Kade was locked in this godforsaken room while rogue wolves were about to chew that Waldorf's head off. Frankly, he should let the wolves kill that infuriating man. And to think that he felt bad for Alexander after seeing the pain in his eyes while being in this stupid old house. The torment was as if it dragged Alexander into a dark hole with demons that fed off his misery. Kade knew that this house, or whatever it was, held only nightmares for those two brothers.

Why did Kade falter today? There was a shard in his heart that ached when he saw the sadness in Alexander's eyes. Kade could bleed for him and rip apart anyone that hurt him. This sensation was abnormal, it shouldn't be inside him. He only carried hatred for the Waldorf name, nothing else. Yet, like a steady pulse, he found himself needing to reach out and touch Alexander.

Kade raked both his hands through his tousled hair out of frustration as he paced wondering how to get out of this room. There were wolves outside attacking Alexander and who knows how many of them were down here. He didn't even understand how there were wolves here when this whole place was shut down and desolate. Although, the doors weren't locked and nothing was secured on this property. Any number of things could've crept into this hollow mansion and made it their domain.

Securing the silver bullets that they came for in his holster, he then kicked at the door with sheer fucking force, because it was an old ass door and it better break before he lost his damn mind. He kicked at the hinges again and again until the bolts loosened and snapped. The door hung and he charged straight for it, slamming his shoulder into the frame, it burst open and he fell to the ground on the other side. Kade saw Alec who was on the other end of the hall leading the wolves away.

"I told you to stay in the room!" Alexander barked as blood covered his shirt and cheek.

The two wolves turned their attention onto the new prey. Kade was already pissed as hell. He took the silver bullets that they found today and loaded his weapon. He aimed at the first wolf and pressed the trigger; the bullet blared through the hall and shot the wolf in the skull. The last wolf ran towards Kade with a wild hunger raging in his dead eyes. Kade took aim but a silver dagger flew through the air and pierced itself in the wolf's head. The wolf died before his feet, its eyes still open but no pain or soul lingered in them.

"You don't listen well, do you?" Waldorf chided as he wiped the blood off his cheek with his sleeve.

Kade walked right up to him, their faces inches apart. "Don't ever do that again," he gritted out. "I can protect myself. I don't need you to do it."

Alexander smirked as his deep blue eyes captivated something carnal inside Kade, which just angered him further. He found himself inching closer, almost needing to be the only one that could ever be this near to Alexander. His intoxicating scent was dangerous to Kade and his wolf.

"We got what we came for," Kade growled. "Let's get out of here." He stalked off towards the elevator and Alexander joined him without further discussion.

The elevator took them back to the first floor and they got out in the same lounge space, that looked like an office of some sort. It didn't take rocket science to figure out that Lucas conducted business here. Kade ignored the heavy presence that Alexander carried himself with as they walked together.

They left the house and Alexander lingered by the door. Kade was about to call him out, but he stayed quiet when he saw the lethal resentment on Alexander's face sharpen the focus in his eyes. He seemed to have found his propose or perhaps hardened his resolve. Kade didn't know what battle this man was fighting within himself, but it was clear that whatever he experienced in this house, he carried it with him wherever he went.

"We should burn it to the ground," Kade remarked cynically.

Alexander cracked a smile then, almost chuckled too. "You'd love to do that, wouldn't you," he said as he shut the door and climbed down the steps.

"I'd do it for free," Kade replied.

Alec raked his dark hair back. "Maybe, I will burn it to the ground one day," he shared. "Do you mind if we make a quick stop before we head back to your house?"

"Where?" he asked.

"Bobby's," Alexander said as he opened the back door of the Range Rover.

"Who is that?" Kade inquired.

"You'll see," Alexander said vaguely. He took out a duffle bag that had extra clothes in it.

Kade turned his head away although he was strictly aware of when Alexander peeled off the bloody shirt he wore and tossed it in the back. He took a bottle of water and poured it on his arm and face, washing away the crimson stain tainting his skin. Kade glanced at him as his back was exposed, the muscles flexed when he reached for a black t-shirt and he shrugged it over his head and arms. Kade quickly looked away when Alexander finished and he shrugged on a rugged leather-jacket.

Kade ignored the hunger in his heart that craved and cried. He got in the passenger side of the car and shut the door. He knew he shouldn't confuse himself, this wasn't like him. He had one focus his entire life. There was nothing that would get in the way of that, even if it was his own desires.

Alexander shut the back door and got in on the driver's seat. Kade stared at the loose strands of hair that had gotten a bit wet, they hung down Alexander's forehead and over his eyes. There was something gentle about the way, those deep blue eyes weren't feral with hatred nor evil. Kade hadn't noticed before, but there was kindness in this man's gaze. Yet, Alexander carried himself with the authority that matched a pack alpha. He was powerful and strong; his trained body was proof of that.

Kade leaned forward, his hand reached out on its own command, his fingers brushed the wet strands away. Alexander stiffened as he gaped at Kade, he was surprised; they both were.

Alexander's lips parted and he let out a trembling breath.

Kade froze when he realized what he had done. He curled his fingers back forming a fist before he brought it to his thigh. "You're dripping water all over the leather," he grumbled. "Don't ruin my car."

