26.

"Angelo. Please help me."

Her screams were distant as he fought to find her in the darkness. Voices were laughing and taunting him but he was only focused on Amelia. Something brushed past him it felt like a dog but it didn't go far. He felt its presence before him. " We have to find her before it's too late. Leave no stone unturned. We can't lose another, Angelo"

Lykos. As he began to speak, the wolf made himself shown.

"I know but I can't get up. I feel trapped," Angelo said looking around. A scream pierced through the darkness then a sharp pain erupted in his chest. "The hybrid" was all Lykos said and started running to the direction of the scream. Laughter was heard as he followed his wolf, Lykos disappeared for a moment then there was silence. A painful loud howl pealed through the darkness, a howl of loss, his heart was beating wildly. "Amelia!!" the prince shouted he ran till he came upon Lykos lying next to a bloody body.

"No. No. Not again." Tears blurring his vision as he knelt beside his blonde beauty. Cradling her in his arms, he cried into her hair taking in her scent mixed with blood.

"Pity. They gave you a second mate and yet you lost this one. Maybe you should change your name to 'The unlucky prince' you will die alone. You will be on the sidelines watching your siblings having a wonderful life with their mates playing with their pups. You would never have that." The voice taunted him while the laughter got louder. "I'm so sorry baby. So sorry. " he cried turning her body to face him but what he saw caught him off guard. The blonde in his arms wasn't Amelia.

"Elise?!"

"There is still time to save her. She is good for you, my love. After all, I chose her." she said stretching forth her bloody hand to stroke his cheek. "I...I... but how? I can't get up. It's like I'm trapped."

Elise simply smiled at her mate. "Your fears are controlling you. Wake up, Angie. Wake up your mate needs you". Angelo knew that she was right, the over the top protection for Amelia was due to his fears of losing her and not having her as he should. He had to find her. He must wake up and get her back from that hybrid.

Right in his arms, her once damaged body healed bringing her back to the 16yr old Elise he first met. "I loved you El and always will," Angelo said running his fingers through her hair.

"I love you too but someone else deserves all of it. Wake up," she said before snapping her fingers in front of his face. A bright light flashed in front of his face blinding him completely.



The young prince woke up with a start, breathing heavily while looking around his surroundings, he didn't recognize the place one bit. What he noticed was the closed blinds, a glass of water on the nightstand, and a change of clothes. Angelo stumbled out of the bed falling to the ground, "Shit," he mumbled while crawling weakly to the clothes laid out for him. The door opened and the sound of someone running towards him made him stop. The familiar scent let him know that it was his little sister.

"You're awake" she exclaimed rushing to him his response was a mere grumble as he fought to get dressed. He had no time for pleasantries he needed to get a move on. "Where are you going? Uncle Jonah told us not to leave" Becca argued as he pushed past her. "Uncle Jonah isn't the boss of me. Nor is it his mate out there," Angelo snapped at her going out the door.

"No he isn't but I am."

Angelo looked at the person who now blocked his path; it has been months but his elder brother sure has changed. He now had a full beard but neatly kept and his hair was kept low. Everyone in the room kept their heads low except Angelo. They all felt the power of his position even their little sister but Angelo didn't, he chose to ignore it, he always had.

"No one is my boss and you of all persons know this. I make my own decisions," He grounded out pushing past his brother.

"So your decision is to go after a man who knows how moonstone affects us and an unstable hybrid who has an inappropriate fixation on your mate? Without a plan? Without sentinels? Without your family?" Caiden taunted.

Without any warning, Angelo threw his brother into a glass cabinet on the other side of the room. 'You and I both know I don't need my family's help.' he told his brother over their link. Everyone in the room looked on in shock taking in the scene before them. The second-born royal overthrown his elder sibling without any hand or head movement and little effort.

'You will die without our help' Caiden countered.

'I know.' Angelo said softly. Caiden shook off his momentary dizziness and stepped toward his little brother. Looking at his brother with green eyes just as their mother's he knew he couldn't go back on his promise to his parents. Keep Angelo safe. He thought to order him back to the palace would help but it seems useless now. His vision was playing out. Angelo is ready to walk into the firing range for his mate.

