Cursed And Crowned

Chapter Four

Ophelia’s POV

Over the next few days, I began to learn just how different Ryker’s camp was from any pack I had known. Not even Eric Pack could stand them because they were strong and it was hard to even see a traitor.

They worked hand in hand together.

Ryker would push me hard, testing my limits as he taught me how to control the shadow mark's power.

“The mark isn't just a gift,” he said during one training session. “It's a responsibility. It connects you to the moon, to the wolves around you. But if you let it control you, you'll lose yourself. Don't let your weakness define you.”

Mara had just been on my nerves these days. She would ask me to clean up their plates and help the pack since she was useless.

But today, it was different, a training ground was set for me by Ryker. The morning air was peaceful as I stood in the center of the clearing, my chest rising and falling as I fought the control of the powers.

Do we even need to do this now? I never wanted this power. Consuming me will be best either way.

“Focus, Lia,” Ryker called out, circling me like a prey. His eyes, sharp and assessing, never left me. “The Shadowmark isn’t just raw power. It’s a connection. Feel it, but don’t let it overwhelm you.”

I gritted my teeth out in frustration. “That’s easy for you to say,” I snapped, swiping a hand through my disheveled hair. “You’re not the one who feels like they’re about to explode.”

A smirk came across his face but he was calm. “If it were easy, you wouldn’t need me. Again.”

Andrew I continued anyway without a response.

“Good,” Ryker said, his voice softer now. “You’re starting to feel it. Now, Challenge that energy. Push it outward, don’t let it consume you.”

I wanted to fall off and he immediately hovered over me.

“Why does it feel like this?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Like it’s alive, like it wants to take over.”

“Because it does,” Ryker said grimly. He eased me onto a nearby rock, sitting just in front of me. “The Shadowmark is more than just a gift..it’s a curse if you don’t learn to master it. It feeds on your emotions. If you let fear or anger take hold, it’ll burn you alive.”

“I’m trying,” I murmured. “But sometimes… I feel like it’s too much. Like I’m too much.”

Ryker’s expression softened towards me, and for the first time, he reached out, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re not too much,” he said quietly. “You’re more than enough. And I won’t let you fall.”

As we were in the midst of our discussion, strange scents suddenly filled the air.

“Rogues,” Ryker growled, his head snapping toward the edge of the clearing. But as he inhaled again, his expression darkened. “No. These aren’t rogues.”

I started to get tense, my wolf stirring uncomfortably. I recognized the scent too well, it was from my past, from my pack. The Moonlit Warrior.

“They’ve found me,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Instantly I saw Ryker's jaw tightened, his amber eyes flashing dangerously.”Stay behind me.”

I barely had time to nod before they started to rush towards us.

“Ophelia,” one of them snarled at me, his human form shifted back as he faced me. I recognized him as one of Eric's personal guards.

What do they want this time?

How did they find me?

“Alpha Eric has demanded your return. Come quietly, and we won't have to hurt you.” He said and my eyes widened.

Eric wanted me back? Why?

As I was about to protest, Ryker stepped between me and the Warriors, his presence commanding. “She's not going anywhere,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

By the time I could realize what was happening, they had already held all of his members captive and all of them were at their mercy.

“Do you still want her not to go anywhere? And who are you? Some rogue pretending to be an Along? Stand down before we….”

Before they could end their words, Ryker had already moved faster than I could imagine. For a moment, he was standing still and the next, he had the warrior pinned to the ground, his hand crushing the man's throat.

“You’ve got one chance to leave,” Ryker growled, his wolf barely restrained. “Take it.”

“Ryker, do you really want to do this? Our life is at stake here. I am at their mercy and you chose to save this good for nothing woman you just met months ago? Instead of saving us?” Mara cried out, throwing an evil stare at me.

My eyes held pain as I took a few steps backward instinctively, about to shift into my wolf but Ryker's voice stopped me.

“Ophelia, don’t!” Ryker’s voice cut through the chaos.

In the end, it was useless, they weren't ready to leave and I didn't want to put the pack in danger just because of my bad luck, like Mara said.

I looked up at him, my chest tightening at the warmth in his eyes. “Let me go, Ryker. I will be back,” I said softly, making him cast a glare at me.

“Don't say a word, Ophelia. These people are not worth it.” He groaned and I smiled through the pain.

“Please, let me leave. I am sorry. I don't want to be a danger to your camp. Just take a look at your camp, it is a disaster, all because of me. So, let me leave.” I pleaded and I could see the pain across his face.

