Dark Monster

People walked around the streets of New York completely unaware that the supernatural existed. Over hundreds of centuries, werewolves have wandered these lands without being discovered. They hid in plain sight as regular business employees, lawyers, doctors, cops and even drug dealers. In this secret society of werewolves there’s also a hierarchy, and no matter where one went on this planet, a hierarchy always called for trouble. The shifter world is ruled by the strongest alphas, and their packs have been following them since beginning of their creation.

However, for this system to run smoothly, all the alphas must follow a code which was created by their ancestors. Although, the one that ruled them all, protected them all and created them, was their goddess, Maya. She was the deity that all werewolves’ evil or good worshipped. If someone ever wondered why a wolf howled towards a lonesome moon? It was because that beast knew that Maya would always listen to his prayers…

Although, a monster never prayed.

He wouldn’t know how to utter such an innocent sound when all he heard his whole life were the cries of torment. That torment that morphed him into something beastly. His claws ripped through hearts, his fangs devoured souls and as his black fur soaked only with the blood of his prey, he slowly lost all faith in this tarnished world. So, he vowed that he’d never utter a prayer because it couldn’t save him.

“A monster.” That was what he was called his whole life. Born from the womb of an innocent woman, he was raised to be brutal and alone. This monster spent all his time in a dark cave surrounded by the voices of the people he slaughtered day and night. Darkness consumed him and he was taken into a realm where there was not return.

Some told the tale that this monster was evil and never to be trusted. They all kept their distance from him and refused to meet his eyes, because they thought he’d sink his fangs into them. Some said that he covered his monstrous hands behind his leather gloves because he had disgusting claws stained crimson from blood. No one knew what was true anymore about this monster that vanished from the face of the earth. They didn’t know where he had left or what he was doing. But they were glad that they didn’t see him, otherwise they faced their greatest nightmare.

But this was all a game for the monster. A game of fate that told him that he was chosen to kill for the rest of his life. He wasn’t worthy of any redemption no matter how hard he tried to face his reflection. This monster was a mere vessel to consume evil within him and annihilate anything in his path. Except, he never had more satisfaction than killing someone who had a demonic stench etched on their body. This monster fed off souls who were like rats scurrying along the night looking to cause trouble for the innocent.

As this fated game tested this monster over and over again. He understood that the stakes which were handed to him weren’t fair, so that meant that he had to crawl out of the darkest pit on his own. There was no one he could rely on but himself. The blades that he held in his bloody hands were all he could trust to help him in the dark. But as he killed and continued to take life, he found out that the consequences were a lot steeper. His soul was forsaken and he couldn’t breathe anymore despite everything he tried to save himself.

Alaric Petrov knew that nothing could save him anymore. He was as evil as the tales that were whispered about him. He was a monster and he knew that from the moment he took a dagger and killed his own mother. The silent tears from her innocent eyes still plagued the vacant cavity where his heart should have been. Alaric held his mother until her body had grown cold and he left his soul with her only to never return.

As he burned his mother’s corpse and set her free from this wretched fate, Alaric made the decision to forsake this world. Nothing could bring him back to the side of the light. He ignored it like the plague because he didn’t deserve to be there. So, as he spent his remaining years all by himself in the part of the world where no one could find him. He was voiceless and nameless. He thought that this could heal him in some sort of way, but it didn’t do anything. Alaric wasn’t left alone in peace no matter what he did. Someone always came around to poke his temper, and in result, he’d kill mercilessly.

Enemies surrounded him at all times, so he’d let the monster out from inside himself and his hands would be stained with the blood of the fallen. No one could do anything about him because they were all too afraid of the man who had nothing to lose. Alaric was a void. He never hungered for money or power. He had no weakness and his enemies never forgot that.

However, the fate that he thought had forsaken him returned with a different plan. Alaric may have abandoned all hope to live an honourable life, but life had a way of changing the course of even the most ruthless hurricanes. And now, as Alaric’s stubborn resolve that was ruthless like a storm that challenged the goddess to show him that he wasn’t lost after all. He only needed the kindest of hearts to show him the true path, that would bring this monster out of the shadows and into the light.

Spring arrived here in Manhattan, New York. The sheets of snow had melted away revealing the wet grass that was ready to grow. Every branch of the trees on the streets were budding to bloom, flowers were hatching out of their shell to shower their fragrance over the city. Everyone had taken off their coats to enjoy the cool but comforting breeze, that was nothing like the piercing winter air, which had now become a distant memory.

But for a particular pack enforcer, Spring always reminded him of a memory he could never forget. Ronin drove down the empty roads of Manhattan towards the hospital to pick up his friend from work late at night. Taking the final turn onto the rounded path, he arrived at the large doors and waited for Justin.

It was in Spring when he met the Iron Blood pack way back when he was still a detective for the New York Police Department. So much has changed since then. But he never regretted his decision to follow Isaiah Iron, the alpha that changed Ronin’s life for the better. There was a time when he was all on his own as a rogue wolf. He didn’t matter to anyone and no one mattered to him. Being an orphan, raised on these harsh streets, he’s seen the worst of it all. Becoming a cop and then promoted to a detective was his dream. He thought that he would be able to save people, but he quickly learned that even the police were corrupted. And when Ronin couldn’t save a little girl from being killed by a monster, he met Isaiah along with his brothers.

But that was all in the past now. Ronin was a pack enforcer for Isaiah and he served this alpha with every morsel of strength he had in his body.

As he sat in his mustang, the engine revved and he found the sound comforting while he waited. But from the corner of his eye, he saw a tall, muscular Korean man rushing out of the sliding doors. Ronin unlocked the car and Justin opened the door before getting inside. He put his bag by his feet and used the seat belt to buckle in.

“Thank you for picking me up,” Justin said. “I still can’t believe that my car broke down.”

“It’s not a problem,” Ronin answered as he drove out of the rounded path and back onto the street.

Justin leaned his head back against the seat. “I’m so tired,” he yawned.

“You look it,” he remarked.

The doctor gaped. “You don’t look any better, buddy,” he retorted.

Ronin stopped the car at a red light. “Do you want me to kick you out of the car?” he asked.

