The Next Mafia King

Erin's POV:

"What! Axel, listen to me; you have no match for him. Stop this nonsense now!"

"You are underestimating me, Erin. I have guns, and that's enough for me to kill him," Axel checked the barrel and tested it, aiming it in the air. 

"Okay, let me investigate first, and I will let you know then. You can't just go around and kill someone without proof. You are going to get yourself in trouble."

"We don't need proof, Erin! He killed my dad, and I know you agree with me!" 

Axel ponders over his decision. The world is a cruel place. You must learn to fight to survive and to protect the people you love. Gone are the days of being the nice guy. Axel embraces the throne, the next mafia king, and he will not stop until he has his revenge. 

"Axel, calm down, okay? We will pursue the meeting, and I will do my best to get an answer. Then you can do everything you want."

I saw the looked in his eyes. He was full of rage, and I was afraid for him to lose himself. 

"Okay," Axel answered softly.

"He's lying!" Liya scowled.

Liya is my wolf self. She came out on my tenth birthday. A few days before we were conquered. She was huge and beautiful. My pack elders used to tell me that we were blessed by the moon Goddess for bestowing me with such a strong wolf. I didn't notice my strength before, but father sees that. With my constant training, Liya became smarter and fiercer. Only sometimes she wants total control over my body. 

"Axel, do I have your word?" I asked him again to clarify myself. 

"I said okay!" Axel returned the gun to its place, glowering.

"He's still lying." 

I could feel Liya's worries over Axel. I am too. But I want to understand his part. He lost his dad, and all of a sudden, the burden of the business was put over his shoulder. There's too much weight. Everything is overwhelming, and Axel seeks something to vent his anger. Revenge can be a good reason, but I will not tolerate him. I will not let him stain his hands. 

"Stop him, Erin, or it's his next funeral. Alpha Ezekiel is ruthless. Axel will not win. You knew better what he is capable of."

My mind is torn between Liya and Axel. On the other hand, I want to avenge father, too, without Axel getting in my way. Some werewolves are vicious, and they are stronger than humans. He won't stand a chance. But how am I going to talk him out of it? 

I resorted to drinking rum in the bar and noticed that Mario wasn't around—his father's butler. The last time I saw him was at the funeral. I went to the kitchen to find Ophelia, Lily's caregiver. 

She told me that Mario had resigned after the funeral. I didn't notice him leave. I was preoccupied with father's death. I talked to Axel, and he confirmed his resignation. But I was baffled. He's been working with father for forty years. Then suddenly, he will leave after his death? Seems strange.

Following father's death, a corpse was found by the river on the mainland. He was covered with bullets and a huge scratch on his chest that tore off his skin. It was identified as Mario Sorolla. The police questioned Axel for some information, and the case remained unsolved. Whoever did this to Mario wants him silenced forever.

"It's Ezekiel," Axel said firmly, staring at Mario's remains. 

We went to the morgue. He wants to see his corpse and personally witness the wound that cost his life. Clearly, it was not only from the bullet but also from the scratch that came from a huge animal. Axel didn't know Alpha Ezekiel was a werewolf and was adamantly about carrying on his revenge. 

"Do you think Alpha Ezekiel killed him?" Liya trembles in fear. We have suffered from his hands, never again. 

"I don't know, Liya, but it's possible," I remembered life after we were conquered. 

I was forced to be Alpha Ezekiel's servant. I served him well to spare my life, but no matter what I did, he still found a way to punish me. 

"You brat! Servant eat last!" a resounding slap landed on my face. 

"Please, Alpha, I was starving. Forgive me. It won't happen again."

"You want to starve," Alpha Ezekiel dragged me into the silver cage, "Stay in here!"

"Alpha, please let me out of here! Alpha, please!" I held on to his feet, but he kicked me hard on the stomach. I crawled, gasping for air. 

I spent my days in the silver cage. Hungry and badly beaten. There were times when I couldn't move because of broken bones and couldn't see clearly because of swollen eyes. But I endured them all to live. I need to stay alive.

Axel's POV:

Meeting Ezekiel again will be a big mistake. We all know what will happen then, and I won't give him a chance to kill me. He needs to pay. Erin believes in doing things according to the law of the triad, not me. I shall claim my vengeance. Tonight, it's either me or him dies. 

I chose my weapon carefully, and a shiny dagger caught my attention. It was placed inside a show glass covered with cloth. Along with it are guns that I have never seen in my entire life. I bet they are lethal. I put the gun and extra bullets in the holster and strapped the dagger around my waist, hiding it under my coat. 

*******

Ezekiel rented a house in the city for our meeting. He was under my watch the moment he arrived here. However, it was funny how a goon like him traveled with a few men. But it suits me perfectly.

My men rampaged the entrance while I went upstairs. Of course, the leader is always in his room. I went to the stairs and saw the door fly open, followed by a roar. Ezekiel transformed into a werewolf. 

"What the fuck! He's a werewolf!" I fired away and hit him in the shoulder. Ezekiel jumped out of the window and ran away. I prompted outside and followed him.

He was bleeding, and I could hear him growling. I realize that the gun has silver bullets. I didn't notice that earlier, but thanks to my dad or I've been torn into pieces by now.

Ezekiel saw me approaching and climbing a tree, so I kept shooting until no more bullets were left. I saw him fall. I came down, picked a piece of wood, and poked him to ensure he was dead. He didn't move. 

I fell to my knees. Finally, revenge was served. I collected myself to return to the apartment to check my men, but Ezekiel moved and lunged at me.