Double update.
Sorry for any grammatical errors.

The sounds of the helicopter's rotors seemed distant as I nestled on the Viking man's lap, his firm grip leaving no room for me to move, he refused that I use my own seat for some barbaric reason but some things like this didn't come as a shock to me anymore partially knowing him. When I asked where we were headed, he only gave me a cryptic answer: "You'll see when we get there."

My body peeked up feeling the helicopter's descent, I could finally be on my feet we had been in the air for way too long, I was tired of sitting, We had been in the air for what felt like an eternity, transitioning from his private jet to this helicopter. I was too tired to even think of where we were going or fear for my life. Well that didn't really take much around Lachlan.

"Lachlan, I have noodle legs now," I complained, sitting up but not moving too much. Instantly, I had flashbacks of moving on his lap a little too much-of the electric shocks that had knocked me unconscious, leaving only the faintest sign of life in my body. That's why I preferred when he was driving; I wouldn't have to be on his lap. I was a very fidgety person, and I felt he used that to his advantage.

I was wearing a long, thin-strapped white dress detailed with tiny flowers, the hem draping just before my toes, showing off my freshly pedicured feet. I had recently gotten both a manicure and a pedicure, after much convincing that finally got Lachlan to take me to a normal salon. I had never experienced a salon so quiet, his presence changed the atmosphere and everyone felt his crushing darkness. I tried to persuade him to get his hands done too, but he flat-out refused, giving me no room for hope. As much as I missed the full salon experience with gossip and noise
I was still happy just to be out.

I looked up at Lachlan watching him, he was of course in one of his suits, I watched him pull out two pairs of shades gently placing a pair on my face and the other for himself, causing me to stop squinting, my eyes felt better. He was a beautiful specimen. I couldn't help gently pull back a hair gone wild tracing my hand over his jaw line. Before clearing my throat and retracting my hand. He just chuckled his eyes never leaving my own.

"Lachlan I'm hungry, you said we would get some food when we land." I had something to eat in the jet but in the helicopter ride I got hungry again I didn't care that it was in a short span of time my desire to snack and eat have grown the past few days and Lachlan loves it.

"Just a few more seconds love, let's go." He said wrapping his hands around me and kissing me before making me face the other direction. I gasped looking around only now realising we were surrounded by sand and not far from us was a massive beach house, how did I not notice the sand all around I was too caught up in the helicopter that was branded his surname it wasn't big but it was visible.

What drew my attention the most was the sparking blue waters that shimmered under the sun, I chuckled as a thought crossed my mind Anele would have probably said there a ninety percent chance that there was a big snake in there. A fleeting feeling of flashbacks took over and within a second I was able to compose myself.

His brother calling my sister's name has been something I failed to rid my mind of no matter how much I tried. I would be able to force my mind to put it at the back with everything else that made me was to rather die than be in this man's presence, from fear and all he had done.

"W-How-Where are we?"

"You said you wanted to go to the beach." He calmly said as if we weren't looking at one of the most breath taking scenes in the world. I could see the waves from afar gently waving as they glistened in the sun, I had the need to rake my shoes of and let my feet be buried by the sand, I suspected it was warm from the sun, I appreciated the glasses he placed on my eyes.

"Is this one of your islands?" I asked drawn to the ocean. There was not much life around just his men here and there.

"No, this one is yours." He simply said leading us towards the house. My mouth dropped looking at him as he walked next to me gently pulling me along because I was starting to slow down, he instantly swiped me up into his arms bridal style
, not giving me a chance to catch up on my own. We needed to seriously speak about how I wasn't a sack of potatoes, I weighed nothing to him he has proven that time and time again.

"W-what-why?" I asked still captivated, even the air felt different.

"You mentioned you wanted to go to the beach." He said as if he didn't just drop a bomb.

"You bought me an Island because I wanted to go to the beach?" I asked not understanding. My eyebrows came together as I looked up at him, even with his arms gently around me, his entire body was hard, something I could never get used to. Despite all that I loved cuddling him, he enveloped my entire body bringing me warmth, I would at least admit that. I relaxed in his arms.

"Of course."

"-I am aware of how you dislike being around a lot of people -instead of reserving the beach, I decided having access to your own was better." I was speechless as I watched him. I couldn't help the warmth that spread across my body. The little feet that danced in my stomach seemed to have a mind of their own as I felt my heart flutter.

"I have never told you about my anxiety around people." I noted, at the beach it became worse, with the noise and the crushing of bodies.