Alexander raked his wet hair away on his own. He started the ignition and drove off the property without either of them looking back.

Kade was quiet through most of the ride to the city. Stealing glances to his left, Alexander drove skilfully through the traffic and didn't bother filling the silence with unnecessary conversation. Kade was glad that he didn't have to bother talking and that Alexander was the same way. Although, as he stared at the rigid jawline of the man's face, he remembered last night.

Is hatred all you feel for me, Kade?

Alexander asked him that question and Kade wondered why he hadn't given an answer to him even though the answer was obvious. Of course, he hated the Waldorf's. He always would.

Out of habit, Kade twisted the golden ring on his forefinger. This ring was his father's. A family heirloom that was passed down every generation to the eldest son. Ever since he could remember, he knew the history of this piece of gold because of his father. However, this ring wasn't given to Kade in celebration. After his father was killed, the ring was in a plastic bag that the police had confiscated. Kade was handed this precious piece of history by a complete stranger. This ring that came off his father's corpse reminded Kade that he couldn't forget his goal.

Kill the Waldorf's. Kill the Waldorf's. Kill the Waldorf's. Don't forget. Don't falter now.

He repeated his motive like a mantra in his head until they reached the outside of a plain old diner in Brooklyn.

Alec parked the car on the side of the road and they both got out together. Kade wasn't sure what they were doing here. This didn't seem like the type of place that Alexander visited. This was a normal neighbourhood with working-class folk who spent their time working a good honest wage. Definitely not the area for a Don like himself and an ex-alpha of a pack to be having lunch.

He followed Alexander's lead into the restaurant, that wasn't busy or perhaps the crowd knew to stay out of the way when a man like Waldorf arrived. The door swung open and the small bell above rang. Immediately, Kade understood the tension in the air when he caught the scent of strong pheromones. He scanned the restaurant that was simple and spacious. Booths and tables organized line by line to fit a big crowd easily. However, it was empty and only a three people filled one booth.

A woman sat straddling a chair, her arms leaning ahead. She was in a dark leather suit that clung to her body and a holster that held two silver glocks and many different blades. She didn't even try to conceal that she was dangerous if anyone tried to challenge her. Her dark hair coiled in a long braid revealed her sharp silver eyes and pale skin.

Although, the one glaring at Kade was sitting ahead. He was tall, proud and definitely trained to kill whatever pissed him off. Dark hair raked back revealing icy-blue eyes that were alert of every single thing around him. Wearing a dark suit, his demeanour was overpoweringly stern and so was his focus.

Alexander crossed the restaurant and the man sitting in the middle stood to his feet. Right away, Kade knew who that was, so did everyone in this city. Manhattan belonged to Gabriel Centauri. He was the alpha that ruled over a massive pack better than any other alpha out there in the world. Gabriel stood powerfully tall in his white suit that clung to his robust physique. Hair as dark as night was rakishly styled back to fit his gentleman attire. However, Kade understood that this man wasn't ordinary. He held himself with a calm attitude that hid a very dangerous alpha.

"You two met," Gabriel spoke as his amber eyes landed on Kade before he took a seat. "I had a feeling you would."

Alexander slid into the booth. "You did?" He sounded surprised.

Kade took a seat next to him and faced Gabriel and his pack enforcers. The strict one should be a Drakov then, he guessed. He didn't know which one it was since they were famously known as twins.

Gabriel smirked. "You move quickly, Kade," he said. "I didn't think you'd come to my city to waste time."

Kade was aware that nothing was hidden from this man. So, he was sure that Gabriel knew about everything that happened between the Waldorf's and Guerriero's.

"Am I missing something?" Drakov asked sternly.

"With Gabriel in charge, we always are, River," the woman remarked with a chuckle.

"I only tell you what you need to know, Azura," Gabriel answered.

River sighed as he raked his dark hair back. "So, what'd you need to see us for, Alec?" he asked.

Alec, Kade thought. This group must be pretty close to be on nickname terms.

"I just wanted to warn you that Mikhail is back in town," Alexander said to them.

River and Gabriel exchanged a look that only they understood.

"Who the hell is that?" Azura spoke on the side.

"Mikhail Waldorf," Gabriel spoke, "the man cursed as the demon of the family and shunned from the pack."

"Oh, cool," Azura added nonchalantly.

"He's my uncle," Alexander told Azura.

"We love a good family reunion," Azura said.

"This one isn't the happy kind," Alexander remarked.

"Isn't that just fucking fabulous," River said while rolling his eyes.

"I met Mikhail once," Gabriel said casually. "He's different from Lucas. Smarter."

"Crazier too," River added.

Gabriel chuckled. "Crazy isn't always bad," he said as he stared at both of them. "You never know what you may find. Enemy or something else..." his smile was cunning like only he knew what would unfold. "So, why are you two together?" he asked.

All eyes were on Kade now.

"It just worked out that way," Alexander answered instead.

"Does that mean the feud between your families is over?" Gabriel inquired.

"No," Kade answered sternly as he glared at him.

Gabriel raised a brow. "I was hoping that it was," he shared.

