Chained To His Side

Chapter 4

The party was a glittering display of opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the Alegria hall, casting a sharp light over the elite of the underworld.

I stood at the top of the grand staircase, encased in a gown of midnight blue as I stared at the sea of people, my heart hammering, wanting to escape this place.

"Smile, Andra," Francis muttered through gritted teeth as he stood beside me. "You look like you're heading to the gallows."

"Isn't that what this is?" I retorted bitterly.

“Let’s get this over with.” I said, accepting my fate.

"There he is," Joaquin whispered, nodding toward a man standing near the bar.

My heart sank.

The heir of the Accardi family, my supposed fiancé, was a total mess.

His tuxedo was rumpled, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and he was currently shouting at a server for not filling his glass fast enough.

He looked bloated, his eyes bloodshot as his gaze wandered to look st the sexy girl in front of him.

“Is that really him?” I asked in disgust.

This wasn't a wolf but a rabid dog.

“Cousin,” Joaquin muttered, “I really feel sorry for you.”

“Save it. We can’t do anything now.” I said, raising my chin up, not showing any signs of fear in front of these people who were thirsty for blood.

As we descended, my father led me straight towards him. "Cassandra, meet your future husband, Jago Accardi."

Jago turned, his gaze raking over me with a look so lewd I felt the urge to puke all over his shoes.

"So, this is the Alegria prize?" he slurped, his voice loud and slurred. He reached out, his sticky hand grabbing my waist and pulling me flush against him.

"A bit skinny, but I'll fatten you up once we're in my place. I like my women to be quiet and obedient. Hope you've got a short tongue, sweetheart."

"I have a sharp one," I snapped, trying to pull away, but his grip on me was like iron. I can easily flip him but I can’t do anything rash since everyone is basically looking in our direction.

"I suggest you take your hand off me before you lose it." I whispered quietly, smiling so the people would think we are getting along.

Jago laughed, a wet, grating sound that was so unpleasant to the ears. "Feisty. I'll enjoy breaking that spirit. Maybe I'll start tonight." He leaned in, his breath smelling of stale whiskey and cigarettes. "Don't think your father's name protects you from me. Once the ring is on, you're my property."

“No one can ever claim me.” I gritted my teeth.

“Oh really?” he said tauntingly, and was about to lean in for a kiss and that’s when my facade broke.

I crushed his wrist that was holding me and flipped him over making him fall flat on the floor.

“Cassandra!” Joaquin turned to me, his face filled with concern.

“What did you do!?” Father reached out to me, stopping me from stomping at the filthy pig on the floor.

“This is a mistake Papa, I can’t go through with this.” I said, making his face turn black.

“We already had an agreement, Cassandra.”

“Yes! And I take it back! I’m not gonna marry a filthy cerda.” (pig)

“You!” Jago finally got up on his feet and his men quickly surrounded him.

“What is this Mateo? If my father finds out about this you will all be sorry.” Jago said with a threatening voice.

“If you want to get married so badly then find someone on your own level you filthy pig!” I spat at him, making him fume in anger.

“You!” he pointed and then his men suddenly raised their gums and aimed it at me.

“Don’t even think about it!” My father warned menacingly, making his men tremble but with their master’s orders, they can’t afford to get scared.

Everything was in chaos.

And I for one loved it. Finally, after this I don’t know what will happen to me, but at least I wasn’t forced to wed someone I don’t love.

Call me old school for all I care, but I have always believed that there’s someone out there who is right for me.

And Jago is definitely not it!

“Hand her to me Mateo, or else!” Jago commanded. “She is already my property. Give her to me if you don’t want a fight to break between our clans.” He stepped forward and tried to grab me by my waist.

“Who said she is yours?” A cold dark voice suddenly echoed throughout the place.

Wait… I recognize that voice. It can’t be…

The room seemed to go cold as the heavy double doors at the entrance burst open.

Every head in the room turned as a powerful figure of a man stepped into the light.

I narrowed my eyes on the guy who just walked in and it was really him!

