IMPRISONING HIS MAFIA QUEEN

JADE POV

The first strike of lightning rented the sky, its light illuminating the dark, ghostly hunting ground as the thunder rumbled violently in the troubled sky. The trees howled out their pain as the winds rippled through their branches, the sound of it like the wail of a dying animal.

I grinned. This was going to be a thrilling night indeed. I stalked toward my prey, the sound of his haggard breathing drawing me in like a magnet.

He thought he could escape me, but he was wrong. No traitor got away from Jade Alvarez. I adjusted the bow I held, the arrow already in place as I inched closer while my prey was none the wiser.

The weapon I wielded was not the one I preferred, but my step-siblings had gotten their hands on all the automatic weapons before I could. It didn't matter. I'd finish my task before they had a chance to, if they could since I already put my signature on their kill, after putting an arrow in the middle of their eye sockets.

They never stood a chance, and neither did the man I was hunting now. Another strike of lightning lights up the whole arena and the prey sees me. The man froze, his eyes widening in terror and pleasure surged through my veins at the blatant fear that lurked within the depth of his eyes.

He doesn't stay paralyzed for long, and with a leap, he dashed forward, trying to escape the angel of death. I aim and let my arrow fly. A bolt of lightning struck, illuminating the beauty of my arrow as it chased him, then sank into the back of his thigh. The man crashed to the floor with a loud groan that rivaled the sound of the rumbling thunder.

Picking another arrow, I stalked toward him, having all intention of finishing what I started, and enjoying every moment of it.

He was on his knees when I got to him, tears streamed down his face and his breath came out in harsh pants as he bowed to the floor, his hands reaching to touch the tip of my boots. Pathetic.

"Don't... please... I have a family" he begged, his voice breaking pitifully.

"I'll make sure to take care of your family after I'm done with you".

His head whipped up in terror. "Don't touch them, they had nothing to do about this".

I raised my boot, then smashed it against his hand. His scream rends the air, but it doesn't please me. "Who are you to give me fucking orders? You should have thought about your family before you betrayed the hand that fed you and them. There is no mercy for traitors".

More tears streamed down his face. "Please, I don't want to die".

I aimed at his head and he watched me, helpless, his eyes pleading even though he knew it was futile.

"Then you should have never crossed my path," I said and let go. The arrow swished, the tip of it disappearing into his head and reappearing at the end of his skull, the force snapping his head back and the picture he presented was pretty tame in comparison to the others before him.

Shockwaves ricochet through my skin as I stared at the dead man, a smile tugging on the corner of my lips at the euphoric feeling that formed at the base of my spine and then traveled all around my skin.

Raising the flare gun I held onto the sky, I let off a shot and watched the beautiful flame try to kiss the darkened sky. It was to signal that the hunt was over.

I stared at it until the red flame sparked, then faded into oblivion. I was getting closer to my crown, and no one was going to stop me.

*******

Standing under my father's scrutiny always made my heart rate irregular-even though I never let my fear show because of the evil he represented. Ryland and Lexis stood beside me, their faces grim as they stared down at the men that they had been assigned to kill, who all bore my mark, with my arrows stuck in their cranium.

Father came to stand in front of me and pulling my gaze away from my kill, I met his stare challengingly.

He smirked, the scar that started from the top of his head to his chin bunching up at the pressure, then his expression changed in a second. His palm landed on my face in a flash, the blow unexpected and furious, but the blinding pain that numbed my senses was a welcomed distraction as I defiantly held his gaze.

"You disobeyed a direct order from me, Jade Alvarez. You were told to kill only your prey" he roared, his spit flying into my face but I didn't flinch in my stance. Ryland and Lexis kept their faces to the ground. They knew that father would take it easy on them, as he always did. He reserved all his wrath for me, and I knew the reason why, but I wasn't going to let it deter me. In the end, I was going to rule and he knew it.

