Chapter no 4- A horror of the void

'My patience was unparalleled, my courage extraordinary,

But your words, they took time to sink in,'

My eyes flutter open. Sharp light burned at my retinas, making me turn my head. I tried to gain full consciousness. Tried to open my eyes fully. I blinked several times and came across a white ceiling.

The Ceiling led down to white walls. The room was dimly lit. The only light source was the sharp light above my head, and the surroundings were dull.

Faint whispers!

Dull and low voices grab my attention, making me look to my right. A cupboard sat in one corner of the wall, and reached across the wall, leaving a small portion of the wall on the other side empty and dark.

The empty corner blinked at me.

A void.

A void captivating me, capturing my mind, burning my eyes.

The room was spinning. I felt my insides scream, and chills erupted all over my body.

I cried out in pain.

There was so much pain!

There were faint whispers. Barely audible. I could not make up the words. My body began to shake.

I felt hot.

The whispers grow and grow until they are screaming at me, pulling me to the void. I screamed in pain.

"Damien, save me!" The voices yelled at me.

The voices shout. They continue to shout at me, making my body burn. I cover my ears, but the voices don't stop.

I cry out in pain.

The door swung open, and several lights were turned on. The room was filled with warm lights. I was shaking furiously.

I hurried off the bed, sensing comfort from the person who entered and ran to him.

Tears sting my eyes.

"What happened?" The voice was warm, but urgent.

"....Th-They were pulling me,"

I choked.

Warm hands push me away gently from himself.

"Who were?" He asked.

I looked up from teary eyes. Damien stood in front of me, in all his glory. His sharp cheekbones cast a shadow underneath. A tight jaw. His hair was disheveled. His shirt creased. He was angry.

I looked down at the wet spot on his shirt. It was my tears.

I turn to look at the void.

There was nothing.

The room was clean and....empty.

A single bed that inhabited me a few minutes ago. Two chairs and a lot of medical equipment. A small window I didn't notice earlier.

"There were...people," My eyes widen.

"I heard them...,"

"The only person screaming here was you, I heard only you," He said.

I turn to look at him. My breathing still fast, my head still hurting.

"It must be a bad dream, or a hallucination," He said. "You blacked out last night,"

Last night!

Enigma pack!

Erica!

I turn to the window. It was daylight peeking lightly through the gloomy clouds. Birds chirping at a distance.

"Where is Erica?" I whispered, "You let her die,"

"She-"

I hit his chest before he can continue.

"Where is she?" I cried. I had officially lost my mind. Sanity had left me.

"I told you," I hit him again. He just looked straight ahead. His jaw tensing further.

"I told you, He would kill her. I plead to you. I never begged anyone, anything. I begged you,"

I continue to hit him like a mad woman. He not even flinch at my attempts to push him back. He stood there like a stupid stone wall.

"You are a monster!"

His hands fish out of his side, grab my arms and push me towards the nearest wall. He shoved me to the wall and caged me between him and the walls.

My hands were clasped above my head, in his grip. He pressed my arms further into the wall, tightening his grip. My wrists hurt.

His eyes darkened, seething in anger. Pure red anger. The vein on his forehead pumped, and his face reddened.

"I am not a monster,"

He was so close to me, I felt his warm breath on my face.

He looked like he could twist my head off, if I moved even an inch.

"If I were a monster," He snarled, "You wouldn't be standing here in one piece."

As I buck underneath him, he presses his hand harder against my wrist. My bones are threatening to snap.

His eyes glared into mine. I wanted to look away but I couldn't.

He just threatened to kill me. Any sane person would be scared to death. Any sane person would lower their head. Any sane person would beg for mercy.

Scared, I was. Hell! I was shivering in fear.

But a coward, I wasn't. My father was killed, and Erica was killed. I could too. So let him be done with it.

"Amara?" A soft, afraid voice was heard by my ears.

I whip my head in the direction. Erica stood there. Unhurt.

My throat constricted at the sight of her, and I released a soft breath.

My arms were released, and the shadow that was hanging over me, towering over me, was now standing a few feet away.

I crash into Erica, wrapping my arms around her, breathing into her hair. Her body was warm. A soft wool coat hung over her small frame.

Tears flew down my cheek as I held her close.

"...I thought I-I lost you," I choked out.

"There, there," She chirps, "I thought you never cried," Her hands running up and down my back, soothing me.

