Reclaimed By The Alpha King
Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Chapter 173

Derrick paced around his chamber, his mind racing with thoughts about Elena.

He had barely rested from all that was happening around him, and the uncertainty of her whereabouts gnawed at him.

His instincts told him that something was off about the entire situation, but he needed to hear Mona’s report first.

Mona entered the room, her face twisted in an expression of false sadness. She had rehearsed her words carefully, knowing that one slip could make Derrick suspicious.

"Mona," Derrick said, his voice heavy with impatience. "What did Katherina say?"

Mona let out a deep sigh, lowering her gaze as if struggling to find the right words.

"I... I spoke to Katherina, Derrick. She was as shocked as we are. She swore she has nothing to do with Elena’s disappearance."

Derrick narrowed his eyes, watching her closely. "Are you sure? Katherina isn’t exactly known for being... uninformed."

Mona nodded quickly, forcing a sad smile.

"She promised to look into it. She said she would use her powers to search for any signs of Elena. But she truly seemed unaware of what happened."

Derrick clenched his fists. *Lies. This doesn’t add up.*

* Katherina always knows what’s happening. If she really didn’t know, it could only mean one thing... She was hiding something.* Derrick thought.

But he didn’t call Mona out on her deception. Not yet. Instead, he nodded, his face betraying no emotion. "Alright. I’ll wait for her feedback."

Mona internally sighed in relief. *That was close.* She bowed slightly before leaving the room, unaware that Derrick had already made a decisio contrary to his reply.

The next morning, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon, Derrick set off alone towards Katherina’s lair.

He left his men behind, not wanting any unnecessary eyes or ears on what was about to happen.

Meanwhile, in her dark chamber, Katherina sat cross-legged in deep meditation.

Candles flickered around her, their flames dancing unnaturally. Her mind was reaching into the unseen, searching for hidden truths.

Suddenly, a blinding light illuminated her wall. She opened her eyes abruptly, watching in shock as an image formed within the light... it was alpha Theo.

His figure radiated power, an aura of greatness surrounding him. And then, as if the universe itself whispered to her, the prophecy unraveled before her.

"Theo... waiting for activation... Kimberly... moon goddess reborn... three tests... The words came to her like an unrelenting storm."

Her hands trembled.

"No. This cannot happen. If Kimberly succeeds in her trials, Theo will become unstoppable. They will be the ultimate force against me." Katherina said angrily.

Katherina gritted her teeth. "I will not allow this," she whispered fiercely. "I have come too far... I have sacrificed too much."

A sudden presence disrupted her thoughts. She turned sharply as Derrick entered her chamber, his expression unreadable.

"You came alone," Katherina observed, her voice eerily calm despite the storm raging within her.

"I need answers," Derrick said bluntly. "About my sister. About everything."

Katherina studied him for a long moment before exhaling.

"There is something far greater at stake now, Derrick. Your sister’s disappearance is only a small piece of what is to come."

Derrick frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Katherina gestured toward the fading light on the wall. "I have seen a prophecy. One that changes everything."

She walked toward him, her piercing gaze locking onto his.

"Kimberly is destined to be the Moon Goddess reborn.

If she succeeds in her three trials, Alpha Theo will awaken into his true power, one that will rival the gods.

Together, they will be unstoppable. And once that happens... we will be nothing."

Derrick’s breathing grew heavy. *Theo? The same Theo that I despise? The same Theo who already stands in my way?

Becoming even more powerful?* His hands curled into fists. "No. That will not happen."

Katherina’s lips curled into a dark smile. "Good. Then we are in agreement. We must make sure Kimberly does not succeed."

Derrick scoffed. "And how do you suggest we do that? She’s not stupid."

Katherina’s eyes darkened with intensity. "The trials will test her spirit, her strength, and her heart. All we need to do is ensure that she fails."

Derrick smirked bitterly. "You make it sound easy. Kimberly isn’t weak."

Katherina chuckled. "Everyone has a breaking point, Derrick. We just have to find hers."

A dangerous silence settled between them as Derrick processed her words.

*This is it. This is the moment where everything changes.

I have lost too much already. If Theo and Kimberly win, my power, my legacy, it all crumbles.* Derrick thought to himself.

He turned toward the exit, his steps slow but heavy with purpose.

"Derrick," Katherina called, making him pause.

"What?"

She smirked. "When the time comes, do not hesitate. Hesitation is weakness. And weakness is death."

Derrick scoffed. "Don’t worry. When the time comes... I’ll burn everything to the ground."

With that, he stepped out of Katherina’s chamber, his mind sharper than ever, his heart hardened with determination.

