20.

Bryan

Keeping up the facade of a distraught mate was harder than I thought especially when your fake mate's father is THE Nikolai Starkov. He was known as ruthless and unpredictable in both wolf and human world and him being friends with the royals made him even more untouchable. I got some sort of satisfaction in knowing I will be the one to sever that bond between him and the royals by this ploy. When he arrived, the high alpha was eerily quiet and watching every move my men and I made, it was unnerving. I had to admit I played the role good.

I was now sitting in the privacy of my office, looking through the news clipping of Amelia and her father's business. She's one lucky little bitch, the pathetic chit was worth millions. Having her by my side will open so many doors for me. Mate to Nikolai Starkov's daughter. No one would dare touch me then.

A knock was sounded on my door, I rolled my eyes at the fact that my privacy was no more. "Come in" I ordered. In walked my right hand man Hakeem his blond dreadlocks were loose, his clothes covered in filth a few cuts and scrapes were seen on his face but was healing gradually. His eyes were dark with his fists clenched tightly, I can tell he was holding back his temper.

"What is it?" I asked in a bored tone.

"You caused this. They have captured my sister. We have to get her back" he hissed out. I raised my eyebrow at his outward demand, someone losing respect I see.

"Who are they? So many people want a dark witch dead."

He slammed his hands on my desk, rattling the contents on it. "Danielle is not a dark witch. I practically begged her to do what you asked. You said nothing would happen to her. I don't care about your fucking scheme but my sister comes first" he shouted. My wolf and vamp didn't like how this half breed was talking to us. In a swift move, I had him on the floor my now morphed hand around his throat. He didn't make a move to remove my hands, his cold brown eyes stared back up at me. "You pledged your loyalty to me and also your family's which means they are all but only leverage to me even you. So what if she is imprisoned by them. She did her job, now I have no need for her and as for you, watch your tone." I growled at him.

"Foutre le camp. (Fuck off.)" He spat out before freeing himself from my hold. A chain that I noticed always wrapped around his wrist was now dangling with an emerald in a cage as its pendant. Hakeem stood still and kept his gaze on me. "You can leave now, you idiot. Go keep watch or something," I said going behind my desk. I couldn't be bothered with his family problems.

"Que les diuex vous et vos descendants maudire. (May the gods curse you and your descendants)" He said in French, I think. I knew his family was from France but I never heard him speak it before now. "Take your mumbo jumbo shit from my office and go make your self useful" I snapped at him going back to my planning. He scoffed and left not before I saw how the pendant on his chain was glowing. I shrugged it off but still was left with an uneasy feeling. I had no time for silly problems like those, she did what she was asked to do and it felt so good to know that the ever-popular silent prince has a weakness. A weakness that can destroy whatever hold he has on my Amelia. As for her, she knew who she truly belonged to. I owned her.

Another knock sounded at my door, what the hell is wrong with everyone. "What!" I barked at the person on the other side of the door. In walked the person who I knew can destroy one royal to the other. "Alpha Nikolai, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude." I stuttered like a bumbling idiot.

"It is okay," he said in his rough Russian accent. His tone of voice was very authoritative no matter what situation. I motioned for him to take a seat before I did so myself. "Is everything alright?" I asked.

"It is fine. The hotel is very good. My men and I are well. I came to see how you're doing. You must be missing your mate, my printsessa (princess)" he said watching me intently.

I lowered my eyes in sadness and looked across to the recent picture frame I had of Amelia, "I have to be strong for Mia. I have to focus on getting her back. What kind of mate would I be if I ignore her situation? Though the prince can give her a great life I want to be selfish and get her back with me, here, in my somewhat normal life" I said giving him a sad smile.

"What makes you think you would have a normal life. When the world hears that my daughter is alive you would be like royalty just like American prince."

I sharply looked up at him in shock, I hope I can pull off the ever so humble mate with this man. After all, he is offering what I want on a golden platter. "Sir I know that you would want to offer your daughter the world when you have her back in your arms but I know my Mia she likes to be in the background and so do I.... maybe.... if we kept things on a low," I said with a nervous laugh.

"Nonsense. It all be good. No one would harm you. I give you protection while you are in America then when we get my little girl we go back to Russia. You will be a prince." he said excitedly. Go to Russia with him? Lots of potential clients there and I can keep my business here on the stateside.

"Shouldn't we wait till we get her back to be planning such things?" I asked trying to hide how pleased I was with worry.

"She'll be fine," he said smiling at me before standing from his seat. Guess when I get Amelia back she will be going to Russia kicking and screaming. I gave him a dumb nod as he took his leave. Moments later I grabbed my phone calling my girl to see if she's available.

"Hey, baby. What can I do you for." she purred into the phone.