We stayed like this for a while before a throat clearing made us aware of another presence in the room.

I whip away from Erica and turn to face him. "You could have told me before...,"

I let my words trail off between us when he began to glare at me.

"Your sister is a maniac," He tells Erica. I shift between my feet and eye him warily. So, he did help me. He is not that bad, I guess.

Did he do it because we were mates? A chill erupts through me at the thought.

I was mated to the Lycan king.

"And I would like this maniac to be removed from my lands as soon as possible,"

As if all the water of Niamon was poured down on me.

What? He wanted me to leave without even acknowledging the fact that we are mates?

My thoughts were worded by Erica.

"Alpha, she is my sister. Isn't she to stay with me?" She asks mirroring my discomfort.

I glance with Erica and him, confused.

Why is Erica to stay here?

"Who said you are staying here?" His voice a snarl, pointed at my sister. I heard her intake a sharp breath.

"But-but my mate-,"

"Knows his duties better than anyone in this pack. I do not allow this, so he wouldn't push it,"

What?

I was too dumbfounded to be a part of this conversation.

Both Erica and I found our mates In the span of a day? That too an Enigma man?

Well, If I can be mates with the king, she can sure have better luck.

"Alpha you cannot do-," Her voice wobbled, making my hands clasp beside me.

"I can, little girl. And I will. My men are not to take mates. That to, a woman of Seraphic," He was disgusted.

My heart felt as if it was carved up by a rusted knife.

Woman of Seraphic

"You cannot talk to my sister like that," I gritted through my teeth. Here I was trying to fish for words to thank him for saving her. Hell, I had the speech ready before he decided to open his mouth and call me a maniac.

His attention shifts towards me, as if I was a mere fly that buzzed and caught his attention.

"You cannot come to my lands," He took a step forward.

"Beg me to help you,"

Another step. His eyes raging with darkness.

"And when I do,"

Another step, this time I took a step back because he was too close. Close enough for my heart to jump out of my chest and into his hands. He towered over me.

"Neither of you can demand to stay here,"

Another step forward, another step back.

"And neither of you,"

My back was touching the wall now.

"Can tell me what I can and cannot do," He snarled. Again, caging me between him and the wall. Only this time, my sore wrists weren't being punished.

My hands get clammy. He was so close.

His eyes held mine like a charm. For a flicker of a moment, they travel down.

Down to my lips, follow a path to my neck and down to my chest.

I realized my clothes were almost about to fall because of how tattered they were.

My breathing grows heavy as dirty thoughts, that have no place to wander my mind right now, flow in.

Get a grip Amara !

"Both of you will leave before noon. Alex will hear none of this. It might not be his decision, but I rule this pack and also him,"

He backed away and started walking towards the door. With one last long gaze at me, he left.

I pulled myself off the wall.

Not only did he deny me, but he is also denying my sister of her newly found mate. I count to ten and take a deep breath.

Snap out of it, .

I turn to Erica when I hear a sob. With her head held down, her mouth had formed a thin line. She was trying no to cry.

I always told her crying is for the weak. Yet, I myself had spend a whole day bawling my eyes out. I hated how pathetic I was. A hypocrite.

"There, there," I repeat the same words she told me before and take her into a big hug.

"Tell me what was all this about,"

Chapter no 5-To the mates

'The essence of life is nothing but regret, neither did this, nor that happened, neither this attained, nor that remained,'

Damian

Standing outside the room, I wanted to laugh. I wanted to laugh at the games the fates are playing with me.

Of course, she was inside there.

Of course, she was my mate.

But this time it will be different.

She will leave. She cannot stay here; I cannot let her stay here. This is the least I can do for her.

It was then that I heard screaming.

She was calling out my name, screaming and asking for help.

"Damien, save me,"

She repeated it like a mantra. I held my hand beside me, clamping it tight.

It was happening.

I barge inside, ready to see a horrific accident in front of me Instead I see her sitting on the bed.

I turn on the lights, and she runs to me. She wraps herself around me, and I knew in that moment, I had to ask her to leave.

The little woman had went crazy for a while before I left the room, stating the final verdict.

She cannot stay here. It was for her own good.

.

.

.

.

She was tied to a chair. Her clothes torn, and lip busted.

It was a dimly lit room, in the basement of his house. He had left her there in order to attend a meeting that came up urgently. He sounded worried, scared even when he was informed that 'Alex Namoon' was here to meet him.

