"That can be arranged," Saint announced. "Any type of bloodshed would be a bonus after the chaotic craziness yesterday delivered and this morning has awakened."
"We need to figure out how they found the safe house," Jayce added, and I knew he was pissed off now. "Had to be through our connection."
"Don't bother," Onyx answered. "I know who did it."
"Color me intrigued." My wolf decided to speak, and only further piqued my interest with this new information.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Crazy bitch has been doing her own little investigation for other reasons."
"Crazy bitch?" Saint inquired.
"Aurelia," I answered, already picking up on the title Onyx used to describe Willow's powerful best friend, the witch hybrid. Her energy was probably the most unique I'd seen, outside of Willow's.
It would be unnoticeable when she entered a room, but when she wanted to be known, the world would light up with neon greens and blues, the colors intertwining into an immaculate shade of yellow that blended it all together.
"Meaning she was investigating us?" Jayce suggested.
"In the beginning, yes. This investigation started when your pack entered with the other pack. However, when things got messy with Germany in particular, Aurelia wanted to find out more. It all leads back to your old base."
"So, Garfield," Saint concluded.
"That wasn't Garfield," Onyx announced. "The one in the video? That was his brother."
"Hold the fuck up," Saint commented. "Garfield does not have a brother."
"Certainly does," Onyx argued. "A twin, at that. Was going to bring it up after our run, but we all know how downhill that went."
"Could explain why he was rather weak at security when he was one of our best back in Cali," I noted.
"Which brings up a question," Onyx stated and I sensed he was looking directly at me. "How did you manage to own this much land in NYC under Roberto's watch? He may be a shithead in the realms of business, but he's a strong Alpha when he wishes to move his short ass."
"I'll answer that when we get upstairs," I replied as the car came to a stop.
It's showtime.
The others knew that it was time to wear our masks of power and get to our final destination before casually speaking once more. My drivers were sworn to keep everything spoken within these walls private or they would be my next painting project, but they didn't know I'd gotten them spelled the last time I'd taken a short visit to NYC to ensure things were running smoothly.
The doors were opened by the multiple men in black with red ties, all of whom bowed as we exited the vehicle and made our way onto the red carpet that ran up the many flights of stairs.
The building blended perfectly with the rich, busy streets of East NYC - a long time coming in comparison to when I was but a child and decided I'd make this entire district a secret base. Back then, the surroundings weren’t close to developed, which left it looking rather bare in comparison to now.
It was an impulsive buy, one I wasn’t originally keen on because of the lack of investment benefits. With hot spots soaring in California, NYC was like an empty shoebox to most investors.
This building was trash before, but one thing that was unique was how the energy of the living flowed effortlessly through the walls. It was an illumination far different from any building in this district, and that was something I couldn't possibly ignore.
With Roberto running it, no one saw any value, but my instincts knew better.; that leadership and control wouldn't last forever in these realms. As long as you had enough money and moved like a snake in a thick forest, no one would see you when you made your first strike.
Our striking moment is approaching.
Every step we took brought people to a stop, bowing at our arrival, something I'd made sure wouldn't happen last time I'd brought the Forbidden Pack to these parts. I did it on purpose, informing my resources that we had to lay low because of a few mega deals we had in Cali.
None of them were supposed to know of this place, but by then, Dimitris had earned my trust enough to see a glimpse of my power.
He knew I respected him or else I'd overthrow him and destroy everything he worked years to obtain from his previous world of poverty.
I wasn't the type to be a leader, to motivate others to play to my tune and do what was obvious. The way I led was out of silence. My arrival should’ve already ignited my followers to discover everything I needed to know about any potential enemies on our dartboard, and that required discipline and consequences that only I could deliver.
Consequences they all knew would be theirs if they dared to fuck up.
By the time we reached the elevators, a woman was already waiting for us - her hands trembling while she carried a red folder that I was sure had everything we'd need for my brewing plans.
Dimitris would be pleased.
"Requested files, Prince," she announced and bowed her head further. "Zane has been contacted. He's in a tricky situation and can't promptly arrive. However, he's sent a woman."
She rose up to see my obvious frown and she quickly added, "S-She states she's acquaintances with the individual needing care."
That caught my interest, while my world of black and color briefly focused further right. I almost missed the flicker of golden teal, but I caught it fast enough.
"Ms. Clementine," I announced. The shift in the others' energies behind me only confirmed they hadn't sensed Aurelia's energy at all.
"You pick up fast," Onyx muttered, before adding, "Aurelia, come out already. We're wasting time."
There was her unique giggle, and her energy flashed through the spot she'd been deliberately hiding in. She was such an intriguing individual, and her friendship was more intriguing seeing as they were rather opposite in nature.
Yes, Willow held a psychotic side to her that was triggered when her body became an imbalanced concoction of power, but Aurelia? She was fucking crazy, and someone you'd want on your side of the playing field.
If she'd been with Zane, that told me she’d already made connections with him.
Or killed him. Would be a waste of talent if she had.
"Should I even ask how you got here?" Onyx inquired as Aurelia now joined our group. I couldn't see her physical appearance at the moment, but I could assume she was dressed in elegant attire like she'd come from an extravagant ball with her hair having a slight levitating force to it.
"Nope." Her voice was rather deadpan.
That explains why her energy is rather murderous.
"Shall we?" I questioned, my words encouraging everyone to get into the waiting elevator. I knew that the walls were gold with mirrors and red foil designs that gave off a shimmering glow.
The elevator guard pressed the top button of the 70-floor building, and we rode out the speedy rise in silence. Once we arrived, the doors opened right into the penthouse suite where classical music hummed through the surround sound speakers, and the delicately rich platters of fruit, snacks, and steaming hot food were already prepared.
We exited the elevator and I looked to the guard.
"No disturbances, except for Dimitris and his companion."