Hello, Lovelies,

Without further ado, here is Chapter 30 and it is dedicated to @SilverDragon02 :D

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PREVENT SWEATING:

Summer is here and since I live in a coastal area, we sweat excessively under this unbearable heat. I know sweating is normal and it's needed for the body but when it's excessive it's uncomfortable and bothersome.

Staying hydrated is one of the best methods to prevent sweating. Drink plenty of water and eat food with high water contents. Wear light, breathable fabrics like cotton as these don't trap sweat and cause underarm stains. Almonds, oats, banana's, watermelons, cauliflowers and dairy products with high calcium are sweat reducing foods.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, hot spicy dishes and ice-cream (if you can). That's right... sweet inducing food triggers sweaty armpits along with onions and garlic. Also, shave your underarms and wait between showering and dressing.

___

"I can't stand just sitting here not doing anything. You can't solve a problem by remote control."
― Lisa Scottoline, Every Fifteen Minutes. 

___

CHAPTER 30 – CONTROL

"It's a clear case of arson, Sir. The fire started on the top floor in apartment number D02, registered in the name of Mr Mason, who had rented it out to Mr Xanthos. The tenants here told us that Xanthos had left the apartment early in the morning with his girlfriend and hadn't returned yet. His calls went unanswered" the firewoman who was in charge of the case handed over the handwritten report to her supervisor.

"We found traces of kerosene in the room. Of course, we will know for sure only after the lab reports but I am positive it's arson. There was a lighter dropped in the room too."

"Interesting," her supervisor told her and the firewoman furrowed her brows in confusion. "I will take a look at this. In the meantime, you can get back to work."

"Sir" the firewoman nodded and then left the room.

When the door closed behind her, the supervisor changed skin into his original form.

Picking up the report Ari, read it carefully and compressed his lips when he saw the printed photo of the lighter. He pulled out his phone and promptly sent the pictures to Ronnie.

A low moan got his attention and he opened the washroom door where the actual supervisor, who was passed out on the floor, slowly began to regain consciousness. Shaking his head, Ari continued clicking pictures and when he got everything, he changed his appearance and walked out of the building, completely undetected.

A car arrived at the entrance and after getting into it, Ari transformed back to himself. His phone was ringing in his pocket and when he noticed that the caller was Ronnie, he immediately answered it.

"You did not find her?" Ronnie asked directly in Greek.

"Not yet" Ari replied in their mother-tongue.

He had been sent by his cousin to look for Cyane and so far, he had been unsuccessful. Lysander had given him a genuine lead but Ari missed it by just a few minutes and now, the lead was a dead-end!

"But I know she is with Xanthos" Ari stated flatly.

"Who?"

"Xanthos. A wolf. Her mate."

"Mate?" Ronnie was startled into silence.

"Yes. Roderick was right, Cyane does have a mate" Ari sighed. He was kind of relieved now that she did not get married to Gian. It would have been a total disaster.

"Who is he?"

"He is everything we detest" Ari shared wryly but he wasn't feeling jokey.

Minerva's words rankled him. He knew that Xanthos was not the right guy for Cyane and so he had his team looking at Xanthos.

"Theos!" Ronnie groaned from the other side. "Aunt will lose her temper again!"

"She will be even more annoyed when she finds out that Roderick knew Cyane's whereabouts. He had known for a while but he kept it from us" Ari frowned.

Silence greeted him again and this time, Ari knew that Ronnie was pissed too.

"I see," she said tightly.

"Lysander had gone to meet Roderick. I found this quite accidentally" Ari shared for when he had changed appearance to that of Yolanda, Ari hadn't known he could get that information out of Lysander. He had just wanted to find Cyane's whereabouts.

"And Roderick had shared quite a few information about Cyane with Lysander. It seems to me that Roderick trusted Lysander" Ari opined.

"Yes. But why wouldn't he share it with us?" Ronnie stressed. "He knows how worried Aunt is. I need to talk with him."

"You do that" Ari agreed. "I will get things sorted out here. I believe I am closer to Cyane."

"Alright. Will call you later."

After ending the call, Ari checked into the five-star hotel of the area and went for a cold shower. His phone kept pinging with several messages.

Sitting on the bed, he opened one of the messages and there was a photo of a man with cold blue eyes.

