His Pain, Weakness, And Curse

CHAPTER FIVE

His Pain, Weakness, And Curse

"Ashier!" Ralph called as Ashier turned to leave, "There might be a way to make us get back as brothers, just like we use to be," he added.

Ashier turner back to him immediately, it was what he wishes for, for them to be back as brothers, just like they were before, just like they were fifteen years ago.

It has been a hell of a ride for him without his brother. His brother was the only family he had left after his parents was killed by the humans and werewolves, he wanted the support of his family, that was one thing he lacked and he wanted to get it back.

He looked up at his brother, Ralph with a big smile on his face, his eyes shown with joy as he stared at him, "What is that Ralph?" he asked, anxious to know what his brother wanted.

Was is wealth? Was it a rank among the royals? Was it a car house? He was ready to give his brother whatever he wanted, he was ready to give him everything he want just to get back with him.

"Just tell me what it is Ralph, I am ready to give you whatever you want, just mention it," he stated.

Ralph chuckled, "The throne, can you give that to me?" He asked, his smile fading off each second, "I want the throne Ashier, I want what belongs to me, can you give that back? Can you give that to me?"

Ashier hung his head, he wished it was so easy as he had said, he wished what his brother demanded was so easy, an he would have willingly given him the throne if he wasn't also binded by some rules.

Ralph, his stepbrother was the son of the late alpha king's chosen mate, and only the son of the real mate of the alpha can rule the kingdom, it has been a rule which had been intact even before they were born, he couldn't just change it like that.

He looked up at Ralph, his eyes heavy with sadness, "Ralph, I didn't put myself in this position, I have never wished for the throne." He stopped and sighed, he took a step closer to Ralph, "The pack made me the king and I want you to know that this hasn't changed anything, I am still your brother, I am still the Ashier whom you carry with you everywhere and.."

"Enough Ashier, just stop with the stories. Stop with the emotional stories because I am not in for that," Ralph cut him off and moved closer to him, he leaned in, "I want you to remember what I said when you came in here. We are strangers now, I don't know who you are because you stopped being my brother the day you took what is mine."

"I didn't take anything Ralph," Ashier retorted, "I only did what was right, and stop making this a big deal. I know why you are like this, it is because you can't bear to see your younger brother on the throne, it is hurting your ego and you are.."

"Ashier!" Ralph shouted, "You had better watch what you say to me. I don't care if you are the king or not, you are a nobody to me," he yelled and stepped away, "You are just a thief who has robbed me of what I desired the most, a thief who took what belongs to me away."

Ashier hung his head, he didn't mean to say all he said, he was just frustrated that Ralph wasn't understanding him, he couldn't understand that he didn't want to be in the position he was.

All his life, he had just wanted to live a free life, not being binded by a rule, just living the life he wants and desired, but he couldn't even do that, he was a king, and whatever he does would affect the Kingdom.

He looked up at Ralph again, watching him as he boiled with anger, he wondered what he could do to gain his brother's love back.

He sighed, realizing that there was nothing more he could do. It dawned on him that his brother would only get back with him if he gives up the throne to him and that wasn't possible. Ralph wasn't ready to go back to the way they were, he already locked the door to any relationship with Ashier since the day he was declared at the heir to the throne.

Ashier nodded and stepped away from Ralph, "I will leave you to do what you want Ralph," he said, "But remember that I am only doing this to make things right, and I will do whatever it takes to protect the throne because it belongs to me now."

With that, Ashier dashed out of the room, his blood boiling and his body convulsed with anger. He wanted to scream out loud and shout.

He was a king, he wasn't supposed to be weak, but the love he had for his brother was making him do things he couldn't even do on a normal day. He was begging for his brother's love and he wasn't even ready to take him back.

Ashier rushed to his chamber with the lines of courtmen and guards following behind him.

He walked into his chamber and slammed the door behind him as he paced around in the room, how could his brother say that to him? How could he forget all they've shared? All their memories and all they've been through together?

How could he forget the promises they've made to each other? They had promised to accept whoever was chosen to take up the throne and support each other, but Ralph has gone back on the promise they made to each other.

He sat with his head in his hands, his heart heavy with sadness. He couldn't believe that his own brother would choose the throne over their relationship. He loved Ralph dearly and had always looked up to him as an older brother, but now he felt like he didn't even know him anymore.