"Kimberly. Theo. Your time is running out." With a ferocious look in his eyes, Derrick uttered angrily.

★★★

Kimberly found herself standing in a strange place, a place where darkness moved like living shadows, whispering secrets she could not understand.

The air was thick with an ominous energy, and every breath she took felt heavy, as though it carried the weight of unseen spirits.

The more she moved forward, the louder the mysterious chant became. It was deep, rhythmic, and filled with something ancient, something malevolent.

Her feet carried her toward the sound, though a part of her screamed to turn back. But she couldn’t.

Something, someone, was waiting for her beyond the mist of darkness.

As she drew closer, the figures of ten women became visible, all draped in long black robes, their faces pale and filled with something beyond hatred.

Their eyes glowed with revenge, their expressions carved with the grudges of the past.

Kimberly’s breath hitched when she noticed the lifeless body in the center of their circle.

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She felt her legs tremble, but she forced herself forward, desperate to see who it was.

With every step she took, the chanting grew louder. The dark magic thickened, pressing against her like an unseen force trying to push her back.

Her hands shook as she finally got a clear view of the body on the ground.

Theo.

A gasp escaped her lips, her entire world crashing down around her. He lay motionless, his face pale, his body unnaturally still.

The ground beneath him was stained with something dark and thick.

Kimberly rushed toward him, but the women’s chant suddenly shifted, their voices rising in a terrifying harmony.

A violent gust of wind slammed into her, sending her staggering backward.

"No... No!" she screamed, her hands reaching out, desperation clawing at her heart.

Theo’s chest rose slightly as if he were taking his last breath.

Then, blood gushed from his eyes, nose, and ears, painting a horrifying picture of his suffering. His body jerked once, and then, nothing.

"No! Theo, wake up! Please, wake up!" Kimberly sobbed, shaking him, but he was gone.

She felt the power within her surge, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t pull his soul back.

She tried summoning energy, tried reaching into the very core of magic itself, but it was useless.

It was as if something, someone had completely severed his connection to life.

The laughter of the robed women rang in her ears, mocking her pain, feeding off her sorrow.

The sound twisted through her like a knife, and she let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Then darkness.

Kimberly jolted upright in bed, her body drenched in sweat.

Her breathing was ragged, her heart slamming against her chest as if trying to break free. She clutched her sheets, trying to ground herself in reality.

*It was just a dream. Just a nightmare... But why did it feel so real?*

Her hands trembled as she rubbed her face, willing herself to calm down. But the terror wouldn’t leave her.

The image of Theo’s lifeless body was burned into her mind. The sound of his blood dripping onto the ground echoed in her ears.

She turned her head sharply as the door creaked open.

Theo walked in, his expression calm yet alert.

The moment she saw him, a sob broke free from her throat, and she leaped from the bed, throwing herself into his arms.

Theo stiffened in surprise but quickly wrapped his arms around her, concern flooding his features. "Kimberly? What’s wrong?"

She clung to him tightly, burying her face into his chest.

"I don’t want to lose you, Theo," she choked out, her voice trembling. "I don’t want anything to happen to you."

His hands gently ran through her hair as he held her close.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, Kimberly," he murmured, trying to soothe her. "You’re safe. I’m safe. We’re here, together."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him, her eyes filled with fear and sorrow.

"You don’t understand. I had a terrible nightmare. You were dead, and I couldn’t do anything to save you."

Theo frowned, concern etching deeper into his features. "Tell me everything."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the moment she opened her mouth, fresh tears streamed down her face.

Kimberly took time to narrate the nightmare to Theo, with tears strolling down her eyes.

Theo exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening slightly on her shoulders. "It was a nightmare, Kimberly. It wasn’t real."

"But what if it was more than just a nightmare?" she whispered. "What if it was a vision? A warning?"

His gaze darkened slightly. He knew the weight of prophetic dreams, and Kimberly was no ordinary being.

If this was more than a nightmare, then they were in greater danger than he had imagined.

He cupped her face gently, brushing a tear away with his thumb.

"Listen to me. We will both walk through this fire, and none of us will die. I promise you this today."

Kimberly looked deep into his eyes, searching for any hint of uncertainty.

But there was none. Only determination. Only unwavering belief.

Theo leaned down, pressing a firm yet gentle kiss to her forehead.

"We will find whoever is behind this, and we will put an end to it. Together."

Kimberly exhaled shakily, finally finding a sliver of peace in his words.

But deep down, she knew the battle ahead would be unlike anything they had ever faced before.

As Theo held her in his arms, his mind was already racing.

*We need to put an end to whoever is behind all of this chaos.* His eyes darkened with resolve.

He would not let Kimberly’s nightmare become their reality...