Xanthos Zeke was written on the nameplate that he was holding and Ari snarled.

Criminal.

Theos, why the hell would Cyane get involved with a criminal?

There was more information and none of it was good. Orphan. Poor. Cage-fighter. Murderer. Hound!

He was called a Hound by the whole kingdom because he was nothing more than the king's dog. There were other photos of him fighting in the cage, of the bodies of his victim, of his friends and then there was a photo of Cyane and him, walking hand-in-hand.

Ari's eyes hardened when he saw that last picture.

There was a closeness there, Ari could read it from their body language. They seemed comfortable around each other. Cyane was gazing up at Xanthos and Ari cursed because he could see the hearts in her eyes.

He knew getting Cyane back home would be difficult. He expected her resistance and was prepared to handle it but her involvement with another man, no, a wolf, would only complicate things especially when the said wolf was known as one of the most merciless killers of the kingdom.

Dutifully, Ari forwarded the details to Ronnie and asked his aid to order a late lunch during which they would carefully plan their next move.

•••

When Stanislaus was seething, he did not break things, punch bags or kill people. It was not that he was too refined for it, just that he believed in channelling his anger to more productive things. This is why he preferred to sit quietly in his office in total darkness and let his mind do all the work. It was when he plotted and it was when he came up with the deadliest plans.

The day's events had made him furious. Xanthos was his puppet. His greatest weapon that he had specifically made just for one purpose and today Xanthos had gone against him.

Xanthos had defended that girl over him and Stanislaus snarled as he thought of it. Of the triumph in Cyane's violet eyes.

He wanted her dead.

Stanislaus was sure that the girl was Xanthos's mate and he knew he should have expected it because Xanthos's biological parents were mates themselves.

For years he had Xanthos under his palm and he could not let it fall apart now. He had waited until Saint was crowned the king but it seems he had waited too long because things were now slipping beyond his control.

His enemies were growing and his allies decreasing every passing minute.

There was a knock on the door and Stanislaus growled because he did not need any company at the moment.

"My apologies Sire. But this is urgent" Oliver said from the other side of the door and Stanislaus closed his eyes and prayed for patience.

"Sire?" Oliver called again but Stanislaus refused to answer him.

When his footsteps faded away, Stanislaus sighed in relief and continued thinking. He had let his guard down. In his arrogance, he had let his guard down. Xanthos had become monotonous and so he had stopped reading the monthly file and had let his people handle it.

If he had known, if he had even the slightest information about the girl, then he would have done everything in his power to get rid of her. But now, the girl had Xanthos wrapped around her little finger and that made Stanislaus furious.

Xanthos was his only chance at revenge.

Oh! He would have Xanthos killed one day too but not before Xanthos had finished his purpose in life. No, the only reason Stanislaus had kept alive all these years was for his revenge and as his eyes darkened, he swore, he would have his revenge.

He would bathe in the blood of his enemies and die peacefully.

Footsteps approached again and there was only a couple of knocks before the door was pushed open and Ajax barged in closely followed by Oliver.

"Turn on the lights" Ajax commanded Oliver who nodded and switched on the buttons. "What the hell are you doing? Sitting in total darkness?" Ajax demanded frowning at Stanislaus who barely glanced at them.

"Sulking isn't going to help" Ajax hissed and then slammed an envelope on the table. "Take a look at your dog's latest achievement."

Frowning, Stanislaus picked the envelope with a prosthetic hand and opened it to stare at the pictures of dead bodies of Gunner and his men!

"Did Xanthos do this?" Stanislaus hissed, his eyes darkening as he scanned all the photos.

"Yes. He has entered the Nest with that girl and his friends" Ajax confirmed through gritted teeth.

Growling in rage, Stanislaus threw the photos away and snarled loudly, baring his fangs.

After losing his hands, Stanislaus had lost the ability to shift and so his wolf had become dormant inside him but on very rare occasions the animal showed itself and it was now itching to come out but it was a risk Stanislaus couldn't take because he knew shifting back would be physically painful.

Oliver, who was standing quietly near the shelves trembled and stuttered, "Gunner was working for y-you."

