werewolf /mafia romance

The queen 's war

Chapter 3: The Queen's War

PART 1: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

One week after the lake.

One week since Luca called me his Queen in front of everyone.

And the whole city knew.

The mansion was buzzing.

Maids whispering.

Guards watching me differently.

Like I actually mattered now.

Because I did.

"Morning," Luca said, walking into our bedroom.

He was in a black suit.

Hair wet from the shower.

And he looked tired.

"Rough night?" I asked, sitting up in bed.

I was in one of his shirts.

It came down to my knees.

He smiled. That soft smile that was only for me.

"Council meeting. They weren't happy about the announcement."

"What announcement?"

"That you're my Queen. Not just my wife."

He came and sat on the bed next to me.

Took my hand.

Kissed my knuckles.

"They think a human can't be Queen," he said.

"They think you're weak."

His eyes went gold.

"I proved them wrong last week.

But they want more proof."

"What kind of proof?"

"That you can handle being at my side.

That you can survive this world."

I swallowed.

"And how do I do that?"

"By coming to the Gala tonight.

With me.

As my Queen."

My stomach dropped.

"The Gala? With all the Alphas?"

"Yes," he said.

"And with the media.

They will take pictures.

The whole world will see you as mine."

He pulled me into his arms.

"Are you scared?"

"Terrified," I admitted.

"Good," he whispered in my hair.

"That means you're smart.

But you won't be alone.

I'll be right there."

PART 2: THE DRESS

At 6 PM, Lila came in with 5 dress boxes.

"Mr. De Rossi picked these," she said.

"For the Gala."

I opened them.

Red. Black. Gold.

All designer.

All expensive.

All... revealing.

I picked the black one.

Long.

With a high slit.

And an open back.

When I came downstairs,

Luca was waiting.

He was in a black tux.

And when he saw me,

he froze.

"f**k," he whispered.

Then cleared his throat.

"You look..."

He couldn't finish.

He walked to me.

His hand went to my back.

Bare skin.

"This dress," he growled.

"Every man there is going to look at you."

"Is that a problem?" I teased.

"Yes," he said.

"Because you're mine."

He pulled me close.

His forehead against mine.

"Remember," he said.

"Head high.

Smile.

And stay by my side.

No matter what."

The car ride was silent.

Tense.

But his hand never left my knee.

PART 3: THE GALA

The hotel was massive.

Crystal chandeliers.

Red carpet.

Cameras flashing.

And when we got out,

the noise was deafening.

"Mr. De Rossi! Who is she?"

"Mrs. De Rossi! Look here!"

Luca's arm went around my waist.

Protective.

Possessive.

"Ignore them," he murmured.

"Just walk."

Inside was worse.

200 people.

All wolves.

All watching us.

And at the center...

The Council.

12 old Alphas.

And Viktor.

Viktor's eyes went up and down my body.

And I saw Luca's jaw tighten.

"Brother," Viktor said, coming to us.

"You brought your pet to a Gala?"

Luca didn't smile.

"This is my wife.

My Queen."

He looked at the whole room.

"And anyone who disrespects her,

disrespects me."

The room went quiet.

Then people started clapping.

Fake clapping.

But clapping.

A reporter came up.

"Mrs. De Rossi, how does it feel to be married to the Alpha King?"

I opened my mouth.

Luca answered for me.

"She feels blessed," he said.

"Just like I do."

He squeezed my hand.

Hard.

PART 4: THE ATTACK

Halfway through dinner,

everything changed.

The lights went out.

Screams.

Gunshots.

Glass breaking.

"Down!" Luca yelled.

He pulled me under the table.

"What's happening?" I whispered.

"Attack," he said.

"Stay here."

He kissed my forehead.

And then he was gone.

I heard growling.

Roaring.

Men yelling.

5 minutes later,

the lights came back on.

Chaos.

Dead bodies.

Broken tables.

And Luca.

Standing in the middle.

Covered in blood.

But alive.

He ran to me.

"Are you hurt?"

I shook my head.

He pulled me into his arms.

Tight.

"It's over," he said.

"They're gone."

Viktor came over.

"East Pack again," he said.

"They're getting bold."

Luca looked at him.

Then at me.

"Get everyone out.

We're going home."

PART 5: AFTERMATH

Back at the mansion.

3 AM.

Luca was in the shower.

Washing off blood.

I was sitting on our bed.

Shaking.

The door opened.

Luca came out.

Towel around his waist.

Water dripping.

He saw me shaking.

