Chapter 24

LUXURIA.

I desperately scanned through the large books on my table. My hands were trembling. My fear was getting the best of me.

The glow in my eyes was becoming difficult to keep in check. It appears and disappears at will.

What is wrong with me? Who can I talk to? What if I am truly a cursed one? Otherwise, how do I explain this?

Everyone called me CURSED. I think I am beginning to agree with them.

I couldn't tell the Alpha about this. What if he kills me because it is evident I am cursed? My curse is spreading faster now.

I had to hide this as much as I could.

For days now, I still haven't found a possible explanation as to what exactly triggered the curse in me. I was only able to find some herbs in a medicine book that treat acute anxiety problems.

I might as well start with that first.

As I feverishly flipped through the pages of an old tome, I stumbled upon a chapter titled "The Cure of Hera." The name made my heart race as it caught my attention.

I skimmed through it, searching for anything relevant to my symptoms.

The passage outlined an illness marked by severe and disturbing symptoms—a chilling description that mirrored my own struggles. I leaned closer, my fingers trembling as they traced the words. Heightened fears, anxiety, intense emotional fluctuations…

Where is the part where it talks about a glow in one’s eyes?

My heart raced as I skimmed through the chilling descriptions, the words aligning too closely with my experiences.

Goddess... These were the symptoms I have been experiencing.

The more I read, the more my anxiety grew. Each description matched what I was experiencing with unsettling accuracy.

Sweat trickled down my back, my skin prickling with the cold sweat of fear. As I read, the symptoms of the illness I call a curse seemed to leap off the page, becoming more real and vivid. My vision blurred, and I had to blink rapidly to clear the haze of tears forming at the edges of my eyes.

The text was dense, but a crucial word stood out: "However…" My eyes widened as the passage continued, hinting at a detail that might explain more about the illness's nature or its origins. "Should the symptoms persist, it is said that the curse might—" I anxiously flipped to the next page.

"Luxuria?" A voice called, and a knock on my door jolted me out of my research.

I scrambled to my feet as the knock startled me, hands fumbling to shove the heavy books off my table, hiding any trace of the knowledge I was desperately trying to uncover.

My heart raced, still trembling from the unsettling thoughts tugging at me— what if my eyes glow when whoever is at the door comes in?

It all seems to be more troubling when it's close to nighttime. And it's almost dark. I am scared of entertaining visitors until I figure things out.

"Come in," I called out, my voice steadier than I felt.

I prayed hard that whoever it was would leave immediately. I was dying to see what was on the other page of that book.

The door creaked open, and Zendaya slipped into the room, a soft smile on her face, balancing a wooden platter in her hands, covered with a simple cloth. Anxiety washed over me. She was the last person I wanted to see.

Zendaya had been kind to me these past few days, no doubt. But not now.

"I brought you something to eat, Luxuria. You missed dinner," she said, her voice gentle, like it always was. Her hazel eyes flickered with concern as she set the platter down. "Are you alright?"

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything since this morning. "Thank you, Zendaya. I didn't even realize how late it was." I gave her a small, appreciative smile. She had a way of making the darkness around me feel a little less suffocating. There was something likable about her, something that made me feel... safe, even if just for a moment.

"Thank you for putting in a good word for me. If not for your help, I may have still been in the dungeon until now," I added.

I didn't know why she hesitated, but she smiled and replied, "It's nothing, Luxuria. I did my best."

"You're so thoughtful." My voice softened with genuine gratitude.

"I could sit with you if you want." Zendaya offered, and my gaze snapped to meet hers immediately.

I hesitated, shifting slightly where I sat. "Oh no, I— I wouldn't want to bother you."

My hesitation almost made her retract the offer, but she paused.

I really want to be alone right now. I just want to sit here, drowning in the terrifying thoughts that consumed me.

I didn't need company.

"Please," she added, more earnestly this time. "I’d really appreciate it. I just want to be your friend.”

The sincerity in her voice tugged at me, and though every fiber of my being screamed for solitude, I found myself nodding. "Alright. Sit with me."

She smiled, a flicker of relief in her eyes as she gracefully lowered herself onto the stool beside me. I reached for the platter, uncovering a simple yet hearty meal of bread, roasted vegetables, and a small piece of salted meat. The aroma made my stomach tighten with hunger, but I still felt that familiar knot of unease in my chest.

As I took a bite, Zendaya watched me closely, her hands resting in her lap. She seemed hesitant at first, as though unsure of how to break the silence between us.

"How was your day?" she asked softly, her voice almost too casual.

I swallowed slowly, avoiding her gaze. "It was... fine. I’ve just been reading," I muttered, gesturing vaguely to the pile of books I hadn’t managed to completely hide.

"You seem to read a lot," she remarked, her tone light but laced with curiosity. "What are you researching?"

My heart skipped a beat. Did she know? Was she suspicious?

"Just... some old texts. Things that interest me," I replied evasively, tearing off another piece of bread. I could feel her eyes on me, studying my every move, and for a moment, I feared she could see the darkness I was trying so hard to conceal.

Zendaya nodded, leaning back slightly. She looked around the room, her gaze briefly resting on the spines of the ancient tomes scattered across the table. "I’ve always been fascinated by old stories too," she said, her voice casual again, but I could sense the careful way she was building this conversation. "Especially the tales from other packs. What about your former pack, Luxuria? Were there any interesting legends or customs there?"

I stilled, my hand hovering over the food. The mention of my former pack was a delicate subject—one I would rather not talk about. My throat tightened, memories flashing through my mind, unwanted and painful.

"There were a few," I answered slowly, keeping my tone measured. "But nothing worth remembering."

Zendaya tilted her head, her expression soft but probing. "It must’ve been hard, leaving them behind."

I had to change the topic. I didn't like the way I felt inside me. A rush of anger threatened to burst through every pore in my flesh.

No. No. I had to control it. I took deep, sharp breaths, calming my nerves.

"About the night I arrived..." I changed the topic. For the benefit of both of us. "What actually happened? Why was everyone indoors? Why was I asked not to step out?" I asked, hoping to know more. The event of that day keeps plaguing me.

"There is so much you will get to know sooner or later about your new pack. For now, I am in no position to tell you anything about it," She said with a smile. "To stay out of trouble, always do as you are told."

I nodded.

"Tell me," she said softly, her tone shifting subtly, "have you heard any unusual stories or rumors about the pack since you arrived?"

I shook my head in the negative. "No, Zendaya."

She was silent.

Suddenly, she stood up, "I should let you finish your meal. It's getting late, and you need your rest."

I felt a wave of relief as she picked up the empty platter. I desperately wanted her to leave so I could return to the book and uncover what had been interrupted.

As Zendaya reached the door, she paused and looked back at me, her expression soft. "Luxuria, if you ever need someone to talk to or just... a friend, I'm here. Don’t hesitate to reach out."

I managed a nod, though my thoughts were still tangled in the pages of the book. "Thank you, Zendaya."

She smiled warmly and stepped out, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The silence that followed was almost a relief. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

Turning back to the table, I pulled out the book and hastily opened the pages.

"Should the symptoms persist, it is said that the curse might—" I eagerly flipped to the next page and, to my greatest dismay... It was gone.

The page was nowhere to be found.