Vermin
We had searched for three days, following the scent and the trails that Adrian Bianco left behind. Each time we thought we were close, he would only manage to vanish again. That man knew well how not to be found.
But no matter how much his determination to evade, I still had to find him nonetheless. It was a command from father and I had to show him how worthy I was of being his heir.
"Are you sure we should be here?" Darius was a little uneasy when we landed secretly on the slave island. Nobody knew we would come here at all, in fact everyone thought we were deep into the human city, searching for Adrian Bianco.
"Don't worry, Darius. Nobody will find out. We'll just complete our objective and disappear like we never appeared to begin with".
"Why would you even think he would have the mind to come here?" Darius shook his head doubtedly. "We, the Sunfyre pack control everything north, south, east or west of this island. He would be a fool to ever come here."
Darius was not wrong. The slave island was the most secure base that my father had built for the glory of the Sunfyres. Apart from the Wolf Capital, no other place shuddered more fear in the hearts of our enemies. Yet Darius did not know Adrian Bianco the way I knew him.
"I lived with Adrian Bianco, remember? I know who he is. He will do anything to save and protect his daughters, even walk into wolf's fire. That's how foolish his emotions have led him."
We were moving within the greens of the island, staying away from people's eyes.
"Still, Vermin. Is it worth it? What if your brother finds out? You know he'll take advantage of this. It will be a matter of time before he finds out about her. What about Lysandra? You know how she is, a viper. You don't want her attacking you with her venom when she discovers you brought your childhood crush to the island!" Darius was laughing silently, enjoying this.
Yeneffer was not my childhood crush. Even if she was, those were only the feelings of a young stupid boy. Now I had a bigger task ahead of me. I had to continue my father's legacy as the next alpha of the Sunfyres and extend my dominion beyond the established territories. I could not afford to fall in love. I could not afford to become weak.
"Shut up, Darius!"
A group of guards were passing. We stayed close to huge trees and they could not see us. There was a girl in front, tied both hands. She was pushed violently by the guards.
"Isn't that?"
"Yeneffer?!"
"And those men are Lysandra's men." Darius noted. "It seems your two girls have met each other already."
It didn't make any sense. She had just come to the island three days ago. Was she already in great trouble?
"Alright Vermin. I think if her father was here, he would have saved her by now. Let's go back and face the real mission."
I was not going anywhere. If Yeneffer had gotten into trouble with my future mate, then I would like to know what it was about. Darius had no choice, he had to obey.
Soon we were behind the windows of the great mansion. Our super hearing and vision abilities took us beyond the glass.
"Why did it take you so long to wake up? I would have thought you were as strong as you are bold." I recognized Lysandra's voice, sharp and menacing. She was indeed the pretty devil and that was precisely why my father liked her so much. He had picked her himself as the next luna of the Sunfyres. Not that I loved Lysandra, but duty was more important than love.
"I want you to crawl on your knees and come here to touch my feet. It's probably the kindest thing I can demand considering the gravity of your crime."
Darius whispered. "Wow brudda. It seems your girl has really pissed off the devil."
"If you don't do it, your weakling friend will die. Tonight."
Yeneffer was not succumbing to Lysandra's threat. She maintained her firmness, not breaking a bit. Maybe she was not as weak as I thought afterall.
"We are walking in now."
Darius shrieked. "What? That was not the plan!"
"Well the plan has changed."
In a second, I was standing before the door, pushing it open.
"Crawl over here, you wench!"
Seeing me, everyone bowed in shock and fear. It was not common for the heir to visit the slave island unannounced.
"Vermin?" Lysandra jumped up.
"Hi, my love. How have you been?"
"I have missed you so much!" Her scowls became expressive joy as she jumped into my hands, laughing.
"You are looking more hot. Hot with beauty... And temper."
Lysandra's expression changed again as she glared in Yeneffer's direction. "A low life has disrespected me in front of all the slaves and servants. I was teaching her a lesson."
"Oh well I am sure you know a nameless slave does not deserve your precious time and effort, vixen."
Lysandra blushed and kissed me deeply. She loved it when I called her vixen. Most especially she liked it when I reminded her of how important she was and how everyone else was worthless when compared to her.
Yeneffer was shooting lasers at me. She looked really hurt and I was not sure why. I knew she hated me already, afterall I destroyed her weak pack and captured her myself. Yet her stares grew deeper and deeper with every kiss, with every romance, becoming more uncomfortable.
"But why are you here? You didn't say you were coming." Lysandra wondered.
Darius was the one who answered. He had finally decided to walk in.
"Well there is a fugitive on the loose and we are meant to capture him alive."
"A fugitive? Who?"
"One of the bluewinters survived." I continued. "Adrian Bianco."
On the mention of his name, Yeneffer's eyes spread wide in disbelief. She raised her head to stare at me. Staring into her eyes, I could see that she had no idea all along. Surely Adrian Bianco had not reached this island. He had not contacted his daughter. We came all the way here for nothing.
Yet Yennefer's smile grew wider with happiness, and suddenly, she grinned hard to be noticed by Lysandra.
"Are you laughing? At us?"