Twenty Nine

Elena

As soon as we thought we had escaped, another car pulled up in front of us. I felt the aura of the person who stepped down from the car.

"That is Victor Avante,” Zoey whispered in my ear. I became worried because why were they all after me? I did not do anything to them.

Immediately, Andrew dropped his weapons on the floor and put his hands on the air when he saw this particular person.

The man laughed and walked to him, and Andrew laughed too, but I think his own laugh was because of fear.

"Andrew, did I give orders?” The man asked.

"Sir, my boss specifically asked me to bring his woman to safety. I cannot disobey his orders." Andrew spoke and was still scanning the situation on the ground to see how we could escape, but the man’s security already had us in a chokehold.

"So are you disrespecting Luca?" He asked Andrew.

"Sir, I was only following pack rules; he is the Alpha now; I need to do whatever he says at all costs,” Andrew replied.

Andrew was quiet, and he looked like he did not want to disobey this particular person.

Victor Avante. It clicked; he was dressed casually, but he held a walking stick, and he looked younger than his age. He had the same similarities as Luca; how did she not notice sooner?

I stood there, my heart racing fast, unable to control my wolf. I was phasing back and forth. What did he want with me? Was he also after me because of my altercation with Hope?

"Take the girl,” Luca’s father ordered his guards, and immediately three men came towards me.

"I can walk by myself!” I shouted, and they stepped backwards. "Zoey, go home.” I told her and followed the men back to the car without struggle.

"Andrew, we will talk about your insubordination later,” Victor said, coming into the car where I was sitting.

    “Shit!” I heard Andrew speak from behind, and I am sure he was going to be in big trouble for letting him take me.

Immediately he entered, and my eyes turned blue out of fear. I moved back, trying to shift away from him.

He laughed and brought his hand to shake mine.

"You do not know how to control it till now? I thought Luca’s mate would have been perfect. Luca is being too soft with you, right?” He asked me, and I did not answer.

His hand was still in the air, and behaving like a coward would make them treat me like one. I was not going to go down that road. I adjusted myself and shook his hand.

   “Elena Williams. Nice to meet you, sir,” I said, and my eye turned back.

He smiled.

"I am not here to hurt you, Elena. I need to let you know that in our family we do not marry or take mates, so any relationship you have with my son will be  pointless."He was talking, but I did not see any point in what he was saying. I was not in any relationship with Luca, and I was not planning on being with him at all.

"But since he does not listen,” he continued. “You will be punished on his behalf.”

The words rang in my ear.

"I do not understand you. What do you mean by I’ll be punished on his behalf?” I asked.

We drove into his estate, the place where Luca grew up.

The grandeur of Mr. Victor Avante's home contrasted sharply with the ominous atmosphere that surrounded our conversation.

"I'll be punished on Luca's behalf? What does that even mean?" I repeated, my confusion growing. The ominous feeling in the air hinted at something much darker.

He led me through a maze of luxurious halls until we reached a secluded room. The air in the room felt heavy with secrets, and my anxiety intensified as I noticed the silver restraints laid out on a table.

Without much ceremony, the men proceeded to secure me with the silver bonds, each touch sending a searing pain through my werewolf senses. I gritted my teeth, determined not to show weakness.

Mr. Victor Avante watched the proceedings with an unreadable expression. "You see, Elena, my son has always been headstrong. He's chosen a path that defies our traditions. This punishment is a reminder for both him and you."

As the silver tightened around me, my strength waned. I couldn't help but cry out; the pain was overwhelming. The men seemed unaffected by my distress, carrying out their task with cold efficiency.

In the midst of the agony, I couldn't fathom why Luca's rebellion would lead to my torment. The realisation dawned on me that this was a cruel form of leverage, a means to control him through my suffering.

The room echoed with my cries as the silver continued to bind me. The pain became unbearable, and I pleaded, "Please, there has to be another way. I have nothing to do with Luca's choices."

Mr. Victor Avante remained unmoved, his stoic demeanour unyielding. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Luca needs to learn the consequences of his actions."

As the silver tightened further, my vision blurred, and darkness crept at the edges. The pain was overwhelming, and I felt a deep sense of despair. Yet, even in the midst of agony, a spark of defiance ignited within me. I wouldn't let them break my spirit.

He locked the door and left me inside, the sliver cutting deep into my skin.

Luca

The executives for the board had just arrived for the finalising meeting. My phone rang, and I picked it up. It was Andrew, and I was wondering why he was still calling me when I told him to take care of it.

"What is it, Andrew?” I picked up the call.

"The big boss has taken her,” he told me over the phone.

Of course, my father would use this chance to punish me. I had to go back to New York immediately; Elena was not going to be able to withstand my father’s torture. I was the only person allowed to discipline Elena, and no one else.

I was so pissed.

"Where were you when they took her?” I shouted.

“He came by himself and I was alone; I could not fight by myself; your father is thorough; their guns were loaded with silver; I tried my best to stall, but I couldn’t continue when he came,” Andrew explained himself.

I disconnected the call.

"Four, cancel the meeting. Book the next available flight to New York.”

On the plane, my mind raced with thoughts of Elena enduring my father's ruthless punishment. I couldn't forgive myself for leaving her unprotected. As the city skyline came into view, my impatience heightened.

Once back in New York, I headed straight to my father's estate. The security could not even stop me from passing; I would have crushed them to death, fueled by a mix of anger and concern. The mansion loomed ominously, and I wasted no time entering, demanding answers.

In a dimly lit room, I confronted my father, his stern expression unchanged. "Where is she?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the silence.

He gestured towards a distant hallway without uttering a word.

As I approached, the muffled sounds of Elena's cries reached my ears, sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins.

The door creaked open to reveal her, bound with silver restraints, her eyes filled with pain and defiance. My heart sank at the sight of her suffering, and anger burned hotter within me.

"Release her," I commanded my father, my tone leaving no room for negotiation.

He met my gaze with a calculated calmness. "She needs to learn the consequences of your actions, Luca. This is a lesson for both of you."

Unable to bear seeing Elena in distress any longer, I moved forward, tearing through the silver bonds with a strength fueled by desperation. As the last restraint fell away, Elena collapsed into my arms, her breaths shaky but determined.

Ignoring my father's disapproving gaze, I carried Elena out of that wretched room.