"I saw it too," Angelo said again.

Caiden sat on the sofa holding his head. "I came here to stop it, Angie. I can't let you do this. Let us help."

"Mendez and the brothers are a minimal threat, I don't need my family taking over my authority in my own quadrant. I came here to find myself, grow. I am no longer the silent prince who allows his family to coddle him. I'm finally crown prince Angelo, the protector. A leader that isn't by his people."

Caiden, Matthew and Rebecca dismissed everyone in the room except Danielle who was silently sitting in the corner meditating. She has been in that position since Jonah left to investigate. "Angie we understand what you are saying but having us there would give you more protection. The other gifted among those hybrids is Amelia and to depend on her to use it is a lost cause. She's new to it all," Becca said earning nods from her mate and elder brother.

"I know but...." Angelo started to say.

"Enough. We are coming with you and that's final. We know how they move now and their advantage against us" Caiden said standing up and began to pace the floor.

"The moonstone," Matthew said out loud.

"Yes, and it weakens us when we attack the person wearing it. Also the silver bombs. They are equipped with it. I'm surprised everyone is still alive after that attack" The young king said out loud.

"They were protected," Danielle said out loud.

"What?" Angelo asked walking over to her. The white witch looked up at her new family and smiled. "Your uncle is my mate, yes? A protection spell was put on him and his family. No one can hurt you. No one can hurt my Jonah." They all heard the love and fear in her voice when she said their uncle's name, it was one of those moments when they knew everything will be alright in their family after all.

"Angie. If you are going after Mendez and the Vargas brothers at least go with a clear mind and a foolproof plan along with the knowledge that we have your back and our new sister" Caiden said smiling at his little brother. Angelo looked at Becca and Matthew even Danielle in return they gave him a reassuring smile. "Thank you," he said softly. Again his family came to his rescue always protecting him now Amelia, he was truly lucky.

"Right. Now what have we learned about that stupid gem" Caiden said smirking at his little sister who in return gave him a cocky grin. Shaking his head Angelo made his way to the kitchen for a bite to eat.

Lookout Bryan you don't know how much you pissed off this family.







"Ahhhh! shit, what the fuck is that?" Mendez screams out loud lashing out at one of his men. He was now in his room back at the Vargas brothers hideout. He felt weak and out of sorts, his wolf was crying out in pain as his omega treated his slow-healing wounds. The prince got to him good, Mendez was still taken aback by the sheer strength of the kid no other wolf his size nor age has taken him down like that.

'He's a fucking royal what do you expect. All the moonstone has done, was weaken him but... but... only his gifts. His wolf..... His wolf..... is above us all' his wolf said weakly. Mendez was about to ask what did he mean but was interrupted by the presence of his beta. The look of pity was directed at him causing the alpha to look away from his best friend.

"Leave," Dane ordered folding his arms across his chest waiting for the omega to leave him and his friend. After a moment of silence, Mendez struggled to get up, Dane showed no indication to help him finally sitting up he looked at the beta.

"I told you Ramon leave the kid be. Just take the blonde chick and we get Starkov but no your stupid pride got in the way. You heard the rumors about that one. Even our wolves refuse to go up against him but you just had to do it."

"Shut up. You people sicken me with your fear with those silly rumors and that's what they are. RUMORS!!! They are not above us and its time someone shows the world that, " Mendez countered.

Dane shook his head and paced the floor restlessly. "Do you remember Janovich?" he asked his friend. He grunted his answer as he tried to clean his wounds.

"Did you know he went against the eldest prince? Even the queen's brother?"

"The delta yes but the prince that's just bullshit. Rogues killed the bastard. Power and no brains are what killed him also." Mendez said scoffing at the story he heard about his past ally.

"That was the story his brother painted so his disgrace and treachery won't meet his daughter nor the remaining of the pack. Mark told me this, Ramon. Delta Jonah killed him in front of his pack on the palace grounds. The prick had your same motive and look where it got him....." Dane couldn't finish his statement before Mendez exploded.

