"Good job, Mia. You're doing great," Dr. Freya Winston encouraged.

Mia was nervous today to receive physical therapy for her leg. She knew that after the fight with Kade and the fall she took, it would set her back on her progress. Her leg throbbed painfully and it weighed her down. Why hasn't her leg gotten better despite all the surgeries to fix it? She was being a burden on her brother and her wolf. Years have passed since she transformed into her wolf who hasn't been able to run freely. All because Mia couldn't manage to use her stupid leg. On top of that, Kade was vigilant of his crusade to avenge their family while using Alec in the process. How far would this bloodshed go?

Mia didn't even want to think about Alec's brother. She met him last night and everything went blank. She never would've thought that she could meet a man who was more dangerous than her own brother. And then he walked into the kitchen saving her from a fall, his arms holding her as if she was as light as a feather. His gaze piercing through her body and into her memory, it imbedded itself into her dreams too. She never saw eyes like his before. The right one was the colour of the sky in spring and then the left one was as green as jade. She could still see them right when she had closed her eyes. Mia's foot stumbled off the step she was climbing. Mia slammed down onto the hard-floor hurting her tailbone in the process.

"Mia, are you okay?" Freya rushed to get her seated on a chair.

"I'm fine, Freya," Mia said as she faced her doctor.

"What's wrong, Mia?" she asked gently. "You're usually so optimistic in our sessions."

Mia couldn't find the words to explain the heaviness on her heart. "I'm just a bit distracted," she said.

"Anyone can see that," Freya said as she tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. The alarm on her phone started ringing, which meant that the dreadful hour was over for today.

Freya kept asking about Mia's condition as she packed up her supplies and ordered for Mia to get plenty of rest today. She left the gym and walked herself out, as Mia stayed where she was for who knows how long.

Eventually, she got to her feet and grabbed the railing in front of her. She ignored Freya's instructions and started walking back and forth despite the trembling ache in her leg. She unzipped her sweater and tossed it on the chair as she pushed herself harder and further.

This isn't your fault, Mia, her wolf spoke sweetly.

Yes, it is, Mia answered. I'm too weak.

I don't believe that, her wolf said.

Then why am I a burden on everyone? Mia said angrily. Kade bears so much responsibility and I can't even support him.

You do support him, her wolf said.

How? When I can't even walk, let alone fight, Mia said as she faced herself in the tall mirror.

Fight? her wolf said. You can't even hurt a bug. Mia sulked because it was true. Don't you think we should discuss what happened last night?

Mia leaned on the railing. I don't want to, she answered.

That man, he's different, her wolf still spoke her mind.

He's a Waldorf, Mia said.

I know who the Waldorf's are, her wolf sneered. Yet, this man didn't reek of evil like they did.

He didn't, Mia admitted candidly.

You don't think- her wolf went quiet.

Think what? Mia said despite her heart screaming its answer.

Mate, her wolf said enchantingly.

No, that can't be, Mia said. Kade would never allow it. A Waldorf couldn't be chosen for her as a mate. That would be a cruel joke after everything this family was put through.

We don't get to choose, Mia, her wolf spoke. If this man is our mate then we will claim him as ours.

Mia's heart sank because she knew that once her wolf made up her mind there was no changing it.

"Are you here alone?" The voice surprised Mia and she froze like a deer in headlights. Without even turning her head, she knew who that deep, husky voice belonged to. Mia's wolf jumped up in excitement at Vadik Waldorf's intrusion.

She wasn't so enthusiastic herself but rather overflowing with nerves, that made her stomach flutter and heart race. She kept her hand on the railing as she took a subtle step back, but he noticed. His gaze dropped over her body as his eyes lifted back to meet her own, a smirk rose on his lips. Her stomach did a small flip and she averted her eyes.

"I was just leaving," she told him.

"What were you doing down here?" he asked as he stepped forward again.

"I get treatment for my leg here," she said.

Mia felt utterly defenceless in her shorts and tank-top, as Vadik stood powerfully in a black tailored shirt and pants with a belt around his waist. The gun strapped to his hip was out in the open like he didn't even bother to conceal it, just like the tattoos all over his chest, neck and hands. The collar of his shirt left undone allowed her to see the various dark ink on him. She tried not to look but she couldn't help it. Her own eyes betrayed her as it followed the lines of his corded neck and chiselled jaw to his handsome face. There was a trail of scars between all the tattoos, she caught a few of them on his clavicle and the one below his chin and across temple that vanished behind his hair.

"How is your leg?" he asked as he put his hand on the rail too.

"It's fine," she replied cooperatively not knowing why she was responding each time. She didn't owe him any answers, but the air of authority that clung to him made her yield the walls around her.

"It's hurting you, isn't it?" he said more than asked.

Mia stared at him with a bewildered look on her face. How did he know that her leg was hurting? she thought. She knew that she hid the pain well because she's had enough practice now to ensure that no one knew about it.

Vadik's mismatched eyes blazed as she found herself caught in the lie. She didn't like that he could see through her. She had spent so much time hiding this pain that she didn't know how to get him to believe her.

