DAKOTA The tension in the room is stifling. Landon, who is sitting beside me, has a blank look on his face, as do the rest of the members of The Six. We are currently at Landon's home. I'd just briefed them on the details of the mission that had been entrusted to me. Everything I'd just said was mostly a lie. "Is he influencing you already?" Landon asks, startling me. Keeping my expression schooled, I give him a response."He's my murderer. I wouldn't let that happen."Landon hands me a laptop and a flash drive. "Watch it when you're alone. It's definite proof of his involvement in your murder. I'm just worried that you're starting to lose focus," he tells me. "The meeting has been adjourned to tomorrow evening. Our leader couldn't make it to today's meeting and has insisted that we meet up tomorrow," the oldest member announces. One after the other, they begin to leave until it's just Landon and I left. "Won't you watch the video?" He asks, his brows creased."You said-
DASHIELL "Are they here for the seals?" Dakota asks, her brows furrowed. I am certain that they have come to find the seals. Even so, I would never let them get their hands on it. "It doesn't matter. They're never going to find it," I breathe, sitting up in bed. Dakota rises to her feet, running her fingers through her red hair. She pauses to look at me, a perturbed look in her eyes."What are you going to do? They're here already. If they have an official warrant, nothing will stop them from ransacking this place."The ringing of the doorbell continues with more intensity than before. "We know you can sense us, Mr. Gryphon. Open the door, or we will break in!" Madam Noir's shrill voice rings through the air. Annoyed, I storm towards the door. Dakota follows behind me, oozing with anxiety. "Are you just going to let her in?" She asks."You heard them. They will break in if I don't let them in," I respond. "But--"I halt, turning to look at her. She bumps into me, her forehead col
DAKOTA Several hours before, My thoughts are jumbled as I descend the stairs in a bid to leave Dashiell's home. I'd planned to tell him about the phone call with my mum but I'd ended up falling asleep. Even so, I don't know who I'm supposed to be loyal to. A part of me believes in Dashiell. The other part of me believes in The Six. They had saved me after all. "Are you off to a morning class?" West's voice pulls me out of my thoughts when I get to the sitting room. He's standing in between the sitting room and the dining room, a spatula in his hand. His hair has been dyed a dark green, and it's been pulled away from his face in a high bun. His eyes match the colour of his hair today. He's always been the stylish type. It's the first time I'm really looking at him. Just like Dashiell, he looks like a supermodel. I can see why he'd dated Dashiell at one point. "Your eyes might fall off if you keep staring at me like that," he comments, and I roll my eyes. "W
DAKOTA "I believe we've met before. I didn't quite catch your name," Vera begins, flashing a smile at me."Let's go. Ignore her," West tells me, taking hold of my hand. "Now that's just rude, West. I was just trying to be friendly."The smile on her face is sickeningly sweet. I know exactly who she is behind that smile. I am not just disgusted. I truly despise her. "Excuse me, ma'am. I'm in a bit of a hurry," I say, and she narrows her eyes at me. "Did you just say 'ma'am'? I'm not some old woman. Why would you ---""Come on, West. Let's go," I tell my companion. Glancing at Vera, I beam at her despite how irritated I am. "See you soon, ma'am. Take care of yourself," I say, walking away with West. "Is it just me? I can sense that you have some sort of animosity directed at her" He tells me when we've moved a good distance from her. "I knew her as Melanie Knoxx. She was my best friend, the one who betrayed me by having an affair with my boyfriend," I respond. West scoffs.
DASHIELL "Lost in your head, I see."I look up at the sound of West's voice as he opens the door to my office with a smile on his face. "It's been a while since I saw you this bothered," he continues as he strolls towards the chair in front of my desk. "Whose fault is it?" I retort, and he scoffs, sinking into the empty chair. "I was curious. I couldn't help it. I was worried about you," he states, his gaze meeting mine. "She won't tell me anything. She probably doesn't trust me," I sigh, tapping my fingers on my desk. "Give it a little more time. You don't have to get so worked up. It isn't something terrible. However, it's important that she tells you everything. If she doesn't, your enemies might use it against the both of you," West tells me. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. My mind is way too clouded. "How are you feeling? Have your chest pains eased up?" West suddenly asks. I open my eyes to look at him, rubbing the spot on my chest, which usually aches vici
DAKOTA Tears blur my vision as panic claws at my senses. Dashiell's pain is evident all over his face. Coupled with the fact that he seems to be unable to heal himself while he coughs up blood, the situation is a crippling one. My breathing quickens, my heavy heart feeling like it's going to explode right out of my chest.While I struggle to pinpoint the source of this escalating problem, I feel him hold my hand. I stare down at his trembling, bloodied fingers, which hold on to me. It isn't a cry for help. It is an assurance. Despite his pain, he is more concerned about me. "Don't panic," I hear him croak. Wide-eyed, I look up to meet his gaze. Despite the pain in his eyes and the blood staining his mouth and jaw, there is warmth in his dual coloured eyes. One that assures me that everything is going to be alright. Despite myself, I believe him. Right in this moment, it's all I can do. He coughs again, wincing in pain. He's panting hard, his chest heaving. Yet, he's trying so h
DAKOTA "It's all because of the seal. Everything started with the creation of the seals..." I wince, my stomach tightening into knots. Although I need to hear about the origin of the seals, it is a very sensitive topic, especially since it is a huge part of Dashiell's life. "I was separated from my mate because I'm an Impure. Alyssa wasn't like me. She was the prophetess of the werewolves. On the way to the prison cells at the headquarters of The Guild, I was ambushed and subsequently kidnapped," Dashiell begins.His brows are furrowed, his fist clenched. A lump forms in my throat as I reach out to place my hand over his. He gives me a small smile, as if to tell me that he's alright. "It was the longest twelve hours of my life. They drugged me heavily, enough to suppress my magic and render me useless. They were all masked. Therefore, I never got to see their faces. I heard them talk about how they would use my ten fingers to create the seals. Then, they would sell my toes t
DASHIELL Dakota's eyes darken with hate as she slowly pulls away from me, her gaze resting on the spot on my shirt, which is now stained with my blood. "I'm going home," she mutters, and turns away from me. I grab at her wrist to stop her from leaving, and when her gaze meets mine once more, she narrows her eyes at me."Let go," she hisses, directing a death glare at me. "We still need to talk about The Six. I don't think you should trust them. If they want the seal as well, it can't be for a good reason. There's a chance that they're only using you," I tell her. Yanking her hand out of my grip, she lets out an exhale."You're the last person I want to talk to right now."I watch her as she storms towards the door and walks right out of it. Sinking into my chair, I bury my face in my hands. I am convinced now. I do not deserve to be happy. I do not deserve a mate. A monster like me deserves to die a lonely death. I've been unable to forgive myself for bringing so much mise