All Chapters of The Curse Within : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

(ALARIC'S POV)The forest was quiet now, the only sound being the soft rustle of leaves and the steady rhythm of our paws against the earth. The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over everything as we made our way back to the lake house.Luka walked beside Sofia’s wolf, their bond undeniable. They moved in perfect sync, as though they had been connected for lifetimes instead of hours.When we reached the clearing where the house stood, Luka turned to Sofia’s wolf and nuzzled her gently, his tone soft but firm. “It’s time to shift back.”Sofia’s wolf tilted her head, her luminous blue eyes filled with curiosity. “How do I do that?”“It’s not as hard as it seems,” Luka assured her. “Focus on your human form, picture yourself as you were before, and let the shift happen. It may feel strange at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.”Sofia’s wolf nodded, her determination evident. She closed her eyes, her body stilling as she concentrated. Slowly, the change began. Her

(ALARIC'S POV)The morning air was crisp and calm, the sunlight filtering through the curtains of the lake house as I stood in the kitchen. Lyra had left just as I’d asked, her presence no longer necessary now that Sofia had shifted safely. I appreciated her help last night, but I needed this time with Sofia—alone.Something about her had been pulling at me since the moment we met, and now that she’d shifted and her wolf had emerged, the connection between us felt even stronger. I wanted to use this weekend as an opportunity to get closer to her, to finally take a step toward building something real.I glanced at the ingredients I’d gathered on the counter. Breakfast felt like the perfect way to start. Sofia had been through a lot, and after everything that happened last night, I wanted to give her a moment of comfort, something that showed her I cared.The scent of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as I worked, the rhythmic chop of the knife against the cutti

ALARIC’S POVI closed Sofia’s door quietly behind me, but the sound of my own heartbeat roared louder than any click or creak of wood. My chest rose and fell with every shaky breath, the remnants of that kiss still clinging to my lips.“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, scrubbing a hand over my face as I descended the stairs.That kiss.It was everything. A wildfire that sparked the moment our lips met, spreading through my veins and leaving nothing but heat and hunger in its wake. Her taste, her scent, the way her soft gasp had escaped into my mouth—it was intoxicating. It had taken everything I had to pull away, to not give in to the primal urge to claim her right there and then.“You’re a fool,” Luka growled in the back of my mind. My wolf had been unrelenting since I left the room, his restless energy clawing at me.“I’m not a fool,” I snapped back, heading toward my room.“You kissed her, got her all worked up, and then you left,” Luka said, his tone dripping with frustration

Alaric’s POVThe sunlight danced on the surface of the lake, reflecting golden ripples that seemed to stretch forever. The air smelled of pine and water, a clean scent that usually calmed my wolf. But not today. Today, every instinct in me was tuned to the woman floating in front of me, her laughter a sound I wanted to bottle and keep for eternity.Sofia.The bond thrummed between us, an electric pull that was impossible to ignore. Her scent was intoxicating—a mix of wildflowers and something uniquely hers. It was driving me insane, the way she looked at me, the way her body moved in the water with effortless grace.I swam closer, unable to resist, the tension in my chest growing with every stroke. She didn’t notice at first, her eyes closed as she floated, her lips slightly parted as though she was whispering secrets to the sky. The sight of her like this—unguarded, peaceful—hit me harder than I expected.She turned her head, her blue eyes meeting mine, and I saw her breath hitch.“Y

ALARIC'S POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room. I watched Sofia stir beside me, her breathing even, her features calm for the first time since this chaos began. She looked fragile, yet there was an undeniable strength in her, a quiet resilience that stirred something primal within me. My mate. The word still sent ripples of emotion through me—protectiveness, desire, and something deeper I wasn’t ready to name.Last night had been unexpected. Sofia had given herself to me, not just physically but emotionally, as if surrendering her walls piece by piece. But as much as it felt like progress, I knew her fear of returning to the pack house lingered like a dark cloud. Her guilt over what happened with Thorne’s son weighed heavily on her, and no matter how many times I assured her it wasn’t her fault, I could see the doubt in her eyes.I rose quietly, careful not to wake her, and made my way to the window. The forest stretched end