All Chapters of The Curse Within : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Sofia's POVBeing in Alaric’s room felt like stepping into another world. The moment I crossed the threshold I was surrounded by his scent a blend of pine and something rich and musky that made my head spin. It was warm and masculine yet somehow comforting all at once. The space itself was surprisingly tidy with dark furniture and a large bed covered in neatly arranged black sheets. A faint chill lingered in the air but it wasn’t the cold that made me shiver.It was him.Alaric.The way he looked as he stood in front of me shirtless with sweatpants hanging low on his hips his abs on full display. The sharp definition of his torso the way the muscles rippled with every small movement—it was almost too much to handle. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest each beat loud and insistent as heat pooled low in my belly.I tried not to stare but my gaze betrayed me lingering on the v-line that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. God help me he was beautiful. Every inch of him

Sofia's POVAfter the whirlwind of emotions in Alaric’s room, I felt like I needed to clear my head. I couldn’t believe the way my body reacted to him. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see the way his muscles flexed as he cleaned my wound, the intensity in his gaze when he spoke to me. My heart raced just thinking about it.How was it possible to feel this way about someone I barely knew? Alaric was... captivating. I found myself wishing he had leaned in, kissed me, claimed me in a way that made no sense but felt entirely natural. Shaking my head, I forced myself to stop.I needed a distraction.After pulling myself together, I decided a shower might help. As the warm water cascaded over me, I tried to push the thoughts of Alaric out of my mind, but they lingered, wrapping around me like a second skin.Once I was dressed and ready, I figured a walk might help. Alaric had mentioned I’d be going away later, and the idea of spending more time cooped up in my room didn’t sit well wit

Alaric’s POVI can’t stop pacing the room. The weight of the situation presses down on me, suffocating me. Sofia doesn’t know, not yet. She doesn’t know the full extent of what’s happening to her, and I’m torn. She’s my mate, my human mate, and now she’s about to be thrust into this supernatural world, a world she never asked for, never believed in. But now, she’s one of us, whether she wants it or not.It’s a lot to process, I know. I’ve had time to adjust to the idea, but for Sofia, everything is going to change in the blink of an eye. And that shift, it’s coming tonight. She’s not going to be ready for it. None of us were, not at first, but we had a pack, a family, to help us through it. She’s alone in this, except for me.I can feel Luka pacing in my chest, his energy restless, like he knows something is about to happen. He can feel the pull of the bond between us, too, but he’s not the one I’m worried about. It’s Sofia. I’ve never felt this helpless in my life. How do I explain t

Sofia’s POVI sat in my room, staring blankly at the closed door after Alaric left. His words echoed in my mind, tangling with my thoughts and refusing to settle into anything that made sense.A werewolf.I was a werewolf.It sounded absurd, like something pulled straight out of a supernatural movie. But deep down, I couldn’t deny that it made sense.The pain I felt immediately after the accident—the searing, all-encompassing ache in my chest—wasn’t just guilt or shock. It was something deeper, something primal. And then there were my eyes.The previous day, I’d caught my reflection in a storefront window, just for a moment. My eyes had glowed—a bright, piercing blue that sent a chill down my spine. At the time, I’d dismissed it, blaming fatigue or a trick of the light. But now?Now I knew better.And Alaric. The first time I saw him, something inside me had shifted. It wasn’t just attraction—it was a pull, like an invisible thread connecting us. I’d chalked it up to nerves or despera

(Alaric's POV)The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting the clearing in shades of gold and crimson. I glanced at Sofia as we walked side by side toward the private forest behind the lake house, her steps slow and deliberate. She hadn’t said much since we left the house, and I could tell she was nervous.“Are you okay?” I asked gently.She hesitated, her fingers twisting together before she nodded. “Yeah, I just... I don’t know what to expect.”I gave her a small smile, hoping to ease her nerves. “It’s natural to feel that way. The first shift can be intense, but I’ll be right here with you. You don’t have to face it alone.”Her eyes flicked to mine, searching. “Does it hurt? Be honest with me, Alaric.”I sighed, knowing she deserved the truth. “Yes, it will hurt at first. Your body is changing in ways it’s never experienced before. But the pain doesn’t last long. Once it’s over, it’s...” I paused, searching for the right words. “It’s the most freeing, most incredible thing you’ll ever