NALEDI’S POV
I refused to believe it.
It’s been days since I was visited by Korah or Marcus.
My maid must have been changed because different people came each day with my food, none bothered to engage me, speak to me or even care if I ate the food.
When they came the next day and saw the stale meal from the previous day, they picked it up like it was nothing, placed a fresh set before me and headed on out like a robot.
I’ve spent the last few days of my life in wonder, uncertainty and doubt. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t forget the words of Marcus. He called me a selfish bitch. Which was true because in order to survive in this dog-eat-dog world, one had to have a bit of selfishness.
That was the least of my problems from what he said. My father was the centre of my problem. For years I have refused to open the sweet memories I had of him as a child, refused to marr his memories and that had worked out perfectly seeing I didn’t get to see him die.
Seven years after the extermination, when I had become Attai and made my own way to an extent, I decided to visit the former Roger pack. On my way back from one of my missions, I had visited the place and made some enquiries which told me of how my father had been killed in a gruesome way.
I had gotten the gist that my father’s death was not pleasant but hearing Caellum speak about it like a fond memory while explaining the gore of it all made me hate him the more. He wasn’t even remorseful.
I’d think I would be a bit more forgiving if he was a bit remorseful for what he’d done but the sheer fact that he doesn’t regret anything till this day made it a lot more difficult to reason with him.
Neither did the fact he sent Marcus and Korah to make up stories that would taint my father’s memory add brownie points to his already terrific reputation in my sight. Saying I hated everything about him was an understatement.
I sat in my room, weak and doubting everything I had believed up to this point. Despite how hard I tried to kick every thought of my father being the monster that was described to me, it kept sneaking right back at me.
It seemed like a door of unpleasant thoughts and memories I never thought I possessed of my early life was opened and no matter how hard I tried to shut it, pushed back with a vengeance I’ve never known before.
Suddenly, the door opened and I met the eyes of Matteo. He walked in, looking at me like an animal. I didn’t know what possessed me to speak.
“Look who’s here. Are you here to tell me all about how my father was a terrible person? How he was the devil? Marcus and Korah passed the memo alright?”
“It’s pathetic that after all you have done, you get to walk away.” He said, staring me in the eye.
He oozed off a death intent. “What is it about you? What’s so special about you that you get to go free after everything you’ve committed?”
I didn’t understand shit of what he was saying, but I spoke regardless. “And what do you have with me, Matteo? If I didn’t know better I’d say you have some unrequited love for me, or perhaps an unhealthy obsession.”
“Since the day you walked in here, you have brought nothing but disaster and pain to the Cosa Nostra. You deserve to die just like your father.”
“Then kill me. Fucking kill me and end this goddarned cycle!” My breathing was harsh and in that moment, my blood boiled.
“Believe me, I’d be my dream realized. But for some reason, everyone wants you alive. So much so I can’t figure out what it is about you they all can’t seem to let go of. What is it about you that they are willing to start a fucking war to have you.”
He sounded pained, distraught, angry. I was hella confused.
“What are you talking about?”
He hissed, “Don’t fucking act like you don’t know what I am talking about, bitch. You might have everyone wrapped around your fucking thumb but I swear you don’t fool me. I see right through your act and I swear you will regret ever coming to the Cosa Nostra and betraying the Alpha.” He seethed, “I promise you that.”
Some men rushed into the room, and their eyes were fixated on me. One of them spoke, “The Alpha has requested her presence outside.”
A sense of dread filled me, rising as the seconds passed.
Matteo nodded like he wasn’t surprised. In fact, he looked angry that I was being summoned. It seemed like I was being let off. Like I hadn’t paid enough for my crimes.
“Take her away.”
Immediately the words went out of his mouth, the men came for me and dragged me to my feet. I didn’t struggle with them. I didn’t have such strength. However, my mind worked at optimal speed.
The men held me tightly as I walked down the hallway, and stairs, and eventually got outside. It was nighttime. The skies were darkened and a sea of heads stood outside the house, looking and sneering the moment I was brought into view.
I hadn’t seen him. Caellum.
I could feel his presence, heavily, I could feel he was around here but there was no sign of him. Where the fuck was he and why was I here? My questions were answered when the gates were opened and a black Venzar jeep drove into the compound.
The car parked and silence covered the place. Caellum stepped out, looking dapper in a black Armani that showed off his shape beautifully. His eyes were covered with a black shade and his jaws were clear-cut and tight.
He looked pissed.
All heads bowed as he made his way to the top of the three-step stairs, standing in front of the door, a safe distance away from me while the others stood on the floor, watching everything unfold.
The moon shone, and suddenly, I felt my mark burn. I shut my eyes, groaning at the sudden pain, and when I opened it, I felt his gaze on me. I looked up at the sky, and to my greatest surprise, it was a full moon.