Victor's P.O.V
The ballroom reeked of blood and ash. Blood oozed and splattered against the wall and ground. claw marks left behind as unforgettable signs of the events that had unfolded just hours ago.
Victor Blackridge stood at the edge of the destruction, his hands folded behind his back, his glaze sharp cold, and his jaw clenched so tight he could feel the bones grind.
Smoke drifted through the shattered windows. Warriors limped past, dragging bodies—rogues, guests, and a few of his own.
But none of it mattered.
Not the attack.
Not the mess.
Not the lives lost.
Not even the Lycan King's fury.
Only one thing mattered.
Karmella was gone.
He hadn't even seen her slip out. He wasn't sure when she slipped out. Nor did he even know how she got out. His useless guards claimed the rogues must have taken her. Or that she'd died in the chaos. But Victor wasn't a fool.
He could smell her in the wind.
She had run.
Under his nose. In his house. While the Lycan King had stood in his halls.
It was no coincidence.
His fist slammed against the stone pillar beside him, cracking it at the base.
His fist slammed against the stone pillar beside him, cracking it at the base. He was consumed with so much rage that he struggled to contain his wolf. He itched to slice his claws into any and everything that crossed his path between him and her. Even his own people wouldn't be spared mercy.
"Find her," he growled, voice low and deadly. "I don't care if you have to rip through every rogue camp between here, the border or beyond. Bring her back and bring her back alive."
She had the courage to think that she could leave. That she could escape, she could be free. He laughed at the thought bitterly. Didn't she know by now that he owned her, her body, her soul, her power it was his alone his to use. She thought she could run–could hide. Let's show this little deer how a wolf truly hunts.
A warrior stepped forward, pale. "Alpha… the border patrol tracked her to the river. The river beyond our lands, in the middle of the unclaimed lands. The one that borders The Lycan King's kingdoms."
Silence fell like a hammer.
Victor turned slowly, his eyes burning.
"She what?"
"Crossed the river, sir. The river of Darkness. She passed the boundary line. Into his territory."
The warrior didn't have to say who he was. Everyone knew.
Victor's hands curled into fists so tight his claws pierced his palms.
"She won't last long in his domain," another muttered.
"Her scent disappears at the edge. If she jumped in, the chances of her surviving in her condition is almost zero. If she was able to cross, she's in the Lycan King's lands now." added another.
"Even if she made it across the river and onto his lands, no way would she survive the elements. She would most likely die before the king even snuffed her out." his beta Mark stated confidently.
Victor said nothing. Because they were wrong.
She would last. She always did.
The fact that she made it out of his territory; nonetheless to the river, was an impossible miracle itself. She would survive The river of Darkness and if there was anybody that would survive the lycan King himself, it would be her.
That girl was a stain he couldn't wash out. A reminder of everything he lost, everything he could gain. Everything he failed to bury.
And now she was out there.
Alone.
Unclaimed.
On his land.
Victor exhaled slowly, trying to tame the rage boiling and festering inside him.
She can't awaken there. Not under him. Not before I executed my plan. She also couldn't die there, it would ruin everything.
He'd waited too long. Kept her alive just long enough to control the change. To break her before she became what she truly was. He'd risked too much, built too much, dedicated years, and resources. He had done things that he knew guaranteed him a seat in the deepest darkest burning pits of Hell. And he regretted it none if it meant he gained power because with power Not even the lightest emeralds from hell would be able to touch him. The king himself wouldn't even be able to touch him. He would own the lands between Heaven and Hell.
But now?
Now she was his greatest threat.
And he would burn kingdoms to bring her back.
Yes the King was ruthless, vicious, powerful, a god amongst their kind. But Karmella was the key to everything. He was so close, too close. He could taste the power, taste his winnings. It was too late to turn away now. No matter what stood in the way even if it was the mighty Lycan King himself. With determination and manipulation he would have his way. He would have his winnings.