MIKHAIL'S POV
I hated crowded places, especially ones filled with humans, but this was what I could not escape if I wanted to make sure I stood at the Pinnacle of the business world. Twirling the wine glass in between my fingers, my eyes glanced around the hall, looking for anything that could pique my interest. "What do you think about the corporation? Mr Romanov." An annoying voice chattered in my ears. I glanced at the middle-aged man who had been trying his best to strike a deal with me, but it was not a profitable venture. "I will think about it." I politely declined, even though we both knew I was not going to give him a second thought. How boring? A sigh left my lips for the hundredth time today. I was bored out of my mind. Maybe I should have attended the wedding even though my beloved brother didn't invite me. It would be fun to see the unfortunate human he tricked into marrying him. The unfortunate soul I would have to kill when I finally get rid of that menace Viktor. Rumours got to me that he runs the biggest Russian mob now. How interesting was it? My ears caught sight of murmurs going around the hall thanks to my better perception as a Lycan. ' What got them all worried?' I wondered, sensing the tension in their tone. The thought of crashing Viktor's wedding was getting more pleasing because of how boring the event was. My nose scrunched when the metallic smell of blood assaulted my nostrils. My brows furrowed with confusion evident in it, I turned towards the direction of the strong scent of blood and then my eyes locked with the clearest set of green eyes I had seen before. She was the cause of the ruckus, dressed in a wedding dress that would have been beautiful if it wasn't stained with blood. Her left hand seemed limped with blood trickling down a bullet wound. Her entrance was sensational. Without a doubt, I recognized her from the pictures sent to me. Adelina Marino, the Mafia princess and the girl my younger brother was to get married to. I was shocked when I discovered Viktor was getting married to a human, but this was more stunning. What was his bride, or would I say wife, doing here? Her green eyes were burning, and I knew she wanted to meet me with how determined she was, but I couldn't move an inch from where I stood rooted. My heart was beating faster than normal right inside my chest, and there was this strange pain I felt in my heart. I just could not look away. I was disgusted by the metallic smell of blood, but there was something different from her blood. It was drawing me in. I knew the reason why, but I could never accept it. My hand clenched the wine glass until it scattered in my grip the glass cutting my hand and leaving blisters. The pain in my palm didn't bother me but the one in my chest was unbearable. This could not be right, I understood the signs but there was no fucking way. My wolf was clawing inside me, trying to surface, and kept on saying one word I dreaded to hear. "Mate!" She was struggling to break free from the security that was wary of her appearance, and I stood by, holding myself, trying to control the urge I had to rip their hands away from touching her. I couldn't do that because it meant accepting her. There was no fucking way I would accept a mate that was my younger brother's used toy. I took in a sharp breath to get my thoughts straight. ' Alpha there is something important I have to report to you.' My beta's voice echoed in my head through a mind link. Sensing the urgency in his tone I knew it was time I took my leave. I gave her a last glance before turning away knowing that our paths would never cross again. Barely moving a few steps away, fast-approaching footsteps caught my attention, and her scent got closer. My head whipped back to her direction and I was stunned to see she had broken free from the security running in my direction. The crowd parted for her to run through because of her appearance, which was akin to a psychopath. My eyes darkened seeing she was indeed coming for me. The security ran behind her "I need to talk to you." She blocked my way. My eyes narrowed, pondering why she came after me; it was hidden that Viktor was my brother, the same with the fact I was a Lycan. My eyes scanned her from head to toe. She shrank under my gaze; pathetic, that was what I would use to describe her. "What do I owe the pleasure to Miss Marino, or should I say, Mrs. Romanov?" I chimed at her. The security finally caught up with her and grabbed her hand wanting to drag her away. She resisted; seeing how adamant she was about seeing me, I signalled the security to back away. Some of my officials were in this hall and would not hesitate to take a move if something went wrong. She gritted her teeth, her doe-green eyes filled with hatred. "I am not that devil's wife." She spat, and I shot her an amused look, knowing she was talking about Viktor. She was not even surprised that I knew her surname. "Can I have a minute of your time?" She requested with her hand clenched to her side. Her little face brimming with determination made her damn sexy. A smug smile graced my lips, "sorry I don't have the luxury of time." With that being said, I walked past her, completely uninterested in why my brother's wife, turned my mate, came looking for me in a bloody dress without treating her wound. To be honest, even if she was my mate, I didn't care if she died or not. The only way her weak human body could be of use to me was crying under me while I grind my dick into her pussy. Thinking about it made my dick twitch within my slacks. It was just the annoying mate bond messing with my head. I had to stay away from her. My body froze when a jolt of sparks ran through my skin. I glanced behind me and saw her little hand grabbing my hand with sparks forming from her touch. She whipped her hand away probably because she also felt it. "Please, I am ready to do anything. I beg you to help me. You are the only one powerful enough to stop him." She begged, her angry eyes making it hard to ignore her. ' Alpha, we need your presence.' My beta's voice ran in my head again. ' Hold on, I am in a sticky situation.' I replied to him via mind link. I turned towards her completely, my height towering above her. She took some steps back, intimidated by my size and aura. "You are ready to do anything you say. Are you sure you can keep those words?" I snickered amused at her empty words. Her eyes burned and she braced herself with no intention to back down. "Yes, as long as you can make him pay. He killed them all; he made what was meant to be a beautiful dream turn into