Nicklaus POV

"Also, we have captured the were-b*tch that attacked King Xander, along with two other humans," she tells, stopping me right in my tracks.

"Bring them in," I command.

The moment my men walk in, my chest is ablaze.

The wolf bitch's scent awakes my monster completely. She and some other humans who escaped during the raid on Cyrus's penthouse are shoved inside the tent.

Crimson red bleeds into my vision completely. I can feel Claire's presence inside my mind. My little firecracker has learned how to communicate with me already. It's really no surprise. She has communicated with me before in her dream state, so of course, she knows how to access her bond instantly.

The wolf bitch's eyes glow yellow the moment I come into view. She releases a low growl. Her wolf is present.

Good! I want her wolf to fight for its life.

My fangs descend.

"Welcome back, Mecca."

* * *

Claire's presence is no longer inside my mind. I can still feel her soul attached, but it's more like a ghost of her presence. She's not aware of my actions at the moment. I don't want her to be aware of this side of me.

I close my mind off completely, making sure she can't breakthrough. Commander Ravana throws the dog directly in front of me. Another comrade of mine is holding her in place on a silver leash.

I'm no fool. I know the silver doesn't have any effect on her. She has only been captured because she wanted to. She most likely was under the impression that Claire would be with me.

My crimson red vision zooms in on her two toys—Xander's chosen bitch and the slave boy that was attracted to my beloved, the slave that got away. How great? He can also meet his end once and for all. His face is bloody and his body has numerous fang marks up and down his skin.

The stupid human boy really attempted to fight against my monster, and for what? All in hope of finding my beloved? He can't be that stupid. He should have run far away from here. Now, he will die as a consequence of his stupidity.

I raise my eyebrow once my eyes lock with Xander's chosen bitch. I'm surprised this selfish b*tch would risk her life for the dog's cause. She lowers her eyes in submission. She's not that stupid. She is perfectly aware that I would end her before her frantic heart skips another beat. She'll be a bloody mess drenched in scarlet, from her red hair all the way down to her black combat boots.

I control the urge to laugh in her face. How dare she? The chosen bitch should know better than to bite the hand that feeds her.

I give Commander Ravana the signal to handle her. I may be a monster, but a woman beater is not one of my traits unless you are a wolf bitch. However, they are not human; they are animals. It's a major difference.

They all attempt to break free as the commander draws closer. Ravana's natural hazel eyes flicker violet as she sends her first strike to the bitch's face, easily leaving a purple bruise. Adding to my surprise, the chosen whore doesn't make a sound. Oh, someone is trying to be brave.

I nod and Ravana strikes her again. This time the bitch spits out blood but still holds back her urge to scream. Mecca releases a growl.

I smile in her direction. "Don't worry, doggy. You shall have your time to play."

Her already yellow eyes glow brighter.

"Someone is anxious," I taunt.

She spits at my feet in response. The dog has always been rebellious, stupid, and full of defiance.

"Leave her alone, leech," the foolish slave boy spits.

I'm in front of him faster than he can blink. I plunge my fangs into his neck, not caring about damaging any flesh. This causes the chosen whore to scream and shift into her wolf.

I release the nearly drained boy and give her my undivided attention. She viciously claws at the chain to break loose.

Leave it to Mecca to find a way to endure pain and lessen it. That's exactly why it was so fun finding many ways to torture her—breaking her bones, using different chemicals that were repelling to her, and plunging different amounts of diluted silver into her veins. I have Cyrus to thank for that one. He has always been great at thinking of ideas that don't come to my mind automatically. He once pointed out that the were-bitch depends on her sense of smell more than others. I don't know why I didn't realize that before. The sense of smell is the most developed sense of a dog. They have great olfactory memory.

With that thought in mind, I walk over to the table in the corner. I've directed my men to utilize acanthite with ammonia to help hinder the other dog's sense of smell. This trick has proven to be of great use.