And his face changed.

He came and sat in front of me.

On his knees.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Look at me."

I did.

"You're okay," he said.

"I'm here.

I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know," I whispered.

"But it was so close."

He pulled me onto his lap.

Held me.

"I know," he said.

"And I'm sorry you had to see that.

This is what my life is.

Violence.

War."

"Is this why you didn't want to marry me?" I asked.

"Because you knew it would be dangerous?"

He was quiet.

Then: "Yes."

He kissed my hair.

"But I would do it again.

100 times.

Because the thought of you not being mine

is more dangerous to me than any East Pack."

PART 6: THE DECISION

Morning.

Luca was on a call.

Angry.

In Italian.

When he hung up,

he looked at me.

"The Council wants to make a statement,"

he said.

"They want to show that you're strong.

That you can be Queen."

"How?" I asked.

"They want you to speak.

At the funeral tonight.

For the people who died."

My blood ran cold.

"Me? Speak?"

"Yes," he said.

"And I think you should."

"Why?"

"Because if you do this,

no one will ever question you again.

You'll be Queen.

For real."

I was terrified.

But I looked at him.

"Okay," I said.

"I'll do it."

Luca's eyes softened.

He came and hugged me.

"That's my girl," he whispered.

"My strong, brave Queen."

That night,

I would stand in front of 500 wolves.

And claim my place.

Next to the Alpha King.

PART 2: THE FUNERAL SPEECH

The funeral was at midnight.

Wolves don't bury in daylight.

Too many enemies.

The cemetery was on the hill.

500 wolves standing in black.

Rain falling.

And in the front...

12 coffins.

Covered in the De Rossi flag.

Luca was next to me.

In a black suit.

Black tie.

And his hand was holding mine.

Tight.

"Are you ready?" he whispered.

I shook my head.

"No."

"Then pretend you are," he said.

"For them."

The head Alpha started speaking.

About honor.

About war.

About the East Pack.

Then he turned to us.

"And now, the Alpha King and his Queen will speak."

My heart stopped.

Luca squeezed my hand.

"Go," he said.

"I'll be right behind you."

I walked to the podium.

500 eyes on me.

A human.

In a world of monsters.

My legs were shaking.

But I thought of Luca.

Of my mom.

Of why I was here.

I took the mic.

"I didn't know any of you," I started.

My voice was shaking.

"But I know what it means to lose someone.

To be scared.

To fight for the people you love."

I looked at Luca.

He was watching me.

Proud.

"These people died protecting their home.

Protecting their Alpha.

Protecting me."

I paused.

"And I promise you...

I won't let their deaths be in vain.

I won't hide.

I won't run.

I will stand next to my husband.

And we will make sure this never happens again."

Silence.

Then one wolf started howling.

Then another.

Then 500.

Luca came to me.

Pulled me into his arms.

In front of everyone.

"That," he whispered in my ear.

"Was perfect."

PART 3: THE THREAT

After the funeral.

We were driving home.

Silent.

Then Luca's phone rang.

He answered.

Listened.

And his face went completely blank.

"What?" he said.

"Where?"

He hung up.

Looked at me.

"Your mother," he said.

"She's missing from the hospital."

My world stopped.

"What?"

"The East Pack took her," he said.

"As leverage."

I couldn't breathe.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know yet," he said.

"But I will find her.

I swear on my life."

He pulled the car over.

Grabbed my face.

"Listen to me, Aria.

This is my fault.

I should have protected her better.

But I will get her back.

And the people who did this...

will pay."

Tears were falling down my face.

"Luca, please—"

"Shh," he said.

He kissed my forehead.

"Trust me.

Okay?"

I nodded.

PART 4: THE TRADE

2 hours later.

We were in Luca's office.

Maps everywhere.

Guards coming and going.

Viktor was there too.

"We got a message," Viktor said.

"From the East Alpha.

He wants a trade.

Your mother... for you."

The room went silent.

Luca didn't move.

"Say that again," he said quietly.

"They want her," Viktor repeated.

"In exchange for your mother.

Alone. No guards."

Luca stood up.

Walked to the window.

"No," he said.

"What?" Viktor said.

"Luca, we can—"

"I said NO," he roared.

The windows shook.

He turned to me.

His eyes were gold.

Furious.

"They think they can use you against me?"

he said.

"They think I'll trade you?"

He laughed.

But it wasn't funny.

"Come here," he said to me.

I walked to him.

He pulled me into his arms.

"Listen to me," he whispered.

