Mika tossed and turned in his four-poster bed. It was the night before the wedding. He couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw visions of Sherrice and their would-be child. It was always the same. He'd enter their apartment to an ashen grey Sherrice holding their baby. She'd have blood-red tears streaming down her face. She would scream at him. "Why would you do this to me?!" With blood gushing from her neck down her naked body onto the baby. She was upset with him. Wherever she was in the afterlife. The guilt overwhelmed him. Thoughts of running away kept re-surfacing. He sat up in the bed and checked the time on his phone. It was two am. He would have to be up in a couple of hours anyway.

He wiped the dampness on his forehead away with his cotton white bedsheets and wiped away the sweat across his chest. He went over to the window and cracked it open. The cool breeze gave him a little relief but it wasn't enough. The four wooden walls felt like they were about to swallow him. He needed fresh air. At this hour everyone would be asleep. He could go outside and be alone. He couldn't remember the last time he was alone. Truly alone. It was near impossible with Jonah lurking around him.

He cracked open the bedroom door, peeped out and saw no one in the hallway. He shuffled as quietly and as quickly as his bedroom slippers would allow down the hall. He prayed he wouldn't run into a servant or guard. But his pathway to the stairs was empty. He sighed a breath of relief as the main room was empty. He didn't know who he'd expected to see at this time of the night. He made a path to the backdoor in the kitchen. He unbolted the heavy iron bolt and carefully opened the door. The fresh air slapped him in the face. The night was cool, but not enough to give chills.

Mika felt the stone and uneven ground through his thin slippers as he walked into the garden. The full moon gave the most light to the garden, with only the gazebo being lit. The crickets were out in their millions as their chirping banged against his eardrums and swallowed his senses. He took a much-needed breath, taking in the scent of freshly cut grass and night dew. He wandered aimlessly through the rows of flowers. His mind meandered between thoughts of escaping while he could, finding the killers, and the strange appreciation he started to feel toward Olafia.

Mika approached the gazebo, remembering the brief conversation he had with her. She'd been so busy with wedding matters, he hadn't had a moment alone with her since. Mika halted when he heard not so hushed whispers coming from behind the gazebo. He didn't move. He strained his ears to hear the person but the crickets were too loud. The voice got a little louder as the figure of a man came into the gazebo light. Mika dove behind a bush, hopefully before the figure noticed.

"Yes, everything is working out well 'ere," the voice said in their Mesukan accent. He would recognize the tone anywhere as this person had been whispering in his ear since he accepted the Alpha role. But, what was Dean doing out here at this time of the night?

Mika peaked through the bushes he was hiding in. There was no one else around but Dean's figure. He heard him chuckle to himself. Was he on the phone?

"Don't you worry about that man, everything is falling right into place. The wedding is tomorrow. It will all be fine. Trust me," he assured whoever was on the line.

"No man I'll call you next time and we'll take of everything." The conversation ended. Dean hurried away. Not to the house but through the large gate that separated the garden from the rest of the yard.

Mika creeped out from behind the bushes when he was sure Dean had left and all voices had disappeared. Odd. Why was Dean here so late? He could be dealing with last-minute wedding matters. Dean had insisted that his father and he take care of all things wedding related. All he had to do was show up. Maybe that's what ran him so late.

Having gotten enough fresh air, he went back inside and secured the bolt to the kitchen door. He turned to creep back into his room.

"What are you doing out there boy?" A stern voice greeted him from behind.

Mika froze like a child who had been caught stealing sweets red-handed.

"I, uh, I um..." he muttered. His father stood at the archway leading to the main room. The night lamps illuminated him from behind and cast an ominous shadow over his face.

"Do you know how dangerous it is for the Alpha to be out at night without guards?" his father questioned. He stamped the gold cane against the floor and Mika jumped.

"I, I'm sorry, I just needed some,"

"I don't care what you needed. It doesn't matter. What you need is to make sure you keep your head on your shoulders and not become like your brother,"

Mika held his tongue as arguing with the man had no point.

"You are Alpha now. The greatest honour any Mesukan man could have. Don't forget why you are here, boy." His father spat at him before turning on his heels and shuffling to his room.

Yes, he remembered. He remembered quite clearly. Tomorrow he will marry Olafia. And use what resources she has to find who took his Sherrice from him. No more distractions Mika. No more.