LOGINVINCE Why does it feel like it's been an eternity since I saw her this close?My heart's about to give out from how hard and fast it's going. I wanna snatch her from his arms so badly but I'm staying cool to hear why he's here with her. “I didn't do anything to her.” He finally replied. He didn't sound aggressive and that made me lower my guard a bit. “She's unconscious. I don't know if you see that but I do. So you can't tell me you didn't do anything to her.”“That’s because she's suffering some intense withdrawal symptoms.”“From what?”“From you.” My brows kicked up. I wasn't expecting that. It sounded good but yeah, I wasn't expecting it. “What are you talking about, Declan? And how the heck did you come here alone?” I made a gesture of looking behind him. “Are you that brave or just stupid?”He chuckled. “I'm holding your greatest treasure. I was sure as hell you wouldn't wanna hurt me because you wouldn't wanna hurt her.”“Sure. But you're gonna hand her over, right?”“Sur
VINCE Reaching for the doorknob, I lost courage and dropped my hand again. “I really can't do it.” I groaned, dejectedly, itching to run off. “What? Man, shut your ass up and go talk to your daughter.” Leo seemed like he was exhausted by my hesitation. He wasn't even trying to be nice anymore. I am exhausted too. I hate how much I'm overthinking this. She's my daughter. Talking to her should be one of the easiest things for me to do. But here I am, feeling too dirty and unworthy to go close to her. “She's such a beautiful thing. I don't wanna taint her.” God, I sound like a fucking rogue. Which I am. Which I fucking am. “Are you being serious right now? You're her father. She loves you. She's been asking for you. Don't keep her waiting any longer than you already have.”“She's gonna ask why I've been gone for so long.”“Then lie to her. It's not your first time.” I hate how casual he is about this. But it isn't such a deep-ass issue either. I'm the one overthinking this. If I c
DECLAN “Speak,” I ordered the girl, trembling in front of me. Elena's half-sister, Tracy. “Yes. Uncle Vince is her second-chance mate.” She confessed. I felt a sudden dizziness for a second and leaned against the wall for support. So he was her second chance mate. That kinda means he had every reason to chase her. He had every reason to keep her. He had every reason to rival his son. And knowing this changes everything. “Please. Let me go. I really need to go find my Mum. I don't know if she's okay.” The girl dropped to her knees, begging in tears. I don't really know her enough to know what transpired between her and Elena. I just know that she'd been the one who'd talked me into kidnapping Elena the first time. Except Father had other plans. So I really don't owe her any grace. But somehow I find myself contemplating it. She's pitiful in a way that reminds me of myself. No family. Wanting someone who'd never want you back. Frustrated from fighting so hard. Exhausted. I'd li
DECLAN Listening intently to the faint sounds of wailings coming from Vince's pack has me a bit tense. I'm itchy to know what's going on there. I already sent someone to find out. It turns out that being his neighbor has its perks. You get to know what he's up to, and I really need to know that. His letter to Beck has me on my toes. So I wanna be aware of his every move. That's the only way I can protect Beck from him.The door opened and the messenger stepped inside. “Greetings, Prince Declan.”“Right. So what's going on?” My twitching fingers were a sign of my mild anxiety.“He sentenced his elders to death. By dismemberment. And then he's burning their bodies after.”I held my breath unconsciously. It's not the most ruthless thing I've ever heard. But something about it still had me unnevered. “Did he say why?”“He said they committed treason or something. No one knows the full story.”I nodded, looking in the direction from which those wails were coming. My thoughts were runni
VINCE “What do you plan on doing to them?” Richard was quizzing me, as we both stared at the lineup of elders heading to the royal hall. We were both standing on my balcony. I had a drink in my hand, and he had none.“Sentence them to death by dismemberment,” I replied, without glancing at him. But I could imagine the horror that swept through his face at my reply. “You can't be serious.”“I am.” I wasn't in the mood to mince words. Or cater to his moral shit. “I'm gonna get rid of all of them in the most painful way. That's what they get for messing with my life and my son's.”This time, I gave him a look that meant that I wasn't kidding.“People are gonna revolt if you pull such a tyrannical move.” He began. “People are gonna revolt when they find out I've got rogue roots.” I retorted. His eyes flickered. He's still put off by my true identity, no matter how hard he tries to conceal “They…they might understand. You've been good to them. They love you.”“Even my best friend sil
DECLAN “Declan,” Beck announced his presence as he stepped into the room. I signaled to him to shut the door, and he did. “Sit down.” He did. “What's up?” He asked. I grabbed the letter on the table and stalked him slowly. “Why is Vince Walker fixing a time and place to fight with you?” I asked, slamming the letter into his chest, gently but with a subtle aggressiveness. The room became more silent. I waited for him to speak but he wouldn't. He was rereading the letter, as if looking for a part that would indicate Vince Walker was kidding. He was slowly zoning out too.“Beck.” I snapped my fingers in his face. He flinched and finally raised his head. The fear in his eyes was enough proof that he was anticipating this. “What did you do to him?” I asked, standing in front of him. His gaze was on me but his mind was wandering. I snapped my fingers in his face again. “Tell me.”“I, uh, I shot Trent.”“Say that again?”“I shot his son.” He confessed with trembling lips. “You shot h
VINCE “Have a seat, Father. We don't have all day.” Trent said. There was smugness in his voice. Mockery. He was gloating over the fact that I ran down here like he predicted. I looked at Elena again and realized she was wearing a turtle-neck outfit. Concealing the bite. If Trent sees it, she's a
“Have more rice, Vince,” Cheryl said, filling up my plate again. I took a sip of my juice, waiting for her to get done. “I know I've said this countless times, babe, but you're an awesome cook. Seriously, you're damn perfect.” Leonardo commented, with a smile. I was at his house and having lunch
VINCE I was literally sprinting through the lobby and fucking anxious in the elevator. I only got to chill when I opened the door to my bedroom and found Elena awake. Leo was by her side, and they seemed to be talking. I held the doorknob whilst trying to catch my breath. I was panting. Elena wa
TRENT Mother ran down the stairs, crouching in front of Elena's pale and motionless body. She looked at me with frightened, panicked eyes. “What have you done, son?” I was still standing in a spot, trying to get my mind together. Trying to understand what the hell I'd just done. And then realiz