"You told me to kill anything that moved, and I did just that. It's not my fault if I outsmarted those two and got their bounty. Being slow doesn't get the job accomplished, and lost time is never gotten back. I'm just doing what a leader would".

He watched me, a scrutinizing look on his face that made me feel almost angry because I knew he was trying to find a flaw in me even though I'd perfected all he taught me. When will I be enough? Was it always going to be Ryland for him? He chuckled, the fire in his eyes losing its ferocity. "You're right, you got rid of the traitor, and all in time too, but" he paused his gaze hardening. "Never go against my order, ever!"

"Yes sir" I replied and he gave me one last look before moving towards Ryland and Lexis.

"You're on clean-up duty for a week. Fucking pathetic" he spat, then walked away from the arena.

That was all they got. It made me want to smash something.

Ryland stepped towards me, a sneer on his lips. "You're never going to win his affection so you should stop trying to be so perfect, also, keep your eyes off the position of the Capo dei Capri. We all know who that seat belongs to after he dies''.

I rubbed my hands together, my mind debating whether to smash him in the face or choke slam him. "Maybe you should let the old man die first, Ryland. Rumours might reach him that you're planning his murder".

He grabbed my arms and I snapped. Grabbing his arms was the easy part, twisting them enough and stopping before I broke his bone was the hard part. His sharp cry of pain carrying through the quiet space made me smile as he struggled to remain still so as not to trigger me. I leaned against him, putting more pressure on his arm that had him keening in pain.

"Don't ever touch me if you want to live to see the day that I sit on that throne, Ryland. You push me to the wall too much, and I might just put an arrow between that mouth of yours." I threatened before letting him go with a shove. He tumbled to the floor, then he cradled his arm, his eyes glaring his hate as he stared at me. I wanted to pluck them out.

Lexis helped him up, before staring at me. "Father will not be too happy when he hears about this".

"You won't tell him anything lexis" Ryland roared, grabbing her by the arm. "He already thinks that I am pathetic, do you want him to see me as a worthless spineless weakling too".

They were very apt descriptions because he was right on every count. He was all that and more.

"I'm just trying to help you against that witch".

"I don't need your fucking help. I will take care of it on my own".

I smirked. "I'm sure you will. Clean that up, you're on slave duty for the weak" I mocked then walked out of the arena.

I could hear Ryland raging but I didn't care. There was nothing he could do but bark. He knew the syndicate would be mine, in the end, I was already managing half of the business and the reputation I'd built for myself made my name a thing of fear on everyone's lips. They also knew my word was my honor, and I kept it to a T. I took care of handling all the transactions and I'd never lost a shipment or got caught by security.

Ryland was just the guy who thought everything should be handed to him on a golden platter just because he was Alvarez's only son, while I was the daughter he had from a treacherous affair.

I'd been treated like the dirt beneath their feet from the moment I was brought into the house. I was worked half to death for the first few months, then I was pushed off to be trained by the worst of them all, the psychopaths that drowned it into my head that it was either kill or be killed, and they almost killed me a dozen of times, but I survived and I never backed down. I was a fucking born leader.

I'd already shown them that I was more than capable of handling the business, so if I found out that he was planning to name Ryland as his successor, I'd have no choice but to kill them both.

I'd kill them both without feeling an ounce of regret because there was nothing like family in the Mafia. I had no family. The syndicate was my life and to keep it as mine, I had to rule it. And I would, even if it killed me.

DEARIL POV

"You should gouge out their eyes for staring at you in that derogatory manner" my wolf growled in my head, its teeth snapping and claw plunging as I tried to keep a steady pace while I walked through the halls of the pack house for the meeting. The idea of doing exactly what my wolf suggested was very appealing and I had to clench my fist and hold in my rage as the beta's that lined the entrance stared at me.

The fear in their eyes was soothing, but it did nothing to tame the hunger in me. I still wanted to claw my hand into their throat just to listen to what scream they'd make as they struggled to breathe through severed arteries.