"It's my job to know, there is little I do not know about you. And where exactly did you think you would wear your bikini." He said watching me, I knew it wasn't a question. It should not anymore but his possessiveness still surprised me as my mind still tried to process that this man bought me an island so I could swim in peace without the anxiety of a crowd.

I seemed to have malfunction as I struggled to understand what was going on. I hated to admit it but it was the start of an amazing week. Everything was unpredictable with Lachlan. After that he took me
...

I watched him make a sandwich for the both of us, Lachlan was not a spontaneous person when it came to making food. I think he only knew how to make a two meals and he barely cooked, even though he preferred doing things himself. He was brought up in a toxic environment with the belief that he had no place in the kitchen what he had to focus on was working hard. I begged to differ but Lachlan didn't argue— he would not even entertain me he had already spoken. This was something I later found out about him.

Despite that his beliefs didn't stop him from making me food when I wanted something. The past week I seemed to have grown closer to him— more attached I dare say. Which didn't in anyway mean I wasn't afraid of him. The man was rarely ever in the kitchen I have never even seen him make himself food but he didn't seem to mind butchering my sandwiches for me.

What I liked most about this vacation was that it was just the two of us the staff was barely here, I liked doing everything it made my days more meaningful, I had put a pause on my writing— I missed it but it was like I have never even written I also feared if I picked you up my laptop I would never stop— I would tell my story but I felt it was too gruesome to tell. I didn't want to traumatise people. If I at least had hope of a happy ending I would but deep down it was not looking good.

As much as my mind ran. I appreciated how supportive he was of my growing appetite, right now we had just came from a very long, exhilarating shower. I was about to sleep after we were down I was worn out partially conscious when he claimed he was hungry therefore we were both eating even though I knew he wasn't hungry he was just eating so I could eat. I didn't like eating alone. So we ate together most of the time it excited me when he made food but I preferred not to be poisoned by him.

I stood up taking over he didn't argue but just stood there watching me move around the kitchen making us something to eat. The ring on my finger taking all of my view but I decided to ignore it for my own sake. The way Lachlan looked at me made me overwhelmed, in his eyes it was evident that he would never let me leave him. He was still by far the most Godly thing I have ever laid my eyes on. He was just watching me doing nothing yet his presence was heavy, he dominated the entire room —without even saying a single word.

Dressed in one of his white shirts with dress pants and shoes, today I picked out Armani for him. I made the mistake of picking out a suit for him once the night before back home because as I was ravaging through his wardrobe I came across a lot of clothes and expensive suits I have never seen him wear but then again everything that was his was expensive. I had moved it aside the night before and ever since then he didn't want me to stop doing so, I didn't mind because I didn't have much to go about my day.

When I went shopping a few days ago which we had to leave the island and then return back for, I bought him different kinds of clothes that I wanted to see him in, even when spending the day at home with no plan of leaving the house he wore suits, it was in his blood. He had worn one of the white golf t-shirts I had bought him, I had hoped it would make him less terrifying but no matter what he wore, it was his aura that he carried with him since birth that made him intimidating, he radiated darkness and dominance, it was effortlessly who he is. No one looked Lachlan in the eyes, even I couldn't for a long period of time, the authority and power he naturally carried weighed down on me. The hue of his eyes I properly studied in my dreams.

I gazed at him giggling at the image of him barefoot, in the sand with me. Our time spent at the beach was the only time I could pretend he was human even though he stood out. I have never been so obsessed with the beach, the salty waters washed away my reality, different days equated to different restaurants where I urged him to try new things — we also went to different museums — I explored different places off and on the island— I fell in love with the world, I saw it in a different light — it was beautiful. I had urged him we come back for beach days to the island— I enjoyed them the most.

"I miss seeing your feet." I stated looking at his dress shoes. He didn't reply but just continued looking at me with his lip turned upward.

"Are we back to discussing your feet fetish love?" He asked giving me a look that erupted butterflies through out my entire body as I giggled embarrassed.

"Now you know-" I started gasping looking at him, the smile on his face taking my breath away.

"Why did you refuse to go to that foot restaurant with me?" I asked laughing barely able to finish the sentence, I had basically stretched Lachlan everywhere making him carry my bags and pet animals for me which he did, but when we got to a restaurant called 'Footloose' his facial expression had immediately changed as he watched the barefooted people walk in and out before I could even ask he had said no and dragged me away. I knew i had reached his limit. I was upset but then he had took me to go swimming with dolphins —it didn't go as well as I thought it would— which he told me it wouldn't.