For a moment, we simply stood there, the world around us fading into space. Ryker’s hand cupped my cheek, his touch gentle despite the strength in his grip.

“I’ve been fighting this,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “This pull I feel toward you. I don’t know if it’s fate, or if the moon’s playing some cruel trick on me. But whatever it is…” He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “I can’t ignore it anymore.”

Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both fierce and tender.

I felt a rush pull as my wolf, Rosa giggled.

“I have been hesitating to know more about him. He is our mate.” Rosa said, embracing the moment as my eyes widened.

“What about Eric? Do I have a second chance mate?” I asked inwardly and all she did was to howl excitedly.

When we finally pulled apart, Ryker rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin.

“You’re not alone in this,” he said softly. “Not anymore.”

And for the first time, I believed him.

~~~`~

As I approached the Moonlit Pack gates, my heart pounded louder than it should be and I clenched my fist by my sides. I walked alongside the warrior Eric had sent for me, their cold eyes on my every move.

Every instinct screamed that I should run back to Ryker for help but I couldn't. Not when I was a danger to his camp.

They opened the iron gate and I scanned the area. It hadn't changed a bit.

And he was there, waiting by the courtyard. His blue eyes fixed on me as I walked in.

“Ophelia,” he drawled, his voice smooth and filled with mockery as he stepped forward. “You finally decided to stop running. I'd almost started to think you enjoyed living like a stray.” He said, making an innocent face like he didn't just insult me.

I stopped a few meters from him, my jaw tightening. “I didn't come here to be mocked, Eric,” I warned and he curled up his lip to a smirk.

That was one of the things that flustered my heart months and years back but now, it didn't even get a smile from me.

“No, of course not. You came here because you knew you didn’t belong with those rogues. I always knew you’d come crawling back. It was only a matter of time.”

My eyes turned red in anger, my wolf snarling in my mind. “I didn’t come back for you,” I snapped. “I came to hear what you wanted. Say it quickly, so I can leave.”

His smirk only deepened, but his eyes turned darker. He took another step closer to me. “Leave? Oh, Ophelia, I'm afraid it's not that simple. You see, we need you here.”

His words struck me like a ton of bricks and for a moment, I stared at him, caught off guard. Really? I never thought of this.

“Need me?” I repeated unbelievably. “You rejected me. You humiliated me in front of the entire pack and called me weak. Now you expect me to believe you need me?” I rolled my eyes, my arm placed on my chest.

“I made a mistake,” he finally admitted after a while but there was no remorse in his tone. It didn't come from his heart. “I acted on the information I had at the time. But I've since made an investigation, and it turns out you were falsely accused.”

I sighed uncontrollably. My tongue running over my already dried lips in pain.

“You’re saying you knew I was innocent,” I said, my voice trembling as I tried to restrain my fury, “and you still let them banish me?”

He crossed his arms, his face steady. “I didn’t have the luxury of waiting for the truth to come to light. An Alpha must act in decision, even if that means making sacrifices. But now, things have changed.” He gestured toward the packhouse behind him and I turned towards it. “The pack is suffering, Ophelia. Wolves are falling ill, injuries aren’t healing as they should. Whatever your Shadowmark is, it’s connected to the moon’s energy and we need it. We need you.”

My eyes widened at his words. How does he knew about my shadowmark?

“You wonder how I found out?” He asked in a cunning tone. “I am the Alpha, Ophelia and I can see and hear anything I want.”

“You need me?” I repeated, my voice rising. “You cast me aside when it was convenient, and now that you’re desperate, you want me back? Do you think I’m just going to forget everything you did?”

His face turned cold as he stared at me dangerously. “This isn’t a request, Ophelia,” he said, his voice low and cold. “You will return to the pack. You will use your mark to heal my wolves. Refuse, or I’ll have no choice but to consider you an enemy of Moonlit.”

I raised my brows at him, unable to believe at his words. What a selfish bastard! He hasn't changed one bit. “Is that a threat?” I asked, taking a step forward. “After everything you’ve done, you think you can threaten me into submission?”

“You think you can control me?” I continued. “You think you can use me like a tool and discard me when you’re done? Not this time, Eric. You may be the Alpha of the Moonlit, but you have no power over me.”

He growled inwardly, his shifting between his and his wolf. “You just got on my last nerve.” He roared, his sharp claws tightening around my throat as I screamed out for help.