It's no use going over and over my mistakes, though. I tried to make it right, but they didn't even give me a chance to explain myself.
Whatever.
They made their choices, and I'm making mine.
I push my hand through my hair, brushing it out of my eyes. My car is parked at the edge of a drop, and sometimes when I sit here, my intrusive thoughts entice me to race down the steep hill toward the city below and see how fast I could go. I think it's just my mind trying to distract me from my looping misery.
"Fuck sake, Marlen. You chose a Shev girl over your own brother," I huff. I haven't spoken to Simon or Talia either. My whole family has abandoned me, and I've never felt so alone in my life. When Marlen allied with the Shevs and Abashins, he acted like acoward. Those families aren't stronger than ours. Why bow down to them like that?
He was weak. My whole life, I've looked up to Marlen. I've never been disappointed in him until that moment. He effectively erased me from the picture, shoved me aside, and made it clear where his alliance lies. He also showed me he's not as strong as I thought he was.
Grinding my teeth, I let out an angry growl.Ishouldn't be feeling guilty.Theybetrayedme.
My blood boils when I think about all of them. Laughing, spending time together. Forgetting that I'm out here, alone. The Shevs, Abashins, and my family. One giant happy ball of bullshit.
My heart beats faster, and I clench my fists into tight knots. Rage is the only thing holding me together at this point.
And it's time I put all of this pent-up anger into a constructive plan. The people responsible for my life falling into chaos need to pay for what they've done. And I'm going to make sure they get what they deserve.
I didn't even have to come up with the plan. Marlen did it for me a while ago. It was actually his plan to start with. He might have abandoned it, but that doesn't mean it's not a good plan.
Nikita Abashin is the key to everything. Marlen knew it. That's why he wanted me to kidnap her. This time I plan to get it right. There will be no mixing her up with some other chick. I've been studying her movements for weeks. I know exactly who she is.
She is the key to forcing her family and their alliances to do what I want. They'll have no choice but to give me what I want. I don't even care what it is that I demand from them. Territory. A piece of their business. Whatever. As long as it costs them in some way. I want revenge. I want them to suffer in the same way they've made me suffer over these past months.
My phone beeps, and I lift it off the passenger seat next to me and glance at the screen. It's a bright light in the darkness of my car, and I have to narrow my eyes to look at it.
Nikita is on the move.
I flick open the notification and navigate to the tracker app I have installed. I hacked into her phone's location a few weeks ago, and it notifies me whenever she leaves her brother's mansion. It's not very often. I think they have her under lock and key. But Nikita has been naughty enough to sneak out with friends now and then, and it appears she's up to some mischief again tonight.
It makes sense that she would take advantage of the fact that her family is away on vacation.
I watch the dot on the map. Representing her, it moves away from her brother's mansion.
"Where are you going tonight, little rabbit?" I mutter.
Every time I follow her, I'm waiting for the right moment. Everything else is ready. My entire plan has been carefully set up. All I'm waiting for is her.
I press the back of my phone against the magnet holder on my dash. Without taking my eyes off the map, I start my car. "I guess we've got plans then, darling," I smirk coldly. Reversing from the quiet parking bay overlooking the city, my tires crunch against gravel and dirt in the otherwise quiet night.
Pressing my finger against the LCD, the screen flashes as the volume increases.
My heart pulses with excitement. I am the wolf. She is my prey.
That's how it feels every time I watch her, waiting for the right opportunity.
Maybe tonight is the night I get my chance.
Chapter 2 - Nikita
Pink fairy lights hang from one side of my bedpost to the other, flickering a warm glow through my room. The night is dark and cool with pale mist hanging around outside my window. The air smells of fresh salty ocean. I love living near the sea. There is so much space to breathe and think, and clear your thoughts.
Not lately, though. Lately, my brothers have me under lock and key.
Lying on my stomach, I'm stretched out over my bed, wearing sweatpants and a crop top. My hair is pulled up into a messy bun, with black strands falling loose and hanging in my face. There is a magazine open in front of me, but the pages don't have my attention. I bite my lip, resting my chin on my hand and wondering when my life got so freaking boring. It's Saturday night, and I'm home alone. The entire house is quiet. I didn't even have the will or enthusiasm to put music on. I'm bored out of my skull.
My whole family is on a weekend vacation. They wanted me to go with them, but in all honesty, I think it was just to keep an eye on me. And I need a break from their smothering protectiveness.
