Taming The Alpha’s Curse

Chapter 16

Astrid’s Pov

I couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of Xavier’s mouth.

My brain seemed to stop working for a second. The question hung in the air between us like something dangerous and forbidden.

“What?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Xavier’s hazel eyes darkened instantly. “Are you questioning me?” His voice was low, cold, and carried that quiet danger that always made my knees weak.

I snapped back to reality, horror flooding through me. “I’m so sorry, Alpha,” I whispered quickly, my voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to… the question just came out. I wasn’t thinking.”

We were standing so close. Too close. I could feel the heat coming off his powerful body. Our breaths were mixing in the small space between us, and the air felt thick, heavy, and far too sweet. His scent — wild, masculine, with that underlying hint of something dark and powerful — wrapped around me and made my head spin. I tried to look down, but his presence was overwhelming.

He didn’t move away. Instead, he reached out slowly and tucked a loose strand of my long brown hair behind my ear. His fingers barely brushed my skin, but the touch sent sparks racing through me. His hand lingered for a moment, almost gently, before he pulled back.

“This is too much,” he murmured, more to himself than to me. “You are becoming far too many things I cannot afford.”

My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I stammered, trying desperately to explain. “I… I wasn’t even looking, Alpha. I swear. I tried to close my eyes the whole time. I wanted to respect your privacy. I promise I didn’t see anything I shouldn’t have.”

I was swallowing hard, tripping over my own words, terrified that any second he would decide I had seen too much and end me right there in the empty hall. His eyes stayed locked on mine, intense and unreadable. For a moment I thought I saw a flash of red in them again, like something wild was fighting to get out. His jaw tightened, and I could tell he was holding something back.

Despite everything — despite knowing how cruel he could be — a small part of me felt genuinely concerned. “Alpha… are you alright?” I asked softly before I could stop myself.

He stared at me like I had said something ridiculous. “You are asking me if I am alright?” A dangerous edge crept into his voice. “Asking your Alpha if he is alright is a very bold thing to do, little one.”

I opened my mouth to apologize again — I had lost count of how many times I had said sorry to him — but he cut me off.

“Leave.”

The word was sharp and final. I stood there confused for half a second, not sure I had heard him correctly.

“Leave this instant, Astrid,” he repeated, his tone harsher this time.

I didn’t wait another moment. I turned and practically ran from the hall, my heart thundering in my chest. My legs were shaking so badly that I tripped over the hem of my dress and nearly fell, but I caught myself and kept going. I didn’t dare look back. What if he changed his mind? What if he decided right then that my head belonged on a spike?

I ran past warriors and servants who stared at me with open curiosity. Whispers followed me like shadows, but I didn’t care. Survival was the only thing on my mind.

When I finally reached the servants’ quarters, I was out of breath and trembling. The room was filled with the usual cliques — groups of maids chatting and laughing in their little circles. The moment I walked in, one of the louder girls smirked.

“Look, the weakling is back,” she said loudly. Several others laughed.

I ignored them and made my way to my thin mat in the corner. I had no strength left for their cruelty tonight.

Mara noticed me immediately. She set aside her knitting and came over, concern written all over her face. “Astrid, what happened? Your face… did someone hurt you again? Why were you running like that?”

I wanted to tell her everything — about the killings, about being forced to watch Xavier and Aliyah, about the terrifying yet strangely charged moment I had just shared with the Alpha. But I couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come.

“I’m fine,” I lied softly. “Luna Aliyah just had me cleaning her crystals. You know how obsessed she is with them. It took longer than I expected.”

Mara didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push. “Alright… if you say so. But you know you can talk to me anytime, right?”

I nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Mara.”

She smiled tiredly. “It’s getting late. We should wash up and try to get some rest before tomorrow’s work begins. Who knows what fresh hell the morning will bring.”

I agreed, and we gathered our things. We fetched water from the well together and took our baths in the shared washing area. The cool water felt good against my bruised skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. When we returned, most of the room was already quiet. Mara wished me goodnight and lay down on her mat. Soon, soft snores and quiet breathing filled the space.

But I couldn’t sleep.

Tonight was the night I had to make the potion. My skin was already starting to feel tight and painful again — the weekly mask was wearing off. I waited until I was sure everyone was deeply asleep, then quietly gathered the plants I had hidden earlier. I slipped out of the room, tiptoeing carefully through the dark corridors, avoiding any areas where warriors might be patrolling.

I found a secluded corner in one of the older, less-used parts of the castle — a small alcove near the kitchens where almost no one ever went. I worked as quietly as I could, remembering every step my mother had taught me. Crushing the leaves, mixing the roots, adding the small pale flowers that held everything together. The familiar scent brought tears to my eyes. I missed her so much.

When the potion was finally ready, I drank it quickly. The liquid was bitter, but I felt the familiar warmth spreading through my body almost immediately. My skin began to settle. Relief washed over me.

But then I remembered — I was supposed to drink this in bed. The potion always made me drowsy, sometimes to the point of unconsciousness while it healed me.

“Oh no…” I whispered.

Dizziness hit me like a wave. The world tilted. I tried to steady myself against the wall, but my legs gave out.

Thud.