ARTEMIS AKA WOLFTWO MONTHS LATERWalking through the slums of Russia, I grip Red's hand tighter and draw her flush against my side.I am truly grateful that my ancestors were able to get us out of the country. As I envision the life I would have had here, I am filled with dread due to the pure evil that would have landed me in prison."I still can not believe that this is where your family originated from. You wreak of money, power and sophistication. Wolf, it is absolutely remarkable how a person's lifelong ambitions may pave the way for the prosperity of their entire family tree." She hums as she takes in the scenery surrounding us.I smile at the excitement she helplessly displays. This is her first trip abroad. If I had known sooner, I would have postponed this trip and taken her somewhere more romantic and deserving."Do you think Zeynep would want to visit Russia when she gets older?" She adds, picking an apple off a tree we walk past.I snatch the apple out of her grasp, rub
ARIA AKA REDIn a state of panic, I yank Wolf's gun out of the holster in the back of his jeans.I step around him, point the gun at the crazy lady who keeps calling him Aleksander with her gun directed at his face, and I pull the trigger. The thunderous sound of the gun discharging rockets through the atmosphere. As soon as I realise what I have done, I drop the weapon and watch as it strikes the ground.Wolf lunges forward, he rips the crying child out of his mother's embrace before she collapses to the ground.With my eyes growing larger than saucers, I lift my arms, covering my mouth with my hands. What have I done? I just murdered a woman...A mother in cold blood while her child clung to her...Regret slowly slivers up my spine, dispersing across my trembling flesh like a plague as guilt consumes me entirely. "Red... Red, are you okay?" Wolfs' thick and firm voice crashes into me like tidal waves upon the seashore, and I stagger back from the cruel impact it has upon my bod
ZEYNEPTWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER.I stare at my reflection in the mirror, admiring the strong young woman who stares back at me. Today is my twenty-first birthday, and my parents have decided they want to celebrate it with all their corporate friends and close confidants. I usually feel like an outcast at large gatherings or in crowded places. I am the awkward girl in the corner of the room who has been sipping the same drink for three hours while watching everyone else enjoy themselves.I turn to the side, drinking in my reflection as I take note of how well the gown fits my body.It savagely clings to every generous curve the Gods have blessed me with. The silver gown that sparkles under the light heightens the sapphire blue irises in my eyes. I have my mother's red hair and my father's eyes, but somehow I have inherited my Aunt Ana's spitfire tongue.FOR ONCE, my mother has picked something for me that doesn't make me feel like I am too overly dressed; something that will draw too
ZEYNEP My eyes grow wide as fear forbids me to move. With fear-stricken eyes, I watch as Dmitri rushes to the bedroom window, pulling a ribbed black top over his shoulders. He stands in the shadows where the sun doesn't kiss the room, and he gazes out the window. Whatever is happening on the other side of the window, causes his hands to curl into tight balls of fury at his sides. The instant he looks back at me, I know it's bad. I immediately turn around, attempting to unlock the door so I can rush down the stairs and find my parents. "Net... [No...]" Dmitri growls in a hushed tone, yanking me away from the door, and he pulls me to the far corner of the room. "Get down, and don't let anyone see you through the window." He states sternly, leaving no room for me to disregard his orders. He moves along the wall, opens the closet door, and pulls out his duffle bag. He extracts two guns, twists the silencers on the barrels, and removes two clips; stuffing the clips into the back
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF I have carved my name into this world by taking what I want. My past is tattooed into my soul. Born into the Volkov family, I was raised in brutality and violence. Now I run these streets. Blood and violence taunt everything I touch. This life I lead is cruel. It's brutal to no extent. The things I've seen and the devastation I've created to protect what's mine isn't for the faint-hearted. To be a great Kingpin, you must be merciless and willing to take lives to push your authority and benefit from the cruel organization's illicit activities. Artemis Ivan Volkov is my given name, and my late father was Nikolai Volkov. Till the end, my father was a merciless bastard, and it is because of him that I am the lone survivor of our bloodline. The manner in which a Volkov must ascend the throne to govern conceals a hidden secret. A secret that has developed into a ritual on the eve of your coronation. "It's the only way, Wolf," Igor says again bursting my bubble
ARIA AKA RED Once upon a time is such a cliche story, but here we are with me staring at my reflection in the large mirror. I glide my hands over the beautiful wedding gown that clings to my body perfectly. "You look absolutely stunning!" The designer of my gown coos. I smile in silence. She has to say that if she wants me to buy it, right? She lowers herself and begins to fluff around with the train of the skirt, "Whoever he is, he is a lucky man and I hope you'll be happy together." A dreamy sigh departs her lips. Lifting my left hand, I look at my naked ring finger that will soon adorn a wedding ring. A gold band to legally state that I am officially off the market and that I exclusively belong to one of the cruellest men alive. A Bratva Kingpin. Artemis Volkov. Did you know that Volkov means Wolf in the English language? Pretty ironic if you ask me since he prefers to be addressed as, Wolf. A tattooed, raven-haired, sapphire blue-eyed wolf with an insatiable h
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF I watch as my young wife-to-be, who is much younger than I am. Runaway with tears pooling in her piercing Jade-coloured irises. Her mane of red hair bounces up and down with each angry stride she makes. Leaving behind her scent, and femininity of hibiscus petals. It clings to my nose and then recedes as her heels click harshly against the marble floor, playing a brutal symphony of disdain and grief. Thrusting out my chin, I inhale the air and feed off her anguish. She has poison written all over her. Innocent, and naive. I release the harsh breath that contaminates my mouth, brushing a rough hand over my face. "You better not screw me over on this Igor," I mutter as I turn to face him. "As a close friend and consigliere, I have nothing but your best interests in mind. By marrying her, you reclaim complete power over the city's fifteen districts." He declares with certainty. "She is young. Too young." "Da, and if you choose to have children, she is ideal f
ARIA AKA REDCopper and molasses.That's what a traitor's blood smells like. The scent is thick in the air laced with the smell of a gun freshly being fired and it claws at my throat. It's distinct. Almost unique and I hate it. Kai deserved the bullet to his head. I thought he showed up to help me get away from Wolf and take me back home. Not trying to take advantage of my innocence in some dive of a bar.Wolf reaches out to touch my face, "No, please don't hurt me!" I cry, pressing my back flush against the wall as the image of Kai getting shot plays over and over in my head. "I didn't know he was waiting for me." "I'm not going to hurt you," he says gruffly. "But I do want your phone."I open my eyes and meet his cold gaze. "My phone?" I sniffle, shaking my head. "It's the only way I can contact my father and best friend Ana." I look at him with displeasure. He holds his hand out, "Give me the phone, Red or I will be forced to take it from you." His eyes narrow as his voice hard