Erica hoped this man killed Jacob. This was all she hoped being tied up for more than an hour, before the door burst open.

A deep sense of recognition and familiarity picked at her, followed by a tingling sensation around her head and spine.

The shadow appeared in the light, perhaps feeling, if not more, the same pull towards her.

'Mate,' He hummed.

Alex had met his mate after six years of searching, and there she was, bloodied and tied to a chair, whimpering in pain. He freed her, covered her up with his coat and shirt.

Erica told Alex what Jacob did. He took her, killed her father, and her sister.

Alex was out of the room with her in his arms. Jacob tried to stop them, but Alex was quick to slap him across his face. He threatened Jacob to a war with the Enigma pack.

Thus, Alex took Erica with him. He told her he had no idea she was here. It was as if fates had aligned for them.

He also informed her, to her surprise, that Alex was Beta to the Lycan king of Enigma pack. He was, in fact, the second most important man in the world, and now she was, too, the most important woman.

Erica had arrived at Enigma pack earlier than Amara did, as they traveled using luxury cars and high speed roads.

When Alex informed Damien of what happened, he approved of everything.

But it was before Damien knew the sister of Erica. It was before he knew that his mate is related to her.

Now, he cannot have his mate or her sister in this place.

Amara

Erica told me what happened in the night while I was in the dreamy land.

How Jacob, the bitch, tortured her, and how she was saved by Alex.

If it weren't for the Lycan king's orders to get the hell out of his lands, I would have thanked Alex with my left kidney.

Which got me thinking Damien never saved her. It was Alex all along. And the fates, whom Erica is so obsessed with believing in.

I believe in fates as well, but I think they don't like me very much; thus, the feelings are mutual.

My mother died because she got chicken pox from me when I was young.

My father was to bring home my birthday cake the day his legs gave away, and he had an early retirement.

It was my idea that killed my father.

And the moment I left Seraphic pack, Erica was saved, met her mate, and was finally happy.

And now when she met me, her mate was being snatched away from her.

And My mate...he does not want to do anything with me.

Because I am cursed.

I am the bad luck.

And the least I cannot for my only living family is to give Erica her happy life back.

Damien did not want me around. Erica told me he was happy when they got here.

And now that he knows Erica is related to me, he wants her gone as well. Maybe I am overthinking. But I need to talk to him. To let her stay.

I will leave alone. But let her be happy. I will beg him again if needed to.

"Erica, will you be a peach and stay here for a while. I will come get you and we will leave," I ask her.

She slowly nods her head, and both of us walk outside this creepy room.

She settles on one of the benches in the park next to the room. I ask her the route to the pack house since only one of us walked here with their eyes open and conscious, connected, she roughly explains, and I walk off.

I reached the lawn that opened double glass doors to the pack house. It was located at the side. I needed to find Damien. I didn't know which direction to go, but I just let my intuition lead me before I found someone and asked where to go.

A lady in a black and white dress, resembling of house help, appeared holding a cup of tea.

"Hey, I...I am looking for the king. He...asked for me earlier,"

She looks me up and down before nodding. She had a smooth, polite voice. She was in her late thirties or early forties.

"You were the one who passed out last night. The king was very upset,"

Of course, he was, such an inconvenience I was for him. I didn't say that to her, though.

"He threatened the doctor to make sure you were okay, or it would cost her her life. He was really worried about you," She smiled lightly. Her eyes were twinkling.

Umm...what?

Worried about me? I think he hates me.

I frowned, but didn't ask her to clarify. I was to leave, Damien had made it clear earlier.

"Do you know where he is right now?" I asked.

"Oh yes, yes. I am to take this tea for him, follow me," She said.

We walked down the long aisle, and then there were a couple of turns. There was a large spiral staircase that we climbed up.

I don't remember his office being up here. I was in there yesterday.

She stopped outside a large wooden door in the dimly lit end of the hallway.

If one were to ask me what way I came from, I wouldn't know. This is a puzzle.

The house help, who introduced herself as Emily earlier when we were climbing up the stairs, looked at me and smiled.

She hesitated to knock.

"How about you take it in?" She asked, shoving the tray with a cup of tea in my face. I instinctively grabbed it, looking down at it. White hot steam oozed out beautifully.

"...I...I don't think-" I was about to hand it back when the door swung open and both of us were rattled by the sudden movement. Thankfully, I did not shake the cup so much for it to fall on my face, or else I would be crawling on the floor with a burnt face.

