Aadaya reclined on the opulent sofa, an observer to the tumultuous clash between Desmond and Saddie, a spectacle reminiscent of feline and canine skirmishes. Saddie, perched over Desmond, delivered sharp elbow strikes, while his long arms retaliated by entwining in her hair. Unperturbed, Aadaya leisurely sipped her juice, the raucous display unfolding before her.

Beside her, Chris sought cookies and engaged in the revelry of the spectacle. The duo relished the circus-like confrontation, which had persisted for the past five minutes. At one juncture, Chris even attempted to wager with Aadaya on the outcome, provoking her to the point where she had to silence him with a well-placed hit.

They occupied the grand parlour of the royal villa, the sanctuary of the Satvana clan, deemed the most secure enclave in the vampire kingdom. Seated there, they awaited her uncle, Saddie's father, the reigning monarch of the Satvana clan. The room served as the backdrop for their entertainment, courtesy of the UFC-worthy clash transpiring before them.

Desmond yanked Saddie's hair forcefully, eliciting a cry of pain. She, in turn, demanded her release, momentarily shifting the tide of the skirmish. Swiftly, Saddie evaded him, claiming refuge on the couch with the TV remote in hand. Holding the coveted device above her head, just beyond Desmond's grasp, she declared, "You'll never get this remote, Desmond! It's mine, all mine!" with a triumphant grin.

Chris, seated beside Aadaya, extended a bucket of popcorn, offering, "Want some?" His inexplicable possession of the snacks hinted at his magical prowess. Shaking her head in denial, she refused his offer, engrossed once again in the WWE-worthy spectacle unfolding before her eyes.

With a war cry, Saddie leaped over Desmond from atop the couch, coinciding with a loud scream. Unaware of the impact, Aadaya attention was interrupted by the Lord's commander, Charles. "Alpha Valanke, Lord Satvana requests your presence," he intoned with robotic precision.

Before her stood a figure with a mop of pitch-black curly hair, appearing seemingly in his teenage years. His posture exuded strength, defining his status in the eyes of the Lord. He was one of the most trusted commanders of the Satvana clan, and despite his apparent youth, his age spanned eons—an aspect Aadaya could never forget.

Even the most composed individual couldn't ignore the chaos unfolding in the parlour behind Aadaya. Lord's commander Charles wore a deep frown as he observed the future heir of the clan, engaged in a wrestling match like a child.

Aadaya approached him, gesturing with her hands. "Show the way," she commanded. Charles turned and glided across the floor, there footsteps the only sound audible to Aadaya as she followed him through the dim hallways of the castle. The towering windows in the ceiling provided a view of the cliff drop beneath the hill, where the eerie castle stood amidst stormy weather, desiring the life of anything that dared to contact it. The unending abyss beneath and the enveloping night induced a sense of unease, causing even the most stoic to break into a cold sweat at the thought of stepping outside the castle.

As Aadaya followed Charles, he came to a halt beside large doors, opening them for her. She entered to find a vast office space with a sky-high ceiling window overlooking the cliff. Walking on the glass floor, she peered down into the abyss, advancing further into the suspended-in-the-air office. The entire room was shrouded in darkness, with only burning embers in the chimney providing the office's dim light and warmth.

Before her, a high-backed couch faced the fire, its occupant with a stoic posture, shrouded in shadow, dominating the room with an ominous presence. The occasional flashes of lightning outside painted an eerie tableau in the otherwise pristine and horrifyingly beautiful office room. The clouds clashed, thundering as the sole symphony in the room, only to plunge into an eerie silence each time. With every step she took toward the chair, her heart halted.

Reaching for the couch, she turned it around to find it empty. A deep frown etched across her face, she uttered, "Greetings, Alpha Valanke..." A gruff male voice interrupted her from behind, causing her to startle. Her hands instinctively flew to her chest as she whirled around, discovering a man in his fifties with ghoul-like eyes, a dark abyss mirroring the one beneath the glass floor. His waxen face lacked color, rendering him akin to a mannequin with perfect features for his age.

Aadaya, still reeling from the shock, took a deep breath, her heart pounding like a racehorse. She moistened her parched lips and managed, "You startled me there... Lord Satvana," her voice regaining control by the end of the brief statement. Her hands trembled, finding refuge in the pockets of her hood.

