“You need training.” Nico said at the dinner table.“Training?” I wasn’t sure what kind he meant.He smirked at me. “To fight, baby girl. To defend yourself.”“I thought that the wolf would know how to protect herself out of instinct.”Nico shook his head. “We train from a young age. Sometimes we fight over territory with rival packs. Rogues often wander into our territory and gives us problems. We live in a bloodthirsty world, baby girl. It helps to be properly trained. You can’t always shift into your wolf.”I didn’t think I would be able to hurt anyone. Never had the need to fight and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to.Sal and Katherina came to join us. Sal frowned at us; he wanted answers.“Sit down Sal, Katherina.” Nico said. “Sorry I snapped at you earlier.”“Sure, Boss. Can you tell me what the hell happened? Were you attacked? I knew it wasn’t a good idea for you to go out on your own.” Sal helped himself to wine and poured Katherina a glass. She smiled at him, and I saw their fing

My heart stopped. Kill my father? I stood outside the door not daring to breathe.“I should. After what he did.” Nico said, his voice cold.I couldn’t believe my ears. Why would he want to kill my father? I needed answers.“Are you planning to kill my father?” I rushed into the study, my she-wolf shining through my eyes. As much as I was bound to Nico, I couldn’t let him do that.“Sit down Darina.” He waved me over to him.Sal mumbled an excuse and left us alone.I shook my head. “Why? Why Nico? You promised my parents would be safe.”Nico got up from behind his desk and stepped towards me. I retreated. He shouldn’t touch me right now.“Darina, listen to me.” he reached for me, but I sidestepped him, heading for the door. I had to get away, warn my father. “Don’t you run from me.”But I did. I transformed into my she-wolf running down the stairs, clothes ripping as I shifted. People shouting, screaming as I tore down the passage and out the back door with Nico hot on my heels.‘Darina

NICOThis was one party I was not looking forward to. I didn’t like having Darina involved in this. She was not part of this world, and I would have liked to keep her separate from it. I guess Alexi wanted to do the same and looked how that worked out.Sal drove up to the metal gate at the Russian senator’s home and showed the security our invites. He waved us through, and Sal drove the Mercedes up the long driveway. I left the Rolls at home it was too conspicuous. I trusted Sal with a lot, but Ricci was the only one allowed to drive my Rolls besides me.“Wow!” Darina said, “They went all out with this.” She pointed at the mock gravestones and skeletons placed strategically all over the property. Jack-o-lanterns and spooky skulls lit up the driveway and the house glowed purple and violet as we approached, music blasting from speakers. The house vibrated, seemed like a living thing.“Waste of money.” I grumbled.Darina slapped my thigh playfully. “You’re such a killjoy. What’s the Russ

“Who are you? Why are you here?” Minsky roared at us, eyes darting from one to the other. Fists balled he stood readying himself for an attack.“I have a message for you from Petrov.” Nico said, his tone even but I saw fur appearing on his face. “Pay your debt to him or you’ll never see your women again.” His voice turned gruffer, deeper, more animal.Nico stalked toward the frozen man. Minsky’s eyes bulged out of his sockets. To see Nico half-turned was not for the fainthearted. I was even freaked out. Canines protruded from his mouth, his face completely covered by ginger fur and his eyes blazed with yellow light.Claws burst through the gloves as he raised a hand towards Minsky’s face.“No. No please…” he closed his eyes. “Please…” He shuddered when Nico grabbed his face, the claws just piercing the skin of his cheeks. Bloody tears ran down his face.“Pay your debt asshole.” Nico released the man, and he slid down to his knees, boneless and whimpering. “Let’s go baby girl.”Nico he

DARINAThe police had ransacked the place - it was a royal mess, and the staff were angry, muttering amongst themselves. The three of us helped them to clear up. They left nothing undisturbed. Even the paintings were askew, but at least nothing was broken. I was a nervous wreck waiting for Nico to come home, pacing up and down in the lounge.“He’ll be fine.” Sal said, “They have nothing on him.”“But you do deal drugs and lord only know what else. It’s just a matter of time before you all get caught Sal. Can’t you see? Or killed.” I was frantic. “When will it be enough?”“You’re getting hysterical. We won’t get caught. Do you think we’re amateurs?”“No, you’re not and that’s the problem. I can’t live like this. For fuck’s sake! We kidnapped two women! I am now an accomplice to a crime. I never asked for this.” The more I thought about the more I wanted out. I thought I loved him enough to overlook the fact that he was a criminal, but sometimes love just wasn’t enough.He had to choose