The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 149: His Stronghold

Karnath’s heart seized when Zarok announced their master’s arrival. A sudden dark, oppressive force seemed to blanket the room, thickening the air and casting an unnatural chill over them. Their master’s presence loomed from behind a long, shadowed table where he sat.

He was an unsettling silhouette in the dim light — a pair of foxy violet eyes, jet-black hair, and when he lit the candle at his table, his imposing form became more vivid.

Eugene and the others immediately composed themselves, heads bowed in perfect unison – except for Karnath, who couldn’t tear his gaze away, momentarily entranced by their master’s cold, ethereal beauty.

Sensing Karnath’s hesitation, Vaelin snapped his hand down on Karnath’s neck, forcing him to the ground until his head pressed against the cold floor, though Karnath did not complain.

A chill ran down each of their spines as their master’s aura wrapped around them like icy tendrils, and his silence made every moment sink deeper with each passing second. Eugene couldn’t suppress a slight tremor as their master’s voice cut through the silence, each word laced with a ruthless calm that demanded absolute loyalty.

"The five pillars that make up the Abyssal pack," he pronounced, his tone unyielding as iron, and each syllable echoed in their bones. "You are the foundation, the strength of the pack."

Ultima’s fingers tapped slowly against the armrest, each tap resonating like a hammer against stone. His eyes, which were devoid of mercy, narrowed slightly as he leaned forward, voice dripping with quiet fury. "I gave specific orders to remain hidden until I say otherwise. Karnath," he hissed, "care to explain yourself before the remaining pillars?"

Karnath lifted his head, his smile wavering under his master’s gaze, but he forced a wry grin. "Before I begin, I must say, you look magnificent, Ultima, as always." His bravado seemed slightly strained. "As for the reason behind why I slipped into the North, it was to give Irwin a fright."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "We’re unsure how long he can keep quiet, but he’s been impossible to eliminate ever since he put up that barrier around his home. So I thought a little scare using his children might ... encourage him to keep your name to himself. Did I do well, Ultima?"

Ultima’s eyes narrowed, the faintest flicker of anger shadowing his face. "Karnath," he intoned, his voice a deep rumble with disdain. His hand clenched into fist, and from outside the tunnel, a muffled explosion was heard.

One of the demons stationed there suddenly burst apart, obliterated in an instant, his scream cut off before it even began, leaving nothing but a grisly rain of flesh ash scattered across the entrance.

The five pillars seated around the space turned their heads towards the exit, and they were already aware of what had happened. Zarok decided to plead.

"Forgive Karnath," he said. "With his record in the pack, he needed to keep himself strong by feasting on more flesh. However, Ultima’s decision should be followed without question.

"I didn’t feast on anyone," Karnath said, "But I’d like to know one thing, and that is the purpose behind why you sent more than a hundred demons to the North. The king is still alive, and claiming his throne will be even more unachievable since he’s a Lycan. He’s not just a Lycan but a powerful one at that, and I don’t think we’ll be able to get past him if he’s still able to shift."

"Shut your mouth!" Vaelin snarled, wondering how Karnath keeps finding the audacity to speak despite not being told to. He reached for Karnath’s neck, pressing him down against the floor again, but Draygar’s voice interrupted him.

"As grating as Karnath’s tongue may be," Draygar stated, "he outranks you. He isn’t putting up a fight because it’s Karnath. Discipline yourself, or find the strength to claim his rank as your own. Until then, control your impulses."

Vaelin clenched his jaw as he digested Draygar’s words, struggling with himself to shove down the fury that churned within him.

But the image of Karnath, turning into the form of a woman he half-remembered, clawed at the edges of his mind, and the violation of that memory was a searing wound. Karnath had not only intruded, but dug through his fragmented recollections, twisting them, and choosing the one face that would unleash the most bitter hatred within him.

