Chapter 4 A Bond Forged in Pain

“All I ever want is to lay the curse on my damn mate and end this miserable life.”

He shook his head and shrugged. “Then, I shall act upon your wish,” he said, taking a step back.

He stood tall, resplendent in a white embroidered doublet and fitted hose, silver cloak with ermine fur trim flowing behind him. He pointed a finger, and a shimmering thread appeared, glowing softly, pulsing with otherworldly energy as he tightened his grip.

He hung his left hand behind him, bringing his fingers to his lips as he closed his eyes and whispered a spell.

“Με αίμα, πνοή και τρεχούμενο νερό, ας δέσει αυτό το νήμα, σκορπίζοντας σκοτάδι στον προορισμένο σου σύντροφο, νύχτα και μέρα.”

His eyes snapped open, and with a swift motion, he jabbed his finger at her, the thread piercing her chest and vanishing into her body.

“Oh!” She groaned, blood spilling from her lips as she clutched her chest. She crumpled to the floor, struggling for breath, while he watched with an unnerving demeanour, his arms crossed behind him.

The pain vanished suddenly, and she felt as if nothing had happened. Her eyes blinked twice in surprise, and she stood up.

He dropped his hand from behind his back. “Get ready. I’m sending your soul off now.”

“Okay.” She nodded. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

He raised his finger, and a rope formed in the air, sliding through the air like a snake, wrapping itself around her neck. As it cinched tight, her eyes turned deep red, and her body jerked.

Her eyes drooped, and she felt herself standing on some threshold, the divide between life and death thinning.

Just as her lids were about to shut, a soft breeze grazed his face, carrying the scent of flowers he'd never smelled before. The sweetness hit his senses, a brief whisper of something just out and at the same time within his reach.

The scent of star jasmine wafted toward him, its sweetness filling his nostrils. Something struck his chest like a physical blow, weakening him from the inside out.

A growl rumbled deep in his throat as his wolf, dormant for years, suddenly roared to life.

‘Mate!’ It howled in his mind, the word echoing through his being like a primal scream.

He coughed up blood, his weak hand faltering as he lunged to catch Izzy before she hit the ground.

Kneeling beside her, he cradled her head in his lap, his eyes locking onto hers. The weight of her suffering bore down on him, and guilt swamped his chest.

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he realised he'd failed her. As the Alpha's illegitimate son, he'd left Lydrian Marsh to escape pack constraints.

Dixon, the masked prince, once a legendary protector of the pack, feared by outsiders for his ruthless tactics and unmatched skill.

For over a year, he'd vanished, abandoning his mission to shield the pack from external threats. Only his grandmother remained aware of his existence.

A single tear rolled down his cheek, and his voice cracked as he whispered, “I’m sorry…”

He'd been poisoned, his energy dwindling, his wolf barely clinging to life. The person behind it was still out there, unknown. His only hope was finding his mate, but she'd been right under his nose the whole time. In a place he'd been avoiding like the plague.

He gently lifted her from the ground, cradling her in his arms. With a Herculean effort, he struggled to stand, his legs trembling beneath him. Every muscle protested, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.

“Who’s there?” Aethera's voice rang out, lantern in hand.

He froze, his mind racing for an escape plan.

“Who are you?” She repeated, sword in her right hand at the ready, taking slow steps forward.

With a burst of speed, Dixon sprinted south, his weakened state and Izzy's weight in his arms hindering his jump over the high wall.

Aethera chased after him, blowing a whistle to alert the guards.

Anticipating a blockade, Dixon dodged into a corner, confirming Aethera's suspicion that he wasn’t an outsider. He sprinted toward the secret wall, launching himself over it with a desperate leap. He landed hard, pain flaring through his body, but he gritted his teeth and pushed on.

As he burst into the woods, the dense foliage slowed his pace, branches snagging at his clothes and whipping at his face. Thorns and twigs tore at his fabric, leaving him ragged and bruised, but he pressed on.

As he pounded through the underbrush, his body began to shift, bones cracking and muscles tearing apart. His vision blurred, but he refused to falter.

His clothes shredded, his skin itched as fur burst forth, his limbs lengthening into those of a giant grey wolf. His face elongated, his senses heightened, and his mind clouded with primal instinct.

Still, he ran, the agony of transformation fueling his desperate flight. With a final, anguished howl, he surrendered to the wolf, letting its ferocity propel him forward.

He burst out of the woods and into a rocky cave, the darkness enveloping him. Panting, he paused, listening for any sign of pursuit.

When he realised Aethera had lost his track, he slowed his pace, his body beginning its painful transformation back into human form.

As his limbs shortened, he cradled Izzy in his arms once more. His gaze locked onto her face, and his emotions surged.

His teeth lengthened, and his mouth moved to her neck, where he gently sank his teeth into her skin, marking her as his own.

He lifted his head, staring at her pale face. Despite her closed eyes, her expression was dull and lifeless.

“From this moment on, you’re mine. You’ll know peace, not misery. Your battles are mine to fight, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for the past…”

He paused, his voice taking on a deeper intensity. “With all that I am and all that I’ll become, I vow to bear your pain. I’ll stand by your side, and together, we’ll find solace. Next to me, you shall taste the sweetness of life.”