NALINA ROMIREZ

I've never felt this angry before in my entire life.

Not even when my ex best friend betrayed our friendship. How I was feeling now couldn't compare to anything. I had murder on my mind, and it was directed at two specific persons.

I had taken a risk and I knew Mykel will be angry. But I couldn't just sit around and wait for some tigers to help when my brother's life was on the line. Time wasn't on our side and we needed to act fast.

I looked over at Clyde, his hands were firmly pressed into the steering wheel. He seemed on the edge and I couldn't blame him. None of us knew what to expect and that drove fear into us.

"What if we're too late?" I asked and he glanced over at me.

"Then we kill all of them, "was his reply, his voice stern and dead serious.

I nod slowly and averted my eyes back to the road. The pride was located in the east and it was going to be a long drive. I wish I could create a portal and teleport, that would make things so much more easier.

'LINA!'

I shrieked from the voice in my head.

It was Mykel and he sounded pissed. I swallowed harshly. I was in deep trouble.

'Could you not defy me for once? Why couldn't you just wait like everyone else?'

I bit on my bottom lip. 'I'm sorry, but my brother's life is on the line. I can't let anything happen to him Mykel.'

'I know that but you shouldn't have went on your own. You're pregnant Lina, you can't be making irrational decisions like this.'

I felt the guilt taking over my entire body. He was right. I really wasn't thinking straight.

'Clyde is with me, I'll be fine okay? I just want my brother back.'

'I'm going to strangle him to death. Listen, I want you to stop at the border and wait for us. We're already on our way.'

I sighed deeply. 'Fine, but please hurry.'

The link was cut off and I groaned out loudly.

"What is it?" Clyde asked when he noticed my distress.

"Mykel is angry. He wants us to stop at the border and wait for him, "I replied and Clyde hummed slightly.

"He's going to kill me, that is if the panthers don't get to me first, "he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"What should we do?" I asked him. I was beginning to feel trapped between two different decisions. I could wait at the border for Mykel and lose the only chance of saving my brother; or I could charge in and risk losing my baby or my life.

"We'll stop at the border and wait. Once they get here, we'll go through the woods together. Once we step foot on their territory, we'll be in instant danger, "Clyde answered, his feet pressing down on gas to drive even faster.

Looking back, I've been making too many irrational decisions. I had no sense of logic or reasoning. The first time was when I followed the pup into the woods, knowing the consequences of doing so. I even defied Mykel just to rescue my brother from the black room. Now, I was pregnant yet I was planning on marching into the panthers territory without back up.

Was I stupid? Or I was just not afraid to take risks? Maybe I was overconfident.

After driving for what felt like eternity, we stopped at the border which separated the road from the woods. The air was thick and the silence was eerie. Not a single person or car was in sight which was expected. This place screamed 'bad news' and it was a stay away zone.

"Keep your eyes and ears peeled for anything, "Clyde said and I nod immediately.

So many thoughts were running through my head. I didn't want us to be late and lose all chances of saving Avan. If he dies, I might as well die too. He was the only sibling I had, our bond was stronger than anything.

A deep sigh escaped my lips before relaxing in my seat and closing my eyes.

I was awoken by someone planting kisses on my neck. I opened my eyes to the sight of my mate. He was looming over me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I could wake up to this everyday, "I said before giving him a small smile.

"I'm still upset, but I'll take you up on that offer, "he replied before his face got serious.

I exit the car, the air hitting me like a sudden shock, cold and sharp against my skin. I looked at the others, noting how none of the tiger shifters were present. It was only Dezin, Vinx, Pierre and Mica.

"I thought you said the tigers agreed to help?" I asked Mykel, and a small sigh escaped his lips.

"They have, they just didn't travel with us. They'll show up when the time is right, "he replied and I slapped a hand on my forehead, the pressure of the moment sinking in.

Would the tigers ever show up? The thought gnawed at me, what if they didn't? What if we were left to face this alone, with no backup when we needed it the most? My heart raced as the weight of uncertainty crushed down on me.

"We should go, time isn't on our side, "Clyde said and we all nod.

"Lina, no matter what please stay close to me. I don't want anything to happen to you and the baby, "Mykel said softly, his eyes piercing into my own.

"I will. I just want my brother back, "I told him, my eyes averting to the ground. I didn't want to cry, especially at a time like this. My brother needed me and I had to be strong. If not for myself, then for him.

"We will get him back and once he's safe and sound and we go back home, I'll tie you to the bed and fuck you until you can't walk."

I stared at him in shock. His face was dead serious, his eyes firm and stagnant. I was excited. Once this was over, I'll gladly let him dominate me.

For now, getting back Avan in one piece was my main objective.

>

The pride's abode was nothing like I'd imagined. After sneaking through the dense woods, we now stood before a towering two-story mansion. Mykel sniffed the air, catching a scent that was off, making it hard to tell what creature it was. Whatever it was, it had no business being in panther territory.

"Vinx and Pierre, I want you to go left. Stay alert and don't hesitate to kill, "Mykel said, his eyes settling on his two zetas.

They nodded before sprinting off to the left. Without a word, Clyde darted to the right before disappearing from our view. I looked at Mykel, his shoulders squared as if he was ready for a battle, one that we had no idea what to expect.

"Lina, I want you to stay here with Mica. Dezin and I will go in, "he said next and I shook my head aggressively.

"I'm going in with you. I can't just sit back and do nothing, "I protested, my voice rising slightly.

"You're staying here, end of discussion."

I gritted my teeth, watching as he shifted into his wolf form and bolted towards the mansion, Dezin following close behind. I sighed and looked at Mica. He was on full alert, standing as if he was expecting an attack anytime soon.

I took a seat on a small branch, frustration bubbling in my chest. Mykel had really used his Alpha tone on me, forcing me to submit to his command. I didn't come all this way just to sit and watch him save my brother. I wanted to help, to be part of the fight, not sit and idle. Yet here I was, waiting like some helpless bystander, as if my own strength didn't matter.

A pungent smell brought me back from my thoughts. Mica noticed it too and took a protective stance beside me. I scanned the area, keeping my eyes peeled for anything. Something flashed before my eyes, darting through the thick trees. Only one creature could move that fast.

A vampire.

My chest was now pressed into Mica's back. He was growling, trying to intimidate the vampire who was running circles around us.

"Show yourself coward!, "Mica spat, his nails elongating into sharp claws.

There was an evil laugh before the vampire appeared right infront of us. But not just any vampire, this one should've been dead.

"Ah, don't look so shocked to see me princess, "Dane said, a small smirk playing on his lips.

He should've been dead. How was this possible? I gripped unto Mica's arms, my small nails digging holes in his skin.

"You shouldn't be alive, "I said softly, my eyes still in disbelief.

He laughed. "Everyone wants me dead yet, I'm here alive and well. I've got to say, that sweet old lady...what's her name again? I can't remember but her death was indeed uneventful."

I felt the blood drain from my face all the way down to my toes. I stepped away from Mica, my eyes firmly piercing into Dane's.

"Y-You...were the one who killed my grandma?" My voice crackled slightly, the anxiety inside me was starting to build up.

He tapped a finger on his chin. "Well, I went to your house but you weren't there. She saw me and freaked out. As I said, her death was uneventful."

My body started trembling with anger. He killed my grandma and was here shrugging it off as if it was nothing!. Dane titled his head at me, and that's when I knew that my eyes were glowing.

"You can't hurt me Lina, I already have witch blood in my body, "he said next, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Before I could respond, Mica had transformed into his wolf and pounced on Dane. At the same time, a howl sounded through the entire forest. But not just any howl, it was a howl of pain.

MYKEL!

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