The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness



51. Eye to Eye

~ ENRIQUE ~

"Dante!" Kataleya exclaims as she flings her arms around her brother's neck and he hugs her, lifting her right off the ground, but he is a fucking giant.

"Nice place you got here," Alejandro remarks, his eyes assessing the packhouse before he gives me a strong handshake.

"Of course."

It was late last night when I got the call from Alejandro...

(FLASHBACK)

"Hey, fucker."

"Hello, cabrón," I reply before I look down at the beauty in my arms, not wanting to disturb her.

He scoffs.

"What do you want? Your call will disturb my woman. She's sleeping." I smirk as a low growl rumbles in his throat. "You really are a bastard," he growls. "I called for a reason."

"Yeah, I figured. What do you want?" I answer coldly.

"With the Blood Moon tomorrow, I want to be there for my daughter, and I don't fucking need permission for that, but I thought I'll let you know." He's clearly annoyed with my previous remark about Kataleya.

I cock a brow. "Ah, so you're asking permission then?"novelbin

"No, I fucking ain't," he retorts.

He is in his own indirect way; I can't deny that I am a little fucking surprised.

I smirk arrogantly. "Well, since you're asking for permission so nicely. Sure. Although I would hope even if my answer was fucking no you'd still come for your daughter."

He lets out a deep chuckle at that. "One of the rare fucking things I may have appreciated coming from your mouth."

"Don't get used to it. This is for Mi Reina, not you." I hang up before he can reply and settle down beside Kataleya, kissing her neck softly. She moans in her sleep, snuggling against me as I try to get some sleep. At the rate her mother and the others got here, Alejandro will be here soon enough.

(END)

"Alpha Enrique. We met on the video call, but for the sake of formality, Elijah Westwood, Kataleya's grandfather." The eldest man offers me his hand. He's dressed more casually than Alejandro and Rayhan, yet it does not take away the power he clearly holds. And he has seen a lot in life, that much I can tell from the moment his vibrant cerulean-coloured eyes meet mine.

"It's a pleasure," I respond, accepting his hand. He smiles as he looks over at Kataleya, and then back at me. He pats my back before hugging Kataleya, and then shaking hands with Jose before meeting Kiara.

Then I come face to face with the overgrown cabrón that the djinn was so interested in. He's near 7 feet tall, but his aura feels even bigger. A pair of shades cover his eyes, that I know are molten red. Dante Rossi, the very kid I once tried to kill.

And he stared death in the face without a care, that or he knew I wouldn't do it. His words from back then replay in my mind...

'I won't die. You made that clear the moment you hesitated... why did you hesitate?... Was it because of Kataleya?

No! ... I thought we were having a conversation. Future Alpha to future Alpha... Alpha? I'm not worthy of being Alpha anymore... You're right, but it's not your missing hand that is at fault. It's your attitude. You better fix how you think and become a better person, or I will never allow it to happen... Allow what? Fate.'

What had he meant by fate? My gaze flicks to Kataleya, who is hugging her father, crying softly before I look at the man who stands silently in front of me.

"It's been a while. I think the last time we met was when you tried to kill me, maybe?" he remarks with a smirk. "Yes, you look a bit better. You're not that weak, pathetic pup who was sick." I counter cockily.

"Ah, well you know what they say. Looks are deceiving."

With those sunglasses on, I can't tell what he's thinking.

"Did you lose your manners on the way here, or are you too afraid to look into my eyes, so you hide behind those shades?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

An arrogant smile crosses his lips. "The question is, can you handle it?"

I raise an eyebrow. I'm intrigued. What is the power of a demi-god? "How about we put it to the test?" I challenge, feeling Kataleya place her hand on my arm.

"Hmph." He smiles slightly before reaching up and removing his shades. He keeps his eyes down as he turns the sunglasses over in his hands.

"I'm not sure this is a smart idea." With those words, he looks me in the eye, and I feel the heavy blast of power that is not from this world. That's the only way I can explain it. It's overpowering-consuming.

My own eyes blaze gold to help counter the surge, my aura flaring slightly as I channel my focus to those red orbs. Everything around us seems to fade away. He's powerful, and I can feel the immense weight of that very power, but there's something burning within me that makes it... tolerable.

"Seems you still don't know everything." I remark, refusing to let him see even a little of the effect he's having on me, although I know he's got his aura reined in. He looks almost curious, or maybe impressed. I don't know, I can't read him well.

"I'm glad I don't. I see you hold the title of king; I didn't think you ever would." He counters, his voice equally arrogant as mine may have been.

"I didn't think that you would become so overgrown like a beanstalk, either." I counter, making Alejandro snicker.

Both Dante and I look away, and he puts his glasses back on before looking at his father. Can the Lycan look into his eyes? I can't deny I'm intrigued to know.

"Enrique was able to look into your eyes," Kataleya says, smiling happily, but I don't think it has anything to do with how powerful I am.

"Beta Jose." Jose introduces himself.

"It's a pleasure." Dante takes his hand.

"Likewise," Jose replies quietly. 'I'm going to head inside; his power is crippling.' His voice comes in my mind. I look at him sharply, and instantly realise why Kataleya was happy about it.

Her brother can't really stay in the presence of others. It's difficult for others to be in his presence, and that must make him feel pretty isolated.

Intriguing.

'Sofia, have the private dining room ready for twelve.' I mind-link the chef.

Yes, Alpha. I can have that ready within 30 minutes.

'Perfect.'

"Kataleya, do you mind showing your family in? Give your brother the room two down from ours, and your grandfather the one opposite it." I smirk, hearing Alejandro grunt. "Are you ok there, Lycan?"

Kiara smiles. "He is."

Kataleya giggles, making me turn back to her and she nods. "I'll do that."

"Excellent, breakfast will be served in half an hour. We can discuss matters then," I say to the group. Kataleya places a hand on my arm. "What is it, Mi Amor?"

Another grunt and I cock my eyebrow at him, but he doesn't say anything as the women laugh.

"A word," she murmurs, almost inaudibly as she takes my hand and pulls me inside the packhouse and down the

hall.

"So tell me, did you just want to get me alone?" I smirk, making her blush. But I alone know that beneath that shyness is a nymph who comes forward in the darkness of the night when it's just her and I.

"Don't put naughty ideas in my head," she replies coyly. "It was about breakfast, I was wondering if."

"Breakfast will be held in a separate room. Don't worry."

Her eyes widen, "You know?"

"I saw the effect he has on those around him."

"You didn't seem to be affected at all!" she whispers.

I smirk, "Although I could withstand it, I felt it. But he doesn't need to know that, now does he?"

She smiles, locking her arms around my neck, "I love you." She leans up and I instantly wrap my arms around her waist, I lower my head, making it easier for her to kiss me. But before I can pin her against the wall and kiss her just the way I want, the entrance door opens, and I hear that same annoying growl again, making her tense.

But I still take my sweet time kissing her, enjoying the tingles that dance through me, and only when I'm satisfied do I move away and look at him irritably.

"Really, Lycan, I know you are more beast than human, but can you do anything but growl?"

His eyes glow red, fixed on my hand that is resting on Kataleya's ass. But before he can respond, Elijah chuckles,

turning to Alejandro.

"Now this, this I love. Looks like you've met your match, Alejandro."