Tired was an understatement.

"Get up!" Someone screamed as their presence loomed over me. It's probably that asshole butler who keeps giving me the stink eye. I groaned, not wanting to move as my back was on fire. When did the floor get so comfy?

"I said, get up!" He said with a kick. Being grateful for the bandages that were wrapped around my body and the t-shirt to soften the blow. Man these fuckers are jerks, I began to get to my knees in fear of being hit again. Tired of my slow movement the two butlers picked me up by my shoulders. Looping each of my arms around their necks before a third clasped the same old collar and leash around my neck for extra measure. We began to walk as they dragged me to the main throne room. Again? I haven't even recovered from yesterday. I also noticed that the main butler wasn't showing his ugly face today which was out of the ordinary.

"So it's true? They are really waiting in the library?" One butler said to the other. Talking amongst themselves.

"Yes. I was shocked to hear that we were ordered not to draw our weapons." The other replied.

"Weapons?? I'm surprised he let the bastards in!"

"And were just suppose to stay outside while this whole thing goes down? What if they try to-"

"That's enough. Remember who you are speaking in front of." The third butler chimes in, gesturing to me as I dared to look at him. Giving him a small smirk before he turned back around. I let my head to fall back down as I didn't have the strength to move. What were they talking about? What were they so afraid of? What business did I have to do with it?

Once we entered the throne room I was chained to the floor and pushed to my knees. Sitting stiff as they cuffed my hands before leaving the room. To my surprise I was chained next to the throne instead of in front of it. This was so out of character cause usually I would be facing the throne, but now I'm looking at the opposing wall. What was happening? Why was I here? This is not a session of torment, this is something else. My thoughts were interrupted as I heard the click of a door, watching as Dante walked in. He wore all black as a royal black cape hanged from his shoulders and dragged across the floor. He knelt before me, sliding his hand beneath my chin before he lifted it up. Securing my chin between his thumb and pointer finger as he made me look at him. Dark crimson eyes that scanned the entirety of my face as if he was trying to ingrain it into his memory. I glared at him which he responded with a half hearted smile, a peek of his fangs visible between his lips.

"You may be luckier than I thought." His words were spoken in an melancholy tone. Causing my eyebrows to furrow in confusion.

"What?" What did he mean by that?

     He didn't answer me, his hand dropping from my chin as he got back to his feet. His boots clicking against the marble floor before he fell back into his throne. A long sigh escaping his lips before he rubbed his eyes. He looked troubled, but curious as a small chuckle rumbled from his chest. He removed his hand before sitting up straight in his throne. He tried to look big and intimidating, forming an evil smirk that even I had never seen before. He took in a deep breath before letting it out with a maniacal laugh.

(Play song)

"Let them in." He ordered and the door on the opposing wall slowly opened with a click. That was when it hit me, an aroma that took over every inch of my senses. A scent that irked my muscles to move forward as the opened door allowed a pathway for the smell to leave the room and into my nose. A smell that send every fiber of my body trembling in want. A smell that can only be known as...

Dangerous Lavender.

But it couldn't be, he couldn't possibly be- my thoughts cease to exist as my eyes widened in shock. My heart began to pound rapidly as hazel nut eyes met with my ever green glance. It was him, it was Ky. I quickly got to my feet, tugging at my chain desperately as I wanted to run to him. Seeing that he was restraining himself from running to me and clasping me in his arms. His eyes not daring to leave mine. Sakura and Alice were by his side as they walked towards Dante. Stopping a safe distance as Alice and Sakura looked at my broken state with sad and revengeful eyes. I slumped back down to my knees, trying to salvage the little energy I had left. I can feel Ky's eyes boring into me before Dante cleared his throat. Making Ky shoot daggers into the king as his eyes instinctively turned from brown to red.

"Ky Severs," Dante began, his voice filled with mockery. "What a pleasant surprise. Tell me, what have I done to earn this fine visit?"

"Dante Knight, if you don't mind please cut the bull shit. You know exactly why I'm here." He snarled, his eyes burning with hate. I couldn't stop looking at him, there he was, finally within arms reach. If only it weren't for these goddamn chains I would be able to run to him, to hold him. As I kept looking at him I slowly noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the disheveled look of his hair. As if he had been running his hands through it in frustration and fear. He look tired and tense.

