Chapter 26 Chapter 25
Alpha king Kieran.
When it became too much for my body to bear, my wolf inched to the surface, absorbing all the pain and agony in my place. I clung to Xavier, my wolf, my protector and only solace in the midst of agony.
With a shuddering breath, I returned to the present, drenched in sweat and trembling. My eyes caught the scars on my body and I stiffened, my heart blackening. I never let anyone see them, knowing fully well they wouldn't be able to understand the horrors behind it. These scars were a testament to all I had endured in the hands of my father. The pain was not merely a memory but a constant companion, a part of who I had become.
Needing a way to dull the ache, I turned to the bottle on my bedside table, filled with the potent liquid that often served as my escape. Chugging the entire content down my throat, I expected to feel the usual light headedness they came with consuming such a large amount of alcohol in such quick time but nothing happened. Just pure emptiness in my soul and the disgust crawling up my spine.
Getting out of the bed, I walked to the basin filled with cold water in the chambers, washing my face clean of all the the sweat, my gaze becoming clear. The pain lingered but I had gotten used to it, accepting the fact that there was nothing I could do about it in my current situation. For a moment, I considered summoning morticia but I shook off the idea the second it took root. Being with her never helped with anything. She was only a temporary balm for my wounds, nothing more.
Fetching another bottle of wine, I settled on one of the chairs in the chambers, drinking quietly in the darkness, the night sounds and animals my constant companion. My thoughts drifted, as they often did these days, to Evelyn—the enigmatic woman who had somehow entered my life. I remembered the night she had been in my chambers, after the Alpha king's meeting, an unexpected presence that had disrupted the usual patterns of my existence.
She had been a trembling bird, a slave challenging my dominance, and yet, there had been something about her. Something that had resonated with me, something that had stirred my wolf from its slumber. It was a feeling I couldn't shake, and I was hesitant to explore it further, knowing I would be inviting the inevitable.
I wondered about the effect she had on me, about the way she was slowly changing the dynamics of our interactions. Her hatred for me was evident, but I had always been skilled at twisting circumstances to my advantage. This would be no different. I would hurt her and I would find pleasure in her pain, and when she saw that part of me, it would be too late for her because she would be broken beyond repair.
It was why I kept my distance and didn't bother myself with the matters of the heart. Because it was not for someone like me. Men like me didn't fall in love or pursue something substantial with a woman. Monsters like me brought pain and disaster wherever we went because growing up, it was all I was ever given. Frustrated, I took a deep breath and rubbed my eyes, drinking more cups of wine till that one was empty as well. Still clearheaded as hell, I gave up altogether.
I couldn't do this. I can't pursue what I have with Evelyn, whatever it is. It won't bode well for either of us. Still, I knew I couldn't stay away either. It was only at her presence that my wolf raged and calmed. I didn't know why but it was true and I didn't like it. Images of her flashed in my mind and I growled, feeling my wolf grow restless once more. Who am I kidding? I'll only be torturing myself if I kept at this.
With a newfound resolve, I decided that the days ahead would be dedicated to unraveling the mystery of Evelyn. I needed to understand the connection between us, to decipher why she had awakened something in me that I thought was long buried.
I pushed aside the turmoil in my mind and prepared to return to sleep. The nightmares, the memories, and the unexplainable link with Evelyn would all have to wait for another night. For now, I needed rest, for the challenges that lay ahead required a clear mind and a steady hand.
As I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but wonder if I was on the brink of something profound—or if I was merely descending further into the abyss of my own making.
Evelyn.
Days passed after the horrible time at the Alpha king's meeting and things had smoothened out for me fortunately. I continued my life as a slave, falling into a monotonous routine that included spending my morning cleaning the palace before going to the mines where I spent the rest of my days, tilling the ground.
The mines had become my second home. Each day, I descended into the earth's cold, unforgiving embrace, my fingers scraping at the rocky surface in search of the hidden treasures it held. Some days were barren, the dirt yielding nothing but dust and disappointment. But today, today was different.
Despite the Alpha king's confusing behavior towards me, my hatred for him had yet to abate and as time passed, I began thinking of ways to get rid of the monster that had caused me so much pain and heartache. The need to make him pay was starting to override my sense of reasoning and before long the idea grew till I had a plan set up.
As my pickaxe struck the ground, a metallic clink echoed through the narrow tunnel. My heart raced, and I dropped to my knees, carefully brushing away the dirt to reveal the source of the sound. There it was—a glittering gem, radiant in its beauty. It sparkled with an inner fire, as if holding a piece of the sun itself.
I couldn't help but smile as I cradled the huge piece of gem in my hands. Luck had been on my side lately, and today's find was just another testament to that. Perhaps it was the universe's way of granting me a rare respite from the harsh reality of my life.
Amaris saw what I was holding and a huge smile hit her lips as she gazed at the huge precious stone in my hands. "Wow, Evelyn. That is one precious stone!" She commented, sounding excited for me.
"It is. Today must be my lucky day." I muttered, cleaning off the sweat on my face. She chuckled before turning to her station, hitting the ground rhythmically.
"I hope I am as lucky as you." She said and I smiled even if she wasn't staring at me.
"I know you will." I muttered, letting out a breath.