Irina Denali Novels & Stories

Nova’s eyes widened. Liam leaned in. “A daughter?” Tatiana nodded. “Hidden in plain sight. Sent to private boarding schools, raised by caretakers. Never publicly claimed. But she exists.” The photo showed a girl no, a woman, twenty-two, sharp-eyed, and eerily beautiful. Dark hair, pale skin. And a tattoo on her wrist: A scorpion, curled in fire. “Irena named her after her mother,” Tatiana said. “Yelena Volkov.” Nova sat back.

Arla added. "Common not you too, she already apologized," I frowned. "I know that, my point is that you shouldn't paint her as a totally great sister when she isn't." "Fine, I get your point." "What's your problem? Do you have an issue with me?" Irina sneered at her. "I definitely have a problem with you, rira," Maya glared back at her, not backing down. "It's Irina, Maya," Naya whispered. "Why should I care," Maya hissed, unbothered and Irina gritted her teeth in anger. If there was one thing Irina hated, it was people spoiling her name.

The whimpers and cries. "It's a girl!" Someone exclaimed joyfully. Dinara smiled. She had always known. Radina Monette Vasiliy. Yes. That's her name. My precious one. _________________

Rios kissed the middle-aged woman’s hand before ushering them to the venue. Moments later, a chopper hovered above the clearing. Wind whipped across Rios’s face as the blades roared a few feet from him. “Irina Volkova,” Rios said, nodding as the woman in her early 40s stepped down from the aircraft. Irina was the daughter of a Soviet-era smuggler and was also a longtime friend. Though that friendship once blurred into a three-day drunken sexcapade, that had never been repeated.

But I, Nikolas had been curious. I had my people trace her digital footprint. It had taken weeks, she was good, exceptionally good, but eventually I found her. Irina Volkov, twenty-four years old, living in a rundown apartment in the Tekstilshchiki district. No criminal record. No family except a stepfather she’d fled two years ago. And a debt of five hundred thousand dollars to some particularly nasty loan sharks. A normal man would have gone to the police. I wasn’t a normal man. I was Nikolai Dragunnov.

Elina We arrive at Iris's house fifteen minutes later. Iris and Raina moved here together when I was in the 7th grade. They moved here alone. Raina, the older sister who worked and provided for her younger sibling. Iris said their parents died in a fire when she was ten and Raina was seventeen. They really don't like to go into the details about their parents' death so that little is all I know. Raina is the town herbalist and also owns a flower and coffee combination shop in town.

After breakfast, Adrik had excused himself, after informing us that Yuri and Vladimir would be accompanying us out. By the time Irina and I got outside, Diana was already waiting by the SUV,looking gorgeous and effortlessly put together as always —white sundress, oversized sunglasses and her signature messy bun. Her face lit up when she spotted me. “Finally! I thought you guys were going to ditch me.” Her eyes slid to Irina who was barely controlling her laughter. “What's so funny?” “Oh nothing,” Irina responded sweetly. “I walked in on Adrik and Sera this morning having a full-on gym make out session.”

"And I'm not doing it just because you command it, Nikolai. I'm doing it for *her*." I froze. "I warned her about this world," Irina continued, her eyes glistening with a fierce, quiet devotion. "I told her not to mistake pain for devotion. But over these last few months, I’ve watched her. She isn't just another Capo's trophy. She has a heart, Nikolai. She has a soul that hasn't been completely corrupted by your dark empire. I will not let Yaroslav Dnipro put her in chains and sell her to the highest bidder. I will die before I let that happen to Lena."

"You don't want to die. And I can kill you. So please tell me where the damn Totem is" Irina was quiet. She looked at me, then back at Yvara. I could hear her heart picking up from where I sat—a frantic, rhythmic thump-thump-thump that matched the drums in the yard. She was genuinely panicking now. She started to shake her head, her voice stuttering. "There is... there is no Totem...". Yvara stared at her for a long beat, then sighed. She cursed under her breath. "You fucking idiot."

“Very good news, Alpha Jaul. Someone I have been looking for has finally been found. I intend to bring her home.” “Her?” “Yes. My mate,” he said. “Well then, congratulations.” At that moment, Irina came in with the coffee tray. She set it on the side table and started to pour coffee for everyone. “So, who is your mate, if you don’t mind me asking, Alpha Larken?” I said. “Her name is Romina Jansen,” he responded. Irina dropped the mug right on Larken’s desk when he gave his mate’s name, and it spilled all over him and the desk.