The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

~ ENRIQUE ~

I smirk as I slink away from the stairs, not wanting anyone to sense me. Seeing Kataleya get her sassiness on is f*****g hot. I like it when Mi Amor gets all possessive.

My smirk fades as I ponder on her parting words.

A stone...

and there is no stone that means anything to me.

But even as I think that, there's one that comes to mind. My heart races as I pause, I need to check it out. Although I have touched it a few times over the years and I'm assuming that I should have felt something I still want to be certain. Maybe something is missing. It's worth looking at again.

I head to my office, lock the door behind me, and walk over to the shelf where the box containing the necklace she gave me long ago used to sit. It's something that I've always held onto although I have tried to hate it with everything I have.

I scan the shelf remembering I had moved it, turning - I glance at my desk, about to walk over to it when I stop, cursing as I run my fingers through my hair, my heart thudding as I remember I had taken it to the villa.

I should head out there but... I hesitate before I shake my head and hurry to the door. If I have that necklace, I can put Rhea in her place and- and maybe...

With my luck, I'll f*****g jinx it.

Trying not to think of what if I find the Ash Stone, I hurry down the hall. Reaching the stairs, I stop when I see Jose, Rhea, Benigno and Antonio heading upstairs. Great.

"What is it?" I ask, scanning their faces. Why is Jose the cabrón hanging with them?

"We felt something outside. We just wanted to make sure you're safe." Benigno says, bowing his head.

Jose raises an eyebrow. "Well, I'm here for a different reason. Want to try the steel we're working with? These barriers need to hold."

"Right away," I say, before looking at the three. "What do you mean, you felt something outside?"

"Darkness," Rhea says as she steps closer to me, her gaze flickering to my neck.

A rush of panic fills me.

Kataleya is out there!

'Jose, check if Kataleya is safe at the villa. She just left. Make sure nothing happens to her!' I command. He nods and hurries away and I'm f*****g grateful he didn't make fun of my concern for her. 'Alpha, she's almost back at the villa and has met with her uncle. She appears safe! Jose's voice comes. 'Please go check the steel so they can move forward on production.'

'Good. I exhale slowly. F**k. 'Ok, well, I'll head out to the steel plant,' I add curtly, ending the mind-link.

The moment I had returned after that dive, I had ordered that the pack begin working on getting those barriers built. I now drive out to the plant.

Should I ask one of the boys to grab my bag? No, I should collect it myself from the villa. It's not a long drive to the steel plant and I arrive in under ten minutes.

I look around at the beams of steel. Most are just construction beams, the ones I'm getting made will take far longer. Some of the men who work here are werewolves' others are not, but the owner of the plant is. He is the one in charge of producing the steel. I find him pretty quickly and he instantly stops what he's doing, lowering his head to me.

"Hello Alpha, we have some metal thickness made. The thickest, as you asked, would require a lot of building on site and, frankly, they are extremely heavy. I am not sure how that would be possible underwater.

"People have built many things underwater Pascal, a little more work shouldn't be a problem for us," I say.

He nods. "That's true, alpha, even if proven difficult, we will manage, but it will take longer. Are you alright with that?"

"Yes, I know. I want them as fast as possible, but I will not compromise on anything. This is a location where those beasts are coming through. We need the best defence possible."

"I understand. Is this thick enough? It's made according to your measurements." He points to a metal beam that is 10 inches thick lying on the ground. It's three metres long and I can tell before I even try to push it with my foot that it's fucking heavy. "We can't lift it, so we are quite certain it will do the job as we are hoping."

I crouch down, trying to lift the beam, but I'm only managing to move it a little. Curling my hand into a fist, I punch it. The sound is deafening, but I haven't even dented it. I glance at my bionic hand before I throw a punch at it.

A slight dent is made as pain shoots through my arm, and I grit my teeth. Ok f**k, this would work.

I inspect my hand. Whatever this is made of is strong... it would be ideal to have the final layer made from it... but that would mean going to the source to buy it.

I stand up, frowning deeply.

"A-alpha... if you are not pleased with it, we can work on it."

"No, these look good. Just make sure the bolts are made of the same material, and everything aligns. Work hard, but make sure there are no shortcomings in the quality, and it should not be rushed." "Yes, Alpha."

"Thank you for your hard work, Pascal. Keep it up." I pat his shoulder, and he smiles.

"Thank you, Alpha!"

I take my leave, returning to my car only to see Rhea sitting in the front seat, staring blankly ahead.

No fucking cages of steel could keep them out or I'd fucking lock her up.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I growl as I get in the car.

"Protecting you...'

I narrow my eyes. "Did I f*****g ask you to?" I snarl.

"It is my duty."

"Yeah, well, you fucking piss me off." I shoot back.

She's silent and I reverse before driving onto the road. We've just turned the corner when her hand shoots out and wraps around mine. The car jerks but I quickly gain control trying to pull free, but her grip only tightens. "Do you remember the oath you made to me?" she whispers, her voice sending a chill down my spine.

"I do," I reply through gritted teeth.

"If she tries anything at our marking ceremony, you know what we will do." She murmurs her warning. "The rules of divinity cannot be misused, you are given a power for a reason. There are rules to follow. If you so much as deviate from the divine laws set upon that power, then you must pay the price no matter how steep it is.

Anger ripples through me, but I know what they are capable of.

"As long as she breathes the very air of this land, we can kill her within seconds, so now the choice is yours. Is the woman you love more important or the desire for her that you feel? Do you want her dead? I already warned you of this, but I think you needed a reminder." 5

"I do not. I am not going to break the promise I made to you." I reply, despite the rage that rushes through me. I slam my foot on the brakes as I turn and grab her by the throat. "But let me remind you of one thing... as long as I keep my promise you will not disrespect her nor will you hurt her because I swear the moment you do, I will tear you apart."

She smiles despite my tight grip. "And with it, you will begin your own countdown."

Anything is better than hurting Kataleya.

"Yeah, well, it's not really a big fucking loss." I snarl, shoving her back.

Killing a guardsman weakens the crimson king, especially if he himself ends them. I guess the Djinn either didn't know that or he really thought he didn't need them around.

The more I learn about El Rey Carmesí, the more I realise that my initial impression was correct, that this was a power I never wanted.

My wolf stirs and I'm reminded of why I called forth upon it.... to save her.

My hands tighten on the steering wheel. The urge to find the Ash Stone still lingers.

"What will you wear for the ceremony?" she asks lightly as if the conversation we just had never happened.

I frown deeply. "I don't f*****g care."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Then perhaps I can choose. I will wear red."

"Shocker," I reply sarcastically. Kataleya will be there. I wonder what she'll wear... Maybe I'll add some sunglasses to my look. The darker the better, so I can at least feast my eyes on the woman I truly fucking want. It's going to be a hard day... but I don't really have any choice unless I find that stone.