A/N:  Long chapter ahead...

Anne's POV

"So, you're just gonna give up on your life because you feel guilty for using her?" I ask incredulously, staring at my excuse of a brother.

"It's not like that, Anne. You don't get it. It's not entirely because I feel guilty, you know..." Anthony made a face as if I were to get his point just like that.

"Why don't you explain me then, An?" I said before a realisation hit me as I narrowed my eyes at him, "You love her, don't you?"

Anthony seems stunned by my question, "I don't love her, " he was a bit too quick to reply to it and there was a fleeting moment when I caught him glancing at Giovanni with wary eyes. Why is he looking at Gio?

"Then why are you dying for her?" I was now officially pressing him on eggshells. The moon goddess knows, I'm desperate to hear his justification.

I guessed, if he's willing to save Carla's life by sacrificing his own then he must have some sort of feelings for her. But knowing him, he won't admit it even on his grave. Typical Anthony. But all of this doesn't mean I'm okay with any of it. Don't get me wrong, Anthony is the only person who's left in my life. I can't even think of losing him.

"Anne, will you stop making a fuss about this? It's my own wish and I will do it even if you don't agree to it. So just stop being a drama queen." Anthony rolled his eyes.

Ouch. That hurt. Damn asshole!

"I'm being a drama queen? Do you hear yourself, An? You're going to die and you expect me to say, 'Hey, it's fine. I'm okay with it. You may die, brother.' What bullshit is that?! You're the only one who's left in my life. How can you think I'll be okay with it?! Have you lost your mind?! How can you even consider leaving me alone?" Angry tears ran down my eyes as I fumed at him.

Damn it! Why does he want to die so desperately? I feel like strangling his neck right now. But still I don't want him to die.

Anthony's eyes softened at my outburst as he stepped forward and pulled me into an embrace, "Sshhh, little sis. Who said I'm leaving you alone? I'll always be in your heart, won't I? And there's also Gio to look after you. Besides, I don't deserve to live after what I did to you." The last sentence was barely audible for even my werewolf ears to hear.

"I've forgiven you for that, An. It wasn't your fault that Jake was a rogue who tried to destroy our pack. It wasn't your fault that you didn't know he was my mate and killed him for his deeds. It never was your fault. I'm sorry for leaving you like that. I was just unable to bear that pain but now I'm okay and I get it why you did what you did. Who knows, if I'm lucky, I might be blessed with a second chance mate." I winked at him as I pulled back from the embrace masking the ache in my heart with a grin on my face.

My mate was a touchy topic for me but thankfully I wasn't acquainted with him for long. That is, if you didn't consider 2 years as long. Anthony doesn't know this but I had already met Jake, my mate, long before the cellar incident when he died. But I kept it a secret from my brother so that he doesn't feel more guilty than he already is....

Anthony smiled despite that sad look on his face, "I love you so much, little sis. But I'm sorry..."

My brows furrowed at his last statement but the doubt was cleared as he stepped ahead and lightly tapped my temple with his fingers. I started feeling dizzy and that's when I understood what he did.

Damn, he's knocking me out with his ability!

"Gio, take care of her." The last thing I remember is, Anthony saying that as he kissed my forehead before handing me to Gio. I fell slack against Giovanni's body as darkness took over me.

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Anthony's POV

I took one last glance at my little sister who had passed out in Gio's arms while he carried her, before I turned around to walk out of the pack house.

"She's going to be heartbroken. Do you really have to do this?" Gio's voice stopped me on my tracks.

I know. Hell I knew it from the start that she'll never let me die. She'd create a fuss over the matter but wouldn't allow me to go with the plan. After all,  she was my one and only tantrum throwing sister. Note the sarcasm.

But I have to do this, no matter what. For Carla.

"She'll have to understand why I did this," were the last words I said before heading out.

I quickly stripped off behind a tree, shifted into my wolf form, held my clothes in my snout and ran towards the cemetery. I have to visit Gini's grave one last time before I die.

My footsteps came to a halt near a cliff as I spotted something or rather someone on my way to the graveyard.

Kiana?

What is she doing here?
Near the cliff. Next to a cemetery.

Kiana got out of her car and looked around as if checking if someone was around. I quickly hid behind a tree before she could spot me and shifted back to my human form and got dressed pretty fast.

For some reason her actions are doubt-provoking. Once confirmed no  one was around, she jogged over to the trunk of the car and opened it. My jaw almost dropped to the floor when I saw what was inside it.

Ariana was unconsciously laid on the trunk with her hands and legs wound in ropes and a cloth wrapped around her mouth.

What the actual fuck? Wasn't she supposed to be with Daniel? How the heck did she get abducted by Kiana? Useless Daniel couldn't even take care of a single woman. Now, I have to be the rescuer. Why do I feel like a pathetic monk here? Nope, I'm not rescuing anyone. Daniel can have the privilege to do that.

I watched Kiana's every move intently not yet jumping into the scene myself. I want to see what she's actually planning to do or how far she can go. While my eyes were still trained on Kiana who was busy looking at Ariana's unconscious form, I hurriedly fished out my phone from my jeans pocket and dialed the stupid his highness' number,

"What?!" The one and only, Prince Daniel Rodriguez snapped in his signature cold voice although there was a hidden annoyance and impatience right now.

