The Forsaken Alpha

His side

**** Rhys POV***

"Sh*t." The blunt curse escaped my lips when I tried to lift my head quickly. I definitely regretted that decision quicker than the gesture that I made. My head hurt so much it felt like it was about to explode.

" Dyan, are you alive?" I asked the wolf in my mind, not wanting to open my eyes yet. However, I was not graced with any response from him other than a barely audible nod and silent growl of disapproval.

Not that he didn't want to communicate with me. I knew we would both do anything to communicate freely with each other again.

This damned curse has taken away everything that was the essence of our lives. We both felt like we were looking at each other through armored glass. Unable to feel comfortable in any way. Of course, we had better days when we talked almost like old times, but we still felt...empty inside. As if we were missing an element of some ship*ty riddle. I knew that both he and I were fed up with the situation, yet every time I offered him to shift and take over permanently, he refused, saying that a little more and our mate would surely come and help to heal our bond.

I knew Dyan wasn't stupid, but sometimes I got the impression that his belief in the magical influence of our mate was downright naive. After all, the witches had warned us that it might not help and that we probably wouldn't even sense it. Likewise, she wouldn't recognize her soulmate in us. But who am I to try to rip him off from his faith? The good thing was, that even one of us was still clinging to hope-even in this crooked and broken shape.

Besides, who would want a broken, crippled wolf for their partner? I used to be a king, an Alpha. Someone who would burn the whole world for her. And now? I couldn't even make it through a day on my own without hurting one of my own kin. I want to destroy the f**king peasant who dared to devastate my life without even looking me in the eye.

Irritated, I exhaled heavily and just then I smelled a pleasant aroma that reminded me of strawberries and the smell of rain. Unwillingly, I smiled at the thought that summer was probably coming, and still not opening my eyes, I twisted around. It is too little to say that I was surprised by the to discover that my sore hand had hit something soft. My eyelids quickly lifted and gasp of shock escaped my lips. There was a woman lying on the side of my bed sleeping as if nothing had ever happened. I growled under my breath and, annoyed, wanted to throw her off, but was stopped at the last moment by Dyan's quiet growl.

This silly wolf... He was remarkably protective of his pack members. And, of course, he saw nothing wrong with this babe trying to throw herself straight into the bed of an emotionally unstable man, "Dyan. Are you completely out of your mind?" I rebuked him in my head. It was a really long time since we bikered like this...too long, so it was kind of refreshing enjoyment, to be honest.

Nevertheless, I restrained myself from anger and directed my attention to looking at her closely. She was beautiful and her beauty was the delicate one. She had a straight, small nose, full firm lips in colour of fresh strawberries. and eyelashes so long they reached almost to her eyebrows. Her pale, flawless face was surrounded by a storm of wavy, scarlet red hair. Her appearance definitely reminded me of someone and I began to get suspicious of who this girl was. Then her hands, with fingers slender and long.

However, it certainly didn't fit in with her reckless behavior. From what Seb had said, his sister was usually a more reasonable person. Heavy, wistful, shuddering sigh escaped my lips. This girl was definitely something that some lucky person would be able to admire for hours. Wait a minute, just where do I seem to be drifting off to with my thoughts?

Not wanting to disturb her sleep, I moved away a little, which unfortunately brought out a quiet murmur full of pain from my lips, which unfortunately had the opposite effect. Awakened by the sound I made, she broke off and cooed with a bang straight onto the floor. I wanted to catch her, but my aching body would not allow me to do so. It would be seriously awkward to just fall on her and pin her down...not that I will be mad of any of this. But still, if she had any of Sebastian's temper, the next thing after this surely could be painful.

I leaned over the edge of the bed and then saw her terrified look. Her almond-shaped eyes did not stand out from the rest of her appeal. They were as blue as a bottomless ocean depth. Light danced in her irises, creating an image similar to the sea surface, that I once loved so much.

She showed me her neck, tilting her head to side in a gesture of respect. Her neck was pale, slender and stirred up thoughts in me that I definitely shouldn't have in my head.

" Your Majesty, I apologize most sincerely. I didn't mean to offend you so greatly. I-I was attending to your wounds yesterday and I didn't even notice when I fell asleep. I have no words for how inappropriate that was on my part."

She bit her lower lip and held her breath waiting for my answer.

I sighed heavily and shook my head with resignation.

"Wrap yourself up and get up. Accidents happen. I take it you'll be the one assisting me from now on?" I asked moving away from the edge of the bed.

" Yes, your highness" She rose from the floor and straightened up. She was no taller than 5'4 ft. I shamelessly allowed myself to see her body. She had narrow shoulders, full breasts and wide hips. She was exactly the build I liked best. To my surprise, my wolf purred like a spoiled tomcat, hearing my thoughts. Wait, wait, what the hell was I doing? The girl here was almost shaking with fear and I was drooling at her like some ill-mannered shithead.

I cleared my throat and turned my attention away from her charms.

" If you're going to do it right, it would behoove you to stop shaking like a jelly here. I suppose you know very well what the situation is. If you can't control your anxiety when I'm like this, how are you supposed to embrace the subject when I go crazy?" I muttered exasperatedly. What was Sebastian thinking of sending this petty creature here?

" Indeed Your Highness, I have already seen you under the influence of your...ailment" Her gaze stiffened as she brazenly interjected my expletive and lifted her chin proudly. I knew I had inadvertently hit a sensitive spot. It was more than certain that she carried the blood of a proud Alpha in her veins and looking at her gaze, she possessed a powerful wolf within her. Maybe not as powerful as Dyan but still.

Then it came to me. The memories of last night came back to me, albeit slightly behind a fog. How she fearlessly snatched me from the amok. How she took care of me and how she stood in front of me shielding me with her own body from the wrath of her Alpha before I drifted off into the darkness.

" And if I may" she continued her statement, completely ignoring the surprised look on my face" I intend not only to take care of you, but also to heal you. And even if I fail, I'll keep trying as long as my heart beats."

For a very long time, nothing has surprised me as much as her unabashed statement. She seemed so sure of what she was saying that I didn't have the heart to tell her that I sincerely doubted that anything or anyone could help me. Well, plus, some strange part of me wanted to see her in action when she tried. Of course, I would never in my life admit this to her.

No Rhys, don't get your hopes up. She is too frail to handle you at all. You'll only pester her and at the very end, you'll be left alone anyway, drugged with sleep-inducing drugs because she can't cope as well as everyone else. At the very thought, a primal growl came out of my chest, and the girl shuddered slightly.

" Don't be too confident. Many before you have tried and none have succeeded. I also don't see any reason why your case should be any different, and I don't put too much faith in the outcome," I rebuked her perhaps a little too rudely, trying to shield and protect myself from the spark of hope that, for a reason unknown to me, began to seek a way into my heart.

Needless to say, I felt like a jerk, seeing the last light of optimism just extinguished in her eye? Of course Rhys, you need to f*ck everything up. Seems like this is a habit of mine these days.