LUCIAN
I watched her through the security camera. My phone plugged to my ear, I dialled Lucas's number.
"Find out everything about her. I want to know everything," I ordered then dropped the phone.
I kept staring at the clearest picture I had of her. She looked very familiar, too familiar.
When was the last time I met someone who had the same effrontery she had? She really looked into my face and not only that, she called me an asshole, a jerk!
A smile played across my lips with a very bad thought on how to handle her once I got a hold of her. I could end her whole life without her knowing.
Later during the day, Lucas came back with a report. I'd been anxious with anticipation since the girl came into my office. Aria. Aria Valen, the name she called herself.
I've never heard of it and I knew all the Valen family. How could I not, when we are family.
And if Aria claims to be a Valen, doesn't that make her and Selene sisters? Or cousins maybe.
The crazy urge to kiss her when I pinned her to the wall flashed in my head. I'd been one second away from locking my lips with hers but she started choking. I thought I'd broken my shield.
"What do you have for me?" I asked Lucas. He took a seat and handed me an arranged document.
"She is the lady you saved from the club five years ago," he said and handed me his phone. The video of what happened back then was displayed on his phone and somehow, it frightened me.
"Take care of that video. I don't ever want to see it anywhere."
"Okay, your Majesty."
"Go on."
"She was rejected by her mate, Damien Creatfall. She was also rejected by her foster family, the Valens. After this period, she was seen in the club as a worker before what happened… happened."
I raised my brows and I read the details, flicking the tip of the paper.
"What happens after that?" I asked.
He shrugged. "She disappeared. Some said she died but she is back. She has applied everywhere for a job and it turns out Damien blocked all her applications with Selene."
I laughed slyly. "Werewolves never learn their lessons. By foster parents, you mean, Ronan? My brother?"
Lucas pursed his lips and then nodded.
This was becoming more and more interesting. I never knew Ronan adopted a child. And if he did, why let her suffer this way? Perhaps being a werewolf had turned him back into the monster he used to be.
Although I've fought my way to glory and now sit as a Lycan King, Ronan wasn't so lucky. He always wanted things to be done for him and since our mother died, he had nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Somehow, I understand the lady, Aria Valen. The feeling of being rejected by family, Some of us have great experience from that field.
"Do everything you will, make sure she comes back here as my secretary."
Lucas gave me a questioning look but didn't ask me anything else. He dared not. But the young lady, she had looked into my eyes and called me a jerk. She called me an asshole and she said it all with no fear in her face. Even when I choked her, she wasn't scared, she was just in pain.
Those eyes…amber like golden flames.
There is an amount of pain that breeds people like her. And that's why I need her to be my secretary. I found myself smiling at the memory of her in my office. Hiding and threatening me in my own company.
"So," I murmured. "Have you found her?"
Lucas sighed heavily and shook his head, he knew who I meant. I knew it was a near impossible task but he is the only one I knew could try everything and play all his cards to get something done for me.
"I still can't figure out who it is," he murmured.
I sighed and rested in my chair. It's been five years. I remember her standing in front of Ravenwood. The way she begged me to stay with her. The love we made, the beauty of her body, it was her first time. Yet, I never met her again after that one night.
That morning, I made the worst decision I have ever made since I was born. Because for the first time in my life, I left peacefully without nightmares.
"Anything else?" I asked, tossing my head back.
"The armed men. We got one new application. The name is anonymous as you have directed but this time, the new member is a lady. I needed to ask you if we should allow her or send her back. She would be the only woman in the field."
I didn't think much about it. "Let her be, for now. Let's see if this would work out, then we can start having more females come forward. She's a brave woman."
"What about the drawing? Should I still leave it for auction?"
I fell silent.
"We will talk about that later. Leave it."
I dismissed Lucas and went home with the files he'd dropped off with me. I pushed the thoughts of the ladies aside and spent more time working on the new entries for this month.
The guards who are the armed men were my favourite group to analyse. It was my one rule, the one thing I needed to do to keep my workers safe, keeping their identities hidden. The only thing we have to recognise them is their blood samples we get during recruitment.
Once in a while, I go to their camp and see their real faces, learn some of their names and get to see how they work.
Without much thought, I stamped the document to allow the female to join.
The moment I lay down to take a nap, my dream started, in a more subtle way. There was faint music, like the angels chose to sing from on high. Flowers bloomed everywhere and in a garden, I saw a lady, dressed in a silky floral wind-friendly dress that flowed with her light dance.
Her hair was white, her lips and cheeks were rosy, just like the rest of my dreams. She smiled and laughed, a laughter that echoed through my slumber.
And again, I didn't see her face, but this time, she spoke.
"Soon," she said. "Find me soon."