***

Shadow kept his eyes trained on the girl who was sitting along with Leo, Rylan, and Shane as she sipped the mango juice that one of the waiters had just served her.

He could clearly see that she was not enjoying the banquet as much as she was supposed to do according to Kaiden's plan.

A small smile almost appeared on his lips as he heard the four of them talking about how boring the banquet actually was.

He was hidden in from the eyes of those who were present in the hall, while his own sharp amber eyes were fixed on Emily as he made sure that she was completely out of harm's way.

Just then his phone pinged with an incoming message. He took out his cell phone to check the message.

A sigh escaped his lips when he finished reading the message. Domenic had called an urgent meeting immediately.

His eyes moved around the hall to spot the Alessandro Master and immediately found him walking towards the back door of the hall along with Daniel, Sam, and Kaiden.

He again turned his attention to Emily and found her surrounded by the rest of her brothers, Jackson, Bianca, Mr. Kim, and her friends - Rylan and Shane.

The security teams of the Alessandro family and the Sullivan family were also present in the hall, though all of them were hidden pretty well.

After making sure that she was pretty much in safe company, he followed behind Domenic and the others.

After five minutes, he found them inside a small room that was hidden at the very end of the third floor.

"What's going on?" He asked as he took his place beside Kaiden.

Looking at his profile it appeared like he was the most carefree person present on the entire planet, without any problems or care in the world.

Domenic did not bother to waste any more time as he looked at the captain of his Alpha team who had just entered the room after Shadow.

"My team received information about a rogue team's presence near our seventh warehouse. The one who's leading the team is the same marked man who was spotted at the Star Xander Mall on the day of Emily's incident. And if I'm not mistaken, they are trying to sneak an attack on the warehouse. It could be their tactic to pull our attention away from this banquet."

The Young Master Alessandro informed the rest of the men present in the room as he passed a tablet to Daniel, who passed it to the next person standing beside him after taking a look at the live footage that was playing on the screen.

"I want all of you to keep a watch around here just in case they dare to try something. While I'll lead my team to the warehouse to take care of the rogue team." Domenic spoke as he signaled the captain to get ready to leave immediately.

"It's not good for you to suddenly disappear from the banquet. Since Emily is here, you should stay here. Let me take care of the warehouse matter. And I'll assign my team to search the nearby area to see if they can spot any disturbances." Kaiden immediately spoke up as he looked at Domenic for his permission.

None of the men who were present in the room were able to believe that the cold-hearted CEO of the Sullivan Empire was asking for Domenic's permission.

Were not they supposed to be rivals who could not afford to even look at each other with warmth in their eyes? Then what changed?

Similar questions were rising in everyone's mind but no one dared to interrupt either of the Young CEOs.

"You can't."

Domenic immediately answered as he refused Kaiden's suggestion without even missing a single beat.

"Why?" Kaiden asked as he raised his eyebrows high while he stared at the man with challenging eyes.

"Because if my sudden disappearance from this banquet will end up badly, the same goes for you. Moreover, you can't go after the rogue team as you are still not allowed to enter our part of the city."

Domenic's explanation was followed with silence as everyone started thinking about the situation.

"Maybe...."

Sam barely opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off by Daniel.

"Your presence in the banquet is just as important as theirs. You can't leave either. But none of you need to worry, I'll take care of everything."

His suggestion was far more logical than the others and both Domenic and Kaiden were also convinced.

However, before Domenic could finalize anything, Shadow finally decided to speak.

"Kaiden can send a team to look around the area. And for additional security, you can send one of your own team along with his. As for the warehouse, I'll take care of it. My absence will not cause any kind of problems for either the banquet or Emily. Since all of you will stay here, I'm sure you guys will take care of her in my absence."

Silence fell over the room as everyone started thinking about Shadow's suggestion.

Domenic nodded his head after a few moments as he signaled Daniel and Sam to immediately send a team to search the area around the headquarters.

The Alpha Captain also left the room to prepare his team for the task that was waiting for them at warehouse number seven.

Only Domenic, Kaiden, and Shadow were left in the room after the others left to take care of their tasks.

"Do you want me to keep him alive?" Shadow asked as he looked at Domenic while arching one of his eyebrows.

"I'm sure you will be able to decide if he's worth keeping alive or not. Just make sure to send them a perfect example." Domenic replied to his question with coldness filling his eyes.

Shadow gave him a nod as he acknowledged his words.

"Don't worry. I know what I've to do."

To be very fair, he had no idea exactly what was wrong with him. He was not supposed to care about such matters but here he was, participating in matters that had nothing to do with him.

"I can't believe that I have started to trust the two of you when it comes to Emilia's safety. It makes me question my sanity." Domenic muttered as he shook his head.

Kaiden could not help the smile that appeared on his lips. A few months ago even he would not have dared to believe that he would be this close to the Alessandros.

"It's because you know that neither of us will hurt her at any cost. It's not really that stupid of you to trust us with her safety if we take this fact into account."

Shadow decided to speak as he provided a perfect explanation for the reason behind the

trust that Domenic was placing in him and Kaiden.

"Alright! Now, let's not waste any more time. You should immediately leave with my team. I hope to hear from you soon." Domenic said as he gave a quick nod to the Supreme Sire.

Shadow nodded his head in return before his silhouette disappeared from the room, leaving Kaiden alone with his eldest future brother-in-law.

"He's just as perfect as you. No matter how much I try to find any kind of fault in him, it's just impossible. Moreover, he came about Emily's safety just as much as we all do." Domenic spoke his thoughts out loud.

He knew very well that his words were going to irk the young Prince who was now carrying a frown on his handsome face.

"What are trying to say?" Kaiden asked as he stared at the other man, waiting impatiently for him to answer.

"Are not you afraid that he will get more closer to her than you are? After all, he is staying with her 24/7. He's handsome, rich, powerful, and kind towards her. He has all the abilities to win her heart. I think you have got yourself a tough competition here."

Domenic's words were like a sharp knife that slashed through Kaiden's soft heart.

"I think some of your brain cells have committed suicide, Mr. Alessandro. That's probably why you are only able to see our similarities and not our differences. Let me tell you..."

Kaiden quieted down for a second to take a deep breath before he continued.

"He's way much older than me, thousands of years older. He's not her mate. He only cares about her because he needs her. Moreover, he doesn't like her at all."

An almost unnoticeable smile appeared on Domenic's lips as he replied, "I think in our world, she no longer matters. And just because he's not her mate, it doesn't mean that the two of them can't have a happy future. Moreover........, he doesn't live her now but we can't say anything about the future."

"You...."

Kaiden could barely control his anger. He was not angry at Domenic, rather, he was angry because he could tell that a part of him believed his words and the threat that was hidden behind them.