“You look as handsome as ever,” Justin smiled at him charmingly. “Please, don’t leave me on the streets by myself.”

Ronin laughed as he faced the vacant road. “I’ll take a look at your car when we get home,” he offered.

“Thanks, you’re a life saver,” Justin astonished.

The light turned green and Ronin pressed down on the gas letting the car drive ahead, he crossed the large intersection and made it down the long path. Justin was too exhausted to carry any conversation, so he was resting as Ronin kept to himself. Usually, being around the Iron Blood pack meant chaos at all times. There was never a dull moment, so it was nice to just enjoy the silence.

Justin had always been an easy-going person and could hold a conversation with anyone, probably because he was a well-known doctor. He was the newest edition to the Iron Blood pack, and a great member too. Not only was Justin a skilled surgeon that saved their asses many times, but he was kind and jelled into the group quite easily, which was a hard thing to do since the Iron Blood pack wasn’t like other packs.

The wolves in this pack were stubborn and downright vicious in a fight. Ronin knew all about them and he had no idea that the day he met them that he’d become a part of their pack. So much had changed over the years though. Everyone in the pack found their mates and were happy now. Unlike the time he met them.

The pack was led by Isaiah who massacred his entire clan with his brothers and cousin’s help. They escaped the vile reign of the Petrov bloodline and made a new name for themselves. Ronin didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he asked for their help to kill a criminal. But he knew that they were the only ones who could kill and get away with it.

Now, the pack focused on their family and rarely had time to go on hunts like old times. Ronin still wondered what his life would be like if he was still a detective. He dedicated so many years to the service and was once sure that he’d die for the badge he wore with pride. But when he realized that cops were just used like toys, he couldn’t be a part of that crusade anymore. He always knew that loyalty mattered and he found his pack, that had his back no matter what happened.

After a long drive, they reached the outskirts of the city and were inching closer to home. He stopped the car in front of the railway as the train crossed and there were a few hotels and restaurants, which allowed the light to show a clear view of the street ahead.

Out of habit, Ronin surveyed the entire street around him. He saw a couple of people crossing the roads and nothing was suspicious around here. That was until he saw a man in a trench coat crossing the street in a measured pace that didn’t feel ordinary. The stranger’s posture was confident as he led down the sidewalk with his gaze fixed ahead. However, someone stepped in front of the stranger, which felt like a mistake. The shorter man pulled something out of his coat, the glint of a blade shined in Ronin’s eyes.

“Ronin,” Justin’s voice called him out. “The train passed already.”

Ronin’s eyes didn’t leave the stranger who was still standing calmly in front of the attacker. However, just as the fight was about to begin, the tall stranger pushed the attacker into the alleyway and away from Ronin’s gaze. None of this felt right, especially since this encounter was terribly close to their territory. Isaiah wasn’t going to like this at all.

Ronin unbuckled his belt. “Wait here,” he told Justin as he opened the door.

“Why, what’s going on?” Justin yelled behind him.

Ronin crossed the road and hurried over to the alley, he grabbed the gun that was strapped to his belt at all times and had it out in front of him as he stepped in front of the dark cave. He expected to find a fight, but all he witnessed was a massacre. There were at least a dozen men slaughtered and their bodies mutilated. Blood coloured the brick walls and the concrete floor. Dismembered limbs and severed heads decorated the ground as all those wide eyes stared up at Ronin, like they saw a monster before they died.

In the dark of the night, there was only one survivor who was leaning against the wall and breathing raggedly. Ronin recognized that cold, icy scent that was mixed with the stench of blood right away. This sinister fragrance that made his wolf alert with focus told him that it was dangerous here. But Ronin still stayed because this scent didn’t belong to just anyone.

Alaric Petrov was slouching against the brick wall with his gloved hand against his abdomen. His dark hair tousled by the wind and his piercing blue eyes were hollow reminding Ronin of when he saw Adrik for the first time.

“I smell my brother on you,” Alaric’s dark voice sent a chill down Ronin’s body.

Ronin knew right away that Alaric killed all these men singlehandedly, but the man didn’t walk away unscathed. He came over to him and put his gun away on his belt again. He squatted down and saw the blood oozing out of Alaric’s stomach onto his black gloves and suit.

“You’re hurt,” he said.

Alaric grinned like it didn’t hurt but felt good. “You’re probably happy seeing me this way,” he remarked.

“Why would you say that?” Ronin asked as he frowned at him knowing that this wound was fatal and Alaric’s pale skin wasn’t a good sign.

“I’m your pack’s enemy,” Alaric answered as he dropped his head against the wall and took a shaky breath.

“You’re also my best friend’s brother,” Ronin added.

Alaric’s sharp eyes lifted and locked onto Ronin, it was a heavy stare that held an ocean of darkness that couldn’t be erased. “Fuck off before I kill you too,” he growled menacingly.

Ronin raked his hair back. “You know, that’s exactly what Adrik said to me when I met him,” he mumbled.

“Ronin!” Justin appeared in a hurry before his eyes landed on Alaric and widened with shock. “What the hell-”

“He’s been stabbed in the stomach and it’s deep,” Ronin explained. “Can you patch him up?”

Justin bent down and saw the wound himself. “It’s too dark here and we’re not close to a hospital,” he said.

“Both of you need to back off,” Alaric growled between them as he tried to move.

Ronin put his hand on Alaric’s shoulder, when suddenly, the air shifted into something vile and dangerous. Alaric lifted off the ground in seconds and slammed Ronin against the wall, his head hit the bricks and it hurt like a bitch. A leather-gloved hand fisted Ronin’s throat and he faced Alaric’s blazing blue eyes that were venomous.

“Never touch me again,” Alaric gritted out each word.

However, Ronin knew that these Petrov’s were hot-blooded and he was used to it by now after having dealt with his pack. Smartly, he reached down and put his hand on Alaric’s wound and pushed against it causing Alaric to wince out from pain. Since he had lost so much blood already, the man was gasping for air and about to black-out.

“We should take him home,” Justin advised. “I can patch him up there. But we need to hurry.”