"Yes," Stanislaus confirmed. "It was all a front. Gunner was never the enemy. Instead, he was assigned to get rid of our enemies. Many wolves wanted to rebel. Gunner approached them before Lysander could and then he would get rid of them for us. I controlled him and he kept an eye on the wolves of the Nest. Gunner was nothing but a petty thief when I first hired him. He wanted money and I wanted control. It was a win-win. He would pay the wolves of the Nest and they would do the odd jobs for us" he shared, clenching and unclenching his fists. "In the most recent days, he was keeping an eye on Ash's people for us. He was saying it wasn't easy but he did report whatever he saw. Ash's men, several of them, had moved closer to his new home."

"Not Ash?" Oliver asked.

"No. Not Ash. He is still in hiding" Ajax growled.

"What now?" Oliver asked defeatedly.

"Gunner might be dead but there are still several wolves in the Nest who are desperate for money. They knew how Gunner made his money and I have already got calls from several wolves who are willing to share information about Xanthos and his friends for some quick bucks" Ajax smirked.

That piqued Stanislaus's interest and he turned his head to look at Ajax. "What have you found out so far?"

"That the girl is not normal" Ajax stated looking at Stanislaus's green eyes and Stanislaus nodded, willing for him to continue. "I got a picture of her. How she arrived in the Nest with Xanthos" Ajax pulled out his phone and showed the picture to Stanislaus who glared at it. "I believe she is the one who killed Gunner. Look at the chain wrapped around her hand."

"She is not human. Not a wolf. Then...?"

"A witch or even worse.... A Fairy" Ajax stated through compressed lips. "Did you notice her today?" he demanded, leaning back in his seat. "She did not bow to you. Not once. It's because she wasn't used to bowing."

"Most humans don't bow to me" Stanislaus frowned. "They don't understand power dynamics."

"No, but they do sense the power and they are scared of it. I feel their heart thumping violently in their chest. I felt nothing from Cyane. She wasn't scared of you. Not even a bit" Ajax narrowed his eyes. "Just like Xanthos."

Stanislaus let out another loud growl and Oliver gulped while Ajax simply frowned at Cyane's photo.

"What do you think she is?" Stanislaus probed, once he had calmed down.

"As of now, I cannot make a decision but I do know that she is Xanthos's mate" Ajax shared confidently and Stanislaus gritted his teeth, refusing to acknowledge that. His reaction made Ajax narrow his eyes into slits before saying, "You guessed it already."

"I have had complete control of the Hound. There was nothing that could have snapped the strings, except for—"

"His mate and of course, he would have a mate considering that his parents—"

Ajax stopped talking the moment he met Stanislaus's hard, angry gaze. Oliver looked between the two of them but decided to keep his mouth shut for his welfare.

Clearing his throat, Ajax decided to change the subject and stated, "I have made a deal with some rogues from the Nest. They will keep an eye on Xanthos and his mate for us. They will also make sure he doesn't escape the Nest so, by the end of this week, you can kill the girl."

"If she is something else, then killing her would be harder than you think," Stanislaus said through clenched teeth. "But she needs to get out of the way" he stressed and Ajax nodded.

"I will think of—"

Stanislaus's phone ringing interrupted them and with an annoyed growl, he answered the call.

"We got it, Sire. We got Minerva's confession on record" the caller said excitedly from the other end and Stanislaus's eyes widened in disbelief. "I have sent you the recording."

Pursing his lips into a thin line, Stanislaus played the clip for everyone to hear. One corner of his lips curved upwards and his wolf growled in satisfaction when he heard Minerva's voice on the other end, talking to Joshua.

"Perfect" he grinned thumping the table with the prosthetic hand. "This is more than enough to execute them."

"Publicly" Ajax stated and Stanislaus nodded with a smirk.

This was what he had been waiting for and now, nothing could stop him from bringing them to trial.

"Share this recording. By tomorrow morning everyone in the kingdom must be aware of this" Stanislaus commanded Oliver, who nodded promptly.

"I want their trial to begin as soon as possible. I want my enemy's dead by the end of this week" Stanislaus stated firmly.

"Not only are they growing in numbers but by strength too" Ajax pointed out grimly.

"It doesn't matter. As long as Boon is in the Iron Fort, no one can take the throne from me" Stanislaus said calmly.

"No fairy. But what if Cyane is a witch?" Ajax probed.

"Then I shall have to use some dark magic and ring an old ally" Stanislaus grinned and a confused Ajax narrowed his eyes.