Karnath sneered, feeling Vaelin’s grip tighten as his nails dug into his scalp. "Oh, Vael, where’s that respect for Ultima?" he taunted, his voice dripping with perverse amusement. "Have you forgotten that pain only fuels me? Every touch, every ounce of force only excites me more. Is that what you’re after, Vaelin? Are you so desperate for my attention?"

A thick silence settled over the two of them, dark and oppressive. And then, their master finally intervened, his voice like the cold edge of a blade. "Vaelin."

The sound cut through Vaelin like a death knell, and his hand trembled, the strength draining from it as Ultima’s voice seeped into his bones. "Release Karnath."

There was no room for disobedience in that command, and beneath the weight of Ultima’s presence, Vaelin felt his resolve crumble, a shudder running through him. The menace in Ultima’s voice had always been a reminder—a dark, looming threat—that disobedience would be far worse than the hate simmering within him.

He then released Karnath, and the spot where his nails had punctured in Karnath’s head healed within seconds. Eugene shifted uncomfortably as he awaited Ultima’s next command, and his only wish was that he doesn’t have to face Donovan again, else, he might not make it.

""Who said I wanted the king dead?" Ultima’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, yet it sent an eerie silence across the room. His violet eyes gleamed a chilling amusement as he reclined in his chair, his fingers trailing over a sketched portrait of Donovan, Esme, Irwin, and Leonardo. With a slow deliberate motion, he reached for a vial and uncorked it, letting thick, crimson liquid drip across Esme’s image, staining her face like blood.

"The daughter of Alpha Damon must be erased," he said coldly, his tone devoid of mercy. "But only Donovan is fit for a crime of that magnitude.

With a frown, he picked up Donovan’s picture, holding it to the flickering flame until the edges caught fire. As the paper curled and blackened, he whispered, "it’s time I remind you of our arrangement, dear nephew." His lips curved into a sneer as Donovan’s image turned into ash.

Turning his gaze to the five pillars gathered before him, Ultima’s expression hardened. "It’s clear that Donovan harbors five other cursed shifters," he said, his gaze sweeping over the sketches of Acheron, Lothar, Revana, Althea and Neville scattered across the table.

"Esme lies at the heart of it all. You five will eliminate these particular thorns. But Esme and Donovan..." his eyes flashed with dark intent. "They belong to me."

The finality in his voice left no room for question, casting a heavy silence over them.

"I have one question," Zarok’s face hardened, shadows flickering in his eyes as he asked, "If the Morgrim brothers are truly related to you, does that make them... equally powerful?"

"They are," Ultima replied, " And that’s precisely why I want them alive." His gaze was sharp, cutting through Zarok like a blade. "As for the others, kill them when the moment feels right. Be methodical, and each step should count."

A dark glint suddenly danced in his eyes, "Meanwhile I think it’s time I pay Irwin a little visit. After all, he’s begging for it with all his provocation." Ultima’s voice smoothly dropped to a whisper, cold and venomous. "Let’s see if he can withstand a final... invitation to die."

Karnath let out a low hum, his gaze distant before he spoke up, whilst his voice was laced with an uneasy curiosity. "That woman, Esme... she’s not what she seems. We had a playful sparring match, but at the last minute... she began generating a strange heat. It seared right through me—burned into my skin like nothing I’ve ever felt."

The others shot him incredulous looks, as if he were speaking in riddles. Undeterred, Karnath’s voice grew firmer. "I know what I’m saying. Ultima, you confronted her father once. Surely you have some idea—what kind of heat does she wield?"

Ultima’s eyes narrowed at Karnath, his gaze as frigid as the void. "Did I not tell you to focus on the other five?" he said, each word a deliberate, icy command. "This is your penance, Karnath, for acting without my order. Esme is mine to deal with; your task remains as given. The throne is not going anywhere."

Ultima’s expression darkened. "To get to Esme, I’ll need to break Donovan. He needs to unleash the hatred he’s so desperately tried to bury." His voice sank, a chilling undertone making it clear he relished the thought. "Soon enough, every ounce of his restraint will turn to ash."