Chapter 3: Lion or Don
A colossal lion sauntered through a hallway that connected to a long corridor, leading to the main office room. Its sheer presence demanded everyone's attention, making it impossible for anyone to move from their place. The majestic creature seemed to claim the entire space as its own, and truth be told, it absolutely did.
As the lion approached the office door, it swung open automatically, allowing the beast to settle gracefully next to a massive chair positioned near the wide expanse of a window.
Seated on that chair was a man who exuded an air of regality. Clad in a full black Brioni suit, his dark-night hair framed a pale, almost vampiric complexion. Amidst all the Italians present in the room, he stood out with an aura unlike any other. His eyes, a rare shade of violet, shimmered like precious gemstones, captivating all who met his gaze. Beside him, the lion let out a loud yawn, and the man tenderly caressed its majestic mane.
"Sir, the Gaglianos have crossed the line again. Despite endless warnings to halt their sex trafficking business, they persist in smuggling through our ports," Ricco Mangano, the formidable Castellano's consigliere, dared to break the tense silence.
"Ricco, my friend, you do know this matter should have been handled without involving me, right?!" The man's violet eyes gleamed dangerously from behind the grand desk.
Ricco shook his head, "Don, I wanted to take swift action and dismantle the organization, but there are some facts you need to know before proceeding."
"Sir, our spies have informed us that your cousin, Viola Castellano, has been taken hostage," Nicolo Castellano, the Castellano's underboss, solemnly revealed, his usually serious expression conveying the gravity of the situation.
A gesture from the man caused the lion, named Ciro, to turn its head and lean further against him, seeking comfort and attention. The man's pale hand gently soothed the creature, contrasting the dread etched on his face.
"Who has taken her?" his tone thickened.
"Pietro Gaglianos," Ricco voiced the name, and a powerful roar erupted in response.
The lion, Ciro, would have attacked if it weren't for his owner's firm hold—the one and only, Alaric Castellano. Horror filled the room as they witnessed the creature's mighty roar against its owner's gentle touch.
Alaric leaned close to the lion's ear, "Hush now, Ciro. You don't want to scare others, do you?"
The lion slowly calmed down and yawned contentedly, earning soft praise from its owner, "Good boy!"
"Ricco, continue your report. I'm waiting," the man's gentle smile only added to the brewing sense of impending dread in the room. Everyone present knew that behind that peaceful demeanor was a brewing storm.
Ricco proceeded, "It appears they kidnapped her while she was looking for her car in Galleria Alberto Sordi's parking lot. CCTV footage shows her initially struggling with the kidnapper, but she eventually calmed down upon seeing Pietro."
"So, you're telling me She knew Pietro?" Alaric smirked.
"Well, they must've crossed paths at parties or balls," Ricco adjusted his glasses, "but yes, her reaction, even if they met during a ball, indicates a deeper connection."
"So, you're telling me that under my watch, under my protection, despite having multiple bodyguards assigned to her, she's been seeing Pietro?" he roared, "Hahaha, are you all mocking me now?"
He rose from his seat and slowly approached the manager of the bodyguards, Suzane Rodd. His icy gaze bore into her eyes, and fear visibly gripped the poor woman. "Where are her bodyguards, Mrs. Rodd?" his voice now emanated zero tolerance.
"Uh, Don, we lost two on the way to the hospital, and the other three are in rehab. It seems they were ambushed by a werewolf. There were wolf bites on their bodies."
The room suddenly grew colder, not just in words—the temperature itself plummeted, evident from Suzane's trembling. Undeterred, Nicolo walked toward Alaric, seeking to protect Suzane from his wrath, "Don, please!" He placed his hand on Alaric's shoulder, pleading, "She can still be of assistance."
That seemed to rouse Alaric from his killing daze. He took a step back, giving Suzane some breathing room as she coughed severely. With expectant eyes, he turned to his consigliere.
"Well, that was quite the spectacle," Ricco chuckled, while others present in the room couldn't help but wonder what their own fate might have been under similar circumstances. "But, as I can see you're curious, allow me to show you."
Ricco rose with his own air of authority and walked to the center of the room, where Suzane had moments ago been choked. Placing his iPad in front of Alaric, he revealed the details of the casualties. "The two younger vampires didn't make it, but the older ones are currently receiving treatment in rehab."
"How did Pietro manage to strike a deal with a werewolf? Who is this werewolf? And how on earth did they end up in Rome?" Alaric inquired further.
"Our lab is still examining the bodies, but it seems the bites came from an omega female werewolf. She might have been an outcast," Ricco adjusted his glasses. "My office is investigating Pietro's latest deals, and all signs point to one place he may have taken Viola—New York."
"So, prepare the plane, I'll head there myself!" Alaric ordered. "Charles, pack the essentials!" The 'yes sir' was quickly interrupted by Niccolo's voice, "But Don, you can't go right now! There are pressing issues that require your personal attention. Let me go instead!"
Alaric was pacing within the room, his dark aura causing others to distance themselves while Ciro slowly moved to his side. Ricco approached the lion and gently pulled him away as Alaric's aura continued to darken.
"Don, with all due respect, it's best to let Niccolo handle this! Your presence at tomorrow's meeting is crucial. We can't afford any more trouble. Besides, Miss Viola is undoubtedly being well protected!"
