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.VIKTOR'S POV In all my years, I have never seen Mikhail in a condition like this. It almost made me laugh, the brother I was raised to hate. The one who never showed any weakness could be forced into a situation like this because of a little girl.. Adelina was dumbfounded by the course of events. I stood firm in front of Mikhail and my stance refused to waver. "What is the meaning of this?!" Mother barked, or rather, I would say Elena. I stopped seeing her as my mother ages ago. She probably didn't see me as her son, just a loyal dog. I didn't answer her, but I linked to Mikhail. "Can you still stand up, Your royal majesty?" I taunted him. Mikhail scoffed, his teeth gritting as he managed to get on his feet. Duncan groaned, "You didn't raise your son properly. " He sneered through a mindlink then lunged at us. He was a powerful Lycan, a former alpha with more experience. I stood protectively before Mikhail shielding him from danger while he struggled
ADELINA'S POV The storm roared above, but it was nothing compared to the chaos beneath it. His sharp gold eyes were staring intently at me. I didn't know what was going on in his mind since he was in his wolf form, not that it mattered. Viktor stood before me with his teeth gritting at Mikhail. He was seething in fury ready to attack at any moment. Mikhail growled, his eyes filled with fury. I raised my hand, then clenched it. I had gone too far already to give up now. He brought this on himself, I reminded myself. "Shift," I commanded, putting in my all. A scream erupted, a groan of pain. It wasn't Mikhail of course. It was the other wolf with him, whom I assumed was Raphael. He howled, falling to his knees just like the others, his body started to forcibly shift back to his human form. Infuriated, Mikhail rushed towards me, lunging at his full strength. Viktor got into action immediately and tackled him down, then Lawrence, who wasn't far off, charged in
ADELINA'S POV The rain thundered through the sky. That stench of sweat and blood filled the air it was almost sickening I had a perfect smile on my face. His blue eyes were staring straight at me, shock, fear and guilt. I didn't look away. I wanted to savour the moment when he realises his weak human mate can take on his perfect army. My mind drifted to a few hours ago, after I was informed about the attack plan. "We will be leaving soon," Elena chimed, she had a proud smile on her face. In her eyes, I looked like her most prized possession. The former queen approached me, then held my hand. Her hold made my skin crawl, I bit my inner cheeks to hide the disgust I felt. "Without you, this day would never have been possible. You ceased your own destiny, Adel." She praised me. Her hand then cupped my cheeks. "I am only holding my own end of the bargain. Just keep yours." For the first time, I didn't feel like a prisoner but someone with bargaining p
MIKHAIL'S POV I wasn't expecting much by going to Adel's room yesterday. Her sharp witty rejection was exactly how I imagined. Adelina Marino was more than what met the eye. She looked more brave and confident now but she was blindly letting herself be a pawn. Her hatred for me was just one of the many reasons she was like this. This was the exact reason why I wanted to keep her hidden from all these. Her naivety, she was a protected princess her entire life.In the end, they got to her. My eyes strayed to an old portrait on my desk, and something caught my attention. An old picture of 5. A family portrait I didn't know why I still kept it after all these years. My hands reached out for the frame, pulling it closer. Viktor was smiling in the picture. It's been ages since he smiled next to me.. This was taken before we turned enemies because of rivalry. A loud knock on the door drew me out of my thoughts. Even without the person announcing his pre
ADELINA'S POV My brows furrowed, and those annoying sparks rushed to my cheeks. It was gentle, a thumb was rubbing my cheeks patiently Annoyed, I turned to the other side, my entire body was still very exhausted, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Then something soft and wet touched my forehead. The strong jolts of sparks forced me to open my eyes. I wished I had kept them closed. My heart jumped, shock evident in my saucer wide. Eyes. It wasn't a dream or a nightmare. Mikhail was on my bed looking at me with a tender gaze. I blinked twice to be sure I wasn't seeing things. It was still those blue eyes which made me weak to the knees. That perfect sculpture face I effortlessly fell for. The man I was claimed to be mated with. The same one who never truly accepted. "Mikhail," I gasped then hurriedly sat up. My eyes darted around the room, and indeed it was my room in Viktor's stronghold. The windows were closed, but I could still peek outside
ADELINA'S POV She smiled sweetly at me, and the resemblance between us always leaves me dumbfounded. "You will have a chance to escape very soon but the question is if you want to." She chimed. I laughed at her words, finding them ridiculous. If I get a chance to escape I would jump at it without thinking twice. I wanted to get away from all this chaos. Somewhere none of these brothers could find me. I didn't really care about revenge. I hated them, but dear little Adelina was just a puppet in their hands. A human in a den of wolves. They were all predators. The only joy I had from this was that at least I would make Mikhail suffer. "I would run on the slightest chance I have. " I snickered. Her smile grew, "You won't. Your fate lies here." She answered, her words still as ambiguous as ever. I shook my head, dismissing her, then closed my eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the peace. I knew once I woke up it would be another round of training. My eyes shot open,