Hiding in the bushes, the night had finally come when they were putting their plan in motion. Alicia felt like a thief in the night, especially since she finally got her clothes back. All of them black, a great camouflage for the middle of the peaceful night that was about to turn blood red.Aliciaâs hair was hidden beneath the hood as she stared at the palace from a distance. Alpine had finally returned to her, and the first thing her wolf scolded Alicia about was Talon.âHeâs up to no good, child,â she warned. Alicia needed no warning, however, because she didnât trust Talon anyway.Alicia only trusted in the plan. They needed the vampires for numbers and power to overthrow the Crown.With Alpineâs return, Aliciaâs werewolf healing had improved, along with her strength and speed. The scarring on Aliciaâs neck was now minimal and would soon be fully healed. Her strength was replenished.Rowan didnât intend to use Alicia, but if the royal pack was still too powerful against his packs
The plan to overthrow the throne within a few days was a little too optimistic. Alicia, Rowan and Lamia ended up staying at the vampires lair while they organised it. Although sheâd been warned by Talon and her husband, Alicia did roam around the warehouse unguarded.Many vampires sneered and snickered, believing Alicia was acting naĂŻve. But Alicia was protected by Talon as his guest and anyone that lost themselves to their vampiric urges, Alicia took out. Those who sneered ended up nodding respectfully at the future Luna Queen.âWhat is this?â Alicia asked as Hailey waltzed into the room carrying hangers of clothes.âLord Talon requests you cover up,â Hailey explained, dipping her head respectfully at Rowan who lowered the phone from his ear, frowning at the clothes being put up in the empty wardrobe.Rowan clicked his tongue. âDid he forget to buy me clothes?âHailey pursed her lips. âI-I could ask, Mr-ââYouâre scaring her,â Alicia scolded her mate, smacking him playfully on the ar
âNow thatâs sorted, why donât we have a drink?â Talonâs eyes glinted as they looked at Alicia, the innuendo clear.Rowan stood. âLike we said before, there isnât much time.â He reached down to take Aliciaâs hand, but Talonâs words stopped them.âWe still need to make a plan. Will you accept my hospitality or continue to be rude and dismissive, especially now that you have got what you came here to get?â Talonâs voice was frosty, and goosebumps rose on Aliciaâs flesh.Rowan scoffed. He could see Talon eyeing up Alicia from out of the corner of his eye or whenever he didnât think Rowan was looking. The vampire either lusted after her or wanted her blood.Obviously, he would have neither.âWe can swap numbers and go through our plans over the phone. We can return to the pack-ââOnce things are resolved here.â Lamia stepped forward, interrupting her son and placing a hand on his arm, giving him a look.Rowan was about to argue, but Lamia spoke again, quietly, only meant for him. âThe Quee
Talon stared at Alicia for a beat, the growing silence tense until he burst into a laugh. His head threw back, revealing his sharp fangs in his enjoyment. Those around them relaxed, and the barman, who had paused his actions, returned to drying the glass.Alicia released a quiet breath, unaware sheâd been holding it since sheâd refused to tell him her name twice. She didnât know where it came from, but the slight thrill under Talonâs gaze made her feel guilty.Alicia had seen many good-looking and powerful men, but none compared to Rowan. Now, in a matter of seconds, standing before this vampire, sheâd felt almost entranced by his presence. Was it a vampire thing?No, otherwise, Alicia would have felt the same way as the others sheâd seen so far. This only meant that she found Talon attractive and that she couldnât accept, especially when her mate was right here.âVery well,â Talon smirked, his dazzling eyes twinkling as he continued to watch Alicia. âI was only asking out of manners,
There was no plan. They just turned up at Talonâs front door.Technically, it was a gate. The Vampire Lord didnât live in an old manor or some sort of suave penthouse like Alicia was expecting. Instead, the car Rowan managed to rent stopped in front of a closed gate before a warehouse.The entire estate had many warehouses and lorries to the side, and behind it, there were many fields. Vineyards, Alicia realised. This was a winery.âThis is definitely the right place?â Alicia questioned, looking to the back seat where Lamia had been resting against the black-tinted window.âI told you we were hiding in plain sight.â Lamia shrugged. âLet me speak to them.âLamia exited the door and went to the speaker by the gate, pressing on the buzzer and waving at the CCTV.âLamia?! Is that you?!â A womanâs voice crackled through. âQuick, tell Talon!âRowan and Alicia glanced at each other.âAre you going to let us in, or will I turn to ash first?â Lamia jested.Silence followed her question before
Although Lamiaâs story had been full of pain and betrayal, she still needed time to accept the death of her ex-lover. The vampiress left to take a walk leaving Alicia and Rowan to talk.âDid Tom do anything to you?â Rowan got straight to the point. âI could smell him all over you⌠You can tell me. I know you were imprisoned and-âAlicia cupped her husbandâs face. âHe did not r*pe me. I was tortured and humiliatedâŚâ She wouldnât tell Rowan about Tomâs groping. There was no point. âIf I stayed any longer he would have⌠I know he would. Void⌠the man whoâd been torturing me managed to get him away from me before he could do anything.ââThat piece of sh*t!â Rowan growled, his voice rumbling with his rage. His fierce eyes returned to Alicia, softening as he tugged her into him so they could cuddle on the bed.âIâm sorry I wasnât there-ââYou donât need to be. Itâs not your fault he is⌠disgusting.â Alicia shivered, remembering the humiliation of the silver collar, crawling around and weari