A sharp scent of earth wafted at me. We both look up to see the man himself.

Emily quickly bent her head like she was bowing to the almighty king, which technically she was.

She side eyed me and urged me to do the same. If I were a better woman, I would have bowed too but I was too pissed and stubborn to do that. I was not a good person.

"We need to talk," I lock eyes with the man. The room behind him was dark as well. He appeared big and tall standing in the door frame.

I wanted to step back. I wanted anything else to be the center of his attention. But the overwhelming feeling of belonging and lazy lust overcome me. The lust told me to hold the contact. To further to contact.

"You can leave Emily," He said, his voice smooth and low. I was hyper aware of the way the syllables drawled between us.

No! Emily, don't go!

Emily looked between him and me, before quickly bending again and walking away.

I wanted to run down the hallway, shoving her to the side on my way, but I knew deep down he would catch me.

"Talk," He said. I averted my longing gaze from Emily to a stoned one at him.

"I am here to talk about what you said."

"And?" The way he appeared so calm and composed made my stomach tense up and raise goosebumps all over me.

"And...I would leave, as you had asked. But let Emily stay," I almost whispered.

He lazily moved his eyes down from my eyes, down my face, my neck, and to my chest. His features shift.

"It is rude to stare." Before I could stop it, the desire to one-up him made the words leave my mouth.

He raised his hand, and I flinched. Something was pulled from my hand, and I looked down.

The tray with the tea cup. He was looking at his tea, not at my chest. Who the hell drinks tea now a days. It was spilled along the sides of the cup and on the tray when he first jolted us with the door opening.

Well, deal with it.

I looked up at him again. Oh! He is so beautiful.

Chapter no 6-Casted out

'Tears well up, a heart adrift,

Only your thought, a precious gift.

Though love denies, and mocks my plea,

My soul finds solace, thinking of thee,'

Amara

"She is your sister," He said, and then he turned and walked back in. The room was dark and I could not see him.

Should I follow him in? Should I go in?

Walking into a dark room behind this man was at the top of my Not to do list.

I stood by the threshold of the door. I put my head in and peeked inside. Where did he go?

There was a silhouette of a bed, a large floor-to-ceiling window on the front wall, supposed to be emitting morning light, covered by heavy curtains. There was other furniture.

My heart skipped several beats. Is this his bedchamber? Why did Emily bring me here!

It was his personal space. Why would he want me to come in? My skin danced with excitement.

But where is he?

The lights turned on, and my heart darted out of my chest, finding him standing ever so close to me. His chest almost touched my shoulders. His face inches away from my cheek. His breath now fanned my hair.

"You will visit her, at least," He spoke. It took me a few seconds to rewind the conversation we were having.

Get a grip, Amara!

"I won't," I whispered, my throat dry. He dislikes me so much that he doesn't even want me to visit my sister once in a while.

This was a lot to give up, but I was willing for Erica's happiness.

He left my close space. "Maybe once, twice? When she has babies. When she gets sick. When she dies of old age,"

He was now walking further in the room.

I take a deep breath. What is wrong with him? How can he say that so easily? How can he demand something like this from me?

He sits on one of the couches and takes the cup in his hand. He sips his tea.

Will I really be able to resist these events? Will I never be able to see my sister again?

Ever?

And most of all, why does he hate me so much that he does not want to risk a visit even in a hundred years?

The latter question makes its way to my mouth, souring it with its taste.

"Why do you hate me so much? What did I do?" I whispered, looking down at my feet.

The room felt eerily quiet. It was uncomfortable. As if the space has shrunk, magically, making me closer to his wrath. I hear my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I bet he can hear it too, for how silent it was there.

"...I think it is not unknown to you...that we ar-"

"Yes, we are," He cuts me off. I look up at him. My eyes reflecting the questions I did not have the courage to ask.

Why can't I stay?

Why can't you want me as your mate?

Why do you want me to go?

He stands up, and walk to me, until he was in my personal space again. He takes another step but I don't back away. He takes some of my hair that fell over my shoulder into his fingers.

Even His hand was beautiful. Long fingers, big palm, attached to a thick veiny arm. It made me sigh out a huff of air.

"This is a peculiar shade for red," He said thoughtfully about my hair. Such important discussion I was trying to have with him and this is what he wants to talk about. The shade of my hair?

