Midnight run.

If there was one thing everyone should avoid - it was an angered Alpha wolf, ready to strike when least expected.

The particular wolf was Luciano Vincent, barging into the mansion uninvited.

His eyes turned red, nostrils flared, locating the scent of a man who might kiss his life goodbye tonight. The Alpha went out of his way to visit the one person he might, as well, view as his biggest enemy in no time.

If Luciano ever takes the title as a King - he would burn the pack down, send innocent pumas out to live in a wolf dominated territory as their supposedly Alpha watched over the destruction before getting executed.

That is, if the man didn't die tonight, which was still quite a big possibility. The Alpha didn't care about ones, left without a father or husband - there wouldn't be a creature stupid enough to miss or cry over someone so shallow as Seth's biological father.

“Get down here before I have to look for yourself. If you value your goddamn life - you better give yourself in, because if the hunt starts, I won't be merciful, motherfucker!” Luciano growled out, the power in his voice shaking the large windows of the mansion.

As the Alpha neared territory earlier, he caught on the sirens starting, warning every other pack member about the possible danger.

If only they had any idea who brought the potential threat over them; perhaps, the people would attempt to overthrow the useless leader.

“Luciano, my boy, this is no way to greet your father-in-law, is it? You could give me a call and let me know that you'd come to visit us. I would prepare the guest room and make my wife cook us dinner - the steaks she cooks are heavenly,” the puma leader walked downstairs, his arms wide open, implying that he could get close enough to attempt to hug the angered Alpha.

The sly smirk on his face let Luciano know that the man was aware of the reason why the Alpha would arrive.

The news traveled at insane speed; it was only a matter of time until Luciano would hear from Seth. The man intentionally threatened his daughter's best friend and made his mother speak up about the engagement.

No other person, but himself, announced that the Alpha had paid a lot of money to him to get his daughter. It wasn't just another way to ruin the possible happiness of his firstborn - it was a way to scar Luciano's reputation.

If the Alpha lost respect from others, his business would go down, and soon, with the same money Luciano had given him - the puma leader would buy his company.

Under a different name, of course, regaining the success of the empire within weeks. The puma leader was sure that his plan didn't have any flaws - he didn't need to invest even a dollar of his own money to ensure that the man wouldn't do any work till the end of his days.

Luciano noticed a little girl standing on top of the staircase. As much as the Alpha wanted to rip the man into shreds, he would never do such a thing in front of a child. He was sure - the leader intentionally planned the child's appearance; it was a straightforward attempt to ensure his safety.

Alpha wolves were known for being protective of children, and it didn't matter which species they were.

“You fool! Stop pretending; you should know that playing mind games with a wolf is the wrong decision. As fast as you spread the rumor of our little deal - I leaked the paperwork. You thought that there aren't my people everywhere, didn't you? They've been watching you, leech - they reported each of your moves, each conversation and thought you had. It's sad to know that someone as stupid as you could lead a whole pack. Sometimes there's an enemy you can't see or feel - have you thought of that?” Luciano snapped his fingers; two shadows appeared next to the Alpha's massive frame, slowly merging into faceless figures.

“For the love of God, the fuck is that?” The puma pointed his index finger at the figures, his eyes widening in shock.

He didn't feel or notice anything unusual, even something out of the ordinary, happening around the house. The man never saw that there could be a presence there beside his family members, some pack members, or servants.

“Oh, you mean my faceless friends over here?” Luciano chuckled, glancing at the child and winking at her. The little girl hid her giggling behind a palm - at least the Alpha knew that he nor the creatures had scared her. “These two are what we call shadow walkers. A rare sight to see, consider yourself lucky ever to face such a unique creation of Gods.” The pride in Alpha's voice filled the room - Luciano had a reason to feel full of himself, especially since he had two of the remaining five shadow walkers by his side.

There was no way to buy their help or ever meet them in person; however, these two have followed the Alpha since he was a teenager.

“Can you explain so I could understand? What even is a shadow walker? I've never heard of such creatures,” the puma leader brought his hand to his chin, scratching it as he thought.

“There is a reason, no, even multiple reasons, why you're unaware of their existence. First - there are only five of them left, an infrequent phenomenon. Second - you're obviously too shallow and stupid to open a book to do some research. Third - there's no way they would reveal themselves if not told to. You see, no person before had ever had control over them, but I'm not controlling them either. I like to call them my friends - an unexpected turn of events, some simple things, done by my wolf, and since then, we have been inseparable. You can't really see a ghost, can you? They are not alive - those two are substances of thoughts and shadows, able to control themselves as someone alive while technically being nothing but walking corpses. They are not alive, no identity, no real bodies, or whatever could describe a living person. You can't feel or hear someone near if they don't breathe. Look at us, bonding, I'm even wasting time on educating you.” The Alpha made fun out of the confused puma.

The little girl, however, disappeared from their view - hopefully, bored by their conversation.

Luciano didn't want the child to be near if anything went down the wrong way. No child should have to watch over a fight or possible murder.

“So you decided to visit me just to give me some schooling? How thoughtful of you,” the puma leader sat on the step, yawning in boredom.

The puma leader knew that Seth was aware of the deal they made - knowing his daughter, she would leave for a while. Seth had difficulties in dealing with stressful situations.

While his ex-wife was alive - the girl was full of energy, always ready to jump into new adventures, learn new things, fight for herself, and face any difficulties that came her way.

However, after her mother passed away - she changed.

The girl wasn't the ray of sunshine anymore, she stopped eating, and servants had to force food down her throat. The girl feared louder noises and would crawl away, even hide, if anyone raised their voice at her.

Whenever there was an argument or problems to get along with someone - Seth left.

