The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

The moment I re-enter the hall instantly Skyla ambushes me. "You naughty girl." She giggles as she raises her eyebrows at me. "Seems like Papi couldn't resist. I'm proud of you!"

I blush, feeling mortified. I gesture with my eyes towards Royce, who stands beside her, hands in his pockets as he smoothly looks out across the hall, but we all know he can hear this conversation loud and clear! "Sky..." I murmur, placing a finger to my lips.

"Oh, come on. You can't be shy after getting naughty with the man who's about to take another Luna," she teases, making my cheeks burn even more.

"Sky!" I hiss. She chuckles before she hugs me, then steps back quickly. "Ok, I can smell sex all over you."

I cleaned up! I feel so embarrassed!

"Nothing to be ashamed of. Sex is the most natural thing ever. We were born to f**k," Skyla says, making my eyes widen as a few people glance our way. "Skyla!"

She can tell I'm mortified, so she simply chuckles and doesn't say more despite the smirk remaining on her face.

"I need to talk to Raihana, quickly," I say suddenly, glancing around. If I can get her to perform a locating spell to find that necklace, it might work. And if the necklace does turn out to be the Ash Stone, then Enrique doesn't need to go through with this.

I spot Uncle standing by a table, a frown on his face, and I quickly hurry over, making my way through the crowds, only for Savio to approach me, stopping me. "Well hello there, is everything alright?"

I nod. "Yes, I'm sorry for abandoning you, but may I just have a quick word with my uncle?" I ask.

"Oh, of course." He instantly steps back motioning towards Uncle, who has now spotted me and comes over meeting me halfway.

"Is everything alright, Kataleya?" Uncle Liam asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I nod. "Yes, I just need to talk to Ri. Where is she?" I ask.

Uncle Liam frowns. "She..." he lowers his voice. "She said she has something to do but will return soon. I'm sure she will." We don't really have time, but we have another option. I nod in understanding. "I'll go ask Del." "She took Delsanra with her."

"Oh, is something going on? This is strange," I ask, but it's clear from Uncle's body language he's worried now too. "I'll call Raihana," he murmurs.

I nod, as I quickly turn around. Savio was holding onto my phone for me since I didn't carry a bag tonight. I'll try to call Delsanra as Uncle continues to try Raihana's number.

"Savio, may I have my phone?" I ask the man.

He gives me a small smile. "Of course, Princess." He takes my phone out and I thank him before hurrying back to my uncle.

I know I can trust him. Leo chose these men, and Leo is the most careful person I know.

I call Delsanra but it says out of service, so I text her instead and glance over at Uncle Liam again, wondering if Raihana's picked up, but I get my answer quickly. "Nothing." He mouths.

Where are you, Ri?

"We need to find them. I need to find them," I say to him, just as Skyla, Royce, and Dalton approach.

"What did Raihana say before leaving?" Royce asks, a small frown on his face.

"Just to cover for her, but she wouldn't have gone far," Uncle says.

I frown slightly. Where though?

"Shall we split up and look for her?" I ask.

"I'll sniff them out," Dalton says and Savio, who approaches us, nods.

"There must be a reason... wait, Ri put a bag in the car boot. Let's check if it's still in there. If it isn't, it means they might be putting things into position," Sky murmurs.

The barriers! It could be. Nodding, Royce steps back. "I'll go check."

Uncle reaches into his pocket when he pauses and checks his other pockets.

"What is it, Uncle?" Skyla asks, now serious.

"The car keys. I don't..." he trails off and closes his eyes, exhaling slowly. "Raihana's taken the keys. Alright, let's take a moment." Uncle Liam jerks his head towards the door, and we all follow. We end up entering the pack lounge, which is empty, and I close the door after us.

"We have to stick to the plan. If Raihana has gone somewhere, she would make sure no one follows. We had a plan in place here. I think we need to stay and see it through. What do you think, Royce?" Uncle asks.

"I think so too. Sky, Kat?" Royce asks.

Skyla nods. "Yeah, this is more important. They're big girls. They know what they're doing. My only concern is what if they're not back in time and a Crawler actually shows up? We need a witch to capture one." "I could go try to track her. I am certain my date will be safe with you all," Savio says.

Uncle ponders on it and Royce nods. "I think that's a good idea." He adds.

"Yeah, Alpha Dalton, please go with him. I think we should all get our earpieces on, just in case. It's not like the ladies to do something like this," Uncle Liam murmurs.

"Yeah, especially without telling us. Only someone who wants to hide what they're about to do would not tell," Skyla adds.

"I do agree... unless she had a strong reason not to tell us. Let's stick to the plan for now," I say uneasily. "I'm sure they'll be back. If not, maybe Royce and Enrique could capture one." "And would the alpha cooperate to help us catch one of these monsters?" Dalton asks.

"He will," I confirm confidently.

Uncle nods but doesn't look too convinced. "Alright, then we stick to that plan. Kataleya, I don't want you to go near Enrique, especially when the Crawlers may be using him." "I'll take care of myself and be careful, I promise," I reassure him.

"I have to admit my pack and issues feel dead in comparison to this," Dalton adds, making me smile.

"Just ask Leo to count you in when it comes to our family drama. I can promise you, you won't ever be bored," Skyla says, making him chuckle.

"I think I will. Right then, Alpha Savio, shall we get going?" he asks.

Savio bumps his fists together. "Yeah, let's get out of here and find them." He turns.

"When you find them, tell them to call me immediately. Tell them I need them to try to locate something. It's a matter of urgency." I explain, trying not to feel worried.

We don't have time, but there's nothing I can do.

Savio nods. "Absolutely." He rolls his neck as he opens the door, and that's when Skyla gasps, slapping Royce's arm.

