3: THE TEST.

Kane’s pov

Quietly, I paced the room, back and forth repeatedly, my impatience growing with each second as it always did on days like this. What would be the outcome of today’s test? That was the one and only question on my mind.

Will today mark the end of all my sufferings? Or will it be just like all the other times—another failure and despair, was that what awaited me again today?

I shook the thought from my mind. I didn't even want to think of it, but I couldn't help it. I have had over fifty tests done already, and failure and disappointment is all I've ever gotten from each attempt to break the curse. It was kind of the only thing to expect.

And though I tried to keep an open mind all this time, to have hope, I wouldn't deny the fact that my hope was waning with each failed test. I was even beginning to doubt if truly there was anyone who could break this curse or if I had been chasing the wind all this time.

I barely had any hope left, but I also didn't want to give up trying because I couldn't possibly accept this cursed fate for the rest of my life nor have it passed down to my future generation—Never! It had to end now. I’d make sure of that.

I paused, staring out the window where the moon would soon rise full, transforming me into a beast that cannot be controlled, with the thirst of flesh burning inside of me. I swallowed hard, my stomach filled with dread at the very thought.

A knock echoed through my chambers and without glancing at the door I shouted, “Who is it??”

“Alec, Alpha Kane,” he answered.

I turned away from the window. “Come in.”

The door creaked open, and he walked in, regarding me with a look.

“She's ready,” he declared with a moment’s pause. “Are you ready?” He asked with a concerned look.

“Not really,” I muttered with a sigh, approaching him at the door, “I’m not sure there's much to look forward to given our past failures.”

“We can't fail all the time, Kane. Perhaps this is the one.”

I scoffed, “You said that last time, and all the times before that.”

He smiled, “I've gotta be right at some point.”

I chuckled. “Hopefully, and even if you're not. It doesn't matter. I mean, what's the worst that can happen that hasn't already happened?”

Shrugging, “Nothing, I guess,” he whispered.

I blew out a breath. “Exactly. So let's go.”

Alec and I headed to the cellar beneath the mansion, hearing a loud banging on the door as we arrived.

“Let me out!” The girl yelled, banging on the door harder.

“She's not taking it so well,” Alec said, and I glanced at him with a knowing look.

“I can see that,” I enunciated.

Alec scoffed as he opened the door and Rain appeared before us, her face flushed with anger as she glared.

“What is this?” She demanded in a stern voice.

“What does it look like to you, princess?” I questioned, brushing past her as I walked into the room, the iron cage built for me in sight. The cage was the only thing that kept me from leaving a pile of bodies everywhere, and exposing our existence to the humans.

It was my only solution. And so I walked into it, bending my body with its size as Alec locked me in like some wild animal which right now, I was. He pulled at the lock, making sure it would hold before turning away.

I shifted my focus away from the room and looked over the window from my cage to the moon that was close to reaching its peak, then my eyes darted back to Rain’s shouts. She banged at the door where Alec had gone through, and then turned her attention to me.

“What the hell am I doing here?” she roared, shaking the bars to draw my attention to her. I stared at her, crossing my arms and leaning back against the cage.

“You're here to be tested.” I replied tersely.

“Yeah, I got that bit already. You're cursed and so and so. I don't care!” She exclaimed. “I don't want any part in this!”

I scoffed, amused by her. “Yeah. I don't want to be cursed either but here we are,” I shrugged, dropping my hands to my side, and approaching her with the bars between us. “I don't have a choice and neither do you so if I were you I'd just shut up already.”

Her jaw tightened, her gaze hard as she leaned closer to the bar, “It's no wonder you're cursed,” she said, her voice full of spite and riling me up.

“WATCH YOUR MOUTH, PRINCESS! Don't make me rip up your pretty lungs!” I growled through gritted teeth.

I stared at her with much intensity, jaw clenched, her eyes fixed on me. She threw her head slightly, “Go on, you devil. I dare you!”

My stomach clenched at her words, my skin burning up. I darted my gaze at the moon—any minute from now it will begin.

“Tell me something, devil Alpha. How did you get cursed??” she questioned, and I blinked a vivid memory of Raya’s bloody corpse flashed through my mind.

My heart tightened in my chest and I pulled away from the bar, turning my back to her, shutting my eyes. I didn't want to think of it—I didn't want to remember any of it.

“Why are you turning away? Are you embarrassed?” I clenched my jaw, remembering Raya smile, and the sound of her laughter. “I didn't know monsters like you still felt things like shame,” she goaded.

I tightened my hand in a fist, my wolf slowly creeping in. “What did you do??” she demanded.

“It's none of your business,” I spat without looking at her, my blood boiling with enormous rage.

“You know, I'm not surprised that you're cursed,” she said, and I spun around, my gaze landing on hers. “In fact, I think that it couldn't happen to a more deserving person, and whatever your curse is,” she whispered through gritted teeth, her forehead creased, her eyes glistening with tears.

“I sincerely hope that it is as painful and ruthless as you are—”

“SHUT UP!” I roared, trembling with uncontrollable rage that ripped me open from the inside.

Silence tore through the room, only for a moment and then it began. A violent shudder ripped through me, my muscles locked tight, spine arched and then a deep guttural growl rumbled from my chest.

My fingers clawed, nails elongated, and with no warning, my bones snapped, limbs reshaping as I fell to the ground, darting my gaze to her.

“You don't know what you're talking about!”

Her eyes were filled with terror. “I don't care! You killed my family! You ruined my life, and you deserve everything that you got!” She shouted, “I hope that you are never redeemed from the curse. I hope you die like this!” she smirked, “It is what you deserve!”

My body went rigid in an instant and I let out a howl. Rain took a step back in terror, eyes widened as horror dawned on her face. My jaw tightened, fangs springing out, my once human eyes changing completely. I could feel it, I could sense it. Burning! Flaming! Horrifying in darkness and it shone with black.

I howled, stepping back and throwing myself at the cage suddenly, wanting to break free. Rain’s breath hitched. Once, twice, and the third time I broke loose from the cage with all my strength and then I was out to pounce at her—the embodiment of my rage.

My claws stretched high as though aiming for her face and she… she moved back in fear, tripping to the ground like she had seen the devil.

Well, technically I was THE DEVIL.