The Alpha's Vengeance Bride

Chapter 6: The Midnight Echo

My body was hurting from training with Torin. It felt like every muscle had been torn apart and sewn back together with a wire. I was lying on my bed, which was covered in ivory furs staring up at the ceiling.. I could not sleep.

The silence was really loud.

Ever since I signed the contract with Silas, the quiet I gave him had become a two-way thing. When Silas was near me my mind felt clear and sharp. But when he was gone the pain of what happened with Kael started to come. It was like shadows growing when a candle was about to go out.

Then I heard a noise. Thump. Thump. Thump. It was not in my head. Someone was at my door.

I sat up. I held the silk sheets to my chest. "Who is it?" I asked.

The heavy iron bolt on my door slid back. This sound was made by the Alphas key. The door. Silas was standing there. He was not wearing his combat clothes anymore. He had on black linen trousers and no shirt. His chest was shiny with sweat.

He did not look like a king. He looked like a man who was struggling.

"I cannot sleep, " he said in a voice. His eyes were all black. The colors in his eyes were. All I saw was the storm inside him. "The voices are calling your name, Selene."

He did not ask if he could come in. He just walked into the room. Closed the door. The air in the room felt different. It was heavy with the smell of sandalwood and something wild.

"Come here " he said.. His voice was not strong like it usually was. It sounded like he was asking for help.

I got out of bed. I walked towards him. My bare feet sank into the fur. As I got close to Silas I could feel the Null power inside me starting to work. I stopped in front of him. I looked up at the scar on his face.

"You are shaking, " I said quietly.

"I am starving, " he said. His voice was low and rough. He reached out. Put his big hands on my face. His skin was really hot. "The contract made my wolf feel what it is like to be whole. Now he knows you exist. He will not let me rest without you."

He leaned down. Put his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes. Let my power go towards him. It felt like a door opening. I could feel the energy of his Cursed wolf hitting my shield and becoming calm.

"Why me?" I asked. My voice was shaking. "There must be Nulls. Other women who can do this."

"There is no one like you, " he said quietly. His breath was hot against my lips. "I have been searching for decades. Others can make the noise quieter. You... You make it go away. You make me feel like I am not a monster."

His hands moved from my face to my waist. He pulled me close to him. The feeling was like a shock. I was a Dull, a girl who was told I was worthless.. Here was the most feared Alpha, holding me like I was the only thing that could save him.

"Stay, " he said quietly. " For tonight. I do not want to be alone with the voices."

I knew I should say no. The contract was for a year. It was a deal for revenge.. As his heart beat fast against mine I realized I was addicted to the quiet too.

"I will stay, " I said. My voice was barely heard.

Silas did not move towards the bed. He sat on the floor by the fire. Pulled me down with him. He leaned his back against the stone. I sat between his legs. My back was against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and put his chin on my shoulder.

For the time since what happened with Kael, the cold in my chest went away.

"Selene, " he said quietly. His voice was getting sleepy. "If Kael ever tries to hurt you... I will do anything to find him."

I did not answer. I just watched the fire, feeling my heart beat with the Alphas' heart.

The contract started as a way to get revenge.. As I fell asleep in the arms of a monster I realized the price of my revenge might be something more precious, than my life.