All Chapters of The Curse Within : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

SOFIA'S POVThe room was suffocating, a thick weight of silence pressing down on me. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers curled into the sheets, staring at the wall across from me. Every part of me still trembled, still felt the raw edges of fear and adrenaline that had flooded me during the attack. I couldn’t escape the images of the chaos, the sounds of battle, and the surge of panic that had gripped me when the rogues had come for me.But there was something else there, something beneath the fear, beneath the terror that had taken root in my chest. I couldn’t ignore the pull, the way my thoughts kept circling back to him. Alaric. His presence was still so vivid in my mind, his scent, the warmth of his body against mine as he pulled me close to shield me from the danger.I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the thoughts away. He had been there, he had protected me, and for that, I was grateful. But I couldn’t let that gratitude become something else, something I wasn’t ready to fac

SOFIA'S POVI woke up the next morning with an overwhelming sense of anticipation, my body still aching from the remnants of the attack and the confusion swirling in my mind, but today felt different. There was a pull to it, something urging me forward, something stronger than my fear, stronger than the chaos that had settled in the corners of my mind after the rogues had attacked.As I dressed in the clothes provided for me, the weight of uncertainty hung heavy, but the fear that once clenched at my chest now felt distant, like an old, forgotten wound. I had decided to trust Alaric, at least for now, though part of me still hesitated, still wondered what would happen once I stepped outside this room. The bond between us was undeniable, yet terrifying, and the world around me, the world I had never known existed, seemed to be closing in faster than I could process it.I wasn’t just some helpless human anymore, I was something else, something dangerous, and I was still trying to unders

Sofia’s POVThe training had been grueling, my muscles aching as I made my way back to the cabin where I was staying. Lyra had pushed me further today, each step, each movement, testing my limits in ways I hadn’t anticipated. My breathing was shallow, the burn in my limbs a constant reminder of the work I still had to do. But despite the exhaustion, there was a quiet sense of accomplishment within me, something that felt like the beginning of something I didn’t fully understand.I reached the cabin and paused at the door, my hand resting on the wood. The cool evening air hit my skin, a sharp contrast to the heat of the practice ground that still clung to me. I needed to wash the sweat from my body, to wash away the frustration and doubt that had followed me all day. There was no escaping the tension inside me, the uncertainty of my place in this world. But maybe, just maybe, I could find some peace, even if it was just for a few moments.I opened the door, stepping inside, and kicked

Sofia’s POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the cabin’s windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. I stirred in bed, feeling the warmth of Alaric’s presence still lingering beside me. Even though he was already up and moving, the connection between us seemed to hum in the quiet space. My body ached from training, and the memories of last night’s intimacy replayed in my mind, bringing a flush to my cheeks.Alaric was seated by the window, pulling on his boots with a quiet focus. His brow furrowed slightly, as though he was already lost in the thoughts of the day ahead. He noticed me stir, and his expression softened, his lips curving into a gentle smile.“Good morning,” he said, his voice deep and warm, carrying that commanding tone he so often used yet tempered by the intimacy of the moment.“Morning,” I replied, sitting up and letting the blanket fall to my lap. My heart skipped at the way his gaze lingered on me, as if he were memorizing every detail.“We should head bac

Thorne’s POVThe dim chamber felt colder than usual, the stone walls absorbing any warmth the fire might’ve offered. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional snap and crackle from the firepit. I leaned back in my chair, my hands pressed together in front of my mouth, considering the latest failure.Marcus was pacing again, his boots pounding against the stone floor with an impatience that seemed to match the tension in the room. He stopped and faced me, his expression tense, his jaw clenched.“We underestimated her,” Marcus finally said, breaking the silence. “Sofia’s strength. She’s not like the others. She’s capable of defending herself, and we failed because of that.”I met his gaze, the frustration mirrored in my own eyes. We’d thought we had her, that she’d be an easy target, but we’d miscalculated. Sofia had proven herself to be far more than what we’d assumed—her resilience, her determination. She’d fought back in ways we hadn’t planned for.“You’re right,