A sweet smile played on Lord Satvana's lips as he addressed her, an eerie gesture from a man of such power. "I thought we were on a first-name basis, Alpha," he said, tutting at her. Stepping out of the darkness, he wore a fashionable pitch-black suit and held a glass containing a yellowish liquid that swirled within. Slowly, he approached Aadaya, the clinking of ice in his glass accompanying his measured steps.

His footsteps echoed in the silent office as he drew nearer to Aadaya. She responded, "That was the norm until you thought otherwise." Her voice carried a blend of respect and familiarity, acknowledging the weight of his presence in the impending tempest she faced.

A carefree laughter resonated from him as he halted just a step away from her, offering the glass of whiskey. A glint shone in his experienced eyes as he spoke, "Very well... Daughter of Alpha Riftan Valanke, mate to Iknair wolf Luna Romira Valanke. You wish for my loyalty, and you will have my head served," he proclaimed, kowtowing before her.

A pang of deep pain surged through Aadaya at the mention of her parents' names. Concealing her emotions, she turned and seated herself on the couch, while Lord Satvana rose, returning to his office desk and enveloping himself in darkness. She stared into the flickering embers, sipping the whiskey from her glass.

Observing her from his position, Lord Satvana felt a twinge of sympathy for the young Alpha. He sighed, breaking the silence, "I heard of the pack..." He aimed to initiate the conversation directly, seeking to address the matter at hand.

Aadaya wiped away a tear as it trickled down her cheek, her gaze fixed on the burning embers offering solace. Her lips quivered, and she struggled to reply, "Yeah... it was quite a ruckus. I think he followed the tip given to the Alpha Council..." Her cryptic response left Lord Satvana frowning in confusion, a multitude of questions swirling in his mind.

Abandoning his drink, he looked at her, "But how? The tip you gave them was not through when they reached the place. They arrived earlier than expected, someone having already known about our plan all along..." His confusion marked a discerning point, raising more questions in the unfolding mystery.

Taking a deep breath, Aadaya began to unravel the intricacies of the unfolding situation. "They had already cracked our next steps, and I unwittingly walked into the trap... Did you hear anything else?" she inquired. Lord Satvana, with his extensive knowledge of the dark world, was one of the select few who could perceive the movements along the supernatural belt, and nothing of significance escaped his vigilant eyes.

Nodding in acknowledgment, he took another seat in front of her and slid a card across the table. "Soren Mafuraf, the arms dealer for the Brar brothers. He's hiding here, running the underworld, and after that night, his business seems to be thriving," Lord Satvana explained, a deep scowl distorting his otherwise beautiful features. The mention of the name elicited a profound disgust, a testament to the disdain he held for those who failed to conceal their deeds for long.

Aadaya picked up the card, examining its matte black surface adorned with a golden stag and nothing more. No words were inscribed on it, save for the picture, which glowed faintly in the firelight. She stared at the card, subtly posing a probing question about whether the Brar brothers were aware of their plans. Her eyes remained fixed on the fire, unable to meet the gaze of the loyal Lord who had served her diligently. His question sent her mind racing through the possibilities that had haunted her for years.

Rooted in place, she grappled with her emotions, resisting the urge to look into the eyes of the man she had betrayed—a man whose daughter had devoted unwavering loyalty to her. The weight of responsibility for the friends who had stood by her in both good and bad times now rested squarely on her shoulders. Memories of their camaraderie flooded her mind, leaving her feeling teary and overwhelmed.

After a few moments, during which even Lord Satvana believed she might not respond, Aadaya gathered herself. "That's a debt I will take to my grave," she declared, draining her drink in a single gulp. She slammed the empty glass on the table and stood up to leave, her departure resonating in the now-empty office.

Her hand clasped the door handle, and as she opened it, Lord Satvana's voice echoed in the silence. "Everyone has a right to love in this world. And anyone thinking otherwise is a fool," he asserted. Aadaya, momentarily frozen in her steps, heard his words without mustering a response. Her eyes reflected sadness with each uttered word.

A sense of loneliness enveloped her in the dimly lit room, her lips quivering as she struggled to contain her emotions. A strained breath escaped her lips, "So I'll be the fool then," her reply resonating in the empty space. The door closed behind her, leaving Lord Satvana alone with her haunting words, the only evidence of her fleeting presence in his world.

...to be continued

Please Vote & Comment...