37.

The humming of the refrigerator, the distinct noise of plates being placed on the marble counter and the timer on the oven were the only noises to be heard in the main kitchen. Nikolai sat on the barstool, back straight as he focused on a picture on the wall ahead of him, Zarif stood by the bay window looking out into the dark night with arms tightly folded. Both alpha and beta said nothing to each other not even to their mates. The girls kept themselves busy by re-heating their dinner, knowing that they were hungry. Mina took the silence to get her thoughts sorted, while Sienna was focused as to why Cain was truly here.

When she couldn't take the silence anymore she spoke up. "After the ceremony, I decided to finish my last year in high school and look for prospective colleges here." The sound of her voice cut short the conversation Nikolai was having with Vadim. Refocusing his gaze to her, he already found that she was waiting for him to look her way. He gave her a small appreciative smile; he knew she wanted all their minds off from what happened at dinner.

"What you want to excel in? Mina goes to Altai in fall, she got a scholarship," Zarif idly asked still focused on the darkness.

"Little one also has a few acceptances back in America but I know she chose Altai already. Right?" Nikolai stated giving his sister a proud smile. Mina nodded with a wide grin on her face. "We are very proud. The first doctor in the family." her mate said turning to her. Sienna smiled at the love they both showed by just one look.

"Literature and Art are my forte so I will definitely need help in finding the right college for that," Sienna answered. "Yosef can help. He was my tutor for school. Help me get a scholarship for Kazan State" Nikolai said with another proud smile. She was glad he was distracted, the small talk developed into a full-blown conversation of who excelled more in academics and sports. After they were done eating, it all went quiet once more.

"Mother is worried. The arrival of Cain has her protective of us. There is another threat close by but she cannot reveal. Whatever happens, after tonight is to be," Nikolai spoke in a low voice and was in deep concentration as his brows furrowed, his eyes were shifting between different shades of blue. "All guards of the palace have been ordered to be alert at all times. Coming and going are to be monitored for all. When I am away, do not leave our wing angel." he continued. I simply nodded and gave him a small smile.

The sound of heavy boots against the floor thundered in the quiet room, they all knew who it was and simply made room for him.

"His guards were spotted conversing with our men but they have been warned." Jay simply said. "Why are you a threat to them?" Sienna asked tired of the blatant hatred the cousins had for their own blood. Mina looked up and gave her a tired smile. "Sweetie for years we have tried to figure it out," she laughed, "Niko was never really at the family palace. His visits were only regulated to see our grandparents whenever he was in America and that was before he first shifted."

"I can certainly clarify everything for everyone. It has its perks being neutral to it all. To them, you are the golden child Niko. Cain, Reign, and Sean saw you as Auntie Emma and Uncle Michael's favorite grandchild. Do you remember how they always celebrated whenever you visited? How everyone in the palace fawned over you even their own parents. You took away the specialty of being crowned prince and princess from them. When the news of your grandfather Nikolai handing the title of high Alpha to you at eleven that pushed them even further, their thirst for power began. Sean showed his true side when he took over the British throne; his parents couldn't tell him anything. Caiden? He simply brushed it off as Sean being stricter in ruling than his parents.
Cain and Reign... after a few incidents at pack reviews and their lack of respect for the crown, by advisement from the elders they cannot take the throne till they prove that they are suitable for it. What I think pushed them off that brink, was when we happened to overhear a conversation between the king and an elder. She said if they don't change by their 27th birthday you should be made king." Jay explained it all with a very serious tone. The information settled on everyone's mind and it just brought a sour taste to everyone's mouths. If what Jay said about Cain's thirst for power then the soon to be king would do anything to keep Nikolai away from the throne.

"He knows?" Nikolai asked vaguely. Jay scoffed. "His father just told them whatever little uncle Angelo told him. The descriptions of your attacks to Matthew and what you showed him an hour ago. To him, you have the same level and similar gift as them."