Dante's lips formed into a smirk as he relished in Ky's response. "Oh you mean this!" Dante grabbed my hair and pulled my head back hard. Making me look up at him as I heard the scuffle of feet ready to pounce. He then decided to pull me up by my hair, raising me to his height as we came face to face before he clamped my face into his hand. Making me growl and struggle as it only made him hold my face tighter. I could feel the tension grow as Dante could see Ky tense with every touch he made. Knowing that he was getting to him. "Fine specimen she is isn't she? Undeniably beautiful and a body so tempting that even I couldn't resist devouring it. I was gonna make her into my pet if you never showed. Or better yet my own personal sex slave so I could ravage her body every night until she is too sore to get up." Ky was expressing the face of a killer as it was clear that he so badly wanted to cut Dante's throat. "I might still be able to..." he paused as he threw me back on the floor. Making me fall on my side before I got back up quickly. "...if you are unable to take her that is."

"She will be leaving with me." Ky sounded confident. His voice stern as his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Oh? And how can you be so sure about that? By fighting me? You know that's against the rules of the treaty and even if you didn't give a damn about the treaty, you know I could kill her in an instant and we both know you don't want that. So the only way I can see you leaving with her is if we made a trade of some sort. Something I want for something you need."

Ky remained silent for a moment as his fiery eyes danced in between me and Dante. Looking as if he was contemplating about what to say. He had to be careful for he knew Dante was holding all the cards and if he made one wrong move he could lose me for a second time. So he cleared his throat and began to open his lips before Dante placed his hand in the air to stop him.

"But wait, I just remembered that I may have two things that could possibly be of interest to you. And since I think I have too many werewolves already, I'll cut you deal and let you have one for free. Then if you desire the other, you can come back with something worth trading. How does that sound?" He mocked. Leaning on his elbows as his eyes flashed a bright red. A smirk playing on his lips as he loved how deep he could get under Ky's skin. Ky trying to keep his composure as he remained still.

"What do you mean...two." Ky asked in a harsh tone.

Dante chuckled before one corner of his lip perked up to form a half smile. He placed both of his hands at the end of the throne's armrest before pushing himself up onto his feet. His hands fell back to his sides before they slowly slipped behind him. The cape unruffled as it framed his body perfectly. Everyone watching him carefully to see what he was going to do next. His eyes flickered and with stern tone he commanded, "bring her in." They came on the opposite side of the throne. Dragging in the young werewolf girl as I had came to know as Angel. I quickly rose to my feet in fear of what may become of her. They dragged her next to the throne where she herself was chained to the floor. Struggling with the restraint as her wild red hair moved beautifully with her thrashing. Her struggle froze immediately once she saw Ky, freezing more when she saw me, and trembling when her eyes finally landed on Dante.

"Ky that's..." I heard Alice speak in a hush whispered.

"I-it can't be." Ky's eyes widened as the trio stood in disbelief. They looked at Angel as if they had just seen a ghost. As if they knew her and couldn't believe that she... wait. That's why she looks so familiar! She's-

"W-what's going on? Why am I here Master? Did I do something wrong?" Angel asked as she was shaken with fear. Her eyes darting between me and then back to Dante.

"No, no my sweet Angel. There is just something important that I have to tell you." Dante grabbed her arm gently, but it held an threatening motive behind it. This made Ky take a leap forward before Alice and Sakura restrained him for his own good. Holding their ground as they concentrated on keeping Ky back while ensuring the safety of the girl.

"W-What is it?" Her voice was like a scared dove, frantically cooing as she could sense a predator upon her.

Dante slowly raised his hand in front of her face. His hand poise as he prepare to snap before looking down at the girl. "This," he finally replied as his fingers moved to make the loudest snap possible. Once hearing the sound, Angel's eyes flickered to a close before her head fell back. Her body shaking as if her body was possessed by an evil spirit. Thrashing her head about as sounds of discomfort escaped through her gritted teeth. Her heart was beating fast now as her breath quickened with each passing second. Getting a glimpse of her eyes moving frantically behind her eye lids as if she was trying to process something at great speed. Then...everything came to a stop. She froze and picked her head back up slowly. Standing up straight before she opened her eyes revealing the color red. She quickly found Ky as a tear slowly fell down her left cheek. "You remember don't you?" Dante questioned, his face eerily close to the young girl.

She hesitated before answering. Breathing heavily out of her nose as she tried to hide her instant fear. "Yes."

"Please, be a dear, and tell them who are you my pretty little angel."

