50. Selene
Chapter 50
Selene
I find myself in an opulent grand mansion. The walls are adorned with ornate decorations, and the floors gleam with polished marble. I’ve never seen this place before, and I can’t help but feel a sense of unease as I glance around, searching for something familiar.
“Where are we?” I ask Levi, but he simply ignores me.
As I look around, my eyes are drawn to the huge portraits adorning the walls. They depict a striking blonde man, his features regal and imposing. I can’t place him, but there’s something familiar about his face that niggles at the back of my mind.
Before I can dwell on it further, Blake leads me to a room and locks me inside. The room itself is spacious yet oppressive, with heavy drapes covering the windows and casting the space in shadow. The furnishings are luxurious but cold, adding to the sense of isolation that surrounds me.
A few minutes later, the door creaks open, and a woman enters. She’s human, her features soft and delicate, but there’s a weariness in her eyes that speaks of hardship. She introduces herself as Isabella, and she is trembling with fear.
I study her carefully, noting the way she flinches at my gaze. “Why are you here?” I ask gently.
Isabella shifts uncomfortably, her hands trembling at her sides. “Levi sent me,” she stammers. “He said you needed... dinner.”
My stomach churns at the implication, and I feel a surge of anger rise within me. “I won’t be doing that,” I declare.
Isabella’s eyes widen in terror, and she takes a step back, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “Please. If you send me away, he’ll kill me.”
I’m taken aback by her words, unsure of what game my brother is playing at. “You can stay,” I tell her, my voice softening with compassion “I won’t harm you. I promise.”
Relief floods Isabella’s face, and she sinks to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Thank you.”
As I watch her, a sense of determination settles over me. Whatever Levi’s plans may be, I won’t let him use innocent people as pawns in his twisted games.
I ask Isabella where she’s from. “Italy,” she replies softly, in a thick accent. “I came here to study art, but... now I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go home.”
“I’m so sorry, Isabella. You don’t deserve any of this.”
She looks at me, her eyes filled with tears. “You’re different from the others. Nicer. Why are you here?”
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I’m here because... because my brothers are involved in this. I’m trying to stop them, to help you and the others.”
Isabella’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’re going against your own family?”
I nod. “I can’t let them continue hurting innocent people. I have to do something.”
“Am I going to die here?” she asks as tears slide silently down her cheeks.
I feel a wave of helplessness wash over me.
How can I help her when I can’t even help myself?
“I honestly don’t know what is going to happen. I’m a prisoner here, too.”
“Oh,” she responds.
Instead of dwelling on our dire circumstances, I ask, “So, what have you learned during your time here, Isabella?”
She tells me that she overheard one of the vampires, a woman named Katya (a name that makes me stiffen with familiarity), say that this mansion belonged to a man named Ambrose Hargrave. He was a billionaire and a vampire, but he’s been dead for years. That explains why the portraits looked so familiar—this man was a friend of my father’s.
No wonder my brothers knew to come here.
I feel a mix of anger and sorrow. Anger towards my brothers for their involvement in this and sorrow for the innocent lives they’ve destroyed.
“I promise, Isabella, I’m going to find a way to get you out of here.”
She looks at me with gratitude and a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
For the first time since I arrived here, I feel a sense of purpose.
As we sit and talk, I formulate a plan. I’ll have to outsmart my brothers and find a way to get Isabella out without them noticing. It won’t be easy, but I have to try. I owe it to her and to all the other people who have suffered at the hands of my family.
I make a mental note to keep an eye out for Katya. If she’s involved in this, she could be a valuable ally. I just have to convince her that I am willing to cooperate.
But for now, all I can do is sit with Isabella, offering whatever comfort I can.
Then I hear the click of the door as it is being opened and place a finger to my lips. “Shh!”
She nods and scurries away from me.
Stephen opens the door and eyes Isabella with disdain, making my blood boil.
“Why is she still alive?” Stephen demands.
I clench my jaw, refusing to give him an answer. “Do you need something?”
“Blake and Levi want to talk to you,” he says in an authoritative tone.
“Lead the way,” I reply tersely, shooting a reassuring glance at Isabella before following Stephen out of the room.
We arrive at an office where my brothers are waiting for me. A knot forms in my stomach as I steel myself for whatever they have planned.
“How are you liking the accommodations?” Levi asks casually.
I grit my teeth, struggling to keep my emotions in check. “Why couldn’t we just go to our mansion?”
Levi’s lips curl into a smirk. “We needed a change of scenery,” he says cryptically.
Blake interjects, narrowing his eyes at me. “I still think her being here is a bad idea.”
Levi waves off his concerns with a dismissive gesture. “She’s not stupid enough to betray us,” he says confidently.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “You’re giving me the benefit of the doubt?” I ask sarcastically.
Levi nods, his smirk widening. “For now.”
I swallow back a retort, knowing that now isn’t the time to push my luck. Instead, I plaster on a fake smile and play along.
“Guess what, Selene?” Levi’s voice cuts through the tension in the room. “I’ve got a little surprise for you.”
My brow furrows suspiciously. “What kind of surprise?”
Levi leans back in his chair, smirking. “I’m taking over as the head of the council,” he announces proudly.
”What? How?”
Levi chuckles darkly. “Simple. Once we get rid of the Night family, the council will be ours for the taking.”
My heart sinks. “But... but why?”
Levi shrugs nonchalantly. “Why not? It’s about time someone with real power took charge.”
I clench my fists as my mind races with the implications. “You can’t do this,” I protest, desperation creeping into my voice.
Levi’s smirk widens. “Oh, but I can. And I will.”
I feel sick to my stomach, realizing the extent of my brother’s ruthlessness. “I cooperated so Liam and his family could stay safe,” I remind him.
Levi’s expression hardens. “There’s been a change of plans.”
“Told you!” Blake chimes in, a smug grin on his face.
I turn to Levi. “Please, spare them,” I plead, my voice cracking with emotion.
But Levi won’t be swayed. “I won’t allow you to be a werewolf’s mate. I’d rather kill him than see you mated to him.”
My heart sinks, but before I can respond, Blake speaks up mockingly. “Oh, you thought we wouldn’t find out that he was your mate, huh?”
A wave of panic washes over me.
Shit! How did they find out
“I... I didn’t...” I stammer.
Just then, a woman enters the room, commanding our attention.
She settles onto Blake’s lap, and Levi gestures towards her. “This is Willow,” he announces. “She’s a witch.”
Willow smiles warmly at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she says cryptically.
I study her face, searching for any sign of familiarity, but I come up empty. “I don’t know you.”
She chuckles softly, leaning back into Blake’s embrace. “Well, your brother-in-law has mentioned you once or twice.”
Brother-in-law?
What the fuck?
Blake pulls her closer, wrapping an arm around her. “Oh, this is Colt’s girlfriend,” he explains, his grin widening. “Our secret weapon, you could say. She’s the one who told us all about the alpha’s new mate.”
Willow waves, her smile unnervingly sweet.
It’s clear that my brother’s plans are more elaborate than I ever imagined, and I fear for Liam’s safety more than ever.
“Now, babe, ” Blake gestures to the witch, “Tell our little sister why it would be a lot better if she co-operated with us.”