Taming The Alpha’s Curse

Chapter 15

Astrid’s Pov

I stood there beside Xavier’s throne, my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment. The Hall of Verdicts was deathly quiet now, the metallic smell of blood still thick in the air. My mind kept replaying everything I had just witnessed — the way Xavier had torn Elder Harlan apart without a flicker of emotion, and then Aliyah laughing as she slaughtered the elder’s mate like it was the most entertaining thing in the world.

They were spies. They had betrayed the kingdom and shared weaknesses with enemies. Part of me knew they were wrong… but the cruelty I had just seen was something else entirely. The way Aliyah had enjoyed it, the way she laughed while blood sprayed across her face, it made my stomach turn. How could anyone find joy in that kind of suffering?

I kept my head slightly lowered, trying to steady my breathing. My hands were still trembling no matter how hard I tried to stop them.

Aliyah walked gracefully back toward Xavier, her dress stained with blood, yet she moved as if she had just finished a pleasant stroll. “My love,” she said sweetly, loud enough for those nearby to hear but soft enough that her next words stayed mostly private, “I heard the commotion and decided to come see what fun I was missing.”

In my head I thought, they were both drenched in blood, and she had laughed like a maniac while killing that poor woman. But I kept my mouth shut.

Aliyah leaned closer to Xavier. “I’m feeling rather sleepy now. What you did to me earlier… it took everything out of me.” She smiled suggestively. “If you want to find me later, I’ll be in my chambers waiting.”

Xavier simply nodded once, his face completely blank.

Aliyah turned to leave, then paused when her eyes landed on me. “Oh, and you,” she said, her voice turning sharp. “I want a hot bath ready by the time I wake in the morning. The other maids can handle lesser tasks, but since you’re here, you will draw it for me. Make sure the water is perfect.”

I bowed quickly. “Yes, Luna Aliyah.”

She didn’t even wait for anything else. She simply laughed lightly and swept out of the hall, leaving a trail of blood droplets behind her.

I stood there wondering how I was supposed to know exactly when she would wake up. I wasn’t one of her regular maids. But I had no choice. I just nodded even though she was already gone.

Xavier remained seated on his high throne for a few moments longer. The hall was still heavy with tension. He finally spoke, his voice cold and commanding. “Is there anything more any of you wish to discuss?”

The elders quickly shook their heads. “No, Alpha,” one of them said, voice shaky. “Nothing at all.”

Even though some of the elders were known for their own cruelty, I could see the horror on their faces. They were clearly shaken by what they had just witnessed.

“If there is nothing more,” Xavier continued flatly, “then we are dismissed. Warriors — dispose of the bodies. Throw them outside the walls for the scavengers.”

My heart clenched. Dispose of them? Not even a proper burial? These people had families, no matter what they had done. The world really was cruel.

Xavier turned to Talon and Caden, giving them quiet orders. “Double the patrols on the eastern borders. Check every supply route again. I want reports on any unusual movement by morning.”

Both men bowed and left to carry out his commands. As Talon passed me, he gave me a small, gentle smile — the kind that said he understood how horrifying this all was. I managed a tiny smile back, even though I wasn’t really in the mood. It was nice to know someone here didn’t see me as completely worthless. Or maybe I was just putting too much meaning into a small smile.

Soon the hall began to empty. I stayed standing beside Xavier’s throne, not carrying wine or anything else. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Suddenly, without turning to look at me, Xavier spoke. “Why are you trembling, Astrid?”

I froze. My hands were indeed still shaking. I wanted to scream the truth — *Because you just killed two people in the most brutal way possible. Because I watched you and Aliyah together. Because I don’t understand anything that’s happening to me.* But I would never dare say any of that out loud.

“It’s… it’s nothing, Alpha,” I whispered. “Just the cold in the hall. I’m fine.”

He was quiet for a long moment. Then he finally turned his head and looked at me. Those hazel eyes pinned me in place. “You know I should kill you for what you saw earlier.”

My heart nearly stopped. I stammered, “Y-yes, Alpha.”

He stood up slowly and stepped closer to me. My breath caught in my throat. This was it. This was the moment his patience finally ran out and he ended me.

“But you said yes,” he continued, voice low. “You agreed that I should kill you.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, Alpha. I… I don’t want to die.”

He studied my face for what felt like forever. Then he asked something I didn’t expect. “How old are you, Astrid?”

“I’m twenty, Alpha,” I answered softly. “I will be turning twenty-one in a few nights.”

A faint, almost undetectable softness touched his expression for the briefest second. “Young little pet,” he murmured.

The words sent a strange shiver through me. Before I could process them, he lifted his hand. His fingers, still bearing traces of dried blood gently caught my chin and tilted my face up so I had no choice but to meet his eyes.

His hazel eyes were so intense, so captivating. For a moment I forgot how to breathe. My body reacted in a way I didn’t understand — heat spreading through me, my heart racing for an entirely different reason than fear.

I noticed a brief flash of red in his eyes before it disappeared.

Then he asked the question that made my cheeks burn.

“One question, Astrid,” he said, his voice low and rough. “How did you feel watching what you saw between Aliyah and me?”