“What do you mean by that?” Kai asked, narrowing his eyes at Asher.
“Yeah,” Verena said. “You didn’t rescue him out of the kindness of your heart? Then why did you bother at all? What is going on here?”
“You’re children have a lot to learn.” Asher scoffed. “Everyone knew of Zeke’s appetite and behavior. No One really paid him any heed. Especially not the counsel. But when I heard who his newest obsession was, I had to get in.”
“You’re a disgusting pig.” Nicolas said, his eyes wide. “You were in on it, all along. Weren’t you?”
“In on what? Of course not. Rescuing you two was only for my benefit. Nothing else. I couldn’t care less if you both perished or not.”
“You can’t be serious.” Verena gasped. “And all these years you….”
“Prepared a plan for my only daughter to be a Luna.” Asher finished with a flourish. “And you had to ruin it.”
“You son of bitch ” Kai growled and lounged forward attacking Asher. The brothers fell on him, trying to pin him down. He shook them off him like they were chaff, his hand grabbing Asher’s neck. “You should have let me die there.”
Asher laughed. “What’s the fun in your death?”
“Where is the boy?!” Kai screamed. “Where?!”
“You’ll have to kill me. I’m never telling you.”
“Never?” Karen spoke up, coming to stand beside Kai. “Oh you’ll speak. You’ll speak alright.”
“Karen watch out!” Verena cried out but it was too late.
Karen felt her head slam into the wall, one of the brothers laughing as he pinned her to it. her vision went out of focus for a few seconds before she regained her sight.
A low growl vibrated in her chest. She felt the vibrations spread throughout her body. The brother holding her let her go, taking a few steps away from her. She felt a cord snap inside her.
It had been so long since she last felt this was. Too long.
Kai dropped Asher, his eyes wide as he stared at her. He could feel that something was wrong with her. Two of the brothers rushed to her, fists raised
“Sit.” She spoke, her voice sounding nothing like hers. Instantly the two were forced to the ground, sitting like obedient dogs. She didn’t even spare them a glance as she walked calmly over to Asher.
His eyes were wide, she could feel his fear. and it was a wonderful thing.
“You will tell me where my son is.” Her voice was commanding, bearing striking resemblance to an alphas command.
“Fifth floor dungeon.” Asher said sounding like a possessed man.
Karen felt her lips stretch into an involuntary smile. “I will make you pay so very dearly for daring touch a hair on his head. You and you worthless sons can go to hell.”
“Yes,” He said.
Karen turned to the brothers. The tree had rushed over to the two still sitting on the floor, terrified looks on their faces. “get out.” She spat.
Like a cog being turned in their heads, they turned and ran out of the room. Karen closer her eyes and exhaled softly. The next time she opened her eyes, she was back to normal.
“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” She asked Asher, a smile on her face.
“Karen,” Kai called making her turn to him. He had a look of admiration on her face. “You do control minds huh?”
She shrugged. “It’s a little something I can do.”
“You will pay for this!” Asher thundered. He gathered himself and walked to the door, his eyes sparking fire as he glared at them.
“Are we going to let him go?” Nicolas asked Kai. He glanced at Verena with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,”
“It’s okay” Verena said with a smile. “I…”
Asher grabbed her and pulled her to him, a sharp blade pointed at her neck.
“Verena!” Nicolas shouted, taking a step forward
Asher pressed the knife into her skin, drawing blood. Verena cried out softly, trying to free herself form his hold.
“One wrong move and I’ll slit her throat ” Asher hissed, his eyes narrowed.
“That’s your daughter.” Kai spat in disgust. “You would kill your own daughter!”
“My daughter?” Asher laughed bitterly. “The day she refused my help she ceased to be come my daughter!”
“Let her go now!” Nicolas said.
“Oh, but of course.” He said with a wicked smile. He pulled the dagger down and pretended to push her towards Nicolas.
Instead he grabbed her head and sank his fangs into her neck, ripping out a chunk of her flesh along with the mark Nicolas had given her.
“No!” Nicolas screamed and rushed forward, grabbing her as she fell to the floor. Blood spurted out of the gaping hole in her neck, her eyes wide as the pain registered.
Asher spat her flesh away. “Disgusting.” He said to himself as he glared at Nicolas and Verena. “You can burn in hell for all I care.” He said and left the room.
Karen made to go after him but Kai pulled her back. She watched with horror as blood continued to pour out of Verena.
If this went on… she could die.
