Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 115 - 117

Chapter 115: Chapter 117

I sent a DNA sample of my own and my father’s to a private lab for analysis. Finding out that Alden Du Pont isn’t my father isn’t as devastating as finding out that Colton Vacheron is. And that he likely knew, and still he...

The thought of twists my insides out.

I flinch at the burst of light, quickly rearranging my nerves like something that split into tiny pieces and scattered in every direction.

I stand poised before a corporate backdrop with the logo of the company sponsoring this gala imprinted over its entire tapestry. I smile blindly at the flashes of light from the throng of photographers jockeying for the most optimal angle. Reporters thrusting their microphones and hurling a flurry of questions at me that I choose to ignore. When I turn to move, Vance appears, implicitly impeding my path as I maintain my smile cordially, rotating to slip away to the other side. Then Landen materializes, both of them sporting black suits with gold filigree embroidered in the neckline and lapels of their suit jackets.

Closed in, they draw near to flank me. Cold dread coils around my spine as they each rope me towards them in a possessive pull—together. An arm seamlessly slung over my shoulders and another hooked around my hips intimately. This bold display sweeps up an intrigued uproar from reporters and photographers alike as their questions bellow their demands. People wanted to know what happened to the wedding and why had there been no media coverage over the ’glorious’ event.

"It’s no secret that there has been some tension between us three," Vance begins solemnly. "Rumours of infidelity and jealousy. And I have made a personal statement claiming that I was at peace with my brother and my former fiance. That was not entirely true."

At this point, I thought I would have a mastery over my emotions in the face of public scrutiny. However, the anger, outrage I feel burns cold like the too-swift rush of heat on chilled skin.

"I never meant to hurt my brother," Landen adds, manufacturing remorse and a guilt-ridden expression that elicits sympathetic looks from everyone. "I love him and I jeopardized that love for falling for someone I should’ve. Out of respect for my brother, I called off the wedding."

Cue the dramatic gasps—sharp intakes slice through the gathered crowd—there it is.

"What does this mean for all three of you?"

"It means my brother and I have never been good at sharing," Landen says, his smile igniting an ungodly glimmer in his eyes when he glances down at me. "But Avara makes us want to learn."

He leans in for a kiss—a devilish ploy as my head straightens and Vance’s lips catch my cheek. And Landen bows his head to plant a kiss on the tip of my collarbone, triggering whooping howls from everyone in range.

The moment they release me, I leak from their grasp. Shying away from further questions as I raise a silencing hand, trying to transition to the primary space. A glittering assemblage of chandeliers, crystalware and populated with political and philanthropic elitists. Classical music washes over the dancefloor, its sophisticated notes swirling amidst the servers holding up an array of drinks. A black-clad guard stands near my father as he speaks assertively to a man I don’t recognise. My brothers to the east talking in hushed tones with terse gestures. I revolve around to see Vance and Landen sharing curt words until they spot me. Twin smiles cut their faces open and, for the first time, their similarities are striking to me. And that sight stokes a shiver as I retreat carefully. Impulse nudges me toward my brothers, but memories yank me back.

"The wolf does not chase the fastest hare, only the one too scared to see another path."

I whirl around to see Akio. His moon-bright white hair slicked back to the nape of neck, sharpening his already angular features as he stops near me with his hands hidden in his loose pockets.

"I know I’m the last person you want to see—"

We both didn’t see it coming. Next thing I know, my arms flung around his neck, clinging to him like I’ll plummet to my death if I don’t. Other than a reprieve to relieve me from those circling like vultures smelling blood. It’s not even him that I miss, but it’s what he embodies; whom he represents. It’s an anguish much deeper than grief and more haunting than regret. I thought to walk away from Botan meant being a good person, but without him, I’ve turned into something worse.

Akio doesn’t hug me back, his hands remain in the baggy pockets of his all-white suit. When I finally withdraw, his eyes lock on mine with a rare vulnerability that speaks to something more heartfelt than his body against mine. His eyes flick up to give his surroundings a thorough scan. Without looking back at me, his hand lifts in offering, his eyes still probing the populace.

"Would you like to dance?"

I say nothing. I simply place my hand in his and he takes a hold of it the same way you would a child. He guides me through the gaps and when we make it to an open space on the dancefloor. He faces me and holds our hands aloft, fixing a formal waltz position with enough space between us to fit another person.

"Did he send you?" I ask, unable to say his name aloud.

"He doesn’t know I’m here," he says, with his eyes still perusing the population as he directs my steps smoothly. "But there are a few things you should know." His arm sends me out as I twirl away so that he can reel me back in closer than before so we’re chest-to-chest. His breath skates along the shell of my ear to deliver a covert whisper. "The people that attacked your... wedding. Let’s just say they won’t endanger your or your loved ones again."

"Because they’re dead?" I whisper in quiet horror.

"Don’t tell me you pity the fuckers—they nearly killed you and your family."

"That’s not the point." I whisper harshly. "But all this death is on me, and it’s not a nice feeling. My hands are clean, but I’m just as stained."

"Your father put you in the centre of this." Even low-toned, the conviction behind his words is iron-strong. "You are blameless. And that’s the other thing I wanted to tell you, because this might be able to help us both. Haru mentioned that your father is not just protecting you. But protecting something you carry. Are you holding something for your father?"

I gape at the accusation in his voice, the condemnatory undercurrent that implies I’m complicit in whatever dark deals he has going on.

"No. And I’m not going to convince you that I’m not because I know you must think I’m lying."

"Then I wouldn’t have asked," he retorts. "But maybe you’re carrying something without knowing it’s true worth or danger. And I’m not talking about a trivial possession that anyone could get access to."