"How bout you get your ass over here. I'll send the car around." I said smiling up at the ceiling thinking about how smooth things would go from now seeing as I get Nikolai under my thumb. It's time to push things further.

"Sure thing baby" she answered hanging up the phone. With that, I messaged my driver to go pick her up then went ahead to make things much more interesting.











Danielle



To say that I was scared for my life as these military looking guys escorted me out of my home, I would be lying. Other women would be scared right? So why do I feel safe? Protected. They formed some sort of barrier around me as we made our way to the street, the one who I heard they called Liam held my weekend bag as he walked beside me looking around the area, he was quite handsome in a GQ model way, heck all of them looked like they stepped out of the damn magazine. All but one.

Their boss.

I haven't heard anyone say his name nor have he told me. He was sinfully handsome with his exotic features I was surprised when he spoke to me I didn't hear a matching accent. His dark hair was held in a messy ponytail atop his head, a five o'clock shadow started to form on his chiseled jaw, his dark eyes were so mesmerizing when he looked at me back in my apartment I felt like the only one there with him. I wanted to surrender my body to him then and there. His body was calling to me. His 6-foot tall frame was muscular, I wondered if he worked out on a daily but somewhat I knew that it was all-natural. This man was every girl's wet dream.

This was crazy. Damn hormonal feelings.

"You're riding with me."

His voice brought me out of my naughty thoughts of him, I felt a blush rise on my cheek as I realized I was dumbly standing in front of him my gaze focused on his large chest, could his shirt be any tighter. "Sure" I mumbled before stepping into the jeep. A younger guy came into the driver seat as their boss rode shotgun, no one accompanied me in the back. Aren't they worried that I may escape whenever we stop at a light or something?

My brows furrowed in confusion as I took a look around the interior of the jeep, it looked brand new and pretty expensive. Military men. Expensive Cars. These must be the people Bryan asked me to mess with. I covered my face with my hands, I told them this would backfire on us. Well me, since my stepbrother Hakeem is like Bryan's lapdog. I didn't know who it was exactly that I troubled but his bloodline was a strong one. Getting past his barriers took me hours if it wasn't for one of his personal belongings I wouldn't have broken through.

"What are you going to do to me?" I asked trying hard to sound out those English words. English was my second language and I was proud to say that I spoke fluently now. I waited for an answer but none came, looking up at the rearview mirror I met the eyes that would make me do anything against my own free will. I didn't turn away I kept up our staring match, a lock of hair fell over his eyes and I wish I can brush it away for him just to feel how soft it was.

"Do you know who we are?" he asked in an authoritative tone. I didn't need to see his whole face to know he was curious and angry at the same time. His dark eyes showed everything.

"I was simply told that the person I... I ...." I was trying to get a good word, I didn't want to hurt anyone, Bryan surely knew how who I was hurting. One threat to Hakeem and I did it. My little brother was my world.

"Hurt. You hurt him." the exotic boss snapped.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and released a deep breath. " I was made to do it. All he told me was that the person was a threat to him and need to be taught a lesson. I do not know who was it."

"You will soon see. How long have you been living in the supernatural world?" he asked darkly. My brows furrowed in confusion at his question. Have he dug up my files, wanting to know of my life, he does look like someone who gets information fast.

"An ample time. I wasn't born into it though," I answered meekly. This man makes me feel weak and defenseless on one hand, the other I feel invincible.

"You really don't know who we are? You cannot tell the difference between human and wolf?" he asked still not believing. I couldn't blame him. My mother and I have been living a secluded life until she found the love of her life. Well more like, he found her, he revealed to her that he was a vampire and that my mother was his beloved. I was only eight at the time, my real father a warlock was killed by a dark witch, jealousy mamma said. The vampire, Heath who didn't leave my mother's side since he found her, coaxed us out of hiding and into the center of this world where I supposedly belong.

I wrapped my arms around my body and looked out the window, there was a reason why my mamma didn't want me among the supernaturals, if these people found out, what will happen to me.

I stayed quiet for the rest of the ride to the untold destination, the man realized this and took it upon himself to fill the confines of the car with music. A small smile played on my lips when he stopped on a track which was my favorite, 'Aronchupa - I'm An Albatraoz' my smile got even wider when I heard him tapping his fingers against the door frame towards the beat of the track. He sure was something else. After five more songs, we turned into an underground car park of a hotel. The building screamed money, I craned my neck out of the window looking up at the hotel. The guard at the car park entrance saluted while raising the gates.

What the hell.

