My Enemy Alpha: From s*****y to his Luna Queen

THE RESTLESS BOND

Chapter 13

Malakai’s POV

I paced up and down my chambers, sleep eluding me for the third night in a row. The bond kept tugging at me, it was beginning to overshadow my mind and decision. I felt hazy, unclear and unsure of what to do next.

The collar was supposed to silence it, I said out loud.

My face twisted in fury, at the realization that the lie I kept telling myself was actually a lie, it didn't hold an iota of truth.

I had thought that if she wore my mark, and the glistening iron of shadowclaw pressed against her skin, the bond would weaken.

Yet, since that night, the bond has had its chokehold, strong over my neck. Her presence lingered, even when she was locked away. Every beat of her pulse hummed faintly in my veins. Even now, I'm up, while the pack sleeps soundly, because I can feel her. My infuriation spread across my face, my whole body shook with anger.

I had tried every means possible to bury this cruel bond the goddess fated me with, but none of it eased the restlessness that clawed at me.

“This night is going to be different”, I said out loudly, my voice disrupting the eerie silence in my chambers.

Moments like this in the past, Ava had been my solace. When political issues come rising and sleep eludes me, Ava was the remedy.

I went to Ava chambers, opening the door quietly. Silence passed between us, and I went back to my chambers. She was there in minutes, Ava had always been there for me, my Beta’s little sister. She knew me better than anyone else, or at least, she thought she did.

Her outstretched hands wrapped around me, without hesitation. My head had always been familiar with her hugs. Her touch always soothed my body, making them calm, and easing them of tension. I wanted her warmth to drown out the fire the bond had set inside me. I was hopeful I would sleep soundly tonight.

But not this time around, my wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, rejecting her familiar touch. Ava did not carry the maddening spark my wolf yearned for.

Anger seeped in my vein, my whole body tensed, in the bid to withdraw from her, I pushed her away, she steadied herself before she could hit the floor.

“ Get out” , I said. My voice was coarse and filled with fury.

I saw Ava flinched, she stepped out slowly, without looking back.

Instant regret and shame washed over me, though I covered it with anger. It wasn't Ava’s fault, I told myself. It was Lyrianna. The bond was burning through me, and changing everything. Nothing felt steady anymore.

I couldn't breathe properly in there, I kept on pacing and my fists clenched in anger. I walked out of my chambers, the cold air hitting my bare face. I kept on walking, my thoughts taking control of my movement. I found myself at Lyrianna chambers

The torches along the wall burnt low, the air around was cold, fiercely beating against my skin. The guards there bowed and stepped aside, their eyes flicking quickly away from mine. They didn't dare question why their Alpha would come to this captive chamber in the middle of the night. I entered, opening the door silently, it creaked.

A body curled up at a corner, her hair fell in disarray around her face. Her breathing was steady, her lips parted slightly. She was asleep. For the first time in weeks, there was no stubborn defiance, only her fragile sleeping posture. She looked so delicate.

I was somehow drawn to her, I felt a pull and stepped closer. My wolf surged forward, almost breaking through my control. I crouched beside her, close enough to feel her warmth. My hands lifted of its own accord drawing close to her cheeks. I could have touched her, feed the spark burning with me, but my chest tightened at the thought of it.

I stopped myself, my hands dangling midway. The heat of her presence became unbearable, and angrily, I turned back, clenching my fist, realizing that she was a weakness I had to destroy before it broke me. I stormed out, angrily.

I saw Ava stealthily try to sneak back to her chambers, calculative as ever. I knew she followed me silently. I saw her Shadow while in Lyrianna’s chamber and I'm sure she was furious. As I left to my chambers, I knew within me that Ava would make sure that bond turned into a weapon against me and against Lyrianna.

As the dawn of a new day began, my temper arose carelessly. Every movement in the pack stirred me up, making me restless. I summoned Lyrianna into the courtyard, not for judgement before the pack, it was for punishment. Within yesterday night and this morning, I had resolved in my mind to make her miserable. I was going to crush her and the bond would no longer exist. I cannot fall to weakness, I said to myself, at least, not an Omega.

She stood before me, that defiance again could be seen in her posture. She had bruises all over her body, but still held her head high. Breaking her was what I was going to do. There were various options playing through my mind. I could leave her chained under the scorching sun till her skin blistered, I could leave her without food and water for days, till her strength drained away and her body withered. I toyed with the idea of she fighting against trained men in the ring

I finally settled for the training ring, it appealed to the cruelty and rage burning within me. The guards dragged her forward, her wrists still bound. I ordered her to stand and fight against men thrice her size. The first blow sent her to the floor, dust swaying around her. Yet, she forced herself upright, awaiting the second attack. The second hit cracked her lips, blood dripped down her jaw. She wiped it with the back of her hands, staggering but she picked herself up again.

Murmurs rose within the pack, they were unsure of what they were witnessing. Doubts were written all over their faves. Her silence had given them unease during the branding, and now, her endurance was doing the same thing. Questions sparked in their eyes.

I told myself that this was what I wanted, to see her go through torture. I didn't mind if she was screaming out loud in tears or silently enduring the pain. I would keep causing her pain, but somewhere at the back of my mind, I didn't feel satisfied, it didn't end the restlessness inside me.

I saw Ava earlier, whispering with the Elders. Now, she watched with satisfaction with a wide smile across her face as Lyrianna bled.

She leaned close to me and whispered

“End her, or she would be a danger to us all”.