I had been excited to jump it but the minute I did and the dolphins were close, I stared crying and it seemed my cries drew them closer Lachlan had to shut down the entire tour. He only spoke once. I had shamelessly cried in his arms and made him swear to never speak of it which he refused as we went to get something to eat, immediately after eating I felt better.

Everything was going well, aside from the morning sickness, here and there but it was as no longer bad as before. My mind suddenly moved to his family crest remembering it from a file I saw earlier in the car, I made my way out of his arms, which he had just pulled me into— Lachlan could not keep his hands to himself.

"Lachlan I know where this will lead— let me at least finish our food." Maybe I could ask his mother about the crest, maybe she would tell something new — I also remember it being on the chain Lachlan had given me. Speaking of his mother she had called earlier asking me when we're coming back, the wedding was around the corner — and she wanted to have a word with me. My mind didn't acknowledge so called wedding because I didn't want to have a mental breakdown. I decided I would deal with it when the time came.

"Your mother wants me to visit her." I started recalling the conversation I had had with her earlier on. I didn't trust any of them and I didn't believe anyone who had my best interest at heart would let her son hurt me and blame it on me. I didn't want to be around his mother our very first encounter still haunted me — she was also crazy, even recalling her loss story made me very weary of her but anything was better than ending up pregnant with this man's spawn. I may be having a good time but nothing could make me forget who this man was. I just tried not to dwell on it right now.

"If anyone wants to see you they will come to our house." I knew this was coming. I weighed the options and opted for a little fresh air, Lachlan was 80 percent of the time inside me- he truly was a man that kept his word, it scared me and amazed me. But if we continued on like this I would end up pregnant. After meeting Lachlan the word insatiable lost value he needed another word stronger than it because he was on a whole other category and what I hated the most was the fact that my body never rejected him in anyway. Knowing what I already knew. It ate me up inside but still, I was weak around him, he did as he pleased, just a simple touch from me made me weak.

"She did come Lachlan and you took me away remember and then chased everyone out." I added extra tomatoes and lettuce in his sandwich knowing just how he liked it. Lachlan clearly preferred his quiet house, ever since I have been around his siblings and mother came more often, Lachlan always gave them an expiration date.

"It doesn't change anything. My father is back in town we will be having dinner with him if not the day after we return the day after." A part of me feared seeing where this man came from but I was also curious. I gave him his food as he was now seated looking at me, before I sat next to him, I was quickly moved to on top of him.

"May I ask you something?" I looked at him as he ate even the way that he ate, was orderly. I waited for the go ahead as I licked my thumb the sauces of my sandwich painting them, making me smile. He used his thumb to wipe off sauce that was left on the side of my mouth before putting the thumb in his mouth and continued eating like nothing happened. I felt my insides melt.

"Lachlan why did you make me wear that chain?" I asked ever since I saw his family's crest it's been on my mind. He was the one who took it off, I remember I was so afraid of even touch it.

"To send a clear message to the guards who shadowed you and the one they worked for." He had said making me confused. But why would he want to send a message to Anele's guards. I decided to drop it. I didn't want anything to ruin this time. I ate looking forward to the salty waters— part of me wished we would never return home.

...

I walked out, hearing noises coming from the back foyer, I made sure not to be visible and I peeped, pausing as the scene before me unfolded. The towering Viking-like O'Sullivans were engaged in what seemed to be some twisted form of game. The air was thick with boisterous laughter and heavy Gaelic, their voices carrying proud, unmistakable accents. But there was nothing normal about them—this family was blessed with god-like genes, each of them resembling ancient warriors, their presence larger than life. I felt small, and I was small compared to them, they seemed to tower over everything in sight.

"Lucian never seems to understand we have more pressing matters than these tasteless games." said an eerily familiar voice. It was definitely one of his brothers.

"Tasteless? Please... we used to love this game—" another deep voice followed, only to be interrupted.

"As kids." Enye's voice, cut through.

Three gunshots rang out, sending a jolt of fear through my body. I froze, my heart hammering. I hated guns.

"Why aren't they screaming?"

"They don't have tongues," came the reply, followed by chuckles echoing around the air. I realised I didn't want to learn their names, I realised I didn't want to associate myself with them. They knew how twisted their brother was and they cheered him on they were also just as sick.

"You know Lachlan despises noise unless it's a special occasion—God, he's twisted." There was a hint of amusement and admiration and I realised this voice I didn't recognise.

"Archery time! I told you things would get interesting." Lucian announced with disturbing enthusiasm. I took that as my queue to make sure I disappear without a trace.