Ronin knew that already. Alaric wasn’t giving any of his attitude because his eyes closed and he collapsed against the wall. He hoisted the man onto his feet by wrapping his arm around his waist and returned to the car. Justin helped put him in the back seat. Ronin shut the door and they got in the car again.

“Do you think Isaiah’s going to let Alaric into the house?” Justin asked warily.

Ronin pressed his foot down on the race and he didn’t answer Justin because he didn’t have an response for him. The only thing he knew was that Alaric was Adrik’s big brother and they needed to save him.

Ignoring the speed limit, he raced down the roads and arrived at the territory. The gates opened and he swerved the car in front of the house before Justin went to open the door in a hurry. Ronin got out and rushed to the back as he saw Alaric Petrov passed out. He never thought he’d see a day like this because it seemed impossible. Ronin grabbed the man’s arm and tried to lift his heavy weight off the seats, which were ruined with all the blood. Ronin was going to have to clean that up soon otherwise the stain would never get out, which was irritating.

“Ronin,” a voice that was familiar spoke behind him.

Adrik stood clad in leather, terrifyingly tall. His body was layered with muscle and represented pure strength. It was as if he was made from steel and carved with marble. His piercing blue gaze resembled Alaric’s eyes to the point that it was scary. But Adrik found the love of his life and softened over time. Ronin saw it happen, if only Alaric had that chance.

Adrik saw his brother on the seat, his eyes didn’t falter as he bent down into the car. He grabbed his brother easily and carried him out, Ronin grabbed the man’s other arm and they carried Alaric inside the house. Justin brought a stretcher-bed and they put him onto it carefully before they took him to the elevator. Once they reached the operation room in the basement compound, which Justin had built here in case of emergencies.

Ronin and Adrik stepped back as Justin got to work. He was quick to strap a bunch of wires and needles into Alaric, that would check his pulse and anything else.

Ronin hadn’t realized until he lifted his hand that it was covered in blood. He came to the realization that even the great monster of the Petrov family bled red.

“How the hell did this happen?” Isaiah’s voice caught everyone’s attention. The alpha of the pack came down the stairs in a tailored black suit, his smoky grey eyes furious and the frown intimidatingly obvious since his black hair was raked back. The tattoos on his neck and hands just as daunting as the first time Ronin met him.

“I was driving Justin back when I saw someone get attacked,” Ronin explained. “I investigated the situation but I didn’t know it was Alaric.”

“Do you know who did it?” Another voice intervened and it was the beta of the pack, Lazarus Iron who was domineering in his training clothes as if he came straight from the gym. His blond hair pinned up in a bun and his grown beard cut to sit perfectly near his taut jaw.

“No,” Ronin answered him. “But it was a coordinated attack because there were over a dozen men waiting for Alaric.”

Isaiah and Lazarus shared a concerned look. “Do you know anyone that could attack Alaric?” he asked his cousin.

“A lot of people want to kill him,” Adrik answered with a scowl.

Justin appeared from the room. “He’s lost a lot of blood,” he said through the mask on his face. “We’re going to have to take him to the hospital-”

“I’m a match-” Adrik informed.

Justin nodded. “I need extra hands then,” he said.

“I’ll help,” Lazarus said as he went to the other room to clean himself up before he extracted blood from Adrik’s arm.

Isaiah grumbled a curse before he pulled out his phone.

“I’m sorry, Isaiah,” Ronin spoke then. “I probably brought a lot of danger to the pack by bringing Alaric here but-” he looked back into the room as the man laid on the bed looking lonely.

“Don’t be sorry,” Isaiah said. “We all would have done the same.” He put the phone against his ear and went back up the stairs to talk to someone.

Ronin waited at the window and watched Justin skillfully operate the wound on the man’s stomach. He was quick to seal up the damaged organs and since Alaric was a wolf, his powers must be rejuvenating him as well.

In the silence, he wondered why he even helped Alaric. The man definitely didn’t want it and would probably want to die than be saved by this pack. However, Ronin couldn’t leave the man in the alley to die by himself. He may be a threat, but he was still Adrik’s big brother.

“Ronin,” Zeiden appeared now. He stood tall and bulked on more muscle as he trained to become a better fighter. Every day he resembled Isaiah with his black hair and wicked eyes, but his were blue as the sky. “I heard what happened,” he said as he came over and looked across the glass. “I can’t believe Alaric is here.” He stood with his arms crossed bunching up the leather from his jacket.

“Where’s your mate?” Ronin asked knowing that Marcello didn’t move without Zeiden by his side.

“With Isaiah,” Zeiden answered.

Marcello also joined their pack the same time as Justin. He was an enemy of theirs once and it was hard to get him on their side. Frankly, Ronin believed that Marcello never would have joined them unless he was Zeiden’s mate.

“He looks so weak,” Zeiden remarked.

Ronin’s eyes went back to the hospital room. “He does,” he mumbled as he remembered the way Alaric’s eyes burned with the weight of the legacy of being a Petrov. And he wasn’t free like Adrik or the rest of them yet.

Adrik and Lazarus appeared from the other room and Justin was hooking up the bag of blood to save Alaric’s life.

“You good?” Zeiden asked Adrik.

“Yeah,” he answered grimly as he held the piece of cotton on the puncture wound the needle left behind.

Lazarus crossed his muscular tattooed arms. “What kind of idiot would attack Alaric?” he remarked. “I fear for their life as soon as he wakes up.”

Ronin didn’t know what was going on with this unknown enemy in town. But something seemed off about all this. From everything that Ronin knew about Alaric, this attack shouldn’t have surprised him. Alaric defeated all of them so easily but still gave an opening to the enemy to stab him. What was going on in Alaric’s head?

“Guys,” they all turned to find Sophia who held a concerned expression. She was dressed in a pair of jean-shorts and a red shirt with her brown hair around her shoulders. Lazarus crossed the room and went straight to his mate’s side. “Will Alaric be okay?” she asked him.

“Yeah,” Lazarus answered. “Justin was able to patch him up.”

“That’s good,” she smiled at them before turning towards the window.