I can’t be mistaken,

It’s Lorenzo!

He walked in with a lethal, silent grace that made every other man in the room look like an amateur. He was in a charcoal velvet suit, looking every bit dangerous and commanding. Behind him, four men moved in perfect formation, their hands hovering near their holsters.

"Who the hell is that?" Francis whispered, his hand drifting to his jacket to fetch a gun in case it was an intruder,

“Shut it Francis!” Father reprimanded.

“That’s Lorenzo Valerio. Put away your gun now.” Father hissed. “We don’t want to offend him.”

Valerio?

Isn’t that the last name of the most influential clan in all of Europe?

Shit!

I looked at him carefully, and realized I just f****d up.

So I bumped, kissed, and puked at the future heir of the Valerio Empire?

Lorenzo didn't look at my father. He didn't look at the guards. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, the entire world vanished.

Then, his gaze dropped to Jago's hand on my waist.

His expression didn't change, but the air in the room became heavy, suffocating. He walked straight through the center of the room, the crowd parting like he was a god among mortals.

"Lorenzo," my father said, stepping forward, his voice uncertain. "We weren't expecting that your clan would send a representative for today’s event.”

This was the first time I have seen my father talking to someone with this high level of respect and recognition.

“Apologies for my surprise attendance,”

“Not at all.” Father smiled in delight.

Well isn’t this the first.

I can tell he wanted to talk more with Lorenzo. However, Lorenzo only cast him a short attention of recognition. He stopped inches away from Jago making Jago flinch in fear.

Lorenzo was a head taller, broader, and infinitely more terrifying.

"You're touching something that doesn't belong to you, Jago," Lorenzo said, his voice laced with danger that sent a thrill of terror and heat through my veins.

"Lo-Lorenzo. Fancy seeing you here," Jago stammered, his face turning a sickly shade of white. He scrambled to let go of me, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I... I was just... the girl is mine. The alliance—"

"The alliance doesn’t rest alone with just your family. It represents the aid of all clans who are part of the Union to satisfy the old treaty with the Spanish Clans." Lorenzo interrupted, his eyes never leaving mine.

He reached out, his large hand wrapping firmly around my upper arm and pulling me towards him.

"And as of five minutes ago, my father stepped down. I am the head of the New Union of the underworld in all of Europe. Which means you no longer have to marry her."

Jago’s brows clenched, clearly unhappy, “Then who will get married to secure the alliance?” he asked, gritting his teeth.

Lorenzo smiled, “Me.”

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

“Wait…Lorenzo are you sure about this?” Father asked in disbelief.

“Certainly,”

He then looked down at me, his thumb grazing the skin of my arm. "I told you we would see each other again, princess ."

He turned back to my father, his voice ringing with absolute authority.

"The deal stands. But the groom has changed. The Accardi clan will no longer represent the alliance but mine. Which means…" he paused, looking at me triumphantly, “I will be your husband.”

"You can't just—" Francis was about to speak out of turn, stepping forward.

But Lorenzo's guards shifted, and the click of four safeties being turned off echoed in the silent hall. Lorenzo didn't even look at my brother which made Francis even more angry.

He carefully leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear.

"Remember what I said in the bedroom?" he whispered, his scent and power shrouding me.

"You're a debt I've decided to collect. And I always collect in full."

He looked up at the shocked faces of my family, his arm sliding around my waist, pulling me into his side with a possessive strength that left no room for argument.

"She's mine," he announced to the room. "And anyone who has a problem with that can air their complaints directly to me." He snapped a look at Jago who looked away instantly.

I could see Jago clenching his fist, wanting to argue, but with Lorenzo’s presence, I guess he has no option but to shut up.

No one moved. No one breathed. I even forgot to speak this whole time.

Lorenzo then led me out of my own father's mansion, and crazy enough, I was met with a terrifying realization.

Not only has my freedom gone down the drain.

It had been hijacked by a wolf! A powerful wolf nonetheless.