Chapter 16: SIXTEEN

M A R K O V

I was seated on a tree trunk, blowing out the smoke from my cigarette as I closed my eyes. The worst gas finally happened.

I had let my beast take control of my human side and now, she probably never wants to see my face again.

How stupid was I to think that I could be like every normal person when I had a raging beast inside of me?

Sybil.

The one who fucking did this to me.

The mastermind behind all of this.

I would have been like every other normal Alpha if it wasn’t for her. She made me blood thirsty, she made me stone hearted and cursed.

I would never be the man for Jade because of Sybil.

The only cure to my curse is my mate falling in love with me. But, how on earth was that going to be possible with the way I’ve been unintentionally treating her?

I had taken her innocence. I winced, remembering her shocked expression when she saw that side of me. I wasn’t even fully shifted into my lycanthropy form and she had that look, what if she found out that I was actually her worst nightmare?

The man whose name was never spoken for fear of being graced by his gruesome presence. A man whose story was also told to kids in order to scare them and make them listen.

I wanted to fucking strangle that witch, Sybil.

It was all her fault.

All her fucking fault!

“Well, well, well, who do we have here sitting all alone in the woods? The ugly beast himself.” Like I had whispered her name in my thoughts, the witch herself graced me with her infuriating presence.

Sybil still looked as young as ever despite being decades old. Her golden hair is longer and flowing down her tiny waist. Her green eyes shone, looking straight into mine.

Her red lips were formed in a smug smile as she walked towards me. Her voice sounded like honey, yet her tone was dripping with venom.

She was like the snake from the story of Adam and Eve.

Tempting yet deceiving.

Luring people into her trap.

She was wearing a very short skirt and a cropped shirt.

I snorted, and blew out the smoke, throwing the cigar into the bush.

Sybil stood in front of me and tilted her head to the side, studying me.

I glared at her.

How could a woman, a witch, curse a man into having a beast living within him, a beast who doesn't give a fuck about anyone but himself.

This wasn't the kind of life I wanted.

"Is it sick to say I’m so pleased to see how it’s going with her? I waited patiently for this day to come, knowing fully well that you would never treat her right. And your curse would forever remain. Just like you never treated me right.” Her voice was filled with so much malice, I could almost taste it.

She had always hated me.

Ever since we met, Sybil had always had something against me.

I couldn’t blame her.

I had never shown any interest in her. She was obsessive and needy. Always wanting more than what I could give her.Even after agreeing that whatever we had going on was just sex, she had always wanted more which I could never give her.

But, she had the ability to curse me and turn me into a beast, which she took to her advantage. She said and I quote, “If I can’t have you, then no one else will.”

Sybil was the beginning of my destruction.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked, clenching my fist. I had so many things I wanted to say, but couldn’t.

She smirked, and slowly trailed her finger down my cheek.

"I was just passing by, and decided to come and see how you're doing. Seems like your mate hates you already, and your curse will forever remain."

"Fuck off, Sybil. I'm not interested in hearing your voice, nor your words." I sneered, trying to suppress the rage that was bubbling inside of me.

Her eyes darkened, and her lips curved into a smirk.

"Aren't you curious why you’re lycan wolf doesn’t feel the mate bond with her?"

"Because of your fucking curse. That's why!" I spat, my veins pulsing and fists clenched.

Sybil shook her head and clicked her tongue, her hand gripping my chin tightly.

"It's not just that, Markov. There's a reason why the mate bond isn't strong with her. You'll find out sooner or later."

"I'm fucking tired of these riddles, Sybil. Speak fucking straight. I don't want to be in your presence longer than necessary."

"Always the same rude Markov. I'll leave you be. I know you're itching to tear me to shreds. But, remember this. Your mate is not what she seems. You might regret having her in your life."

And with that, she vanished.

Her words lingered in my mind, and a sudden fear crept into my heart.

Was she lying? Or was she telling the truth?

I was fucking confused.

I didn't want to think about her. I needed to get Jade to trust me and fall in love with me.

How?

That was the question.

How do you make someone who despises you, fall in love with you?

Jade would never trust me after what happened.

How could she?

How could she even stand the sight of me after what I did to her?

After seeing the monster I am?

She was probably thinking of a way to get rid of me.

How do I make her change her mind about me?

I needed a plan.

Something that would make her open up and trust me.

I needed her trust and love.

And, I wasn't going to stop until I got it.

No matter what.