The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 227: It’s Okay

Chapter 227: It’s Okay

Resting in a separate chamber, Esme tossed and turned in the mattress, the sheets twisted around her leg as she struggled to find a comfortable position. She couldn’t sleep, and after a while, she simply gave up trying, lying flat on her back and staring blankly at the ceiling.

"This is useless," she muttered, closing her eyes for a sec as she exhaled.

Every time she shut her eyes to get some sleep, the disturbing dream returned. In her dream, her feet pounded against the forest floor, as though she was running on all fours in the woods at night, her breathing ragged. Her heart raced as she appeared to be chasing something within the shadows, maneuvering through tall trees as though it was something she was expertly skilled in, and it bothered her more than she thought it would.

But it wasn’t just the dream that haunted her.

The true bearer’s appearance at the inn lingered in her thoughts like a splinter she couldn’t reach. And the conversation with Clandestine replayed over and over, each word pressing against her chest like a weight.

A creeping dread sat heavy in her stomach— something she hadn’t dared name. She wasn’t just unnerved, she was afraid. Not just of what the true bearer might do, but of what he might represent as well.

Sitting up slightly, she rested on her elbows, whispering into the quiet. "What is a blood wolf, really?" Her voice was barely audible despite the silence in her chamber. "Did he come for Arabella’s book... or something else entirely?"

Esme’s brow furrowed. That scene at the inn— that voice, the raw power he emanated– none of it made sense to her. If he’d truly wanted to kill them, he could’ve in that situation. They were vulnerable during the attack. And yet he didn’t. He uttered something about how he’d be unable to touch her cause someone would intervene. Was he referring to Don or someone else entirely?

The thought terrified her more than anything.

Shivering, she looked toward the window, half expecting to see a silhouette waiting just beyond the glass.

They way he slaughtered them all– it hadn’t even looked like he was putting any effort into it. That alone sent a chill straight through her bones. The ease with which death followed him made Esme’s stomach knot in dread, and even Arabella’s words were starting to linger in her mind. But what if she was wrong? What if they all were?

Her fingers curled around the sheets, and she shook her head. Even as fear tightened its grip around her chest, the betrayal from the royal court stung worse. If they hadn’t manipulated her so shamelessly today, if they had just spoken the truth instead of weaving webs of deceit to get back at her, maybe the situation could’ve been different.

Maybe she wouldn’t be sitting here, buried under the weight of loss and doubt.

"Once again," Esme murmured into the night. "They’ve shown their true colors– demanding loyalty while offering none. Perhaps I was the fool for hoping that they would change their ways."

For a moment, Esme wished everything would truly fall apart so they could start all over again. Without the divide, without the hate, without the endless battle.

Yes, she was afraid, she wouldn’t pretend otherwise. But she’d rather face the storm with those she trusted than march toward ruin with liars and backstabbers at her side.

"If Don were here..." she whispered, her fingers brushing the silver crescent pendant that hung against her collarbone. Her hand curled around it like it might answer her. "He would’ve known what to do. He always does. Maybe he would have seen through it all— and he wouldn’t let his people die the way I let them."

Her voice cracked, and she pushed down her grief.

Lying back, she clutched a pillow to her chest, sinking into its warmth like it might replace the one person she truly needed.

She missed him. Terribly.

A soft sound outside suddenly drew her attention— the delicate patter of rain against the windowpane. Esme lifted her head and got out of bed, heading towards the window. She unlatched it, taking in the night view outside. Mist clung to the air, and raindrops fell in shimmering threads from the sky. The night looked beautiful, but the night these days happened to be the most terrifying nights too.

Somewhere out there, she knew, demon wolves were currently roaming about, looking for their next victims. They were more active at night, and the community knew to remain indoors once the sun was no longer visible. She even saw warning posters on the notice board when Clandestine led them here.

Sighing, she reached out with her palm up, letting the cool droplets kiss her skin.

Then she stilled.

Esme could feel an unmistakable presence behind her, warm and familiar. Her breath caught just as a hand that did not belong to her suddenly reached out from behind, only to gently cup hers.

Startled by the touch, she gasped and reacted on instinct, slamming her elbow back. A grunt of pain followed as the figure staggered slightly from the hit, his hands flying to his abdomen.

Esme immediately spun around, ready to defend herself from whatever could have gotten in— only to freeze again.

"Donovan?"

The man in question winced, still hunched over, his voice strained. "Shit... when did your hits get so tough? And here I thought you summoned me because you missed me."

Esme’s pupils dilated when she realized she wasn’t hallucinating his presence. "I hit you? I’m so sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. I didn’t know it was you cause I was paranoid. Are you okay? Did I hurt you that bad?"

Torn between guilt and disbelief, she stepped forward in a rush, but before she could examine him, Donovan caught her hand and tugged her forward, wrapping her in his arms.

"Did you seriously think I’d be hurt by something like that?" He chuckled lightly, and Esme tensed up in his arms, stunned by the familiar sound. Sensing the change in her stillness, Donovan pulled back to get a better look at her face, his eyes flickering with concern as he asked. "Are you okay?"

"You’re really here," Esme whispered, as if still unsure whether to believe he was real or not.

Donovan offered a faint smile at her reaction. He shifted his stance with his hands resting on his hips. "I didn’t expect you to be this rattled. I should have been more conscious about it, but let me explain what happened. Now that we’re mated, the necklace I gave you—it brings me to you when you—"

Donovan didn’t get to finish. Esme suddenly flung herself against him, wrapping her arms around him so tightly to the point it pushed him a step back.

"So many things went wrong, nothing’s going right at all," Esme didn’t hesitate to spill, her voice raw with emotions. "I failed you again, and I accept it. I couldn’t fulfill the promise I made to you, to everyone. Half of your warriors are gone, Donovan. Revana was attacked. She could’ve died last night because of me."

Her tears spilled freely now, her words rushing like a storm. "I thought this was something I could handle on my own. I wanted to be strong... but it all keeps unraveling before I even begin. I can’t seem to do anything right. Maybe I was never meant to be—"

"It’s okay," Donovan whispered, cutting her off gently before she could finish that statement. He then brushed her hair back with a tender hand before speaking. "You did your best, and you’re safe. That’s all that matters to me."