**Amber POVLeo sat across from me on the small, wooden canoe. I was sitting backwards in the seat so I could face him. He'd paddled us out away from the shore, but not too far. I could still see the beach in the evening sky. He'd really gone all out. We'd had some sips of champagne and he'd made a tasteful picnic dinner like he promised. I'd even gotten dressed up in a nice tartan skirt and everything!The water was so still that the night sky was reflecting in it. The stars were gorgeous overhead and around the canoe. It was almost like looking at a mirror and the reflected stars were like little lanterns on the water. It felt as if we were in a fairytale. I'd never imagined this type of special evening with Leo when I first met him."This is so beautiful," I said, taking in the scene while finishing off my champagne. "I thought you'd like it out here," Leo smiled, seemingly relieved.I reached out and touched the glassy water around the boat, sending ripples thro

**Leonardo POVMy father hadn't contacted me for days. Neither had August. I was certain that August would have said something to my father about Amber. But it seemed like he wasn't planning on stopping the wedding. Surely, it would be to his advantage whatever he decided.Amber was going to be busy getting ready most of the day, but I planned breakfast for us because I wanted to see her before all the guests arrived and potential chaos ensued. "This is nice," Amber said, joining me on the patio in the very early morning. I pulled a chair out for her and she blushed as she sank into the seat. I pushed it back in effortlessly. She was so light I worried she could fly away. The sun had just started to rise and the compound was mostly quiet. I'd had the kitchens prepare a nice, light meal so Amber wouldn't complain about being too bloated to put her dress on. "I thought a quiet chat before the insanity of my family's arrival was in order," I explained, raising my glass of

** Amber's POVI stared at Leo as he raged, his eyes turning molten gold and glowing brightly as he stared at me. "This is why I don't give second chances! People never change!""I saw you change for me, Leo!" I interjected. I grabbed for him again but he snarled and pulled away."Yes, a big mistake! I got weak for you," he hissed. I jumped to my feet and grabbed his arm. He pulled away from me and made for the door. "Wait! Please wait, Leo!" I yelled, running after him. I was begging, as pathetic as it was, but I needed his help. He kept his pace."Leo stop!" I never screamed as loud as I did just then.It caused Leo to halt in place.Now, I had his attention, and only one chance to change his mind. "You need my blood," I declared. "If you leave, you'll never have it again."He growled."You can use me like I've used you. You can have my blood forever. All I ask is that you help me get my sister back." I wasn't in a place to make demands, but I also knew I had something special to

**Leonardo POV"Gone, what do you mean gone!?" I shouted into the phone. "I mean… I don't know. I took her clothes into the bathroom while I thought she was getting in bed, and then when I returned she wasn't there anymore. She left the door open. I looked quickly around the compound, but I couldn't find her," Maia reported. "I'm sorry, Leo. I said I would keep an eye on her." I heard Maia whimpering on the other end. I wasn't going to blame Maia for losing track of Amber. I handed her off to my little sister and that decision was mine and mine only. "I'm going to find her. You alert security, discreetly. I don't want to scare her," I ordered."Leo, what is going on?" Maia asked with a concerned tone. "That's not for you to know," I answered coolly. Maia argued, "Why not? She's my sister now too!" "Just do it! We don't have time!" I barked, breathing heavily.She hung up quickly, as it seemed my message got across clear.I sighed and launched off my bed, teari

**Leonardo POVI looked outside of the window again, not seeing one of my soldiers in sight. We had been completely overrun in the surprise attack. Now, the most I could hope for now was to give Amber and Maia enough time to get far away from the compound.The howls from battle seemed to die down and the whole atmosphere became eerily quiet. I looked over at Dylan who shook his head at me. He didn't know what to expect either.Then, suddenly, a door at the end of the hall burst open and August waltzed in with a smug smile plastered across his face as he walked towards us. I noticed that he didn't have a spec of blood on him. No wounds, no tears in his clothes. I doubted he'd done any of the fighting up until this point. He always left the dirty work for someone else."Is this what you imagined for your wedding night?" August asked snidely, confirming my suspicions about his plans to interrupt it all along. I glared back at him without responding. I was sick and tired of that