"That will never happen," Kade retorted.

"Don't challenge our goddess, Kade," Gabriel said with a charming smile. "She'll prove you wrong. I mean look at you right now, you're sitting next to the man you supposedly want to kill."

"What?" River and Azura both spoke together after hearing that.

Kade gritted his teeth. "Alexander only came here to warn you," he said, "but stay out of my business." Gabriel gestured for his wolves to calm down when they almost pulled a gun to Kade's head for his attitude.

"Kade-" Alexander used a stern tone on him.

"It's okay, Alec," Gabriel said. "You don't know me that well, Kade. But Alec is my friend, so I won't let anything happen to him."

Kade sat with the simmering rage inside him as he heard those words. "If you know about my past then why are you protecting the Waldorf's?" he asked.

"Because I don't put judgement on people who had no choice over where they were born," Gabriel answered. "We all carry our sins, Kade. Don't put an innocent person under a false charge."

"Innocent," Kade laughed out of disbelief. "Is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep at night?"

"You know, I have the desire to put a bullet in this man's face," Azura said.

"Try it," Kade glared at her.

She reached for her glock just as fast as he did. However, Alexander's hand grabbed the glock from Kade and he didn't let him raise his arm to shoot if necessary.

"No guns in my restaurant!" A big, beefy man with a white beard stormed out from the kitchen. He grabbed Azura by the ear, she lifted off the chair saying how much it hurt.

"I'm sorry, Bobby," Azura said as she rubbed her ear.

"You know the rules, Azura," River said as he walked her out of the restaurant.

"Sorry, Gabriel," Alexander said.

Kade glared at him for apologizing for no good reason.

Gabriel chuckled and sent Bobby off to cool down. "Don't apologize, Alec," he said. "This happens when making friends."

Kade frowned because he was confused as hell. "Friends," he astonished.

"I have experience with rebels," Gabriel said as he got to his feet. "They fight all they want in the beginning." He pulled out his sunglasses from his pocket and slid them on. "Blood isn't always the answer, Kade."

"It's the only one that's satisfying," Kade rebuked.

"Until you find yourself drowning in it," Gabriel remarked. "You soon realize that the monster you wanted to kill is what you become at the end."

Kade went quiet because this man always had an answer.

They left the restaurant together but they separated when Alexander stood alone with Gabriel falling into deep discussion. Kade didn't listen nor did he pay attention. He leaned on the car and saw how Gabriel laid his hand on Alexander's shoulder like they were great buddies.

Get your hands off him, Kade thought bitterly just as his phone rung. He pulled it out and answered; "What?"

"We've got a problem," Dario said. "Giovanni has left Italy and his flight is directed towards this city."

"Fuck," Kade growled. He knew it was because of his gang members that were killed. No one was aware that Mikhail was the one that did it though.

Any attack on the Romano gang was a call to war with Giovanni himself. Kade was the one who was personally acquainted with Giovanni, so it was natural to assume that Kade would be held under suspicion.

"What should we do?" Dario asked.

"Giovanni's going to want a fight," Kade said because he knew how that man was and his rules.

"He should know that it was Mikhail Waldorf that attacked his gang," Dario said.

Kade thought the same but wasn't entirely convinced that that will solve the matter. "We'll talk later," he told Dario and cut the phone.

Alexander returned after Gabriel got in his car and drove off with his two pack enforcers.

Kade held his hand out. "I'm driving," his tone austere.

Alexander handed the key and they both got in the car. Kade shut the door and didn't take his eyes off the road as he drove back to his territory. He wondered if Alexander told Gabriel everything that happened these past two days. On top of that, he was astounded that the Centauri's and Waldorf's had a relationship despite their past together. Kade was well aware of the rivalry between Lucas Waldorf and Gabriel Centauri and his parents. What did Alexander do that they gained each other's trust? It couldn't have been easy.

"Gabriel has promised to warn the other alphas in the city," Alexander broke the silence first. "I would call them myself but-"

"You're acquainted with the alphas here?" Kade asked.

Alexander looked up from his phone towards Kade's stern expression. "Yeah," he said.

How in the hell did they all know each other? Kade astonished. He held no expression but if he had, he would look stunned. Knowing all the alphas here in this city was a big deal because these alphas were hard to impress and join loyalties with for anyone.

He glanced at Alexander who was looking out the window. Will he be able to kill his own uncle? Kade wasn't sure what to believe anymore. He swore in front of his family's grave that he wouldn't rest until he killed every single Waldorf. And now, he was sitting in a car with the son of his greatest enemy.

Kade was forgetting his vow that he imprisoned himself in. Through the dark void in his consciousness, his wolf appeared.

Kade, he spoke with that authoritative tone. What are you doing?

Wondering why the fuck I'm trusting the enemy, he remarked grimly.

Is he the enemy? His wolf asked as his carnal eyes focused on Alexander who was beside them.

Kade gritted his teeth. Goddammit, yes, he is, he answered.

No, Kade, his wolf answered. This man is far from our enemy. He is something more... something forbidden. His wolf stepped back into the dark void.

Kade's body tightened the same way his hand gripped the steering-wheel. His wolf's words haunted him all the way home.