A Secret Too Dangerous

~ Adrain ~

“Don’t come close," Emilia said, stepping backwards.

"I'm not a beast, Emilia.” I explained, wondering why I needed to clear this out.

“Don’t step closer, please." She pleaded in a whisper. Fear written all over her.

“You almost killed her if I didn’t intervene."

I pleaded with her all the way from my study to her room.

I stepped closer, but she backed away till she was braced up against the wall.

She shut her eyes tightly. “Don’t touch me, Adrain; you are evil." Her voice shook in terror.

I settled in front of her. “Is that who you see me as?"

But Emilia shut her eyes tightly. I wished she could open it and face me. So our eyes can meet, and then I will make her understand I wasn’t a beast. I never killed without reason, a very strong reason at that.

“Please open your eyes, Emy," I pleaded.

She shook her head. “Go away, Adrain; you almost killed her."

"But I didn't; you didn’t see me do it.”

"Just go," she said and opened her eyes.

“I wouldn’t want to kill her if she didn’t do something terrible."

She let out a low chuckle. “Something terrible? Because she left some unknown journal in my room. Is that what you call terrible?"

If only she knew the gravity of her going through the journal. I was literally angry and pissed that she almost went through it.

I really didn’t know why I cared about her finding out. But I didn’t want her to; she would get pissed and might even end up not speaking to me again.

"Listen, Emilia, there is more to that journal than just it being a journal.”

She gulped. "So tell me,” she folded her arms around her chest.

"Tell me what’s in it that makes it more than a journal.”

“Everything in it. Everything!” I said and stepped away from her.

She looked at me like I had suddenly gone insane. “Charlotte?" She smiled.

“Yes, Charlotte, because that is the exact name written on it.

She hurried over to where I stood now and held my hands.

"Tell me, Adrain," she started, her voice filled with emotion. "Who is Charlotte Evertone?”

Our eyes locked for a moment, and I could see the pain and confusion in them. She really wanted to find out who she is.

I slipped my hand away from her grip.

“Charlotte is none of your business, Emilia; just let the name rest."

She nodded for seconds, then stepped away from me again.

“You can leave now, Adrain.” She ordered.

“See, Em…"

"Just get the hell out!" She cut in, her voice filled with rage.

It was of no use to argue further, so I turned and headed to the door.

I slammed the door of my room hard and slumped on my bed.

I didn’t know why I felt this sort of guilt for not telling Emilia the truth.

And this was actually the first time someone has ever stopped me from getting someone killed.

I never made an attempt to use my sword and stopped halfway, not even when my mum pleaded.

I sighed heavily in frustration, confusion taking a hold on me.

I felt a bit of relief when Austin called me from outside.

“Alpha." His voice cut through the air.

“Come in, Austin," I replied, still lying on my bed.

Autin stepped in and shut the door.

"Alpha, the elders are waiting. The death of another omega had occurred."

“What?" I said and rose from my bed.

"Death of an omega?” I queried, unsure of what I just heard.

Austin nodded. "Yes, Alpha, an omega was confirmed dead. And the elders are waiting in your council room.” He bowed.

“But how?" I asked no one in particular. “Was the curse not supposed to end after Emilia?"

Austin shook his head.

"Remember what the priestess said: you have to mark her and mate with her. Her presence alone doesn’t just end it."

I stared at Austin in disbelief.

“You should know better, Austin. You think I will mark a human being as my mate or even mate with her?" I chuckled dryly.

"I would do no such thing, Austin." I spat and stood up.

“You can’t just finalise things that way, Alpha. The priestess made it clear. Making her your Luna without mating with her is as good as if she were never here.”

I stepped closer to Austin.

"It's still the same thing, Austin; finding out she was my mate and making her my Luna should avert the curse.

“This very omega died out of normal circumstances. It isn’t the curse. Not it.”

Austin scoffed like I was saying something that made no sense.

“You aren’t serious right now, Alpha. An omega just died; who knows who might be the next?"

"You can leave Austin.” I sat back on my bed.

“What do you mean?" Austin said, a confused expression on his face.

“I said you should leave and dismiss the council of elders too.” I lay back on my bed and closed my eyes, already drained from the events of the day.

I opened my eyes after hearing the door slam shut.