The Demon I Created

THE CASTLE

POV: RAPHAEL

“Keep it down, Rhael,” I growled at my wolf.

He’s been on edge lately, and I couldn’t figure out why. Sometimes he tried to take control. Other times, he vanished like he was searching for someone. As an Alpha, I couldn’t stand his habit of coming out whenever he felt like it.

Sensing my frustration, Mom decided to homeschool me for a week. It worked. He’d been calmer since.

Now, I needed to run. I’d been caged in my room for seven days, and it was driving me insane.

This was the Blood Moon Pack—the most powerful pack in existence.

And I am their Alpha.

I stripped off my clothes and left them behind a rock. I’d find them after.

With a crushing sound, my bones started forming into my wild form and I let Rhael take over. He was finally happy.

I transformed into a brown wolf—the largest wolf in all of Swandville.

In my wolf form, I stood five feet tall. That alone was enough to make most people and rival packs fear me.

I sat back in Rhael’s mind and let him run, enjoying the wind against our fur. Everything was fine…

Until we both sensed it.

Someone had touched the portrait.

Rhael growled low, yet dangerously in my chest. Who dared?

That portrait was only for the Chosen One to touch.

“Raphael, what’s happening, son?” Mom’s voice came through the mind link.

“The whole pack can feel your anger. Please, tone it down. Come ba—”

“Someone touched the portrait, Mom,” I cut her off.

_Crack._

“Mom, are you okay?” I asked, worry spiking when I heard the sound.

“Mom? Are you there?”

No answer. Silence.

Fear clawed at me. That portrait was legendary. No ordinary person could touch it and walk away fine. Who in their right mind, and knows history would touch it?

Who was ready to die?

I ran.

By the time I reached the palace, the pack had already gathered in the assembly hall. My anger bled through the bond, and they felt it too.

Still in wolf form, I moved through the castle. No one dared approach me. Rhael was in control now.

I found Mom lying unconscious on her bed. She looked pale, as if life has been drained forcefully from her

With a growl, I cleared the room. Everyone left without a word. No one dared to talk.

I shifted back into my human form and pulled on the spare clothes I always kept in Mom's room. Sitting beside her, I mind-linked the pack's physician.

“Your Highness,” she said, bowing.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice edged with danger. “How did this happen? Don’t make me ask again, Doctor.”

My tone made her flinch.

“There’s news in town, Alpha. We have humans here.”

My eyes flashed red. Anger was surging through my veins.

I was getting angry.

“A mother and daughter,” she continued quickly. “The mother is a world-renowned doctor. She’s here for your father’s condition.”

I relaxed slightly. That explained it.

“Does she know what we are?” I asked.

The combination of humans and the portrait must have spiked Mom’s blood pressure.

“No, Alpha. From our investigation, she doesn’t know she’s in wolf territory. However—”

“That’s enough, Doc.” I cut her off. “I’ll handle it. You can go. Send Gabriel to me. Now.”

“Yes, Alpha.” She bowed and left.

I sat beside Mom, memories flooding back.

One betrayal had nearly destroyed our pack. Rogues attacked us, and Dad never recovered. No one knew if he’d wake up.

That made me Alpha at nineteen, with no training. Mom tried to help, but without her mate’s strength, she was struggling.

“Raph? Can I come in?” Gabriel’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I nodded without looking up.

“I’m sorry about Aunt’s condition,” he said, squeezing my shoulder. “But she’s the strongest queen I know. She’ll be fine. Let her rest. We’ll handle the pack issues first. It’ll ease her stress when she wakes up and sees everything is under control.”

“Sure. My chamber, then. Before I address the people.”

Exhaustion hit me. Mom was my only weakness—and I liked it that way. I loved her too much.

“No need. I already addressed them. Everything’s in order.”

Gabriel paused. “But I need to tell you about the forbidden portrait.”

My eyes flared gold, like a burning sun.

Gabriel took a step back. I knew I looked terrifying, so I turned away and headed to my chamber.

I stopped in front of the mirror.

“Rhael? Are you in there?”

Except for Mom and me, no one knew about the third presence inside me. The one with gold eyes. The one that hunted me.

The color flickered—red to gold, then back to red. My wolf was back.

“Hey, Rhael. You okay?”

“Yes. I get overwhelmed when that portrait is mentioned. I think I’ll rest now.”

His presence faded into slumber.

I clenched my jaw.

I’d burn that portrait for good. It had caused too many problems in this castle.

“Come in, Gabriel,” I said, sensing him at the door. “I’m okay now.”

He entered, studying me carefully.

“Gab—”

“It was a human who touched the portrait,” he said before I could speak. “She lost consciousness and was sent to the town clinic. And the worst part… she’s a new student at our school.”

“What?” I snapped, Rhael growling inside me. “Who allowed a human to join the clan? I want every detail on her before I return to school.”

“Yes, Alpha.” He bowed and left.

I was livid. How could they let a mere human touch the forbidden portrait?

Gabriel, I called through the mind link. Move the portrait to the unused library.

I cut the link before he could reply.

This human had touched something she shouldn’t have.

And I’d make her regret it.

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