"I would burn this entire city down

before I let them touch you.

Your mother will be saved.

But not like this.

Never like this."

PART 5: HIS PLAN

Midnight.

Luca and I were alone.

In our room.

He was pacing.

I was sitting on the bed.

"I have a plan," he said.

"But it's dangerous."

"What is it?" I asked.

"We go to them.

You and me.

Alone."

He looked at me.

"But it's a trap.

For them.

Not for us."

"My mother?"

"She'll be there," he said.

"And the moment we see her,

my men will attack.

From all sides."

"Will she be okay?"

"Yes," he said.

"Because I will be right next to you.

And I won't let anyone near you."

He came and sat next to me.

Took my hand.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

"Terrified," I admitted.

"Good," he said.

"That means you're smart.

But Aria..."

He cupped my face.

"I need you to be brave.

For one more time.

Can you do that?"

I nodded.

"For you.

For my mom.

Yes."

He kissed me.

Slow.

Deep.

Like it might be the last time.

"Then we do this tomorrow night,"

he said.

"And after that...

no one will ever hurt you again."

PART 6: THE NIGHT BEFORE

We didn't sleep.

We lay in bed.

Holding each other.

"Tell me something," I whispered.

"Something happy."

Luca thought.

"When I was 50, I bought an island.

Just to see if I could.

I never went.

But I have it."

I smiled.

"Can we go there someday?"

"Yes," he said.

"After this is over.

Just you and me.

No wolves.

No mafia.

Just us."

"Promise?"

"Promise," he said.

He pulled me closer.

"I love you, Aria," he whispered.

The first time he said it.

"I love you too, Luca."

And we fell asleep.

In each other's arms.

Tomorrow, we would go to war.

For my mother.

For us.

PART 3: THE RESCUE MISSION

The warehouse was on the edge of the city.

Abandoned.

Dark.

And surrounded by East Pack wolves.

Luca and I were in the car.

Parked 2 blocks away.

"Last chance to back out," Luca said.

His hand was on my knee.

"I can still do this without you."

I shook my head.

"No. My mom is in there.

And I'm not letting you face this alone."

He looked at me.

Proud.

Scared.

In love.

"Okay," he said.

"Then we do this together."

He handed me a small gun.

"I know you don't know how to use it.

But just in case.

Point and shoot."

I nodded. Hands shaking.

"Stay behind me," he said.

"No matter what happens.

Do you understand?"

"Yes."

We got out.

PART 4: INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE

The door was open.

Trap.

Inside, 20 wolves.

And in the middle...

My mother.

Tied to a chair.

Gagged.

"Mom!" I cried.

She looked up.

Tears in her eyes.

The East Alpha stepped out.

Smiling.

"Alpha King," he said.

"And the little human.

How nice of you to come."

"Let her go," Luca said.

His voice was ice.

"Not yet," the Alpha said.

"First, she comes to me.

Alone."

"No," Luca said.

"Then she dies," the Alpha said.

And put a knife to my mom's throat.

"STOP!" I yelled.

I stepped forward.

"Let her go.

And I'll stay."

Luca grabbed my arm.

"Aria, don't."

I looked at him.

"I have to," I whispered.

"For her."

I walked to the East Alpha.

He grabbed me.

Pulled me to him.

"Good girl," he said.

Then everything happened at once.

Luca roared.

The doors burst open.

His wolves attacked.

Gunshots.

Growling.

Chaos.

The East Alpha held me tighter.

"Stay still or she dies," he said to Luca.

Luca stopped.

His eyes on me.

On my mom.

"Let. Her. Go," Luca said.

The Alpha laughed.

"Or what?"

And that's when I moved.

I grabbed the gun from my pocket.

And shot him.

Right in the leg.

He screamed.

Let go of me.

Luca was there in 1 second.

Snapped his neck.

PART 5: AFTERMATH

It was over in 5 minutes.

The East Pack was dead.

Or running.

My mom was crying.

I was holding her.

"Shh," I said. "It's okay.

You're safe now."

Luca came to us.

He looked at me.

Really looked.

Then he picked me up.

Hugged me so tight I couldn't breathe.

"You shot him," he whispered.

"You saved your mom."

He pulled back.

"You're incredible."

"I was scared," I said.

"I know," he said.

"But you did it anyway.

That's what makes you my Queen."

We took my mom to the hospital.

She was okay.

Just scared.

And that night,

for the first time in weeks,

I slept peacefully.

PART 6: THE CONFESSION

2 AM.

Luca and I were on the roof.

