His Dark Obsession (Moonlight Muse)

ZEDKIEL.

A cool wind blows past me as I stare down at the tomb before me with a heavy heart. The funeral was yesterday for all those who passed and for our- king…

I stare at the engravings on the tombstone.

HERE LIES THE BODY OF A JUST KING, A LOVING FATHER, AND A RESPECTED ALLY. SUPREME ALPHA AMBROSE VILKAS’

Father…

Four days have passed since our return and there is a lot to do and a lot that we have already done, but we all needed time to mourn those we have lost.

We have suffered, and we have all lost someone that we loved. They will not be easily forgotten.

I crouch down before the tombstone and look at the flowers that adorn the ground around the grave.

Father… I wish I could have told you this when you were alive, but.. I want you to know that I appreciated everything you did for me. For the trust, you kept in me. Thank you for treating me às a person and not as a monster… I love you, Father.. -I close my eyes as I allow my sorrow to wash through me. I lower my head, Maryka and Danciana . they will pay for this.. as will the rest of the bastards who were in on this.

The court members have all been stripped of their titles, and those who were not already in prison were being thoroughly investigated.

Ragnar, Chasyn, and Alcazer stood by Evangeline, and I would always be grateful for that.. Hearing footsteps, I look up, only to see Alcazer, but seeing me he’s instantly about to move away.

Ever since I killed Odette, he has not forgiven me and why should he? I killed his wife and was not held accountable for it either.

“Alcazer!” I call, stopping him from walking away.

I’m leaving anyway.”

He turns back and, frowning, makes his way over to the grave. It’s obvious he was here visiting her grave…

I step back as he looks down at Dad’s grave, it’s clear he’s been avoiding me and although he has respected Evangeline, he has made no attempt to hide his hatred towards me.

Which is fine… but I do owe him.

“Before I go, I want to apologise,” I say quietly. “I am truly sorry for killing Odette. Her sister hurt my mate, and I in tum took my anger out on her when she was only trying to protect her pathetic sister.

It was wrong.. and I can’t even imagine having to tolerate the man who killed your wife. My words can’t bring her back, but I am sorry.”

He looks shocked by my apology, as he looks up at me, our eyes meeting, but it doesn’t stop him from scoffing lightly.

“An apology doesn’t right what happened.” He says coldly, looking away from me. As if looking at me for too long disgusted him.

“No, it doesn’t, but I truly regret what I did. I’ve committed many crimes, and due to being a prince, my Lycan took advantage of it knowing there were no repercussions… I just wish I was stronger to have been able to suppress him, but I wasn’t.” I say quietly.

He remains silent, but his hands are balled into fists shaking slightly.

His voice is barely above a whisper when he speaks.

“An apology is so easy to make. Do you know, when she was being prepared for her burial. that I learned she was pregnant?”

My heart thuds as I stare at him in shock and tenfold regret.

I killed their pup.

“I.”

“Yeah, you don’t have anything to say now do you?” he says, finally turning and looking at me.

There’s only sadness and bitterness in his eyes.

“No it’s… I understand how you feel. More than you know.” I say quietly.

“You will never understand the loss of a child.”

Alcazer replies bitterly, his eyes glistening with tears he refuses to allow to fall. “I couldn’t protect my woman or my child and more than that, I had to watch the killer carry on with his life as if he could do no wrong.”

Our eyes meet, and I realise it’s not hatred in his but anger that masks the tremendous storm of regret, pain, and sadness that torments him.. eyes to the heart of a broken man.

I did that and didn’t even realise… I carried on selfishly and callously.

“No, I would never be able to be under the same roof as a killer… but… I too have lost a child and that emptiness can’t be filled. So, I understand to an extent, but it doesn’t make it alright.”

“Meaning?” He asks.

“Evangeline was pregnant, but our child was the price to get a second chance at breaking the curse upon us.”I reply quietly.

He looks shocked as he looks up at me sharply, and I’m surprised to see his eyes become sadder.

“Im sorry for your loss.” He says quietly, turning away.

This time it’s my turn to be surprised.

Can’t I salvage our rocky relationship?

I place my hand on his shoulder. “I’m truly sorry Alcazer, if there’s a way, I can make it up to you. I will. Just tell me what I can do.”

After a few moments, he looks over his shoulder.

“There’s nothing, but perhaps it was good that we had this conversation. May our children be united in heaven.” He says simply.

For a split second, he places his hand on top of mine, patting it before he turns his back on me – and, wiping his eyes, walks away.

I look down at Dad’s grave.

Another crime. another burden to shoulder…

“I killed my nephew or niece..” I say to the silent graveyard, dropping to my knees, guilt consuming me.

“No. Zerachiel did.”

I sigh heavily as I look up to see Kash approaching.

A sharp wind blows, and despite the gloomy weather, it’s not too cold, just dull.

“Yeah… maybe.” I say.

“Not maybe. He did that.” He says quietly yet firmly.

I fall silent as he pays his respects to Dad, and I take a moment to scan the other fresh graves. We lost seventeen other men and women on the battlefield and another eleven here at the castle.

“So what now?” Kash asks as a bird chirps loudly above us and we turn to see it soar high into the sky.

“We rise, we combine our kingdoms and our species, and we live our lives to the fullest. We arm to improve, we correct our wrongs and for those we can’t.. we seek redemption.” I reply as I stand up just as a ray of sunshine cracks through the clouds and we both look at one another.

All hope isn’t lost…We can’t help but smirk.

We got this.

“Sounds like a challenge and a fun one.” He says.

I’ll be by your side,”

“Oh yeah? And what of your queen’s? Isn’t she making you her Beta?” I ask, smirking.

“Well, hers or yours, what difference does it make?”

He says, but his smile fades slightly.

“What is it?” I ask.

Distractedly, he touches his neck.

“Ziahra…”

I c**k a brow. “What about her?” I ask, knowing she was going to head out.

She had said there are things she needs to do, and although I would be leaving for a short while too, we were figuring out how we were going to do this.

I know Kash couldn’t leave, just like Evangeline couldn’t.

“She said she has things to do before she’ll even consider settling down.” He says.

“The way we feel the bond as vampires is different than that of werewolves.. We can go years without being with our mates, but we will always stay true and loyal to them. Life isn’t as short for vampires as it is for werewolves and once we love… it never fades… she won’t forget you but you will need to wait for her.” I say, realising what his fear is.

He looks at me, and he frowns, masking his sadness as he shrugs.

“Yeah… I mean I need to make sure Isa is ok too.

After things settle, Ill go find her. I can keep busy too.” He says, his voice sounds rough, but I know he’s just hurt.

I nod, hoping Ziahra returns to him soon, because he needs her.

“Sounds like a plan. Now I heard from a little bird, or should I say a little mouse, that Ziahra plans to leave tomorrow night, make the most of this time and maybe at least get her to f*****g mark you.” I mock. “What kind of man are you?”

He narrows his eyes. “She’s not an easy one. Fine, I’m off to mark and bed your sister.” He flips me the middle finger and I growl, making him smirk cockily.

“Watch it!” I snarl, my eyes blazing red.

“Hey, I had more choice words, but I kept it… clean.” He smirks before he breaks into a run, and I shake my head.

Dickhead.

I turn back to the grave, smirking faintly before I become serious once more.

I should head back too..

Sighing, I touch the cool marble one final time and take a deep breath.

“We will all make you proud, father. You have four sons who will make sure to uphold your teachings and reputation.. Goodbye, Dad…”

Turning away, I let the whistling wind consume my mind, the sounds of the smallest insects fill my ears, and I look to the sky.

Until we meet again.