Ronin knew that Sophia was thinking of the memory of when she was kidnapped with the pups by the Dragon Triad gang members. She was unexpectedly rescued by Alaric in time to be found by the pack.

To this day, Ronin didn’t understand why Alaric saved them? He was depicted as this image of being ruthless and evil, but he risked his life and saved the girls without hesitation.

Justin appeared from the surgery room as he took his mask and cap off. “Alaric’s going to be fine,” he revealed.

Ronin noticed the way Adrik let out a shaky breath. “Thanks,” Adrik said to the doctor.

“No problem,” Justin answered. “I’m going to stay down here and keep an eye on him-”

“I’ll take first watch,” Ronin said. “You probably need to freshen up and get some shut eye.”

“I probably won’t be able to sleep, but I definitely need a shower,” Justin said before he thanked Ronin and headed up the stairs to his bedroom.

“Adrik,” Rosalie’s voice caught their attention now. She came rushing down the stairs in her ballet clothes that showed her pregnant belly. Her soft brown eyes landed on her mate and she hugged him. Adrik pulled her away into the other hallway for privacy.

Everyone headed off upstairs and Ronin stayed back. Washing his hands and cleaning off the blood, he walked into the room connected to where Alaric rested and took a seat behind the glass wall by himself. Laid out on the bed, Alaric’s breath was calm but the frown between his brows remained, like he was haunted by memories that plagued his thoughts as he rested. Zeiden spoke the truth when he claimed that Alaric appeared weak under these white sheets. But there was a raw power that clung to the man’s body that was carved within the muscle and built to endure any weapon or pain. Ronin’s eyes fell to the tattoos on Alaric’s arms and chest, the dark ink vibrant against the man’s pale skin that were riddled with scars.

What did this man go through to become like this? Ronin thought to himself as his heart grew heavy. Ronin’s wolf appeared from within and stared at Alaric too, like both of them were intrigued in a way that they never were before.

However, the moment Ronin’s wolf made his presence known, a dark menacing scent filled the air and it was clear that Alaric’s wolf was protecting him as he rested. The dangerous wolf carried stifling pheromones that could choke a person. Ronin wasn’t backing away though, because he knew that showing any sign of weakness would tempt Alaric’s wolf to a fight. Ronin stayed seated, his own wolf stood guard as they both watched Alaric sleep.

“I thought Isaiah was joking when he called me saying that Alaric Petrov was here,” Marcello Tricomi appeared. He crossed the room and stood next to Ronin in a blue suit, his blond hair neatly raked back as he watched with his attentive golden eyes.

“It was not a joke,” Ronin remarked.

Marcello crossed his arms. “What mess did we get caught up in?” he said grimly.

“I’m not worried about us,” Ronin answered. Alaric was in danger with the men who were out to kill him and they didn’t know who it was.

“We’ll have to figure out who is hunting him,” Marcello said as he pulled his phone out and called Percy, who was on his security team. He directed the team to get the footage of the street where Ronin found Alaric.

Adrik appeared then too with Rosalie by his side, they held hands and stood before Alaric. Ronin was worried for his friend, but he knew that Rosalie would help him through this mess, which was reassuring. This wasn’t like any of the other times Adrik lost control of himself and went on a killing rampage with no one to stop him.

“I can’t believe he’s in our house,” Rosalie said.

“Me either,” Adrik added.

After a while, Justin returned freshened up and he checked on Alaric’s vitals and his recovery. Ronin left after hearing that the next twenty-four hours were going to be rough for him. Unable to conjure an appetite, he skipped dinner and went to the garage where he spent most of his time, other than the gym or if Isaiah sent him on a mission.

The lights of the garage flickered on as they sensed the door open and he shut it behind it. He went over to his mustang and opened the back door. All of the blood pooled onto the seats tugged at something inside him and he didn’t understand why he held onto this guilt. If only he was a bit faster then perhaps Alaric wouldn’t be fighting for his life.

Suddenly, the door behind him opened and he saw Isaiah’s baby girl appear. Ronin instinctively shut the car’s door and didn’t let her see anything. Evelyn stood in her pyjamas with her black hair in two braids, but her alert greyish-blue eyes always stunned him.

“Uncle Ronin, mom’s asking if you want dinner?” she asked.

“No, sweetheart, I’m not hungry,” he replied.

Evelyn’s big eyes stared at him. “Are you fixing a car?” she asked as she let the handle go.

“Yeah,” he answered. “I was going to see what’s wrong with Justin’s car.”

“Can I stay?” she asked.

“Come,” he ushered her over and she came with her fluffy slippers flopping on her feet. He sat her down on the stool beside him where the tool-box was and went to Justin’s Audi that was waiting for him.

Ronin popped the hood open and started investigating the wires and every little nook and cranny in this car. He didn’t see a problem until he caught that one of the wires had been burnt a bit and needed it to be replaced. Evelyn was quick to help as she handed the tools he needed. Since she spent a lot of time with him here, she knew what a wrench looked like and wire-cutters.

“Uncle Ronin, is it true you brought uncle Adrik’s brother is here?” Evelyn asked.

Ronin stiffened under the hood of the car. He pulled back and took a seat in front of her. “Why do you ask?”

“Dad seems worried,” she answered as she looked down at her hands. “Is uncle Alaric a bad man?”

Ronin didn’t have an answer for that, especially since Alaric’s motives were unknown to everyone. “I can’t answer that, honey,” he told her because there was no point in lying to her, since she’d sense it.

“Will he hurt uncle Adrik?” she said then.

Ronin faced her earnest eyes that were concerned for Adrik. “No,” he answered. “I won’t let that happen.”

Evelyn graced a smile then. “Me either,” she admitted. “I’ll punch him in the face if he hurts my pack!”

Ronin laughed. “You’re too short to reach his face,” he said as he went back to work.

“That’s why you’ll help me so I can punch him,” she told him.

The door opened and this time Vivian- Adrik and Rosalie’s niece appeared. She was in the same pyjamas as Evelyn with her blonde hair in a single braid and she wore fluffy slippers.

“Evelyn, your mom’s calling you,” she said.

