Now, braveheart, try and stop me.

Another week of nothing drove Luciano crazy. He couldn't take the waiting; Demon gave him a hard time, suggesting that they didn't need the Royal title as much. The wolf finally calmed down after Luciano explained why he wouldn't leave the territory yet.

*“Listen, I won't repeat myself about the plan anymore, okay? The title is shit; you and I both know that. However, now we are just an Alpha with a little more money than others. We might have many people under us, ready to die, if we wished them to do that. It doesn't matter, though - as far, the Council can keep way too many things from us. But, if we take the title - they will have to sit down and confess. You see, if a King announces that he has chosen his Queen, but she is missing - every other shifter out there will do anything to find her and bring her to the castle. We need the damn title to gain more power over their choices and get rid of the attempts of hiding her away from us. Just think, for once, use those two brain cells you have, I don't know - perhaps rub them together or something like that.”*

After he explained everything, all small details including, the wolf finally calmed down.

Demon would try to speak up only once or twice a day, doing his best to avoid bothering Luciano. The human side of them already went out of his way to find Seth, but it didn't mean that there weren't many obstacles in his way.

Most of them were created by the Council - they forbid Alpha from contacting his company or dealing with any business until the competition was over.

Of course, that bunch of old farts knew that someone who led a tech company could find nearly anyone if they wanted to. Therefore, the Council set so many boundaries for him.

Some things got worse after another Alpha spoke up about Seth. The news flew around the territory fast - the staff and everyone who was a part of the competition spoke about the girl who was hidden away from Alpha Vincent.

Many people still tried to find out why they were hiding her and why the Council would involve themselves in such a small matter.

At this point, Luciano wondered if something more might happen - big enough to surprise him.

Funny how the thought barely crossed the Alpha's mind when someone knocked on his door. These days, most people avoided him or kept their distance; it was unusual for anyone to visit Luciano’s house.

Luciano stood up from the sofa and stretched his sore muscles.

He didn't want to leave the living room because it was the place that held Seth's scent the most, so he even slept on the sofa. Perhaps the sofa was one of the most uncomfortable surfaces to sleep on around the whole house, but he didn't care. Not anymore.

He didn't rush; he approached the main door lazily, ignoring the uneasy feeling.

Whenever someone dared to approach Luciano, he feared himself. He was so desperate to find Seth; she was everything he could think of. Therefore - it was complicated to stay calm.

Sometimes, he didn't notice how Demon took over and went crazy at everyone, ready to rip any other man in shreds to get what was his; as much as Luciano wished that the one who assaulted the Alpha was Demon - that wouldn't be true. It was his doing and his only.

He opened the door and let his eyes focus on a woman's face. She didn't look too scared, more of a bit flirty, yet aware of her surroundings if she would need to run. The woman was dressed in the maid's uniform, holding an envelope in her hands.

“Alpha Vincent, this is a letter for you. The Council member has opened it to ensure that it wasn't a secret code connected to your business. Please don't forget to tell them that I delivered the letter. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know - the higher men mentioned that I could stay if you'd need help around the house, sir.” The woman never met his eyes, her cheeks blushed as she spoke, and soon enough, he caught on the scent of her arousal.

Luciano chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Girl, you don't play with dangerous men such as me. You don't go to their homes, which would be considered their territory, and don't offer yourself as a cheap product. Listen, this house is my territory, for the time being, so I might tell those old farts that I needed your help but kill you instead. Do you have a death wish? If yes, I don't see any problem with arranging a couple of things.”

Luciano leaned against the door frame and grinned. He didn't intend to kill her, but the easiest way to get rid of unwanted attention was to scare them away.

Every other staff member knew what he was capable of even before Seth went missing. The recent events just proved that people shouldn't play with someone like Luciano.

The woman seemed to fall in some sort of a shocked state, so Luciano leaned closer to her and whispered: “Don't worry; I'll make it look like an accident. I couldn't tell everyone that I killed a maid, could I? Besides, you're here, begging me for it so that we will do each other a favor. I feel like getting rid of a few useless individuals. Your family, if you have one, will think that their precious daughter died because shit like that happens. However, if you're here to whore yourself out, I'd suggest you leave. Everyone around this goddamn territory is aware of the situation - I am looking for my woman, not any other woman!”

The last words build up another wave of rage inside him. Under any other circumstances, the Alpha might take an offer, but there was only one woman he wanted to see moaning and begging under his body.

This maid could never compare to the Goddess Luciano was determined to make his Queen.

“But Seth isn't that special! What does that woman have that I wouldn't be able to give? I knew it was her at the nightclub, but all this time she hid that from me! So much for a friend; this is unfair; she took the one man I wanted!” The maid muttered under her breath.

She had no idea how much of a risk she was taking, especially while standing in front of the Alpha.

“Get the fuck away,” Luciano growled, grabbing hold of the door and breaking the wood.

It took every bit of control to keep Demon down - the wolf was raging, about to kill anyone who spoke poorly of his chosen woman.

Even if Seth tried to hide away for the rest of her days, the wolf wouldn't stop.

He would never stop chasing after the woman he loved. Demon was sure that Seth might be his soulmate; even though those didn't exist anymore, the wolf felt as if it had to be true. There was no other way to explain his sick obsession with her, the need to stay close and protect her at all costs.

The maid had more things to say, but if she ever did - her body might be found somewhere around her parent's house within a few days. Any other woman would be angry about missing their chance, but his behavior made her want him even more.