My plan was simple: turn around, disappear into the house, and hide until the Viking himself returned from wherever he had gone. The thrill pulsing through my veins would have to wait. Lachlan had kept his word—he let me leave with the maids and, of course, the ever-present bodyguards. I couldn't help but recall the morning at the supermarket, where, for the first time in what felt like ages, I had tasted something close to freedom. I'd forgotten what it was like to be among ordinary people, to wander through aisles filled with mundane things, like fruits and magazines. The noise had overwhelmed me at first—the constant chatter, the sound of carts rolling over the tiles—but there was a kind of comfort in it, too. Strangers glanced at me, some smiled, and for once, I was seen without fear.

It had been Leoana, one of the newer maids, who had made the experience even more surreal. Unlike the others, who maintained their distance, Leoana had been kind, almost gentle, suggesting little things I might like. A box of chocolates. A bouquet of flowers. Her warmth made me feel human again, as if she truly cared about how I felt. I had smiled then, a real smile, not one forced under the weight of expectation or fear. I'd forgotten the simple joy of such ordinary moments. That small, fleeting sense of normalcy still clung to me now as I stood frozen before the chaos of the O'Sullivans.

My mind went to my happy place — Mr Pudge. One of the reasons why I had been excited to come home Mr Pudge, the cutest little bunny ever. I couldn't believe Lachlan agreed, although he was adamant about me not calling him baby. He said if I continued calling him baby, he would skin him alive and eat him- I had laughed it off nervously because I knew he wasn't joking. I didn't care though as long as I had my fur baby.

I somehow managed to convince Lachlan to buy me a rabbit Mr Pudge, it took some convincing he asked me why I was bringing meat into his house and treating it as a pet. I was gobsmacked. Convincing my self I couldn't reason with psychopaths. Nonetheless. I haven't had the courage to carry him for a long period of time as yet plus he was heavy and vey cute. I now spent most of my time with him in the absence of Lachlan of course I didn't want to give him any ideas. He wasn't sane. It's been peaceful though.

My mind moved to this morning— my grocery store visit. Just the thought of it made me shiver, the day started off rocky. The way he kissed me goodbye... the possessiveness in his touch, his eyes had gone completely black, daring me to slip up ridding my mind of every thought of even thinking about running away. He didn't say anything but his eyes spoke for him, the calmness that always surrounded him also contributed to the fear that had me paralysed. I had helped him with his tie before he kissed me goodbye, I was at the brink of tears. And yet, I had fun. I didn't think I would. I realised Lachlan always gave me a chance to mess up, he didn't like speaking much he believed showing me why I am not to do something, he believed it will register better than repeating himself. But alas for once, I got to breathe in fresh air in this place. I had just focused on Mr Pudge.

We haven't fought, but no matter how calm things seemed to be, Lachlan's essence, his power, darkness was unforgettable. at the back of my mind I was always reminded of what he was more than capable of, he didn't need to say anything his presence alone, the aura he carried was reminder, it was intoxicating and terrifying. I did get a little relaxed and was able to actually fully have fun with him around at our mini vacation but I never once forgot who he is. Neither was he trying to make me forget. We had been at our peak then—our mini vacation was a blur of sunsets and sea breeze, but the fear never left me. I had asked him once, after he wore me out on the balcony, as we sat there watching the sun sink into the ocean—well, I was watching the sunset. He, of course, was watching me. His eyes were always on me.

"Why can't we always be like this?" I had asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the exhaustion from the day- from him clinging to me like the warmth of the setting sun his fingers hovered over the mark he had branded onto my skin. My mind felt at peace I wasn't thinking about anything else at the moment, as I just sat there listening to his heartbeat which is something I realised I loved doing, it kept me steady reminding me of his humanity even though he never once possessed it. Just like moments on our balcony back home.

"You lack the ability to listen." His voice was deep coated in his alluring accent there was no emotion in his voice but because he spoke them, it was heavy. I remember just focusing on his heartbeat reminding myself to calm down.

I was pulled back by the voices as I realised I have been frozen here for long enough I needed to leave before they turned and saw me.

"Ninja Princess!" Lucian said, I froze before turning around, his features lightened up, a few feet away from me, I didn't even know how he was able to see me because they were outside and we were almost separated by a wall, I had peeped just a bit to get a glimpse of them. I avoided all of them like a plague but Lucian I put extra effort in avoiding him.

I didn't get a chance to say anything as he expressed his excitement to finally see me leading me out to a lot of pair of eyes, the air was light even though their aura's were strong. Everyone was very kind as I was greeted and welcomed as if I was also one of them, if it wasn't for their aura and naturally void eyes one would think that they were all psychopaths from the depths of hell. I was treated like an egg, not allowed to get anything for myself, it was all handed to me. I was uncomfortable and astonished.

