Mark answers his radio; our ears are parking up, ready to hear every instruction from the dangerous hostage-takers. Landon will faint any moment from now. His face is full of mixed emotions; his eyes are open."You okay?""This is scary. Are you sure, Sir? This is part of my job?"I almost burst out a fatty laugh; my executive assistant and lawyer is a pussy scared man. He should be afraid; this is a threatening life situation after all."Relax, Landon; I think the FBI got this over their control.""I hope so, Sir; I still want to date my girlfriend.""You will, after this." Landon wipes the grains of sweat on his forehead. Oh, poor man."You will release three hostages in exchange for a private jet plane and two twenty million dollars?" Mark his lips pressing together, and his other hand forms a fist."In less than two hours? Are you out of your mind?" He adds it seems that the criminals are cornering the FBI captain and team leader."Do I sound like a joke to you, Captain?" One of t
I lower my head until my mouth reaches my collar."Yes, I can hear you; I think the three hostages are up for release, and also, the bulky guy punches me in the face for arguing that they should release the elderly and the pregnant woman here.""God Axel I sent you there just a couple of minutes ago, and you got hurt immediately? You are making me nervous, stop arguing with the bastards, stay put and be my eyes inside."Mark is like a scolding, strict brother I never had and don't wish to have."Alright, I understand, but I can't help it; these people need to go home first."Mark sighed, "Axel, I get you might be upset, but the best thing you can do is, be my spy inside, you hear me? Tell me if they're planning something fishy.""I will."The bulky guy emerges to the back door, suspected glancing at me."What are you whispering there?"I cough, acting like I have a cold or something."Nothing, I was clearing my throat."He pauses in his tracks and intently glues his eyes on me, and wh
"Hey, are you there? I have a huge favor to ask, Mark? Captain?"Silence is all I hear, but after a minute, Mark speaks."What favor? Are you in a safe place talking to me?""Yes, I think the bad guys are asleep; send my executive assistant to the general hospital in town, find Joselito Madrid, and tell my assistant to pay for his bills and hospital and his surgery.""Is this another act of a hero Mr. Crawford?" I can sense the hint of irony in Mark's baritone voice."Damn it, Mark, a hostage father is dying, do as I say!"A strong hand pulls me from behind my shoulder, tossing me down kissing the floor."Take out the wire! I knew you were working with the authorities!" One of the hostage-takers kicks me in my abdomen; I groan in pain."Take him at the back." The chinky eyes criminal orders his partner, I'm dragging like a dead dog.I'm busted; I lost my contact with Mark."We're done negotiating, rich boy, one wrong move, and one of you will die after another. Keep that in mind!"I r
He is not supernatural like me; he can die with a bullet straight to his human flesh. I won't deny that Axel is brave and kind, but putting your life at risk is pure recklessness.Landon is back; the smell of coffee in his hand calms me a little, "Thank you.""You're welcome, Mrs. Crawford.."I sip my coffee when a doctor in scrubs appears, removing his surgical mask."Doctor, how's my husband?""The bullet gladly didn't hit his spine, but we have to repair some muscle tissue near his back; he will be transferred in his private room in a while; if you have questions later, you can tell the nurse, and I'll be around."I bounce my head, acknowledging and absorbing all the information regarding Axel's health standing."Thank you for everything, Doctor.""You're welcome; the receptionist will call you once Mr. Crawford is settled in his private room, and you can see him."The doctor departs out of our sight."Such a relief Sir Axel is fine."Landon displays his relieved face, his eyes lig
"I'm not in love with Robin, mom," at least not yet."Keep denying it, Son, and you will lose the chance at love; you might not be deeply in love with your wife yet, but you're almost falling, and when you fall, you fall hard, Axel had, just like me. So if you don't have any plan to be serious in your marriage, better stay away from Roe, or you'll end up breaking and hurting the gem that she is.""You know that I married her because of need?"My eyes widen as my mom bounces her head, "You can't hide anything from me, and understand why you wanted me to seek medical help and provide for your sick mother, my poor child; I'm sorry that you have to carry the weight."My eyes are producing liquids, "Mom, it's not your fault; it's Dad if he hadn't cheated on you--""Sh, that's all in the past; stop hating your dad; he's dead, son, don't sow hatred and reap. I don't have much time, and I'm glad Roe is finally here taking care of you, possibly loving you, don't let the bitterness change you,
Rolf pulls over and parks in front of this famous Italian restaurant. He even opens the backseat car door for me. He never changes. He's still that gentleman I knew."This place looks ordinary."Rahum clears his throat at Axel's indirectly mocking remarks about his choice of restaurant."A wise man once said that you don't judge a book by its cover."It's my turn to clear my throat; Rolf could be savagely dismissing but in a classy way. I'm trying not to pick sides."And who's that wise man?""Me."Axel's eyes jump out of his sockets; Rolf has very dark humor, Axel needs to behave."Good evening, Ma'am and Gentlemen, table for three?""Yes, please.""This way." The waiter guides us to our table.Rolf yanks the chair beside me; who says chivalry is dead? I miss Rolf's lovely treatment."This is our Menu; please call me if you're ready to order."Axel is giving Rolf a sharp glance, and I hope the dust doesn't settle tonight, or they will end up hurting each other."No need to come back;
RobinAxel is insisting to join us, and I can't say no. he is my husband after all. I have to consider what he feels, and what he wants.They say when you are married you are two individuals in one flesh, you affect one another's life deliberately."Wait here; I'll get David inside."Rolf looks terrible, and I have no way to explain to him what's happening."He has to go with us.""You can't be serious."Rolf is ready for war."Let's take him; I have no time and energy to argue with both of you. We can still train."Rolf takes another breath, as I'm so lost with words."I hope you won't regret bringing the man."He pulls his luggage out of the house.Rolf mastered the art of being calm and conscious at the same time. He won't pick on Axel or me just because I agree to let him tag along."Ready?"Rolf utters as he opens the passenger seat for me."No, she's riding in the back; I'll be your bud, David."This isn't happening; what is this? Deja vu?After almost twenty-four hours, we reach
"I'll go ahead.""Sure." He casually turns his back and enters the cabin.I move smoothly and quietly; it's almost dark, the night is young, and I'll move fast to search for Roe.I follow the scent from the Tavern down into the high mountain.The trail is steep; it took me an hour to reach the tip of the mountain. The snow makes it hard for me to walk; I can't shapeshift until the sun is down. It is much safer than the way. No human to spot a wolf in their territory.A can smell fresh charcoal smoke beneath the high trees and rich bushes. It's a hidden house; a steel fence is protecting the vicinity of the place.The scent of the evil werewolf marked by the evil God is so strong I'm pretty sure it is in here.All of the windows are sealed except in the end zone."You resemble your mother so much, Ria; she shouldn't be dead if she agrees to mate with me."My spirit almost left my body together with my soul when I heard that familiar voice and face.Rognam, the powerful ancient werewolf