I pushed the thought back even as my wolf howled in my head. I was a fucking Alpha! I shouldn't be thinking about killing the people I was meant to protect, but I couldn't stop it, and as the scent of the other alphas thickened in the air, the closer I got to the room, the more my hackle rose.

I've always held it in during the pack meeting, but my wolf had been restless lately, and as the full moon drew nearer, I knew there were going to be darker days ahead. I also knew that I was going to be spending it locked away in the basement so as not to kill my pack members or the humans beyond our territory.

I reached to shove at the door, and I'm not surprised when it crashed open. I hadn't realized the strength I had put into it. I gritted my teeth as their scent thickened in the air, all directed at me, and all with the same clear message. They fucking wanted me to submit to them. How fucking dare they? My wolf snarled, furiously trying to get out, so I gave it a reprieve, and let go of some of its rage mixed with mine. My scent flooded the room. The redolence of my domination, suffocating. I knew it too because of the sudden shift in their posture, their faces were grim as they tried to resist the scent I was pouring out in spades. The mayhem was already starting and it wasn't the full moon yet.

I glanced at each of the Alphas who ruled over the other pack houses until my gaze met those of the grand Alpha, the supreme leader, my father. His scent was aggravating, but I knew if I gave in just a bit more to the temptation of my wolf, they'll all be kneeling at my feet.

"Yes! Make them bow to us!" my wolf hissed, urging me on, before flooding my brain with bloody images of us shifting and clawing through every threat that stood around us. The idea of ripping out everyone's throat made my wolf euphoric and I had to hold my breath for some seconds to stave off the feeling.

"Leave it to Dearil to always make a grand entrance by being destructive" Keres got out, his voice a bit tamer than it used to be.

Vaughn Lyall raised his hand and everything in me rebelled against his command for silence. My wolf barked furiously within me, and I couldn't stop my claws from elongating a little.

"Control your pheromones Dearil, or you'll be stripped of your title," father's sharp voice cut through the tension in the air, and my gaze snapped in his direction, my wolf barring its teeth.

"He can't even control his wolf, it was a mistake to make him Alpha of any of the parks, this is fucking pathetic!".

I was grabbing him by the throat as soon as the word got out of his mouth, and as I squeezed, my claws digging into his vein, Keres stood helpless in my hands, unable to breathe or move a muscle. The other Alpha stood up, their gaze on me, waiting for me to snap his neck so that they could attack.

I pulled Keres closer, breathing fear into his stubborn set pair of blazing golden eyes.

"I was born an Alpha Keres, and you will speak to me with the respect that I deserve" I warned, the strength of my gaze burning into his cranium. I don't even need a mirror to know that my eyes were a burning color of coal.

I let go of Keres and he wheezed, then steadied himself as he took in air.

The room thickened with agitated pheromones and I knew they were all waiting for father's order, they'll kill me once he gave them the go-ahead.

"This is the reason why everyone thinks you're not fit to lead your current pack. A rogue is almost more preferred to you at this point" father said, his voice raspy with rage.

I hated the comparison, it made my wolf see red. A fucking rogue.

Destinos snickered. "He doesn't even have a mate. Tell me brother, who is going to carry on your legacy, and how will you find a mate when you can't even sense her even if she stood right in front of you... accept what you are Dearil, you're a freak of nature. You've been cursed, and you'll never be a normal Alpha."

Black nodded in agreement. "We've had to clean up your mess Dearil and we are tired of it. What alpha harm's his Park? The growlers park is getting tired of trying to figure out a way to cure you, you should become a rogue and prowl the other forest, away from us, since you clearly are not fit to lead".

My claw grew longer even tho I was trying to remain calm. I stared at my father. "Is that the decision you had agreed on before I arrived".

Father watched me, his eyes steady like a still body of water. "You decided your fate Dearil. You've been cursed, and even tho, you are an Alpha, and my son, I declare you... "

"Enough!" I roared, flooding the room with so many pheromones, Keres fell to his knees in submission before he could stop himself. He stared around aghast and I basked in his humiliation, despite how angry I was. Father's nostril flared in disstate as Keres picked himself up from the floor, his face blotchy red from the embarrassment. I ignored him, and my gaze fixed on my father. If it was up to my wolf, they'll all be dead, but no matter how much I loved the idea, I drew a line when it came to family.