Of the mansion.

The city was quiet.

"I thought I lost you today," Luca said.

His voice was rough.

"I thought I lost you too," I said.

He turned to me.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Anything."

"I've killed hundreds of people," he said.

"In 200 years.

I don't regret most of them."

He looked at me.

"But today...

When he had you...

I thought I would burn the world.

Just to get you back."

He took my hand.

"You're not just my wife, Aria.

You're not just my Queen."

He paused.

"You're my home," he whispered.

"The first home I've had in 200 years."

Tears were falling down my face.

"Luca," I whispered.

He kissed me.

Soft.

Desperate.

Like he was afraid I would disappear.

"I love you," he said.

"So much it hurts."

"I love you too," I said.

He picked me up.

Carried me inside.

To our room.

To our bed.

And that night,

there was no fear.

No war.

No East Pack.

Just us.

His hands on me.

My name on his lips.

And the promise that we would always

find each other.

No matter what.

PART 7: MORNING

I woke up to sunlight.

And to Luca cooking.

In our kitchen.

In just sweatpants.

"Morning, Queen," he said with a smile.

"Morning," I said.

My mom was staying with us now.

Safe.

In the guest wing.

"She's sleeping," Luca said.

"I told the staff not to bother her."

He came to me.

Pulled me into his arms.

"So," he said.

"What do we do now?"

"Now?" I asked.

"Now we live," he said.

"Without fear.

Without running.

Just us."

He kissed me.

"And maybe...

we start thinking about that island."

I smiled.

"I'd like that."

He hugged me tighter.

Outside, the wolves were howling.

But this time,

it wasn't a warning.

It was a celebration.

Because the Alpha King had his Queen.

And the Queen had won her war.

PART 4: THE ISLAND TRIP

One week after the rescue.

My mom was fully recovered.

Safe in the mansion with 10 guards.

And Luca said we were leaving.

"Where are we going?" I asked, packing.

"To keep a promise," he said with that smirk.

"To the island."

My heart skipped.

"The island you told me about?"

"The same one," he said.

"No wolves.

No mafia.

No Council.

Just you and me.

For 7 days."

I ran to him and hugged him.

"Really?"

"Really," he whispered in my hair.

"You deserve a break, Aria.

And I deserve you all to myself."

The private jet was huge.

Black.

With the De Rossi wolf on the side.

"Is this yours too?" I asked.

"Everything is mine," he said.

"But today, it's ours."

PART 5: PARADISE

The island was unreal.

White sand.

Blue water.

A big villa right on the beach.

And no one.

Just staff who stayed far away.

"Welcome to Eden," Luca said as we walked in.

The villa was all glass.

Ocean view from everywhere.

Big bed.

Big bathtub.

And roses. Everywhere.

"Did you do this?" I asked.

"For you," he said.

He came behind me.

Wrapped his arms around me.

"7 days, Aria," he whispered.

"No titles.

No Alpha King.

Just Luca and Aria."

I turned in his arms.

"Deal."

PART 6: HIS TOUCH

Day 1: The Beach

We swam.

We laughed.

He taught me how to surf.

I fell 10 times.

He caught me every time.

At night, we had dinner on the beach.

Candles.

Seafood.

And him.

"You look different here," he said.

"How?"

"Happy," he said.

"Free."

He reached across the table.

Took my hand.

"I like you like this."

Day 2: The Storm

It rained all day.

We were stuck inside.

So we talked.

For hours.

About his past.

About my childhood.

About everything.

"Why did you never marry before?" I asked.

"Because no one was you," he said simply.

He pulled me onto his lap.

"And because I was waiting for you."

The rain hit the windows.

And he kissed me.

Slow.

Like he had all the time in the world.

PART 7: POSSESSIVE

Day 3: The Jealousy

We went to the small town on the island.

For ice cream.

And a man looked at me.

Too long.

Luca saw it.

And his whole body went stiff.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said.

But on the way back,

he couldn't keep his hands off me.

In the car.

In the villa.

In the shower.

"Luca," I laughed. "What's wrong?"

"That guy," he growled.

"He looked at you."

"And?"

"And you're mine," he said.

He pushed me against the wall.

"Only mine."

He kissed me like he was proving it.

And I let him.

Because I loved how much he wanted me.

PART 8: THE CONFESSION

Day 4: Midnight

We couldn't sleep.

So we lay on the balcony.

Looking at the stars.

"Luca," I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we can be normal?

Like a normal couple?"

He was quiet for a long time.

