360- Lovestruck Girl
POV Viktor Averwyn:
“Don’t worry, I swear! I asked him to lend me a phone. I knew you must be nervous, maybe even thinking of doing something reckless. I know things got complicated—I told Lucian it wasn’t your fault, but Konrad’s. He and the other alphas will intervene with the Elders, so the war will end.”
“Was he the one who told you to say that?”
“No!”
“Did he hit you? Force you into anything?”
“Of course not! He’s a prince!”
She had to be delusional. That bastard had almost killed her once, damn it! Was she not thinking? Or was she being used, deceived?
“Tell him you want to come home.”
“I love you, Dad, but I want to stay here. I’m in love! And happy!” she said softly, euphoric.
“Listen: I allow you to see him, but come back now.”
“Didn’t you hear anything I said? End the war, then we’ll be able to move between villages and…”
It was an immense relief to hear her voice—I almost felt weak knowing she was alive and well. But none of that convinced me. It was like walking through a minefield.
“Let me talk to him.” I used a controlled tone, and she fell silent.
“Don’t fight! Please! For me! I miss you. Is Seraphine okay? Is she there?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good! Send her a kiss, and to Daciana and—”
“You’ll do it in person. I’m bringing you back.”
“Soon, Dad. I love you!” She grew emotional and then said louder: “Lucian, he wants to talk to you.”
What I really wanted was to hear more of her voice, to have her safe with me. My stomach turned cold, my mind short-circuiting. But I needed to understand better, to hear from him.
“Viktor.”
Just hearing him filled me with hatred. I called upon all my self-control.
“What are you doing with my daughter?”
“Didn’t she tell you? We’re getting to know each other.” There was a mocking tone in his voice. I shuddered just imagining that bastard touching her. “It was quite a surprise to find my possible destined one at my door. Too bad poor Konrad paid with his life for that.”
Lucian didn’t even regret it. I stood up, agitated, pacing the room.
“What do you want?”
He was silent for a moment; I heard what sounded like footsteps. Maybe moving away, his tone lower:
“A lot of sex. She’s very tasty. Virgin, pure, just the way I like it. I’ve already had plenty of her these past few days. Soon she’ll be pregnant with me. We did the full job—opened her womb, tied the knot, marked her with my bite. Now it’s just enjoying it more and waiting.”
“You son of a bitch!” I growled, and he laughed again. “If you hurt her…”
“Relax! I bet you’ve already done the same with the human. Or not?”
“Fuck you, Lucian!”
“I’d rather fuck Adelina.”
“I’ll rip your head off, just like I did with Konrad.”
My wolf was becoming feral, ready to roar, to take over with claws and savagery.
“She’s fine and happy. She doesn’t want to go back to your house. But I can convince the girl to think, to become more flexible. Have you imagined it? The two of us as father-in-law and son-in-law. Who would have thought?” The mockery continued. “Surrender now. And no one gets hurt.”
“Are you blackmailing me, damn it?”
“Always thinking the worst of me. What if I fall in love with her? Really want something serious?”
“Lucian…”
His ironic tone vanished. His voice grew low and threatening:
“Don’t forget what you have to lose, Viktor. Who is here with me right now. Think carefully about it and end this war. Consider it a warning.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“Don’t call again. This is the last time you speak to her.”
I cursed when he hung up. I called back immediately—out of range.
I growled, punching the wall, my fist bleeding instantly—and healing just as quickly.
Pain and despair hit me. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Half-mad, I summoned my council immediately, along with Katarina and a sharp young man named Virgil. As soon as they entered, I quickly told them about the phone call and looked at the duchess.
“Is your offer still standing?”
“Of course it is!”
“You know it’s dangerous.”
“I’m smarter than you think, my lord.” She smiled seductively, caressing my arm. “Calm down. We’ll get to her and take her out of there.”
We began preparing everything.
That very night, Katarina would leave through one of the secret passages, along with Virgil. He knew the terrain like the back of his hand, was very fast and good in a fight. Both would spread among the packs in the forest, separately. He would remain there while she tried to infiltrate Tharengard.
There would be a place in the forest for them to communicate, on a set day. She would leave hidden notes, and he would bring them to the beginning of the secret passage, handing them to one of ours. Always carefully, without raising suspicion. Any major problem, they should return to the meeting point.
And so it was done. I feared for both of them, but accepted their sacrifices and risks to help save my daughter—and to better understand how to retaliate against the attacks.
I went with them and another group to the entrance of the secret passage. Emil and Cezar stayed in the office, as an advance toward the eastern field had begun. They were monitoring it.
“Take care, Katarina.” I held her arms before she left. She wasn’t wearing her revealing clothes, but something simpler, more discreet. Her hair tied back.
“It’ll be fine. Soon I’ll be back here with that silly, lovestruck girl!” She came close and softly kissed my lips.
“I miss you. Maybe we can spend the whole night together to celebrate. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes. Come back if you’re in danger.”
“I can take care of myself. I’ll send news.”
I watched her walk away with Virgil, flanked by the others. My nervousness didn’t ease. Nor my worry. Lucian was unpredictable. And his threat had been very real.
I returned to the office, ready to deal with the attacks to the east. Thinking about Adelina and wondering if Aldren and Edric would stay away from that area, as I had asked.
It was too much shit all at once!