The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 66: Where She Once Started

Chapter 66: Where She Once Started

"Wait, you can’t leave me in here! Where is Finnian?!" Esme’s words were laced with desperation as she frantically tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge, since it had been locked from the outside by Lennox.

"Open the door, please!" Esme’s pleas turned into sobs as she pounded her fists against the unyielding door, the sound echoing through the room like a dirge. Her hand throbbed with pain, but that wasn’t enough to weaken her resolve.

As she sank to her knees, realizing no one would open the door for her, her body shook with sobs, her tears streaming down her face. "Please... just open the door." she begged, her voice cracking with emotions. "I’ll... I’ll do anything you want, just let me out of here. I’ll listen to anything you have to say." Esme couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing to Finnian right now, and that only added to her anguish, sending her into a fresh wave of tears.

The door creaked open a few minutes later, and Lennox walked in. He knelt down in front of Esme and let his arms encircle her in a sudden, unexpected embrace, a gesture that took her out.

Esme was too stunned to resist, her body frozen in shock as he pulled her close. His warm breath whispered sweet nothings in her ear, and his voice was a gentle melody that belied the underlying manipulation.

"Don’t cry, my love," he cooed, his words dripping with insincerity. "It pains me to hear you sob like this. No harm will come to your brother, not while I’m here. I can keep the both of you safe. All you need to do is surrender to our union, Esme. Marry me tomorrow, and I’ll shield you from the world."

Esme’s eyes snapped, and her revulsion was immediate. She jerked away from his grasp, her eyes flashing with anger and distrust as she spat, "You’re lying to me!" her voice was venomous. "I don’t believe a single word you say. You’ve taken Finnian away from me, and now you’re trying to deceive me again?" Her head shook vehemently, and her rejection evident.

"Esme–" Lennox began, but she caught him off, her words tumbling out in a passionate torrent as all sorts of negative ideas rushed into her head.

"You said you’d kill him, and now you’ve taken him away! I need to see him, I have to know if he’s safe!"

"Esme–" Lennox tried again, but she wouldn’t let him speak.

"You’re just like the others! You want to use me, to exploit me for your own twisted desires. I thought you were different, that you saw me for who I truly am, not just for some selfish benefit. But now I realize that you’re no better than the rest. You want to trap me, to force me into a marriage that would suffocate me. I won’t let myself be–"

Lennox’s patience finally snapped, and he raised his voice before Esme could finish her sentence.

"ESME!" The sound was like a whip cracking, and Esme froze, her heart racing in her chest. When she looked up at the king, she saw his cold expression had softened, and his eyes were filled with a gentle concern. His hands cupped her cheeks, and she tensed up, her body resisting his gentle touch.

His words dripped with contrition as he said, "I know I’ve made a mistake, Esme, but this is for the greater good," his voice was laced with a persuasive sincerity as he continued. "We’re meant to be together, and our union can achieve wonders. If you abandon me, how can I ensure your safety? You need my protection, Esme. You know as well as I do that you won’t survive without out there."

Esme’s blue eyes locked onto Lennox’s golden ones, and her gaze was filled with incredulity. She struggled to comprehend the manipulative words that flowed from his lips – words he designed to ensnare and trap her in his clutches.

"I’ll take care of you, Esme," he whispered, his fingers gently sweeping away her tears. "Finnian is safe, I promise. But if you want to see him again, you’ll have to agree to marry me first. I’m not doing this out of malice, but you’ve left me no choice with your defiance."

Esme shook her head, her eyes brimming with desperation as her voice trembled, "I.. please, don’t force me into this. I’ve really had enough of being controlled, of being bound by other’s desires. I... I swear I’ve lost my gifts. When I cut my hair, I severed my connection to them so no one would want me. I sacrificed my power to avoid being trapped like this again. Don’t bring me back to where I once started... please." Her tears flowed freely as she begged for her freedom, her body trembling with sobs as she pleaded for mercy.