"That's..." she trails off, her eyes widening when Royce nods, smirking slightly.

She's momentarily frozen after she stares at the two alphas.

"I figured it out earlier. I'm surprised you didn't realise, especially since you felt he'd win X," Royce taunts. I'm not sure what they're talking about, but it seems to be a secret between the two of them. Royce pulls her close, kissing her as she kisses him back, appearing very excited. Uncle smiles at me. Like me, he doesn't ask them what they're talking about.

"I talked to Enrique. There's a certain crystal necklace he thinks might be the Ash Stone."

"Then let's hope Dalton and Savio find Raihana and Delsanra soon," Uncle Liam says as we all head back to the hall.

The moment we step inside, I notice how silent it is, and everyone is gathered around the low podium at the end. Goddess...

My heart sinks, realising what is about to happen.

"...should we continue?" someone is saying.

"Rethink this, please?" Marie's voice reaches me as she stands a few feet from Enrique, scanning the crowd frantically until she spots me and motions me to come forward. But I can't stop it...

"Mi Rey, you must mark me," Rhea says monotonously as she steps closer to Enrique.

Enrique's eyes scan the room. He's not wearing his sunglasses, but even if he had been, I would have been able to sense his gaze upon me.

Our eyes meet, hazel against black, and everyone and everything fades away. There's conflict in his eyes as he searches mine for something even I don't know.

He wants me to stop him, yet at the same time, he knows he has to.

How can I ask him to delay when I can't even help locate that necklace? The one potential option that the Ash Stone can be, that we know of anyway. He's the one going through this. How can I be so selfish and think of only myself? "Mark me, Mi Rey." Rhea's distant voice echoes through the room, making me come back to the present.

So, I smile and give him the smallest of nods, no matter how hard this will be to witness. Something so intimate and precious as marking someone must be so much harder on him. No. I know it is harder on him.

I can see the visible pain that this situation is bringing him. Emotions that make me want to protect him from this evil world. Kiké... My Enrique...

"Kat..." Skyla murmurs as she holds my arm, but I cannot look away from him.

"Do it," I whisper. He tenses as if he were listening out for my voice among the throng of murmurs that ripple through the

room.

"You know the consequences, Mi Rey," Rhea says, her eyes glowing. The urgency and determination are strong in her voice. Enrique breaks our eye contact, and his quiet whisper reaches my ears.

"I know." The pain and sorrow in his eyes and voice are something that will always haunt me, that pain I've seen before... He swallows hard, looking down at the woman before him, and that's when a damning realisation hits me. Once again, he's about to sacrifice something for me. For my safety. He's marking her for me. I don't want to see what lengths he'll go to for me because I just need him safe and by my side.

Why didn't I stop him? I don't care about the consequences that might happen to me. Why am I allowing him to do this? That look on his face. He doesn't want to, but he is forcing himself to go ahead with it, for me. I have to stop this!

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog, suddenly feeling sluggish. My body isn't cooperating, as if something is binding me.

Enrique's eyes glow a liquid gold and he leans down. Rhea tilts her head to the side, but despite her moment of victory, she turns her unwavering gaze upon me.

His aura surges forward, and the immense power blankets the room. My heart races as he grabs her by the back of her hair. 'No!'

My blood curdles as that sinister voice fills the hall.

The spine-chilling voice is one which I am familiar with.

Azarakh!

The darkness suddenly consumes the room as I feel three powerful auras surround me.

And then everything happens too fast. Rhea pulls Enrique close, my heart clenching painfully when I see his teeth sink into her neck, marking her.

Uncle Liam shouts for everyone to get out just as we hear the first shriek from the Crawlers.

"In a calm manner! Warriors, get the women and young out first!" He commands.

Panic fills the room, but most people are obeying and moving swiftly.

And then the shrieks of the Crawlers as I hear them approaching at an alarming speed before Skyla transforms. Royce is at the ready as Azarakh's hiss of rage fills the room again.

'The mark of darkness was meant for my Queen!' Azarakh's bone-chilling shriek makes my head throb. Darkness surrounds me in thick dark clouds which wrap around Enrique.

Oh no...

The terrifying reminder of the prophecy fills me once again, and I run towards Enrique just as he staggers back, blood dripping from his mouth as he realises what he has done. His eyes filled with guilt as turns to me.

I watch as those very same eyes now glow orange, the darkness that surrounded Enrique is swirling around Rhea like tendrils or ribbons.

She clutches her neck as she falls to her knees just as I break through the crowds that are trying to leave the hall.

Her voice enters my mind as our eyes meet.

'Mi Rey will always be safe if his reina is safe... I have taken the mark of darkness, now the rest is in your hands. A smile that holds more emotion than I've ever seen on her face crosses her lips.

She...

Everything she did suddenly makes sense, my eyes stinging with unshed tears as I stumble on the hem of my skirt and I rush to catch her just as she falls forward.

The reality of what has just happened sends my emotions crashing around me as I manage to make it in time, cradling her head as I rest it on my lap.

Rhea had sacrificed herself... for me... for Enrique...

I told him to go through with it.

Goddess, what have I done?

"KAT!" Skyla's scream makes my head snap up, realising all around me there is nothing but darkness. Pure black darkness. "I'm ok! Enrique!?" I shout, "Enrique!"

I hear footsteps and look up as I see the tall figure merging from the thicket of darkness.

"Enrique, Rhea needs help!" I say urgently, looking up. But I am not looking into his dreamy hazel eyes or liquid gold...but the deep glowing orange of the darkest part of him.

"My Queen, how about we try this again?" he whispers, his voice sending a shiver down my spine as he licks his lips, his fangs glinting dangerously...