them all. "After I calm down, I will use a few to plan a little funeral for you. I hope your soul will rest in peace and meet my mother in the afterlife.” As she turned to walk away, she shook her head and felt a chill go down her spine from a startling sound.

At that moment, she froze, darting her eyes everywhere. “What was that? Is there anyone here?” her heart dropped into her belly. Another sound almost took her to the ground, but she clasped her palms to her chest, panting like one who took a race. "Why am I experiencing this level of anxiety in a home where I should be at ease?" she said, letting out a long sigh. "I should find out what that was."

Approaching the open window with deliberate and quiet steps, she noticed nobody was there. Just as she turned to go, she heard a second sound coming from her left. She winked. “Is there a way here?” Her head pounding, her hands perspiring and dropping to the ground. As she approached and adjusted the cotton, she noticed a wall. "So, where is the source of the noise?"

She put her hand on the wall and gently rubbed it until it split apart like a door. “Jeez! What is it that my father built here that I am unaware of?” She dropped to the floor in terror as she peered into the room and saw the face there. Looking again, she saw that the face was pale and exhausted and that the room was covered with blood.

“Moon goddess!” She crept to the door and darted out of the room, letting out a scream as she did so. Until she was outside the building, she did not turn to look back.

~

“Your Majesty, did you send your slave on an errand?” came the voice of the Alpha’s Beta.

Don Dante glanced at him and nodded. "Did she create an issue outside?" He took off his necktie and left it on the bed.

Beta Tyron approached him. “Not that; instead, I witnessed her scurrying out from her father's residence while holding a small suitcase. She appeared shocked to be sprinting without turning around till she reached the woods.” His tone became so gentle that it went through the Alpha's ear.

“Woods? To do what there?” his brows raised. "Why did she appear frightened in her father's home?"

Beta Tyron shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose she was skeptical of what she observed."

"What did she observe?" Alpha Dante reached inside his side pockets with his palms. He was already anxious to find out what it was that alarmed a recalcitrant woman such as his slave. Lena is a powerful lady who, if he were not a Mafia member, would resist his demands. And so, whatever it is that creeped her out must be scary indeed. "I shall have a look if you can not say it."

“No need!” Tyron gave a heavy sigh. "A funeral will be performed since we carried his corpse with us."

Turning his back on his Beta, Alpha swallowed hard. "That person, who is that?"

“Your Uncle!”

His jaw dropped—eyes widened. “My Uncle? Where did you find his corpse?”

"As I mentioned to you, your slave fled the home appearing to be exhausted, so I inspected the structure—though not every room. They found your uncle's body in one of the slave father's inner apartments, so I did not bother searching the other rooms," he gulped and went on. “Both his body and the room were covered in blood. Which implies that he killed him and disposed of his body in the room so that it would never be discovered.” Tyron licked his lips.

Withdrawing his hands, Alpha pushed his palms into his hair. “I knew he was killed, but what I didn't believe was that his body would be imprisoned in there…” he gnashed his teeth. “And that slut packed her bag to run away from me—” he sneered. “I can inhale her scent from here.”

He looked up at Tyron. "I have to find that bitch personally, so arrange the funeral."

"There is a full blue moon tonight." As he was leaving the room, Tyron caught his attention.

He gave a nod. "That implies that the funeral will happen tomorrow."