"I just pushed myself today," she said. "It's not a big deal."

Vadik's gaze fell to her knee where the brace was secured. "Hmm," his disapproval was clear from that remark.

"Didn't you go with my brother today?" she asked him.

"Alec wanted some alone time," Vadik answered as he stepped closer but she moved back.

"Does he wish to be closer to Kade?" Mia asked. "It's not going to work."

Vadik grinned. "Don't underestimate my brother," he told her.

"I'm not," Mia alleged, "but my brother's hatred runs deep."

"And yours?" Vadik inquired as he took that final step in front of her.

Mia tipped her head back to face his mismatched eyes. "Scars can never heal," she affirmed.

"I know that too well," his deep voice was controlled but heavy with disdain.

She found herself engulfed in his intensely dark scent that was icy-hot infernos on her skin and inside her veins, like it was seeping into her body and captivated her. "My hatred was only for Lucas Waldorf," she disclosed truthfully. "I hold no resentment towards you or your brother."

Vadik frowned which made him a lot scarier. "Why not?" his tone slithered down her body like a slick flame.

Mia dropped her eyes away from him. "You didn't do anything wrong," she said.

Vadik put his finger under her chin and guided her back to look at him. "Does your brother know you feel this way?"

"He does," she managed to talk despite being so close to him. "But I don't think he's accepted it yet."

Vadik shifted his head, tilting it slightly to the side as he grinned down at her. "He should accept it soon otherwise we're going to have a problem," he told her.

Mia blinked. "Why would we have a problem?"

Vadik's eyes blatantly fell to her parted lips. "Your wolf knows why," he said.

Mia's eyes widened realizing just now that her wolf was reaching out to Vadik without her permission. "That means-" her voice fell as she stumbled back away from him knowing that he knew about the mating bond between them.

Vadik seized her wrist and wrapped his bulky arm around her waist. He gathered her into his arms and pressed them close, that the metal buckle of his belt was cold against her thin shirt.

"I know about the bond, Mia," he said with a wickedly daunting tone.

Mia didn't know what to do or where to put her hands, she fisted them as he leaned in towards her. "We can't," she shook her head and tried to get free of him. "Kade-"

"Forget about your brother," Vadik spoke sternly. "What do you want?"

Mia trembled as his voice caressed her ear. "It doesn't matter what I want," she told him as she broke free of his grasp.

"It matters to me and my wolf," he responded as he straightened to his immense height.

"You don't understand," she spoke with ache in her voice, "your father destroyed my family. I could never mate with you even if I wanted."

"Even if your wolf already accepted the bond like I have," Vadik said.

"You have," she astonished. "Why? I'm just-" a limp, that thought pierced itself like a dagger in her heart.

Vadik's mismatched eyes narrowed over her, like he could see right through her. She felt this crushing exposure she never felt before and it made her entire soul vulnerable. "Look at me," his tone commanding her to meet his eyes and she did. "I understand that what happened between our families wasn't good. But I can't change that. Also, you being chosen as my mate wasn't in my control either. The only thing I do have control over is that I can and I will make you mine."

"You'll accept me with my limp?" she asked.

Vadik wasn't fazed. "That doesn't matter because you're my responsibility," he answered. "I will take care of you."

She didn't understand how someone could be this way. "My brother might kill you if he catches what you are doing," she said.

Vadik grinned cockily. "I'm not scared of him," he told her.

Mia looked up at him. "What are you and your brother really doing helping Kade?" she asked.

"You don't trust us," he said.

"Do you blame me?" she remarked.

"I guess not," Vadik agreed. "But we won't hurt your family, Mia. That's not in our code."

A code, she thought. That was a strange thing for killers to have no matter who they were. She took her hand off the railing. "I can't give you what you want," she said firmly. "I'm sorry." She walked towards the door as her attention stayed on him.

Don't leave him, her wolf spoke.

I have to or else I'll fall deeper under his spell, she told her wolf.

Mia entered the empty hallway as he appeared behind her. She panicked and turned towards the staircase and climbed up by herself. However, as her attention stayed on him. She realized that when she made it to the top, her leg didn't hurt nor did she limp or fall. She stopped at the top and faced him. His mismatched eyes already on her as he took the final step and towered over her.

"I didn't fall," she mumbled.

"I would've caught you even if you had," he told her.

Mia looked at him with a smile on her lips. If only you weren't a Waldorf, she thought grimly.

"Mia," Nikolai appeared with weapons strapped under his suit. "What are you doing here?" His focus snapped onto Vadik.

"I got lost," he said cheekily.

Nikolai stepped between them. "Stay away from her," he warned.

Vadik's charm fell and a feral darkness appeared in his eyes as he stared at Nikolai standing in front of her, stopping him from reaching Mia. "I will do whatever the fuck I want," he gritted out.

Nikolai pulled a glock out and pointed at Vadik's temple. "And I want to shoot you in the face," he said. "Should I?"