"This may seem harsh," Lennox said, ignoring her pleas. "But trust me, once we’re married, you’ll come to appreciate my decision. You’re too valuable to me to be discarded. I’ll make everything right after our wedding, I promise." His words were laced with a sinister confidence, and Esme wondered if he was even listening to her at all.

As he rose to his feet, Esme instinctively followed, her heart racing with anxiety. She sensed that he was about to imprison her once more the way Dahmer had always done, and her body reacted with a primal fear, as if trying to escape the inevitable.

"Esme, stay inside, you’ll be let outside tomorrow." He cautioned, offering her a cold comfort before he slammed the door shut again, leaving her in isolation. Esme’s legs buckled beneath her as she realized she was back at the spot where she once started, and she collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with sobs.

She clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her anguished cries.

She was so close.

Was this really her fate? Even if it was, why does Finnian have to suffer as well? Tears streamed down her face as she wondered if she was indeed a cursed soul, someone who only brought misfortune for those who dared to care about her.

"Let me out!" She wailed, her voice a mournful cry that echoed in the empty room.

Meanwhile, Lennox sauntered through the hallway, and Emily hastened to intercept him, her slender figure a stark contrast to his imposing presence.

"Your Majesty," she started, her melodic voice laced with a hint of caution, "If Esme desires to leave, then let her go. Don’t you think we’re placing undue reliance on her abilities? I fear we’re overestimating her significance in our struggle against the enemy—"

"Retire to your chambers, Emily." Lennox interjected without barely sparing a glance her way. "You can see I’m stressed and busy. Do not trouble me further tonight. That’s an order." The finality in his tone could not be breached, and it hung in the air like an unspoken threat.

Emily’s lips pursed in annoyance as she watched him walk ahead of her, her brows furrowed in perplexity, and she muttered, "Why is he getting mad at me? I merely suggested that he release Lady Esme."

Emily didn’t have a good feeling about what was happening, but she knew better than to provoke His Majesty. She turned and returned to her chamber’s instead.

Lennox made his way to his throne room, his eyes fixed on Leonardo who stood before him with silver cuffs encircling his wrist. The sight of the restraint seemed to leave a bitter residue in Leonardo’s mouth, and he raised his head the moment Lennox walked in.

The guards stationed nearby equally stepped aside, their eyes avoiding the tense scene that was about to unfold before them. Lennox came to a stop in front of his advisor, his beta, and a look of betrayal and disillusionment flashed in his eyes.

"I trusted you, Leo." His voice was laced with a deep sense of hurt. "How could you deceive me so?"

"Believe it or not, I did it not for their sake alone, but for yours as well," Leonardo said without hesitation, his voice infused with a sense of conviction. "I may have betrayed you, Your Majesty, but it was for a good cause, and I don’t regret it."

"You don’t?"

"Your thirst for revenge has consumed you, and you’re willing to go through all means to get that revenge, even if it means hurting others in return." Leonardo’s eyes remained steadfast as he delivered his council to the king, his voice laced with deep concern. "You bear the weight of protecting your people, and the burden of that responsibility has taken its toll. But this path you’ve chosen is misguided, and it will only invite serious calamity."

"Those councilors you listen to are poisoning your mind, and by following their counsel, you’re allowing them to manipulate you. Just because your father toyed with Late Alpha Damon doesn’t mean you have to do the same to his daughter." Leonardo continued, his words a gentle rebuke.

"ENOUGH!" Lennox silenced Leonardo. "Keep your opinions to yourself. I confided in you because I trusted you, but you betrayed that trust by revealing my plans to Esmeray and aiding her escape. I wish I could punish you, but our bond is still very precious to me. You’ll remain under close scrutiny until after my wedding. Once I’ve wed Esme tomorrow, you’ll come to realize that I knew exactly what I was doing when I made this decision." he declared.

Leonardo didn’t argue further and resigned himself to his fate. He was glad his parents didn’t stay within the heart of the palace, but they will surely come to know of what he’s done when morning comes.

Is there really no one who can save Esme from the ruins of her own destiny?

Leonardo’s gaze instinctively darted towards the window, where a raven’s mournful caw pierced the night air.

Aren’t ravens usually a symbol of death?