Oh, so he figured that his beloved wife is missing.

"Well. Well. Well. Look who it is. The great Daniel Rodriguez and his signature coldness," I said sardonically while my eyes still stayed focused on Kiana who was trying to get Ariana out of the trunk.

"What the heck, Anthony? I have other matters to look after. Stop messing around," and before he could hang the call, I blurted out.

"Kiana kidnapped Ariana."

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Daniel's POV

Kiana kidnapped Ariana.

The moment I heard those words, I was hot on my tail to rush over to the place where Anthony told me he was.

Near the cliff.

I didn't even bother telling Ariel what had happened. She was already traumatised after hearing about Carla. I didn't want to give her another reason to worry for.

Now that I think about it, Ari wasn't back for a long time. I thought she was eating slowly or something. Even Kiana wasn't in sight.

How could I be so careless to keep Ari around Kiana? Especially, after what I got to know a few days ago...

"Are you sure?" I had asked my trusted investigator when he informed me the real reason of Duncan's death.

"Yes, your highness. Duke Duncan Capreille's car accident was done intentionally. After investigating, I found out that the person driving the car which threw Duncan's car off the cliff was none other than his own wife, Kiana." Tom, the investigator, replied confidently.

"Thanks for the information, Tom."

I always had a doubt about Duncan's death. Kiana claimed that he had died due to an accident but when I saw his corpse that day on funeral and the accusing look his family members passed Kiana, I realised something was amiss. Whenever I mentioned Duncan's name in front of Kiana, she had a sour look on her face.

Just a few days ago, my doubt got cleared when I asked Tom to investigate about Duncan's accident. It was when Ari left with Anthony to his pack. I needed distraction and also a reason to divert my mind off Ari.

I was supposed to confront Kiana but then the marking ceremony invitation came and my mind was occupied by that, then I thought I'd confront Kiana after the ceremony but once I went there...well, we all know the story after.

Back to present, I parked my car a few yards away from the cliff to not alert Kiana of my presence and got off the car. I could have come here in my wolf form but, my wolf is too big and the canines are of a vampire's. If I would've stumbled upon someone, then it would have been the death of me. In real sense. I'm a hybrid. Only a hybrid has vampire canines on a wolf form besides the huge size of my wolf would confirm my royal bloodline.

I spotted Kiana pulling an unconcious Ari out of her car's trunk which made my blood boil. How dare she touch my Ari!

Without a thought, I moved towards Kiana in my vampire speed and pulled Ari out of her hold, into my arms. The suddenness of the action causing Kiana to stand still like a statue.

"D-Danny...?" Kiana stares at me with wide, horrified eyes.

"How dare you touch her?! I thought to let you off the hook even after what you did to Duncan but this time you've gone too far by kidnapping Ari," my tone exuded the threat in my words as I scooped an unconcious Ari into my arms, bridal style.

Untying the ropes wound around her wrists and the cloth around her mouth, I brushed off the strands of hair falling on her face. She had harsh red bruises on her hand and leg where the ropes were tied. I frowned as I gently rubbed my thumb on the wound.

Kiana still had that stunned, fearsome look on her face which irked me, "How...how d-did you know?"

Before I could give her an earful, a cheerful voice came along,

"I said him you were here," Anthony walked towards us coming from behind a tree.

"You were here the whole time? The heck didn't you save Ari earlier than, instead of calling me?" I barked at him while making sure Ari was comfortably set in my arms.

"I didn't save her 'cause I didn't want to be the superman rescuer. I hate superman, by the way." He shrugged like it was no big deal.

By now, I'm sure Anthony is stranger than an alien. How did he even become an alpha? Whatever, I'm glad--although I wouldn't say it to him--that he informed me about Kiana kidnapping Ari. About Kiana...

"Hold her for a minute," Placing a gentle kiss on Ari's forehead, I carefully passed Ari to Anthony who looked confused but took her into his arms anyways before looking back at Kiana.

Without wasting a second, my hand wrapped around Kiana's throat strangling it as I lifted her into the air by her neck while she tried to struggle.

"Da-anny! L-let...me g-go!" She wriggled hard trying to get out of my hold.

"I said you to fucking stay away from Ari but you didn't listen. Now you'll have to pay for this and also for killing Duncan," I said as she started coughing due to the lack of oxygen.

At the same time, Anthony's phone started blarring in his pocket but he took it out from his pocket from one of his hand which wasn't holding Ari and cut the call.

"I-I didn't do anything!You can't do this to me! I'm your mate, Danny! You love me and I love you too! That annoying bitch, Ariana, came between us! You can't kill me because of that worthless bitch!" Kiana managed to blurt out despite her labouring breath.

The nerve of her to lie to me even now. My grip tightened around her neck and she started thrashing uncontrollable but I didn't care a bit. She was my mate once and I did like her then but this woman in front of me now is baseless. Now, I don't get why I ever loved her. She dare call Ari names in front of me! 

