THE SAVAGE ALPHAS AND THEIR LUNA THIEF

Chapter 4: Most Wanted In The Country

VIVIAN

I thought I wouldn't make it out of the Salvatore mansion, but I did…with some broken bones. While they were focused on their front yard, I was busy breaking out the back, which led to the sea.

Luckily for me, there was a dock along with ships and sailboats nearby, so I secured my bag and dove into the ocean.

When I was ten, the big kids at the orphanage tried to drown me, and ever since then, I have forced myself to learn how to swim and hold my breath for a long period. It was an essential survival skill. Now it was paying off.

I got to the docks, tired and exhausted after swimming for about an hour, then I stole a speedboat and escaped from there. I couldn't believe it. Vivian Doe, a.k.a Sneaky Cat, successfully broke into the Salvatore mansion and came out alive.

The thought alone made me burst into laughter as the wind carried my hair, but at the back of my mind, I was plagued with numerous thoughts.

Why did that statue look like me?

Why did they call me that name?

And how the hell am I supposed to handle three mates?!

These questions continued to plague me as I got to land and stole a bike. Then I rode to the drop-off point and sighted the collector in the far distance. After parking, I stared down at the amulet in my hand. It was made of ruby stone but nothing about it called to me.

What was going on? How did my life become this mess? I walked further, closing the distance between myself and the collector. This man, along with a few others were wearing white owl masks and white gloves, and they seemed ominous themselves. I could see the briefcase holding my ticket to freedom, but will I really be free if I don't know the answer to these questions?

Who am I really, and where did I come from? Is my name really Verena changed to Vivian, and why did the Salvatore brothers look exactly like men in my nightmares?

I needed answers.

I stopped in my tracks, and I couldn't believe what I was doing. I took a step back. The Collector adjusted his stance and followed me with his eyes. I took another step back and then another. The Collector dipped his hands in his side and brought out a gun.

Oh s**t! I dove for cover as a million bullets rained upon me. Looking around, I found my bike and managed to get to it. A bullet pierced my arm, making me scream, but I ignored it and rode my bike out of there.

●●●

It took me a full week to recover in my shack, and during that time, I did all the research I needed on the Salvatore brothers. The Main Alpha was Harry, followed by Duke and the youngest, who was named Bax.

I stared at their pictures, feeling more flustered and overwhelmed than I have ever been in my life.

What is really going on? I have to know.

With that thought, I devised a plan that would get me what I wanted, which is the truth. Maybe I have family out there. Maybe I have someone who loves me and cares about me. Maybe the Salvatore brothers would love me.

I shook my head. That's ridiculous thinking. Those men will never love me. No one can ever be trusted, but I can't be really alone in the world, right?

Exhausted and confused, I closed my laptop and laid on the floor where I spread some blankets. Tomorrow, I'll know the truth no matter the cost.

____________________

The next day, I did what I never thought I would do. I ingested wolfsbane. With the way my wolf was giddy around them, I needed answers and to think clearly. The amount ingested was enough to suppress my wolf but not to knock it out completely.

Also, I didn't want them to know I was their mate yet. Considering I'm a thief and the most wanted in the country, it was obvious someone of their calibre would want nothing to do with me.

I can't deal with that kind of pain now.

Later that evening, I put my affairs in order, went back to the Salvatore mansion, and surrendered myself at the gate. The guards, the moment they saw me, ordered me to get on my knees, and I did so and put my hands at the back of my head.

They surrounded me instantly, and I demanded to see the Salvatores. One of them spoke into a walkie-talkie, and soon, I was riding in the back of a car, being driven to the Salvatore estate.

When we got there, I was roughly brought out and forced to my knees before the majestic mansion.

Suddenly, the air changed, and from the distance, the scent of forest, citrus and Oud, ignited my nostrils. I watched my mates approach me with the essence of raw power and darkness.

Harry, the main alpha, walked in the middle and in the lead, making my wolf stir but too weak to do anything else. He was the one who smelt like the forest - pine and cedarwood, with a rich aroma of dark amber and a hint of wild spices. This evoked a sense of primal power and earthy allure, making his presence feel both grounding and invigorating.

