Taming The Alpha’s Curse

Chapter 19

Xavier’s Pov

The Hall of Verdicts was filled with the usual heavy silence that came with these gatherings. Elders, high-ranking warriors, and a few trusted gammas sat around the long obsidian table. I sat at the head, as always, my expression carefully blank. Sari, the Moon Goddess herself, stood at the center in her flowing silver robes, her presence radiating ancient power.

“We have searched every village,” Sari said, her voice calm but firm. “I have personally walked among them, checking one by one. No one was left untouched. We looked for any sign of sickness, any unusual behavior, any trace of vampire blood. The people appeared normal. Some were ill with ordinary ailments, but nothing that pointed to our enemy. Yet the vampire we seek remains hidden. This is troubling.”

Murmurs rippled through the hall. One of the elders leaned forward. “Great Goddess, could the creature have fled the kingdom entirely?”

Sari shook her head. “Unlikely. The bite on our Alpha carries her essence. She is still here. We must find new ways to draw her out. Stronger tests. Wider searches. We cannot allow an infected ruler to sit on the throne for long.”

I felt eyes on me, but I kept my gaze forward. My mind, however, was elsewhere.

Astrid moved quietly around the table, pouring wine for the elders and respected pack members. Her long brown hair caught the torchlight with every step, falling like silk down her back. There was something about the way it moved that kept pulling my attention. The way a single strand would slip over her shoulder. The way it framed her small, delicate face. She looked so out of place here — fragile, beautiful, and completely unaware of how dangerous her presence had become to me.

“Alpha Xavier,” Sari said suddenly.

I turned my head toward her. “Yes?”

She studied me carefully. “Have you experienced any new symptoms from the bite? Any signs at all?”

“No,” I answered flatly.

Sari tilted her head. “You feel completely okay?”

“I said no before. That means I am fine.”

She bowed her head slightly. “Forgive me, Alpha. If any symptoms appear — fever, blood cravings, sensitivity to light — you must inform me immediately so we can contain it. We cannot have an infected Alpha leading Valkarion.”

I gave a single nod. “I will inform you.”

The conversation continued, but my eyes kept drifting back to Astrid. She was focused on her task, moving with that quiet grace I had come to recognize. When she reached my side to refill my goblet, her hand trembled slightly. A few drops of wine spilled over the rim and landed on my fingers.

“Oh my goodness!” she gasped, eyes widening in horror. “I’m so sorry, Alpha. I didn’t mean to—”

The entire hall went silent. Everyone waited for my reaction. Spilling wine on the Alpha was a death sentence for most. I had killed for far less.

Aliyah, who had been admiring her reflection in a small hand mirror and paying almost no attention to the meeting, snapped her head toward us.

“You clumsy little fool!” she hissed, rising from her seat. “Are you possessed? Why are you always causing trouble? Do you enjoy being miserable? You are useless. Completely useless!”

Aliyah turned to my Beta. “Talon! Take her and whip her personally. Make sure the bruises are worse than last time. I want her to learn.”

Astrid’s face went pale. She looked terrified.

I watched the whole scene unfold without expression, but inside, something twisted uncomfortably. The sight of Talon grabbing her arm sent a sharp, unpleasant feeling through me. My wolf stirred.

*Hmm,* Erevos said in my mind. *Jealousy smells interesting on you, Xavier.*

I ignored him.

“No one touches her,” I said, my voice cutting through the hall like a blade.

Aliyah froze. “Alpha?”

Astrid looked at me with wide, shocked eyes. The rest of the room held its breath.

Aliyah recovered quickly and forced a sweet smile. “My love, may I please have a word with you in private?”

I stood up slowly. “Continue the meeting without me,” I told the others, then walked out with Aliyah following.

The moment we were alone in my chamber, she turned on me.

“Why do you keep protecting her?” she demanded, voice rising. “She is nothing but a worthless servant. She spilled wine on you! On *you*! Anyone else would be dead already.”

I looked at her coldly. “You are questioning my decisions again.”

She softened immediately, stepping closer. “I’m sorry. It’s just… I don’t like how she affects things. She makes me feel uneasy in my own position. I’m your Luna. I should have authority over servants like her.”

I said nothing.

She tried a different approach, pressing herself against me. “Let me make it up to you tonight. I’ll be waiting in my chambers.”

I gave a slight nod. She smiled and left.

Alone, I allowed myself a moment. Erevos’s voice returned.

*“You are losing control, Xavier. You cannot even stand another man touching her now. Jealousy does not suit an Alpha.”*

I clenched my jaw. *I am not jealous.*

Erevos laughed. *“Keep telling yourself that.”*

I ignored him and returned to the hall. My eyes found Astrid immediately. She was still standing there, trembling, beautiful in her fear.

And I had no idea what I was going to do about it.