She swallowed hard, her eyes pleading for Ky's help. "My name...is Annabelle Severs. Little sister to Ky Severs and daughter of Cain and Rebecca Severs. And you..." She paused as she glared at Dante. "Kidnapped me two years ago and erased my memory. You kept me from my family!!" She screamed as she lunged at him. Her Alpha eyes burning profusely as she snarled at him. Getting stopped by the chain and collar as he was just out of arms reach. Her laughed at the young girl's attempts as his eyes met a very pissed off Ky. Smirking at how much Ky was boiling with rage to his own extent, finding the image very pleasing.

"So what would it be Severs, long lost sister or beautifully defined Beta. Who do you love more? And which one do I get to keep? You have until the count of 10 to decide. One."

Ky was very conflicted as he stood there with his fists at his sides. Alice and Sakura standing next to him speechless as they themselves found the choice too hard to make. This was torture, the ultimate test that no man ever wants to be put through: family vs lover. He would never make the choice, he couldn't possibly sacrifice one for the other. He couldn't do it, but I can.

"Ky!" I mind linked him. Closing my eyes so I could concentrate in my weakened state. Hoping and praying that the silver nitrate was weak enough to get my message through.

"Two."

"Serena!"

I sighed with relief, thank god it got through. "Listen to me, take Annabelle, take your sister and leave me."

"What? I can't, I won't."

"Three."

"You must! Listen Annabelle is young and just remembered who she was! She won't be able to take Dante's punishments. Take her and leave me."

"But-"

"Four."

"Listen to me. This bastard locked me up in a cell and left me to starve. He has whipped me and tried to touch me inappropriately. He has no boundaries into getting what he wants, which is hurting you."

"Five."

"If you don't take your sister, he will break her until she is nothing but a hallow shell. Don't put her through that, let me go through it. I can handle it...she can't."

"Six."

"But I don't want to sacrifice you. I don't want to lose you again." His heart was breaking at the seams. Looking at me with hurt eyes as he so badly wanted me by his side.

"Seven."

"I'm sacrificing myself. And you won't lose me forever."

"Eight."

"Make the call Ky!"

"But-"

"Nine."

"Make the call now!"

"Te-"

"Annabelle!" Ky finally shouted. Relief filling my ears as I looked at him with a smile. A pit of fear once again forming in my stomach as Dante was a little taken aback by his decision. "I want Annabelle."

Dante looked eerily delighted with Ky's choice. His stunned open mouth turning into a smile as his eyes couldn't hide his joy, giving off the impression that this was exactly what he wanted. "Annabelle correct? You want your little sister." He mocked with delight as he pointed at Annabelle for confirmation. Ky nodded hesitantly, his eyes watching Dante carefully as he relished with joy. "Very well then," Dante raised his hand into the air. "A deal is a deal," he then snapped his fingers and Annabelle's chains unlocked before they fell to the floor. Without a second thought Annabelle ran to Ky, wrapping her arms around his waist as her head barely came up to his chest. He clasped her into a bear hug, squeezing her tight as if he couldn't even believe his own eyes. Needing to hold her to confirm that this was really his sister, that this wasn't just some kind of illusion or sick trick. It was her and he was never gonna allow her to leave his sight ever again. Dante began to slowly clap, breaking up the heart warming reunion as the duo looked at their enemy. Ky quickly moving Annabelle between him and Alice, Alice placing her hand on the young girl's shoulders protectively. "What a lovely family reunion. Now, since our first part of the deal has been fulfilled and you have nothing to trade you may leave me in peace. For I..." he grabbed the chain of my collar, lifting me to my feet as her made me look at him. His face leaning too close to mine as it made me recoil as far away as I could. "...have something to fuck now," he purred looking at me, making me growl in disgust.

"I want Serena too," Ky interject, making Dante whip is head from me to his enemy. Still holding the chain tight as he did not allow me to move.

"But you have nothing to trade."

The door that Ky and the others previously walked through slammed open with a kick. "That's what you think," Ky said with a smirk. The cards now in his hands as Jason and Daren  came through the door. Each of them having a section of chain wrapped around their arms as they pulled their main guest into the room. A girl with long black hair, pale skin, and blood red eyes. It was the same girl that attacked me at our highschool, the one who was so confident and cocky. I'm now relishing in the fact of her look of fear as Jason and Daren dragged her before Dante as she was wrapped in the chains carved with a priest's blessing. "You have one of mine and I have one of yours. A reasonable trade I dare say myself." Ky said smugly, knowing that he now had the upper hand. However Dante looked un-phased.

