[Alexandria's POV]I feel a sweet sense of satisfaction rush through me as Zane opens the envelope I handed him and pulls out its contents. Thanks to a friend and a bit of photo editing, I managed to create some beautiful pieces of his precious little Lana.Smirking, I cross my arms and wait as he stares in disbelief at each and every photo he flips through. However, the first few were just the icing on the cake. The final few would nicely deal the blow that should eliminate that nuisance from his mind.When he finally comes across it, I feel his alpha aura slam into me as his hands clench and unclench in an attempt to remain calm."Well?" I ask, growing bored of the silence. "Will you agree to my terms now?"If he still wanted to try to chase that woman after seeing her with another man, then he was crazy. Although the first few photos had been faked, the last few were as real as they got. My dear cousin, rest his soul, had made sure of that."Where," Zane growls, not bothering to an
[Zane's POV]"Why did you call me out so suddenly?"I take a sip of my coffee as Andre waits for me to respond.Once I managed to escape Disastria Estate, I made my way to a small coffee shop that wasn't well known. It was the only place I could speak privately with Andre without being seen, since my father's minions were always roaming about town."I have a favor to ask of you," I respond, putting down my drink."A favor," Andre repeats, raising a bushy brow. "If it is something you must personally ask me out of the sight of your father, it must be something difficult.""I suppose you could say that," I admit. "But I have faith that you can do it."If there was one thing Andre was good at, it was locating those who were impossible to find. As an expert hacker, he could easily gain access to all the CCTV systems in the city."Who is it?" He asks. "And why do you wish to find them?""Do you remember the one I told you about?"For a moment, Andre doesn't speak, but when his expression s
[Zane’s POV]"They've found a fiance for Trent Dupris," my father announces, drawing my attention from the eggs and sausage I was currently devouring. "It's about time.""A fiance?" My mother repeats, seeming interested. "What's she like? Do we know of her?""She's the illegitimate daughter of Marco Wright," my father explains. "It seems that Marco and Henry had a deal a long time ago that involved marrying their children to combine their packs.""But why the illegitimate daughter?" My mother sighs. "Shouldn't Arrabella be the prime candidate?""Arrabella is already getting married this year," my father reminds her. "Anyway, with Trent's vicious tendencies, the illegitimate daughter is the better choice over the heart of Elgin, don't you think?""But that girl is only ten this year," my mother tsks. "Trent is already thirty.""Age is but a number. In the end, this engagement is a good thing for everyone.""Why did you bring it up?" My mother continues, seeming completely uninterested.
[Zane’s POV]For the next week, I found myself returning to that field in hopes of running into her. If I wanted to go through with my plan, I would have to get closer to her. However, each time she wasn’t there, after waiting for hours, I would end up going home disappointed.After day eight of trying, I was beginning to lose hope and wondering if I could go about it a different way, but I feared that my father would find out. If that happened, there was no way in hell I would be able to get close to her.Feeling dejected, I decided to take a trip into town for my favorite cake from a small coffee shop on the edge of the city where I could be alone.As I enter, there is a commotion happening that draws my attention.Standing at the counter is a tiny girl that the shopkeeper is screaming at about stealing. Frowning, I move forward, taking in the girl's familiar back.I wasn’t sure if it was a stroke of luck or something else, but it didn’t take me long to realize that the one being ac
[Zane’s POV]After that, I found myself frequently visiting the places where I first found Eliana in hopes of running into her there. For the first few weeks, I felt hopeful that this was the perfect tactic to run into her. However, in the end, she never showed. But I refused to give up so easily, so I continued to show until finally I found her in the field, huddled underneath a tree.Being cautious not to startle her, I once again approached, and when she lifted her tear-filled eyes and bruised cheeks, I felt a sudden need to go after all who had hurt her.It was really strange given the fact we were strangers and the only reason I was approaching her was for selfish reasons, but when I looked into her eyes, I felt something stir in me."Why are you here?" she whispers, swiping at the tears that cover her cheeks. "I told you to stop following me."Maybe this was something that also intrigued me about her. The fact that she could be so weak and vulnerable one moment but so strong and
[Eliana’s POV]Pain shoots through me as the cops on either side of me dig their knees into my back as if I’m going to attempt to get up and run. It was laughable; honestly, did they think that I was going to fight?"Get off…" Zane tries, but stops when Alexandria whispers something in his ear.In that moment, any sign of trying to protect me or fight for me seemed to disappear. I guess this was all the confirmation that I truly needed that whatever we had long ago was nothing more than a show put on to try to gain my trust.I’m not sure why, but when this realization hits, it feels like a thousand tiny knives stab into my chest, causing such agonizing pain that it nearly takes my breath away."Come with us, miss," one of the officers pinning me down says. "Do yourself a favor and just cooperate."I bite back the laugh that wants to escape from his words. Wasn’t I cooperating this whole time? Clearly, they saw me as nothing more than a monster.Remaining silent, I allow myself to be p
[Eliana’s POV]I remain silent as Rosemary waits for me to react to her news. I know exactly what response it is that she wants, but I won’t be giving it to her."Is that so," I shrug, leaning back on my cot. "Sounds no different from your son."At my words, a snarl escapes Rosemary’s lips as her red nails extend into claws that are dying to rip into my flesh."How can you still be so arrogant?"How? That was easy to answer. None of this was different from the life I had led up until now. The only difference was that I had a timeline of when the end would be for me."Because I stopped fearing abuse and death long ago," I respond. "You’d be amazed at what that’ll do for someone. And now that we’re finished discussing my fate, are those two with you my new owners henchmen?""T-that’s right," she confirms, trying hard to hide her hatred at my not giving her what she wanted."Great, then how about letting them come and get me," I call to the officer that stands nearby. "I think we’re done
[Nol’s POV]Eliana’s body begins to shake, and her heart rate kicks up as I begin to lean in close. I didn’t actually intend to take her right here and now, but I wanted to see exactly how far she would let me go before her claws came out."Speak now," I warn when she continues to remain silent.When she doesn’t speak, I decide to take it one step further, pressing my lips against hers, but stopping when her teeth clamp down on my bottom lip.Hissing in pain, I pull away to find a look of satisfaction on her face while she wipes my blood from her."I’m not that type of woman," she smirks, reminding me that she wasn’t some weak woman that would let anyone do as they pleased. But if that were the case, why was she so compliant with Trent and his family? "And I haven’t showered in two days.""Right," I sigh, releasing her.The minute my arm is removed from her body, she scuttles away until she is pressed against the side of the limo. Did she truly think I was that much of a monster?You’