"He's in for a rude awakening if he tries anything," Mina said snidely. Everyone around the table agreed and joked how Nikolai embarrassed Matthew at the hospital and Cain back in the dining room.

"Okay. Time to turn in," Nikolai said pushing back his chair. Sienna got up also and cleared the table, and Mina took over and put the dishes in the washer. "Good night everyone" the two called out leaving the kitchen.

"You think Cain knows what Nikolai's weakness is?" Mina asked worriedly.

"Everyone knows what Niko's weakness is," Zarif answered pulling his own mate into his lap.

"That's what I'm truly worried about," Jay said to himself calling the only person who can help them somewhat with this escalating problem.





The two said nothing to one another as they held hands walking over to their private wing, both were lost in their own thoughts even as they changed for bed. In the darkness of their room, as they lay by each other side, Nikolai held on to his mate's hand firmly. She felt his worry through their link and wished she can ease it all for him.

"Tell me" she quietly asked kissing his palm. She heard his breath hitched before he pulled her closer, taking in her scent and molding her body into his. He didn't answer right away; he simply caressed her hips as he placed random kisses on her head and neck.

"I love you. I tell you every day because it is true. I love you beyond the bond. You are the reason why I am happy, you put a smile on my face from a simple look or touch. You made me a better man, a better son, a better leader because you are by my side. You are my strength Sienna. You are my heart. I am in love with most beautiful, smart, caring, and brave Luna and she is all mine," he said against her neck. To every word he spoke she felt the honesty in them all, it warmed her soul and took refuge in her heart, tears of love and joy pooled in her eyes. Words refused to come out as she fought to be closer to him, his heart thundered in her ears as she turned into him as he tucked her head beneath his chin.

"I love you, Nikolai. Truly. Madly. Deeply. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are my protector, my best friend, my lover. You, Prince Nikolai, are the only one who owns my heart. I gave it all to you from the moment you lured me into the gardens. My sneaky alpha." she returned. He chuckled at her last statement bringing back the memory of how he used his manipulation to have her come to him.

"It worked well for us two, yes?" he asked with laughter in his voice. "Yes it did" she breathed out tilting her head back to look at his face as the moonlight shone on him. He gave her a shy smile as he traced her cheek then jaw. "I fear for what is ahead of us. To protect you. To protect my family, I may be forced to do what I wouldn't do to blood." he said lowly.

"You believe it will all end to that?"

Kissing her softly he whispered his answer of yes to her. "Our family can be broken if it happens," he said out loud. "Let's pray that it doesn't," she said holding him closer to her body. Nikolai stroked her hair, listening to her breathing and waiting for it to even out till her arms became limp at his waist. Confirming that she was asleep, he eased out of her hold and stood beside the bed looking down at her. "They know my angel. They know to lose you, will be my downfall. I pray to Mother to keep you safe. I pray that I won't lose you," he said softly while touching the bracelet they shared. The young prince went to the balcony and shifted into his wolf. They sat on the balcony looking out into the night, checking in with every guard at their post every hour; sleep didn't come to them till the early hours of the morning when guard change was in effect. Walking back into the room, their eyes soften as Sienna held the pillow they slept on tightly, her hair slightly covering her face as the blanket only covered her legs. Shifting back into human form, Nikolai quietly crawled back into bed kissing her head before drifting off for a two-hour rest.



Sienna woke to the sound of whimpers and harsh movements in the bed, turning to Nikolai's side she expected to see him in human form but was confused when she saw Vadim. He was still asleep, curled up in a fetal position, painful whimpers escaped him as he pawed the bed. His sharp claws began to rip through the sheets and mattress. Whatever he was dreaming was affecting him badly.
"Vadim wake up" she called out. His ears twitched to the sound of her voice but his eyes were tightly shut. Lana whimpered as she received Vadim's fear and sadness over their link.

"Let me out" she quietly said wanting to get him out of that torture. Sienna quickly obliged shifting in her beautiful black wolf.

