Chapter 15
Liana’s POV
I was scared when I saw the way Alaric was
He he was a monster.
Not just a man with a dangerous aura. Not just a king with secrets. A real monster.
His entire body trembled, muscles rippling under his dark outfit like they were shifting, changing. His breathing was ragged, almost animalistic, and his glowing silver eyes locked onto me like I was prey,
His teeth, no, fangs–elongated, sharp enough to tear through flesh.
His fingers twitched, his nails lengthening into claws. Veins pulsed along his throat, thick and dark, as if something wrong was happening to him.
Lycans could change whenever they want to, not only on a full moon, but from what I remembered, their eyes weren’t red and they won’t attack you unless you are a threat.
And I don’t think having dinner should make me a threat. Right?
I stepped back, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. “Alaric?”
He didn’t respond.
His chest rose and fell erratically, and then–he moved.
Too fast.
One second, he was across the hall. The next, he was right in front of me.
A growl rumbled from deep within his chest. My breath caught as his claws twitched at his sides. His entire body wanted to lunge, to attack, but something held him back.
I wasn’t sure if it was willpower because he recognized us
or he was waiting for the perfect time to tum us into shredded skin
“Alaric.” I whispered, barely able to say his name.
His lips curled, baring sharp, unnatural teeth. The silver in his eyes flickered, like he was fighting something inside him…
Then he snarled.
I stumbled back, panic seizing me.
He was losing control.
Knox grabbed my wrist. “Run”
I didn’t hesitate.
We bolted down the hallway, my feet barely keeping up with Knox’s long strides. The sound of Alaric’s inhuman growl echoed behind. us, followed by the slam of heavy boots hitting the floor.
He was chasing us
Oh, Goddew
Inked a glance back and immediately regretted it.
Alaric was coming after us. But not like a man chasing down intruders. No. His movements were unnatural–predatory. His shoulders hunched forward, his head low, his entire body coiled like he was ready to pounce,
Knos cursed under his breath. “Not good. Not good.”
9:21 AM ď ď
Chapter 15
I struggled to keep up. “What–what’s happening to him?”
Knox didn’t answer. Instead, his head jerked toward the large grandfather clock at the end of the hall. It chimed, the deep sound reverberating through the walls.
my wrist t tightened. “We’re out of time.”
This grip on my
“What?” I panted.
Knox yanked me forward. “Just movel”
We veered right, tearing down a set of narrow stone steps. The palace basement. I didn’t even know where we were going, but Knox did.
Behind us, Alaric roared.
The sound was deafening–wrong.
We reached a thick iron door, Knox shoved me inside, and then–boom.
The door shook as Alaric’s body slammed into it. Dust rained from the ceiling. The force of the impact sent me stumbling backward. Another b
boom. Then another.
I pressed a hand to my mouth, my entire body trembling
He was trying to break through.
Trying to get to us.
Knox grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. His voice was low, urgent.
“Don’t scream. Don’t move. Don’t breathe too loud.”
I swallowed hard, nodding
Alaric growled outside the door. And then–silence.
I didn’t know what was worse.
I preferred him wanting to attack us over this,
The quiet was unnerving. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. Knox kept his hand on the door, waiting. Listening.
I didn’t dare move.
After what felt like forever, Knox exhaled and grabbed my wrist again. “Come on. We need to go deeper.”
I hesitated, “Is he still-
“Don’t ask. Just move.”
He led me through the dimly lit basement, deeper into the cold stone corridors. My breath came in short gasps, my mind still trying to process what just happened.
Knox finally stopped when we reached a small room at the end of the hall. He pulled out a key, locking the heavy wooden door behind
I let out a breath, slumping against the wall. “What–what the hell was that?”
Knox rubbed his face. “You really don’t know?”
“If I knew. I wouldn’t be asking!”
Koos sighed. “It’s the curve.”
I frowned “The cune!”
He nodded. “Alanic he wasn’t born like this. It happened a long time ago. Every night, when the clock strikes midnight, he loses control
23
9:21 AM c c
Chapter 15
Becomes something else.”
1 shivered, remembering the way his body had changed. “Does everyone know?”
Knox nodded. “Of course. The entire castle does”
I stared at him, my pulse still racing “So this is just.. normal?”
Knox let out a humorless laugh. “I wouldn’t call in normal, but yeah. That’s why, by this time, everyone is already locked inside their rooms. No one’s allowed to be out after midnight”
I blinked. “And yet we were.”
Knox gave me a dry look, “Yeah, because I was too busy cooking, and someone was too busy asking questions,”
I scowled. “Are you blaming me?”
Knox held up his hands. “Just saying. If I hadn’t lost track of time, we wouldn’t have been caught out here.”
to wrap m
I exhaled, trying to
my head around everything. “So he always changes?”
Knox nodded. “Every single night.”
“And he always locks himself up?”
“Yeah,” Knox said, rubbing his jaw. “That’s what I don’t get
“What do you mean?”
Knox’s expression darkened. “He always locks his door, Chains himself down. Every night. No exceptions.
A cold feeling crept down my spine.
I swallowed. “Then.. why didn’t he tonight?”
Knox didn’t answer.
The silence stretched, heavy between us. He shifter, running a hand through his hair, avoiding my eyes. That was answer enough.
“No one knows, do they?” I murmured.
Knox exhaled. “Only Alaric does.”
I sighed, sinking onto the cold stone floor. My body still felt tense, my muscles wound tight from the chase.
Knox leaned against the do
ms crossed. He looked tired too, but not in the way I was. His exhaustion was deeper, like he’d seen this play out too many times or, arms before.
“So what now?” I asked.
