THE CURSED VESSEL

Alicia, I am your mate. I am Asher, believe me, I am. No, do not fall for his tricks, he is lying, I am your mate, I am Asher. Alicia was lost for words as she saw two identical beings looking one hundred percent like her mate in looks and act. She was tired of pretending to be naive and decided to end it once and for all. It is just funny how father and son are struggling to make Luna their mate, Alicia, who had been keeping quiet this whole time, finally spoke up. She slowly raised her head to meet their eyes, giving them a snobbish smile. The duo before her paused their drama and tried to process the statement Alicia uttered, looking at each other, then back at Alicia. I know what you came for. She continued. I have been putting up with this bullshit for a long time now. Let's just end this. The two werewolves playing games with her were shaken to the core and looked at each other confusedly. What are you talking about? The first werewolf asked, Alicia, come closer and confirm for yourself, Don't mind this impersonator here, I am the real Asher. I am your destined mate. The second wolf interrupted. Liam, Bertram, let's quit playing games. We are not kids, are we? Alicia said calmly, trying to suppress her rage. The werewolves were shocked. They never expected Alicia to have uncovered their disguise. I see you have extended your tentacles, you successfully got your hands on the clone statue, that is why you were able to look like my mate, so you can mark me. You went as far as going to the witchcraft realm, but your greed has clouded your mind so much that you forgot that I am still the vessel to the moon goddess. I can perceive a lot from a distance, my dears. Alicia analyzed as she refrained from turning around in circles. The wolves shifted to their original state, knowing that Alicia had uncovered their disguise. Wow, what a wonderful view I have before me, Alicia said teasingly. I haven't started, and you already forgot what comes next after shapeshifting. Liam and Bertram’s eyes followed Alicia’s line of sight but the fact that they were before Alicia without clothes doesn't seem to bother them. Now that you have proven to know who we are, and what we want, you should give yourself to me willingly or you will never see your Asher again, you will end up miserable, Bertram said with a sheepish smile trying to make Alicia drop her guard. I sense a threat in the air, now that it has finally been resolved to threat, let's see who ends up miserable first. Alicia replied firmly. Stop acting all high and mighty, you were once tagged a curse in your park, why don't you just surrender yourself to us, Let me be your mate. Making me your mate will bring you value. Do you think you are worth a penny now? come to me and you won’t regret it. Alicia stood tall before Liam and Bertram and said with a devilish smile to provoke them," Make me! Her silver hair danced in the air as her piercing silver iris scanned the creatures before her, wielding supernatural powers crackling around her like lightning. She became a force to reckon with instantly. Liam and Bertram were taken aback at the scene before them. Bertram whispered to Liam. I thought Lucian said he concealed her strength and power. What is this thing all around her? She is just an empty vessel trying to claim what she is not. I will take her down in one go, Liam answered Bertram. I trust you, Bertram hailed his son. Without giving any of them notice, Alicia threw down a flurry of energy bolts, each one landing precisely where it ought to. They were forcefully shifted into their werewolf form to reach their full potential. They docked and weaved, trying to get near her, but she moved in the air, dodging their vicious attacks with ease. The fierce fight went on between the trio when Liam suddenly lunged forward with a sword fortified with dark magic, Alicia was quick to perceive, and her defensive mode heightened, she disappeared without a trace. Where did she go? Liam asked his father, and they both turned around in search of her. Come out coward, are you scared of my sword now? Liam could not finish his statement when Alicia came from nowhere and yanked the sword off Liam’s hand. She sent a shocking wave into the atmosphere and knocked him off balance. Alicia recognized the strength of those she was up against so she naturally imposed a certain level of strength. She took advantage of the situation and knocked Liam, the attack was intensely vicious and sent him crashing into the ground, Liam gasped for breath for several minutes and died instantly. In the meantime, Bertram was already preparing a paralysis spell, he wasn't sure if his son was dead or not but he was determined to capture Alicia and have her all to himself. He let off a flow of blue, dusty mist to engulf Alicia. Alicia had no idea of what it worked for but she knew it was another black magic, however, she refused to back down, she stood her ground and summoned piles of bricks to serve as a barrier between them as she yelled. Alpha Bertram, you of all wolves are fully aware that dark magic is forbidden in this realm, I think I should make you a scapegoat to others out there who are also involved in it. Alicia, you are not all that innocent, cut the facade and spare that to the dead, you are just lucky to have been the vessel of the moon goddess. I see you have no intentions to repent, Alicia replied as she heavily released the bricks in her hold towards Bertram, he escaped death but suffered a great deal of injury, his spine was broken. Do you think I am the only enemy you have out there? There is a greater enemy, he is stronger than you think, and he will never allow you to get to Asher. You either be his mate or you turn into a beast. Alicia was very much aware of this. Werewolves who have already found their mate cannot stay apart from them for a long time, if they do, their lifespan reduces and their health deteriorates, but it is a different case for Alicia because of the enormous power she possesses. She either finds another mate or gradually turns into a beast. I am aware of that, Alicia replied, she allowed her Luna to take shape, and she ran as fast as she could. She ran deep into the wilds, covering several miles. Hours passed, and she gradually halted as memories of her mate came flowing back into her memory. She broke down and wept bitterly. I am sorry, Asher, I am so sorry. I should have trusted you, I should have given you a chance. Alicia said, weeping in between her words. The burden on my shoulders is beyond me. Moon goddess please find him, help fight this battle, these powers? this strength? I don't want them anymore, just bring him back to me. She continued weeping, but no response came from the moon goddess. She thought of how some leader of other realms came after her to either take her life or make her willing to agree to be their mate. Frustration ate her up, and she stood up and ran angrily into a big tree, she forcefully slammed her right palm into the tree. The very healthy looking tree dried up instantly and fell to the ground, turning into dust. She had loosed all rationality. She had plans to stop, she wanted to take out all the aggression when she saw what scared her the most. The skin on Alicia’s right hand was gradually turning into scales. What is this? Alicia asked her wolf, Luna are you there? Alicia asked again but there was no response from her. Alicia wept till she had no strength to continue. Do you wish that you end up like your mother? You will not only turn into a beast, but your soul will also no longer be yours. You can’t save your mate unless you face reality. Face the truth, Alicia. Alicia jolted from her sleep. She looked left and right to see who was speaking to her, but she saw no one. Not again, Alicia complained. She threw herself back, lying on the bed again. Of what use is the dream if I am not as powerful in reality? My mind is beginning to play tricks on me. Alicia said, mocking herself. My imagination is taking the best part of me. Alicia did not understand why she kept having the same dream for the past two weeks, she had complained to the head priest of her pack, but he did nothing about it. What troubled her the most was that she couldn't recall the names of those she was fighting, and she couldn't remember their faces, so she assumed it was her imagination. Heavy footsteps caused Alicia to look straight at the door fearfully. She wondered who they were. Her heart quickened as the footsteps moved closer to her room. The footsteps stopped right in front of her room and the door opened suddenly. Alicia screamed fearfully.