The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 183: Abducted

After Lennox arrived at the study that now belonged to him since his father’s passing, he opened the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.

The room, with its royal decor, which was once a symbol of his father’s commanding presence, now bore the weight of his own inexperience.

With a composed gesture, he invited Lady Arabella to join him. She entered quietly, her steps light against the polished floor.

Her blue hair was pulled into a nest ponytail, the simple style accentuating her calm demeanor. Her expression was light and composed, yet her piercing gaze lingered on Lennox.

The dark shadows beneath his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. Clearly, the burdens of ruling a kingdom at such a young age were etched into his features, an unspoken testament to the strain he carried.

Alpha Damon had once suggested appointing a temporary king to shoulder the responsibility until Lennox came of age. But Lennox refused. To him, no one else was worthy of sitting upon the throne his father once held. His stubborn resolve came at a cost that was plain for Lady Bella to see. Unfortunately, his coronation can only be held when he turns eighteen.

He looked as though he hadn’t slept in days, and a wave of concern swept through her. She clasped her hands, trying to hide the unease creeping into her heart.

"I need to speak with you about something important," Lennox said at last, his voice quieter than usual, but steady. "Uncle Irwin and Alpha Damon might have been suited for this discussion, but Uncle Irwin is unwell, and Alpha Damon is currently busy. I don’t wish to trouble either of them unnecessarily... so I’m turning to you."

He gestured toward a chair, offering her a seat, and Arabella sat down. She looked momentarily perplexed, her brow furrowing in thought, but she chose to remain silent. She folded her hands in her lap, waiting patiently for King Lennox to speak.

"Before my father’s passing," Lennox began, "he told me of a peculiar tree— he said it was a creation born of the combined efforts of seven powerful priests and five masterful mages. According to him, this tree holds the ability to trap powers, including Donovan’s."

He lifted his gaze to the woman sitting before him. "You’ve been to the fortress with everyone else, so tell me, is this true?"

Lady Arabella hesitated, her lips parting as though weighing her words carefully. "Yes," she gave a reluctant nod. "Your father had it made to capture Zephyr’s evil powers, should the need arise, but we have not been lucky in luring him to the fortress. Why do you ask?"

Lennox turned away from her, his movement deliberate as he approached the grand window of the study. Folding his hands behind his back, he stared out at the desolate expanse of his kingdom, a land that had long been stripped of its peace. The sight was sobering; the fields lay barren, villages abandoned as citizens fled in fear of the impending war, abandoning their pack. From his vantage point, the emptiness was haunting.

His shoulders stiffened, and the weight of his fear pressed heavily on him. It wasn’t merely the war that unsettled him; it was the unshakable sense of doom hanging over them all. He couldn’t sleep, not with the endless nightmares plaguing his dream.

The hell he had heard whispers about in warnings and nightmares felt closer than ever, clawing its way into their reality.

"Those prison cuffs are useless," Lennox murmured, shaking his head as he turned to Arabella. "Leaving Donovan like this makes me uneasy. We need to take him to the fortress and have his powers stripped away. I don’t care what it takes, if they have to cut him open to extract whatever is inside him, then so be it. I just want it all to end."

Arabella’s eyes widened, her pupils darkening at the weight of Lennox’s words. It wasn’t pity that made her pause– far from it. She had no sympathy for the so-called demon child. But she was acutely aware of who, or rather what, they were truly dealing with.

"You’re suggesting we drain him of his powers?" She asked, wanting to confirm if she heard right.

Lennox simply nodded, his tone resolute. "Without them, he’s nothing. Yes, he’s an Alpha, but even his wolf will be powerless without that strength. I’ve thought this through, and it’s the safest course of action."

Arabella hesitated before responding, her gaze calculating. "I know you’re reluctant to involve Irwin and Alpha Damon, but if you really want my advice, I’d say it’d be wiser to seek their counsel first, especially from Irwin. This isn’t a decision to take lightly."

Lennox exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he stepped away from the window. "Even if I did, I’m pretty sure they’d object, and I don’t want to go against them. This is too important to leave to chance or debate. I’ll take this to the royal council, and I’ll make sure they understand. My decision is final."

"Your Majesty!"

