Second Night

Once again, I find myself walking down the hallway that seems to lead to my doom. Despite taking an entire week to prepare myself for a second encounter, I still do not feel nearly as confident as I had hoped.

My wavy auburn hair is visible in my peripheral vision and I recall Sera's hesitance when I asked her to wash out the black dye and return my hair to its natural state.

'Are you sure about this?' Sera had asked me.

Well, I am not sure about this or anything at all for that matter. But if I am going to die anyways, I would rather die with my original identity and not as a double.

My feet lead me to the oak double doors, the sight of them fills me with dread, like standing at the gates of hell. But at least this time, I do not have to act against my own conscience.

The proof of that is in my dressing, I have on a simple white dress, and a pair of comfy slippers on, nothing too extra as our last encounter.

My hand is poised to knock on the door and I hesitate for only a moment before I reach for the knob, pushing open the door, I step in.

The room is different this time, all the signs of Alaric's mania have been taken out, completely replaced by new furniture and the walls had been filled in.

Perhaps I have come too early and the destruction is yet to begin.

My gaze scans the room, Alaric is nowhere to be seen and I wonder if Top was mistaken when he said Alaric's mania had struck early and he already retired to this room the moment he returned from work.

I turn to take my leave but the door goes shut behind me, in the next moment, a warm breath fans against my neck and I freeze in the spot, too terrified to dare turn around.

"You must have a death wish." Alaric whispers, his voice is low, barely audible.

"I am here because... I do not want to die." I respond slowly, my voice wavers, completely letting on the extent to which Alaric terrifies me.

"You are in the wrong place, girl. Is what Cedric promises you to get in my bed truly worth the risk?" Alaric asks again.

"It is." I say in response, my voice barely above a whisper.

I sense Alaric's killing intent as it surges, he is not pleased. A chill of terror runs down my spine and my eyes go closed but in the next moment, Alaric lets out a groan of pain and his presence disappears from behind me.

It takes me a good few moments before I dare turn around, and another good few moments of scanning the room before I find Alaric.

He sat on the floor by the bed, his head held in his hands as quiet grunts of pain sounded from him.

My heart drops and I rush over to him, crouching down across from him. "Are you alright? Do I need to get someone?"

"Someone to die alongside you?! Leave!" Alaric hisses with difficulty, like he is physically in pain but I cannot identify the source.

Perspiration beads on Alaric's forehead, dripping down his face. I ignore his words and my eyes quickly look around, finding a clean towel,

I reach for him but he snarls fiercely and I jump back. Gathering my wits, I approach him again and crouch down, ignoring his glare, I pat away his sweat.

"If you want me to fuck you so bad, I will. I mean...you are quite a woman yourself, I noticed that much the last time." Alaric says.

I recoil at that, glaring at Alaric who just stares up at me, his gaze cold and feral. It dawns on me that he is trying to provoke me and I shake my head slightly.

"I...you should lay down. You look exhausted." I murmur beneath my breath, stepping away from him.

"Did no one tell you what mania is?...You can speak to me now because it is only just creeping up, but at any moment, I might be gone and all rationality with me. Not like your life matters all that much, but you should at least value it..." Alaric says blankly.

"I do. I...I'm not here to try anything silly like the last time and I apologize for what I did...or tried to do, that was wrong of me." I murmur quietly.

"This time, I just have to keep you company once in a while and I get to keep my life. Get some rest if you will and don't if you won't, my life depends on you, anyways so you might as well take it yourself if you will, I can't be bothered anymore"

"Dying in here or out there, it is much the same to me." I respond with a shrug.

Alaric frowns slightly at that but he goes over to the bed and lays down on it, shutting his eyes. His breaths even out and I breathe a sigh of relief, one that does not last.

It doesn't take long before Alaric begins twisting and turning, his grunts of pain are deeply concerning and I hesitantly walk over to the bed, towel in hand.

I reach over to dry his sweat, which is the best I can do for now but Alaric's hand shoots up and grabs my wrist.

His eyes snap open, gleaming brightly as he stares straight into mine.

"Beloved..." Alaric whispers, his tone thick with longing.

He pulls me in and I lose my balance, falling over him on the bed. Our lips are barely inches apart and I read the intent in his eyes, the desire... and then he goes in for a kiss but I turn away quickly.

My heart is beating rapidly and terror grips me but I force the words out. "I...am not her. I am not your mate, do not let your emotions get clouded."

"Is this not what you want? For me to lose reasoning and make love to you like I would to her?" Alaric hisses lowly.

"That may be what Top... Cedric hopes for, maybe I did too, then...but not anymore. If you want me in your bed, you'll want me...as me, or do not want me at all." I say quietly.

Alaric's grip on my wrist loosened. "Take off your clothes and get in here... this will be the only chance you get. It is no business of yours if I see her in you while I take you but if you walk away now, I will never claim you."

His tone and words are both clear but I move away from him.

"Make sure to tell Cedric you turned me down." Alaric says casually.

"I... I will leave you to rest, Supreme." I murmur quietly, turning, I took my leave.