Evelyn hopped off the stool and ran to the door. “Bye, uncle Ronin!” The pup yelled before she followed Vivian.

With the door shut now, he turned his music on letting it boom around the room so he could ignore the voice in his head and finish fixing the burnt wire in his friend’s car. Once he was done, he started the engine and it finally worked perfectly, which was a relief. He put the keys on the hook letting it hang where all the other ones were kept.

Ronin moved back to his mustang and opened the back door as he grabbed a cloth and a chemical liquid that would get the blood out. He bent inside the back and wiped the seat clean, it didn’t stain so he wouldn’t have to remove the leather and reupholster them.

Eventually, once he finished everything, it was close to midnight. He shut the music off and the lights, locking up before he headed back into the house. It was quiet and dark since everyone must be in bed by now.

“You didn’t sleep yet?” Adrik appeared in slacks and a t-shirt, which was always strange to see him without his weapons and gear, that he always had on.

“I was just about to head up,” Ronin said as he grabbed a cookie off the counter that had loads of chocolate-chips in it.

“Thank you, Ronin,” Adrik said.

“For what?” Ronin asked as he faced his friend.

“Not leaving my brother behind,” he said.

Ronin put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I would never do that,” he affirmed before he walked off to his bedroom.

He kept the lights off and went straight into the bathroom to freshen up. He showered and cleaned up before he returned to his room and got dressed in a pair of slacks and a sweater. Leaving his room, he went downstairs to Justin who was reading a book but nodding off on the chair.

“Hey, I’ll keep watch, get some sleep,” Ronin told him.

Justin rubbed his tired eyes. “I’ll be in the room next door,” he said as he got up. He took off his lab-coat and went to the second room to get some sleep, that he desperately needed.

Ronin noticed that Alaric was taken off the respirator and was breathing on his own now. He was fast asleep, with just a tab on his finger that measured his heart that was beating at a steady drum. Ronin pulled a chair to the bed and took a seat next to him. He stared at the man’s abdomen that was covered with the white bandages.

“What’s your story, Alaric Petrov?” Ronin whispered as he studied the man’s tattoos that felt as if they were moving across his skin.

The door behind him opened and Adrik appeared. His eyes were on his brother and it was as if he vanished from this room and entered another swamp of memories he always avoided. Ronin tensed on the chair as Adrik’s dark eyes grew dangerous. Ronin was afraid that maybe his trauma would trigger him to shift into his wolf.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to help him,” Adrik admitted.

Ronin understood Adrik perfectly, since both these brothers carried too much trauma to overcome for anyone in this lifetime. However, Rosalie was able to heal Adrik and help him. There was no one for Alaric and that had to be hard on him.

“You’re not alone,” Ronin said to him. “We’ll all help.”

Adrik blinked and lifted his gaze off his brother. “You’re right,” he sighed as he leaned on the wall behind him. “You’ve always been by my side, even when I was a psychotic killer.”

Ronin chuckled. “You were such a pain in my ass then,” he jested.

“Why did you do it?” Adrik asked. “You always supported me and were ready to die when I shifted into my wolf too.”

“Because I knew that you were a good guy, even with your flaws,” Ronin admitted.

Adrik’s eyes sparked with warmth, which was rare. “You’re something else, Ronin,” he smirked. “If only I met you sooner. Maybe, my brother and I could’ve built some bond.”

Ronin raked his hair back that was usually kept short, but he hadn’t gotten the time to cut it recently. “You still can,” he said. “I’ve noticed that any person that’s alone always wants someone for themselves.” He stared at the bed where Alaric slept and knew that even he needed someone to be by his side.

Adrik and Ronin stayed as Justin came back from a few hours of sleep and refreshed. They weren’t going to leave the man alone now especially since Alaric could wake up at any time and that would definitely be dangerous for Justin.

The sun rose over the territory and the beaming golden light shined through the windows. Ronin opened one letting in the cool, pine breeze that took away the scent of medicine and blood.

“I’m going to check on Rosalie,” Adrik said as he got up and left the room.

Ronin stared back out the window. The silence of the morning was peaceful and he cherished the few moments he had to himself.

“You shouldn’t take your eyes off a monster,” a voice slithered down Ronin’s body.

Swerving around, Alaric was out of bed and on his feet. Ronin reached for his gun but he didn’t have anything on him right now. Alaric noticed that as well and suddenly reached for him when his wrist was caught by the handle of the bed. Ronin noticed then that his wrist was cuffed to the bed, which must have been Lazarus’s bright idea. Thank god for that man’s overprotective nature.

Alaric grumbled a curse at the handcuff and then brought his piercing blue eyes over to Ronin. “Where did you bring me?”

“My house,” Isaiah’s commanding voice caught both their attention before he strode into the room

Alaric’s eyes darkened as he faced his cousin. “Why am I here?” his tone bitter cold.

“Ronin saved your life and brought you here,” Isaiah answered as he faced Alaric.

Both of them stood at the same powerful height, however there was a sharp edge of danger inside Alaric that made him resemble the devil himself. He stood only in a pair of slacks over his lean waist and a gaping hole in his gut, but a dark menace oozed from every morsel of his muscular body.

Alaric’s eyes lifted off Isaiah and came onto Ronin. “Do you like playing the hero?” he asked.

Ronin smirked. “I can’t help it,” he answered. “I saw a wounded puppy and had the heart to help.”

Alaric’s scowl darkened. “Take the cuffs off,” he grumbled.

“Not until you tell me who’s trying to kill you,” Isaiah said as he crossed his arms.

“I don’t know nor do I give a fuck,” Alaric remarked. “Now, take the cuffs off.”

“I’d rather let them stay on,” Isaiah answered before he turned to Ronin.

Justin rushed into the room and saw the patient off the bed. “What the hell!” he yelled at them. “He shouldn’t be on his feet.” He came over but Ronin stopped him not knowing what Alaric will do to Justin if he got too close.

“Isaiah, I’m not staying here,” Alaric said sternly. “Let me leave otherwise you’re going to regret it.”

Isaiah’s grey eyes didn’t flinch at the threat. “You don’t scare me, cousin,” he said before he pushed Alaric onto the bed. “Check his wound, Justin.”