The car was parked among other dark-colored jeeps, expensive-looking I might add. The two men in front came out, the driver said nothing but simply took my bags from the trunk while the boss opened my door and held out his hand for me to take. I watched his hand then his face, he gave me a small smile which sent an unknown feeling to my heart making it ache in a good way. Taking his hand he tightened his hold on it and gently pulled me down to stand before him. He said nothing but just looked at me with a questioning look in his eyes. "You are not a dark witch," he said for only us to hear. I shook my head 'no'.
"Then my angel you got mixed up in a whole lot of mess," he said huskily before kissing my cheek. When he stood up straight a comforting smile was on his face. "I will keep you safe. It's now my duty" was all he said before leading the way out of the car park. My cheeks were burning with a blush which I knew was showing to the world, I touched where he kissed me, even if it was momentarily I can still feel his lips on my skin and the alluring scent of him.

The elevator we rode in consisted of myself the boss, Liam, and two other men. It was silent. I watched the numbers go up higher and higher, my nerves were getting to me, I was shifting on my feet uncomfortably, wiping my sweaty palms on my dress. "Don't be scared. He isn't the one you should fear, right now. Trust me" he said taking my hand in his. Just like that, I was calmed instantly. Again I was confused as to why he has such an effect on me. The doors opened to a marbled foyer, we walked to a dark double door, no one knocked but simply walked in the penthouse. Liam and the other two went different ways as the man lead me to the living area I presumed. When we entered, the first person I noticed was a young blonde woman seated on the couch talking on the phone her face serious as she typed away on her laptop. I was placed at the center of the room on display. "Where is he?" the question was asked.

"In his office on a call. He'll be out soon," the woman answered smiling my way. The man went over and gave her semi-hug giving her a kiss on her head. He said something to her in which she blushed. A jealous feeling erupted in me, who was she to him, a lover? I didn't get time to indulge in my new feelings because a tall dark-haired man who was handsome as ever with his emerald green eyes and cleft chin walked in, every inch of him screamed powerful, from the way he walked, the way he looked at me and the way he was dressed. The young woman's face lit up as she saw him come in, his serious expression softened immediately as he saw her. She went over to him as he pulled her into a tight embrace kissing her temple lovingly. I saw this many times, this same action between two people before. Between my mother and her husband.

"Alright, you two. Not in front of the guest."

"Sorry, Jonah," the woman said grinning but she didn't let go of the man. My head snapped to the man beside me now, his name was Jonah? He sent a silly smirk my way with a wink.

"Danielle. Let me introduce you to my nephew and his mate. His royal majesty Prince Angelo Saville and our new princess Amelia Starkov" Jonah said proudly.

To all that is holy, these are the royal wolves that my brother has told me so much about? I took a step back then looked to Jonah. "Then you are the executioner," I said in disbelief.

He shrugged. "One half. The other is on a soul searching trip" he said going to stand beside his nephew. Bryan made me hurt the royal prince? This is beyond everything I live by. A royal? But why does he have a grudge against these people? I quickly went to my knees and begged for their forgiveness. Hakeem has told me of them. Of how ruthless they were and won't hesitate to kill if they were threatened. Bryan surely fucked me over, all due to my love for my brother.

"It's okay. You are in no harm for more than one reason," the prince said softly. I looked up at him through teary eyes, Jonah quickly came over to me and dried my eyes, his face filled with worry. Why was he so nice to me? In alarm, I pulled away from his hold. "Why are you so nice to me? I have heard the stories of you and your brother. I practically hurt your family. I know I surely deserve death" I babbled.

"You haven't told her yet uncle?" Prince Angelo questioned.

"No, kid. She doesn't fully know of supernaturals even if she is one herself" He answered looking at me. His eyes were soft and held confusion.

"Tell me what?" I asked getting to my feet. Jonah followed my movements and took a step towards me. Before I can move away, he grabbed my hand, my heart gave out that wonderful aching feeling, a pleasurable shiver ran down my spine as he brought my hand up to his soft lips.

"You, Danielle are my mate," he said huskily.

I stood wide-eyed looking at this exotic god-like man. A man who men feared and women talked about. The Royal delta of the wolves is mine forever? I am his mate?

"Mon compagnon? Cieux (My mate? Heavens)" I said in my native tongue. My other hand had a mind of its own as it went to cup Jonah's cheek. I never thought that I would have a mate, someone destined for me, someone to love me unconditionally just like how Heath loved my mother. I laughed softly and went closer to him, "So you are mine?" I asked.

"Every inch of me is yours, baby," he said smiling down at me.

"Good. Because I have something to do to you from the moment you barged into my home" I said with a silly grin on my face. He raised an eyebrow in question but you can see the amusement in his eyes before I crashed my lips to his. Damn it to all, just as I imagined. His lips looked and tasted enticing. It didn't take him long to respond. His arms tightened around me, I felt his possessiveness in that hold and I didn't mind one bit.

Jonah pulled back and kissed my forehead. "You now belong to the royal family. No one can touch you now. You're mine" he said. His words washed over me in comfort. Looking into his eyes I saw how honest he was.

Bryan has no chance in hell to these people.