The next morning Aselia sat in the cafeteria of the headquarters. Trying to get some food down, she hadn’t slept the whole night and it showed in her haggard condition. She hadn’t even brushed her hair, which hung loosely behind her with a clip.

Hunters were walking in and out, greeting her and congratulating her on the completion of a successful mission. She acknowledged them all with a tilt of her head. Most of them were her subordinates for she was a high-ranking hunter, who solely took orders directly from Aldridge.

Aselia was munching on a sandwich when a screeching voice hit her ears from behind:

"OMG!!! White Falcon, you are back. I am so glad to see you." Aselia closed her eyes and gritted her teeth before turning around to face the source of that voice. A tall girl with strawberry-brown hair and cold blue eyes stood behind her. She had an oval face that held a cunning look, like a fox. Her slim figure was adorned in her hunter uniform, accentuating her curves and voluptuous breasts, indicating her return from a mission. The belt around her uniform held her ammunition and sword.

There was a sinister smile on her face which didn’t reach her eyes as she watched the woman eating her sandwich, very intently. Aselia detested the girl and the feelings were mutual. But both of them held appearances with each other.

"Hello! Wasp," Aselia acknowledged her presence. She quickly slipped into the seat opposite Aselia and snapped her fingers. A waiter appeared to take her order.

"A skimmed latte," she ordered keeping her scrutinized eyes on Aselia. Who in return ignored her and went on to munch on the sandwich in her hand as if that was more interesting than the girl sitting opposite her.

"So I heard you brought a handsome one in. The rumour on the block is he is an exquisite creature, looks of whom have never been seen before. Well, I can’t wait to lay my eyes and hands on him." Aselia clutched the sandwich so tightly at her words that it crumbled and fell on the table. Her stern gaze and flared nose gave her a menacing look. Her bitter tone expressed annoyance:

"He is not a plaything, he is a prisoner from whom we seek answers. Keep your hands off him."

"Oh! I know but what’s wrong with having some fun? I am sure you had plenty with him, it had been months since you were living with him. Let me have a turn too. I just want to play a bit." She spoke seductively by tilting her head at Aselia as if mocking her.

"Well, I am not a slut who sleeps around. I had a mission to complete, doesn’t mean I was sleeping with him. Besides its none of your business, don’t poke your nose where it doesn’t belong, you never know when it could be cut off." Aselia stared directly into her eyes while speaking, her voice held an underlying threat, as if challenging her to try and see.

"Now now White Falcon, don’t be like that. It’s always the forbidden fruit that is tastier. Why do you always have to keep all the gorgeous men? First Yuri and now him."

Her words blazed Aselia and now she was about to feel her wrath. The woman in front of her had been pursuing Yurian for a long time, but he didn’t profess her feelings, leaving her to believe he was in love with Aselia. Not realizing their relationship was purer than she could believe. She was like a constant headache that Yurian and Aselia couldn’t shake, for she was shameless and persistent.

"Yurian is like my younger brother, but your thick head is unable to comprehend the bond we hold. It’s not my fault he doesn’t love you, maybe he doesn’t find anything in you worthy of loving. And, the one I brought is merely my prisoner. If you try to touch him or hurt him, I will break every bone in your hands. He is mine to touch and torture. Do I make myself clear?"

Wasp gulped hard at her words, her words hitching in her throat. She knew Aselia was ruthless but she had never threatened her like that before. There was a new wildness about her, like a tigress, who would pounce and tear apart anyone trudging near what was hers.

"Ladies ladies, let’s not fight." Yurian’s sing-song voice made them both turn toward him, as he approached them with a slight smile on his beaming face.

"Yuriii," Wasp chirruped in excitement, purposefully using the nickname Aselia used for him. She flung herself from her seat and wrapped her arms around him. Which he tried to avoid but failed. Aselia watched her antics with a frown. She made Yurian uncomfortable and he occasionally discussed her over-the-top behavior with Aselia.

"How have you been Wasp?" Yurian inquired, trying to keep a straight face and avoiding her body which she was trying to grind against his.

"I am amazing and so glad you are back. Let’s go out on a date tonight." She smiled brightly at him, giving him all his attention.

"Yes, she is so glad that you are back that she is planning to bang Xiran to celebrate it," Aselia added dryly while getting up and straightening her dress, brushing away the fallen crumbs.

Yurian pursed his lips to avoid laughing out loud, while Wasp shot her an annoyed look and blurted out: "Why are you always so rude?"

"I speak the truth, if you find it rude then the fault lies with you." Aselia calmly negated her statement, leaving her speechless.

"Umm, Aldridge wants to see you, White Falcon. I am to accompany you, so excuse us." Yurian gently removed Wasp’s hands from around his neck so he could accompany Aselia.

Aselia purposefully crossed her arm with Yurian as they glided away, leaving a bewildered and yet annoyed Wasp behind. Who gritted her teeth and stormed away on her feet.

Once they were out of her earshot and on the stairs leading to the upper level where Aldridge’s office was located, Yurian said with a chuckle: "You really had to burn her."

"She was asking for it, it disgusts me whenever she pairs us up. One of these days, she is going to get a beating from me. I think she has forgotten the kicks I gave her the last time we trained together." Aselia replied with a slight smirk playing on the edges of her lips and Yurian laughed.

Reaching the office, they knocked and entered with his permission. The office occupied a wide space, his mahogany desk lay in the center of the room, the left side was covered with a bookshelf, while the right wall was strewn with framed pictures of the fallen hunters during the line of duty. The portraits of the Alpha Team and Agent 35 have been added to the wall.

Aldridge was sitting with his elbows resting on the table and his hands supporting his chin. He wore an unreadable expression. "Sit," he spoke in his authoritative voice. Aselia and Yurian settled down on the seats in front of him.

"Who healed him last night?" He asked while glaring at them both. Yurian had turned off the camera in the room so there was no footage. Before Yurian could speak Aselia interjected:

"I did, and fed him too."

"Why?" He thundered, scrutinizing her.

"Because I don’t want him to die. We need him alive besides I specifically asked that he mustn’t be starved. My request was denied. Don’t forget he is my prisoner." Her voice held annoyance. Aldridge picked up on that.

"So you don’t agree with my methods and want to have your way?" Aldridge questioned her, his forehead burrowed, his sharp eyes observing her.

"I don’t want him to be starved and left unhealed after being tortured." Aselia laid out the truth.

"You two always act like the rules don’t apply to you both. You are my top hunters and I expected better from you, why do you always feel the need to go against my orders? Especially you Yurian." He shot him an angry look, knowing Yurian constantly broke his rules. Aselia and Yurian stayed quiet, knowing very well that any further confrontation will just add fire to the fuel. Aldridge continued:

"Since both of you are going to cause trouble while being idle, I am putting you on a mission, tomorrow. I wanted to give you both a break but that will only bring me more trouble and complaints. Mission instructions will be provided to you. I want this mission to go smoothly and need a full report at the end. Do I make myself clear?" His voice echoed in the room.

"Yes," both of them replied in unison.

"And, yes Aselia. Since you claim he is your prisoner. Today’s torture session will be carried out under your supervision, so bring me answers, I want you to stay and watch the whole process, be innovative, and use your own techniques. Rip his body apart. I don’t care, I need the answers he holds."