Chapter 81

**DUNCAN'S POV**

I grasped Adrian's arms, my reflexes saving me from the fall. My eyes locked onto his, and for an instant, I saw something that made my blood run cold.

"What the hell, Adrian?" I growled, my voice low and menacing. "What exactly was that?"

His expression shifted, his smile twisting into a snark. "You seem like a hard man to kill, Duncan," he spat. "But you won't survive this time."

I shook my head, unable to hide my amusement. 

It's his audacity for me.

"Do you perhaps know who you're dealing with, or do I need to remind you?" I asked, clenching my jaws.

His eyes flashed with defiance as a smirk found its way to his lips, but amid the facade I detected a hint of uncertainty.

For a black wolf, I must say, Adrian is really dumb.

"Of course I know who I'm dealing with" he sneered, the defiance transforming into bitterness. "The Supreme Alpha of the Black wolves...but that certainly won't save you."

I raised an eyebrow, so much bravery for a mere Alpha under my authority.

"You're either extremely brave or incredibly stupid, Adrian." I scoffed, my voice dripping with menace. "Which one is it? At least I'm letting you choose based on your preference."

Adrian's smirk faltered for a moment, and I saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes.

"I'm brave, of course," he spat, trying to fix his seemingly broken facade.

It's funny how subjects turn around, intending to stab their superiors. It never works out, they end up getting into greater trouble than they've budgeted for. The hook Adrian has gotten himself on, he may not get out of it alive, unless maybe the Moon Goddess intervenes, but is she even capable of mercy?.

"Brave men don't betray their Alphas" I said, my eyes narrowing. "Especially with the awareness that they're outmatched."

Adrian's gaze dropped, and for an instant, I thought I saw submission, until he snarled. "You're not invincible, Duncan." 

"It's Alpha Duncan for you." I growled, letting my Alpha aura out. I've been too lenient with Adrian on the grounds of business, and that alone gave him whatever guts he thinks he's got.

He glared at me, trying to conceal the effect my aura had on him, but he couldn't hold on for too long as, involuntarily, he fell to his knees, slightly trembling.

"Now you see the difference between the both of us, right?" I smirked, staring intently at him. "Without raising a finger, I got you to bow."

Adrian's eyes flashed with anger and humiliation, but he couldn't hide the fear that was standing out, clearer than all the other emotions.

"You may have powers, Alpha, but that doesn't change anything." He spat.

"Keep mute" I snapped, "don't utter words more unless I say so, and remain on your knees."

He obliged, although unwillingly.

Finally, I have sufficient time to think about how to punish him.

"A... Arielle" he whispered, clenching his fists with total hatred flashing through his eyes.

My gaze darted at him in shock. "Do you know her? At"

He chuckled bitterly. "More than you do...the signs were glaring enough" he replied, staring at everywhere else but me. "Why do you think she walked out on me at the party?."

"You're delusional, Adrian." I laughed, my voice echoing through the rooftop.

"I see... she didn't tell you about me." He replied, and I suddenly felt a weird sensation.

Deep down, I wanted to punish him for standing against me, for attempting to push me down the rooftop, and speaking rudely to me, but a part of me was reluctant.

In all my years of living and re-living, I've learned something really important, and that is; to always listen to your instincts no matter the circumstances, and apply logic.

I snapped my fingers, expecting my guards, but no one showed up. 

'You sent them away, dummy' my wolf scoffed, and I ruffled my hair.

"What a day!" I groaned "the punishment for your action is...death," I declared, my voice firm.

Adrian's eyes widened, but he seemed more defiant than fearful. "If I go down, I won't go alone. Arielle goes with me."

I raised a brow, concealing my confusion although expecting he'd say more. He's been mentioning Arielle since we got here. What's the reason?

"She brought the beast out of me…, she's never getting away with it." He yelled, his voice venomous as his eyes grew misty.

"There's more, isn't there?" I asked, intrigued. "Who's Arielle to you?"

"An old friend and confidant, a jealous bitch and a snake, a beast in wolf's clothing" he growled, tears already dropping from his eyes. "I'll make her pay, I swear. Even if I die in the process."

I didn't like the way he was talking about Arielle, I honestly disliked it. I wanted to growl at him, and probably scratch him with my claws, but my wolf wouldn't let me. It seemed totally in support of his actions.

I'd definitely deal with it later, but for now, Arielle's reputation is more important.

 "You must really hate my woman to want to do all of these things to her" I chuckled, in an attempt to lighten the air. "Anyway, Arielle is different to different people, and for you to hate her this much, you must have been a douche bag."

Adrian's face contorted in rage. "The only reason why you still think this is a joke, is because you have no idea what she's capable of," I snarled. 

"Tell me more." I mumbled, wondering if he was referring to the same Arielle, or a totally different one.

"She destroyed me, Alpha" he yelled, his voice cracking in the process, as tears streamed down his face. "She took everything away from me, turned me into a beast and ran off."

My expression remained calm as I listened, but my mind raced. 

What had Arielle really done to Adrian, to make him shed such tears, and go as far as attempting to murder him without considering the consequences?.

"I'll make her pay" he whispered, wiping his tears with the back of his palm. 

"For everything she took from me, I'll take double, you're also not safe Dear Alpha." He muttered, the defiant expression returning to his face. "Not a threat or anything, but you're also not safe."

I smirked at his dumbness under the disguise of boldness.

"Your bravery is admirable, Adrian. But foolishness won't save you." I said and moved closer to him, patting his hair mockingly. "No matter how much you try, you can't get to Arielle, she's under my protection...don't dare me."

He shook his head, with determination clear in his eyes. "I must have my pound of flesh, I don't care what the cost is."

I'd have gotten him arrested, and locked up in the dungeon, for Arielle's safety. But a part of me wanted to let him roam freely, as he seemed so much like a wounded wolf, a perfect reminder of my real self.

The one hidden beneath this surface and facade. The same one that has lived countless lives, with the same fate, name and face.

The only thing that differentiates him from me right now, is his boldness and ability for confrontation, unlike me, who's just a coward...