THE PROTÉGÉ

Rey's POVThe train stopped at the station, and the passengers started their dance routine, taking synchronized turns getting in and out. My eyes were closed, but I was fully aware of every single movement around me. Two more stops and I'll be out of this stinky metal box. I hated city missions, and I always did my best to finish them as soon as possible, even if I had to skip sleeping.My mind was drafting the report I was due to write once I reach the headquarters when suddenly, my heart started beating fast, and my hands became clammy. I felt a heavyweight press against my chest, making it hard to breathe. My eyes snapped open, roaming the car full of strangers, looking for the source of this intense pressure. When I didn't find it on the train, my eye looked outside my window, and I found it.

Rey's POV"A protégé!! She's a freaking protégé!! Damn it, Luca!! What am I supposed to do?" I yelled the moment he picked up."Rey! What are you talking about?" The Lycan asked lazily. The kids' laughter in the background reminded me that he had guests over."My mate, Luca! I found my mate and she's some vampire's protégé." I punched the wall, making another decorative dent in the office wall. Well, it's Luca's office wall to be precise but I didn't care right now."You found your mate? When? Where?" His tone got serious, giving me hope. I knew that I stood no chance in this kind of situation, but If I have the Lycan's help I could hope for better negotiation with the vampire

 Rey's PovIt all made sense now. All these years of mental training, of hardcore sessions with Luca and facing countless challenging situations, were all leading to this single moment. Shaking the hand of the Solntse clan's lord without crashing his bones. I had no way to be sure that he was the one but that's the only explanation for his presence today.Despite all my efforts, I might have squeezed his hand harder than intended when I remembered what Advica said yesterday. The lord lifted a brow, surprised by the added strength in the supposedly diplomatic greeting, but didn't comment. He just stepped aside and introduced the two other lords, observing our interaction silently."I'd like to see Advica first." He said when we started walking, making me stop. Thankfully, I h

Rey's POV"So, what did you do?" The duke asked Luca after a couple of hours of running through the woods. The Vampire made us run in our human form under the pretext of needing to communicate with us. But the truth is the man was simply being spiteful."What are you talking about?" Luca was in a mood too and was running his frustration out."I'm talking about the kind lady back there. Who was nice and sweet to everyone except her mate. So again, what did you do to piss her off?". He repeated his question with a smirk, earning a low growl from Luca."Nothing!" He spat, running faster, but it was not hard for the duke to match his pace. I sighed running faster and barely reaching them."Reall

Rey's POV"Let them rest, just enough to heal. They don't deserve death yet. I want them both to pay slowly and painfully for what they did to Vivy and all the others they took away. I'm sure Boris would love to have a moment with them too." Duke Anetti spat before leaving the cells. Luca nodded at me, approving his request.I agreed with them too. They needed to suffer for all the things they did. Ther were traitors to their kinds. I'll probably come back to have a go at them too, especially the wolf who took special pleasure hitting and abusing my mate, but not now. I can't do it later. We had bigger things to deal with now. Urgent and frightening matters to face first.With everything we just discovered a few hours ago, I had no time for revenge. I'll do it later when everything is dealt with. Besides, facing the duke and Luca was already a satisfying punishment, a very satisfying first punishment. I snickered, looking at their mangled limbs and disfigured faces. I