Alaric growled, "How can we know that? All we know is she's been taken hostage! Pietro is dangerous and has likely planned to use her as leverage from the beginning! If I'm not there, he'll surely harm her! He orchestrated this to lure me out while seizing the opportunity to continue his dirty business!" He slammed his hand hard on the desk, expressing his frustration. "I should've dealt with him long ago!"
Ricco approached him, adjusting his glasses once more, "Sir, you just said it's clearly a trap! Going there will only further destabilize the already precarious mafia situation! As your consigliere, I'll remain by your side, and Niccolo, as your underboss and next in line, will bring Viola back safely, right Niccolo?" He turned to the man with long grey hair, resembling a panther ready to pounce on his prey.
"Absolutely, consigliere! I'll tear him down and bring his head to you, Don!" Niccolo smirked proudly.
Alaric stared at Niccolo for a moment before nodding his head, "Kill the bastard, bring him to me. Understood?"
He turned to Niccolo fully and placed a hand on his shoulder, their eyes locking in a firm gaze. "I expect you back in 3 days! Anything more than that, Nico, and I'll take matters into my own hands and unleash chaos on the city. Got it?"
His message was crystal clear to everyone in the room. The time limit represented all the patience Alaric had for such situations, especially considering tomorrow's meeting with Italy's most important individuals, both human and supernatural.
As the main representative of the pure-blooded vampire family, the Castellano family held a position of power, maintaining strong alliances with vampire hunters and working side by side with them. Alaric Castellano stood as an almighty figure, a pure-blooded vampire with decades of wisdom and power coursing through his veins.
Supernatural beings had thrived for centuries, establishing themselves in the most suitable locations, hidden within the human world. Among them, vampires stood out as the most widespread species, thanks to their immortality and ability to turn humans into vampires.
Living among humans, Alaric and his kind had mastered the art of secrecy, ensuring their true nature remained hidden. Those who dared to betray this delicate balance faced dire consequences, were cast away, or met with swift retribution for endangering the existence of both worlds.
Born no older than 122 years in actuality, Alaric appeared to be a mere 32 years old in the human world, thanks to the natural aging process of pure-blooded vampires. Their immortal blood granted them the appearance of aging like humans until the age of 21, after which they aged one year each decade.
Alaric's journey began with tragedy, losing his human mother at the tender age of 15. Unaware of his vampiric heritage, he continued living a normal life, even being able to eat human food due to his half-blood status. However, his mother's untimely death awakened his vampiric senses and powers, leading him to seek vengeance. At just 15, he claimed his first kill, driven by the thirst for retribution.
Fueled by his grief and anger, Alaric's wild nature led him to go rogue for several years. But fate had other plans for him. His long-lost vampire father, who had been searching for him and his mother, eventually found him. Embracing his true heritage, Alaric was drawn into his father's powerful supernatural mafia clan, learning about the hidden world of supernaturals and their carefully guarded secrets.
With time, his father bestowed upon him the mantle of power at the age of 26 in the human world, 55 years after his mother's death and his rediscovery of his true powers. Taking the reins of leadership, Alaric propelled the mafia clan to new heights, extending their influence in both the human and supernatural domains as he possessed the rare vampiric lineage of air avatars, he exudes an aura of sensual allure and raw power.
With a mere glance, Alaric can summon the winds to dance around him, their gentle caress hinting at the depth of his abilities. But his mesmerizing control over the element doesn't stop there. With a captivating gaze, he can freeze the air itself, turning it into an icy weapon to choke his opponent into submission. Like a seductive whisper, he can summon gusts of wind that sweep you off your feet, leaving you breathless and enthralled by his prowess. But beware, for beneath his seductive charm lies a dangerous force that can snuff out life itself with a single gesture.
His mastery over the element of air renders him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. With the grace of a dancer, he moves effortlessly, a powerful predator navigating the shadows with untamed elegance. His foes are captivated by his mesmerizing presence, unaware that they are but pawns in his game.
But it is not just his command of the elements that makes him irresistible. Alaric's allure lies in the way he navigates the complex world of supernatural politics, wielding charm and intellect like weapons. He is a master manipulator, using his enticing charm and enigmatic smile to bend others to his will. As one of the last standing air vampiric clan members, Alaric embodies the perfect blend of sexiness and power. In a world where alliances shift like the shifting winds, he stands tall, the epitome of untamed desire and unyielding strength.
As the sun sets, Alaric's instincts tell him that Viola's kidnapping is more than a mere ploy. The involvement of Pietro, a formidable member of their enemy fire clan, adds a dangerous twist to the situation. The delicate balance between the fire and air clans has always been on the edge, and the kidnapping threatens to ignite a full-blown supernatural war.
As Alaric contemplates the path ahead, he knows that entrusting the mission to Niccolo comes with its own risks. The fire clan's cunning and resourcefulness make them formidable adversaries, and their true intentions remain shrouded in mystery. With the stakes higher than ever, any misstep could have grave consequences for both the supernatural and human worlds.
In the shadows of his soul, Alaric's allure turns cold, a veil of darkness shrouding his true emotions. He knows that his power is both a gift and a curse, capable of mesmerizing and destroying in equal measure. Despite the allure he presents to the world, he questions his own humanity and the emptiness that lies within.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Tanin_Snow
Tanin_Snow Welcome aboard!
Thank you for joining us on this magical journey with Eldora and Alaric. Get ready to be enchanted by their extraordinary story of love, power, and secrets.
Stay tuned for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you breathless.
With gratitude,
TaninSnow & Kevinarges
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone