Chapter 9
NICHOLAS
do not for one second believe that any of this is real.”
My lips curved into a slow smile. “What is not real? Don’t tell me you don’t believe in the power of love at first sight.”
Luther’s eyes namowed, but he remained silent. I leaned back in my chale, crossing one leg over the other, taking my time with the movement to show
was in control
“You wanted me to have something to lose,” I continued, my voice laced with false sweetness. “And now, I am so deeply in love with Adeline that it would break me if anything ever happened to her. I’ve held up my end of the deal. As a man of your word, it’s time for you to sign those papers and cement our alliance.” I raised an eyebrow. “Unless, of course, you’d like to go against your principles and start breaking your word now?”
Luther smiled suddenly and the sight of it made my hackles rise. There was something too knowing in that expression, and I didn’t like it
“You know,” he began, his voice smooth, “what’s kept me at the top of the chain, even in the face of new challenges like this one? it’s because I’m t people’s person. And Adeline?” He paused, his gare thoughtful. “She’s beautiful, strong… but scared of you. That’s why the won’t admit it to anyone. You might think you have the upper hand now, Nicholas, but time has a way of shitting the tides. Women like Adeline? They make men fall hard–even men with hearts of stone like yours. When that happens, she won’t just be your weakness. She’ll be your entire world.”
I clenched my jaw, my beast stirring in irritation at his words. “Sign the damn papers, Luther, and save your fairytales for someone else.”
The smile never left his face as he picked up his pen, scanned the documents, and signed with a deliberate flourish. “There. Mark my words, Nicholas f hope I get an invitation to the wedding later on.”
“There will only be one wedding happening, and it’s in a few days. I’m already reconsidering sending you an invitation,” I snapped, standing abruptly and snatching the papers from the desk
My beast growled, restless and agitated, hating the fact that we needed Luther’s resources. If I had my way, I’d rip his head from his shoulders and wipe that smug smile off his face forever.
“We’ll make the official announcement to the realm by Monday. I am no longer interested in dinner. Adeline and I don’t have an appetite anymore.”
As I turned to leave, Luther’s voice stopped me. “You’re already in sync with her. That’s good-
A sharp knock at the door interrupted him. It opened without Luther’s permission, and a man stepped inside, his gaze briefly meeting mine before bowing his head.
Such disrespect he tolerated. If anyone dared enter without my permission, they would not be leaving with their body parts intact.
“Your Highness. Alpha Luther,” he greeted.
“Nathaniel,” Luther replied, his tone curious. “Is there a problem?”
Nathaniel glanced at me again before clearing his throat, “Yes. It seems Miss Nicole has gotten herself into trouble again.”
Luther chuckled, shaking his head. “What else is new? Send some men as backup, but don’t intervene unless absolutely necessary. You know how upset she gets when I undermine her independence,”
“Alpha Luther,” Nathaniel said hesitantly, “it’s different this time. The men you sent to trail her just reported back. They can’t find her. She entered a bar but never came out, and she isn’t anywhere inside.” His eyes flicked to me. “The Lycan King’s Luna was with her.”
A growl tore from my chest, shaking the very walls of the room. The paintings rattled, and Nathaniel flinched visibly. “Why didn’t you start with that? Where are they?”
Luther placed a calming hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure everything will
I be fine.”
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Chapter 9
turned my plane on him, ny voice low and deadly. “Remove your hand from my shoulder, or I’ll remove it for you,”
Luther sighed, stepping back with a shrug. “Nicole can handle herself, Nicholas. She’s resourceful. But if it will put you at ease, I’ll double the men
“Keep your men,” I growled, heading toward the door. “I’ll handle this myself What bar is it?”
Nathaniel cleared his throat nervously. “The bar is called The Red Lantern, Your Majesty!
Without another word, I stoned out, my mind spinning with thoughts of Adeline. She had left without informing me, and when I found her, there would be consequences. My beast growled in agreement, already devising punishments for her disobedience.
The Red Lantern was a seedy establishment, the kind of place that reeked of stale alcohol, sweat, and desperation. The heavy bass of the music thumped through the walls, grating on my beast’s nerves.
I pushed through the doors, the dim lighting casting a red haze over the room. The place was packed with bodies–people dancing, drinking, and shouting over the music. Everything seemed normal on the surface, but something felt of
I inhaled deeply, my heightened senses picking up every scent in the room. Adeline’s scent was faint but present, lingering near the bar and leading toward the back. I followed it, my eyes scanning every face, every shadow..
The scent led me to the restroom. The door creaked open as I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping over the space. Everything seemed in order–pristine, almost too clean for a place like this.
was about to turn around and leave when I noticed it a claw mark etched into the side of one of the stalls.
The mark was deep, the kind only a supernatural could make. My beast surged forward, snarling with rage. Something had happened here, and Adeline had been in the middle of it
I reached out, running my fingers over the grooves in the wood. The scent was stronger here, mixed with something metallic–blood.
Turning sharply, I stormed out of the restroom, my senses on high alert. Adeline was close. I could feel it. But so was something else–something dangerous.
As I stepped outside, the cool night air did nothing to soothe the storm raging within me. My beast clawed at the edges of my control, agitated and restless. Before I could take another step, two men approached me!
Both wore dark clothing, their postures tense. They bowed their heads slightly, though the action lacked the respect I expected.
“Your Majesty,” one of them started, his voice steady but wary. “We were informed you’d be coming. We’re the men assigned to trail Alpha Luther’s daughter.”
“But you don’t seem to know how to do your jobs properly, perhaps you need a little more orientation,” I growled, narrowing my eyes.
The second man hesitated, glancing briefly at his companion before speaking. “It’s not the first time Miss Nicole has… gone off the grid. She has a tendency to get herself into trouble.”
“Trouble?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. “She dragged my Luna into this mess. So tell me, why are you standing here instead of finding them?”
The first man flinched under my glare but managed to reply. “We’ve searched the surrounding areas-
“Clearly not well enough,” I snapped, my voice low and lethal.“You’d better pray nothing happens to Adeline. If she so much as gets a scratch, I will find
your deaths will be slow and excruciatingly painful Do you understand me?” both of you. And when I do,
Their eyes flashed with fear, and one of them swallowed hard before nodding, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
21:47 Wed, 11 Jun
Chapter 9
I turned on my heel without another word and stalked back to my car. My beast rumbled in frustration, urging me to rip them apart, but I ignored it–for
NOW
Adeline just couldn’t wait a month before getting herself into trouble and get herself killed. Just long enough for this facade to solidify and serve its purpose. But en second thought, the papers were signed. My alliance with Luther was cemented. I didn’t need her anymore.
Or at least, that’s what I told myself
As I slid into the driver’s seat, my beast growled again, loud and insistent, its fury rattling through me. My teeth ground together in invitation. Why did
Adeline’s scent lingered faintly on my senses, mingling with the sharp tang of danger. My beast roared its disapproval, and with a muttered curse, I pulled out my phone.
Derek picked up on the first ring.
“Your Majesty,” he said briskly.
“I want every available man on the streets. Scour every inch of this city. Adeline has gone missing and I believe she was taken. I want her found. Now
There was a brief pause, then, “Understood. Any specific leads to follow?”
“Start with The Red Lantern and work outward.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
I ended the call, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as I started the car.
There would be consequences for leaving without my permission but whoever took her was going to pay because as far as the world was concerned.
My beast growled one single word: Mine.
Adeline was to be my Luna, My Queen. Contract or no contract. My
And no one touched what is mine.
E
