HUNTER'S POV

Hunter's Mansion,
07:32 pm

Manspreading on the couch in my dark hallway I was staring at the woodstove as it was burning languidly... just like the cigarette between my fingertips. Just like my soul...

Flames still evoke memories of that day. The day of my destruction. The day I lost everything at once. One of the hardest days of my life but the day my mother died still tops on the list of my worst days.

I lost two most important women in my life. Losing my mom broke me inside but losing Grace-

F*ck this name hurts.

Even the mere remembrance of that person hurts now who used to be my safest place.

We all die, some more than once.

She died for me. I died for her, for the world.

I'm not like them. I don't value life like they do. She ran away. I told her to run but if I was at her place... I would have preferred to die along my love.

I value death. Because death's the truth. Life's fake, it leaves but death forever follows. It's so loyal that it snatches your soul from your body to take you with it to join its embrace.

I and Grace were the same way. I chased her but she departed as if I were never a reason to remain.

I thought I'd die if she'd ever leave me. I wasn't mistaken. I was dead inside for months but those months also healed me.

I realized I needed that hurt.

Crazy...how pain helps you refocus.

I was a fool to put myself under the illusion that she was the reason I was breathing but that is far from the reality. In reality, she's the cause of these collapsing lungs and the only one capable of breathing life back into them again is me.

It still sucks to remember how I allowed the pain to deputize all other feelings in order to feel alive again. I put myself under the illusion that she was the reason I was breathing. But she's is the real reason I am hardly fucking alive.

I got way too attracted to her. I was too ready to kiss the ground she had ever walked on.

I was so so f*cked.

I've lost count of the promises I've broken for her. As well as the bones and jaws. And sadly that made me a villain.

My rule: If you can't convince them...
confuse them. That's what I did.

I was never enough for her. But I know I don't mean nothing to her. I don't have her heart but I have a piece of it. The tiniest one but I do have it. It'll never be whole.

She admits it or not but the fact is, I didn't lose her, she lost me. I'll always linger in her soul. She'll search for me in everyone she'll be with but I won't be found.

It wasn't that hard to be with me. I bet no one could ever cherish her more than me. I realized it too late but it taught me a valuable lesson that if someone doesn't fight to keep you, never fight yourself to stay.

Set them free, let them regret.

Tell me where I was wrong... Didn't I care? didn't I love? didn't I sacrifice? didn't I wait?

I did everything I had in my hands.

World!

The entire world I had in my fist which I lay under her feet but she didn't know how to walk on it. She left me broken. She didn't care, she didn't love, she didn't sacrifice, she didn't wait.

Now it's back to the way we started.

Strangers.

Our story ended there.

But I didn't.
My enemies didn't.
Alaric didn't.

My empire must collapsed, my friends must betrayed, my love must left but my strength didn't. My Dad didn't.

My dad was right, he says love makes you weak. He says, Not all women are wh*re, some are sl*ts, some are b*tches.

I followed his rules. Threw my silly heart and burnt it. Being heartless is so powerful.

It's better this way. A little lonelier but better.

I thought for some stupid f*cking reason that maybe if I love her enough, that if I'll respect her she'll stay. But I was wrong and now she's gone.

I promised myself that day that I'll be the worst version of myself. I'll be the Hunter King people will stutter to pronounce my name.

And after a year of struggles, I built my Empire again. I collected my loyal men and honed their skills to even greater heights.

For the first time in my entire life, I granted someone the rare gift of a second chance.

Dash!

He proved he's worth it.

He saved me that day and surrendered himself. " Kill me leave Zoe." His words.

He's sick. So I.

He died that day not by me but by his Zoe.

Because she left.

Divorce papers and the wedding ring were found when we got back to Dash's house but Dash has not affixed his signature upon them.

The only time I've ever seen Dash crying. Dying actually... and I was able to feel exactly what he was feeling.

That night the sun didn't set it fell on us.

For most people, it's history now.
But for me whenever I close my eyes it all comes back clearly.

Especially she.

I saw her recently in New York when I went there for some work. She was holding a baby girl. As beautiful as her. She was smiling. I did the same from afar.

Even though they say that time heals all wounds, the scars are still
f*cking there. I can't forget what
happened. I can't forget how I felt. I can never forget her even though I try.

I never unliked her nor unloved. She's still right there in my mind. Just not in my arms.

I could still rip that little thief in a beat but I don't want her anymore. I do feel not the same for her anymore. I got patience. Now she's nothing but a worthless object for me. Them being alive or dead is now the same to me.

Not to forget. I saw that Caden guy jumping into the collapsing mansion to save me that day. That's the moment I realized why she chose him. If someone could try to save their biggest enemy just because their women told them, they deserve them.

I know that local thief wasn't my level. He was just her choice. Nor was he my competition but Alaric is.

If I'm a King so does he. We are the two sides of the same coin. It'll be a fun competition. Tough also... because that goofy ass is as insane as I am.

So I had to get on my feet. Had to become stronger. And I succeeded.

We were underground until the day of the announcement of Mafia King. We showed up to shake the underworld. To get the title I wanted to win my entire life which is now divided into two.

There are two mafia kings with the same power now.

I would have agreed like I've been with my dad's every decision but not this time.

I want what I want doesn't matter if it's mine or not.

My target is to become the only Mafia King. I don't want anyone holding as much power as I do.

