The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

~ ENRIQUE ~

I don't know what happened. All I remember is how sick and disgusted I felt knowing I was hurting her, resenting myself for not being able to protect her and keep her happy. That and this anger I felt when I sank my teeth into her neck.

I marked Rhea. Then it was followed by excruciating pain, and then everything went blank. I came to, feeling as if I had been drowning, and then I awoke with not only my hand, but even my prosthetic buried f*****g claws deep into Mi Reina's hips. I have hurt her. I could feel her insides against my fingers, see the blood on my hands and on the floor around her, soaking her beautiful dress.

She was pale, and although she was in pain, she was only concerned about me. Once again, I had hurt her, and she only cared for my wellbeing.

As I step away from the hospital, watching the doctors and nurses discuss how much blood she has lost, reading out her vitals and the doctors throw orders to the nurses, I feel numb.

I didn't want to leave her, but I am the alpha of this pack, and my people also need me. She would want me to remember that too, no matter how hard it will be.

I turn away, something that is almost as hard as marking Rhea had been.

My stomach churns as I wonder what exactly happened, from the point of losing consciousness to the point I came to.

I had hurt her with the hand she had created for me. I turned around and caused her pain with it.

"Alpha, we have two dead, seven with minor injuries, and one critical." One of my men says the moment I step out of the hospital. "And the- your Luna, Rhea, is injured."

I didn't even feel the pack links snap away when I lost two of my own... what kind of alpha am I who wasn't even in his own mind and didn't feel those pack links breaking. "Are the wounded at the hospital?"

"Yes, all are, and they are being tended to."

I nod as Carlos jogs over. "Alpha, the Solaris King has captured one of those monsters and is currently holding it, but he is asking if you are able to assist with creating a barrier." "Where are the witches?" I ask as I make my way back. With a crawler in our hold, we should be able to get some answers, or I hope anyway.

"I'm afraid they left before everything went south."

I hear something fall and turn sharply, frowning when I realise that it's much further away than it sounded. My brows furrow, realising even the ground looked clearer. I'm able to see better? 3 That's when I notice a slight throbbing in my neck. I touch it realising it's sore, and look at my fingers as my heart races. "It's already forming, and the pink in it looks good on you," Carlos says with a grin. "What?"

My heart thuds as I come to a standstill.

No, this wasn't meant to fucking happen. I have not been able to give her anything, but this neck was meant for my diosa, not Rhea.

"Rhea marked me?" I ask, feeling sick.

Carlos looks confused, but shakes his head. "No, Alpha. Kataleya did."

His words ring in my head as I stand there staring at him, shocked.

Katalya marked me. Mi Diosa...

"That's how the Crawler King was forced to leave your body..." he trails off, realising I didn't know.

Kataleya was saying something, but I was so worried about her, and I didn't manage to even listen to a word properly.

"Let's get this crawler caged," I say, my eyes blazing. The quicker I have this pack in order, the quicker I can return to the side of the reina I do not deserve. One I know now I cannot live without, even if I don't deserve her.

The crawler is in the hall in a box of ice and lightning, two elements that are mixed. Impressive.

It hisses and tries to cower away from the light from the deadly lightning, but it still sometimes braves banging and pushing against it before it hisses and attempts to try to escape through different gaps but fails. Royce's prison is impressive... Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jo b n Ib.com. Visit Job nib.com to read the complete chapters for free.

"I found him lurking when they all tried to get away," Royce says, his eyes a brilliant blue as he keeps his barrier reinforced.

I nod. "How do you think your ice will hold against my fire?" I ask quietly, feeling ashamed to even be here before them after what I did to Kataleya. 3

"Only one way to find out," he says, giving me a faint smirk that I do not return. My eyes blaze as I flick my hand and create a barrier over his, one that is pure fire and magic.

The crawler shrieks loudly but I keep going, forcing my fire prison to cover all sides, including the ground beneath it, making sure he doesn't escape or try to anyway by digging his way out.

'Doctor Elena, keep me updated on Kataleya.

'Yes, Alpha. I will. She is healing well, and her vitals are steady!

'Good. Make sure she has everything she needs,' I reply, cutting the mind-link with her.

The crawler pendejo just made this fucking personal by hurting Kataleya like this. I'm ending this shit. 1

'How long for the lights to get back on?' I ask through the mind-link sharply.

'On it, Alpha, they've ripped through the wiring in several places. We're working on fixing it!

"Where is Kataleya?" Skyla asks me.

"At the hospital," I reply. She nods, glancing at the door but doesn't leave as she continues to pick up the tables and chairs that had tipped over when whatever the hell broke out occurred. I still don't know the full picture.

"I'm going to contact the others," Liam says to Royce. He glances at me as he takes his phone out and looks down before he glances back up at me.

"She has sacrificed a lot for you. Don't hurt her any more than you already have or, like many of us, you will always feel guilty and regret it. But by then it will be far too late. And although I'm sure you already hold that guilt, just don't make it worse," he adds.

With those words, he brushes past me, and I frown, staring ahead. Royce pats my shoulder as he walks off to do something across the room, and Skyla walks over to me.

"Don't be too rough on yourself. I've been in your position, and I learned that sometimes it's ok not to be so hard on yourself. Our loved ones will understand. Kat marked you, she loves you, she always has. You have always been her life, you still are, and you will forever be. That kind of love doesn't just fade. Just treat her like the queen she is," she says quietly.

I doubt she gets it, but her words resonate within me. She is not wrong.

I plan to treat her better than a queen, but her uncle is correct. I won't forgive myself.

The lights flicker and I glance up as they turn back on, making the crawler hiss.

"We're going to have to move it elsewhere. I'll work on something," I say to Royce before turning to Benigno and Antonio, motioning them to follow us.

"I'm going to the hospital to be with Kat," I hear Skyla say before she leaves. Just then, a woman approaches me.

"Alpha, my mate is in great pain. He was injured. How is he going to recover-"

"The moon water. We had plenty stocked up after the last attacks, all patients are being treated properly. He will be ok," I say to the woman who looks to be pregnant. She fights back tears and nods. "Thank you, Alpha."

"Alpha, one of the deceased... his family wasn't here tonight. Will you tell them yourself of his passing?" Jose asks me. "If you're up to it, I could do it if you-"

"I prefer to myself. I owe them that much," I respond quietly. "I want to see those whom we lost tonight."

Killed whilst I stood there and did nothing.

Jose nods. "Very well, Alpha. Once the crawler is dealt with, I'll take you to the bodies."

"Ok. Alpha Royce, shall we?"

The other man nods and steps forward, but before we can even discuss how we will do this, the Rossi witch speaks from behind us.

"I'll help with that. Sorry I'm late."

"Remember, if you try anything, this body will feel it, not I," he whispers to himself.

What?

That would be of great assistance to the plan that I am currently formulating right now.

On the other hand, you were able to identify her through him. I take it that you are linked, is that correct? With my aura under control, I inquire. I mutter, "I don't want to hurt him," under my breath.

He flashes a smile, one that is so icy and icy that it simply makes me more tense.

He is a man who is filled with gloom. It worked well for me, but he is still my vessel. I used that to my advantage. When I tell you to do anything, you will do it because you want him to be secure and undamaged. While he is grabbing hold of my chin, he sneers at me. Asheton Queen, you shall be by my side forever. Regardless of the circumstances, with you by my side, we will be able to break through the curtain that covers the lands and establish our dominance over this island. To ensure that every member of our family is able to visit!" he hisses.