Stanislaus did not explain it to him. He wouldn't because his dealings with the witch were purely business. He did not trust the old crone Victoria and neither did she trust him but Stanislaus knew she was very powerful and she hated the Zeke wolves just as much as he did!

Victoria owed him and if ever he needed extra help in getting rid of the Zeke, then all he had to do was ask.

"Who?" Ajax asked, confused.

"That is no concern of yours but rest assured, this ally is powerful because she was the one who had put Boon in the Iron Fort" Stanislaus grinned and Ajax's eyes widened briefly before he composed himself and frowned.

"Well, I hope you know what you are doing" Ajax advised before walking out of the room.

Stanislaus simply shook his head with a content smirk. He knew what he was doing. He always knew because he planned. He couldn't let his enemies win. His wolf cringed inside him at the thought of letting the Zeke win.

No. The Zeke could never regain their power. It would never happen. Not even after he was dead.

His phone rang again and Stanislaus frowned and let out an annoyed growl when he saw the caller ID. All he wanted to do was throttle the bastard but Stanislaus knew now was not the right time.

After taking a deep breath to regain his composure, Stanislaus hesitantly answered the call and placed it next to his ears. He was playing with time to control his anger.

"Allow me to make amends," the caller said from the other side and Stanislaus's green eyes hardened angrily which caused his wolf to growl and fight inside him.

But he also couldn't deny that he was curious and wanted to hear what Xanthos had to say!

Curling his hands to a fist, he twirled them as if he was tightening his hold on a string.

•••

Cyane was curiously peeping at Ash's new mansion and its surroundings when she sensed Xanthos step into the room. However, she did not lower the binoculars.

"What are you doing?" Xanthos asked her from behind.

"Shh!!" Cyane whispered but then realized that Ash's mansion was too far away for them to hear her.

Xanthos held her by the waist and pulled her towards him so that her back was pressed against his chest. He then lowered his head and kissed that mark on her neck which made her toes curl.

"You are distracting me" Cyane whispered, tightening her grip on the binoculars because all she wanted to do was drop them and hug Xanthos.

"From?" he probed, his breath fanning her neck.

"Look," she said and handed the binoculars for Xanthos to see.

Lachlan and the other guy had walked away with the dogs a few hours ago and no one was to be seen after that and it made Cyane curious. Was Ash staying there? Did he keep Gideon there? But she highly doubted it because, in their previous conversation, Minerva had mentioned that Gideon had been kept on some island.

"What do you see?"

"I see a big house" Xanthos stated flatly and Cyane compressed her lips.

"Yes. I saw Lachlan Knox in that compound. Ash's lawyer. I know it's not his house, so it has to be Ash's or someone working for Ash" Cyane shared smartly.

"Interesting" he mused as he kept staring at the house. "What else did you deduce?"

"There is a chance of Gideon being in there" Cyane whispered.

Xanthos lowered the binoculars to stare at her. "I just have a feeling" she murmured sheepishly.

"It's a heavily guarded compound. Did you miss the electric wires around it?" Xanthos frowned at her and Cyane chuckled.

"That might stop you but not me," Cyane said as she turned to stare back at the mansion.

"There will be camera's" he pointed out.

"Not a problem" she grinned because she knew she would camouflage herself as Lachlan to get in there but there was still one problem though and Cyane knew she could tackle it but it would raise certain suspicions though!

"So, you can get in there?" he probed.

"There's one problem... The dogs" she said through compressed lips.

"Dogs?"

"Animals and birds can see us the way we are. No camouflage of ours works on them and Ash has two dogs."

"Three" Xanthos corrected and Cyane frowned at him. "I have heard he has three. Vicious ones... all three of them."

"They were playing with Lachlan and if I go as him, they are sure going to realize it's not me" she stated grimly.

"Then don't go in there" he advised and Cyane frowned again. This was an opportunity and there was no way, she was going to lose it! At that moment, she made up her mind that she was going to go in there and have a look. Just to see if Gideon was in there because this was a chance and she did not want to miss it!

However, she knew that if she tried to argue with Xanthos, he would make sure she couldn't go in there and so, she decided to change the topic.

"Gunner was keeping an eye on them. Why do you think?" she asked curiously as he stared at the room.

"Gunner was all about money, in case you missed the reason why he wore a gold chain" Xanthos smirked at her and Cyane nodded thoughtfully. "He would have kept an eye on that building and give that information to someone for money."

