ALPHA OF DARKSTONE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ranch del Romance

(Selene's POV)

My wolf; Cruella snarled at the corner of my mind which made me snapped at her for rousing me.

“Shut up, mutt!”

She whimpered and then turned silent. Sniggering, I was about to close my eyes to resume my sleep but she suddenly howled completely waking me up.

"What's your problem, you pest!" jerking my body up, I confronted her but she just grunted and walked back and forth.

My eyes squinted.

She's bothered and I wonder what made her feel disturbed.

Is she sensing someone in the house?

Heaving a sigh and with my brows furrowed, I pushed the blanket off me and slid down the bed.

I turned the lights on, grabbed my robe and slippers before going out of my room.

I did some rounds earlier and it is all cleared. I also made sure all the doors and windows were locked so no one could easily barge in while we're in deep sleep. I even went to the third floor too before midnight to check if my stepdaughter is planning to run away but she's sound asleep when I walked in on her.

That calmed me down a little as I sauntered through the hallway.

Lucy has been obedient ever since she's little. Even if she's sometimes an eyesore, I knew she won't disappoint me for I already had a deal with Mr.Hugo.

I met the businessman in a casino a few years ago. Let's say, I owe him a large sum of fortune for I couldn't control my addiction to gambling.

At first, he took a portion of land I got when my second husband Edward died. Then I sold my most treasured jewelry so I could fully pay him. However, he kept on persuading me to play more until I realized I was already in the pit of debt that even the ranch is not enough to compensate.

I was in distress thinking of what to do until I accidentally mentioned Lucy to Mr.Hugo. The old man was intrigued and when I showed him the picture of my stepdaughter, Lucy's fate was sealed.

There's no backing out and I also have no plan of changing my mind.

I will send Lucy off to marry Mr.Hugo in exchange for my exquisite deficits and as the businessman promised, he will help me with my deceased husband's last will.

Edward has lots of shares of stocks in the company all around the werewolf realm. He also has tons of gold in the bank.

If that wealth is to transfer in my name, then I will be the richest she-wolf in the world.

All I need to do is to dispatch Lucy as soon as possible. She doesn't know about the last will and I will make sure she won't have a glimpse on that paper even in my last breath.

With a wicked smile on my lips, I went downstairs and walked directly to the phone. I dialed Mr.Hugo's number and was immediately answered by the businessman himself.

"I couldn't wait for tomorrow. Send your men and get my stepdaughter now."

The man in the other line chuckled and replied, "That's what I like about you, Selene. You are going to be a perfect mother-in-law."

The 'mother-in-law' word made me feel gagged but I have no choice but to go with the flaw. "Hurry up before Lucy thinks of running away."

"Aye, aye, Madame!" And the call was cut.

I put the phone back to the cradle and smirked.

'The del Romance wealth will be mine and no one can stop me from possessing them!'

THIRTY minutes later, three of Mr.Hugo's men wearing suits finally arrived. As I opened the door, they instantly shuffled inside.

"To the third floor, boys!" I instructed them and they automatically moved.

They went upstairs with me tailing them with a triumphant grin on my face. I felt feverish and my wolf Cruella was jumping in excitement too.

A few seconds more, we finally reached the third floor and stopped in front of Lucy's room. I fished the key in my robe's pocket and unlocked the door.

“Get her now and send my regards to your boss,” I told them and pushed the door leaf's open.

Mr.Hugo's men nodded at me before they trudged inside Lucy's room.

Clasping my hands together, I laughed mentally in joy.

Finally! This house and this ranch would all be min-!

My celebration was immediately cut when the men ran out and growled at me. "Where's the girl?" One of them grabbed my arm and my eyes went wide in shock.

"What?" I muttered and took my arm back. "She's inside, you fool!"

They all looked at each other before their sharp eyes focused back on me. "Your stepdaughter is not in her room, Madame," one of them said with harshness in his voice.

That made me frowned and mumbled, "Not in her room? Did she-" Still not finishing my sentence, I gasped and scampered inside as one suspicion hit me.

The moment I entered Lucy's room, my gaze landed on her empty bed. Her blanket was on the floor but there's no sign of her everywhere. My knees wobbled so I leaned on the wall for I felt like my strength left me. "That ungrateful child."

She escaped!

Breathing frantically, I noticed the open window of the room. Pushing myself off the wall, I walked towards it and looked out. "Lucy! Come back here, you stupid b***h!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as I saw two shadows running to the woods.

My whole body trembled as I felt extreme anger rose in my head.

"I should have known it." My teeth ground and clutched the sill tightly. "She's a big pain in my ass and she's going to be the death of me!"

I then hugged myself as my anger turned to fear.

What should I do now?

Mr.Hugo will surely kill me!