Mia grabbed Nikolai's arm getting between them. "Stop it, please," she said as Nikolai and Vadik glared at each other ready to let that trigger get pulled. "Niko, I mean it, put the gun away."

Nikolai looked down at her concerned eyes and cursed under this breath. He hooked the gun on the back of his pants and took her away from Vadik. They walked all the way to the elevator and returned to her bedroom.

Mia opened the door and Nikolai grabbed her by the arm. "You will stay away from that man, Mia," he warned.

"I know," she said and he released her.

"Kade will kill everyone in this house if he sees you two together," Niko explained.

"When did you start getting scared of my brother?" she jested to lighten the mood.

Nikolai raked his dark hair back. "Your brother's temper is no joke," he said.

"He needs a vacation," she shared.

"We all do," Nikolai added as he pulled out his phone that pinged with multiple messages. "I have to go. Are you good?"

Mia nodded. "Be careful," she said and Nikolai left.

She shut the door and tried to ignore her wolf's bleak mood after leaving Vadik alone. Stripping out of the workout clothes, she showered and got dressed again. She didn't bother reading since her mind was too busy running off its rails. Putting on a pair of flats, she went downstairs and into the kitchen. She dismissed the staff and got busy cooking.

Mia learned how to prepare risotto from her mom. They made it many times especially when dad would return from a trip overseas. She smiled at the memory as she poured carnaroli rice into the broth and reduced the heat to let it simmer and cook thoroughly. She grabbed white wine and poured in some as well.

Time passed and she knew that the risotto was ready when the decadent smell enriched the entire kitchen. She grabbed parmesan and grated it on top of the pan onto the risotto as the final touch.

Commotion was heard at the door, and right away, Mia knew that her brother returned. She walked from the kitchen leaning a bit out of the passageway and saw Kade striding inside with Alec behind him. Both of the looked tense about something. She had a feeling it was probably just being together that caused their darkened mood. However, there was an unspoken spark lingering between them as if it'd catch fire with only one word. She didn't understand why their eyes lingered when they looked at each other, it was as if they needed to keep the other's focus for themselves.

"Kade," she called out to her brother.

He turned his attention to her. "Mia," he approached.

"I made food," she smiled at him. "Hungry?"

"Mom's risotto," he peeked a smile when he smelled the familiar aroma. Dario appeared then with Nikolai and the bit of joy on Kade's face vanished. "We'll eat later, Mia," he said before he left with the other two.

She sighed warily. "Do you want some? I made lots," Mia asked Alec.

He seemed surprised that she asked. His blazing blue eyes that were different from Vadik despite being almost the identical shape to one another. He stared at her gently, like his heart was soft despite being a Waldorf.

"Are you sure?" his voice was deep yet calm.

Mia smiled warmly at him. "Come," she ushered him to a stool. "It's my mom's recipe, you'll love it." He followed her and sat on the seat she offered. She went over to the pot and poured some risotto onto a plate before placing in front of him.

"Alec," Vadik appeared then. He looked like he was going to ask something but went quiet after seeing them together. They exchanged a curt nod which was something only they understood.

"Er- are you hungry?" she asked him too.

Vadik took a step into the kitchen like it was a forbidden. He took a seat with his brother as she plated some risotto for him and gave it. They both sat with her and tried what she made. She noticed that they didn't talk much but they enjoyed the food.

"Your brother will probably stab us with this fork if he sees us," Alec remarked making Vadik chuckle briefly.

"Don't worry, we have this rule in this house, that there's no murder in the kitchen," Mia replied. Both of them stared at her with wide-eyes until she let out a laugh. "Just kidding."

"That doesn't put me at ease," Alec remarked as he took another bite.

"Did you live here your whole life?" Vadik asked her.

"No," she answered. "I moved here from Italy when I was twelve with my parents. But moved back after they-" she stiffened. "We returned only this year."

"I haven't been to Italy," Alec said.

Mia's ears perked. "You haven't," she astonished. "How is that possible? You must visit."

Vadik and Alec shared a smile. "Maybe, one day," Vadik said.

"This was delicious, Mia. Thank you," Alec said as he emptied his plate.

"You're welcome," Mia smiled.

Nikolai arrived at that time and was surprised to see them all sitting around the table. He looked ready to kick them out of the kitchen.

"You won't get any food if you say something stupid," Mia said casually as she stood from the stool.

"Kade's asking for you in his office," Nikolai told the brothers. The two of them left to go to Kade's office.

Mia poured risotto on a plate for Niko and handed it to him. He leaned against the counter and ate with gusto. He always did. "What's going on now?" she asked.

"Giovanni's in town," Nikolai told her.

She gaped at him. "That can't be good," she said because she knew the relationship that man had with Kade. They were enemies but forced to play allies in order to avoid war.

Mia knew they never should've come here and left Italy. Only bad luck was brought in this city for their family. Her brother was working along their greatest enemy and now another rival was coming to meet Kade for unknown reasons. Mia probably shouldn't mention to him that her mate was also walking in the house with them and happened to be the enemy. She'd stay quiet until everything settled. Whenever that would happen, no one knew.