He wouldn't be trying to bring him back to himself if he doesn't love him, he couldn't let go of all their memories, of all they shared when they were young, but Ralph had made it clear to him that he wanted the throne over their relationship.

Ralph was the only one left to him as a family, and the least he could do was be with him and also get his support, but he couldn't.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about the happy times they had spent together as children, playing and laughing without a care in the world. He remembered how they had learn horse riding, swordsmanship and even archery together, they did everything together without caring about what others would say. Ashier remembered that he was always better than Ralph in whatever they did, he was better than him in horse riding, swordsmanship, archery and even royal teaching, but Ralph never cared about that.

He did everything with so much joy, with so much happiness, he did everything without caring about what others would say, but it has changed now, now he cares about what others would say.

He cares about what people will say when they see his younger brother ruling the Kingdom. Ashier couldn't help but think that there was something else about Ralph's quest for the throne, there was something more about that, and it wasn't just because he was younger than him.

The memories and times they've shared together raced through his head again, he remembered how Ralph would take the blame for him whenever he did something wrong, Ralph would get punished in his place whenever he did something wrong, What has changed now?

Ralph was so protective in the past, he was the best brother anyone could wish for, he protected him and made him feel safe, but now he doesn't feel safe with his brother anymore.

He missed those times, and he missed his brother. He couldn't bear the thought of losing him forever.

Despite the pain he was feeling, despite his brother's attitude towards him, Ashier still loved Ralph dearly. He knew that Ralph was ambitious and wanted to be king, he knew that Ralph has always wanted to be the king, he would talk about him ruling with Ashier by his face, he knew how much Ralph desired the throne, but he couldn't understand why that desire was worth sacrificing their relationship. Ashier wanted nothing more than to reconcile with his brother and live as a family once again.

Ashier sighed as he sat back on the chair, his head rested on the back. He closed his eyes, hoping to push back all those thoughts and concentrate this time, he wanted to relax his head and forget all those things, but he couldn't. His mind rather went to what he had been battling with for years. His weakness and curse.

As Ashier thought about his curse, his eyes filled up with tears. He loved his kingdom and his people so much, but he knew that his time was running out. He had always tried to hide his pain and act strong in front of everyone, but deep down, he was scared and felt so alone.

He had tried to many things to avert the curse but none seemed to work, he has been to lots of people but none was able to find a solution for his problem. He had been to soothsayers, to witches, doctors, he had tried every possible way, but no positive result.

The arrow of death had no cure, one would die after being shot my it, no one has ever survived it. The arrow has killed even the strongest of the werewolves, Ashier knew there was no way out of for him, he was definitely going to die, but he couldn't deal with that fact.

It was so hard for him to deal with it, he couldn't think about dying and leaving everything behind. His kingdom, and his people, everything he had worked and toiled for.

He stood up from his chair and walked towards the window, gazing out at the vast kingdom he had built. He wished he had more time to enjoy it, to see his people flourish and grow. But he knew that he had to find a way to save himself, or everything he had worked for would be lost.

Tears streamed down Ashier's face as he stood there, feeling helpless and lost. He loved his kingdom and his people, but the curse was slowly taking a toll on him. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving his people without a good leader, but he knew that time was running out for him.

He had always been a strong and determined person, but the curse had weakened him, both physically and emotionally. He couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and despair as he thought about the future.

The hardest thing he has had to do was pretending to be strong around his people when he was just a weakling who needed help, he was in so much pain and he was dying, hut there was no one he could tell. The only one who knew Abit the curse again was the pack witch, and she also had tried to find ways to help Ashier, but everything had been futile.

The thought that he was going to die was so unbearable, he couldn't die just like that, and his instincts kept telling him that there was a way out, a way he was yet to find. And he was ready to do whatever it takes to redeem himself, even if it meant people losing their lives for it.

He wished his brother would understand the gravity of the situation and work with him to find a solution. But he knew that his brother was blinded by his desire for power and would do anything to get the throne. He couldn't even think of telling Ralph what was happening to him, he knew that Ralph would use that against him, and he would use it as a medium to get the throne from him.

Ashier wiped away his tears and took a deep breath. He needed to stay strong and focused if he was going to find a cure. He couldn't give up, not yet. He would do whatever it takes to find a cure, even if it meant sacrificing everything he had. He would do anything to get his redemption, he has suffered for a long time, he had been hiding his pain and the agony he was in, he deserved to be healed, he deserved to be redeemed.

