The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 112: Hope For The Future

Esme reached out to Naya and gently helped her to her feet, her gesture taking Naya by surprise, leaving her momentarily confused and bewildered.

She had not expected such a reaction.

As she stood, Esme flashed her a soft smile before pulling her into an embrace that felt more calculated than comforting. With her lips close to Naya’s ear, she whispered in a low, firm tone.

"We both know you don’t truly mean this apology," Esme murmured, feeling Naya’s body tense in their embrace. "So let’s not waste time pretending. All I ask is that you keep your distance from me and my brother. Do that, and there will be no further issues between us. Agreed?"

Naya’s eyes widened in shock at Esme’s unexpected bluntness, and she instinctively stepped back to see Esme still smiling at her. Esme was such a beautiful woman to the point that smile would bring any man to her knees, but it discomforted Naya. Esme then turned to Donovan and spoke calmly.

"I’ve forgiven her long before now," she said, to Naya’s relief. "She just promised me that she won’t cause any more trouble for Finnian and me. There’s no bad blood between us, and besides, Finnian is already at the academy now."

Donovan felt an unsettling sensation gnaw at him, though he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. His voice carried an edge of doubt as he asked, "Are you certain?" Esme’s reply came without hesitation, and her voice was steady and sincere, reassuring him that she harbored no ill intent toward Naya. freёnovelkiss.com

The exchange between the two did not go unnoticed by Naya. Watching how Donovan didn’t bother to question his mate further, like he trusted her without reason, filled her with a sharp pang of envy, but she kept her emotions tightly guarded. With a respectful nod, she bowed her head in acknowledgement of both Esme and Donovan, a subtle relief washing over when Donovan softened his stance on the punishment.

"I’ll ensure the elders have your name on the board again," Donovan said, his tone both stern and final. "But let this serve as a warning to you. I’ve received too many complaints with your name attached. If I hear of even one more, you won’t like the consequences, and you WILL be cleaning the warriors quarters. Learn to treat others with care, even if your father failed to teach you that common sense. Everyone here is fighting to survive — and you’re no different. Don’t provoke their curse."

Naya swallowed hard at his cold advice, her voice a quiet murmur as she nodded her head. "Y–yes, I understand everything now, Alpha. I’ll heed to your words this time." She gave a quick, formal curtsy and exited the Shadowspire without hesitation, her figure gradually fading into distance.

When she was gone, Donovan turned to Esme and asked, his curiosity evident. "Why did you forgive her so easily?" His voice was edged with surprise. "I honestly thought you’d use the chance I gave you to make her bend to your will. You knew she never meant that apology, but you let her go regardless."

"That won’t solve anything," Esme responded softly, her eyes calm. "It would only breed more hatred between us. I don’t want to create unnecessary problems for myself or for you. I’m already stressed about whether or not I should face your people, considering the pack I came from. You shouldn’t risk alienating your people because of me. It wouldn’t be fair to you, and I don’t want that for you either."

Donovan’s head cocked slightly at the concern in her voice, and he leaned in, his voice teasing as he said. "So, you do care about me."

Esme noticed the smirk curling his sinful lips, and though she opened her mouth to deny it, the words wouldn’t come.

She averted her gaze instead like it would ward him off, but to her unexpected surprise, his arms slipped around her, pulling her gently against him.

The embrace felt warm and secure, a kind of comfort she hadn’t realized she craved. It wasn’t possessive, but protective, and suddenly she found herself unwilling to let go.

"Remember this," he murmured softly, his voice steady and reassuring as he stroked her hair. "You never have to push yourself for me, or for anyone. Your burdens are mine to share, and your peace is what I seek. When you’re sad, I feel it too, and when you’re happy, that’s my joy. But know this — you are mine, Esme."

Esme’s cheeks flushed at his words, the intimacy of his declaration sending a rush of heat through her. Nearby, Kangee perched on the balustrade, observing the scene with a certain disdain. The raven did a small, exaggerated eye roll with its gleaming eyes, ruffling its wings in mock exasperation. How could his master be so thoroughly captivated by this woman?

’She must be some kind of witch,’ Kangee mused silently, though it couldn’t help but let out a quiet caw, flapping its wings as it adjusted its perch, resigning itself to the strange fascination below.

"I want to help," Esme said softly, stepping back to look at Donovan. "I want to go with you to the North. I know I’m still in training, but my other skills could make a difference. In fact, there’s this poison I’ve been planning to craft, and I think it can be of help to everyone." Her voice lowered, hinting at secrecy. "Come inside, and I’ll explain everything to you."

Donovan felt warmth spread through his chest when she held his hand. She then pulled him along without hesitation, and all he could do was follow, captivated by her unwavering confidence, and her need to share something with him.

He felt like a fool, but for once, he didn’t mind.

Acheron and Althea stepped out of their hiding spot, and she couldn’t contain her excitement after witnessing Donovan’s tenderness towards his mate. Her joy was unmistakable, bubbling over as she turned to Acheron with wide, sparkling eyes.

"I’m so thrilled that Esme and Donovan are finally growing closer! Everything seems to be falling into place for us here in the Damned. And once we break the curse, we’ll be able to live normally like other shifters. We can all be together, like one big family! I can’t wait for that day, aren’t you excited for the future Acheron?"

Acheron smiled, his heart softening as he watched the way Althea’s brown eyes gleamed with hope and anticipation.

The idea of a future where they no longer had to hide or face scorn from other shifters was tempting. Where they no longer have to live in fear of being consumed by the curse.

It filled him with a cautious sense of hope. And perhaps, just maybe, there’d come a time when he would stop being afraid of confessing his feelings to Althea.

"What if I promise you that the future will unfold exactly as you’ve pictured it," he said, making Althea look at him. "Do you remember why we all chose to be warriors of the Damned? Some of us promised our parents that we’d live long enough to see the day the curse is destroyed, while others want to prove they’re stronger than its grip."

He paused, his gaze steady. "We will get rid of the true bearer, and you won’t have to live in constant fear anymore."

Althea’s expression softened at the protectiveness in his voice, and her voice brightened with a glimmer of hope. "I’ve learned how to manage it now, thanks to you. Everytime I broke down because of the voices in my head, you were always there to comfort me. You and Revana never left my side. I don’t want to lose anyone anymore, and I’ll keep praying to the moon goddess to keep us all alive until the end!"

"Just lie in the sun and let demons feast on your flesh already, stop daydreaming." Kangee squawked, huffing at them with pride. It startled the two of them with its sudden interruption, and Althea raised her voice at the bird.

"You stupid bird! You lie in the sun!" Althea glared at the raven before stomping off to look for a stone to throw at the insolent creature.

Later on, in the evening, Lothar’s gaze swept past the three boys in front of him. He glanced at Acheron who had brought them from the academy to the Shadowspire. Beside Lothar, Neville adjusted his monocle as he sized them up before meeting Acheron’s gaze.

"They look like boys to me, though the Alpha mentioned three girls." Neville murmured.

Finnian’s gaze looked determined as he offered, "We want to be your moles."

"Exactly!" Luca added, striking a bold pose with his hands on his waist. "I can play the part of a slave better than anyone! And I want to fight!"

"I never agreed to this!" Simon whispered his protest, his gaze flicking between his roommates, wondering how they had roped him into such a scheme.