Chapter 10

ALPHA PARTHE.

I couldn't stand the sight of her anymore. Guilt twisted my guts. What if I was the one who hurt her?

The Wilf Wolf pack is the most secure pack one can ever think of. No one dared trespass unless they had a death wish.

This was from within. And to the best of my knowledge, I have no spies, no traitors, no enemy within... So, what the fuck happened to her?

The only plausible explanation is ME. I happened to her.

The curse's effect was different yesterday; it was almost as if something triggered a dangerous part of the curse. But I don't know what that is.

Nevertheless, no matter what happened, this was the first time I am unknowingly attacking someone from within my pack.

"Alpha. We could look further into this. The cattle, Luxuria," Beta Tervan spoke, pulling me out of my deep thoughts.

I adjusted on my seat, tossing away the scroll I had in hand, "There is no need. I think I did it," I said to him.

"This would be the first time, Alpha. You've never had any record of such. Why now? Why upon her arrival?" Tervan said but I shot him a glare.

"What are you insinuating? That my mate is a threat?" I asked with a hint of anger in my voice.

I am not standing up for her because she was my mate or because she is anything special. I am doing this because I feel guilty.

I might have been the one who hurt her, and I've already taken that burden upon myself. Along with the cattle we lost. I wasn't about to waste the day pointing fingers when I was the one out there last night, leaving destruction in my wake.

How am I to tell this wasn't me?

I just have to keep an eye on myself a little longer to see what happens each time the curse takes over.

"Forgive me, Alpha. I was just being critical and logical," Tervan said, further infuriating me, but I kept calm.

"I want to be left alone. We'll continue with this meeting a little later." I said as I dismissed him.

I already have a lot against Luxuria. I can't hold grudges of distrust or suspicion against her right now. It would only make her stay here even more unbearable for her.

I watched Beta Tervan leave, his footsteps fading into the distance, and for the first time in a long while, I felt the weight of guilt pressing down on my chest like an unbearable stone. The room was suffocating; every breath I took felt like inhaling smoke.

My mind raced, replaying the events from moments ago. Her blood, her wound, her confusion—it haunted me.

What if I did this?

The thought alone twisted my insides into knots. But behind that, behind the guilt, there was something darker—a shadow I'd never been able to escape. And Luxuria's incident brought back fresh memories.

Leora.

Her name, though buried deep in my soul, clawed its way to the surface, just as it did every time I lost control.

Her face flashed before my eyes that night—that night—when the curse first took hold of me. I could still hear her screams, still feel her tiny hands pushing against me as I tore into her flesh. She hadn't stood a chance.

I thought I had buried those memories long ago, hidden them under layers of indifference and coldness, but they were always there, etched in the corners of my mind. And now, with Luxuria lying hurt, possibly by my own hands, the memories had returned in full force.

No doubt, after our passionate night in the woods, I haven't been able to get her off my mind. But it seems I'm letting her get too close to my heart. I wouldn't want her to end up like Leora.

I clenched my fists, the sound of bones cracking under the pressure grounding me, but it wasn't enough. The ache in my chest grew heavier, suffocating. I had become the very thing I feared most.

The same monster that took my Leora away was still inside me—waiting, lurking, destroying anything I touched and held dear.

I had vowed never to care again after that cursed night. Caring led to pain, to loss, to destruction. My own family couldn't look me in the eye after what I had done.

My mother, the one person who had once comforted me, who had held me when I was afraid of the dark, couldn't stand to be in the same room as me. My father—he may not have said it outright, but I saw the disappointment, the disgust, in his eyes every time he looked at me. I was no longer their son.

But now, looking at the blood on Luxuria's body, I felt that old terror creeping back in. What if I had done it again? What if I had hurt Luxuria the same way I had hurt Leora?

I gripped the arms of my chair so tightly that the wood splintered beneath my hands. I stood abruptly, pacing the room as if I could outrun the guilt, but it followed me, gnawing at my every step.

I slammed my fist into the wall, the stone cool against my knuckles. The sharp pain jolted through me, but it didn't drown out the ache in my chest. Nothing could.

Every day, I curse my forefather, Alpha Xanda, for bringing this curse upon us. The last thing I ever want is to have a son.

This curse had to die in my time. I don't mind being the end of my lineage.

I closed my eyes, willing for my racing heart to stay calm, when I heard soft footsteps approaching from afar.

I maintained my composure and sat back in my seat. No one could ever see me this vulnerable.

"Alpha Parthe," Her soft, soothing voice called as she approached me.

"Shikta," I replied, picking up the scrolls I was going through initially. A collaboration proposal from the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack for an alliance.

Fuck alliances.

"How are you faring?" Shikta asked, occupying the seat just directly opposite mine.

"I'm well. How is she?" I found myself asking.

"She is going to be fine. It's not so severe," she replied, "But... The cut on her abdomen doesn't look like something inflicted by claws, Alpha."

Shikta said, finally getting my full attention.

"How do you mean?" I asked, getting even more interested in the topic.

"It seemed to have been inflicted by a stake... Or even something bigger than a stake."

What the fuck did I just hear? Does this mean I had harmed her using a stake? That was impossible. I have never used a weapon. My claws are all I always need when I go on a rampage.

There was more to this than meets the eye.