ADRIANA
I was able to convince mum I was ready for this. Ready for him. Ready to face him.It is all I have been preparing for nonstop for six months. My every waking moment was plagued with thoughts of how I was going to get my revenge.Like all the women in the history books I read.Vengeance is what gives you the most satisfaction. And nothing beats making the people that hurt you pay for what they have done.I picked up the book Kian had given me some time ago. I have read it more times than I can count one finger but I still find myself wanting to read more.Each time feels like the first time I’m reading it.Kian gets me more books when they go out, which isn’t a lot but none has been my favorite like this was. He got it for me the last time they went into town.I was never allowed to go to avoid anyone seeing me and then reporting back to the people I was staying away from.I wasn’t ready to be seen then, but now, we would do everything to make sure they saw us.Shaking my head, I kept it on the bed, beside the duffel I’m carrying with me. I didn’t take much of my things. The plan is to do what we want as fast as we can and then leave.We’ll come here and wait for him to lose his mind trying to find me.Clearly, he wasn’t satisfied with the fact that I wasn’t dead and he plans on making that happen. Which is why I’ll be ready for him.I’m delivering myself on a golden platter to him.“Are you sure you want to do this now, sweetheart?” Mum asks, standing by the door of my room.“I’m sure mum. I’m very sure.” I move forward and wrap my arms around her.She hugs me back, equally tight and we stay that way for a few seconds. I love her natural scent that envelops me. It always makes me feel calm.She is home for me as I am for her.She releases me and I step back. Her eyes are sad as she takes me in. I hide the slight tremble of my hands and smile at her reassuringly.I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.But, I was excited too and every once in a while, one wins over the other.That didn’t mean I wasn’t ready for it. I was.“I don’t want you hurt okay,” she cups my cheeks in her hand, making me look at her.I nod and smile. She worries too much and she never wants to see me hurt.It is why I stopped inviting her to come to training with me. She is a great fighter but she gets worried whenever I receive a hard hit or blow.She knows I can handle it but with everything that the sperm donor—my supposed father—has put me through. She feels guilty and wants to give me everything. To make sure I never get hurt again.That is not possible in a world like ours. Especially when we have plans for revenge.“Promise me, sweetheart.” Her eyes softenProbably for the first time, I see her eyes glisten with tears.“Promise you’ll take care of yourself and if you feel you’re not ready and you need more time, at any point. Promise that you’ll let us know so we’ll back out.”I place my hand over hers and give it a squeeze. I don’t break eye contact as I reply. Knowing it is important for her.“I promise mum.” I repeat her words. “I’ll back out and call you if it gets too much or I panic.”She nods and sighs, the worry still in her eyes.“I’ll be fine,” I give her a small smile. “I’m your daughter. I have your strength.”That makes her nod and I see her confidence grow. The worrisome and motherly side of her is replaced with the leader and fighter side. She doesn’t see just her little girl right now. She sees the woman she trained.I am empowered knowing I have her blood running through my veins.“Now, you be great honey.” She gives my shoulder a pat. “Make ‘em pay for underestimating you.”I grin widely, my shoulders squaring.A honk sounds from the front door and mum sighs, her eyes becoming sad again. I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze, my way of letting her know I’ll be fine.This is only the first phase of the mission. It is not the hardest, not by a lot, it is the simplest even, but also the most important.We are going into the belly of the beast and he needs to know we’re there. How the situation is tricky is the way we’re going to get out.“Am I interrupting?” Kian’s voice makes us break away.Mum straightens her back and gives him a single nod.“No, you’re right in time.” She replies.Her voice has gone back to normal and she sounds like her usual self. The commanding woman that saved hundreds of women and children alone. She had no help and she was in danger herself.“What am I helping you with, Drea?” I motion to the single suitcase and duffel that I’m carrying with me. “Traveling light, are we?”I shrug. I didn’t need to pack anything extra. I had only the necessary things I needed.As Kian goes to carry the backpack, he sees the book he gave me and he smiles. He looks at me over his shoulder but I look away, pretending I didn’t see him.He helps me pick it up and puts it in the bag, then he walks out without a word.“Ready?” Mum asks finally, giving me her hand.I glance at myself in the mirror, then turn back to her and smile.“I was born ready.”It is the world that is not ready for me.ADRIANAHenry was the only person mum allowed me to come with. I know for a fact Kian wanted to come, but it is not the right time. I agreed with her on that.I needed to focus. Because though this is for me, I am not the only one involved which makes it bigger than me. Bigger than just revenge.“I’m right next door,” Henry says, handing me the key to my room.“Okay, thank you.” I replied, offering a grateful smile.He was nice enough to help me bring my things in.We are at a cheap motel on the outskirts of a small town. I asked if that was where Xander’s pack was but he said no. This is the closest place which wouldn’t draw attention and is close to the airport. Our flight is early tomorrow morning.We’ll go to a town close to Xander’s pack from then.I don’t remember where it is, I’m not even sure I ever knew it.He kept me like a prisoner, I was never allowed to step out so I couldn’t even tell.“I’ll leave you to it. You can order room service if you want anything.” He then nods
