Chapter 3 Different Sides

Lucia's POV

I had never been one to sleep with all my senses down. You learn the hard way when you live in my world.

The screams were the first thing that got me out of bed. Looking around for him and hoping he was safe, I saw him lying face down, buried in his blood. I knew he hated me, but I didn't hate him.

The loud explosion brought me back to reality. Pulling my robe on, I rushed out only to see my people being killed and raped.

An ambush. Who dares to enter my territory and do this?

With a blade in my hands, I rushed over to the young lady who was bent over by some brute. I drove my blade straight into his heart.

We fought for hours until sunrise, when we finally managed to vanquish the enemy.

I had accumulated enemies-plenty of them-from the moment I was born. People were always gunning for my head or after what they could take from me.

Over the years, I had learned to rule with an iron fist and an iced heart-one that nothing could hurt or kill so easily.

Standing in front of the leader of the ambush, I recognized the face and the symbol. This attack was from an old acquaintance from the north.

And this was only a sign.

I had never been one to fear anyone or anything-but I feared him. He had always been a hard rock in my path, with his obsessive love for me.

I felt my heart rate increase so much that I grew dizzy. The thoughts ran through my mind-the what ifs.

Where are you, my darling?

Jacob's POV

I kept running, going as fast as my legs would let me. The farther I got away from her, the better my chances of survival.

Walking for what felt like an eternity, exhausted and hungry, I knew I needed to find shelter before sunset.

I sat under a tree, hoping to catch my breath and maybe get a little sleep.

The first sound was a twig snapping. The next was my head slamming against the tree.

"How desperate are you to get your wolf back? And what will you do to get it?"

That was the first voice I heard when my eyes opened. I tried to understand my surroundings, wondering why everything was almost pitch black.

"I don't like being kept waiting."

My attention immediately shifted toward the direction of the voice.

"I would do anything, sir."

"Anything, you say? Does that include conspiring against your own mate?"

At the mention of mate, my heart raced and my nerves tightened.

"Yes, sir. Like I said, anything-as long as I can get my wolf back."

"Very well, then. My special healers will come to you later and take a look at your soul to see how badly it is damaged.

"Until then, go and wash up and eat."

I was led into a large, beautiful room, with servants at my beck and call. I could really get used to this life, I thought.

That night, I stood by the window, my mind filled with thoughts of her and how she was doing.

As much as I told myself I hated her, I couldn't stop my heart from wanting her.

A light knock came at the door. Before I could reach it, they were already inside-palms out, eyes not visible.

Lucia's POV

I had searched for over two days and found nothing. It was like he had disappeared from the surface of the earth.

I couldn't eat, sleep, or think properly. I was worried and scared that someone might have taken him-or worse, hurt him.

Patrol guards were scattered everywhere and ordered not to return until he was found. But I knew they wouldn't find him. Something in my gut told me he had been taken, and my instincts never lie.

"Guards! Send word to the south. I need an audience with one of their Alphas."

I will find you, my dear.

Jacob's POV

"Your wolf was deeply asleep due to the shock from the incident. Since it is weak by nature, it couldn't survive such trauma."

So that meant I was weak by nature-so fragile that even a little trauma could either kill me or send my wolf into a coma.

An empty laugh, filled with pain and disgrace, escaped my lips. What an unfortunate being I was.

"Sir. My lord seeks an audience."

I stood in that same dark room, and then came that voice.

"I hope you can tell I am a man of my word. Your wolf will be restored. But before that-how well do you keep your word?"

"Whatever it is you want from me, I will deliver."

"Very well, then. How deep can you drive a knife into someone's heart?