The dogs' Queen Luna has been a really good guinea pig. Her growls become louder when I dip the rag inside the container of mixed chemicals. She is perfectly aware of the effect and harm that it shall cause to her sense of smell. Taking away a dog's sense of smell is like losing its sight. They can't see without it.

Commander Ravana kicks the chosen whore on the side of her head, knocking her out. The smell of her blood invades my nostrils, causing them to flare.

I love the smell of my enemy's blood. My monster is clawing to have his way with her next. If it wasn't for Claire, I would allow my men to have their way with her, but after experiencing the trauma with someone I love first hand, I will never tolerate that type of torture either again. I'm disgusted that I allowed myself to pass that rule in the first place. No one should experience this.

Just thinking about the situation makes fire spurt through my body. No worries, I'll take my frustration out on the wolf bitch.

My mouth starts to water, and my monster claws harder.

Come on, wolf bitch, break free.

She doesn't disappoint. She breaks free, plunging her cannons and claws into one of my men, ripping his head off in the process before pouncing in the air.

Commander Ravana intercepts her, wrapping her arms around her tightly and crushing her bones. My personal guards run into the room, ready to end her.

I hold up my hand, refusing to allow any more interruptions. There is no need to add more to this party. The sound of her growls fills my ear as I viciously sink my fangs into her throat. I spit out the wolf bitch's foul-tasting blood.

I never enjoyed feeding on the bitch. It always tasted more bitter than most dogs.

She manages to clench her claws across the face of Commander Ravana, who hunches over in pain and drops the beast. The dog bitch lands onto her feet and bounces back into the air, slamming her body into me. My guards growl but they won't dare intervene after a direct order from me not to.

I wrap my arms around her neck as we fall, completely cutting off her air supply. She squirms around, attempting to lunge her claws into my side but is unable to break. I plunge my fangs into her throat and sink my claws into her side in retaliation. She whines and starts to panic. The fire burning inside me only grows fiercer and is more disastrous.

It pleases my inner monster, and I allow him to have some fun biting down deeper into her throat. The silvery, salty taste of her blood fills my mouth as she howls and howls until she starts catching her breath.

She begins to twitch, and her body temperature drops drastically as she shifts back into human form. She's not dying, but she is close to losing consciousness. A trueborn vampire could end a werewolf with their bite, but the Luna and Alpha must be killed with a silver bullet to the heart for a permanent kill. Plus, I wouldn't let her off this easy. She will suffer. My playtime has just begun.

I throw her limp body to the floor. Commander Ravana stands to her feet and latches onto the chosen whore. She plunges her fangs into her flesh, causing screams to once again fill my ears. My vision bleeds brighter as her heartbeat slows down. This has been a fruitful day.

I snatch the wolf bitch by her hair. She is barely awake. I throw the rag into her mouth, and she gags and vomits from the chemicals. Her body starts to hyperventilate, and her heartbeat increases rapidly as she releases ear-splitting screams. She claws at her own skin like the beast she is.

Yes, this has been an extremely prosperous day. The chemical mixed together will poison the dogs. It's extremely effective in inflicting pain that even her mate can feel the pain she is experiencing. We haven't tested that theory, but thanks to our success today. We have plenty of lab rats to test our hypothesis

"Ravana," I call out right before the chosen whore's heart takes its last beat.

She's not dead. Yet. However, that will change soon. All their deaths will be by my hands. My monster wouldn't have it any other way.

Ravana drops the girl at once. "Yes, sire."

"Hand me the gun," I order.

She eagerly follows my command. What an honor to be the one to hold the gun that will rid this b*tch of life! The dog is still clawing at her skin—deranged—while the slave boy's heart rate picks back up, indicating he is coming around to awareness.

Perfect. I want him to bear witness to the grand finale.

All of a sudden, my head starts to pound. I can now recognize it's Claire trying to breakthrough. It's her form of communication with me. I don't know why I was unable to put it all together the first time around when she is the only person in this universe who can cause me mental pain.

Claire will never approve of what's about to go down.