"You will not be stripping me of my pack. I've always handled my shift without harming anybody, and that will not change ".

Black scoffed and it was enough to push me over the edge. My hand lashed out, and he howled out his pain as my claw dragged through his face, blood spurting out like a fountain. Watching him clutch his face in pain, the blood partially blinding him before he started healing didn't faze me, it made me happy instead. I didn't feel an ounce of remorse for my actions.

"I'll handle this month's shift just as I've always had." I continued, my gaze moving from one person to the other to get my point across. "No one should mess with my pack while I'm incapacitated because I won't hesitate to protect and stake a claim on what is mine. The witch cursed me right? Well, that curse is bullshit, and I don't believe whatever it was she spewed out of her flesh-eating mouth. I will find my mate, and once I do, none of you will run your mouth in disrespect."

"That's if you live long enough to. The blood moon is just two years from now Dearil, once your time frame is up then you'll become lower than a filthy rogue, you'll be a mindless beast, and once that happens, we'll put you down like the animal you are"

Black said as he moved towards me matching my stare, his face once more normal except for the blood and faint scars.

"We are all Alphas here Dearil, you will not disrespect, attack us, and think you'll walk out of that door without being punished for it. We have our code of conduct Dearil Vaughn Lyall, and just because you're the son of the leader doesn't grant you any immunity".

My muscles rippled with tension as I fought to stay in control. "I'll take my punishment like a man and I have never taken advantage of my status," I said, then glanced at the man who called himself my father. "How can I, when he doesn't even see me as his son?" I said and my father looked away from me, his face set grimly.

They all turned to face him, waiting for my judgment.

"A hundred lashes for hurting an Alpha, and another hundred for disobeying a direct order from me. Alpha Keres will deliver the beating, and you'll accept it without fighting back" he said, using his Alpha voice, and it weakened me effectively. It was useless to fight when he resorted to that. "This council meeting is dismissed, for now, but we'll entertain ourselves by watching you being brought to heel" he grinned, his eyes glowing a heated red as his canine grew longer.

The other joined in while I stood in the center and stewed, my blood boiling from having to restrain myself from doing something I'd regret. I was strong but I knew I wouldn't survive a fight with four equally strong Alphas.

I walked towards the punishment arena with my head held high. Getting tied up to the pole was humiliating, but I was willing to play along to buy myself some time.

The first slash of the whip was a shock to my system. The scent of wolfsbane hit my senses as my skin sizzled, the pain ricocheting through, past my skin, and unto my soul until my wolf howled in pain and anger. I clenched my teeth, fisted my hand, and bore each strike without making a sound.

Closing my eyes and breathing through my nose helped calm my wolf even though it rebelled against the very act that I was being put through.

It was all the black witch's fault, and as the whip tore through my skin, and the first cry of pain wrenched out of my throat, I thought back to those grand days when we had hunted Etral forest, ridding it of all evil, killing anything that moved or breath, vampires, witches, and rogues alike.

I was an Alpha who wanted to protect my pack, I wanted to make my father the greatest chief of Alpha, I wanted to be the best. I should have left the witch and her daughter alone, but my craving for blood had pushed me too far. I didn't see the void until I fell into it, and then it was chaos.

JADE POV

"Yes! Like that! Oh, fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Ryland high pitched moan carried through the corridors and I winced in embarrassment for him because the maid he was railing wasn't even making that much noise.

I pushed the door open and he scrambled off her so fast that I had to look behind me to see if wild animals were coming behind me.

"Don't you know how to fucking knock" he glared, as he scrambled to get a robe to cover his unimpressive man part, while the girl tried to become invisible on the bed? What a fucking shit show.

