~ISSA
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Those were one of my father’s parting words to me as I grew up to become the Lycan I was today.
For a creature in my position, I was feared, revered, hated and wanted. It was a tiring existence when everyone always wanted something from you. For some powerful werewolf families, it was my cooperation to be their ally in times of war. For some it was my Lycan seed and for some, it was my death.
Everybody wanted a piece of me and that was fine. It was the occupational hazard of my existence.
“I had no idea that she was at your place, Issa, and I did not even think she would ever come there,” Deucalion said to me through the phone as I walked toward the transparent elevator that brought me thousands of miles under the ground to my secret place of work.
Shadow one was still hard at work trying to get the information of the people I had just given him.
“Maybe if you had not put it in her head that I was into her, she would not have overstepped her boundaries,” I said in an irritated tone as I entered the tube.
“There used to be no boundaries between the two of you before, what changed?” Deucalion asked. I could hear the accusatory tone in his voice as he spoke.
“She left,” I replied firmly. “And I moved on,” I added with finality.
I was aware that Deucalion knew about the affair that had taken place between Iris and I. I had no reason to feel awkward or ashamed and I could not even process such emotions if I wanted to. Iris was a big girl and she could very well make her own decisions.
I ascended into the flower shop and nodded at the man behind the counter. He was Shadow zero and he scanned customers who came to buy flowers so he could determine if they needed help or if they were the worst kind of evil. He nodded back with a small smile and I turned away from him.
I exited the Swedish Pollen and headed for my car.
“That was a mistake on my part, I told her to get serious about being the CEO of my company and she thought you were no longer part of the deal,” Deucalion said.
I scoffed. “I was never part of the deal, Duke, I am no one’s bargaining chip,” I said firmly as I felt disgusted by his words. I believed that it was time Deucalion knew his place.
“I did not mean it that way, Issa…”
“I am not and will never be part of your plan, Duke,” I stated with a cold finality.
“Noted, now can we meet? I still want you back at the office,” Deucalion said in a dismissive tone. He still did not get it yet.
“I have no desire to ever step into that building, Duke, goodbye,” I replied and ended the call.
I put my phone into my left pocket and reached for the door handle of my car when I felt a sudden warm sensation wash over me. it was powerful and it almost rocked me to my knees. It happened as I came to notice every time Yulia’s power manifested.
What was happening back at home? Yulia only used her powers when she felt extremely threatened. Who was trying to hurt her? I was going to end their lives in the most painful way possible!
I entered my car and hastily started the engine. A call came from Jamal and I answered with one hand while I kept my other hand on the steering wheel.
“What the fuck happened?” I yelled as I swerved roughly through the traffic, ignoring all the traffic signs and lights.
“Iris attacked Lana and Yulia almost burnt her to ashes in retaliation, we are in the hospital,” Jamal said.
“Is Yulia hurt?” I demanded.
“No, she is just a bit shaken, but Iris is in critical condition, they do not know if she is going to make it,” Jamal said with worry in his voice.
“Shit!” I cursed. “What of Lana? How is she?”
“She is in intensive care,” Jamal replied. “But she will be fine, she just has a major bruise on her throat.”
“You were supposed to prevent this from happening, that is why I told you to come over!” I yelled.
“I thought she was going to attack Yulia! Lana was her intended victim all along,” Jamal said in a tight voice.
“Shit!” I cursed again. “Send me the location, I am on my way.” I ended the call.
I knew that I had to do what I hated but there was no other choice. Why had Iris attacked Lana? What was the point of attacking a human girl?
I called Deucalion. He answered after one ring. It was as if he was waiting for my call.
“To be honest, I did not think you were ever going to call back, what changed your mind?” Deucalion asked arrogantly.
I understood why he believed that he knew me or could predict me. it was due to the fact that he had amassed so much wealth, he believed he had more assets and fortune than me. His belief was wrong. I preferred to hide my wealth from the public, he loved to flaunt his.
“It’s Iris,” I said.
“She changed your mind? That was quick, I was about to call her,” Deucalion said and I could hear the triumph in his voice.
“She is in the hospital, in critical condition,” I replied and waited.
Deucalion said nothing for a while and I could hear him breathe clearly through the line.
“What happened?” he asked quietly, the arrogance gone from his voice.
“I am not sure, Duke, but I am on my way to the hospital, I will send you the location,” I said and hung up.
I sent Deucalion the location just as Jamal sent it to me before I dropped the phone into the driver’s seat.
I realized as I drove that Yulia had burnt two daughters of Deucalion.