CHAPTER 48

Kael's POV

I was once again lucky. Lucius was not able to trace me, and the spies were not able to find me. They followed a route I had tricked them into taking. By the time I arrived at my castle, news of my defeat had spread far and wide. My soldiers had circled the gate preparing for Lucius' attack. The atmosphere had changed, everyone thought I was dead.

"Aye!" A voice bellowed as I approached the gates, dragging my bleeding legs. "The Alpha is alive, he is heading home. He is injured and bleeding, get the maid servant and the park doctors. Now!"

Everyone began to scamper, running around to save me, but I was so distracted to even absorb the scene. I barely escaped death. I almost let go of everything I worked hard to build. My mind wandered to the words of the prophecy. Was it coming to fruition so soon? I had done as a priest instructed me. Divorce and reject my mate Lyra. They told me the moon goddess wanted me to sacrifice the most precious thing to me. I didn't think twice or put anything into consideration at that point. I pronounced the heavy, harsh words on Lyra and banished her from the pack.

Then, I kept my eyes open waiting for signs of improvement and strength to my weak wolf. But nothing of such happened. Rather, it all worsened. Famine and diseases began to ravage the land. Sometimes the sun wouldn't shine, and the moon denied us its presence. Then on my part, no miracle happened. My sacrifice didn't bring any fruit. Instead of a strong and healthy wolf, the one I had started to lose connection with me. My bones grew frailer, my lungs struggling to breathe air.

I was laid on the bed and stripped naked. A lot of herbs were forced into my mouth, needles and pincers inserted into my wounds but I could feel myself drifting away. One more incident like this and I would be gone. After a few more jabs and pushes, I closed my eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.

By the time I woke up, I was alone in the bedroom. My wounds have been washed and bandaged while the minor cuts have vanished. I didn't waste any more time, I got myself out of bed, left the room and headed into the pack library. The prophecy was becoming more difficult to comprehend. I was beginning to lose control. A curse was placed on my park years ago, and it made the moon goddess turn her back on us. It was a punishment for an offence committed by my great-grandfather. But every direct lineage would be affected. The prophecy said I would be the one to put the people of the park right with the moon goddess again.. they said I would have to pursue something develop a great interest in it and sacrifice it to the moon goddess.

At least that was what I thought..

Arriving at the library now, I placed the book under a candle light and fixed my attention on it. I started from the beginning and read it thoroughly to the end making sure to absorb everything that was said. Nothing was different. The moon goddess wanted a great sacrifice; a portrayal of selflessness and utter devotion.

I close my eyes and thought about Lyra. She was the mate chosen for me by the moon goddess. So I thought to come and let our goal please the goddess. Or maybe I had to pursue something of greater interest but what now? Lucius was getting stronger, and the people we are moving to his side. They wanted a strong leader, one who would lead them into comfort and remove the Curse upon their land. Lucius and his men broke away from the pack because of this and I was surprised that he was making progress. His followers were not sick, no misfortune happening and the one goddess visited their land frequently. Any of my people continue to join him and soon I would be on my own, lying 6 ft below the ground.

I was in the library for what seemed like an hour but afterwards I grew tired and stumbled to the wine cellar. I found a spot in the dark stuffy room and begun my drinking spree. One bottle after another, then another. When I eventually returned to my chambers, Selene was standing by my bed a tree of medicine and food in her hand.

"Where have you been my lord? I was just about to inform the guards."

The sight of her face tightened my stomach. I was going to ignore her and go to sleep but to those words stopped me.

"Tell the guards what?" I questioned.

"Nothing, Celine said shaking her head. "I thought you've left the castle."

"Oh, you also think I'm weak. You think I cannot define myself. I left the castle and fell into the wrong hands and you send my soldiers to save me. Is that what you're trying to say?"

"No, my lord," Seline fail on her knees and lowered her head. "I don't think you are weak. I was so worried and I am sorry for my words."

I took a minute to scan her all over. She disgusted me, every inch of me. I wondered why the goddess couldn't demand blood sacrifice instead. Selene's head would have made a beautiful adornment for the slaughter slab.

"Please, the nurse instructed me to give this to you." She picked the tray up again.

I took the medicine and ate some of the food, but I was surprised to find Selene beside me the next morning, naked!

Without a warning, I grabbed her by the neck and hurled her out of the bed.

"Arrgh!" She let out a scream as the fireplace crashed over her head.

"What is the meaning of this nonsense?" I growled. "How dare you seduce me."

"No, my lord." She stuttered blood gushing out of her nose. "I did not take advantage of you. I dare not!"

"Then why are you laid beside me? Have you lost your mind!"

"No, you've had a lot a lot to drink. You demanded for my body, and I couldn't refuse you. Why are you doing this to me."

"Get out. I don't want to see you again!"