“I’ve sent for a healer..” Kai said with urgency. “We have a I return to the pack now!”.
Nicolas carried Verena up, her blood soaking his shirt. “You two find the boy.” He said calmly. “I’ll go myself.”
“Nick,”
“It’s fine Kai. It’s fine.”
Kai sighed. “Hurry. She’s losing too much blood.”
Nicolas raced out of the room as fast as he could leaving Kai and Karen in the room.
“Let’s go ” Kai said and turned to leave. On the way out, Karen winced as she saw the pool of Verena’s blood. That was a lot of blood to lose
They made their way to the fifth floor, ignoring the looks the pack members shot their way. They got o the fifth floor. m dungeon, Kai kicked the door open and Karen rushed in
“David?!” She called out, looking around frantically. “Are you here?!”
“Mommy?” She heard his weak voice call form a corner. Karen rushed over to him, tears filling her eyes. He was huddled in a corner, his knees pulled to his chest. His face was smeared with dirt, his clothes dirty. But Karen hadn’t been more happy to see him. She pulled him into her arms, heaving a sigh of relief
“Did they hurt you? Did anyone touch you?!” Karne asked, pulling back and scanning him for any injuries
“No mommy.” He replied. “They wanted to hit me, but I told them not to and they listened.”
Karne glanced at Kai. “He has your powers.” The alpha said dryly. His eyes scanned the boy and he scoffed. “Let’s go now. Verena’s condition is critical”
Karen nodded and wiped her eyes of tears. “Let’s go ” She held her son’s hand tight. “We’ll be home soon, okay?”
He smiled at her through tired eyes. “Okay.”
***
Karen had David bathed and dressed in fresh clothes provided by Kai. He fell asleep before she was even done, Karen tucked him in her heart relieved that he was okay.
She turned to see Kai in the doorway, staring at the boy. “Do you like the room?” He asked.
“Yes. It’s better than the one I had during my stay here.” She replied. Of course the room she had was the shared servants room.
How things change huh?
Kai nodded . “That’s right.” He said.
“How is Verena?” Karen rose to her feet and walked up to him.
“She’s not so good,” Kai admitted.
“I want to see her.”
“Yeah right. I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should watch your kid. He just went though a lot ” Kai said the last part with grit teeth.
Karen understood him.
He was getting flashbacks of his suffering.
She touched his arm and gazed into his eyes. “Kai, please.”
He pushed her hand away from his face. “I’ll take you to her room.”
Karen sighed and nodded. She turned and glanced at David, he was sleeping soundly. He was safe here. This was Kai’s pack. And she wasn’t here as his slave anymore.
She followed Kai as he led he through the halls. They got to Verena’s room, and Karen was shocked at what she saw. She first off hadn’t expected Verena to be into bright and pastel colors. The room reminded her of Danika’s room, making Karen smile sadly.
Verena was lying in bed, bandages wound tightly around her neck. Nicolas was beside her bed, holding her hand and gazing at her face.
“How is sh?” Karen Whispered and came to stand beside Nicolas.
“She’s live.” He replied in a grave tone. “I hope.”
Karne stared at Verena. Her features looked drawn, her skin pale. She looked like she was in severe pain. Karen looked at the side of her neck her father had bitten off. The bandage there was bloody.
What kind of father did such a thing to his own child?!
Even though Karen didn’t like Verena, she also didn’t want her dead.
Nicolas turned to her. “How’s David? Is he okay?”
Karen nodded . “He’s fine. But honestly I’m more worried about you ”
“You shouldn’t be.” He said with a smile “I’m fine. I ..” Kai smacked the back of his head.
“Shut up ” He hissed. “Stop playing strong man.”
Nicolas sighed and lowered his head. “He removed my mark from her.” He said quietly. “I…. I don’t know what to do. No healer can fix that.”
Karen felt her heart go out to him. Kai pulled him into a hug, holding him affectionately.
“We’ll figure it out.” Kai said, his voice soft. “I’m sure we will.”
Karen felt like an intruder upon a private moment. Especially as she heard Nicolas’ soft sobs. She turned away, giving them some privacy.
Her own heart broke.
The day had weighed heavily on everyone. With Asher dropping bombshells that she had never expected. It was all a plan , a strategic move.
But what exactly did he want?! What did he stand to gain by destroying his daughter’s life?
Karen suddenly felt a sense of connections to Verena. In a way, sh knew what it was like to be hated by one’s father.
Perhaps it would be easier to forgive her than she thought.