"I was wondering how you found this place. Now I know." Dante glared at the girl with rage, her head bowing in fear and submission. "Keep the traitor, I don't need her anymore." He said emotionless, unchaining me from the floor before he began to walk away.

"Delphine Black," Ky stepped forward. Making Dante stiff as he did not dare look at the scene behind him. "Daughter to one of your highest officials, daughter to one of your strongest allies? The women that you're suppose to marry in order to unify the bond between your kingdom and her father's forces?"

Dante turned around, looking at Ky with eyes filled with a furious red. "I see you've done your homework."

"I've done much more than that." Ky retorted. "If your people...if your officials found out that you could have saved your future queen from enemy's hands and decided not to. What do you think they would do? What would they say?" Dante remained speechless, frozen as he finally acknowledged that his greatest foe had trapped him in a corner. "They may do one of two things. One, you may lose your allies or two, you yourself can have your very own war on your hands. Either way you lose the support of your people, you lose your allies, you lose your forces, then what are you gonna do to defeat me?" Ky asked rhetorically. "Your father couldn't even kill me without his own army, are you gonna do the same by yourself." Dante hissed at the mention of his father. Bearing his fangs as he transported himself face to face with Ky, holding my chain at arms length.

"Don't you DARE talk about my father." Dante said enraged. Panting as the two were too close for comfort. Ky unshaken by the close proximity of his foe as he tried to restrain his hands behind his back so he wouldn't grab Dante's throat.

"Face it Dante, whether you like it or not you need her. And I'm willing to give her back to you if you give back what is mine."

Dante scanned Ky's face slowly. Analyzing every inch of his face as he tried to find his bluff. Trying to find the fear that Ky had not too long ago and to his dismay...he found none. "You sick bastard," Dante snarled. Turning around quickly before he stood in front of me.

"Do we have a deal or not." Ky questioned, not letting Dante get away so easily.

"Yes you imbecile. How the fuck do you want to do this!" Dante shouted. Infuriated that he allowed Ky to win so easily, but he knew Ky had a point. He knew that what Ky was saying was true, so he had no other choice but to give what his enemy wanted.

"We unchain them at the same time and have each other walk to their party freely."

"I don't think your Beta can make it on her own. Even I am the only thing that's holding her up at this point." Dante retorted, a tinge of compassion hidden within his voice.

"Then I will go-"

"No, Annabelle will come get her."

"Like hell she w-"

"Annabelle come and helps her or no deal."

Ky was about to protest again before a small hand tug on the back of his shirt. Making him look down at the curly redheaded who was the spitting image of his mother. "I will do it Ky."

"Are you sure? This could be another trap."

She nodded, "I am. I've been living with Dante for two years, I know when his lying. This is not one of those times and I helped Serena the entirety she was her. Let me help her to the end."

Ky sighed and reluctantly nodded, his sister scurrying over to my side as she watched Dante cautiously. "Alright," Ky said walking over to Delphine. Standing before her as he was ready to place his hand on the lock of her restraints. "Let's undo the chains in 3...2...1." At the count of one Dante snapped his fingers and Ky placed his hand on the lock. The chains falling off of me and the girl at the same time as I began to fall. Annabelle grabbed me quickly, helping me steady myself before she looked up at me and smiled. God...when did I get so tired. Delphine began to walk which gave us the cue to walk, relying on my one good leg as Annabelle helped me across. As we passed each other Delphine hit my shoulders with her's, making me look over my shoulder before she flashed me a devilish grin. Oh, you know this ain't over bitch, I thought to myself as I shot my own glare at her. Delphine quickly took her place at Dante's side, while I collapsed into Ky's arms the moment he opened them. He lift me up bridal style and I sighed with the comfort of his warmth. Burying my face into his shoulder before I wrapped my arms around his neck. Clinging to him hard as I accepted his embrace, not being embarrassed by the fact that he was holding me like a princess.

"This ain't over yet," Dante declared, "this is only the beginning."

     Ky ignored his ramblings as he turned and began to walk out. The betas following him close behind as they made sure Annabelle was in the front with her brother. Keeping their guard up as they eyed every butler we passed, my eyes slowly became sleepy as my world slowly turned black. Everything hurts...everything is so heavy...

"And Ky!"

"What!?" He growled in retaliation.

"Your beta has intrigued me...I will take her again from you and don't think I won't keep her this time."

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Song: "Lovely" by Billie Eilish, ft. Khalid