Hence the reason why she never got married or started a serious relationship. It wasn't only the commitment issues - it was her fear of losing someone she loved or inability to cope with disagreements.

Luciano wouldn't kill him, at least not yet.

For as long as Seth keeps the distance with him, the Alpha wouldn't know even half of the truth. So, as far, the puma leader could easily use his eldest daughter as a shield.

The Alpha wouldn't dare to kill the father of the woman he loved, right? Especially if the puma leader managed to convince Luciano that he and Seth had a quite complicated relationship, yet she still loved her father.

“Oh, not only that.” Luciano grinned, taking one step closer.

The shadows by his side mimicked his movement, making it look as if the three of them were a whole. “My initial idea was to come over here, drain you of blood, and get back in time for the competition. Quick midnight run to calm down my nerves, if you may. Besides, aren't you happy to see me? To me, it looks like you're more than excited to have me over here, especially since now - we're business partners, and you haven't been at the height of your responsibilities. Thirty million, and I still don't see my prize. Weird, isn't it? Should I drain your bank account before I drain your blood? I see it as fair trade, I'm a man of business, and I won't tolerate bullshit - you got the money, I want the girl.”

Most of the things he said weren't even close to whatever Luciano really thought. He had never seen the deal as buying Seth's freedom to control her afterward. Luciano did hope that he bought her freedom partially - helping her to get rid of her father.

But that wasn't something the puma leader had to know; if anything, he had to think that something horrible would happen in a matter of days if Luciano didn't get Seth.

“I assure you that I'll talk to my daughter, explain the situation, and you'll get your goddamn product within a few days. Nobody here wants to see her around anyway; you can get that useless scum,” the puma snarled, angered by the pressure made by Luciano.

The man knew that there was almost no chance to get Seth to come back home, not even talking about sending her off to Luciano. It would be so much easier if she ever listened to his words or commands, but even that was impossible.

The man never cared about her, so Seth grew to resent her father.

Besides, she had no respect for the man she would be supposed to call her father, and he couldn't even make her do anything.

Seth was a true Alpha, carrying a real leader's blood, while he was a cheap substitute.

He had no Alpha voice to use against anyone who decided to disagree or go against his commands, let alone attempt to control an actual Alpha puma.

“I'd advise you to shut the fuck up, especially when you're addressing the woman who is about to become my Luna, if not the Queen. We, wolves, don't play when it comes to our chosen or beloved ones - that woman is about to become the center of my universe, and many will fall even for mentioning her. Do you value your life?” Luciano struggled to keep Demon down - the wolf side of him was ready to chew the man up.

If the beast was to claw his way out, the puma leader had no chance of escape or survival.

Demon, unlike Luciano, wouldn't care about having a public. He would enjoy every cry of pain, leaving the male's lips as he leaves deep, yet not fatal enough injuries all over his extremities.

The puma leader's death would be slow and torturously painful - one a person wouldn't wish upon their worst enemies. Death by rogues was more merciful than all those ideas forced into Luciano's thoughts.

The Alpha felt a wave of cold shivers travel down his spine, even the view of all those scenarios his wolf thought of would make a sane person vomit all over the place.

“Of course I do; that's a silly question. Who would be stupid enough to take life for granted?” Seth's father smirked, still thinking that their conversation was nothing but a big joke.

Luciano might lose quite a lot if anyone found out that he had snuck out to kill someone.

However, the leader didn't know that the Alpha was aware of the possible consequences, and he didn't care even the slightest.

“You are, obviously, because you're taking way too many risks. I'm trying to hold myself together for your children - they don't deserve to see the slaughter I originally planned. But they will if you won't shut your goddamn mouth. Honestly, you can keep on going, for as much as I care - I'll claw your epiglottis out and watch you attempt talking ever again.”

Luciano closed his eyes and took a deep breath, catching on the intense fear radiating off of the puma.

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, servants, and pack members, the leader would like to meet every puma, over sixteen years old, in the living room. You all have five minutes to gather; the children must stay away.” Luciano spoke out loud, surprising Seth's father.

The puma could feel anger boiling in him - how dare a wolf come to his home, uninvited, acting as if he owned the place.

The disrespect and bravado were something he could ignore, but the way Luciano behaved stepped over every other line. The man jumped on his feet, ready to swing his fist at the Alpha when he noticed the inviting smile on Luciano's face.

This was a set up; all he needed was one punch, and even killing the puma would be called self-defense later on. It wouldn't be the first time when a wolf tricked someone into killing them.

The power and strength any other wolf possessed were unimaginable - a puma stood no chance against a grown wolf, let alone Alpha blood. Luciano could announce that he didn't think of his obvious superiority as the man attacked him.

The Council and shifters around them would call the murder an accident. The man quickly let his fist fall next to his side and stomped towards the living room. If Luciano really had something to say, he might as well listen.

Masses of grown and teenage pumas flooded the living room. Luciano, along with his barely visible shadows, stood in front of them. The Alpha smiled at everyone and cleared his throat.

“I'm sure you're all curious why we gathered here, especially at this hour. Let's try to ignore the fact that I'm a wolf, shall we?” Luciano chuckled, trying to make everyone around him feel at ease. “Anyway, I've gathered all of you here to make an announcement,” he crossed his arms in front of his chest, eyes scanning the tired faces.

“What announcement?” A woman spoke up. She wasn't older than forty, a simple yet beautiful puma. She kept avoiding the gaze of their leader, which meant only one thing - she was his current wife.

Perhaps the considerable bruise under her eye was another proof that the puma leader was unfit for his role.

“Oh, right, I should have started with that detail, I suppose. Ladies and gentlemen, we're gathered here to witness the death of your Alpha.”