Justin hesitated but Ronin was right next to him and he made sure that Alaric wouldn’t do anything. Isaiah stood on the other side of the bed too. Justin grabbed the scissors and cut the bandage off to check the stitches. The black thread was bright against Alaric’s bare stomach and they were perfectly sewn up his side.

“They look good,” Justin said. “Don’t do anything strenuous otherwise they’ll bust open.”

Alaric glared at him. “This isn’t my first time,” he answered.

“Relax with the tone,” Ronin remarked. “You would have died if Justin wasn’t here.”

Alaric’s eyes glared at Ronin like an animal that hated being tied down. “I never asked to be saved,” he gritted out.

Justin wrapped the bandage back around his stomach. “I wasn’t expecting him to thank me anyway,” he told Ronin.

Adrik appeared then at the door, his eyes widened when he saw his brother awake. “Brother,” he said as he approached them. Alaric looked away and Ronin was the only one that noticed the unease inside him now. “How are you feeling?”

Alaric glared at his brother with resentment. “Why do you care?”

Adrik didn’t bat an eye at his brother’s tone though.

“Damn, I could choke on the tension in here,” Marcello arrived with Lazarus and Zeiden by his side.

“As much as I love being here with all of you,” Alaric remarked coldly. “It’d be best to let me leave.”

“You’re still injured,” Isaiah spoke with reason.

Alaric rolled his eyes before he turned towards the cuff and he looked ready to break the bed to get free.

“Let him leave,” Adrik spoke then.

Everyone stared at him, even Alaric. “What?” Lazarus said.

“Are you sure?” Isaiah asked.

“Yeah,” Adrik said. “My brother doesn’t like being tied down.”

Alaric’s eyes flared with something curious like he was fascinated by Adrik’s new personality. Isaiah came over to Alaric and used the key to let the cuff off his wrist. He rubbed the red mark on his wrist as he stared at his little brother.

Ronin noticed that the air in the room changed as they all realized that Alaric was free now. There was nothing holding him back from killing the people in this room. But something told him, that Alaric wouldn’t hurt them. There was a spark of light in those eyes, even though it was hidden far inside and had to be pulled out with a lot of strength.

“We’ll let you get dressed,” Isaiah said as he ushered his pack members out into the hallway.

As soon as the door closed behind them, everyone spoke their opinion right away.

“Are you sure letting him go is the right plan?” Lazarus asked.

“I think we should let him go and make sure that he never comes back,” Marcello voiced before he looked at Adrik. “No offence.”

“I know my brother, he’s not going to listen to any of us if we force him into it anything,” Adrik said.

“What do you think we should do, Isaiah?” Zeiden asked.

“I think we should listen to Adrik and let him go,” Isaiah answered. “But I’m going to send Ronin with him.”

Ronin thought he heard wrong, but then, he saw everyone staring at him. “What the hell,” he astonished. “You want me to go with him?”

“Yeah,” Isaiah said.

“No!” Ronin retorted.

“Why not?” Isaiah asked.

“Because-” Ronin stiffened as he crossed his arms- “he’s terrifying.”

“Did you just say that to my face?” Isaiah remarked.

Ronin grumbled a curse. “I regret admitting it.”

Everyone laughed around the circle.

“We need someone to stay with him and find out who’s trying to kill him,” Isaiah said.

“Send Adrik then,” Marcello said. “I’m sure they will have a great time bonding.”

“They’ll kill each other for sure,” Lazarus voiced.

“I’ll go,” Zeiden said.

“No!” Isaiah, Marcello, Lazarus and even Ronin answered together because they were definitely not sending him.

Isaiah faced Ronin. “You will go and that’s an order,” he commanded.

“Then I quit,” Ronin grumbled.

“You can’t quit,” Isaiah growled.

Ronin raked his hair out of irritation. “I seriously don’t like any of you,” he shot a glare at them all, especially his alpha.

Alaric appeared from the room dressed in his suit that had blood dried on his shirt. He didn’t bother with tie or vest. The jacket hung over his arm and he stared dead straight at Adrik before he glanced at Ronin for a brief second.

“Ronin will take you wherever you want,” Isaiah said.

All of them were certain that Alaric would fight this as well, but he gave a curt nod and let Ronin lead him to the garage. As they took the elevator to the top floor, Alaric stayed quiet but his eyes watched every move Ronin made, it was unnerving.

They made it to the main foyer and all the girls froze in their tracks as they saw Alaric stepping out of the elevator. The alpha-female of the pack, Ashley was the one that smiled at Ronin and then Alaric. She stood in a bright pink dress, her blonde hair curled perfectly as her blue eyes were as if they belonged to a porcelain doll.

“Will he be joining us for breakfast?” she asked.

Ronin shook his head. “He was just leaving,” he told her.

The others came from the stairs and they were also just as tense of Alaric being inside the house. Sophia sat with Vivian and Evelyn who were getting ready for school. Rosalie was coming down the stairs when her eyes met Alaric.

“You’re always welcome to stay, Alaric,” Ashley offered despite the grim silence between the pack members.

Alaric faced her but he didn’t say anything. His eyes lingered on the children who were quite nervous themselves. Ronin could sense the man trying to find somewhere to hide so no one could see him. Alaric looked at Ronin and it was like he was screaming to get out of here. He understood right away and they crossed the foyer towards the garage where they were finally alone.

Grabbing the keys to his mustang, Alaric got inside and let Ronin start the ignition without any words from him. The silence was eerie, but there was something calm about the way Alaric sat against the seat with his head leaning back. Ronin reversed the car out of the garage and they drove out of the property. He glanced at him resting and Alaric was breathing with great difficulty, but he didn’t make a sound.

“Are you in pain?” Ronin asked.

Alaric’s frown was prominent. “Just drive,” he whispered grimly.

“Where do you want me to take you?” he inquired.

“Drop me at any hotel,” he said.

“Are you sure that staying at a hotel is the right choice to make while you are being hunted?” Ronin advised but the man didn’t answer. “There’s a safe house that we keep in case of emergencies. I’ll drop you there.” He was expecting a rebuttal but didn’t get any as Alaric kept his eyes on the window.