"I don't know what normal is," he said.

"I've never had it."

He turned to me.

"But with you...

I want to try."

He took my hand.

Put it over his heart.

"Feel that?" he asked.

"That's yours.

Every beat.

Since the day you signed that paper."

Tears came to my eyes.

"Luca..."

"I love you," he said.

"I love your stubbornness.

I love how you fight.

I love how you look at me like I'm not a monster."

I kissed him.

"You're not a monster to me.

You're my Luca."

PART 9: THE NIGHT

Day 5:

He carried me to bed.

No words.

Just him.

And me.

The curtains were open.

The moon was on us.

The waves were outside.

And inside...

It was just us.

Slow.

Gentle.

Like he was afraid I would break.

And when it was over,

he held me.

For hours.

"Stay," he whispered.

"With me.

Forever."

"I will," I promised.

"Always."

PART 10: BACK TO REALITY

Day 7:

We had to go back.

The jet was waiting.

Luca was quiet on the flight.

Holding my hand.

"Hey," I said.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to go back," he said.

"I don't want to be the Alpha King again.

I just want to be your husband."

I leaned on his shoulder.

"Then let's be both," I said.

"Strong together."

He smiled.

And kissed my forehead.

When we landed,

the mansion was waiting.

The Council was waiting.

The war was waiting.

But this time,

we were going to face it together.

As husband and wife.

As King and Queen.

PART 5: THE COUNCIL'S ULTIMATUM

We landed at 8 AM.

And the war was waiting for us.

The mansion gates were full of black cars.

The Council was here.

All 12 of them.

Luca's jaw tightened.

"Stay close," he told me.

"And let me do the talking."

Inside, the great hall was freezing.

12 old Alphas sat in a circle.

And in the middle...

An empty chair.

"Luca De Rossi," the Head Alpha said.

"And the human."

Luca didn't answer.

He just pulled me to his side.

"We called this meeting," the Head Alpha continued.

"Because of the attack.

Because of the East Pack.

And because of her."

All 12 eyes turned to me.

"She is a liability," another Alpha said.

"Humans are weak.

She almost got herself killed.

And she almost got the Alpha King killed."

Luca stepped forward.

"Watch what you say about my wife."

"She is not fit to be Queen," the Head Alpha said.

"So we have made a decision."

My heart dropped.

"Either," he said.

"You give her up.

Or we take her from you."

The room went silent.

PART 6: HIS ANSWER

Luca didn't move for 10 seconds.

Then he laughed.

One low, dangerous laugh.

"You think," he said quietly.

"You think you can tell me

who I can love?

Who I can marry?

Who can be my Queen?"

He walked to the empty chair.

And pulled me down to sit next to him.

"I am the Alpha King," he said.

"For 200 years, I have led this pack.

I have spilled blood for this pack.

I have built this empire for this pack."

He looked at each of them.

"And now you come to me

and tell me I can't have the one person

who makes me want to keep it?"

The Head Alpha stood up.

"Then we have no choice."

He raised his hand.

6 guards walked in.

With guns.

"Last chance, Luca," he said.

"Give her up.

Or we will take her by force."

PART 7: THE STAND

I was shaking.

But Luca's hand on mine was steady.

He stood up.

And pulled me up with him.

"No," he said.

Just one word.

But it shook the walls.

"You want to fight me?" he asked.

"For her?"

He looked at me.

"Then you will have to go through me first."

He turned to me.

His eyes were gold.

But soft.

"Aria," he whispered.

"Are you scared?"

I nodded.

"A little."

"Good," he said.

"Because if you weren't scared,

I would be worried about you."

He kissed my forehead.

In front of everyone.

"I choose you," he said.

"Today.

Tomorrow.

For the next 200 years.

I choose you."

Then he turned back to the Council.

"Anyone who touches her

dies.

By my hand."

PART 8: VIKTOR'S BETRAYAL

And that's when Viktor spoke.

"Brother," he said.

From the corner.

Everyone turned.

"I agree with the Council," Viktor said.

"She is dangerous.

For the pack.

For you."

Luca's face went blank.

"Viktor."

"Give her up," Viktor said.

"And I will stand with you.

Against the Council.

Against everyone."

Luca looked at him.

His own blood.

"You're asking me to choose," Luca said.

"Between my brother...

and my wife."

"Yes," Viktor said.

Luca was quiet.

Then he walked to me.

Took both my hands.

And he chose.

"I choose her," he said.

He looked at Viktor.

