Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Eight

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Eight

DAEMON'S POV

Maybe it was just my mind preparing me for the worst scenario, but I couldn't feel

her presence.

Staring at the castle, I sensed nothing-yet I hoped I was wrong, If she wasn't inside, it could only mean one thing: I was too late.

I hated being out here; it made me feel powerless. I needed to get in, find her, see what was happening,

Seconds dragged on like minutes, and minutes felt like hours. Restlessness gnawed at me, drawing more unwanted attention, but I didn't care. A soldier stepped forward, and I felt my patience thin. If he came any closer, I wasn't sure I could hold back from ripping his head off.

And then, I heard it. The sharp sound of breaking glass.

Fragments rained down as people scattered, shielding themselves from the sharp shards. But I stood still.

I watched the body hit the ground.

Cynthia.

The soldiers came forward, but I raised a hand, stopping them. I walked to her.

If she had been human, a fall from that height would have meant instant death. But of course, she wasn't. Her legs and arm were twisted at odd angles, a dagger embedded in her stomach, but she was still alive, still breathing

I didn't care about her well-being when I spoke.

"Where is she?" I growled, my voice barely above a whisper. I was never one to lose control, but right now, my body shook with rage. The small smile on her face didn't help one bit.

"She's gone."

Gone. Dead.

I picked her up and shifted. We reappeared in the same field where I had stopped Alexander and Kaida earlier. Just like before, there wasn't a soul in sight.

"Strange, we had thought you'd taken her, but it turns out you didn't have an idea either." She said through bloodied teeth.

Taken her?

"What the hell are you talking about?"noveldrama

"She escaped. Someone must have aided her escape; I'm quite sure of it."

Escaped. There was an instant relief; she might still be alive. But the bigger question. Who had taken her? It could have been someone who wanted to get back at me or maybe someone who wanted to hurt her.

"How are you sure she hadn't escaped on her own?" I asked, prying for more information.

"She was at her weakest after being starved for days, and we had soldiers all around; she couldn't have made it on her own."

My mind lingered on the word starved. I remembered how much they'd enjoyed leaving her hungry, and it had been the very reason I'd learned how to cook. I couldn't stand the thought of seeing her go without food.

Chapter Two Hundred and Twerky Eight

Of course, when they got her back, they'd make her pay for every 'reckless' decision she made. Cynthia finally realized her slip.

"Julia was the one in charge of the girl," she said. "But from what I heard, she didn't mean as much to you, you so easily gave her up."

since

"My mistake," I whispered, then lowered myself to her level. Gripping the dagger still embedded in her stomach, I pulled it out. She cried out in pain.

She tried to shift, but she was too weak, and I had her pinned. Wherever she went, she'd be taking me with her. "You aren't exactly the one I wanted," I said, licking the blood off the dagger. "I'd prefer Julia in your stead, but what can I say?" I paused, savoring the taste. "Sweet. Not nearly as delicious as Aliyah's, but the next best thing." "Don't you dare touch me, you filth," she warned, though her eyes betrayed the fear she couldn't hide.

"I could make it quick or painful, but for you, I won't even give you that choice."

Then, I sank my fangs into her neck, tearing through flesh as I drank. She struggled, but with her hands and legs broken, even the mighty empress was powerless to escape. She fought back with flames, but they were no match for mine. Soon, she stopped resisting, surrendering to the pain. I didn't let go, drinking until I'd had my fill.