Ronin took matters into his own hand and drove towards the Iron Blood safe-house. However, as he drove, his wolf appeared through his mind. His carnal eyes lingered on Alaric and it was as if he was studying him. Ronin didn’t understand this sudden change in his wolf and tried to get him to back away. But it was impossible.

They drove in silence and Ronin glanced at his side many times wondering if Alaric was still alive or not, since he hadn’t uttered a sound. Ronin couldn’t help but laugh, since that was another thing Alaric had in common with Adrik. Both of them weren’t good at small talk.

“What’s so funny?” Alaric spoke then with his deep voice.

Ronin was caught off guard. “You and Adrik are quite alike,” he answered.

“We’re both killers and tormented,” he listed.

“Quiet and patient,” Ronin said.

Alaric turned around opening his blue eyes as he stared at Ronin’s profile. He tried to keep his own focus on the road now. “I am not patient,” his voice was low but rigid.

Ronin felt his skin prickle with the sound of his voice. “You’re right,” he jested. “You’re just a pain in my ass.”

Alaric smirked as he looked away. “Then why save me?”

“How was I supposed to leave you?” Ronin remarked. “You looked at me with those puppy eyes begging to be saved.”

“You really want me to kill you,” Alaric said.

“Not in my car,” he answered. “Getting blood off leather is a mission.”

Ronin was glad they finally arrived at the safe-house, so Alaric didn’t have the chance to kill him in the car. They pulled up at the front of the grey manor that was a little smaller than their main home. However, this house wasn’t on any map or grid and no one could track this location. It was fortified with iron walls and bulletproof glass. No one could get in here and it was impossible to get out if someone did because this house automatically locked in any intruder.

Ronin got out of the car and went to help Alaric, but the man was already out of the car and had his jacket over his shoulders as he held his abdomen with a stern expression. He followed Ronin to the house and the door opened. A young man who stood in a suit faced them, his black hair kept neatly raked back and he stood with a dignified expression. It was the housekeeper, Alexey who was trained to kill but also kept here to take care of the house.

“Sir,” he greeted with a bow.

“Hey, Alexey,” Ronin said.

“We have a guest,” Alexey said as he faced Alaric.

“This is Adrik’s brother, Alaric,” Ronin introduced and Alexey’s eyes widened as he recognized the name right away. “He’s being targeting, so he’s going to stay here for a while.”

“Of course, sir,” he moved from the door and let them inside the house.

Alaric didn’t bother with formalities and didn’t even let Alexey take his coat. He just stood with Ronin as Alexey offered coffee or something stronger.

“Just show him the room,” Ronin instructed.

“Of course,” Alexey said with his unwavering calm tone.

Ronin followed as Alexey took them up the stairs and towards the spare bedrooms that were enough to host the entire Iron Blood pack here. They ended up in the master bedroom where Alexey already kept everything clean. There was no dust and the fresh scent of linen filled the air.

“We have suits and extra clothes already prepared, sir,” Alexey said to Alaric. “The bathroom is ready to use if you wish to freshen up.”

Ronin watched as Alaric kept his gaze on the balcony doors ahead. “He’ll fresh up first,” he answered instead. “Can you prepare us something to eat, Alexey?”

“Of course,” he nodded. “Anything in particular?”

“Anything’s fine, but lots of coffee,” Ronin answered.

Alexey bowed before he left the room shutting the door behind him.

“Would it kill you to answer him?” Ronin remarked as he crossed his arms.

Alaric turned taking his jacket off and throwing it on the sofa in front of the fire place. “It’ll kill him if he knows too much about me,” he answered.

“Alexey is a trained fighter,” Ronin replied. “He’s going to be taking care of you, so calm down with the attitude.”

“I thought you were going to take care of me,” he said.

“Is that what you want?” Ronin responded.

Alaric drew in a breath as he smiled at him but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Let’s see how long your heroism lasts,” he remarked.

“You’re going to regret that,” Ronin said. “I’m not as nice as Alexey.”

Alaric began unbuttoning his shirt before he peeled it off his broad shoulders and revealed his wounded stomach. “I like my coffee black,” he told him.

“Wow, another thing that’s the same as Adrik,” Ronin said just to jab at the man’s iron-clad armour that he had around himself.

Alaric disappeared behind the washroom door and the shower was turned on as soon as the light flickered alive as well. Ronin left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen where he knew Alexey was preparing breakfast.

“Coffee is ready, sir,” Alexey said as soon as he saw him.

“Thanks,” he said as he went straight for the fresh pot that was brewed perfectly. He grabbed the mug off the shelf and poured himself a full glass with cream and sugar.

“Is that truly Alaric Petrov, sir?” Alexey asked then.

“Yeah,” he answered.

“I thought he was master Isaiah’s enemy?” he asked as he flipped the bacon on the pan.

Ronin took a seat on the tall stool. “I’m not sure what he is,” he mumbled over the rim of his cup.

“Will you also be staying here?” Alexey asked.

“Yeah,” he said, “just until Alaric recovers from his injury.”

Alexey put the crispy bacon on a plate with golden waffles before he handed it to Ronin. “I will have your room prepared then,” he said. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Is the gym still good to go?” he asked.

“Of course, sir,” Alexey said. “I will have towels and clothes prepared for your training.”

“Thanks, Alexey,” Ronin smiled.

Alexey smiled with his pale-green eyes and went back to cooking near the stove. By then, Alaric appeared dressed in the black slacks and a shirt. He came over and sat on the stool under the sun, that beamed all over him. Ronin noticed that he seemed to enjoy it as he sat quietly and undisturbed.

Ronin got up and grabbed another mug from the shelf to pour Alaric some coffee. He knew that he liked it black, so he skipped the milk and sugar. He was just about to hand the cup over when he noticed that Alaric’s gloves were gone.

Ronin stared at his long, delicate fingers that were pale in colour. There were some tattoos on the top of his hand but that wasn’t the disturbing part. There were burn scars all over them that tarnished the smooth skin. Alaric reached up for the cup showing the palm of his hand that had been sliced apart like someone took a blade and kept cutting his skin. There wasn’t any spot on his hands that weren’t butchered.