"And if that makes you my enemy,

then so be it."

Viktor's face twisted.

"You'll regret this."

"Get out," Luca said.

"All of you.

Before I change my mind

and kill you all here."

PART 9: ALONE

After they left.

The hall was empty.

Except us.

Luca was still holding me.

Like he was afraid I would disappear.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that."

I shook my head.

"Don't be sorry."

I looked up at him.

"You chose me."

"I will always choose you," he said.

He cupped my face.

"Always, Aria."

He kissed me.

Not soft.

Not slow.

Desperate.

Like he was proving to himself

that I was real.

That I was here.

That I was his.

"Come," he said.

He led me out of the hall.

Up the stairs.

To our room.

And closed the door.

PART 10: OUR PROMISE

Inside, he pushed me against the door.

And kissed me again.

Hard.

Possessive.

Like he was marking me.

"Say it," he whispered.

"Say you're mine."

"I'm yours," I whispered.

"Only yours."

"Say it again."

"I'm yours, Luca.

Always."

He picked me up.

Carried me to the bed.

And that night,

there were no more words.

Just promises.

Made with hands.

With lips.

With hearts.

He was gentle.

Even though he was angry.

Even though he was scared.

Because for him,

I was not a war.

I was peace.

And when it was over,

he held me.

"They will come for us," he whispered.

"I know."

"But they won't win," he said.

"Because I have you.

And you have me.

And together...

we are unstoppable."

I fell asleep in his arms.

Knowing that tomorrow,

the war would begin.

But tonight,

we had each other.

And that was enough.

PART 6: THE WAR BEGINS

3 days after the Council left.

The mansion was quiet.

Too quiet.

Luca hadn't slept.

I hadn't either.

We were waiting.

For them to attack.

"They will come at night," Luca said.

He was cleaning his guns at the table.

"They always do."

I was sitting next to him.

In his shirt.

Holding coffee I wasn't drinking.

"Luca," I whispered.

"Are you scared?"

He looked up.

For me?

Never."

He put the gun down.

Took my hand.

"For you?

Every second."

I leaned into him.

"Then don't let go."

"I won't," he promised.

"Not ever again."

PART 7: THE ATTACK

It started at 2:13 AM.

Glass breaking.

Alarms screaming.

Gunshots.

"Up!" Luca yelled.

He pulled me out of bed.

Put a bulletproof vest on me.

Then on himself.

"Stay behind me," he said.

His eyes were already gold.

Claws out.

The door burst open.

3 wolves.

Luca moved so fast I couldn't see.

In 5 seconds, they were down.

"Come," he said.

He grabbed my hand.

We ran.

The mansion was chaos.

His wolves vs Council wolves.

Blood on the walls.

Howling.

"To the safe room!" Luca yelled.

But then I heard it.

"Mom!"

My mother was in the east wing.

Alone.

"Luca, she's there!" I cried.

He stopped.

Looked at me.

Then at the chaos.

"Damn it," he said.

"Okay.

We get her.

Together."

PART 8: SAVING HER

We ran through the halls.

Ducking bullets.

Jumping over bodies.

And there she was.

In her room.

2 Council wolves over her.

"Get away from her!" I screamed.

Luca didn't even hesitate.

He killed them both.

"Mom!" I ran to her.

"Are you okay?"

She was crying.

"I'm fine, baby.

I'm fine."

Luca picked her up.

"We have to go.

Now."

We ran to the basement.

To the safe room.

Where 20 of his most loyal wolves were waiting.

Viktor was there too.

He looked at us.

At my mom in Luca's arms.

At me.

And he lowered his gun.

PART 9: VIKTOR'S CHOICE

"You're bleeding," Viktor said to Luca.

Luca looked down.

A bullet wound in his shoulder.

"It's nothing," Luca said.

He put my mom down.

"Are you okay?"

My mom nodded.

Viktor looked at me.

Then at Luca.

Then he sighed.

"I was wrong," he said.

"About her.

About you."

He put his gun away.

"I'm with you, brother.

To the end."

Luca stared at him.

Then he nodded.

And hugged him.

"Together," Luca said.

"Together," Viktor answered.

PART 10: THE FINAL STAND

By 4 AM, it was over.

The Council was dead.

Or captured.

The mansion was damaged.

But we were alive.

Luca was sitting on the floor.

Back against the wall.

Bleeding.

I was next to him.

Holding his hand.

Crying.

"Stop," he whispered.

"I'm okay."

"You're not okay," I sobbed.

"You got shot for me."