She would stay away for now, but she knew that Luciano could get the title - marrying a King would be a dream come true. She became too delusional, forgetting that the man had someone else on his mind for the position.

The young maid would do anything to win his heart, even if that meant that she would have to kill Seth beforehand. She bowed, quietly apologized, and hurried away from the outraged Alpha. Just a few days and she would visit him again, but then he would calm down and hold a conversation. Perhaps he could forget Seth until then, and she had a chance to build a relationship with Luciano. If the redhead, who was nothing more than a servant herself, could catch the Alpha's attention - so could she.

Luciano made sure that the annoying woman left and slammed the door shut, taking a deep breath. He had to calm himself down before he made any mistake he might regret in the future.

Luciano was about to lay back on the couch - the remains of her scent might calm him down, but the envelope in his hand caught his eyes.

Slowly, he opened it to see another small envelope inside - sealed with a wax seal which didn't remind him of the one he had seen used by the Council. This one was quite detailed, a logo of something, perhaps a pack or pride.

He went back to his previous seat and threw his body back on the couch, carefully opening the letter.
Thankfully, the Council member understood that some things had to be private, and he didn't open the attached letter. It was perfect because now he knew that the maid didn't get to read a letter addressed to Luciano.

He opened the letter, and his eyes widened. There wasn't much, just a couple of words. “Open the door.”

Whoever was trying to play tricks on him might have to pay a great price for the entertainment.

Luciano let out a feral growl and stomped towards the door, but instead of opening it - angered, he kicked it out of the frame.

An older man stood a couple of feet away from him, watching the Alpha as if he was crazy.

“Well, that's quite a temper, just like my daughter. No wonder you two get along so easily,” the man scratched the back of his neck. He didn't give off anything that he might think or feel, so Luciano was unsure if the man was scared or confused.

“Who the fuck are you?” Luciano growled, running out of the last bits of patience.

Having guests over wasn't a part of his plan - within an hour, another guard would arrive, and Luciano had to be there.

The man was missing since the day when Seth left, for some reason - the Alpha felt like the guard knew something. Of course, even the conversation with his pregnant wife didn't change Luciano's decision; he had to keep trying.

“I, my boy, might be your next father-in-law, depending on the outcome of this meeting. Care to invite me inside? I'm a bit tired from the long journey.” The smile on his face was disgusting, nowhere close to real emotions.

The man might be her father, the same as he might be someone who pretends to be for their own good.

Luciano stood aside, motioning towards the living room, already coming up with a plan. He would ask questions no one else, besides her father, might know.

“Make this quick; I have enough things to do and meetings to attend. Father or not - I won't tolerate anyone wasting my time.” Luciano followed the man into the living room, pointing out that he wasn't a man of great patience.

If the Alpha didn't warn people who tried to connect with him - all of them thought of Luciano as an asshole.

“Oh, I am aware of this fact. Alpha Luciano Vincent, a man of business. They say that meeting you is nearly impossible, so I consider myself quite lucky to be the father of a woman you've been chasing after. Unexpected, but I'm genuinely happy for Seth; she's a good girl.” Luciano instantly caught on to the male's lies - he forced himself to speak good of his daughter, even showed off how wrong it felt for him.

“Cut the crap. You have two minutes - I'm listening.”

“You're a smart boy; I like that. I came to offer a deal if we would put it in business terms. My daughter is said to marry a lion pride leader; however, if you can offer something better than he does, she's all yours.” The man grinned, sliding hands into pockets of his jeans.

By now, he managed to show off his fear and agitation, proving to Luciano that he was there for himself, not his daughter.

“Tempting. So what is it that he is offering?” Luciano sat down, eyeing the strange man.
He did possess some traits similar to Seth, but the man was actual proof that Seth was more similar to her mother. Thankfully.

“Ten million dollars and a half of his land.” A smug smile spread on his lips.
For the first time, Luciano faced someone who thought they'd get anything they're asking for without working for the goods.

“You're an idiot. You thought I'd ever believe in your words? For fuck's sake, you're not capable of speaking good about your daughter - you came here to auction her off like a cheap rug. Can't do, Mister.” Luciano crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“Well, I appreciate your opinion. No deal then, she remains engaged.” The answer angered him. How could a father think that he had rights over one's future, moreover - future of his grown child.

“You didn't get me, did you? You see, the pride territory is on my damn land - if Eron wanted to give even a bit away, he would have to buy it from me. However, he's broke, and announced bankruptcy.

They have little to no money as a pride - barely making ends meet and feeling the cubs. More than half of their income is the money I donate. Now, you think that he has ten million just casually laying around? Old fool, you're dumber than I thought.” Luciano couldn't stop himself from showing off the disrespect he felt for the man. No wonder Seth never mentioned her family - this was one downright greedy man with no morals.

“No need to get angry, my boy. I already pointed out that there wouldn't be a deal made between us.”

“Oh, I know - even if the offers were manageable, there still wouldn't be a deal.” He stood up and approached the man.

Luciano loved to see the sudden fear in the man's eyes as he leaned closer, coming face to face with the greedy puma leader: “You see, what I'm about to do is look for your daughter, take her back home and mark her as mine. I won't throw even a speck of dirt towards your greedy mouth. To do a favor for those poor pumas in your territory - I might take them in. Seth is the only Alpha who has to lead; she is a born leader while you're the one carrying the Omega gene. Yeah, don't think that I didn't catch on to the weakling scent or your fear. I will take everything you have - one thing by one. Pack, home, family, people, and I will start with your daughter. Now, braveheart, try and stop me.”