He was huge with arms and legs sculpted to perfection, and I could tell he spent a lot of time at the gym because everything about his body was balanced, screaming undiluted power.

I felt the urge to cower at his presence, but I forced myself to steel my spine and meet his gaze. His eyes flashed a glowing red, indicating his displeasure, but I didn't care.

The man to his right side - Duke - was also just as intimidating but less bulky, and he smelt like citrus blossom with a hint of the earthy cedar aroma. Something about his scent made me get the vibe of warmth, strength, and reliability. I could tell he was the second oldest Alpha, and although his blue eyes seemed kind, they held no sympathy for me.

The third person, Bax, was the one who drawed me in the most. He smelt like midnight rain and dark Oud, giving him a sinister allure. With him, I could sense his quiet dominance and intense grounded power.

He stood on the left of Harry, and he had his head shaved so low, I couldn’t tell what colour it was. His body was lithe like he could be a swimmer, and every exposed skin of his was covered in tattoos. His eyes carried terrible darkness and iciness, and I don't know why that made me wetter.

“Who caught her?” Harry asked his men.

“She walked in herself and surrendered.” One of the guards replied.

The Salvatore brothers frowned and looked down at me. Obviously, me turning myself in didn't make sense.

The dark-haired Alpha stooped low on his haunches and levelled his light blue gaze with mine. “Where is the amulet?”

Him standing so close made me giddy, and my body reacted with pleasure, but I forced myself to focus. “Somewhere safe.”

His eyes hardened, and before I knew it, his hand shot out and grabbed my neck. He rose from his haunches, raising me up from my knees. “Do you think this is a joke, Vivian?”

I startled at the mention of my name, and his lips curled up in a satisfied smirk. “Yes, we know you're a killer and a thief, both of which are serious offences that could get you killed. So I will ask again, where is the f*****g amulet?”

My heart at this point was racing louder than my own thoughts and his words felt like a punch to my gut. Still I forced myself to take a deep breath. I have been through worse and I have survived. I will survive this. “I said it's somewhere safe,” I choked out, “If you kill me, you will never find out but I'll tell you where it is when you give me your word that you will do three things for me.”

Harry hesitated, he knows his word as an Alpha will be binding. “Go on.”

“One, neither you nor your brothers or your men will kill me or hurt me. Secondly, you will tell me what the amulet is about and why that statue looks like me.”

The two Alphas behind him shared a glance.

“And the third?” Harry asked.

“I want to be able to walk out of here alive and free with my bounty paid into my bank account. After all, I turned myself in.” I managed a smirk which in turn made them look at me like I was crazy. Maybe I was.

“Oh, hell no!” Duke cut in but Harry raised a hand to stop him.

“Fine.” His eyes glimmered, making me uneasy. “You have my word.”

Immediately he said that, I felt a strange tie binding me to him and to everyone in the compound. His word has become law.

“Now where is the amulet?” He growled.

Jeez! It must have been really important if he could agree that fast! I wish I had asked for more. Oh well. I told them where I hid it and when it was finally secured, Harry then let me go.

I fell to the ground and coughed hard, barely able to take a lungful of breath. “Seize her!” Harry ordered and I was immediately apprehended.

“Wait! What is going on?!” I asked. “You gave me your word!”

Harry smirked. “Yes I did, but there's just one flaw to your plan. Me, my brothers and men won't hurt or kill you. You were very specific with that but as for the other two wishes, you never gave us a timeframe. So eventually we'll tell you what we know about the amulet and yes, you will get to walk out of here safe but it will be on MY terms.”

“What?” My lips trembled as real fear seeped into me. I had just made a very big mistake.

“That's right, Wildcat.” Bax stepped forward. “We would do all those things you asked but until then,” His finger ran down my face, sending sizzles of desire down my skin. “... you Vivian Doe, will be our b***h and our slave until we decide to let you go.”