"You came willingly along in this. After Mari died you promised to help carry on our cause and get the man who took her away from me. Are you such a coward that you are backing down after a stupid story and crazy rumors? I didn't think of you as being this gullible." Mendez sneered. Dane didn't let his words get to him, he was still suffering the loss of his mate. Mendez blamed Starkov when they all should be blaming Mariella for being so stubborn. She went ahead of time with the attack and got caught. Alpha Starkov being a high alpha had the power to punish any person seen doing any act of treason against the crown. They all tried to tell her to wait till the summit restart when the whole panel is there but she wanted to get at Queen Emma and Queen Rayne desperately. Blinded by love for his mate, Mendez didn't see the mistake.

Dane released a tired sigh he would do anything for his friend and if pissing off the royals to give him the comfort he needs then he would do it.

"Let's just get Starkov, the girl.... we can't touch her, Ramon. That's trouble right there. Leave her to the delusional hybrid" Dane said leaving.

Alpha Ramon Mendez had other plans, he wanted revenge on that prince for embarrassing him like that in front of his men.

"I would show you what it feels like to be without a mate young Angelo" Mendez muttered darkly.







Amelia made another attempt to get comfortable on the single bed, the mattress was lumpy and the chains around her wrists and ankles were very heavy. She was very uncomfortable and sore. Her head was throbbing she suspected the pain was from the accident. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled leaving her mate and the sentinels lying motionless amidst their messed up vans. Questions flowed through her mind, is he okay? Did they go back and hurt him? Knowing how cruel Bryan was she wouldn't let it slip by, for him to do that. The tears she tried to hold back escaped causing her to whimper out loud.

"Mariya?" The voice of her father brought a sad smile to her lips. "I'm fine, daddy." she croaked. She heard him scoff in the darkness then the rattling of his chains. "I know my printsessa is not fine. Little Angelo will come for you. He won't let his happiness escape him," Nikolai said smiling at his daughter's bright blue eyes in the semi-darkness.

"Have you known Angelo and his family for long daddy?"

Nikolai chuckled at the memory of the day he first met King Michael and the beautiful Queen Emma. "His father saved my life. Michael said he was just returning the favor. In truth I would do it again if I had to." he answered with his last words filled with loyalty.

"You never told me how that came about nor did Angelo."

Nikolai went back to that one memory he wanted so much to forget, the truth was behind the whole situation but he refused to acknowledge it. Alexei and everyone who was at that summit came to terms with it but not Nikolai. Mariella Mendez's blood was on his hands.

"The young prince was a wee thing when it happened, the king and queen brought him and his older brother to the annual summit in London as a sign of welcoming by the high alphas around the world. Though young, we sensed his power. Caiden not so much but still feared by us being part of Moon Goddess in body. It was the third day and Vampire Royals arrived. They are great friends with Wolf Royals so the bond was imminent, they proposed a plan to take in refugee hybrids in different packs after hunters destroyed a few covens. Mostly all agreed except four packs in states. One was Mendez. The Luna created an uproar about not trusting hybrids and how unclean they were she stormed out not agreeing but Queens paid no mind and went on.

A break in the meeting came, I had a presentation to do about pack so I went back to the meeting room to prepare. What I saw angered my wolf and I. Luna Mendez was mixing a solution of silver and wolfsbane in the water at the head table. I have seen a chemist done it so it is undetectable, so I knew. The glasses of King Michael and his mate were laced. My wolf took over she heard me shifting and made an attempt to flee. Our commotion drew people in she played the innocent card but the vial she used fell from her, shifting back to my human form I explained everything which brought votes of immediate death to her treachery. I was high alpha and it was my duty to protect the crown at all times. I had no choice. I snapped her neck before the alpha committee. Her mate came in and saw, I did not wait to hear his cries I walked away thinking of what I have done. I killed a she-wolf. I never killed a female in all my years.