"Like a city burning," He whispers.

My skin heats up. He was so close. I could wrap my hands around him, hold his neck. My eyes fall to his lips. I could kiss him.

I bite my inner cheek to stop myself.

Get a grip, Amara!

"And I don't hate you," He said, his warm breath fanning my cheek. , "...I, don't want a woman around me. Women are feeble-minded and inept. I am the Lycan king, I cannot be associated with something so...weak," He left my hair as if he was disgusted by it, and not admiring the shade just a minute ago.

It takes time for his words to make sense. For his words to register. Even though they were clear and smooth.

Hell with getting a grip. As if cold water was splashed on my body, I jerk back.

White hot rage takes over every sense I have left. He is one of those. Of course he is. What else could I expect from my fate than the absolute worst?

He thinks we are weak. We are a liability. Something to tarnish his oh-so-godly name and rank among the mere beings, beneath him.

I laugh a crazy laugh. "You are so Pathetic...You will break just from my presence. Scared that if I visit Erica, you will be so disheveled, your people would believe you don't deserve the title of The Lycan king," I spat at his face. His eyes flare up, and his hands tighten by his sides as he straightens his back, standing over me like a bloody tower.

"Terrified that something so weak can crumble you," My eyes mirror the rage brewing in his. If I were a sane woman, I would have backed away. Hell, I even would have begged him to spare me. But too bad I wasn't.

"I would gladly not be with a man like you. I reject y-"

I was snatched from the ground I was standing on and pushed into a wall. A large hand clasped my face, so tight my first thought was the snapping of my jaw if this pressure increased.

"I will kill you,"

He growled. My hands raised to push him back, but he was quick enough to pin both my wrists above my head.

"I will kill you myself this time if you utter another single word,"

His hand muffling any voice I had left in my throat. Any cry for help. His nose touched mine as he spoke, daring me to look anywhere but into his eyes.

My heart was shattered all over again. A slow, agonising, unraveling of my sense of self.

Tears stung my eyes. I didn't allow myself the relief of crying. They won't fall, not in front of him.

I blink. His eyes soften. Just for a moment, his features eased, the eyebrows framing the eyes in a gentle arch.

And whoosh!

It was all gone.

"I don't want you here! I don't want any reason that would bring you back. But since you insist so politely. I would let your sister stay,"

He left my mouth and took two steps back.

"You!" He said, "would leave today. As early as possible And you will never return,"

His words sting. I pushed back a sob and tightened all my muscles, urging them to stop shaking. My spine steel, my head held high. Even a breath too deep would crumble my exterior. I cannot let that happen.

He turns his back to me.

"It is for your own good, Amara , "

My name slips smoothly from his lips and settles between us like a rough scratch.

He didn't want to reject me. He didn't want me to reject him. He didn't want me to stay nor he want me to come back.

I walk towards the door. From the darkness to light. But it all seemed the same to me now. From his bed chambers to the hallway and away from all this. I met this man yesterday. He was given the power over me the moment we met, and I was given the power over him. But I was weak; his hold was much stronger.

I met him yesterday and he was given the power to break my heart. To hollow me inside. To snatch away the light to my life.

And Despite all this, all he said and done, the insane part in me wanted him to stop me.

Please stop me!

Please!

Don't let me go!

I don't want to be alone!

Stop me!

I cannot be alone forever!

And the door slammed behind me. I thought the tears would spill now. But they didn't. I felt nothing.

Head high, spine steel, I walk down the hall, find the stairs, and I was at the double doors to the lawn, surprised how I made it here without so much as putting a thought to it.

Erica stood in front of me, smiling sadly, expecting bad news. "You can stay," I told her. Her eyes widened before she squealed and hugged me.

I embrace her as tightly as I can. I thought the tears would spill now, but they didn't.

"But he said I can't stay," I whispered. She tensed in my arms and let go of me.

"But Amara -,"

"It is non-negotiable, Erica. I cannot stay here. I have no reason to," I smiled at her, holding her chin.

"How can he do that? Why are you listening to him!" She demanded.

"He is the Lycan king Erica," I laughed. A sad laugh. It was enough reason.

"Don't ever let Damien scare you from now on. Stand your ground. You are the most powerful woman here now," I kissed her forehead. She was the mate to the beta. Damien had no mate. Well, he had, but she is leaving.

No tears fell.

"Goodbye," I whispered.