2.18: The Belly of the Beast

"You bare another's mark! I should kill you all." He growled. He rushed forward and gripped her by her hair, he pulled hard, making her cry out. He held her head up to face him so he could examine her neck. He leaned forward and trailed his tongue down the side of her neck, she cringed.

She reached to her belt to the dagger she had placed there earlier in Darien's apartment. She gripped the hilt, slowly wiggling it free, trying not to draw Lucien's attention to it. She could hear his animalistic breathing in her ear and she growled low, finally she struck quickly, shoving the 6 inch blade into his belly to the hilt. He grunted low, and released her hair. She fell backwards.

She crawled backwards away from him, toward her parents. She rushed to undo their bonds. Lucien hunched over clutching his belly, his hand on the hilt of the dagger. The soldiers made to move forward, but he held up his hand to hold them back. He placed his hand on the hilt of the dagger, and yanked it out. He held the blood covered blade in his hand.

'You must not kill the male lead! You will fail the world.' Eli chirped sharply in her head. She gasped. Damn it.

Lucien rushed forward and grabbed her again, twisting her so her back was against his chest, the dagger placed against her throat. It pressed hard enough a light trickle of blood slid down the front of her neck. She growled and stilled, if she moved the blade would cut her deeper.

"Fiesty girl." He purred in her ear. She noticed her parents had snuck off during the commotion, she sighed in relief. Maybe they could get to safety, away from him. Cautiously, Lucien let her step away from him, and turned her to face him, the dagger still pointed at her.

"Now, my sweet-" He was cut off as a sinister growl echoed through the streets and a hulking shadow crashed into Lucien, taking him to the ground. Setia gasped and leapt back, until she noticed it was Darien, now on top of Lucien, with his sword placed at the Alpha's neck.

"Lucien, you are hearby stripped of your rank as Alpha of Cantris. You are no longer looking out for the people's best interests." He spat, a large gash ran down his cheek. He must have fought off soldiers on his way down here. He pinned Lucien down.

Lucien growled and gripped the blade of the sword pressed at his throat, forcing Darien back, blood dripped down his hands. He didn't flinch and shoved Darien away. Darien growled and launched forward again preparing to strike, he brought the sword down and hit Lucien in the shoulder. He winced and stayed on his knees.

"What gives you the authority to displace me?" He spat at Darien's feet. Darien came forward and grabbed the back of Luciens hair, yanking his head back, This time he held a gun to Lucien's temple.

"Darien Keys, commander-in-chief of Alliance Networks in Cantris city. We are an organization running the economy in most human-occupied cities in this area. We answer to the people." He held the gun firmly at Lucien's neck. "And the people have decided you are done." He growled.

Lucien tried to struggle to his feet and launch toward Darien. Darien moved to the side and planted his foot on Lucien's back, shoving him into the ground. Darien pressed down on his back. He raised the gun and pointed it at the back of Lucien's head.

"Wait!" Setia cried, scared he'd kill him and end the world. Darien looked up at her, surprised.

"Don't tell me you have sympathy for him." Darien growled, kicking Lucien for good measure. Setia shook her head vigorously.

"We might need him later. Let's lock him in the cells, let the council deal with him." She reasoned. Darien sighed and nodded. He took handcuffs out from his waist and cuffed Lucien. Lucien growled and spat, struggling against the iron bonds. It was no use, he couldn't get free. Setia breathed in a sigh of relief.

"We're taking you to HQ." He patted him on the back. The soldiers surprisingly gathered around Darien, listening to him. He handed Lucien into their custody. He flashed his alliance credentials at the soldiers quickly.

When Lucien was dealt with, Darien turned to look at Setia. His eyes looked both relieved and angry. He marched over to her and gripped her arms, he pulled her into a fierce embrace.

"Don't ever do that again." He growled, clinging her to him. She sighed and relaxed into his embrace, glad to be alive. He pulled back to look down into her eyes, he stared at her lips.

"You came for me." She said in awe, she'd clearly told him to head to HQ in the note. He didn't listen to her. He smiled and nodded.

"Of course I came for you." He leaned down and pressed his lips gently against hers. "I'll always come for you, princess." He looked down at her. Suddenly a look of confusion crossed his features. A look of recognition.

"Setia…" He said, trailing his fingertips down her cheek. She leaned into his touch.

"Darien. Let's get to HQ." She said softly. Once they got business taken care of, she would complete this world. She placed her hand in his, both eager to solidify her victory and sad to be leaving him.

She'd grown very attached to him in the last two worlds. Yet, she had a mission to accomplish.

They wove their way through the city streets, toward Alliance headquarters. She walked hand in hand with Darien. She sighed, knowing what was coming, a change in regime, a new alpha. Darien sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"So, I guess technically I'm the new Alpha." He said, blushing slightly. Setia looked at him and smiled, squeezing his hand.

"I think you'll make a good leader." She said encouragingly. He smiled and nodded, but something about his smile didn't reach his eyes.

They arrived at the tall office buildings that comprised the Alliance domain. Her and Darien walked through the main doors, Setia cried out when arms wrapped around her. She found her mother pulling her into a fierce hug.

"Setia, darling, thank goodness you're alright." She said tearfully. Setia's father stood behind her. He clasped a hand on her shoulder and nodded, his eyes shining. He placed his arm around her mother. Darien placed his arm around her and held his hand out to her father.

"Darien Keys. I'm your daughter's mate." He said firmly. My father's eyes widened and went to my neck, then to Darien, his eyes narrowed as if sizing him up. Setia's mother smiled and threw her arms around Darien, breaking the tension.

"Welcome to the family! Thank you for saving our daughter." She said tearfully. He nodded and flushed.

We turned as a messenger came running in through the doors, he saluted Darien when he approached.

"Sir, Alpha Lucien is going rabid in the cells at the manor. He's demanding to see her." He gestured to Setia. She sighed. She wanted to face him, to see him defeated.

"I'll go." She said resolutely.