Chapter 104

Diane

“Argghh!!” I yelled, hitting the wheel of my car as I sped off into the unknown, my dad's voice playing loudly in my head.

“Oh princess, don't cry, it wasn't your fault,”

“Daddy, look what I made,” my tiny voice echoed, recalling my childhood and how my dad was never too busy to play with me.

“What have you done, Diane?!!!” I yelled at myself, the pain hitting me from different angles, slicing through my chest…

“Get out of my sight!!! You're dead to me for this thing you've done, I don't ever want to see your face ever again!!” Mom's voice echoed for the millionth time in my head.

“I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Dad, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault, it's all my fault!!” I kept mumbling under my breath as I stepped hard on the accelerator, going deep into the woods.

Just then, the radio in the car turned on, but I wasn't ready for what I heard.

“Goooood evening, people of Haven Hills, it's the moment we've all been waiting for, as tomorrow the one and only CEO Lucian is tying the knot with his beautiful fiancée Evie. Oh, I'm not sure y'all are prepared for how it's going to go… I must say I myself don't think I'm ready, because as we all know, invitations are limited to only those at the top. But be sure we’ll bring you updates on Grey Media, tune in to your television, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s event. I know you can't wait, but guess what? I don't think I'll be able to sleep either (laughs), so brace up, fellas, until tomorrow have a great night!” And with that, the reporter's voice went off.

I took a sharp halt, making my tires screech, and the car came to a halt in the middle of nowhere. I got out to check the damage. Not like I was surprised, but I knew it was going to be bad. I looked around, and all I could see were trees, the stars, and the moon, which gave light to this awful night.

What's the use of going back? I thought. I've lost everything: my family, every single thing—all because of one thing, revenge… and for what? Absolutely nothing…

I heaved a deep sigh, resting slightly in my car as I took out a cigarette in an attempt to outlive my sorrows just for a moment.

You're such a fool, Diane; your obsession over that stupid guy has now cost you the life of your father, huh? A voice echoed in my head, but I just replied by taking another drag from my cigarette.

Just then, I saw the dark side of me standing in front of me… Let's call her Dine. I rolled my eyes, knowing the cigarette was already having an effect on my mind; this is definitely my mind playing tricks on me.

“Shut up, girl… I thought you were totally badass, but it turns out I was the one hallucinating…” she fired at me.

“What do you mean??” I asked, staring at her with a confused expression on my face.

“What the hell are you doing sulking about your father's death when what you should be doing is planning to take a life to replace his? I thought that's how the mafia game works. Come on now… You know he raised you better than this..” she sneered.

“Ughh… I'm tired; besides, what use would it be? It wouldn't bring him back, would it?” I replied.

“Oh come on now, be truthful to yourself, Diane. With your father’s health and age, we both know he was bound to die soon anyway; you just helped the process faster.” she said…

I paused for a while as I stared at her, a part of me wanting to agree with her logic.

“Since you lost your father, you might as well take Lucian to go with him or his new bitch. Remember, Diane never loses,” she added.

Just then, I heard a sound coming from behind, and Dine suddenly disappeared. I quickly reached inside my jacket as I took out my gun, taking a defensive stance, awaiting whatever was about to creep out of the shadows.

“Who's there?!” I yelled - Silence. I cocked my gun, ready to release another bullet at whoever or whatever it was, and I sure wasn't going to miss… because right now, it turns out I've gotten better at killing people than actually being happy or getting a love life, I thought…

“I said who the fck is there?” I snarled, my voice laced with anger, rage, and a bit of fear, because for all I knew, this could be anyone—maybe my father's men whom my mom sent to go after me and take me out for what I did to her husband…

Because part of what she didn't say or talk about but was visible in her eyes was that I'd ignited the ruthless part of her, that part my dad contained for years by being the ruthless one. It seems like I'd just turned the switch.

"If you don't come out right now, I'm going to shoot, and trust me when I say Diane never misses a shot,” I said through gritted teeth.

“But she sure misses love shots, doesn't she?” Dine’s voice echoed in my ears, followed by a loud mocking laugh.

Just then, a loud growl echoed behind me, making me turn in a swift motion as my eyes caught the most violent beast I've ever seen. I released a bullet with great efficiency, but unfortunately, I missed. The creature came into full light, and before I could register which creature it fell into amongst the species my dad had, I fell to the ground as it lunged toward me, knocking my gun from my hands.

“No!!” I yelled as I watched my gun roll into the bush and out of sight. “Fuck!” I cursed.

“Hello, Diane,” a hoarse voice echoed in my ears, making me freeze to the ground as I slowly turned my gaze in the direction of the voice, and to my surprise, I locked eyes with the most handsome man/creature I'd ever met.

“Holy shit, you… Yo… you're a werewolf,” I mumbled under my breath.

He let out a light smirk as his eyes lit up in those familiar bright red colors. “I knew you would know what I was,” he replied, taking a step forward.

I clutched my hands to the ground, staring at him, and swallowed hard as I began to feel the air around me become thicker.

“Wh… sta… Stay back,” I said, crawling backwards, fear visible in my eyes…

Believe me when I say I'm ruthless, but I knew I wasn't as ruthless as a loose werewolf in its domain (the woods).

“What… What do you want from me?” I stuttered while still moving backwards, but he kept lunging forward. “I said stay back!!” I yelled.

“Relax, Diane, I'm here to help,” he said.

I paused for a while, stood up slowly as I stared at him with a confused expression on my face. “So you're not here to kill me?” I asked.

“Well, in as much as your father was one of our greatest enemies who was secretly hunting us and whom I just found out you killed, I have every reason to slit your throat right now, but I won't because I need your help,” he announced.

Interesting, I thought. “What could I possibly help you with?” I asked.

“Okay, good. My name is Kieran, and from what I've gathered tonight, we both have a common problem,” he began…

“Okay, and what is that?”

“Your boy Lucian can't marry Evie because Evie is my mate,” he blurted out.

“Wait, what?” I said with raised brows… “That chick Lucian is about to get married to is a werewolf like you?” I retorted…

“Yes, and she has my son with her too; I just want my family back,” he explained.

“And if I don't agree to this?” I asked with a stern look on my face.

“Look around you, Diane? You're right in my territory, and I can easily call for backup as the Alpha, so choose wisely… Besides, what do you have to lose? From what the witches told me, you have always wanted a thing with the guy she's about to get married to; you can have him all to yourself or have your revenge on him—that's your call… But all I'm saying is I want Evie and my son back to me safe and sound; nothing must happen to them both,” he replied with a stern voice.

I stood there staring at him, my mind going through a million thoughts all at a time…

“Oh Diane, don't tell me you're seriously thinking about this offer. This is a golden opportunity; usually, you would consider this fun,” she said.

“Shut up, Dine,” I fired at her.

“Your subconscious can be really loud, you know,” the handsome werewolf said.

“You can hear that too?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“I'm a werewolf; I can hear anything,” he replied. “So what do you say? Are you ready to have some fun?” he asked with a smirk on his face.

I paused for a while, staring at him. “Well, I might as well mark the night I became an orphan in grand style; what do I need to do?” I replied with a smile.

“Good decision; follow me,” he said, leading me into the woods.

I cleaned myself up and trailed behind him.

“This is a terrible idea, Diane. Your dad clearly warned you to stay away from Lucian; have you forgotten all of a sudden?” the bright side of me interjected. Let's call her Dia.

I shoved that thought out of my head and continued; if I'm going to lose, I shouldn't be the only one now, should I? I thought.