"Who?"

"Lysander?" Xanthos asked looking at her.

"Ochi" Cyane denied strongly. "Lysander and Minerva never liked him. Why do you always blame him for everything? Why do you hate him so much?"

"Because he made a wrong decision once and it cost several lives" Xanthos growled and Cyane blinked, stunned to hear it for the first time.

"What...? What are you talking about? What wrong decision?" she asked perplexed.

"Ah! So, you don't know everything about him, do you?" Xanthos said shaking his head and Cyane furrowed her brows. "Of course, his wife and daughter would never mention his fuck-ups with you but would always gloat about his achievements, which by the way, are very few!"

"I..."

"Next time, you call Minerva, do ask her about her parent's past and then let's talk about this" Xanthos remarked and Cyane scowled at him.

"Why wait the next time? I can call her now if you give me your phone." She extended her phone but Xanthos just stared at her hand and then shook his head.

"No. When we killed Gunner, everyone has figured out where I have gone. Until now, they weren't aware where you were, but now, Lysander and his family know where you are and if they care about you, then let them come here."

His words made her pause and consider because what he said was true. Lysander must sure know where she was and with whom!

"They are busy people. They have other important things to do, plus I am not family" Cyane reasoned because the fact that they cared and called until now was a huge thing for her. She had no one in this kingdom, but Yolanda had always called and wanted to know how she was doing.

"Yet you defend them like you are one" Xanthos rebuked sharply.

"Because they took me in when I had nothing" Cyane whispered and then took a deep breath. "When I was passed out near the lake, Yolanda found me and took me to the hospital. She took care of me and she helped me stay there as long as I wanted to."

"Why were you passed out near the lake?"

"After I learnt about my parent's death, I escaped and Yolanda found me the next morning. I know she is a doctor and she has to take care of the ill but she didn't have to help me all this while and that too for free" Cyane shared mildly.

Yolanda was her aunt's best friend and blamed herself for Lisa's death but Cyane kept that bit to herself.

"So, you feel like you owe them?" Xanthos demanded.

"Owe them, and you" Cyane confessed, raising her lashes and locking gazes with him.

With an annoyed growl, Xanthos stepped forward, "You don't owe me anything" he specified, his tone leaving no room for argument.

But when Cyane shook her head, ready to argue, Xanthos stepped closer and holding her chin, forced her to look up at him. "You are mine. My mate and I always take care of what's mine."

"Xan—"

Her protests were silenced when his lips came down on hers hard and angry. It was a kiss ascertaining his point and Cyane felt his possession, felt his need when he curled his fingers on her head and tugged at several long strands of her hair.

She felt his need and rage and she wanted it all. She wanted him. Right from the moment she had first seen him, Cyane knew she had wanted him, anyway she could get him.

So, she kissed him back with all that passion and rage, her tongue swiping against his as she dug her fingertips into his back. She poured her own need, all her anger and lust into that kiss as she slid her hands to his chest to feel the reckless thump of his heart against her palm. This kind of intense intimacy was all new and shocking to her and when she felt his need against her stomach, explosive heat licked all through her.

He shifted position but she did not feel him move his hands but he must have moved them because she felt his fingers between her thighs, stroking over the thin scrap of cloth that did nothing to hide her desire for him.

In his arms, right there, Cyane trembled like a leaf because she had never been this intimate with a man before. Desperate to touch him, she slid her fingers to the hem of his shirt and began tugging at it.

His mouth still fused against hers, Xanthos growled and then picked her up so that she could wrap her legs around his waist.

He stepped back and still holding her in his arms, dropped down onto the bed. Cyane adjusted herself to sit comfortably in his lap but gasped when she felt the hard ridge of his erection.

Amethyst eyes wide, she stared at him, still dizzy from the kiss.

Xanthos cursed then and then frowned at something on the bed. He shifted position and then ran his hands on the bed. Growling, he shoved the mattress away and Cyane's eyes rounded in disbelief when she saw the handcuffs on the bed.

It was like pouring ice-cold water all over them and when common sense returned, Cyane jumped off Xanthos's lap and stared at the bed in distaste.

This was Gunner's room. His bed, where he had done several nasty things. Her fingers curled into a fist and she tried to control herself because suddenly, she had a very bad urge to break things.

