Chapter 3 A Plea for Death

“Hmn!”

Izzy moaned as her eyes opened, her gaze bleary with the remnants of unconsciousness. She lay on the cold floor, her face covered with dried blood. The morning’s torment had left her broken and unconscious, yet they left her, knowing she’d awaken with the dawn’s demise, as always.

Her face was a map of old scars, new scabs, dirt-crusted skin. She wore tattered rags for clothes. Her body seemed to heal only to crave more hurt. She rolled onto her back, aching, and stared up at the sky, eyes burning with tears.

“Why won't you just end this wretched life?”

Familiar words, familiar tears. But the moon goddess didn’t listen. It seemed like her voice was blocked by some unseen hand from reaching the heavens.

"Why keep me alive to suffer?"

Her words died on her lips, swallowed by sobs.

She’d sought forgiveness for a sin she didn’t commit, convinced of her own guilt. But mercy was out of reach, so she'd surrendered to despair, begging for death's release. Yet even that was denied her.

She sat up, gritting her teeth, her tangled hair cascading down her back. She looked up, pointing a shaking finger at the sky. “Cursed be the day... I was born to suffer…”

She paused, gaze dropping, arms falling limp. “Cursed be the day I thought you'd ease my pain… I curse the nights I begged for forgiveness!” Her eyes reddened, jaw clenched, veins throbbing.

She struggled up, hands on knees, and stood tall, chest heaving. Her gaze burned the sky, defiant. “Suit yourself…”

Her voice was pure venom. “Torment me, roast me like carrion. Then feast on my flesh.”

She stepped back, gaze dropping as she walked towards Hierós Klōbós, the demon detoxifying cage, where she’d been sleeping since she was ten.

Suddenly, footsteps thudded behind, someone jumping down from the wall. She turned around, her gaze catching a fleeting shadow. Someone had slipped in from the other side.

“Attacking the Alpha?”

She stepped forward, then froze, a treacherous thought hitting her. If the Alpha’s killed, the prophecy's wrong... She’d be free. A sly smile spread, and she spun away, heading for the Alpha's villa.

As she crept closer, she slowed to a tiptoe, careful not to make a sound. But as she turned the corner, she stumbled into someone, her body crashing into his chest.

His strong arms caught her.

"Uhm!"

Her eyes locked onto his, visible under the golden mask. He waited for her to move, but she stayed put. So, he let go.

"Ahn!" She fell, grasping his hair to break her fall. The tug loosened his mask, exposing his entire face, while she landed on the ground.

"Hun!" His eyes widened, turning fiery red. "How dare you!"

She looked up to apologise, but words caught in her throat. Their eyes met, and she was transfixed. Royal guys were common in the pack, but none compared to him. Mesmerising, scar and all. She’d never felt this way before, and couldn't look away.

“Do you know you’ve just committed a grave sin?” His voice was like ice, getting her out of her imagination. “No one sees my face and lives to tell the tale. The last person who dared was hanged to death... by my own hands.”

She sprang to her feet. “That's good,” she said. She took a step back, eyes closing, arms stretching out to the sides. “Go ahead. Kill me. That might be the best thing you’ve done all year.”

His eyes furrowed in surprise. “You're not afraid of death?”

She opened her eyes, a scoff escaping her lips. “Afraid of what I've been praying for?” She retorted. “Death’s peace for someone like me. Don't waste time. Kill me before the guards come for you.”

She closed her eyes again, bracing herself for what was to come, but the silence stretched out. After a few moments, she opened her eyes, frustration on her face. “Why are you holding back?” She demanded.

She took a step forward, grabbing his clean hand with her dirty ones, and placing it on her neck. But he swiftly pushed her back, his voice dropping to a low growl.

“I hate dirt.”

She scrubbed her hand against her dirty clothes, and as she stepped forward, he retreated. “I said I hate dirt. I won't tolerate it. Don't come near me.”

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay…”

She quickly stepped back, her eyes pleading. “You have the power. You can kill me without touching me. Use it to strangle me, or do whatever you want. Just please, kill me.”

He smirked softly. “Not killing you... again,” he said, crossing his arms behind him, his tone calm. “For someone like you... Who’s begging for death? I doubt killing’s punishment enough,”

His eyes bore into hers, a cold smile playing on his lips as he continued, “I won't give you the satisfaction you crave. Instead, I'll give you a life more miserable than whatever you’re enduring within these walls...”

She collapsed to her knees, hands clasped together, tears streaming down her face. “Please...” She begged. “Kill me. I've lived a life of misery, known nothing but pain since the day I was born…”

She paused, sighing heavily. “I don’t know what you have in store to make my life miserable, but I doubt it could be worse than what I’ve endured within these walls. Look at me… Do I look like someone who’s ever tasted the sweetness of life?”

She shook her head, a despairing whisper escaping her lips. “I never have,” she said. “I’ve tried to end my life countless times, but nothing works. No amount of torture can end me, and my attempts are futile…”

Her voice cracked as she pleaded, “Take my life. End my pain.”

He uncrossed his arms and let out a sigh. “What do you have to offer if I do?”

She quickly responded, “I have nothing now... but if I’m given another life, I’ll make sure to repay you with whatever you want.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “That's a complicated task,” he said. “Since you can only repay me in your next life, I'll need to ensure your soul is reincarnated...”

He sighed, rolling up his sleeve. “Before you take your last breath, if you have a wish you’d like me to grant, I’ll consider it. But keep in mind, the greater the favour, the greater the payback.”

Without hesitation, she sprang to her feet. “Lay a curse on my fated mate,” she requested. "I want him to suffer from my death to his last breath, to regret rejecting me…”

Her eyes burned into his, unyielding. “In every reincarnation, let him suffer until we meet again. Let the curse consume him, his lineage. Any mate, any marriage."

“Isn’t that a bit extreme?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Not for him. He exists in this pack, I felt it at 19. He didn't mark me because I'm cursed. He's ashamed. Let him suffer for his cowardice, like I do.”

"Okay," he said. "I'll forge a curse thread, bury it in you.”