Page 31 of Branded in Love
Gavriil’s hold tightens. When I look at him, his gaze is stern and overpowering. “I have to do this,” I whisper to him. “Otherwise, Marco will be doomed, and I’ll never be free of them.”
If I could read his mind, I know what it would say.I don’t want to lose you.But I have no other choice. And he knows I won’t back down, even if he is the Ursa King.
Gavriil’s expression gradually softens, and his subdued stare does not stray from my face. “Very well,” he says under his breath.
He then turns to his brother, Vlad. “You’ve obviously given it some thought,” he breathes. “What’s the plan?”
Vladimir’s eyes brighten at the sound of the words. He raises his chin, a subtle smirk quirking his lips. “There’s an art gala this weekend,” he begins.
“Where?” Gavriil says with impatience.
“Terrazza del Pincio,” Vlad replies fast. “If we make it known that you’ll be there, I’m sure Andrea will not be able to resist. It’s quite an exclusive event… I can get an invita—”
“I’m sure I can get our invitations,” Gavriil cuts him off.
Vlad bristles, clenching his jaw, but he regains composure fast. “While both of you attend the gala, along with the Elite of our brethren,” he adds, glancing at the group, “I will take my pack to Andrea’s lair and strike there.” He pauses. “I save the human. You kill Andrea. Everyone’s happy.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Gavriil says. “Andrea will bring his best blood drinkers with him. You’ll be able to rescue the human with little resistance… Sasha, set up the details with the clan.”
Sasha silently agrees.
I’m not sure I trust Vlad. There’s something about the wolf that makes me shudder. However, Gavriil yields to Vladimir’s embrace as the meeting draws to an end. And as the wolf wraps him in his arms, his feral stare angles towards me, roving my face lazily until Bear and Wolf part again.
23
GAVRIIL
When the last of my clan leaves the manor, it’s only Vlad and me, standing on the terrace. Even when I am overjoyed to see my brother again, I cannot help harsh resentment from tainting my happiness.
“You came,” I mumble, pressing him to speak.
His stormy eyes cut to mine, glistening with magic and earnest sincerity. “How could I not?” he says. “You will always have my support, Gavriil… and my pack’s.”
“You’re living here, in Rome?” I ask, unwavering in my caution.
He nods. “For now,” he says under his breath. “You know me… I’m always on the move.”
“It was not always so.” I raise my brow.
Vlad fixes his cufflinks, struggling to conceal his restlessness. He will not speak of the reasons that led to his estrangement. Perhaps someday he will. I choose not to pressure him.
My gaze drifts to the courtyard, where Luciana wanders. Gold streaks glisten in her hair under the autumn sun. Her cheeks blush and her skin glows, as radiant as if magic lived inside her. Perhaps humans have a magic of their own, or at least a few of them do... I feel my lips stretch in the faintest smile.
“I mean no harm to you, brother…” Vladimir says with a cautious tone. “But I don’t think Father would have approved.”
My stare cuts to him, imbued with a touch of fury. “Our father is not here,” I mumble, vexed. How dare he bring Father into this?
Vlad clears his throat. His upper body shifts away from me. “He’s not,” he replies. “But the clan is, and I wouldn’t want you to suffer any grievances because of them.”
“The last time I chose a shifter, she betrayed me with my clan’s former Enforcer,” I say through clenched teeth. Bella is dead, murdered by Grisha’s own claws. But the beast lives, and he’s somewhere, hiding.
“I will see that Grisha’s betrayal does not go unpunished,” he adds, letting me know that he’s kept track of my life after all.
“I don’t need your help, Vlad,” I mutter. Reminiscing on my Enforcer’s betrayal only heats my blood. “I will find him, and when I do, I will mark the end of his days.” A pause. “My business is my own.”
My brother’s eyes narrow. He tilts his head, intrigued. “Is it?” Vlad asks. “You’re the Ursa King now. Everyone expects you to make a match that will upraise the clan.”
I sigh, reluctant to continue as I glimpse the end of this conversation. “You speak of the Deveraux witch…” I all but roll my eyes back.