Xanthos got off the bed and stared at the handcuffs with eyes that danced with amusement. Cyane bristled when she saw that because she wasn't into all that stuff.

"That's not... this is not... I don't..." Gritting her teeth, Cyane shook her head when she couldn't form a coherent word. Closing her eyes, she raised her fist to try and compose herself but she failed because her hands very burning with energy like molten lava and then thrust that energy towards the bed.

The force of it had Xanthos fall back against the wall and Cyane stared at him with wide, horrified eyes.

"What the fuck?" Brody demanded from downstairs and Cyane cringed because few pieces of the bed had gone flying downstairs and out of the window.

"What did she do?" Miki growled and suddenly she felt footsteps rushing upstairs.

They came to a halt near the stairs and Cyane shot them a guilty look, "It was Gunner's bed" she told them quietly.

"And he was into kink" Xanthos added raising his hands to show the handcuffs.

"Nice" Miki smirked and Cyane scowled at them. With a frustrated sound, Cyane attempted to move past them but Miki blocked her way. "Who is going to clean this up?"

Her shoulders slumped in defeat and she turned to face Xanthos.

"I will help," he said and groaning, Cyane got down to work.

___

The stars were shining brightly in the sky when Cyane stepped out of the shower wearing a pastel green dress.

They had spent the entire day cleaning and disinfecting the whole house while Grayson and Carlos had made arrangements for food.

When Cyane went downstairs for dinner, she was pleased to see that Gunner had even prepared a vegetable salad for her. As she sat down to eat on the kitchen counter, she noticed that Xanthos and Miki weren't anywhere nearby.

"They have gone for a run. Jayson has also gone with them" he added and nodding Cyane quietly ate her salad.

She was very tired today because she had never worked this hard. After dinner, she decided to wait for Xanthos. Flying out of the window, she went upstairs on the roof of the building and inspected the area. Lights were turned on in all the caravans and tents lending a beautiful view to the area. However, the view was marred by harsh growls and abuses pouring out from several people.

Her eyes widened when she noticed that a fight was going on again between two wolves in their animal form. They were tearing each other and Cyane was pretty sure one would be dead by the end of it. Lots of people were cheering and drinking and Cyane assumed this was how the nightlife in the Nest was.

She turned her head to look in the opposite direction but she could see nothing from Ash's compound. It was quite far from here and no wonder, Gunner had used a binocular.

Picking up the binoculars, Cyane once again glanced at the mansion and saw that there was no one around. That was strange. She expected someone to be patrolling 24x7.

Ash surely must have done something for his security. There was no way he could be this careless.

Still staring at the mansion, Cyane tried to come up with a plan that would help her get in there, early the next morning.

A thumping sound caught her attention and startled, Cyane turned her head. Her eyes brightened and her lips curved to form a smile when her eyes met the familiar golden ones of Mr Black.

•••

Acheron Zeke was standing in the camera room and staring at the several computer screens with narrowed eyes.

He had a suspicious feeling and he knew he ought to be ready for it.

Ever since his men had moved here, Acheron was aware that several pairs of eyes were watching their every move. Only after they had got rid of all potential threats did Acheron decide to step foot into his own house. Though he was aware that he was still not under the radar, he still decided to come here today morning because he did miss his men and his dogs.

"Ash... Is there any reason why you called us here early this morning?" Skyla asked from behind him. "Lachlan is pissed."

"When is he not?" Ash asked, his eyes still on the screen.

"Well, you know he likes to be at home when Dwyn-Dwyn wakes up" Skyla pointed out and Ash sighed. "Let's get started then. Did you bring our guest?" he demanded and Skyla nodded.

"Very well," he said and then turned to look at Hopper, who was monitoring the area. "One tiny movement and you inform me."

Hopper nodded in agreement and soon, Ash followed Skyla into his office.

"I have booked an appointment with the tattoo artist as you asked," Skyla told him as they walked down the corridor.

"Thank-you"

"Mind telling me where you are planning to get tattooed?" Skyla probed.

"Shoulder blade" Ash replied as Skyla pushed open the office door.

Their guest was chained to his chair and as usual, Gideon glared at Ash when he entered the room.

"You should be pleased. Everything is going the way you wanted it" Ash rebuked Gideon.

