Shattered fragments of Darius' heart were scattered everywhere for anyone to see. His breath was caught in his throat and he felt like he was suffocating which was technically impossible for a vampire. They did not need air to physically survive. Yet he felt like he was dying. Deva was his air, his life. And he was losing her. She was slipping through his grasp. He wasn't even sure he could go on without her. Darius took hold of a chair and didn't know he was clinching his fist until he heard a snap. The chair broke and distracted him only but a moment. 

Deva went to him. She went to Darius' one true enemy and released him from his imprisonment those few years ago. She went behind his back. Darius felt like a fool. How could he not have known? He tried so hard to be all that she needed. He understood the bond she had with Adamarius but he thought he could fill in the gap and replace him completely for her. He thought it had worked. The first few years they lived in bliss and once Alcide was born he know nothing could take her away from him and their son. How wrong he was? 

She was an incredible actress. How long had she felt her feelings and this secret bottled up? Was it all a lie? Did she even love him or was there some sick twisted motive to all his suffering? The deceit was too much to bare. Darius ducked his head and bile came flooding out. He was dizzy with grief and deception. His body suddenly gave out and he slumped to the floor. Thousands of plunging daggers could not compare to the torturous he was feeling.  

Was it a lie? Was it always just a lie? Darius had unstoppable tears cascading down his face. Deva was his everything. His whole life revolved around her. The way she kissed him, loved him, it was beyond words. No, he shook his head. Deva loved him. Even if it was just a moment Darius knew she loved him. After hours of dwelling in the deep anguish of realization Darius heard the door open. 

"Daddy," Aclide rubbed the sleep from his eyes. 

Darius immediately got up, hoping his face would not give away his distraught state. He didn't want his son to worry. "Alcide why aren't you in bed?" 

Darius lifted the tiny boy in his arms. "I miss momma." Deva would usually stay with his in bed till he fell asleep. 

"Me too, son. Me too." Darius hugged him tighter. They only had each at the moment. "But she'll be back soon." There was no way she would abandon them.  He knew in his heart she loved their son too much to let go. 

Alcide's tiny little fingers curled into Darius' hair, something Deva always did when something was on her mind. 

"Everything is going to be ok," he tried to sooth. 

Alcide nodded. "Can I sleep with you?" 

Darius was already carrying him into his room. "Of course." 

Darius watched as his son cuddled close and shut his eyes. It wasn't long till Alcide was completely knocked out. He was tired and exhausted to begin with. The sun was peaking through the windows when an urgent knock filled his ears and woke Darius from his restless daydream. The culprit didn't even wait for an invitation before storming in. 

Marcus looked panic. "Darius something has happened." 

By the tone of his voice Darius knew it was serious. He gently got out of bed, careful not to wake Alcide. 

They entered the study room where Lucian and a guest, a man Darius had never seen before, were waiting. 

"What's going on?" 

Lucian averted eyes contact while pacing around the desk. The stranger gave Darius a fearful swallow before replying. Darius was a king that no one wanted to have on his bad side. 

"The lycans attacked king Alexander's kingdom last time." 

Darius clinched his jaw. This was more good news. 

The stranger pulled out a tablet and played the footage of the attack. "Your wife was the one who lead them." 

"That's impossible," Darius roared while snatching the video from his hands.

Deva would never jeopardize her position or the lives of her people. But there it was in plain sight. Deva forged on the lycans and watched as they attacked and feed off innocent vampires. He zoomed in on her face. How could it be her? This only meant one thing, war. Soon Rathgaurd would wage war against the lycans including Deva. Rathgaurd had been itching to kill them for centuries now. 

Darius turned to Lucian. "Take me to king Alexander. We need to straighten this out." 

Lucian nodded in agreement. Marcus was too involved to let them go by their selves. King Alexander and Rathgaurd were standing by their thrones as if anticipating their arrival. 

"Ahh king Darius so good of you to come." Rathgaurd mocked. "As you can see we survived our little attack last night despite your wife and her mongrels pathetic attempt." 

"That was not my wife!" Darius was certain of it. 

"Have you not seen the footage? Queen Deva was clearly the one leading them on." Alexander was one with his father. 

"It has to be a mistake. Deva would never order such an attack." 

"Oh we all know her dislike of us. She was never too fond with our traditional ways." Rathgaurd smirked. This was the perfect excuse for him to try and destroy her. 

"Not to mention your hatred towards her kind," Lucian added. 

"This was just a fortunate part on our account." 

Going against a kingdom and killing innocents was a capital punishment. If they stayed true to their law Deva would have to pay for her crime. There was no exceptions when it came to other kingdoms.