With a heavy heart, he made up his mind to search for a cure, no matter what it takes. He would not give up, he would fight until the very end to save his kingdom and his own life. He wiped away his tears and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead.

Ashier headed for the giant mirror in his room, he stood in front of it and pulled of his shirt. He turned his back as she stared at the wound in his back.

He still couldn't believe that he had been battling with this since the past five years, and the wound keeps getting bigger, the pain and agony he feels increases each day.

Tears welled up in his eyes again as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. He had always tried to hide his pain from his people, to maintain his image as a strong and capable ruler. But the curse was slowly eating away at him, both physically and emotionally.

The wound on Ashier's back was enormous, stretching from his shoulder blade down to his lower back. The skin around it was red and inflamed, and he could see bits of blackened flesh in the center of the wound.

As he stood before the mirror, he could feel the dark energy emanating from it, almost like tendrils of black smoke swirling around the edges of the wound. The energy seemed to be pulsating, almost as if it had a life of its own, and he could feel its malevolent presence weighing heavily on his soul. It was a constant reminder of the curse that he carried, and the fact that he was slowly dying, both inside and out. His energy will soon run out and he would be dead in no time.

The thought of that made him shake in fear, he was getting closer to death with each passing day, he felt like there was no way out. No matter how positive he wanted to stay, the fact that he was going to die wouldn't change.

Ashier couldn't help but feel bitter towards his fate. He had done everything he could to be a good king and lead his people with compassion, but it seemed like the universe had other plans for him. He wondered if he would ever find a way out of this curse, or if he would die alone, his legacy forgotten.

The weight of his worries felt crushing, and he collapsed on the floor, his head buried in his hands as he cried. He wished he had someone to confide in, someone who could understand his pain and help him carry the burden. But as the tears flowed down his cheeks, he knew he was alone in his struggle.

As he stared at his reflection in the mirror, he heard his door opening and he quickly put on his shirt back.

He turned swiftly to the one who has entered without permission and his anger grew when he saw Nora.

"What are you doing here?" Ashier barked, "And how many times have I told you not to ever come into my room without permission Nora?"

Nora hung her head, "I am sorry, Your highness," she apologized and kept her head that way for some minutes before she looked up at Ashier with a smile on her face, "I am only here to say hello," she added and moved closer to him, "I have missed you Ashier," she murmured.

"Stop right there Nora," Ashier shouted, "I know what you are up to and I'm sorry to disappoint you but I am not interested," he added.

He knew Nora was there to make advances at him again, but he wasn't ready for that, especially not in the state of mind he was in, he wasn't ready to do anything with anyone.

Nora smiled, she closed the gap between them and placed a hand on Ashier's shoulder, "But Your highness, why do you keep turning me down? Am I not.."

He grabbed her hand, "Just leave Nora, leave."

"Your highness, I am."

"Leave!" Ashier yelled.

Nora was taken aback by Ashier's sudden aggression towards her. She tried to explain that she loved him and wanted to be with him, but he wouldn't listen. Ashier's face was twisted with anger and frustration as he spoke, his grip on her wrist tightening.

"I don't love you, Nora," he said through gritted teeth. "I never have and I never will. I only got mated to you because my parents wanted me to. But I can't do this anymore, I can't pretend to be something I'm not. I can't pretend to love you when I don't."

Nora's eyes filled with tears as she listened to Ashier's words. She had always known that he didn't love her, but hearing it so harshly from his mouth still hurt. She tried to pull away from him, but his grip on her wrist was too strong.

"Please, Ashier," she pleaded. "I know you don't love me now, but maybe someday you will. Please give me a chance."

But Ashier shook his head. "I can't, Nora. I'm sorry. Please leave me alone."

With that, Nora dragged her feat out of the room, but soon as she got outside, she quickened her pace as she headed for her chamber.

She got in and slammed the door behind her, her eyes twisting with rage.

"Were you able to do it?" that was Gamma's Fred voice, he stepped out a corner in the room, "Did he allow you?"

Nora grumbled, "You know how he is. If not for our plan and what I want, I wouldn't be doing all this"

Gamma Fred smiled as wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her to himself and trailing her face, "I also don't want you to be with him. You are mine Nora," he smiled, "But we just have to do this just for our plan to work, so we can he together forever without anyone troubling us."

Nora sighed and kept quiet for some minutes, before a smile fell on her face. She said, "I have a plan."