Zaven's point of ViewKallik was distraught since we had completed the job. The first time since we had started our business. It was strange to see. Even stranger to live through. His mind was an entangled web of despair it seemed. Somber. Cold. He wouldn't even look at me on the drive back to our hotel.Although, a part of me knew why even if I didn't want to admit it. Acknowledge the life he had before me. Once we stopped in front of the hotel, he practically jumped from the car. Hauled ass to our room. It was pristine when we entered. The maids must have had a fit when they saw the mess from the previous night. Although, to them, it just seemed like one massive party had gone horribly wrong.All of our equipment was stowed away. Secured before we set out to Nerezza's house. Our mate's house. Where she kept all four of her other mates. That discovery alone slapped me across the face. Forced me to wake up from the blissful daze I had been in.Kallik strode to the fridge and tossed i
Amadeus' Point of ViewWe were all crowded into the kitchen. To hold a meeting in the dining room felt too formal for all of our liking. Thus, Farren had insisted we talk over some toast, eggs, and coffee. Which was abnormal, seeing as it felt like just another morning when in reality our mate was being held in a dungeon and the moment Reginald became the king, she was fucked.But eggs and toast were made by Lysander. Coffee by Priamos. Zaven and Kallik just stared at all of us. Tried to get a good reading on the dynamic of the group. Little did they know there was no dynamic to speak of. We all barely knew each other and now we had to work together.The only person who tied us all was rotting in prison beneath a palace. Although, the two of them seemed more like lovers today than friends. Unlike yesterday, they had kept their distance from each other. Spoke only when the other was done talking. Now, they spoke over one another. Finished each other's sentences. Clung to each other's
Lysander's Point of ViewPrevious NightWe had rushed to the other side of town. Shred through alleyways and discarded footpaths just to get home. Alastair was close on my heels. Made sure to give me enough room to lead him to my house. From his yips, he wanted me to go faster. Drive myself to the brink and then back.Several thousand horrid thoughts crowded inside my mind. Mom being killed. Isaac being tortured. My father's body dumped in the nearby ocean. It was all-consuming until I couldn't feel my lungs anymore. They had started burning a while back but became dull now. The city came at us with a ferocity. Tall buildings flew by. Yet it all seemed too slow. To achingly slow to even be comprehended. For years, they had been all I knew. The loves of my life. Bane of my existence. All rolled into one. Now I had found my mate and somehow our relationship had bled into their lives.The mess we had caused with the royal family now threatened the people I loved the most. Which wrenched
Nerezza's Point of ViewIt was the day of the funeral. Everyone was bustling around above me. Various cars stopped outside. I could hear it all. Feel the energy buzzing around me. Feel the anticipation for the coming ceremonies. For my impending death. At around twelve, they would all move to the cathedral on the grounds. Lay Reginald to rest in the catacombs below. People would cry. Scream in outrage. Blame me for all of it whilst I mourned the man I had loved once upon a time.Where was Farren in all of this? Was she free in the world? Set loose to finally follow her own path? I would never hold it against her for leaving when she had the chance. She needed the freedom as much as I had. But being alone down here left me hollowed out.For years I had been surrounded by people. Adored by the masses. Never a moment alone. Once upon a time, I had craved silence. Solitude. Now I craved the touch of my mates. Even the two who had left me in that fucking room to fall for their crimes. Th
Priamos' Point of ViewWe assembled in the house just before it was time to go. Everyone was hopping from foot to foot. Gave each other nervous glances. This was a suicide mission if we were to get caught. If we were to be discovered. Everything seemed perfectly in place, though. Our plan was easy. Alastair and Amadeus would remain behind at the gate. Loiter around as if just part of the mourning crowd of commoners. Zaven had made his feelings clear about them staying behind. He didn't trust them. I understood completely. We knew next to nothing about the twins and the odds of them coming after us once we were imprisoned were zero to none. Yet that was the plan.Farren and I would enter alongside the rest of the Alphas and royals. She would cry, whether fake tears or real ones it didn't matter, and I would be beside her, the doting brother. Reginald had wanted to speak with her afterward. By that time, we would hopefully be long gone. Once the funeral starts, Farren will break into
Priamos' Point of ViewWe sat behind the prince and his family. Farren to my right. Emptiness to my left. In front of me was Reginald's balding head. There was one spot right at the back that was thinning considerably. Around it was a ring of silver. It was something any woman would be wary of if they had to marry him now. Next to Reginald on his left was Phaedra. Pristine. Poised. She tried her best to force tears out. Dabbed at her eyes from time to time to make it more convincing. Farren barely looked at her. Glared only once, to see if she was going to continue on this charade. Farren was truly crying. Silently, of course. But the tears kept streaming down her cheeks. Her handkerchief was wet from her tears. Riven was in front of her, sitting on his mother's lap and looking at Farren. At least the princess had more decency than to pretend as if this wasn't exactly what she wanted. Her eyes were always focused on the preacher. Never did she dab at her eyes or sniffle into a tissu
Nerezza's Point of ViewWith each passing second, the commotion outside grew louder. More violent. It also grew closer and closer until a single set of footsteps came echoing down the corridor. I braced myself for the inevitable. For my doom to settle in and devour me whole. What faced me instead were two sides to the same coin.Seeing Farren's face was both a relief and a burden. She hadn't gotten free. Instead, she was trying to get me free. So, the relief of seeing her was short-lived. Bittersweet. I hadn't anticipated for her to be here. Ever.Scuttling to my feet, I rushed to the bars. Threw my entire weight against them in an attempt to get closer to her. Feel her for a moment. My sister. The one person I knew would come for me but had hoped she would stay away. The girl I had raised and tended to when no one else wanted to. My light at the end of the tunnel."Nerezza!" The girl exclaimed and rushed to the bars as well. Her fingers fumbled through the bars. Tugged on my torn shi
Nerezza's Point of View We barely escaped with our lives. Guards had swarmed us from all sides. Despite my dislike of the two new additions to our group, they defended me with everything they got. Made sure that Farren was safe at all times as well. Although, Priamos kept his distance from her at all times. Couldn't even bring himself to look at her for too long. The shame in his eyes made a certain part of my soul giggle in pleasure. The white wolf was drenched in red by the time we exited the grounds. No one pursued. Couldn't leave their wards alone to fend for themselves. So, we ran out into the city and didn't look back once. Not as free as I had hoped to be but this was a small step in the right direction. But now I had several accomplices they could hang if they got hold of us. The situation was direr than I had previously thought. Besides my physical wounds, my mind was hurting as well. None of this truly made sense to me. Why had they come back? What would they gain from he