CHAPTER 169 — TRUCE OR WAR? 2
BRIELLE.
"Please…" Brielle begged and screamed at the top of her lungs, but the guards did not stop.
The more she pleaded, the more the torture increased, and they continued to whip her body with their batons.
But she understood why this was happening. Darius was here again.
He'd arrived yesterday, and while she hadn't seen him, the rate at which her torture had risen was clear evidence of this.
Her agonizing yells were intended to convey a message to Darius. Draken was using it as a tactic to demonstrate that he still had the upper hand and leverage.
Brielle's heart wrenched painfully as she thought of the wicked older man who held her captive. A shiver ran down Brielle's spine as she remembered their talk from last night.
He'd informed her that Darius still loved her, and despite her misery, she couldn't deny that his words had given her hope. Even when he made insulting jokes about her and Darius's deaths, a small part of her brain ignored the unpleasant words and focused on the positive ones instead.
Darius still loved her. Despite her better judgment, he had answered Draken's summons and came for her.
He could have disregarded Draken's plea and left her to languish in this dungeon, but he didn’t. He’d risked everything to get here.
Brielle's chest twisted again. This man adored her. He still did.
The realization caused tears to flow down her cheeks. She was crying uncontrollably, and it wasn't only because of the whippings; she was also overwhelmed by the emotions that were coursing through her.
Sniffing, Brielle couldn't help but wonder what Draken was telling Darius now. What were they discussing? Would Darius be successful in whatever he tried? Oh, he had to be successful. He only had to...
Brielle shrieked in surprise when the cell door suddenly burst open. She carefully turned her gaze to the door, hoping to see the guest.
Deep down, she felt another surge of hope as she wondered if Darius had come, perhaps finally coming to her rescue. But her shoulders dropped when she realized it was simply a guard.
She overheard him say a few words to the men tormenting her. Despite his attempts to sound quiet, Brielle picked up parts and pieces of the conversation.
'Things are getting tense between Master Draken and the Lycan King.
'You are to increase her torture and ensure she suffers terribly.'
'Draken is becoming agitated. I don't believe the Lycan king is consenting to his demands.’
Brielle's heart skipped a beat, and panic permeated her veins. Her eyes widened with fear.
If the torment was increased anymore, she could die. She'd die. The ache was too intense. There was no way she could make it.
'But you've been through a lot more, Brie. If there is one thing you are certain of, you can bear anything. You are strong enough to handle this. Don't forget that Darius is now here. He will get you, so hold on to hope and try to get through it.’
Those words rang through Brielle's mind like a mantra, giving her new strength. It was as if something inside her had turned on, a bright light blazing through all the darkness and misery in her life.
A sorrowful smile lit up her face, and even though the whips and sticks continued to strike her body, she remained surprisingly calm.
She closed her eyes and took deep breaths, attempting to ignore the pain and instead focus on the image of the one person she desired most in the world. That one person who stood up for her when she had given up. The one person whose love remained unwavering even after her deception and betrayal. Darius.
And she prayed to the moon goddess that he would be safe and find her. And save her again, just like he did when he bought her from Blacko Shawn in the auction ring.
***
DARIUS.
Darius blinked in response to Draken's request. It took a few seconds for his brain to make sense of his statements.
His heart? Why would he want his heart? What could motivate him to want something like that, of all things? His thoughts were scrambled from weariness and exhaustion to process this fully.
Furthermore, if he ripped out his heart, he would die immediately. So…
"Do we have a deal, boy?" Draken's voice cut through the fog in Darius' head. "Are you going to rip it out, or can I still do it for you?" He had a delighted expression on his face. He used the same expression anytime he wanted to catch Darius' attention.
But this time, Darius would not let him. So he spit out. "No. We do not have a deal."
Since Draken wanted to do things the hard way, then they'd do just that. And he was prepared, more than ready.
"Huh? What do you mean, no?"
Darius stepped towards the evil man and paused a few feet away. He softly placed his hands into his pocket.
"You want me to rip my heart out and give to you, right?"
"Yes. That much is evident.”
"Because you think my existence threatens you, right?" Darius inquired again, and Draken clapped his hands. "Yes, boy, you understand. That is exactly what I desire. You see, the error your father made was to keep me alive. When he expelled me, he should have killed me immediately. Instead of letting me go and paying the high price.”
As he talked, Darius had the urge to pull out the switchblade he'd hidden under his shirt and repeatedly stab Draken in the chest until he bled. Of course, he didn't. He needed Draken to be alive. At least for a few minutes. Or perhaps longer.
But he doubted it, and when the awful noises of Brielle's pain from the corridor resonated in his ears, Darius' chest constricted.
He closed his eyes and tried to envision whatever torment Brielle was going through. He’d imagined it hundreds of times in the last several days.
He imagined her on the floor, battered and bruised, blood spilling from her body and staining the floor red. He envisioned her crying, whimpering, and imploring him to liberate her.
He also imagined her smiling sweetly at him and telling him how much she loved him. He pictured her on his bed, back in his mansion, in his arms. Safe and secure.
And that was the only thing that kept him going. The one thing that got him through the horrifying images.
He opened his eyes, and his irises turned red. "You want me to rip my heart out in front of you, right?"
"Shall I keep repeating myself, boy? Yes, I want that. Alternatively, I could do it myself. But your existence will not benefit me like you said; thus, I must exterminate you." The older man scowled and proceeded. "You will soon be a memory. Also, if you have any last words to say to your Beta waiting outside, your guards, or most importantly to your woman Brielle, I can help communicate them.”
As soon as the scumbag said Brielle's name, Darius felt a flood of rage pour through him. Anger at this man's cruelty. Anger for what he had done to Brielle, Eve, and his parents.
"Arghhhhh." Darius let out a thunderous roar and surged forward, armed with the switchblade.
Darius swiped the blade across the older man's arm quickly, surprising Draken.
Draken yelled with pain. His left hand was tightly gripping the oozing stump from the damaged arm. He also staggered to his knees, allowing Darius to attack him.
They both collapsed to the floor in a heap. The sound of a knife clattering against the floor came next.
No guards were in the room because the last one had left to run an errand. They were utterly alone.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Draken shouted as he fought under Darius' weight, desperately attempting to push him off.
"I am getting my revenge!"
"You motherfucking bastard!" Draken cursed and threw Darius off, regaining some strength.
He lurched backward, and Darius watched as the older man searched for a button on the wall, most likely to alert his guards. Darius quickly picked up the blade that had fallen minutes before and fired a precise shot, hitting the exact location Draken was aiming for, and it shattered off the wall and dropped to the ground.
Draken froze and focused on the bloody button. He slowly turned around to face Darius, rage in his eyes.
"You piece of shit!" he raged, straining to leap forward with his bleeding arm, but Darius escaped quickly.
He laughed coldly. "Now it's just the two of us. It's just you and me, Draken. Let's put an end to this once and for all.” Darius spat with a threatening tone. "By the time I'm done with you, you will never underestimate me again…" As he trailed off, he nearly laughed out loud.
How could the older man be so foolish? He lacked common sense for someone who had waited and observed in the shadows.
"You brat!" Draken shouted, and thick black fur appeared on the older adult's skin. He was transforming. He was losing his human features, already prepping for the upcoming scuffle.
The fur became thicker and darker, covering every layer of skin, and Darius stared as the older man transformed into his inner beast. His eyes were bright red, his long grey hair resembled a wolf's mane, and sharp fangs protruded from his jaws.
His teeth gleamed with blood, and he rushed towards Darius.