Mated To The Mafia Werewolves

Janice and Alessia stumbled out of the dark, damp prison cell-that had been their home for what felt like an eternity, though it had only been two days- into the lush green garden that surrounded the Salvatore residence.

As the fresh air caressed their faces, they inhaled deeply, relishing the newfound sense of freedom, although they weren’t entirely free as they were still in the house but no longer in prison.

The relief coursing through their vein was short-lived as Paolo appeared before them, his eyes flickering with dangerous intensity. “Alessia, I know you’re the Delicate Rose,” he said. “Don’t bother denying it anymore.”

Alessia’s jaw clenched, and she shook her head. “I’m not who you think I am. I’ve never heard of the Delicate Rose before.”

She was lying, of course. Paolo could see it in her eyes, how they darted back and forth, searching for an escape. He wasn’t convinced. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over them like a dark cloud. “You’re lying,” he hissed, reaching out to grab her arm. “You just want to hide your identity. I know what you are. Tell the truth!”

Alessia flinched, attempting to pull away, but his grip was too firm. “I’m not,” she insisted, her voice rising an octave higher than she intended. “If you’re looking for the Delicate Rose, it’s not me, but my tw-”

Janice’s eyes widened, and she quickly said, “She’s just shy, Father!” Her eyes narrowed at Alessia, and she silently mouthed, ‘Don’t blow her cover!’ Then she turned back to face her father, who was staring at them with a suspicious glint in his eyes.

“Alessia is just shy,” Janice repeated with a bright smile. “I have known her long enough to understand how uncomfortable she can get around people she doesn’t know well.”

Janice held her breath; her heart pounded in her chest as she hoped that her father would buy into the lie she had spun.

There was no way she’d blow Arabella’s cover. Not only would it put Arabella in immediate danger, but she and Alessia would also become pawns in Paolo’s twisted game.

Alessia shook her head, about to speak up, but Janice swiftly stepped on her foot, a clear message to stay silent.

Alessia’s brows furrowed, making Janice facepalm internally.

Janice’s mouth formed the words, “Don’t say anything!” and Alessia realised what Janice was trying to do. She let out a nervous giggle and nodded. “Oh, silly me. I tend to forget who I am!”

“You see, it’s true, Father,” Janice persisted. “Alessia is just shy, but she’s not hiding anything. You can trust us.”

Paolo narrowed his eyes at Janice, his gaze flickering between her and Alessia. “And who are you to vouch for her?”

Janice straightened her back, refusing to back down. “I’m your daughter,” she said firmly. “And Alessia is my friend. She’s not the Delicate Rose; I can promise you that. You know I’ll never lie and always provide you with the right information.”

Paolo’s grip on Alessia’s arm loosened slightly. “If I ever find out that either of you have lied to me, there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

“Do whatever you please, Father,” Janice said with defiance.

“I’ll leave you both, but don’t think for a second that I’m not watching you. I know everything you do.” With those words, he turned on his heel and left, leaving Janice and Alessia alone.

Alessia let out a shaky breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She staggered, clutching the arm of the garden bench to regain her balance, before gazing at Janice, “That was close,” she muttered, rubbing her arm where Paolo had grasped it.

Janice nodded in agreement. “We need to be more careful,” she said, her voice low. “Paolo is growing increasingly suspicious, and you should pay attention to any signal I give.”

Alessia sat down on a bench, nervously fiddling with a blade of grass. Janice paced back and forth in front of her, clearly agitated.

“But why won’t you let me tell your father about Arabella being the delicate rose?” Alessia asked, looking up at Janice.

Janice stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Because my father has been on a quest to obtain her blood for years,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He intends to use it to create armies and seize control of the world.”

Alessia’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Your father is already powerful, isn’t he? He’s a mafia lord and an alpha.”

Janice shook her head. “He needs the blood of the delicate rose. Whoever possesses it would be capable of unleashing utter chaos upon the world, and honestly, regardless of my feelings towards Arabella, that is the last thing I want. I’d rather die than let him have her.”

“That’s dreadful,” Alessia admitted, and Janice nodded in agreement.

Alessia stood up from the bench, her eyes darting around the courtyard. She had a lingering sense of being watched. The hair at the nape of her neck tingled, and goosebumps scattered across her arms. “How about we stop discussing?” she whispered to Janice. “Your father could be listening.”

Just then, Paolo emerged from the shadows, making his presence known. Alessia and Janice jumped, their hearts racing as they turned to face him.

“What are you two whispering about?” Paolo demanded.

Janice tried to speak, but her throat had gone dry. She looked at Alessia, hoping she would find the courage to speak up. However, Alessia only swallowed nervously, her hands trembling at her sides.

Paolo eyed the two of them, his eyes narrowing as he observed their nervous demeanour. “Don’t you both have things to do?”

Alessia and Janice exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to proceed. Janice was afraid that Paolo had overheard their conversation, and she was confident Alessia felt the same way. However, Paolo’s expression did not indicate that he had heard anything.

Janice finally found her voice, her words tumbling out hurriedly. “We were just discussing… the weather, Father. It appears that rain is imminent, and it might hinder our progress if we leave now.”

“Very well,” Paolo said dismissively as he walked away again.

Paolo chuckled to himself, amused by the girls’ obliviousness. Of course, he had overheard their discussion, but for the moment, he decided to play dumb. He had a plan in mind.

He knew the identity of the delicate Rose, and his new mission was to manipulate Janice and Alessia to obtain her. Once he had what he wanted, he would discard them, or perhaps he would find a way to keep them under his control.

Alessia, with her unique power, could be helpful to him, and Janice would forever remain a pawn in his game, used to carry out his sinister deeds.