I smirked at him. "You were squealing like a little girl, I just had to check if you were dying or something".

"Fuck you!".

"I'd rather not Ryland." I deadpan and he simmered. It was fun to get under his skin, especially since I knew it'd always been a fantasy of his to fuck me. It was never going to happen and he knew it too. He was just a pervert who didn't know when to stop trying.

"What do you want?" He asked, his voice sourer than lime.

I glanced at the girl who had succeeded in clutching the huge bedspread against her naked skin. I would have rolled my eyes if I wasn't already bored with the whole scenario.

Ryland turned to face her. "Well? Get out of here, what are you waiting for" he shouted, clapping his hands. "Scram, get out of my room".

The girl rushed out of the bed, dragging the bedspread with her.

"You're not taking that with you. Leave my room in the same way you came into it".

The girl glanced from him to me almost in trepidation. I was definitely not getting into it. She made her bed, so she had to lie in it, or in this case get out of it naked.

The girl let go of the blanket, tears welling up in her eyes as she stood before us naked. I waved her off with a warning in my gaze. The girl batted out of the room before I could say zap.

"Whore" Ryland murmured under his breath.

"Stupid man whore" I said, making my voice loud enough so he heard it clearly.

His frown deepened, his eyes almost disappearing Into his skin.

"Can we just get this over with" he snapped, his gaze darting around the room? What was he looking for? Was he hiding something?

"Father wants you involved in the next operation that I'll be handling," I informed him, even though I didn't want him anywhere near my business. Ryland was stupid, but he was also a scheming, conniving bastard. He was always looking for ways to stick any weapon he could get his hands on into my back because he wanted to be the next in command.

Ryland stared at me for a while, his head cocked to the side. "I still have clean-up duty for another two days".

"Not anymore. Father wants you to meet Marion Don Telli. We've been working with him for years, and the next deal we'll be making will make us a lot of cash if everything goes as planned, and if you don't act like a fucking pussy and ruin everything like you always do".

Ryland's eyes blazed as he heard the insult. "I'm not a fucking pussy. I've always handled my business with no problem".

"Of course, you have," I answered on autopilot because this was not the first time he was trying to defend himself. "You managed to gamble one hundred billion away without making a cent in profit. I'm truly amazed by your prowess in handling business".

"Sarcasm is not a good look on you".

"I didn't come here to exchange words. We leave tomorrow morning by five on the dot. Don't make me come for you".

"You didn't have to come here and ruin my morning in the first place. You have your fucking phone, why can't you text me".

I sighed, rubbing circles at the side of my scalp to ease the tension." I don't have time for your stupidity Ryland. It's too early for your bullshit". I turned away from his door amidst his screaming of profanities. I had to admit, it was a pastime of mine to make his life miserable.

Stepping into the familiar territory of my room put me at ease. The black-painted walls reflected my mood, which was always dark, and the weapon laid out on my dining table gave me peace of mind. Meeting Marion always put me on edge because he was not a trustworthy person. For the right price, you could acquire his services, his loyalty, and his organization. I always had to triple-check everything when it came to him. He was just too shady and most of his deals were laced with risks.

I also didn't like that he'd chosen such a remote spot for the exchange. Granted, that was his modus operandi every time we met up, but something about Etral forest didn't feel right. It was out of the country and laws had been put in place warning people to stay off the land. I also didn't like his associates. They were handsy and made derogatory comments about me, which was why I haunted each one of them down. They died of unnatural causes, and I was sure Marion suspected foul play. It didn't matter, he should get better business partners. It would also be good if he worked on garnering a few acceptable values and business ethics.

I pulled on my boots and then stashed my weapons into the different compartments I'd mapped out on most of my getup. Staring into the mirror revealed a leader ready to do battle.

The electric buzz of my phone on the dressing table got my attention even though I'd been planning on being radio silent for the whole day. It was Taviano, my father's right-hand man. I answered.

"What do you want?".

