The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 185: A Dream

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The morning air in the North carried a peculiar freshness that Leonardo couldn’t ignore. The crispness of it was so unusual, that it stirred a fleeting moment of clarity, so profound it compelled him to voice his thoughts during breakfast.

"The North feels refreshing today, for some reason," he remarked, his tone light but contemplative.

The group had gathered in the open courtyard, where Althea and Acheron had spread layers of fabric across the frostbitten ground, creating a makeshift picnic setting. Plates overflowed with an assortment of dishes, and enticing aromas mingled with the chill in the air as everyone indulged themselves.

The sun remained shy, casting only the faintest glow across the wintry landscape. It was a region accustomed to the somber skies, yet the gentle breeze carried a sense of calm, a fleeting reprieve from the biting cold. Everyone seemed at ease— everyone except Althea, whose distant gaze hinted at a mind that was preoccupied with heavier matters.

Leonardo reclined on his back, his gray eyes lazily tracing the soft, cloudy expanse above. Meanwhile, Lothar engaged Revana in an earnest conversation about the next phase of their training, and how they would approach it to their alpha.

Acheron, seated cross-legged near the edge of the gathering, cast a glance toward the snow-covered expanse surrounding them. "Almost everywhere is still buried under snow," he murmured, keeping his tone low. "I had a few workers clear this spot so we could have breakfast here. But being out here like this... it makes me miss the Damned."

Althea’s gloved hands drifted to her cheeks, her usual radiance replaced by a shadow of unease. Her usually bright voice that was always filled with cheer, carried an unfamiliar weight as she murmured, "Perhaps there is no light at the end of the tunnel for us. What if it’s just an endless cycle of a hope that was meant to deceive? Look how far we’ve come, yet it feels like the journey has only just begun."

Her words hung in the air when she was done speaking, a stark contrast of the conversation happening around her. All eyes turned toward her, and the absence of her usual sparkle was immediately noticed. Her plate sat untouched, and Revana, who was seated closest, felt a pang of unease.

Something was wrong.

The dark circles beneath Althea’s eyes and her slumped posture spoke volumes, and Revana knew she hadn’t slept last night.

"Althea?" Revana’s voice broke the silence, the concern in her voice evident.

Althea blinked, clearly startled, and her gaze flitted nervously between the others. Their expression mirrored her discomfort, and their scrutiny was piercing right through her, as if she were a ghost.

"Are you okay?" Acheron’s voice was low and urgent as he asked. "What... What did you mean by that? Why say our journey has just begun?"

Revana leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Did you even sleep last night? You look terrible. Did Archer upset you?" Her fist clenched as she glared at Acheron, ready to leap to her sister’s defense if needed."

But Althea shook her head vigorously, her gloved hands trembling as they rested on her lap. "No, it’s not that."

Her eyes suddenly glossed over in a way that caught them all off guard, her tears threatening to spill. "I... I had a dream last night," she began, her voice quivering. "It wasn’t just a dream– it felt real. So real that even now, I can’t shake it. I can still feel it, as if I never woke up."

"A dream?" Everyone at the small gathering exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of confusion and unease. "What dream?" someone finally asked, breaking the tension.

"I don’t even know how to explain it," Althea admitted, whilst shaking her head as if trying to dispel the vivid memory. "But I saw all of us in it— together. There was fire everywhere, it was so foggy that I couldn’t see, but there were screams, and voices. It’s like we were under attack. None of us survived that assassination. We were all dead."

Her voice faltered, and the fear flickering in her eyes was unmistakable. For a moment, no one spoke, their expression shifting from skepticism to somber understanding.

Althea hesitated before continuing, "When the fog cleared, I saw us lying there... and we were..." she couldn’t bring herself to complete it.

Sensing her rising distress, Acheron immediately placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, jolting her senses back to reality. "Hey, it was just a dream, okay?" He kept his tone firm yet reassuring as he consoled her. "That’s all it was. Look at us, we’re all here, alive and well. I don’t see any sign of fire anywhere. No one’s going to die, alright?"

"For once, I agree with him," Revana chimed in, keeping her arms crossed, but her voice was tinged with reluctant solidarity. "Saying we’re doomed is like saying we can’t handle whatever comes our way. Do you seriously think we’re not strong enough to crush those shitheads?"

Althea bristled at the implication, "I never said that," she shot back, blinking her tears away. "I’m just worried, okay? It felt so real, like it wasn’t just a dream but a warning. I couldn’t bring myself to sleep afterwards." Her voice softened, cracking under the weight of her emotions. "The thought of losing any of you, watching you die in front of me— how can I not be scared?"

"We’re going to survive this," Lothar reassured Althea with a promise. "We’ve always stood by each other, and that won’t change. The truth is, the greatest battle still lies ahead. I can feel it— and I know it will be catastrophic. But we’ll face it with our heads held high, just like we always have. You, me, Revana, Leonardo, Acheron, our Alpha and his Luna— we’re a force to be reckoned with. Let’s not forget the bravest trios on our side. With a team like ours, losing isn’t an option."

Revana, ever pragmatic, handed her sister a neatly folded handkerchief. "It’s just a stupid nightmare," she said bluntly, though her voice carried a hint of affection. "You look ridiculous when you cry, so wipe those tears. The curse is probably just playing tricks on your mind again, trying to make you give in. But you’re not that weak. If you need a distraction, I’m sure Leonardo or Acheron will happily oblige."

Althea accepted the handkerchief, gently dabbing at her tear- streaked face in silence. A faint smile tugged at her lips, small and fleeting, but the gesture was enough to show she appreciated their efforts. Still, despite their attempts to lighten her spirits, a heavy unease lingered in her heart, refusing to be soothed.

"I don’t do much, but I can help you get rid of it." Leonardo offered calmly, his tone steady, but his gaze carried an unspoken sincerity.

Althea smiled softened with gratitude, and she leaned against her sister, resting her head on Revana’s shoulder. "I’ve been overthinking lately, and that’s probably why the nightmare happened. With all of you here, I know I’ll get through it on my own."

Acheron opened his mouth as if to speak, but immediately reconsidered. The memory of Althea’s anger when he kissed her unexpectedly that night silenced him. It wasn’t the time to push his luck.

Instead, Lothar stepped in, his voice warm and encouraging. "Now that’s the Althea we know," he said. "I’ll have a word with the Alpha and Luna. I’m sure they’ll both approve of us training here, at least until we figure out a more permanent plan."

"Speaking of which," Althea looked around. "Where is the Alpha and the Luna? Didn’t you go to call them to join us for breakfast?"

Revana smirked knowingly as Althea directed the question at her, and she shrugged. "They’re catching up on sleep. If I had to guess, I’d say they had quite the long night."