a nightmare." She bravely said. Her voice choked, and tears started streaming down her already tear-stained face. I could care less about her tears but seeing her cry was uncomfortable. Once again, the annoying bond is messing with me. The smile on my face turned into something wicked. I was no saint, so why would I help a stranger and a human nonetheless? "Anything, including giving yourself to the devil." I chirped. She slowly nodded. "Only a devil can handle another devil." Grinning at her a mischievous thought popped into my head. "For starters, strip right here and now." Her mouth parted then closed, taken back by my request. She bit her lower lip between her teeth, being thrown into a serious dilemma. "I don't have all day, Mrs Romanov." I urged her, tucking my hand in my pockets.ADELINA'S POV The flowers were for Lydia, call it main character syndrome or whatever, I thought it was for me. I was losing my mind. No one would send me flowers unless Viktor wanted to pull a sick joke on me. Sigh, but I was secretly disappointed tho. Which girl didn't like flowers and chocolate? Especially those chocolates that had cream fillings inside the wafers. Now I have a sudden craving for chocolate. It hurts to be single. While my mind was busy thinking about flowers and chocolate, as if I didn't have more serious issues in my life, Sophia kept on bugging Lydia about her mysterious man, but Lydia's lips were sealed. Lydia didn't assign any work to me, so I had to wait for her to finish whatever she was doing. "They are truly pretty," Lydia gushed for the hundredth time, making Sophia roll her eyes. "If you are not going to tell me who the guy is, at least tell Adel the good news," Sophia grumbled, her attention was on her screen but she was disappo
ADELINA'S POV Last night was still fresh in my head. I could not sleep because of the fear of being watched. Jacintha had been watching me all this time. Why was she so desperate that she rashly attacked me? Was she that desperate? Those were questions I didn't have answers for. A short breath left my lips, my hand reaching out to knock on the door. After knocking softly, I reached out for the door handle to push the door open. "Good Afternoon Mr Simons," I greeted as I stepped into the office. Mr Simons was at his desk, going through something on his laptop. He glanced at me as I entered. His expression was stoic. "How can I help you, Adelina?" He asked me, barely taking his attention from the screen. I adjusted the bag in my hand, then cleared my throat, feeling a bit nervous. "If you are uncomfortable, you can take a seat." He offered "Thank you, sir," I chimed, then took your seat opposite him. His eyes were still staring at me keenly. As if asking me what
ADELINA'S POV Mikhail unlocked the door and glanced at me, who stood rooted in place. His actions puzzled me making it hard to understand why he acts this way. "Your royal highness, Princess Abrielle, do you want me to get on a kneel before you come in, or should I call your friends that are having a fight because of you?" His sassy tone was annoying. I crossed my hands under my bosom with my brow arched at him. "Would you kneel for me if I asked you to?" I taunted him. It was a crazy question. He walked towards me in a few steps, and I subconsciously took a step back. He smirked. "Do you want me to kneel?" His voice had a teasing tone that made me excited yet scared at the same time. I knew he was joking but it was fun to play along. "Maybe, I would love to see a man like you on your knees." My voice drew. He chuckled, finding my words amusing. "You are truly cute, Mishka, but unfortunately, I don't kneel for anyone." He grabbed my chin forcing me to stare
ADELINA'S POV "What is wrong with you Adel?" I grumbled letting the cold water from the faucet pour over my hands. The tap kept on pouring. I replayed everything in my mind. The faint sense of jealousy, danger and excitement.What was that all about? I wondered. There was something about him, something pulling that made me scared. Something I was unable to resist. He always terrified me, he wasn't someone to be toyed with, yet I was daring enough to push him. Why did he separate us? No that wasn't it. The dance normally requires partners to swap and it was just a coincidence. That wasn't the problem. My hand clutched my chest feeling the turmoil in there. Was it fear or love? Love, the word left me stunned as I stared back at my reflection in the mirror in shock. Was I in love with him? I shook my head to shrug off my thoughts. It wasn't love, how can I get scared of someone I admired but the chills he sends through my spine also excited me. The sink faucet stoppe
MIKHAIL'S POV None of my warnings got through to her head. "Shit," I cussed, running my finger through my neatly combed hair. I knew Ophelia was going to be a challenge to handle because she thought she could challenge me because of the elders' backing. I didn't care what Ophelia did to Jessica, she would actually be doing me a favour but I couldn't believe I almost lost my shit. "What is wrong with me?" I muttered "Let's pretend like you don't know what the problem is. We can both play dumb." Dear goddess, why did she give me such an annoying wolf? I hissed, rubbing my nose. "You are more annoying Mikhail. Talking to you is vexing." The beast that shared the same mind with me and could read my thoughts sneered. "You bicker like a woman." I sneered at him. He hissed and then retreated. I wasn't expecting Adel to attend with Lawrence. My possessive side just didn't like the thought of my mate being close to another wolf I later joined
MIKHAIL'S POV The car ride to the hotel was quiet, I was in no mood to talk to Ophelia, although she had tried to strike up a conversation. "I think it will be best to get the injured warrior back to Lunaria but travelling in his condition will be hard." She kept on talking knowing I was listening. The warrior she was treating was the one injured during the failed assassination attempt. The rogues poisoned him with something that slowed down his healing. Werewolves and Lycans normally can heal on their own unless when poisoned. Ophelia was called to treat the warrior but even she was having an issue discerning the poison. Whatever poison they were using was dangerous. "I will think about it. " I answered as the car rolled onto the red carpet. It was time to put on a show. The elders have been a bit nosy recently in my private matters. Even if I had no plans yet of settling down now, I had to keep those men under control and the way to do so is to play to thei