Kiara:
"What?" I ask, staring at Blake with my brows creased.
He closes the space between us.
"James has already informed the citizens of Lunar Shadow that their queen has been found. They expect their queen back, especially the beta." His gaze doesn't leave mine when he mentions my father.
"Manipulative bastard!" I yell, attempting to slap him, but he grabs my hand, pulling it back.
Rufus takes a step forward.
"I'd stay back if I were you, human!" Blake growls at him, then turns to me. "I know you would rather live among humans and maintain this fantasy you've created for yourself, but your kingdom needs you. A Luna must be on the throne unless she is dead, so you have to come back," he says.
"I am rogue to the people of Lunar Shadow, and-"
"A witch has been arranged to undo that. I do not care what it takes; you will return as the queen. This is not a request, but an order!"
With my hands pressing against his chest, I push him backward. As I stare into his eyes, I realize what Mindy must have done. She has made him violent and possessive towards me, so he will never let go.
"You are more disgusting than I imagined, and I refuse to step an inch," I say, attempting to walk away.
"James." As he calls the guard's name, I feel his hands seize me.
"I'm sorry, my queen," James apologizes.
Rufus immediately draws his gun and shoots one guard, who looks him in the eyes, pulls the bullet out of his chest, and tosses it to the ground.
"You'll regret doing that, puny human," he says, and Rufus aims the gun at him again while he watches with his claws out.
"Both of you, stop! I command you as your Luna, and madam!" I yell. The guard retracts his claws, and Rufus puts down the gun.
"Very sexy," Blake comments with a smirk, lighting his face. "That is my Luna, and I have missed hearing you give orders like that," he adds while I glare at him, thinking of the best way to end his life.
I do not care if he is under Mindy's spell or not, his words disgust me. When nothing comes forth, I decide to surrender to spare Rufus and Treasure's life.
"I wish I had killed you yesterday. Then I'd save myself from all this," I say to Blake, who lets out a chuckle. "But I'll go with you if you leave Rufus alone."
He shrugs.
"I have nothing to do with humans. They are pathetic," he adds, then I glance at Rufus, whose eyes remain on mine. "Since you have decided to cooperate, my work here is done. Shall we?" he says, and they all begin to file out of the room.
James holds me delicately.
"I won't let this happen!" Rufus yells. I step on James's foot, causing him to let me go, and I stand in front of Rufus, who has a gun aimed at Blake.
"Are you out of your senses, Rufus? They outnumber you, and I am sure you are wiser than this." My gaze stays on him for a while-long enough to convince him I have a plan, even if I don't.
"Call Zane." I mouth without making a sound.
"I do not understand what the hell is going on here. James, grab her. Let's go."
James takes hold of me, and Rufus watches as they whisk me away.
Zane:
It's already day seven, and I know I have to hurry with my work or I won't be able to keep the promise I made to Kiara.
Today, I have a meeting with the construction team, so work can begin here in the city. That way, it will keep my dad busy, as it is his idea to build schools so the mafiosos' kids can have free education. Then I can focus on expanding the companies to Efla and suggest that I manage it.
As soon as I pull into the parking lot of the construction firm, my phone rings. Seeing Rufus's name on display lightens my mood, and I figure Kiara is probably calling to speak with me.
I park my car in front of the tall building, then pick up the phone.
"Do you miss me now?" I ask as soon as I answer, but nothing prepared me for Rufus's panicked voice.
"Mindy led Kiara's pack members here, and they took her a moment ago!"
His words knock the air out of my lungs, and I reach for my tie at once, loosening it. For a moment, I am lost in thought, blaming myself for what happened. Maybe if I'd listened to my father and launched an attack a long time ago, this wouldn't have happened.
"Sir, are you there?" he asks, and I try to force out words. I try to yell at him, but I can't.
My body suddenly weakens, and I shut off the phone, letting it slide down my hand.
I don't notice another car park beside me until someone taps on my glass. I roll the window down to meet the chief engineer's face.
"Good day, Mr. Malibu," he says. I ignore him, turn on my ignition, and reverse out of the driveway.
I have no clue where I'm going; I just keep driving until I realize how crazy I am, wasting time instead of finding a solution.
I stop my car in the middle of nowhere, then take a huge breath.
"Father," I say aloud, then start the car again, heading to my father's house.
Shortly after, I get there. I get out of the car, slam the door shut, and race into the house, screaming his name.
"Father!" I yell as I make my way to the living room. When I get there, I expect him to be at the counter, downing his drink, but he's nowhere to be found.
"Fa-" I stop mid-word when I see him walking down the stairs.
"What is so urgent that you have decided to tear down my roof with your shouting?" he asks, and I pause, staring at him until he makes it to the foot of the stairs.
He holds my gaze for a moment.
"I need your help." When I say this, he walks toward his bar to get a drink. "There is no time to get a drink, Father," I say, and he pauses, turning to face me.
I know I crossed the line by disobeying him, so I try to organize my thoughts to avoid spilling the whole truth.
"I need you to arrange all the men we have available because we need to launch an impromptu attack on the Lunar Shadow Pack."
When I say this, his brows wrinkle.
"That is impossible, Zane." My heart sinks when he says this.
"What do you mean, Father?"
"These are were-people, and we have to make calculated moves before we confront them. They can tear us apart before we make a move. Besides, I asked you to come up with a plan a long time ago, and you never did. I assumed you've been busy with other things," he says, and I nod my head. "How is the construction going?"
"Fine," I say flatly.
"You don't seem happy. Is this because of the wolf girl?" he asks, and I keep quiet. "I don't want anything to bother you, but it seems you enjoy taking matters into your own hands. Permit me to haunt her down, and in a week my men will find her," he says, then turns back to his bar as I stand there, contemplating telling the truth.
I want to keep it hidden, but it isn't helping. Maybe he'll help if he understands the situation I'm in.
"I have Kiara." When I say this, he drops the bottle in his hand on the counter, then turns to face me. I lower my head.
"When you asked me to kill her, I couldn't bring myself to do it, so I hid her from you. I love her, Father, and I plan to marry her. We bought a house, and I am supposed to meet her next week, but her pack took her away, so you need to understand how crucial this is." I look up at him to see his face harden, but I don't care.
Saying the truth makes me feel lighter, so I don't stop.
"This isn't what you wanted to hear, I know. That your most trusted son betrayed you is shocking, but I'm sorry, Father, and I'm ready to accept whatever punishment you see fit for me, but please help me rescue Kiara," I say to him.
He remains silent for several seconds, then suddenly clutches his chest, letting out a grunt and falling to his knees.
"Father!" I rush to him, attempting to hold him, but he slaps my hands away.
"You… you…" he isn't able to form a sentence before he collapses.