The Alpha Mafia King
Chapter 26

Omega Juno Lanfonsy fled to Switzerland, where it had all begun. He knew that there was an inevitable war waging for his soul. He recalled how it used to be icy, but now it was summer and relatively warm. There were parts of the forest that used to remain evergreen even when everything was a pile of frosted flakes.

Alonso was like that evergreen part of the forest that never changed irrespective of what he faced. They used to mock him, threaten him and sometimes even beat him. He would always have a stupid sad smile on his face.

The story changed one day when Callisto dealt with his mother, burned their home and all; that was when Alonso changed. However, he had mercy on them then and let them leave unscathed. As he grew older and became the Don and a powerful alpha, he became more intimidating. Suddenly the boy who could not hurt a fly would send men to their graves by just saying the order.

Callisto became obsessed with replaceing methods to take him down, but he had to go about it cautiously.

Now, after the man had made so many enemies, his boss Callisto was pulling the strings on those enemies to act, trying to make it seem like he was not the only suspect should any attempt be made on Alonso’s life.

As Juno walked through the forest, he saw it was deserted, and so he decided to transform into the brown wolf that was his wolf form. After running around and letting his wolf control, he returned to normal.

His clothes lay by the corner of his feet as he stood by the side of a river naked. It was supposed to be dark by now, but summertime in Switzerland offered an extra hour of daylight.

They experienced a more extended day. A twig snapped, and he spun around in defense. A girl quickly turned her face away from his ugly nude self.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you wanted to.”

“My apologies, I thought I was the only one around!” Juno said, struggling with his jeans. After he was fully clothed, the girl returned her gaze to him.

“I love it out here, and I come out to just watch the lovely scenario it presents,” she said, moving up to him. “Hi, I’m Anna. What’s your name?”

“I’m Juno. Nice to meet you.”

Anna already knew who he was. She was an inducted member of the Marcovic Mafia family. Earlier she had gotten a call to kill the man who she was standing beside his right side. She knew that he was a werewolf and knew that wolfsbane would do the job.

“It’s lovely right?” Anna inquired, pointing towards the sunset. “The view, I mean take a look around and see how beautiful nature is. I especially love to listen to the sound of running water, trees rustling, birds singing their final song, and the wolves howling from a distance.”

“Yes, I love those too,” Juno said, instinctively trailing his eyes around the trees. “I thought I was the only one around who appreciates nature.”

She laughed gaily and said, “No, you’re not! It’s just that everyone is just caught up with something in this part of the world these days. They’ve got their jobs, families, and all that to take care of, and so they neglect to appreciate the simple things in life.”

“True! Maybe someday I’ll have all that too.”

“Ah yes, one day some of us will, but some won’t. Hey, is that a wolf?”

Instinctively Juno turned to look, and as he did, he felt something stab him in the neck. All the veins in his wolf began to explode with pain. He turned surprisingly to look at Anna. She smiled at him, taking a few steps back.

He would have gone for her throat, but damn he was trying to rip out his own, trying to remove the wolfsbane, which was impossible. Why had she given him hopes of a future if she was going to do this to him? He wondered.

“Why paint me a picture? Is this Alonso’s way of sending me away? What a cruel and unusual method, but at least I’ll die knowing what I would miss.”

Anna walked briskly away. She was still the only trump card of the Mafia family. The only female, too, that existed within the family for now. She took her phone to call Mazza, who sent her. It was a rather foolish thing to do, Juno as anticipated, had gone back to his roots.

Was it a common mistake that people made when running away? Or did he know that no matter where he ran to, he would not be safe? If so, then home was a good choice; at least it was better to die at home than in a stranger’s land.

“Hello, Anna?” Mazza said calmly. “Is it over?”

“Ah yes, he’s gone and can never be a threat again.”

“Alright, thank you,” Mazza said. “You should go back to living your life normally and staying aloof until I require your services again.”

“Sure thing, boss,” she replied. “I hope the family is doing well?”

“Yes, the family is great. Just take care of yourself.”

“Of course. Boss, I’m tired of staying in Switzerland.”

“Why? Isn’t it good for you?”

“I just want to relocate elsewhere.”

“Okay, you can, but it can’t be Italy or Russia.”

“I had a feeling you were going to say that. Fine, then I’ll go to America.”

“Alright, permission granted. Goodbye.”

Anna was feeling happy. She had met Mazza when Alonso’s father, Karlow, was still the Don. Mazza, for some reason back then, accepted her and drew her close. Slowly, he began to expose their lives to her.

First, he had told her that they were not an ordinary family, and he wanted her to become part of his unique family. As she began to grow with them and earn their trust, Mazza told her the final secret of the family. She was more or less intrigued but not scared.