"Alexander you must see it." Alexander was a puppet in Darius' eyes. Rathgaurd had more control over his son than anyone else. "My wife was under the curse just as much as the other lycans. Their actions were not of their own accord." 

Alexander's heated eyes were only after one thing. "Fifty seven of my people were killed last night because of those vicious creatures. How is it your wife, the queen, who is so vastly known for her strength and ability not able to control her urges? If she is so incredibly grand like the prophecy says then how could she not survive this curse?" 

His words were burning into Darius' soul. 

"What are you insinuating?" Marcus narrowed.

"She knew what she was doing." Alexander casually leaned back. "And the punishment for such a crime will possibly leave you without a queen." 

Rathgaurd glistened with glee. Darius went pale. How could this happen? There was nothing the brothers could say. They had evidence. Deva was guilty. Again Darius felt sick to his stomach.

"There will be a bounty in her head. You better hope you get to her before we do." It was a warning.  

Lucian teleported them back home before another word could be spoken. There was silence. The shock and realization was still holding them captive. 

"Who else knows about this?" 

"No one," Marcus replied. 

Lucian smashed his fist against the wall. "Adamarius was supposed to keep her safe and out of harm’s way. How the hell did he let this happen?" 

"He was never to be trusted." Marcus ranked through his thoughts. "What do we do now? If Alexander gets a hold of her it's all over." 

"Perhaps that's what she wanted." Darius finally broke out of his trance.

"What are you talking about?" It disgusted Lucian to hear his brother even think that low of her. 

"What if Alexander is right? Deva is meant to exceed everything unimaginable. Her strength has no end. How could she not control it now, at a time like this?" 

"You're talking blasphemy!" Marcus didn't even want to hear it. 

"She needed him. She has always had this bond with Adamarius that I could never stop. No matter how hard I tried she still needed him. That's how he escaped five years ago. She let him go." Darius felt his world crashing down. "What if they had planned this... long ago? The rise of the lycans would be the perfect revenge for Adamarius." 

"Deva freed him?" Lucian was extremely surprised. 

Darius nodded. "She told me last night. I saw her but I was angry and she said she had to leave. The moon was coming up." 

"She would never betray us. She loves you brother. She would never betray you." Marcus was sure of it. 

"What's going on?" Julia's frightened voice echoed across the room. 

Marcus forced a smile onto his face as he turned to his wife. Julia had her hands around her plump belly. She was due any minute and it worried him to see her up and about. 

"Nothing, my love." Marcus pulled her into an embrace. "What are you doing up? You should be resting." 

She frowned. "The baby was kicking all night. I couldn't sleep and you weren't in bed." She tip toed to give him a kiss. "What were you arguing about." 

Marcus shook his head. He didn't want to worry her or upset her in her delicate condition. "Nothing." 

"You can't lie to me anymore. We're married. I can tell when you're lying." 

"It's nothing for you to concern about." He was stubborn but so was she. 

"It's about Deva, isn't it?" They were quiet and she looked to Darius for an answer. "Is she okay? What happened?" 

"Nothing," Darius whispered.  

"She is my family. Tell me!" She shouted in anger. 

"The lycans attacked king Alexander's kingdom. He will hunt her down and possible kill every lycan in sight." 

Julia shook her head and started to cry. She could not help the extra emotions that sparked within her due to her pregnancy. Marcus pulled her tight as her whimpering body crumbled. 

"No, no you can't let that happen." 

"We'll do everything we can to prevent anything bad from happening." Marcus soothed. 

The family waited anxiously. They're first thought was to go after Deva but she was nowhere to be found. Izzy even went back to the lycan cave but no one had seen Deva or Adamarius. Panic was an understatement. 

"Sebastian!" Elle questioned as he burst into the room. 

"I don't recall anyone inviting you over," Max mumbled. 

"The news has spread everywhere. I've come on behave of my father and myself." Sebastian pledged his loyalty to Darius. "We support you and queen Deva and will do anything to help your cause." 

"Thank you. It's means a lot." Darius felt a small relief to have one less enemy. 

"Do you know where she is?" Sebastian was just as concerned as the rest of them. 

"No," Marcus replied. "And we fear any minute a war will break out."

The vampires now have an excuse to obliterate the lycan race once and for all. Rathgaurd and Alexander would stop at nothing to take back their command and slaughter any in their way. 

It was almost noon. Darius was thankful Alcide was still sleep. He wasn't sure how to explain let alone approach the subject. Alcide needed his mother and Darius needed his wife. 

