CHAPTER 8

CALEB’S POV

I was busy going over a few files when I sensed a sudden change in the environment. It was so silent that it seemed to be shouting in my ears.

On a whim, I checked the CCTV footage. I was stunned to see that most of my den was empty. The place that was usually flooded with men was desolate.

On instinct, I drew out both my guns and went to patrol the quarters. The few men who were left were of a low rank and couldn’t possibly know the whereabouts of the others.

I ventured into the conference room to find it barren except for Lina. She was so engrossed in watching the screen that she didn’t even sense my presence.

“Lina! Where is everyone?” I called out as I walked in.

“Alpha Caleb! What a pleasant surprise!” Lina said in a sweet voice, turning towards me.

My heart skipped a beat at her tone. What was she up to now?

I pointed my gun at her and said in a cold voice, “Don’t make me repeat, Lina.”

“They are right where they should be.” She said waving her hands at the screen.

F***! Today was Friday. She had ordered the men to go ahead with the plan. My eyes widened with horror as I saw the left wing of the building go up in flames.

I grabbed Lina by her nape and placed the gun on her forehead. “How dare you, Lina! How dare to declare an attack without my permission!”

“This is in the best interest of the pack, Alpha. Great objectives require great sacrifices, don’t they?”

So, that was all this about. She had overheard my conversation about Connor. I closed my eyes and tried to mind-link my beta.

“They are away from the pack territory, don’t bother.”

Damn! I should have expected that. Lina was anything but thorough. No one would have their phones either. The only way I could stop this attack was to be present there.

The premises had turned into a bloody war zone. Bullets were being fired by both opponents with equal passion. I could see that we were winning by a huge margin. A few more explosions and the mansion would crumble to dust.

I didn’t want all our efforts to go in vain, Plus I didn’t care if the whole Dragon dynasty got wiped out. My only concern was saving Aurora.

I weaved my way through the raining bullets and got inside the mansion. My heart stopped beating and everything seemed to move in slow motion. A bullet was moving towards Aurora.

“No!!!” I screamed as I lunged towards her. Grabbing her by the shoulders I rolled on the ground. I winced as the bullet grazed past my left arm.

I dragged her outside and backed her against an oak tree. Shielding her with my body I looked around warily. There was just one shooter in my line of sight. I took him down with a quick bullet.

“Thanks for saving me...” Aurora’s raspy voice drew my attention towards her. She looked absolutely terrified.

I cupped her cheeks with my free hand and reassured her, “I will take you somewhere safe…”

“I need to go to that oak tree. Tyson is injured. I have to take the antidote for him else he will die…”

I snorted and said, “You want me to help you save my enemy!”

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she said, “Please…”

I couldn’t refuse the request of her hopeful eyes and took her to the oak tree. She rushed inside without sparing another glance at me.

“Mating does mess with one's system, isn’t it?” Lina's voice sounded behind me.

I drew in a deep breath to calm myself before facing her.

She clicked her tongue and continued, “Our great Alpha, the leader of the greatest mafia pack is now taking orders from a mere human. Not only that he is assisting her to defeat his own pack!”

I felt my blood boil at her accusation. I did come here but it was just to save my mate. I glared at her and said, “I command you to keep shut and return home!”

Her shoulders shook as she was forced to lower her head to my power. She nodded her head and retreated instantly.

It took me a second to realize what I had done. I helped Aurora save my enemies. Then, I used the power of command on my sister. The mating bond was indeed messing up with my mind.

AURORA’S POV

Tyson’s face had turned pale and his eyes seemed to have lost their color. They were open yet I couldn’t see any hint of recognition in them.

“Tyson… are you alright?” My voice wavered as I kneeled beside him.

A sinking sensation engulfed my heart when he didn’t reply. I took out the injection and stabbed it straight into his heart.

Slowly the color returned to his face. I watched in wonder as the wound healed and the gash sealed itself magically. With a loud gasp, he sat up.

“Thank God you are alright!” I said, licking my lips.

“You look paler than the ghost. Where did you get this from?” He said in a suspicious voice, pulling out the syringe from my hand.

I was taken aback by his question. Shouldn’t he be thanking me for saving his life? Nah! Why would he do that? He was the self-entitled flamer after all.

“I do not like to repeat myself, Aurora. Where did you get this syringe from?”

I let out a deep sigh and said, “Zarina had told me about it.”

His face turned red and he barked, “She needs to be taught a lesson. How can she go about telling our secrets to everyone?”

Damn! This guy was unbelievable. I couldn’t restrain myself from saying, “Are you addled, Tyson? Can’t you see that this very information saved your life? Rather than thanking her, you want to punish her…”

I winced as he grabbed me by my shoulders. I gulped as I met his eyes, they were blazing red.

Right at that moment, Aslan walked in; saving me from whatever wrath Tyson was about to direct towards me.

“How did you heal? Weren’t the explosives laced with painite?”

“Would you rather have seen me dead, Aslan?”

“Teddy, there is no time for the stupidity of yours. The attack has been called off but who is to say that they won’t strike again. We need to leave NOW!”

Surprisingly, Tyson agreed and soon we were seated in a black car. There were dozens of cars both in front and behind us. It was fascinating to see how all the cars moved along the road in perfect synchronization.

Tyson and Aslan were busy discussing strategies while I was seated in the shotgun seat. My eyes were focused on the rearview mirror as I tried to decipher the expression on Tyson’s face. Did he not care for anything at all in this world?

“Where is Zarina?” I said jumping out of my seat. Tyson placed his hand over my head and saved me from bumping it against the top of the car.

I saw the tiniest bit of emotion in his eyes but I could have as well imagined it. The next moment he said in a cold voice, “She will find her way…”