The following day I learned I was to be ambushed by Mendez but King Michael was on patrol that night along with Prince Caleb when they spotted it. I was grateful to the King but was humbled when the young prince told me thank you for saving his mama and father," Smiling at the memory of young Angelo hugging his legs warmed his heart, he took to the green-eyed prince immediately and treated him like blood along with his siblings. Nikolai was happy his daughter was Angelo's mate, the boy deserved happiness.

"Angelo and I feared that you would take me away from here," Amelia said out loud.

"Never. Your pack is in Russia yes but your mate is in states. I do not want my daughter sad like me over the loss of a mate. If that hybrid didn't contact me, I expected the prince to do so but I guess my recent harsh ways preceded me, that's why the fear of me taking you away clouded everyone's minds. He explained everything to me. I thought of ways to keep pack survival when I learn of you and Angelo's mating. You make little Angelo happy. You save him."

Her father's word brought the biggest grin to her face. Hope coursed through her heart that she would see Angelo again, she witnessed first hand his withdrawal from life and the major change over the weeks. Angelo also changed her. He made her feel wanted. Loved and Welcomed most of all.

They sat and talked in the dark about Russia until the loud bang of the door stopped their conversation.

"Daddy/daughter moment? Am I interrupting?" The voice of Bryan shot fear through her heart he flicked a switch near the door filling the room with a bright light. Amelia and Nikolai attempted to shield their faces with their hands but failed. Bryan laughed at their negligence and slowly made his way to Amelia, she inched to the headrail of the bed trying to distance herself from him. Her actions angered him, he closed the distance quickly and grabbed her by the hair holding her tightly by the face causing her to look at him right in the eyes.

"Leave her alone" Nikolai shouted trying hard to reach the bastard.

"I'm just going to teach your kid here a lesson in running away from home. You thought I wouldn't find you huh? Of all places New York?" Bryan sneered in her face.

The memory of meeting Angelo for the first time to the first time he told her he loved her and would protect her had her smiling. "New York saved me from your fucked up mind. Angelo will find me." Her smart mouth remark earned her slap to the face.
"I see the mutt made someone brave. I'll show him not to touch what is mine" he said. The venom in his voice was evident. Bryan straddled her by the waist the clanking of chains by both Nikolai and Amelia mixed with their protests echoed throughout the room it only excited Bryan more.

Amelia's heart began to beat faster in fear. He's going to hurt me in front of my father? was her panicked thoughts. Anger coursed through her veins as he pressed a bruising kiss against her lips. He was stronger than she remembered, her struggles cause the cuffs of the chains to bit into her skin. Amelia screamed out in pain then biting his lips, in retaliation, he smacked her repeatedly while holding her by the throat.

"GET OFF!!!!" she screamed. For the second time, she felt alive and powerful. The whole room was shaking, the light above them began to flicker before it exploded. Amelia and Nikolai turned their faces away from the splinters flying all over the room as Bryan hopped off of Amelia scampering to the door. "What has he done to you? You're one of them now. A fucking freak!" he shouted trying to stand upright. Amelia was still angry her eyes were dark with rage and her wolf, Layla was pretty close to the surface. Not only was the room affected by her power but the area they were located was too. Pulling at her chains with a bit more force, the strength of her wolf and herself joined she was able to break free with the chains dragging behind her.

Nikolai watched in awe and in pure shock at the girl before him, she raised her arms slowly from the sides bringing with her the broken pieces of the concrete floor her focus was on Bryan who was inching further away from her in fear. As she was about to attack him when a shot rang out amidst the chaos. Nikolai screamed out in agony as he can't believe what he was witnessing. It all happened so quickly, a man in dark clothing was holding the gun to Amelia and shot her in the shoulder, she immediately went down screaming in pain, silver was oozing out of the wound. Four other men rushed in and replaced her chains. Pure silver chains. One was placed around her neck while the other two bounded her wrists and ankles together.

The screams of his daughter had him also screaming out in pain, they were killing her. His heart ached, he didn't want to lose another one so close to his heart.

"You will soon feel loss again Starkov. Both you and the young prince will soon feel it." The voice of Mendez had him turning to the door. With those words, he heard the truth in them.

Alpha Ramon Mendez was going to be true to his word.