Definitely not Alaric.

I want to be the only ruler even if it costs lives. His life. Innocent lives. Doesn't matter.

The chain of my thoughts broke when I heard some footsteps. I glanced up to see my men coming in my direction then a dead young boy getting thrown in my feet by Dash.

It was me who commanded my man to get me this m*therf*cker... dead or alive. Because he had lived enough to be a spy of my enemies.

The f*cking Italian mafias.
My new target.

All the mafia around the world have teamed up against us and their leader is from the Italian Mafia.

They dared to go against us because Alaric alone was easy to get rid of in my absence. Or this is what they think. He's no less than a hundred armies himself.

They have been spying on us. Keep on sending these silly spies and getting their men killed every time but not ready to step back.

" He was found in the 'Skywing Plaza' mall." One of my men informed.

" Send this trash where it belongs. Let them know how these people end up. You'll get your reward by tomorrow." I dismissed them, observing their dutiful obedience.

They say "Hungry dogs are never loyal"
I say "Loyal dogs are never hungry"

I feed my men well. The reason they don't bite the hands that feed them unlike Alaric's.

They are well-focused and skilled, a huge example, is the man settling himself beside me on the couch.

" Do you have any plans?" Dash asked as I was wearing a suit. That's how I dress casually but it's Dash. He can distinguish the difference between my two eyes. He knows me more than I know myself.

" Dad invited me for the dinner with his family." I stood up fixing my suit.

" Say hi to uncle and get f*cked to that m*therf*cker." Dash gritted.

I chuckled. He hates Ric to the core of his heart but not more than me.

Alaric is simply alive because I want him to live. He's an enemy with benefits for me because right now it's King vs. other mafias. Otherwise, his life is in my fist. I won't waste a single moment before ripping his heart.

There's no doubt I'm counting his breaths but I'm waiting for the time to come. I don't want to fight among us because it'll directly benefit those Italians.

Our bond looks healthy from outside the reason others are not openly provoking us.

Once we accomplish our goal of ruling the leftover region, he's going to die ugly and alone with my hands.

He wrote the script of his death the day he got into my ways.

Dad isn't unaware of what Alaric did to me. I didn't tell him. I know Dad will not go easy on him after knowing the truth but I want to take revenge myself.

I want him dead but not so easily. I want every drop of his blood which is gonna ooze painful. I want each of his breaths painful. I need to hear him screaming, and begging. I want to see him helplessly dying in front of my eyes. With my hands otherwise, I won't be satisfied.

I sat in my car and drove by myself. After half an hour I reached Dad's mansion.

I parked my car at the gate and got out of the car. I fixed my coat before taking a step inside but the vroom sound got my attention from behind. I turned to see Ric entering the mansion.

I stood there sliding my hands in my pocket.

I've no interest in the family dinner but I do love it when Ric starts to sweat. He cannot even make eye contact with me nor he should.

He knows his limits perfectly which he had crossed once.

I know he has lots of questions about me not opening my mouth. I'm just been extra chill that's definitely sending chills down his spine.

I'm not making any move until it's the time. I have been playing this game way too much recently.

I had my eyes on him as he got out of the car. He closed the door and moved to face the entrance but before he could take any step further he caught me staring at him.

I was smiling at him extra sweetly. Because I know this triggers him the most.

" It's cold outside. Get in. You might catch a cold." I said sarcastically and he knew every drop of my sarcasm.

He walked and stopped in front of me. " Why are you doing this?" He asked being done with my fake behaviour around him.

" Doing what?" I played dumb. " Caring?" I frowned. " Oh come on." I placed my hand on his filthy shoulder. " You are my younger brother. It's my responsibility." My fingers dug into his shoulder. "Only I have the right to torture you," I added sounding how I felt inside.

" You want to kill me, don't you?" He questioned.

" Close enough." I chuckled. "I've died once it's no fun." I shook my head. " And why would I kill my brother? You are not a villain. In fact, I'm your fan. You planned so well but sadly I survived. Try harder next time." I tapped on his arm before facing the mansion. " Anyways, let's continue dine." I smiled getting inside but stopped as I remembered something to deliver him. I turned to see him looking at me. " Dash told me to tell you to get f*cked." I smiled sweetly at him before entering.

As I went inside I found my Dad and his wife in the hallway. I greeted them and soon Alaric also joined us.

Alaric's mom served both of them first then asked me if I needed something but I shortly declined.

She always tries to get close to me but I know she's a problematic person so I prefer to have distance. I have no attachment to her even though she's been with me since I was young. I only respect her because she's my father's wife. She's nothing more or less for me.

Dad cleared his throat getting our attention. " I invited you both to tell you that the Italians are coming to end all the obstacles between them and us."

" But Dad-" Alaric interrupted. I know what he was thinking because I was thinking the same but interrupting my Dad is a mannerless and foolish act.

" I'm sorry," Alaric mumbled lowering his gaze as Dad frowned at him before continuing his words.

" In the end, they are all made of flesh that can be cut, and bones that can be broken. One wrong act can lead them to a chokehold." Dad stated.

His confidence was fair but to be honest for the first time I thought his decision was somewhat wrong, yet as long as my worst enemies are coming to the devil's den I'll welcome them.

If I get a chance, a single one, I'll end them all.

• He's the type of flower that can still grow after a forest fire.

Chapter Published On: 17 September 2023.

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