The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA -

I don't know how I made him so angry that he thought I deserved to be down there... is it because he thought I was disrespecting him when all I wanted was to vanquish the Crawlers?

Hmm, I'm not sure... and now I'm down here, without clothes... I will wait until dark before I make use of this bed sheet... I'm sure I can make something for my breasts and a skirt from this fabric, too. Yes, that will work perfectly. I walk over to the corner. This place clearly isn't used much from the amount of dirt on the floors. Sighing, I sit down and wait. For what I am not sure...

After a while, when I realise no one is coming, I quickly remove the sheet and extracting a claw, I slice through one section of the fabric until I have a long piece of fabric that is almost a foot wide.

Placing it aside, I quickly pick up the rest of the fabric, tearing open the seam on one side and the bottom and wrap it around my waist. Once I'm satisfied I knot it on my waist and look down at my skirt that falls just below my knees. Excellent.

I remove the jacket, pick up the strip I had torn off first and begin wrapping it like a bandage around my breasts.

What is my plan of action? I don't want to stay down here, even if I am a prisoner. But I also want to stay close to him, although is there any use when I'm going to be locked up? There has got to be another way...

But I'm not coming up with one.

I tuck in the end of the fabric and slip the jacket back on before I sit down again and rest my head against the wall. Think Kat... think...

I play with the locket around my neck, clutching it tightly.

Of course, I'm banking on the request I proposed, but I am not sure he'll honour it. There has to be another solution!

The sound of the far door opening - followed by footsteps puts me on alert, and it isn't long before I see a man walk towards me. His dark hair is short, and his brown eyes are observing me, but what gets to me is the Roman numerals on his cheek. The man Valentina mentioned!

"It's weird. I didn't even sense your heartbeat." He remarks, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Not responding, I slowly stand up, observing him. Is he a friend or foe?

He cocks a brow, looking me over thoughtfully before he sighs.

"Tell me... is it true you've seen those things before?"

"Yes," I answer quietly.

"Then how do we heal whatever they've done to him?"

"Is he alright?" I ask softly, worry filling me.

He shakes his head. "Not really. It's been a few hours since the attack, and those bruises have spread down both of his arms, and he's no longer conscious or able to hear us.

That is too fast, it's not possible for it to spread so fast...

What is going on?

"Let me go to him."

"I can't do that. Just tell me how to heal him."

I don't argue, we can't waste more time!

"There are two ways. One is water that needs to be left under the moonlight for a full night, with selenite crystals placed in the water. The wounds must be cut open and the water must be poured into the body to dispel the poisonous energy. But if it's spread to his arms already, then please let me see him. I can help."

"There are not many who will defy our Alpha... and I can't let you out when he's made it clear you are to remain down here. "I'm Jose, the Beta of this pack, and I know who you are."

My gaze flits to his tattooed cheek.

Of course, he knows...

"Yes... you have my belongings."

He looks uneasy at that, but I'm not trying to blackmail him. I just want to help Enrique!

"He needs help and if it's spread to his arms, then he can't afford to wait until morning. And even a witch can't heal a Crawler's touch." I explain softly. "Those things were after me. This is my fault. Please let me help him." He sighs and nudges the bars with the front of his boot.

"I told you I can't, just like I tried to keep your identity hidden for reasons... this pack comprises people from around the Caribbean, and I don't trust them all. But someone is readying the water and will place it outside tonight." There isn't enough time.

"If it's already spread to both arms, then please let me help. We can't wait all night."

"I can't," he says hesitantly and I can see the turmoil in his eyes.

He really can't...

I don't push it; it doesn't matter, I'll sneak out myself. I won't let anything happen to him.

"Why did you not tell your Alpha who I am?" I ask, wondering why he is keeping secrets. I don't feel he has ill intentions.

He smirks at that. "Well, Alpha Enrique hates you and your family, you should never have come here. When he finds out, you will be kicked out of this pack and off this island."

"Then why have you not told him?" I ask softly.

The smirk fades, and he looks at me seriously. "Because I feel your intentions are not bad... a long time ago, your father led a team that ultimately freed us from a life of abuse and death..." He's conflicted, and he now looks down. "I believe your coming here can not make things any worse than they already are."

I step closer to the bars and tilt my head. "What do you mean by worse? It's clear that Enrique is a good Alpha, isn't he?" he has to be. That boy I knew was passionate and strong.

"He is, but he's also riddled with rage, hatred and darkness... I-" he looks over his shoulder and frowns. "Look. I can't be here for long, but Enrique holds a power that has bled into him due to the possession of his bloodline. Dark powers..." Darkness itself...

That is why the Crawler's touch is spreading fast... he harbours darkness.

My stomach sinks as Jose continues.

"You mean from the Djinn?" I whisper, now gripping onto the bars. His eyes widen slightly, glancing at the bars I'm holding.

"Those are spelled by magic..." he murmurs.

I simply smile. "I'm a little immune."

He nods before shaking his head. "Yes, from the Djinn. The thing is that the presence of something not from this world residing here for centuries has made this place a beacon for some strange things happening. It pulls evil and darkness to it with ease." Is there a rift in the veil? Is it possible for the Djinn to have caused that?

"Over the years, we have dealt with an array of things and although I have expressed my concern to Enrique about them, he does not seem bothered..." he continues hesitantly.

I watch him as he ponders deeply, and I tilt my head.

There's something more...

"And?"

He shakes his head, "He doesn't see it, but he's saying the same things that-that the previous Alpha used to say to my uncle."

That wasn't what he wanted to say, but I don't push it.

"What things?"

"He wishes to conquer every pack that he can reach. He's already taken control of more than half of the islands, yes some might be small, but he is slowly gaining more and more land and sea under him, but it is not enough."

"And why are you betraying him by telling me?" I ask quietly. I cannot make him out. Is he a friend or foe?

As Enrique's most trusted, shouldn't he have his back? If he is genuine, then why does he trust me? He doesn't know me.

I can see he's concerned for him, but I'm still unable to deduce what his intentions fully are. I can't simply believe what he tells me... I need to make sure he can be trusted.

"I don't know, I was going to try to figure out why you were here before but when I saw your wolf and your aura, I felt that you might be the answer to our prayers... In fact, today confirms my assumption, the reason I kept your identity a secret." He touches his pockets. "This is what a young witch drew several years ago."

He glances back at the way he came before reaching into his pocket and taking out a yellowed paper. Unfolding it, he holds it up to me.

It is clearly a picture drawn by a child, but what it depicts indeed feels dark.

There's a tiny stark moon surrounded by darkness. There are black shadows around the edge which are beginning to claw across the page.

There's a man who has tendrils of the darkness wrapped around him, curling around his arms and back.

And right in the centre is a wolf with pink around it. Its eyes are pink and the wolf is surrounded by what looks like... cherry blossoms. There is a clear white area around the wolf and where the white part goes, the dark tendrils curve around it, not touching the light...

"Tell me that is not you."

I can't deny the light-coloured wolf, the pink eyes... the cherry-blossom-like petals...

"Where is this witch now?"

"She died... a long time ago. She was barely ten."

My heart aches at a little child carrying such a gift, burdened with such visions who lost her life so young.

"I'm sorry," I whisper sadly.

"Don't be. From the moment I saw those glowing pink petals shoot into the sky the other night, I was certain you were the one we were waiting for. Today confirmed that... I just never expected it to be Kataleya Rossi, Daughter of the Lycan King Alejandro Rossi, and the Blessed Queen, Kiara Rossi." His eyes are blazing brilliant blue as he looks me dead in the eye. " You're the light that we have been waiting for."