ADRIANAThe first phase of our plan is to make sure Xander knows we're here. Our plan for that was already well underway. The moment the plane landed, I was ready to be seen.I exchanged my simple top and jeans for a summer dress. And my brunette hair was let down. cascading over my back, covering what was left open by the dress.There was a town car waiting for us as we arrived. A woman was standing outside the back car, dressed in an impeccable suit with a stoic expression. A uniformed man is beside her and he holds a sign with our names on it."She is for us." Henry says, holding me by my elbow and steering me towards her.Our bags were already in the car from the looks of it because as soon as we approached, the man opened the door of the car."Welcome," the woman's voice is soft but firm.She speaks with an elegance I am not used to. Not in my memory and definitely not in my past life. I am not very good with people, I'm guessing it has to do with the way I grew up."I hope you h
ADRIANAMy heart pounding in my ears, I laid flat on the floor. Eyes looking around the hall wildly trying to see if I can see anyone or where the shot came from.I did my best to not look at the unmoving body on the floor. The body of the woman that was just speaking with me. As much as I tried to not see her, I couldn't stop feeling her blood that was drying too fast on my face.A surge of adrenaline floods through me. It makes my already pounding heart almost seize.Run. I yell to myself in my head but it doesn't help in making me move from the floor.I know I need to get out of here. With no idea where Henry is or what held him this long.I should get out here. Whoever hurt her might still be close and I'm making myself vulnerable.I didn't train for months, pushed all my limits after all that has happened only to be killed on my first day back. I'm not even anywhere near my target and this might end, before it even starts.No. I have to do this. I can't lose my chance before I ev
ALPHA XANDER There are a few things I hate in this world. Dreya, and social gatherings. I would have missed this masquerade but I got a tip that the woman who looked like Adriana will be here tonight. And when she comes, I’ll be here for her. I know she is still alive. Her mental state is what I’m not sure of, and if she is even okay. What Dreya did was dangerous, and any slight wrong move would have blown it all up in flames. Now, that is where we would have a real problem. I took a break to fully mourn my mate, now I am back for her and I’m vengeful. “Aren’t you glad you decided to come out?” Daciana tugs on my arm, making me swivel to face her. She chose to dress as Peresphone tonight, only she has a mask with flowers. I wasn’t in the mood for a party, talk less of one that required me to wear a mask. She understood that so she didn’t pressure me to dress up. But since the requirement for attending is the mask, she got me one for the devil. “No, I’m not.” I reply, keeping
ADRIANAI hear when he comes in. My back stiffened and my heart raced in my chest. My hands which have been cold the entire night are now sweaty and clammy.I maintain my cool and wait for him to approach me.We both know I know of his presence, not that it makes me acknowledge him. According to what mum said, his arrogance wouldn’t let him leave. Being ignored is one of the things he hated.I hated men like that. Albeit, I haven’t met anyone like him in my current life. In the past, probably. Everyone in the pack is like family and they are humble.His footsteps are loud in the quiet room. You can’t hear the sound of the party from here. That must be why mum picked this room.I took in a small unnoticeable breath, reminding myself why I need to do this. I’m nothing like the Adriana he used to know. He should know this by the end of the night.“Not a big party goer.” He says, coming to stand beside me.“Mostly the ones where clothes are taken off in public.” My voice comes out cool an
XANDER“Remind me again, why are we throwing a party?”Daciana asks the same question she has asked five times already. each time, I give her no reply because she wouldn’t believe me anyway.“And why do you care so much about how it is planned? You usually avoid this like the plague.”“I felt like throwing a party, so I’m going to do it.” I replied. We both know that is a fucking lie.I hate parties and I hate throwing them even more. I didn’t have to perform any host duties. The people who make the invite list are usually fucking elated to be there that they know not to talk to me directly. “Bullshit.” She grumbles. “You’re hiding something, and I’m going to find out what.”She points a finger at me, squinting her eyes as she walks out of the room without turning back.Without her breathing over my shoulder, I pick out all the things I want faster. The organizer looked like she couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here. When I told her she could leave, I heard her sigh of relief.It
XANDERThe party has been in full swing for two hours now. Everything is exactly the way I wanted it to be. Yet, I was fucking pissed because she hasn’t shown up.At first, I wasn’t bothered by her lack of attendance, coming up with endless excuses for her. She must have gotten delayed or something happened to her car.The guy I have back at the hotel confirmed that she hasn’t left her room since she went to pick a dress up.I was dying with worry. Did something happen to her or did she simply not want to come?I even went as far as considering this was all delusion on my part. That I had made her up because I didn’t want to believe Adriana was gone.The man isn’t delusional, because what are the chances he is thinking the same thing I am. She is real, and she is not here.“Your special guest still hasn’t arrived?”I ignored Daciana’s taunting question, promising myself the next time she asked, I’m going to knock her the fuck out.“If you told me who she is or what she looked like, I
ADRIANAI hear it then, in the rough edge of Xander’s voice, in the way he makes me tremble even without lifting a finger toward me. I see the reason why he is so feared.He could pretend to be a gentleman all he wanted but he couldn’t shake the monster he was underneath. He can wear a designer suit and comb his hair back, every single strand bent to submission atop his head. But that doesn’t mean he has control over his basic urges.And last, his stride, always so confident and a tad bit too arrogant, had so much to do with that power. Not the one he showed the world, the one he hid carefully.It made me wonder how much more they would really fear him if they knew what he was capable of. What he was truly capable of.I hide the tremble in my hands, the feel of his monster, so close. The heat from him simmering under his host’s body and seeping into mine, like a slow poison.This is the first time I am meeting Xander’s wolf like this.I don’t recall anything about it. There is no fami