Dane's POV.
“Alpha Dane!” The second I heard my name from behind, I turned swiftly to know who it was. Sighting the one person whom I wished to make mine, I didn't hesitate to charge towards her.
Without looking back, I bounced on her, and although it made her scared, the monster that had taken over me didn't care, not even for a split second.
I wished to control myself, but it was impossible to do so. I was trapped inside this monster, and I was going to be blamed or accused for killing my mate after years of searching or trying to find her.
Just as my claws were raised to the air, prepared to slit her throat, I suddenly froze at the sight of her blue, vibrant, glowing eyes.
“This is strange.” I said inwardly as I kept staring at her. It was as though her eyes had a command; it was as though they were meant just for me.
They suddenly made me pause in my tracks; they made me feel calm, and I wasn't sure why.
Just as I kept staring into her eyes, I felt a sharp sting hit me from behind.
“No!” I breathed out, and immediately, my eyes fluttered open. The first sight I saw was the ceiling in the room.
I kept gasping, but I tried my best to stop myself from panting. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was scared or something.
“It was just a dream.” I said softly as I recalled charging and pouncing on top of my mate. Just then, I felt so curious to know why her glowing eyes made me quell for a second.
“It has...” I was going to say when I suddenly noticed or felt someone on my body.
Turning my head to my right-hand side, I found Astrid comfortably sleeping on my chest, her face so close to mine that it made my heart race swiftly.
As I stared at her, I found myself captivated by her looks. My hand slowly lifted from where they rested and reached for her hair that laid over her face.
With deliberate moves, I tucked them at the back of her ear, making me stare at her face clearly. My heart raced even faster as I had her hair behind her ear.
It felt as though she had control over me.
“Don't let her get to you, Dane! She's just a pawn! She's just a tool! Get yourself together!” I sounded inwardly before I swiftly pulled my hand from her hair, and without hesitation, I stood to my feet, waking her up from her sleep.
“Alpha!” She gasped the second she opened her eyes to find me glaring at her.
I could see the fear she felt in my presence. She didn't attack or yell at me, as she always did; she had her head bowed to the ground without staring at me.
“Why are you here, and why were you on me?” I asked with a deep voice, trying to hide the way I was feeling after seeing her before me.
“You were injected by Beta Ivar last night and...” she was going to say, but I cut in sharply, not minding her feelings.
“And you think staying with me all night was the best choice? Who the hell do you think you are to do such?” I snapped, and instantly, she lifted her eyes to stare at me.
“I was only trying to help, Alpha Dane! You were weak, and staying with you wasn't a bad idea!” She noted with a loud voice and she wasn't wrong, but I didn't want her to see me as feeble or a weakling.
“You shouldn't have, my dearest enemy!" I scoffed as I averted my glare from her and walked over to my wardrobe.
I was going to change into something new and head out for my morning stroll, but just then, her question made me halt in my tracks.
“Are you okay, Alpha Dane?”
My fist clenched immediately as her words sent shivers running down my spines. No one, not even my mother, had ever asked if I was okay.
Everyone saw and perceived me as strong, not knowing that I had a weak side that always begged for someone to notice it.
I wished to respond to her question, but then I ignored her and continued walking towards the wardrobe in the room, and for a split second, I wished she never made any further statement.
“Alpha Dane? Why were you cursed?” She emitted, which immediately infuriated me.
Without a second thought, I turned to look at her with fury boiling in my veins. One thing I knew was that Astrid didn't know about my curse, but seeing her ask about it, I couldn't help but ponder how she knew.
“What did you just ask me?” My brows arched as I began to walk closer to where she stood.
“It's nothing!” She stuttered as she tried to hide it, but I wasn't going to buy it.
Without reluctance, I trudged towards where she stood, and before she could utter another word, I snatched her neck and pulled her closer to my face, my glare piercing into her eyes at this moment.
"Alpha, I can't breathe!” She thumped my hand, struggling to free herself, but I didn't let go just yet.
“How did you know about the curse?” I asked with a deep voice that carried a sense of fear and authority.
“Beta... Beta Ivar told me!” She fought to speak, still tapping my hand and trying to escape my grip, but instead, my grip tightened even more, knowing that Ivar had done something that I never wanted or expected of him.
“Now listen up, princess... You are never…” I paused as I pulled her closer to my face. “You are never to let this out because the day you do... I won't hesitate to kill you!!!” I threatened through my gritted teeth.
“Is that clear?” I warned, and immediately she nodded her head.
Because I didn't want to kill her, I let go of her neck, tossing her to the ground.
“Ah!” Her soft whines echoed in the room the second she fell to the ground.
I didn't give her a second glance before turning on my heels and heading for the door. I wasn't in the mood for a change anymore.
The second I opened the door, I sighted him. I sighted Beta Ivar running towards me, just as expected of him.
“Alpha Dane, you have to...” he was proceeding to let out, but I cut in with the one question I bet he didn't expect to hear from me.
“Why did you tell her about my weakness and curse, Ivar?” My fist clenched the second I questioned him.