***

Alonso was dressed up like he was going on a date, but it was just dinner in the garden with his business partner Mariyanna. Sure, his family was welcome to sit out with them and have dinner together with them.

They were even dressed, and everyone waited in the garden with him. He could not believe that Taleela was holding his hands at the table. Her scent drove him crazy. Tonight was somehow linked to her. Could she be Ivan Makarov’s daughter? If that was so, how would she react? She had said back then when talking with the robot that she would feel bad if she lost her father.

If it were true that she was indeed Ivan’s daughter, then he was going to beg Mariyanna to spare her the truth of what had happened to her father. After all, she said she was not interested in seeking vengeance. Mariyanna, though, had sounded like she did not like her family.

“Is she always this late?” Taleela asked.

“She’s always right on time,” Alonso said. “She is only a few minutes late; let’s wait. I’ve heard from her that she is coming.”

“Right,” Taleela said, freeing his hand. “Mazza, when are we going to see Alonso’s casino in Moscow?”

If Lady Tanya had been around, she would have possibly fainted at the audacity with which she called them both by their names.

Mazza was used to it, and Alonso would have to get used to it. He looked so handsome when he was scowling, she thought. She could k**s him at the moment, but she feared he would snap at her.

“Granddad, you should have discussed it with me first before making such offers to Taleela!” Alonso said.

“We go wherever we please, and we don’t need to discuss it with anyone,” said Mazza, lifting his head from his phone. “And to answer your question, Taleela, I’m sure we will be going there this weekend.”

“I can’t wait!” Taleela said excitedly. Alonso observed her. She seemed innocent because she acted as she had never been to Russia before.

Mariyanna was accompanied by one of Alonso’s guards to the garden. She looked elegant. She was also well dressed compared to how she had shown up in his office earlier. Mariyanna greeted Mazza, and as her gaze fell towards Taleela, she froze. It was evident in her face; the shock was conspicuous.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ She asked, almost running away.

“Hi, I’m Taleela, Alonso’s fiancee!” she said, offering a handshake.

“Mariyanna,” she replied, taking her hand.

There was no way she was shaking Alyona’s hand. Why in the world was her supposed dead sister here? And what was the pretending about? She tried to act calm and get her bearings first, so she sat down.

‘Alonso’s what?!’ She thought bitterly.

***

Meanwhile, back in Moscow, Piccolo was handling things with the cops. The casino was still under lock and key. He and his associate were meeting for the second time that day, and it was evening. They were in a bar but one reserved for only a few people.

“While the story remains unchanged, it sounds plausible!” said the man. “Unknown gunmen came to the casino, and they didn’t take anything, just shot sporadically at people and left.”

“People will buy whatever version of the truth that is sold to them. Casinos are known to have a high rate of crimes around the world. In addition to the story, we can say they did it because-“

The cop’s hand sliced through the air. “Don’t offer any reason behind it; it will make you sound suspicious.”

Piccolo Durante nodded slowly in agreement.

“Just how soon can this all be over with?”

“A week, I suppose,” the man said, drinking up. “Don Alonso can be back in business after that long. I can’t make it anymore snappier than that.”

“I see; we will have to wait then. Thank you very much. The Don will reward you accordingly once you have everything sorted out.”

They finished their drink, and both left the bar. Piccolo Durante was going to meet with Jerald next. Alonso had told him not to retaliate yet, provided that the Makarov stayed their hands as promised. He would not be in Russia for long anymore.

Italy, by Alonso’s side, was where he was meant to be. He received news that Juno had been clipped, and he felt happy. Anyone related to Callisto was an enemy to him. He did not buy the idea that Juno betrayed Alonso for money from Lucian, but he said nothing.

He arrived at Jeralds home no sooner than the man got there himself. They both came down at the same time from their cars.

“Hey brother, what’s up?” Jerald said, going to hug Piccolo.

“I am good, and I just needed to discuss a few things with you.”

“Alright, then let’s go inside and do that.”

The men walked into the enormous living room. The place was pulchritudinous. Artificial flowers of different kinds that mocked the originals were found on every side. They took the weight off their feet on the king-size cushion chair.

“I want you to keep a careful watch on the enemy,” Piccolo said. “I have a bad feeling about them despite their Don asking them to stand down.”

“Okay, so I should spy on them?”

“Yes, there should be surveillance twenty-four seven.”

“It would’ve been easier to do so when they were still recruiting. We could have slipped our man inside, but that’s over.”

Piccolo tensed. “I am just hearing about this now. When was the recruiting done?”

“It has only been two days since it was done. Why are you asking?”

“I need to know who they recruited. They are supposed to circulate it. So why the delay?”

“Yes, they ought to have done that,” Jerald said, looking thoughtful. “Well, I’ll look into everything and report back.”

“Alright, please do. I am going back to Italy next tomorrow, and by then, I expect to have news to take to the Don.”