One hour later.....

Leila carefully wrapped her arm around Antonio's waist and helped him up. He did not let her fight no matter what and took so many wounds upon himself. Right now, he was unconscious due to blood lose.

Her glistening eyes looked at Alexander who had been crouching down near the door, sobbing silently with his head in his knees. She frowned, feeling disgusted looking at him but not at all pitying his terrible state.

Hearing movements, he looked up.

"Leila..." His voice was rough and heavy due to all crying. He looked behind her and took a relieved breath, seeing no sign of wolves. Past an hour, only thought that was in his mind was that it was all over for him. He was going to die, ending up being a meal for those animals.

He wiped his tears frantically and stood up. His eyes locked at Antonio's state and he could not help but feel even more relieved.

All of a sudden, there was a click on the door, indicating that it had opened.

Alexander rushed forward to check.

Before he could take a step out, a thought hit his mind. He looked back at Leila.

"Leave him here and come with me!" He was forceful in his command like usual.

Her grip around Antonio tightened in response. She glared at him with contempt visible in her angry gaze.

"Are you fucking deaf?! I said come with me!" He barked.

"You coward! I'm not scared of you...Get out of my way!" Leila did not take long to respond with the same tone.

His eyes darkened and a snarl left his lips, Leila flinched suddenly as he lunged at her with his hand raised.

But before his touch could even reach her shadow, he was kicked back fiercely.

He crashed into the door with a loud shout. Alarmed, Leila looked at Antonio who was holding onto her to stable his balance. Blood dripped down his multiple wounds but he seemed unfazed. His eyes droopy as he stared at Alexander in a bit uncaring way.

"I will kill you later." That dark whisper sent a chill down Alexander's spine, before he blanked out due to pain and fear.

Leila supported her brother and both of them stumbled out of the basement.

"What should we do next?" She asked, fear crept in her small voice. She was in so much pain but she knew she had to endure even more. So she was trying to act strong and vigilant.

Antonio slowly pulled away from her. Leila wanted to stop him but he waved his hand, stopping her movements.

"Your wounds will get infected."

He scoffed at her concern. "Look at who's speaking!" He sounded annoyed, glancing down at her own battered state.

"Can we really survive this?"

She could see Antonio's face turning pale with each second. This was the reason why she was, at the same speed, losing confidence.

"Who's telling you to fight? Am I not enough?"

Leila wanted to cry. He knew so, too.

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her closer as they both held onto each other to support one another.

"I'm sorry that I'm always an asshole to you...."

"I have already forgiven you..."

A tear slipped down her eye.

*******************

"How touching?" He was smiling brightly but there was hatred flickering in his eyes as he stared at the screen, listening to these words.

"Antonio... Was it? He's worthy of having same blood as mine. But it's a pity that I will have to kill all my blood relatives."

Dante took a deep breath. That Antonio, he singlehandedly handled the vicious animals and one of their whole group. Even they were not as strong but leaving Alexander, they were quite capable. With such wounds, if there was someone else, they would have collapsed long ago but he- he was still moving and ready to fight again. It was a good thing that Dante had not underestimated them. But he also knew what was his boss capable of....

"Get the second troop ready. Tell them to make no mistake- this time Antonio won't stand long." His master's words rang through the air.

Lucifer who was mostly conscious at this second heard these words clearly. His eyelid twitched and his hands unwantedly clenched into fists.

While he observed Lucifer with a pleasant expression on his face.

"You never felt angry for me." He mocked.

Lucifer's chains made a loud sound as he pulled himself up to sit.

"You will regret it, Xever!" Lucifer's voice was rough. It did nothing but made Dante's hair stand.

Lucifer had been silent all these years ago. He endured whatever hell Xever threw at him for the sake of his family. But Xever crossed the limit from the moment he started targeting Leila for some petty revenge. The reason because he could not stand the whole family being happy.

For Xever, that time was wonderful when the seven of his siblings were scattered. His brothers might have stayed in the same house together but they were not like a perfect family. Only thing that bound them together was Leila but they seemingly disliked her or hated her to the core. Antonio had been the perfect example of latter.

But from the moment she came back, everything began to become alright... They dared to be happy like a family- the thought made Xever clench his teeth.

He hated it. He hated something that he could never have.... So why would he let them have it?

The name of Leila was enough to make him hate them even more. She was a weakling but Xever knew that she was their strength. Just taking her away was enough for them to lose some of their mind and he would take advantage of it till the end. He would tear them apart mentally and then, enjoy freeing them from the same pain their mother, Sofia felt.

When this game ends, he will be the one to put a bullet between her eyes and watch as rest of his siblings wither and break like puppet.