40.

The night air was still as they made their way through the dark forest which surrounded half of the palace estate. The full moon shone brightly above them giving them light as they kept themselves more to the darker areas, not wanting to be seen. In the ordered groups of eight, they trekked in formation, filling up the entire landscape of the forest. If an attack comes in, everyone would be defended. Nikolai was back in human form, dressed in only basketball shorts and old trainers, he led his men while keeping his ears and eyes wide open. He left the link open as they all reported that the princess's scent couldn't be found. As they neared the edge of the forest a sound that didn't blend in with the night ambiance reached his ears, he silently told everyone to stop and turned his attention to where the noise originated from.

Using one of his much-hidden gifts, he stretched forth his hand to the disturbed area, to feel the foreign presence, he picked up numerous weres covered under the darkness and their emotions were chaotic. They were patiently waiting for them; 'We have company' was all he said before their awaiting enemies pounced on them. No one made a move which confused their attackers, Mina, Zarif, and Jay shifted back into their human form and stood before their warriors. They counted near twenty men, to them it was rather insulting but they didn't care, Cain and Viktor's men were just a minor obstacle to get to Sienna.

"Get rid of them," Mina ordered coldly. She was beyond anxious to get to her sister but what she really was anxious for is that her vision won't become a reality. It can be anyone dying tonight, though she despised her cousin Cain, she couldn't bear losing family. If power has truly taken over her elder cousin, they would have to do what they must to stop him.

'Yes, your majesty' they replied with venom in their voices, charging forward to their new victims. All four of them stood watching their men tear their enemies apart, limbs being removed; blood flowed from bites they received from Dark Blood warriors. Dark Blood fought with focus and calculated movements, a few were unlucky to get wounded but wasn't serious to slow them down. Jay spotted a man standing off to the side in shorts; he showed no signs of being part of the now dwindling attack. His body was stiff as he began to back away; his eyes met Jay's and not surprisingly Nikolai's. The man's eyes widen in fear, he stumbled then began to run. 'Ten follow the stray.' Jay commanded shifting his gaze back to the bloody mess before him. Nikolai said nothing but simply walked through the dead bodies of Cain's men.

After ten warriors were sent after the loner, Nikolai sent another ten in the opposite direction for precaution. "Grandpa taught us this tactic," Mina commented. They looked up to the trees, Nikolai brought up a shield for everyone while his sister placed herself before him, she waited for the warriors to go into their defensive positions. She glanced at her mate who in return gave her a sly smile and a wink, Mina chuckled at what he found sexy at this time.

"Now, Little One. I'm losing her." Nikolai said, his voice was strained but he kept his composure. She nodded in response while opening her arms wide; focusing on the trees before her she clapped her hand, once with sheer force. The vibrations of her telekinetic power flowed through the trees shaking them violently; the outcome was expected. With a nod of his head, Zarif allowed the remaining warriors to clear a path for them. Of those who regained their composure, they began shooting wildly at the royals who simply created a shield causing the silver bullets to ricochet of it.

'Be careful' Mina warned the men as she saw two mounting hunting bows behind a scuffle. She reached forth and held them by their necks; Nikolai intervened and took over their minds. Both men shot each other with their own weapons, Mina huffed and dropped them from the eight feet she had them held.

"You got last two," Her older brother simply said shrugging his shoulders. Rolling her eyes, she put her focus back at the fight around them; at the corner of her eyes, she saw her mate ran off to help one of his men. She kept a shield on him, not taking any chances. "We are near the open valley. More are arriving from the east, I just got word," Jay reported shooting a wolf point blank while it was charging for him.

Nikolai growled loudly, he figured it out. He knew where they had his mate. Viktor desecrated the one thing his grandfather had left. It was the past Alpha's solace after knowing the loss of his mate and parents. It was the purest place he had in his life where no bad has ever happened. Nikolai was furious that Viktor now disrespected his only brother.

"What is it?" Mina asked sensing his new found anger. "кабина деда" (Grandfather's cabin) was all Nikolai said before walking straight ahead securing a shield around him. He couldn't wait any longer, blood was going to be on his hands and he didn't care if they were family.

"So what should we say to uncle Caiden in the morning?" Jay asked dodging an energy ball Mina threw over his head to an attacking wolf. "Your son was stupid?" Mina offered shrugging her shoulders. Jay actually stopped fighting to think over her answer.



******

"They are still in the forest. It would bid us enough time to present ourselves." Cain said putting on his tactical gloves. "I just sent my second group down, a few royal wolves were tracking them," Viktor said while loading his gun. He glanced up as Cain made his way over to the little princess. She didn't look like she was going to make it but he knew she was fighting.

Fighting to stay alive.

Fighting to see her precious mate.

"Hi cousin, it's time to go. It's reunion time," Cain sang unshackling the chains from the sink, with his gloved hands he used one to lift her chin and the other to hold on to the chain.

"Stop this, Cain," she whimpered.

The prince looked at her square in the eye. He took note of how glassy it was and red with tears, she cried for pain and for her mate. Her skin was pale; her once dark healthy locks were now stuck to her face with sweat. Her body trembled from the dosages of wolfs-bane and silver nitrate combined. "Nicky...Nicky does.... doesn't want to be king," she said weakly. He scoffed while pulling her to stand. "I was taught to be the dominant one in any situation. This one? I'm being the dominant one in making the right decision. No elder or sense of hierarchy is going to stop me from claiming my birthright. My own father agreed with the elders a few days ago to let Niko be king. MY OWN FATHER FORSAKEN ME FOR ANOTHER," he ranted. Sienna flinched away from him as his eyes were now dark with anger; a glimmer of red in his iris was now visible. She tried to step further away from him but he caught her roughly by her arms. "They planned to come on the day of your fucking ceremony but I can't let that happen. No reject freak of nature was going to take what is mine. Tonight you and your fucking mate would be nothing but a memory after I'm done," he snarled in her ear. She shuddered in fear as his words made everything clear to her.

"Let's go" Viktor called out. Cain tugged on the chain allowing Sienna to stumble forward; she mustered whatever strength she had to walk behind him and out the door. Nikolai's uncle stood by the door and watched her with cold eyes as she walked past him. "I finally get to finish the job I started in New York," he said lowly. Fear paralyzed her body as she registered what he was saying; he was the man on the phone who gave the orders to get rid of her. The man who Nikolai was excited to spend time with. Cain tugged the chains for her keep moving, they all walked down the small trail from the cabin which led to a more dense part of the forest. Four ATV's were parked near a tree in which he pushed her towards, she was strapped onto one like a captured animal with straps. Two of Viktor's men came up to him, talking in hushed tones, a smile crept up his face as he turned to Cain.

"He's near," he sneered. Cain grinned and mounted the ATV with Sienna and took his leave. Viktor checked his guns one last time for reassurance; a toothy grin was on his face now as he saw the silver glow of his custom made bullets. He was going to make sure Nikolai's death would be painful.

"Dark Blood shall soon be mine."