The sun was fading into a hot pink, filling the sky with a rainbow effect of colors. It was then when a silhouette figure appeared through the trees. Darius' heart was pounding with fear and anxiety. Deva had blood stains and rip marks all over her body and clothes. Her eyes were bruised and tainted with the struggles of a hellish night. She dragged her feet forward like there was a weight trying to hold her still. 

"Deva!" Julia got up from her chair with assistance from Marcus. 

Darius took a step towards her but suddenly stopped, paralyzed. His wife was only a few feet away from him but he was cemented to the ground. No amount of will power would release him from the invisible hold. Then Alcide came rushing past them, straight into his mother's arms. Deva wanted to break down but instead held onto her son tighter. 

"Momma I missed you. Are you back?" 

Tears ran down her torn face. "I missed you too baby. I'm back. I'm back forever." She courageously raised her eyes to Darius. They were illuminating violet and poisoned with determination. 

The family crowded around her. "Deva are you alright?" Izzy hugged her. 

"I'm fine. It was hard to wake up this morning. Last night felt like a nightmare." 

"Deva what did you do last night?" Lucian's suspicious voice made her question his interest. 

"What do you mean? Has something happened?" 

Julia stretched out her hands. "Here I'll take Alcide inside." 

Alcide refused to let his mother go. It was breaking her heart to make him leave but she knew it was a conversation of great importance. "I'll be right behind you. We'll have breakfast together but first I need to talk to your father and uncles." 

Alcide skeptically examined his family before kissing Deva's cheek and letting go. As soon as they disappeared from sight Deva prepared herself.

Marcus stepped up and handed her his phone. He played her the video and Deva was felt speechless. How could this be her? She spent most of her night with Adamarius. She had to admit a part of that night was a little blurry but there was no way it was her in the video. There was no way she would lead a vicious pack of lycans to attack. 

"This isn't me." 

"We know it isn't." Elle confirmed.

Deva noticed Darius' emotionless face. Did he not believe her? Could she blame him? She confessed a part of her and wasn't sure if Darius was content with it. 

"It wasn't me." She felt an incredible urge to make him believe her. "It wasn't me." Her foreign exotic eyes were pleading for his understanding. 

Darius stood frozen, giving nothing away. Their eyes were locked for what seemed like an eternity. 

"Darius! They're here!" Marcus shouted as King Alexander and his men came barging in.  

"We're here to collect the traitor. All who wish to impose will share the same fate." Rathgaurd said ever so calmly.

"You're not taking her," Sebastian sneered. 

Alexander took it upon himself to interject. "She has gone against the law and kingdom. She is a national threat and must pay for her actions."

Darius and Deva did not once break away from their intimate stare as the world unfolded around them.

"Seize them," King Alexander commanded his men. 

They were ambushed from every direction by at last thirty men. Her family resisted. There was no way they would let them take Deva. Rathgaurd went forth towards Deva but Darius roared in rage before ramming his fist in the old king's face. Deva watched in slow motion as her family battled for her life. Darius' malice eyes and rapid animal like attacks were a result of the pain she had inflicted on him earlier. 

Darius fought every man who took one foot too close to his wife. He would kill an army if it meant keeping her. The blood shed was nothing compared to the blood that would be bleeding out from his heart if he lost her. 

Darius was being toppled by men left and right. Deva couldn't take the sight anymore. She couldn't watch her family fight to their deaths over her. She knew what she had to do. Deva engulfed Darius into her arms. There was no way to make the moment last longer. She wished she had more time. 

"Stop please." The shuffles and rumbles around them silenced. "There is no reason for a fight. I won't watch you risk your lives for my sake." Deva pulled back. "I'll go with them." 

"No," Darius growled. 

"I don't know which is worse, going with them or knowing you don't believe me." It was easy for her to read her husband's mind. He believed it was she would lead the lycans. 

Darius' throat went dry. He felt ashamed to not be on her side but the evidence was there. It was her. 

Deva moved away and shuttered at the loss of contact. Darius' knuckles went white and as soon as he was about to pull her back into his arms he heard Alcide's voice. 

"Momma!" The little boy cried in terror. 

They were already handcuffing her with special vampire resist bonds. Darius snatched up their son into his arms before he could get hurt. "Momma!" He tried wiggling his way out. Marcus pressed his hand over his nephew's back before using his ability to calm him. 

Deva had tears flooding down her face. "Take care of our son." 

Darius turned to Rathgaurd and Alexander. "You will pay for this. Hurt her and I will kill you."  

"Are you really sure you want to threaten a king right now?" Rathgaurd snickered. 

"No, I'd much rather bury one." Darius' words were of a snake. It was a promise of vengeance. 

They dragged Deva further and further away from him. Again his empty heart was shattering with the hopes of tomorrow. He would have his vengeance.