I decline her request to enter my mind, and my head starts to pound more heavily, which means she is trying harder. We play this game with each other back and forth. She refuses to back down, and I'm perfectly aware of how much pain she experiences every time I shut my mind off to her. This is the only reason why I let her in.

I close my eyes, and Claire's captivating face comes into view. Every single time I lay eyes on her, it's like seeing her for the first time again. Her beauty is enchanting, bewitching, and alluring.

"You need to stop now, Nicklaus," she demands, getting straight to the point.

Her words catch me off guard. She shouldn't pinpoint my action this soon. The emerald in the pendant around her neck glows brighter, and my skin starts to tingle, while Claire's heart beats frantically. My neck begins to itch the very moment she places her hand around her neck. She's going to command me; I can feel it. I wonder if the necklace has anything to do with her accessing her powers that shouldn't be accessed until we are completely blended.

"Firecracker," I call, the tone of my voice compelling.

Her electrifying green eyes are on me, as she scrunches up her nose.

Fuck, she caught me.

"Don't try to use that vampire voodoo bullshit on me," she snaps.

I'm completely lost for words. This girl has always surprised me in a way not even my own mother can. This woman has managed to perform the impossible with every task placed upon her. She is the epitome of power.

My neck starts to itch again, and I notice the emerald glowing brighter. Claire's eyes glow along with it. How she manages to wield the power of the precious stone is truly extraordinary.

"Earth to Nicklaus."

Her honey tone brings me back to reality. Usually, I do not easily get distracted unless Claire is involved.

"You can't kill Mecca. She is my best friend, and boyfriends don't kill their girlfriend's best friend."

My monster doesn't like her verbiage concerning the wolf bitch, but he is thriving on the title she has used to label our relationship.

"Boyfriend," I reply. I can imagine her face catching fire. "I'm far more than your boyfriend, firecracker," I tell her, knowing perfectly well of the effect I'm causing to her body. "I'm the gasoline that's poured onto that burning inner flame that you hold inside your soul," I whisper, seductively and extremely low.

Her arousal floats freely once again like we are in the same room. I inhale the mouthwatering scent that I can't wait to taste. Tonight is the night I'll finally claim her body once and for all.

"If you really feel that way," she says, "you will grant me this one favor. Please, spare Mecca's life."

My monster growls in response. He doesn't like her questioning our loyalty or even considering that we feel anything but love for her.

I can see her fight the urge to roll her eye. Dream-like state or not, Claire shall always be Claire.

"Don't do that," I warn her.

"Don't talk to me like I'm anything but you're equal," she retorts.

I fight the urge to smile at her words. As I just stated, Claire shall always be Claire, my firecracker. I wouldn't accept or expect anything else.

"I'm still your king. My words are final." I challenge her, and I'm sure it irks her to no end. I bet her chest is blazing with unconcealed rage.

I allow myself to feel her emotions. As expected, intense rage travels down my spine.

"I could care less if you were my creator," she spits. "I am your queen, and a king is nothing without his most valuable player. Don't test my patience, Nicklaus," she speaks, like the true queen that she is. "I'm asking you as your partner, ally, and most-trusted adviser to spare my friend."

Pride runs through me. My true beloved has always shown courage. She has always stood out like a needle in a haystack amongst her species—a really shiny and pretty needle. She has never communicated like the ruler she was born to be, but now she understands how to move without being stopped on a chessboard. It's fascinating.

"I'll make you a deal," I suggest. "Three of your friends' lives are in my hand. I'll give you the option to save one."

"I will not do such a thing," she speaks through clenched teeth.

I can feel her slipping. Her time is coming to an end. The physical pain her body is currently enduring is taking its toll. Xander had better give her my blood at once.

I take a moment to think. I want to rid the wolf bitch of everything in me, but I don't want to cause my beloved any more pain. She has been through enough.

"Your wish is my command, my queen. You have my word that no further harm shall come to either one of your friends."

  <🌑> 
Awake Update. Please don't forget to hit that golden star ⭐️ comment and follow. I'm sorry about the late update but as promised it's a double update today. Thanks for your patience.

Q: Have you ever experienced true love?