The Alpha's pretend mate

chapter 28

AVELORA

Khyrix held my hand firmly by his side and every time I laughed at his unfunny jokes I could feel him squeeze my hand even more.

The clearing was very unpolished compared to the school compounds

The massive bonfire in the centre lit the entire arena, shadows danced against the pines creating a beautiful but terrifying image. I looked around for the kitchen staffs. I needed to quench my thirst or I might die very soon.

There were no waiters here, just raw energy, the scent of woodsmoke, and the heavy, rhythmic beat of bass that seemed to vibrate through my body

I stood at the edge of the light, looking at the bleachers that had been carved directly into the hillside. I had been in this school for three years, witness more moon ball than I can remember yet I never knew this place existed.

"Wow." I murmured in awe.

"We've been here but I've never ...." Khyrix nodded before I could finish, pulling me closer to him

"The Enchantress disguise almost every place in the forest." That made so much sense now. "You don't want to know how dangerous this woods are."

"I was trapped in an ancient torture cave while being attacked by a wolf from above, all while being unconscious and chasing after a crazy lady who steals babies in this same forest. I don't think this place is crazy at all." I shrugged looking around with admiration in my eyes.

"Who is the crazy lady?" He asked.

"Your mother Alpha, that woman is nuts."he chuckled while his face remain stern "you don't talk about the priestess like that." He scolded, but laughed after studying my facial expression.

Goddess, I thought I had said the last sentence of my life.

"She's not that crazy." He said his hand sliding down to capture mine.

"She has stolen or will steal babies. I don't know if it is the past or the present. I can't imagine having a baby and someone stealing it or putting it through torture." I shuddered at that thought.

"You want children?" He stopped, the playful look on his face totally serious now.

"Of course, after this is all over, I plan to find a nice man and settle down and give my babies all the things I never had." His eyes flashed the scary shade of gold that made me feel like he would swallow me whole. I know that dream would feel stupid to him. But, my dream of having a functioning family was why I wanted to be strong. Strong enough to protect what was mine.

"I never plan on having one." My mouth was ajar as I checked to see if he was joking.

No, he wasn't.

" You're the only alpha, I think you having offsprings is pretty important to all werewolves who has been affected by the imbalance.

"Then they have to go through everything I did." I bit the inside of my cheek, it was his duty. But his duty was a massive weight that could make or break everyone of us.

I wanted to give him a hug but we were in public.

I leaned in as cheers started making the arena loud." I believe when the right time to make that decision. You'll make the right one."

He led me toward the center bleachers. As we sat, he pulled me closer until my side was pressed against his. To anyone watching, we were the picture of a couple lost in their own world.

Music started capturing my attention. I turned towards the opened area.

I looked up, the moon had hit its zenith.

Something shifted, my heart felt like it was lit up, choking me with how fast and uneven it was, I choked out a gasp, rubbing my chest to calm myself.

"Hey, are you alright?" Khyrix had leaned in. The place he touched burnt.

My skin began to prickle, a strange, electric itch spreading from my fingertips to my throat. I tried to shift away from Khyrix to catch a cool breeze, but the movement only made it worse. Everywhere our skin touched, the heat intensified leaving my thoughts paralysed.

"Avelora?" Khyrix’s voice sounded muffled.

"I’m... I'm okay," I choked out

I tried to calm my self by focusing on the event.

Cheers erupted which made me focus on whatever was happening. But I couldn't see well.

I wasn't okay. My heart was thumping, a frantic, erratic rhythm that made my lungs feel too small. The air in the clearing, once cool and crisp, now felt like steam. I could feel sweat beginning to bead at the nape of my neck, my vision blurring at the edges until the bonfires became smears of orange light.

I tried to pull my hand back, but my muscles wouldn't obey. Instead, a low ache began to settle in my bones, a hunger I couldn't name and a fever I couldn't fight.