Lahat ng Kabanata ng NORA: THE MAFIA QUEEN; THE ALPHA'S MATE: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Nora’s POV I momentarily forgot how to breathe. I turned slowly, my eyes peeping into the darkness. And there he was- standing in all his glory. Alaric. “Your father was right- he knows you too well. But where do you think you are going? Do you think I will let you go just like that?” he asked, stepping closer. “Not even in your dreams, girl. Because we have a score to settle” he barked, flaunting his burnt teeth. I clenched my fists beside me, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. “Did you kill .... all of them?” I asked, my trembling voice raw with disbelief. “You mean those bodies that are littered on the floor? No, I didn’t. Someone else did- someone who is clearly in support of your motive to flee” he shrugged. My brows furrowed in confusion at his words. Someone is helping me? Who is that and why? “You know, I have been dying to put a bullet through your skull, but your father and Il Sangue Freddo wouldn’t let me. They both want you alive- most especially, Il

Nora’s POV I felt weightless, or maybe I was dying. The darkness around me grew thicker. I heard footsteps approaching the car, but I was too weak to open my eyes and see who it was. I heard the car door yanked open, and then, felt an arm wrapped around me. He spoke- his voice; gentle, familiar and loving. “Lunaria, wake up” I heard his voice whisper as he carefully rested my head on his chest, tapping me gently. He kept calling the name ‘Lunaria' with me walking deeper into darkness. Then, I heard him call that strange, yet familiar name. “My Selene, please stay with me” he pleaded, fear and anxiety evident in his voice. That name- Selene- triggered a part of my memory that I didn't know existed. And briefly, I saw it. A faint, hazy and unreal memory of mine. We were seated under a giant tree; my head rested on his shoulder as we both stared at the drenched moonlight. “Lunaria, do you know the meaning of the name- Selene?” he asked. “No, I don’t”

Williams/Drevyn’s POV. “Marlik? Mum, you can’t be serious” I rose to my feet in annoyance. “Son, I know I am being unreasonable right now, but that’s the only way we can save her. You want her back, don’t you?” she asked with sincerity in her voice. I understand that she wanted to make me happy- she was looking out for me, but what she was suggesting was a hell NO. “Mum, do you even know what you are saying? You want me to go to Marlik and seek his help? Don’t you know what’s at stake? Have you forgotten he has been on the hunt for Selene? Not only her- but our child.” “You telling me to take Selene to him is as good as telling me to let her go. You think he would release her after she comes back to life? He isn’t that dumb to do so when he knows he needs something from her. I sincerely can’t do this, Mum” I shook my head in refusal. I paced up and down, digging my hand into my hair as the weight of my mother’s suggestion rested on my chest. Mum stayed silent for some

Williams/Drevyn’s POV. We got home and I carried her in my arms up to my room- our room. I laid her gently on the bed, brushing away a strand of her hair that had covered her face. Her face was brighter, and her breathing had steadied. I sat beside her, holding her hand in mine and slowly patting it. I missed her- more than I could express. I just wished for her to open her eyes- look me in the eyes and tell me she loved me. I was glad she was okay, but at the same time, scared of what the outcome of my deal with Marlik would be. “What if I never get to be by her side again? What if she never remembers me- us and what we shared?” I fidgeted, tightening my hold on her, as if that would stop her from slipping away from me. “Come back to me,” I whispered. “Not to him- not with the memory of the past”. I placed my forehead against hers, praying silently as I fought my tears back. Then, I heard the door creak open. It was mum. “Son, how is she fairing? Is he

Williams/Drevyn’s POV. “Marlik…… does he know about this?” I asked in a low voice, trying to wrap my head around what was going on. “He does and in fact, he’s trying to awaken her,” Mum said, letting out a heavy breath before she continued. “During the ritual, Marlik tried awakening Aravella’s still soul within Selene, by forcing back her memories. He also tried binding her spirit to his so he could make her do whatever he wanted once she awoke.” “I felt that and that was why I casted Bloodline Lock on Selene to break Marlik’s attempted spell on her. If he had succeeded, Selene will not only be his captive, but her soul will forever be his,” Mum revealed. I was rendered speechless by mum’s explanation. “So, you actually saved Selene from Marlik?” I asked, as realization of my mum's protection of Selene drawn on me. She nodded her head slightly in concurrence. Silence enveloped the room- neither of us spoke. It was as if we were in our own world of thoughts. “W