"Maybe. But it still doesn't change the fact that you have kidnapped me" Gideon bit out and Ash rolled his eyes.

"Bear with us for few more days" Ash advised with a fake smile and Gideon compressed his lips.

"I have already agreed to work with you. I don't see why it's necessary to chain me up" Gideon frowned.

"Because we don't trust you" Skyla muttered as she took her seat beside Ash.

"You know I would—"

"Enough" Lachlan snapped at Gideon, who growled at him. He then turned to look at Ash, "Why am I here?"

"For this" Samuel told them and placing his phone on the table, he played a recording.

When Gideon heard Minerva and his father's voice, he snarled and tried to get off the chair.

"This is why, you are chained," Neil told Gideon, from his seat on the sofa.

"What did you do?" Gideon snarled at Ash. "He is going to kill them all."

"He can try" Ash stated flatly and then looked at Lachlan. "We are coming to the end now.... Things are going to get messy and I need you and your men to be extra alert. Stanislaus will cross all boundaries and use all methods" Ash stated and Lachlan nodded. "Skyla will collect as much evidence as possible to trap him legally. You and your men will get rid of Ajax and his loyalists."

"He is going to hold a trial" Gideon snapped at Ash.

"Yes," Skyla agreed, "But he will not execute them."

"You have helped me in the factory that day Gideon. I owe you and you know why" Ash said looking at Gideon, with cool blue eyes. "Nothing is going to happen to your parents or your mate. Take that in writing if you want."

Everyone stared at Ash in silence because they all knew what he was talking about.

After hearing his words, Gideon leaned back in his seat and nodded reluctantly.

"Ajax will be mine and my men will handle the rest of them" Lachlan assured and Ash nodded. "If that's all..." he began getting up but stopped when Ash raised a hand.

"You have company," he said calmly and then looked at Neil, who got up from his seat and walked out of the door.

"Who?" Lachlan frowned for he couldn't catch any scent because Ash had sprinkled Silver sulphide around the room.

The door to the office was pushed open and Viktor stepped into the room. "Long time, no see Boss," he told Lachlan with a wide grin.

Chuckling, Lachlan stepped forward and then gripping Viktor's hand, they hugged and patted each other's back. "Glad to have you back," Lachlan said with a genuine smile.

"His services are no longer required," Ash said from his seat.

"It wasn't required for a long time. Honestly, that girl needs no protection. She can take care of herself" Viktor pointed out and Skyla chuckled.

"What girl?" Gideon demanded sharply.

"He is not talking about your mate" Skyla replied quietly.

"Cyane?" Gideon asked looking at Ash, who simply stared at him. "But I thought—" Gideon paused and then laughed mirthlessly. "You were scared she is going to fly away."

Ash glared at him and Gideon laughed out loud. "Honestly, she should fly away. When I get out of here, I will personally make sure she leaves."

"Ugh! Wrong thing to say" Samuel shook his head at Gideon.

"If you want to get out of here, then I suggest you shut your mouth" Ash warned Gideon with a snarl.

Scoffing, Gideon simply looked away until his eyes met Viktor's. "Who else is working for you?" he demanded from Ash.

Instead of replying, Ash glanced at Samuel, who nodded and along with Viktor, he escorted Gideon out of the room.

"He knows too much" Lachlan pointed out grimly.

"He is no threat," Skyla said softly.

"Not at the moment but for your future, he is a threat," Lachlan told Ash.

"He holds a grudge" Ash corrected and Lachlan sighed. "If he tries to be petty about it, I will handle him."

Ash's phone pinged that moment and so did his laptop. As he glanced at his phone, Skyla turned his laptop towards him.

"What is it?" Lachlan demanded when he watched Ash's eyes gleaming predatorily.

"We have a trespasser," Skyla said and turned the laptop screen towards Lachlan. On the screen, a man was walking in between the trees, heading towards the mansion.

"What the...?" Lachlan frowned when he stared at the laptop screen. How could that be? He was just here... "Samuel?"

"Cyane" Ash corrected with a grin.

****

Ah! I know this was a filler but it was essential for the next chapter. It's unedited too but I did want to get it out before 12!

Do you think Cyane will get caught and meet Ash? What do you think will happen in the next chapter, which by the way will be posted on 12th April.

Please vote, comment and share your views!

STAY SAFE!