The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 123: Splitting Up

As the boys were taken into the depths of Fang Fortress, the patrol guards led them through a series of winding passages, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor.

Luca’s lips curled in disdain as he remembered what Leonardo had told them when the guards weren’t looking.

’Once we get there, you three might as well pretend you’re mute. If anything, your voices could ruin the entire plan, and we don’t want that happening now, do we?"

Simon glanced nervously at Luca, noticing the vein pulsing angrily in his forehead. When his eyes slid to Simon, the boy reacted and quickly looked away, shifting his attention back to the guards as they led them deeper into the fortress, the heavy silence thick with anticipation.

To their surprise, the inside of the beastly-looking fortress offered no warmth at all. The corridors were long and narrow, lit only by dim lanterns casting flickering shadows on the wall. It smelled of old stone and dampness, and the air was thick with the faintest hint of burning wood from a distant hearth.

Finnian remained attentive to his surroundings, and as they were led deeper, he caught glimpses of soldiers training in the courtyard, their gruff voices and the clanging of metals filling the air. He observed the dark tapestries lining the wall, depicting battles of northern conquest.

Fur pelts and mounted wolf heads served as grim trophies of the land’s brutal history, and the sight of it made Finnian shiver.

Eventually, they arrived at a quieter wing of the fortress, where the patrol stopped in front of a wooden door bound with iron.

Their gazes caught sight of other girls scurrying about with trays of food in their hands. Their expression was plain, with not a single smile on their faces, as if they’ve been forced to accept the situation as their fate. Their attention returned to the door when one of the guards knocked, and after a moment, the door creaked open to reveal the maid who would oversee them.

She was a severe-looking woman with sharp features and her hair pulled back in a tight knot. She wore a plain, dark dress, her face marked by a permanent frown, as though nothing in the fortress pleased her. Behind her, the room was quite simple – a narrow bed, a low table, and a basin for washing.

"The beta has assigned these girls to you," the guards conveyed, though the woman barely reacted as her eyes scanned the disguised boys from head to toe.

She didn’t look impressed, but her duty was clear. "I’ll take care of them. Come in," she said curtly, gesturing for the three to enter.

"He also wanted you to know — they’re mute," one guard added. The maid gave a brief nod, acknowledging the information before closing the door behind them.

With a quiet sigh, she turned toward the disguised boys. Their appearance bore no resemblance to the locals of the North, and it wasn’t hard to guess that these children had been brought from far beyond this region.

At least, these ones had spared her the trouble of scrubbing away mud or dirt from their bodies. Their skin was clean, untainted by the usual filth she had grown accustomed to. And thankfully, they didn’t reek of sweat or rot, unlike many others who had passed through her care.

"How am I supposed to know your names if you can’t speak?" the maid remarked, her gaze sweeping past their blank, expressionless faces. "Never mind, it doesn’t matter. As slaves here, you don’t have identities. For now I’ll call you slave one, slave two and slave three —until I can think of something more fitting.

She stood taller, her tone growing brisk. "The Alpha is hosting an event tonight, and guests are already arriving. There’s a lot to be done. We’ll start in the kitchen, but each of you will be assigned to different wings in the fortress."

She glanced under the pillow, "Right... I returned the keys. Stay here while I bring it back."

Without waiting for a response, she swept out of the room, leaving the boys to themselves. The moment she was gone, Simon’s calm demeanor cracked, and he whispered in a panic. "Why does she want to split us up? I’ll be dead on my own!"

"Stop being so dramatic," Luca scoffed, crossing his arms as he surveyed the room uneasily. "Let’s just get this over with. This place gives me the creeps."

"It’s better if we’re taken to separate wings," Finnian said. "It’ll make it easier to unlock all the doors. Keep an eye out too in case you see a vault. It’s likely in the Alpha’s quarters, but we don’t know who’ll be assigned there, so we need to tread carefully. And Simon, we’re counting on you to handle your end."

Simon hesitated before speaking, "I heard the former Alpha of the North was strong, but after his death, his spoiled son took over. That explains why the North has fallen into such disarray — he’s been a disaster as a leader."

"And where did you hear that?" Luca raised a suspicious eyebrow, but Finnian responded in Simon’s place.

"It was the latest topic in history class, you really don’t pay attention at all, do you?"

"Are you seriously judging me for not being interested in boring nonsense?" his eyes sharpened as they met Finnian’s, a hint of challenge flickering behind them. His tone was sharp, as if testing Finnian’s intent.

Finnian, however, wasn’t in the mood to start a confrontation and simply let the remark hang in the air, choosing silence over escalation.

"Never mind, we’ll figure out a meeting spot once we’re done. Ready?" Finnian stretched his hand forward, and the others placed theirs on top of his.

When the maid returned, she led them to the kitchen and gave them a rundown of their tasks. Each was handed a tray piled with delicious food. The three exchanged knowing glances before heading off to their assigned wings.

Finnian was assigned to the east wing, while the remaining two were sent to the west and southern wing. As he ascended the stairs in silence, he straightened his posture whenever guards passed by, even bowing his head in a respectful greeting before continuing on his way.

His sharp eyes swept over the empty corridor before he veered in the opposite direction, setting the tray somewhere else. He slipped through a door and found himself in a narrow tunnel, just as Acheron had described. At the far end, he spotted the hidden door

Without hesitation, he darted towards it. The locks consisted of chains but no locks. He untangled the chains away and pushed the door open, only to be greeted by the freezing gust of wind. The cool evening air spilled in, the sky darkening the more night approached.

"So cold," Finnian quickly closed the door, leaving it unlocked.

"Hey, who’s there!" a guard who was busy patrolling the tunnel had stopped upon hearing the doors being pushed open, and his eyes caught sight of Finnian who stiffened. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"What are you—"

Before the guard could finish, Finnian sprang into action. Despite the restrictive gown, he moved swiftly, leaping onto the man’s back, and in one fluid motion, he pressed a handkerchief, soaked with the sleeping poison his sister had crafted over the man’s nose and mouth.

The guard struggled for only a moment before his body went slack, collapsing to the ground in a deep, drug-induced sleep. Without wasting a second, Finnian dragged the unconscious man into a hidden corner, making sure the body was out of sight. He brushed the dust off his hands and continued on, undeterred by the sudden but brief interruption.

As Finnian made his way back up to the corridor, he quickly ducked in a shadowed corner at the sound of two approaching voices. Two guards were engaged in deep conversations, their words immediately catching his attention.

"Did you hear? The Alpha’s introducing the serum tonight. Always claiming credit for other people’s hard work. Beta Jason won’t get any recognition, I guarantee it."

"Isn’t that why the Alpha keeps the serum in the vault in his private chamber? I heard beta Jason recently upgraded its effect."

Finnian’s eyes widened at the revelation, a sly smirk creeping onto his face. With a new sense of purpose, he quietly slipped away, his mind already racing with the possibilities as he mind-linked Donovan.