The storm outside was unrelenting. Rain thrashed against the high-arched windows casting shadows that danced violently across the towering bookshelves of the Alpha King’s private study.
Kaelion Vexmoor stood alone, one hand braced against the edge of his massive desk, his broad shoulders rising and falling with every shallow breath.
His chest ached.
Not from injury.
But from the curse.
He could feel it again—writhing beneath his skin like molten fire, twisting into his lungs and curling fingers around his heart. Every time he thought it had calmed, it surged back, fiercer than before.
The pain came in waves now.
Stronger.
Faster.
Like time was counting down.
He didn’t flinch. He didn’t cry out. But the tremor in his jaw betrayed him, as did the way he squeezed his eyes shut to tr