'Vadim please wake up my love' Lana begged laying her body next to his. His whimpers became louder but his body relaxed a bit. Closing her eyes, she nuzzled her nose into his neck what she didn't expect was to be linked to his dreams.

'Lana, please. Please wake up.' Vadim cried out. He was beside another black wolf that lay still in a pool of blood. 'I cannot lose you again. I just got you' the wolf prince cried pawing his mate's lifeless body.

'Enna? Enna? No. No. No.' the voice of Nikolai was close. Lana turned to her right and recoiled at the sight that was beside her. Sienna also lay in a pool of blood with knife marks along her arms and neck. Nikolai's hands were stained with her blood as he held her close to his chest. 'I am so sorry. I broke my promise. Please, I'm sorry.' he cried burying his face into her hair. Lana stepped back from the tragedy before her. "VADIM. WAKE UP" she shouted wanting to get out of this horrific dream. "VADIM. Wake up it's a dream. It's not real." she repeated while looking around frantically looking for a way out. All she saw was destruction, fallen wolves and humans, blazing fires at a distance, debris under her paws. She just wanted out. "VADIM" she screamed once more pouncing on him.

Lana cried out in pain as her body hit the ground with a loud thud, her head slamming against the lounge chair. Vadim was alert on the bed snarling waiting for his attackers to come forth, taking in his surroundings he then realized he was awake. On his human's bed but no sight of his mate, he began to freak out pawing at her shredded nightgown, he stopped when he heard her whimper. Turning around he saw her in wolf form shaking her head and trying to stand up. 'Lana. W-What happened?' he asked rushing to her side licking her bruised head. Lana said nothing but lay still as he made sure she was alright. She felt her human shut down emotionally, she saw the dream also, it was all so realistic. She smelt their blood, the thickness of the air, the cries of their mates; it was enough to scare her.

'Are you alright? How is Enna? Why is she in wolf form?' he asked lying next to her wanting to hear her heartbeat. Vadim never knew how lovely that sound was. 'I-I....' she started but couldn't finish. His dream was all too fresh in her mind. He pawed her neck gently then nudged her so she would be on her back, standing over her he held her amber and blue gaze. What he saw, he knew was mirrored in his but he was confused as to why. 'D-Did I hurt you?' he asked his voice breaking. Lana pawed his face before he lay down on her,\. 'Forgive me' he begged.

'It's okay. I-You had... was having a bad dream. Y-you woke us up. You shifted in your sleep, so I did too when I saw how much pain you were in. I-I tried calling out to you but you couldn't hear me. Then I lay down beside you. That's when... when I.....' she tried her best to bring it all out. Trying to let him know that he didn't hurt her at all.

'You saw it. Everything.' he asked softly, 'it felt so real.' Even if it was just a dream both Vadim and Nikolai felt the loss of their mates, the coldness of taking over their bodies even the scent of their blood that filled their noses. It was something he never wanted to experience in real life. Feeling her warm body below his brought back a sense of security to him, proof that it was just a dream and it would stay a dream,

'I am here. Sienna is here. You two won't lose us. We still have a life to live. Pups for us to love.'

'Pups huh?' he teased biting her playfully on her ear and neck. 'Lots of them' she laughed. The light was back into his blue eyes, the light that showed her how happy he was, how much he loved her. Vadim began a round of playful wrestling telling her how many pups they were going have and how much they were going to love them all. Coming down from their playful high, they decided to stay in wolf form for a bit before allowing their humans back out. 'I am very much in love with you' Vadim said to Lana placing wolf kisses all over her face. 'I'm in love with you too Vadim, now and forever.' she replied. A moment later they shifted back into their human forms, Nikolai took Sienna in his arms, holding her tight as tears rolled down both their faces silently.

"I'm scared Nicky," she said against his neck over a sob. Holding her tightly, touching her body softly then losing himself in her thick dark curls, he promised himself that the dream will never come to pass.

"Me too, angel. Me too" he replied silently crying into her hair.