Anthony's phone rang again and he cut it but after a minute, it started ringing again.

"Who is it?" I asked him still clutching Kiana's throat.

I don't get why she's trying so hard. It's not going to kill her anyways. It will make her struggle for breath, yes, but to kill her, I'll need silver or wolvesbane. I think she's aware that once the struggling phase is over, it will be the killing phase.

"No one," Anthony cut the call yet again and tucked it inside his suit jacket.

"I asked who it is?" I urged him to say. There was a worried look on his face when he looked at the caller id earlier and I guessed it must be someone important.

"It's my sister," he finally said it out after a long pause.

My grip loosened around Kiana's neck, "You have a sister?" That was a surprise. I didn't know that. Even when I sent people to search his background, they didn't find out anything about a sibling.

"Yes, I do. My sister is none of your concern, your highness." He said bitterly and looked away.

What's up with him now? It's not like I'm interested I his sister. I have Ari.

The phone started ringing again and this time I ordered in my wolf's tone, "Pick up the call."

"You do know your royal comand won't work on me, right? I'm a royal too," he smirked but picked up the call nonetheless and I returned back to strangling Kiana's neck who looked completely shell-shocked when she heard Anthony mention about him being a royal. Well, surprise Kiana!

"Gio?...how come Anne's phone is with you?...What?!" Anthony's voice shrieked at the end as he almost dropped Ari due to the shock but caught her on time.

"I'm leaving. I'll drop Ariana in the castle on my way," he informed me in a hurry looking completely tensed as he cut the call abruptly.

I let Kiana down still holding her neck so that she doesn't run away but stopped strangling her.

"What happened?" I asked and saw him stare at me for a second as if considering whether he should tell me or not.

He sighed and finally decided to speak, "I was supposed to be the donor for an organ transplant to save Carla. My sister got to know and was against it because I would die. I knocked her off and ran off to proceed for the surgery. I thought of visiting Gini, I mean Ginivieve's grave one last time and that's how I saw Kiana here. Somehow, my sister got back her consciousness in the mean time. Turns out she was acting and didn't faint. Now, she is in the castle with the doctor, ready to be the donor herself for Carla instead of me. Daniel, I need to go fast before she does something stupid. I can't risk her life. I have to stop her."

I was stunned for a minute. Words didn't come out of my mouth. Anthony thought of saving Carla by giving up his own life? That's....unbelievable.

I had always thought this man to be pure evil. I didn't think he'd do something like this for Carla. Wait a second, why would he even do this?

"Why are you doing this?" I was suspicious now. Even Kiana stopped struggling and was eagerly listening to our conversation.

"It's...." Anthony looked away avoiding eye contact, "Carla was pregnant with my child."

My eyes widened considerably. Did he just say that...he was the child's father who just died a few hours ago? Kiana sighed beside me as if she knew it. Wait...

"You knew it?" I asked Kiana accusingly while she just shrugged. "I guessed he was the father when doctor said about the child. He had asked me to kill her once as a condition. I questioned him so he told me he was using her since she loved him to take revenge from you."

My anger boiled at her words. He was using Carla? How dare he?! My sister was a spawn in his game?

I let go off Kiana and punched Anthony straight on his face, "How dare you play with my sister's feelings?!" I punched him again and again until he couldn't heal back.

"Daniel, stop it! It was before! Leave me! I have to save my sister before that dumb girl undergoes the surgery!" He tried to reason out while his phone rang again. This time it reminded me that this man was about to sacrifice his life for my sister. He wouldn't have done that if he was still using her, right?

Besides, he let me re-unite with Ari. I figured out he would've let her go deliberately. Otherwise, him not knowing about his mate and I eloping from his own pack house under various guards is not believable. Also, I had marked Ari before we left the packhouse. Considering he didn't reject her, I know he must have felt their bond breaking when I marked Ari.

"Why?" I asked this time determined to get the answer.

His next words were barely above a whisper, "I love her."

Anthony loved Carla?

If that was the case, then....

I let go of Anthony and looked sideways. Sure enough, Kiana was on her way to run off. The lovers should be re-united, right?

I walked towards her in my werewolf speed and dragged her back along with me before she could sprint off. Anthony looked at me with suspicion lacing his eyes.

I gave him my most sardonic smile whilst holding Kiana firmly by her arm and said, "Let's go, Alpha. We have a surgery to undergo and I think I have got the perfect donor."

I glanced at Kiana who had a horrified look on her face. A smirk made its way onto my lips. Indeed. The perfect donor.

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Okay.....so I'm horribly late with the update>.<

First 2 weeks, I was busy with exams and presentation preparations. Then, I got a terrible flu. After that I thought of writing but I just had a writer's block, I guess? So, I started reading instead and now I have my motivation back. Yippee!

Few chapters to go for the story to end. I'm so sad:(
By the way, keep an eye on the next chapter. There's gonna be a few turn of events which you might or might not like  *finger on my lips*🙄

Also, the coronavirus is bringing havoc everywhere. What do you think about it?

Goodbye for now!
Have A Nice Day!^.^