“My coffee,” Alaric said.

“Er- yeah, here,” Ronin handed it to him and Alaric was careful not to let their hands touch. Who did this to Alaric? he thought as he took a seat again.

Alexey brought another plate of food and put it in front of Alaric who was still enjoying his coffee.

“Thank you,” Alaric said surprising both Ronin and Alexey.

“You’re welcome, sir,” Alexey smiled and then walked away to do other tasks around the house.

Ronin smiled over his cup. So, Alaric does have a soft spot, he thought to himself.

After enjoying the waffles and bacon that Alexey prepared, he was stuffed by the end of it but still needed another cup of coffee to fight the headache growing behind his eyes for not sleeping all night.

Alaric left with his coffee and went to his room where he wasn’t seen for the rest of the day. Ronin had a workout session, helped Alexey clean up the weaponry as well before he came upstairs to check on the man.

The sky had darkened to black and there was no sign of the sun anywhere. Ronin saw the shadow of the dark forest surrounding them through the tall windows.

“I will prepare dinner, sir,” Alexey said.

“You can take the night off, Alexey,” Ronin instructed. “I’ll make dinner for us.”

Alexey wasn’t sure what to do with that. “Er- but,” he was stumped.

“One night off, kid. You need some rest too,” Ronin said.

“Alright, sir, thank you,” Alexey gave in. “I will be in my room if you need me.”

Ronin nodded and let the kid scurry off to his room on the first floor before he went up the stairs to check on their other grim roommate that didn’t take instructions well.

From the arched windows in the hallway, it was pitch-black outside with no sign of any lights since this house wasn’t near civilization.

He crossed the space and went to Alaric’s bedroom, he knocked but there was no answer. He opened the door and saw Alaric sitting on the couch with his legs out in front of him and he was reading a book.

“I didn’t say you could enter,” Alaric said over his book.

“I thought you were dead,” Ronin remarked as he came inside.

Alaric’s blue eyes lifted off the page and glared at him without any words. Ronin crossed the space and went to the fireplace, he grabbed a few logs of wood and threw it in the hearth before he lit it on fire, letting the warm flames dance all over the dark black floor.

“Shouldn’t you at least try to figure out who is trying to kill you,” Ronin said as he took a seat across the man.

Alaric flipped a page. “I’m not interested,” he said.

“Why?” Ronin asked. “And how were they able to attack you?” He knew that no one was a better fighter than the man sitting in front of him. So, how did a few lowlife thugs manage to hurt him. Unless, Alaric wanted that to happen all along. “You wanted them to kill you-” Alaric’s hand froze over the book and Ronin knew from that moment that he was right. “Why did you want them to kill you, Alaric?”

Alaric shut the book and got to his feet. “You talk too much,” he said before he left to the balcony and went to stand in the cold.

However, Ronin wasn’t one to back off either. “Adrik thinks you can be saved,” he said as he stood behind Alaric. The cold air made his body go rigid.

“He’s a fool,” Alaric snapped back.

“I think you can be saved as well,” Ronin answered.

Alaric went silent which was a lot heavier than words.

“You have a family, Alaric,” Ronin affirmed hoping that this man will hear the truth this time. “You have people that care about you.” Alaric didn’t look his way or utter a sound. “We won’t let you die no matter how hard you try.”

“Why?” Alaric spoke, his tone vulnerable. “I’m better off far away from Adrik.”

Ronin drew in Alaric’s fiery pheromones, letting them deep inside his body to his wolf. “That’s the easy way,” he said. “Bonds are built with hard work.”

Alaric turned then, the moon illuminated his broad shoulders but it was difficult to see his expression, that was hidden in the dark. “Do you honestly believe that Adrik will live a better life with me in it?”

Ronin hadn’t considered it. “I’m not sure,” he said truthfully. “But that’s for you to figure out with your brother.”

Alaric raked his dark hair. “There’s no use,” he said. “My presence will only bring up the past for him and he doesn’t need that anymore.”

“You’re right,” Ronin admitted. “Adrik’s happy with his mate now and doesn’t thirst for blood all the time. But he holds onto the guilt that he was never able to help you.”

“No one can,” Alaric whispered for no one to hear but Ronin heard him.

Ronin smiled then. “You haven’t seen how stubborn my pack can be,” he remarked. “Once they set their mind to something, they make it happen.” He stepped inside the room where it was warm.

Alaric’s eyes lingered on Ronin’s face. “Why are you doing this?”

Ronin’s heart spoke before he could. He was doing this because there was this possessive need to ensure that Alaric’s blood never spilled again. This hunger to guard him was reverberating inside Ronin to the point that he was shaking with energy that he couldn’t think straight. There was nothing that couldn’t describe this power radiating through him that even his wolf awakened. Everything was vague, but he was certain that he couldn’t let Alaric get hurt. But the reason was unknown still. He thought it was because he didn’t want Adrik to be sad. Except, there was something else deeper, more dangerous pulsing through Ronin. A desire so powerful that the moon appeared weak in its presence.

As he stared at Alaric’s piercing blue eyes, he wondered why he found the soul he was searching for in them? This pounding heart in his body was aching all of a sudden and it was calling out to Ronin to hear the plead it made to him.

Could he turn away? Could he separate himself from Alaric? Could he…

Ronin’s wolf appeared again and their pheromones resonated off them like a magnetic pulse and it was being attracted by Alaric. Neither of them knew what was going to happen from here on out, but something told them that it couldn’t be avoided or changed.

Ronin cleared his throat and tried to compose himself. “What do you want for dinner?” he asked then. “I can cook pretty much anything.”

“Nothing with cucumber,” he muttered in response.

Ronin laughed a little. “Come down in a few minutes,” he said before he left the room. But as soon as the door closed behind him, he clutched onto his pounding heart telling it to stop or else Alaric would hear it.

What was Ronin going to do now? Did he get himself entangled with the monster the world feared? Because if he did, then he prayed that he had the strength to protect all the people he cherished and himself.

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