"She's definitely with me-" he declared.

"No Lucian you are scaring her, she is with me." Enye shot back giving me a smile. I didn't know her that well although we did have our moment I didn't trust any of them. She wrapped a hand around my elbow standing close to me, they were all giant's, even though the women in the family were shorter than the men they were still tall, they looked like ethereal beings.

"She's related to Serenity; she can be her own team." Caellach said with a smirk, lifting his bow. Which seemed to settle things down as everyone collectively agreed. In one fluid motion, he shot an arrow, and though the distance was great, I saw something fall instantly. I was still processing his words.

His words hit me like a ton of bricks as I blinked a few times, so everyone knew my sister, the questions I had already had seemed to pile up as my head started spinning. I could feel bile rise up at the back of my throat before I quickly got a hold of myself, seems like the little peace the Viking and myself had was about to be tragically over.  I needed answers. I smiled forcing myself to engage with them and be around them. I figured if I just got on with it I would be able to disappear afterwards. The ring on my finger drew attention and there wasn't a single person who didn't smile when laying their eyes on it. The amusement in their eyes was troubling to me. Lucian was most happiest.

"Lucian— how do you know my sister?" I asked as we watched the others shoot, I took my chances with him knowing Lachlan was less understanding and patient.

"She's a badass. She works for a family friend and she is so good at what she does when the families need to do things discreetly and quickly with perfection she is called. She takes care of problems. " I was processing, Lucian just seemed happy that I was here. He started trailing off about my wedding that was in a few days as I guided him back to the topic at hand. My heart was racing but I was rather handling it better than I normally handled things.

"Oh but Lachlan is about to kill her. She dug her own grave, she gathered people to try and take you from my brother putting a price on her head. My brother really does not play about you. The only reason why she isn't dead yet ironically is because of Lachlan. My brother likes taking care of things himself. — maybe he is planning on giving you her head as a wedding gift-" he paused chuckling "- but you should really speak to my brother."

They placed a bow in my hands, its weight foreign but strangely familiar, and gestured toward the target in the distance. "Aim for the mark," one of them said, her voice carrying a singsong quality that made my skin crawl. The mark was far, but I knew distance wouldn't be a problem for me. My sister had always dabbled in strange hobbies, challenging herself with new and difficult skills. She would return from her trips with fresh bruises and sharper instincts, laughing it off as just another adventure— it made sense but I refused sense. It seemed those instincts had found their way into my hands now.

I glanced at the distant bags, hanging precariously from poles high above the ground, each marked with a giant, painted 'X.' A dull sense of unease washed over me, but I swallowed it down. Lucian stood close, grinning, his cheers of encouragement louder than the growing thrum of dread in my chest. He was fighting anyone who dared questioned our friendship.

I took a slow, deliberate breath, steadying my aim. I blinked the tears at the back of my eyes clearing my vision. I wouldn't think about it. Not in front of them not yet. The bowstring tensed beneath my fingers, its tension mirroring the tightness in my chest. My eyes fixed on the thin rope that held the bag suspended, swaying gently in the wind. Time stretched, each second pulling me further away from myself. Then, with a final exhale, I released the arrow.

The world moved in slow motion as it sliced through the air, cutting the rope cleanly. The bag plummeted to the ground with a sickening thud.

For a moment, the cheers rang out, disorienting and deafening. I blinked, my mind sluggishly trying to process what I had just done. Something heavy and wrong lay at the base of the pole, tangled in the fallen bag. My pulse quickened, a chill creeping up my spine.

It wasn't until the bag shifted slightly, revealing the unmistakable outline of a human form, that the reality crashed over me like a wave. I had just cut down a body. Everything seemed to close down on me my newly discovered information weighing down on me.

The world spun faster now, and the cheers around me blurred into a cacophony of sound. Fear surged through me, too intense to bear. Before I could register what was going on a quick arrow went through the head of the person who had pushed out of the bag. I felt my heart drop.

"Mo Grà." I immediately hid into his arms. As Lucian complained about his brother always hiding me away. I didn't want to be near any of them. I realised I was hiding into the arms of someone worse but he was monster I knew, actually there was nothing better about it. I braced myself for what was to come. I could feel my stomach turn in anticipation, it was time I settled my inner turmoil.

.....

Dear readers

I see your messages and I completely understand, unfortunately it's a slow year because of my work load this year. That's why when I update I make sure the words are 6000 plus.
Please bear with me —updates will be slow until I can figure out a better way to juggle everything.

...

Let me know you guys think.