Chapter 53|Deception.

......

My grandfather was quiet for a while, veins were throbbing on each side of his head, his expression filled with anguish.

"On our drive to the airport in my Limo, Martin.. Martin caught us by surprise, he thrusted a knife I had no idea was in his hand into Stephano's heart from behind until its sharp edge protruded from his chest." His eyes shut close on their own accord as a breeze wheezed past us.

Francis had his eyes closed when I turned to look at him and the fury I found bared for all to see in his orbs when he opened them would've had me staggering if rage hasn't consumed every part of my being already.

"He killed his friend with his bare hands. Bare hands. I could remember seeing so much blood as I sat frozen on my seat opposite them. When I got up to fight for my friend's life it was too late because he'd thrusted the knife too deep into Stephano's heart I could see his life slowly ebbing away. He fought Martin too but Martin had the upper hand. He threw me off him, shot me here," He raised the top of his shirt gesturing at Old Ynes to come closer.

She did, skillfully turned the old man and pointed at the bullet wound on his chest.

"I saw when all colours drained off Stephano's face, when life was taken out of his soul. I could do nothing but stare as he wrenched his knife out of Stephano's heart from behind only to plunge it one more time into his chest from the front. My wolf couldn't surface because of the bullet used in hurting me, it was lace with silver. I could remember his last words to Stephano and how Stephano's gaze glued to mine, his expression stricken. " He ground hard on his jaw.

I collapsed on top of his chest, my upper half over his, sobbing at the tragedy I've never heard about. No one knew what truly happened except Old Ynes perhaps because she was the only person not wearing emotions that befit the story. Her gaze was indifferent.

"He said to Stephano, 'That is for giving the advice that took my mate from me' turned to me when I was on the brink of succumbing to unconscious, pointed the tip of his gun at me and muttered 'This is for birthing the scum who took my wife from me' then he pulled the trigger and I couldn't remember anything else. Next thing I know I was being pulled on an ambulance as the victim of a tragic accident that lead to the deaths of two prominent men, the former Alpha of the De Luca Pack and the Beta of the Bane Pack. Only I knew the truth and it nearly killed me. For several days I wished it was Stephano who was shot and me stabbed, death would've been better than living with the knowledge that the man I take as a brother was killed before my eyes by our most trusted advocate."

"That's why we never got to see Alpha Stephano's body, all we got was the close to ashes version of his corpse. Where is this Martin now?" Francis was livid as he asked. His eyes were inhumane.

"Sadly yes. He was clever enough to make it seem like it was a motor accident but I know better and we had no idea that his first revenge plan was to render me useless and have me stare as he took away Stephano's life while I could do nothing about it as I was in my most defenseless state. A few days later I received a letter with the words, 'Now you know how I felt when you took my wife away from me'." A tear slipped past his eye as the scene replayed in his head. I'd never heard a detailed narration of the incident and hearing it made my heart ache with so much bitterness.

To think that a man who was once loved and trusted, who I once saw as my grandfather's equivalent could cause so much pain deliberately to the people we thought he loved was heartbreaking. My chest constricted as I imagined it happening in my head, he killed Alexander's grandfather in cold blood and made my grandfather witness to the sick and twisted act all because of their connection to my Uncle, Alpha Drake. Only because Alpha Drake played his role as a leader by punishing the evil witch that was his mate for a wrong she did, for being the cause of more than one death.

Revolted, I felt my heart bristling with a fire so fiery it was stoking on its own by my rapidly growing emotions.

Francis' gaze too was thunderous as it dawned on him that the same man behind Stephano de Luca's death was the one behind the whole betrothal sham.

Behind my abduction.

Behind the Alpha's distress.

"The bottomline of this discussion is that, there is nothing beyond Martin's reach when he sets a goal for himself and knowing his hatred for us, whatever his next course of action might be should not come as a surprise to you. Unlike the belief of so many people, Martin is alive and breathing the same way you and I are. There have always been contradictions regarding his being alive or not, he was seen several years ago within the Lichen Pack territory. Find Martin before he finds you." He warned.

"I hope there's a heart left in his granddaughter Arabella though. It wouldn't be good to have him tainting one of the few good people in his life. I feel it deep in me that the day for reckoning will come and he'll pay for all he's done. Now get going before the Alpha gets sick with worry much more than he already is, I took up too much of your time with my rambling. Your Uncle Drake misses you, next time you're here, I'll have him personally welcoming you back." My grandfather shooed us away but not before ruffling my hair in an affectionate gesture.

When I lowered to hug him, he whispered into my ear,

"Find Martin and avenge Stephano De Luca's death." He pressed a kiss to my cheeks and released my hand. "Visit soon." He added when Francis had slipped out of the room.

I nodded frantically, heading to the door in precise strides.

The weight of my unspoken promise to him settling lightly on my shoulder. A strange feeling swept over me, I turned to look at Old Ynes who was standing silently between my grandfather and I. She nodded once at me, bowed slightly and pressed two fingers over her chest.

"Our prayers are with you, Luna." She promised, I nodded in understanding and slipped past the doors without a backward glance.

I have a mission to fulfill.