"Your father is already in the meeting with Gracias Johan and he needs those documents in an hour. Your time is ticking away".

Argh! The fucking old man was trying to sabotage our deal. He'd promised me the seat if I could complete whatever task he assigned to me, and now he wanted to play slick.

"The meeting was scheduled for next week".

"It was moved forward. You're wasting time Jade. This is also part of your test, if you fail now, you might lose everything" he said, then ended the call.

"Fuck!" I screamed, then tossed the phone in my hand against the wall. He was always changing the fucking game, but I was going to win despite his hope for my failure. I was going to beat him at his own game.

I trudged toward the dungeon, making calls as I went. The guards at the door bowed as they saw me. pressing in the code to the torture room where I normally found relief for my tensions made my head spin. The only thing I could hear was the sound of the clock increasing with each second.

Once inside the room, my gaze searched for the man who had stolen one of our business documents that held incriminating evidence against Gracias Johan, he'd also succeeded in getting away with our billions, Ryland being the stupid bloke who was stupid enough to get scammed by him.

The man looked malnourished and his once bright smooth skin reeked. Dry blood caked one of his eyes shut, while the rest of his body bore a criss-cross of dark and light bruises. He hadn't spoken a word since he'd been taken in and despite the torture, he refused to talk.

He glanced at me from where he was tied up, and a smile spread over his lips, his teeth a bloody mess.

"They sent the angel of death again" he whispered, his shoulders sagging.

"I'm not here to kill you, Victor, not yet at least" I got out, stepping closer to him with a friendly grin. "I came to give you the last chance. Tell me where you kept those documents".

He stared at me, then his eyes darted around in fear before they landed on me once more.

"I don't know what documents you are talking about. I didn't take anything" he protested, his voice weak.

I nodded. "I'm sure you don't know, but maybe this little video call might help you decide, or let me rephrase that, help you remember".

I turned my phone on, then placed it on the table in front of him where he'd be able to watch from where he stood.

Victor gasped, his caked eyes widening as he stared at his wife, his two sons, and three daughters, all standing in a row with masked men pointing automatic weapons against their heads.

"Don't you dare touch them! Don't touch them" he screamed, rattling his chains with so much vigor, I was almost certain he'd break his bone.

"I want a location, and if I don't get one, one of their heads will be going kaboom!" I demonstrated with a smile on my face while he stared at me in horror. "You have ten seconds".

He looked at the video, the ticking of the clock growing louder with the seconds.

Three, two...

"They're at the graveyard, on my grandmother's grave, I kept it in a pot of urn" he rushed out, his breath coming out in a gasp as if he'd rub a marathon.

I smiled, turning off the video and reaching to caress his face as he sobbed out his pain sorrowfully. "There, there, it's all over now. I never wanted to put pressure on you, but it had to be done, and now that you're no longer useful, it's off to the gallows. A pity, you served the family well but I guess you couldn't help being greedy could you".

"Spare my life. My family needs me. I'll do everything I can to redeem myself" he begged, his voice raspy with pain at each catch of breath he took in.

"That option was for last week, that grace didn't extend to this week, you should have talked while I was playing nice". I said stepping away from him. The look of utter hopelessness on his face felt satisfying to watch. "I won't kill your family if that makes you feel any better" I promised.

His bloodshot eyes met mine, his lips quivering as he tried to speak.

"You're not going to win Jade Alvarez... you're going to experience all you put me through and more, and you're never going to be Don" he whispered, his voice steady and severe.

I smirked, pushing his words where they belonged:in the thrash. "I already won," I said, punching in the code for the door.

"No you haven't Jade, and all I wish for is to see you suffer, even if it's the last thing I see before I die".

I turned to face him. "Too bad you won't get your wish" I gritted out as I pulled out the gun from my holster. I aimed at him and watched as he stared at the gun, a look of resolution on his face as he gave up the fight.

"You will suffer!" He emphasized and I pulled the trigger. Two shots were all it took.

I glared at his corpse. He was wrong. My throne awaited.