The door to Lennox’s study burst open as two guards stormed inside, their faces pale and their movements frantic. One of them spoke urgently, his voice trembling with panic. "Your Majesty, we must move you to safer grounds immediately!"

Lennox, who was momentarily stunned by the intrusion, frowned deeply as he regarded their disheveled state. "What is the meaning of this? Have you forgotten yourselves?? Where are your manners??"

The senior guard stepped forward and bowed his head in shame, but he pressed on. "Forgive our intrusion, but it... the matter concerns the boy." He hesitated, his voice faltering. "He’s free again, and we have no idea what he’s done to the palace, but we can’t find him. We need to relocate you to lower grounds before he finds his way here."

At those words, a chill settled over the room. Arabella, who had been seated all this while, immediately stood up, her heart seizing upon the news being disclosed. Her wide-eyed gaze locked with Lennox, and it was clear that they both shared the same dreaded thought.

Without another word, they bolted from the study, with the guards following close behind.

"Did you check on Alpha Damon’s daughter?" Lennox questioned the guards who hesitated in their response.

"The corridors aren’t aligning, your Majesty, so we couldn’t get to her chamber quicker. But I met some guards, and we shared ourselves amongst each floor."

"So you’re telling me you have no idea if she’s safe or not?" The seriousness in his voice made the guards go silent, their heads lowered in shame.

When they arrived, Arabella’s breath hitched. The bed was empty, and the covers neatly turned down, as if mocking their fears.

"She’s gone," Arabella whispered, her voice hollow, and her blood immediately ran cold as realization set in. freewebnσvel.cøm

Lennox turned to the two guards standing behind him, and their fear was evident the moment they noticed that Alpha Damon’s daughter was gone.

"If anything," Lennox began as he pointed his fingers at both guards. "If anything happens to her, I will have your heads, do you understand?! Search the entire palace, and lock all gates!!" he ordered, his fury mounting as he realized his worst fear had come true.

Arabella’s hand shook, and she took a step back. "Oh no, Esme has been abducted?" She whispered in disbelief. "Damon won’t spare me if anything happens to his daughter. Luna Percy was supposed to come get her today. I should never have left her side— not even for a moment."

"This isn’t on you," Lennox cut in. "This is my fault, but we’ll find her. The important thing we need to know afterwards is why he took Esme. They must still be within the palace. Do you see why my earlier suggestion has to be done?"

Lady Arabella couldn’t bring herself to oppose any longer.

Meanwhile, down a dimly lit corridor, Donovan walked swiftly, cradling Esme in his arms. Her small form stirred against him, and her lashes fluttered as she began to wake. Donovan slowed for a moment, his steps faltering as her bleary eyes settled on him.

"Don?" She murmured, her voice soft and unsure.

He froze mid-step when she uttered his name, his breath catching at the sound of her voice. Relief flickered across his features, and a faint smile ghosted his lips upon realizing she was awake. But then, the gravity of his situation quickly sank back in, and the smile faded.

Tightening his hold on her, he pressed forward, his heart pounding as he moved deeper down the corridor.

"What... how am I here? What is going on?" Esme questioned, a hint of panic on her face when she saw Donovan carrying her. She squeezed her eyes shut as her head drummed, and she felt dizzy.

"Nothing’s going on," Donovan responded flatly. "Go back to sleep, if you must."

His dismissive tone only heightened her anxiety. "Where are you taking me? Where’s my father?" she demanded, her voice trembling as her pupils dilated in fear, noticing the physical changes in Donovan’s features.

A movement behind them suddenly caught her attention. Peering over Donovan’s shoulder, she saw a group of guards rounding the corner. Their faces twisted with alarm as they noticed the pair.

"There he is! And he’s got Alpha Damon’s daughter!" one of the guards shouted, pointing directly at Donovan.

Panic erupted in Esme’s chest, but Donovan didn’t falter. Without a word, he broke into a sprint, disappearing through a corner. Apparently, he’d been caught mid-ritual, hence, he had to flee with Esme before he was caught again. But one thing was clear, he wasn’t going to give her back, not until he’s completed the bonding ritual.

’I’m sorry Esme,’ he apologized. ’I guess I’ve always been selfish.’