Alpha Knight’s Cursed Mate

NIRVANA

I was quick on my feet when a car parked beside the road. My instinct told me to run, and I walked faster away from the vehicle. It was thirty minutes since I last talked to Kain, and he hadn’t called me back.

“Nirvana!”

I sucked in a breath as I stopped. I became the person I didn’t recognize anymore as paranoia and cynicism sank in my head. I felt terrified, in pain and sorrow these days. I couldn’t remember feeling safe, even in a room with a locked door.

“Nirvana, it’s Kain.” I heard him following me, and that voice was the same voice I heard in Inverness and over the phone.

I turned around, and it was Kain, the very same man we found outside the pub. I ran and threw myself at him. I never felt so relieved that I cried in his arms, and he gave me a bear hug, patting my back.

“Hey. It’s going to be okay. I drove here as fast as I could.”

“Thank you.” All I could say was as I pulled away, wiping my tears.

“Let’s get you in the car,” he said, opening the door to the passenger’s seat. “You’re long away from home, Nirvana.”

“It’s a long story,” I told him as soon as he pulled out to the busy street.

“I heard what happened. Victor is sometimes overbearing and aggressive, but he’s way better than Eloh.”

“So you’ve met that asshole?”

He snorted. “Yeah. He’s overly ambitious, pressured by his father, the previous head of the council, Astor Hartwick. Are you hungry?”

“I just wanna sit down and breathe.”

“All right, honey. I know a place that no one would come to find you.”

“Thank you.” I gripped his arm. “I thought I was losing my mind alone. I’d never been so terrified. A sudden ten-magnitude earthquake shook and shattered Zarah’s house, and a car almost ran over me. I thought I was going to die.”

“Breath, honey. You’re alive. That’s what’s important.”

I took a deep breath when I began to cry again. I pushed those tears back and rested my head as I wrapped my arms around me.

My heart hadn’t slowed. My hands were still shaking, but I was glad I was still alive and in one piece.

I might have been so exhausted that I just dozed off in the car. I woke up. Kain was still driving, but we seemed off the city. All I could see were tall trees and greenery, and greasy fast food hit my nostrils.

“Where are we?”

“I have an old cabin-the old Kain. It’s his cabin. I told Calder I’d be here for a while. Don’t worry. Calder is a good guy.”

“I know. I met them days ago. He and Everlee went to see us at the vineyards.”

“Good. You’ll be safe here.”

“Oh, my God. I have to call Zarah.”

“She knows you’re with me. I told her something might have happened, and you lost control of your gift.”

“You knew?” I stared at him in shock.

“Of course I do. Sebastien, Zarah, and I are doing our best to protect you, as is the agency I work with. I heard Kailin found her mate.”

“You know Dane, don’t you?” For a moment, I felt like a human again.

“Yeah. If you trust me, you can trust Dane.”

“So you know about the request Knight made?”

“It’s in progress, but I am not assigned to the job.” He parked before a small old cabin.

I got out of the car. One realization hit hard- I was never that ordinary girl anymore. Many people were looking for me, but some still believed in me. And I had to stay alive for them.

Kain unlocked the door and went inside. “Food, delis, and clean water are in the fridge. Some canned goods are in the cupboards. I have a clean blanket and sheets. Just be careful using the gas generator. It’s a little far to the gas station.”

“Thank you.” I managed to put a small smile on my lips.

“I’m afraid you’ll be on your own for the time being. I can’t stay here.”

“You’re leaving?” My smile was instantly gone.

“I have to go back. I was working when you called me.”

“I understand.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Hey. I called someone to come and see you. Ask for the code. If he says it right, don’t open the door.”

I instantly felt my heart racing. “What’s the code?”

“Orion.”

“Orion?” Like Knight Orion? It confused me even more.

“Don’t use that phone.”

“But I wanna call Knight and tell him I’m okay.”

“He knows what happened. Just do as I say until my contact arrives.”

“Fine.” I watched him walk out of the door. “Be safe, Kain.”

He nodded. “You, too.”

I double-locked the door when the car was gone, and here, I was alone again. I sat on the small couch, grabbed the fast food bag on the coffee table, and began eating.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I was not a fan of fast food because Grandpa’s menu was way better, but I was hungry. At this point in my life, I couldn’t be choosy, and indulging myself in greasy food was somehow comforting. Besides, I wasn’t sure if I got to eat burgers and fries again. I sipped the soda and took a big bite of the burger.

“This is good.” I moaned and sighed as I ate alone.

Maybe this was what it felt like to be a fugitive running from authority, always alert, cynical, and grateful to live another day.

I put the remaining food in the ref. There were beer cans, pickles, cold cuts, bottled water, and some fresh veggies for sandwiches. The cupboards were filled with baked beans and fruits in syrup.

I opened the door to the bathroom, washed my face, and cleaned the dried blood in my ears before I went to another room across the sitting area. It was a bedroom with a small bed and a two-door closet. I changed the bed sheet and pillowcase until I remembered something.

I froze momentarily, like someone had just thrown a bucket of cold water into my face, and grabbed the ground under my feet. Apprehension just tickled down my spine.

“Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck! Shit.” I left the dagger in my boots. I screamed out and sobbed into a ball. Not only was I failing in my life, but I also lost the most important thing that could defeat Cyrius.

Frustration clawed at me as the unfortunate truth slammed into my chest. The underworld was going to end, and here I was, hiding in the middle of the woods, and I just lost the blood dagger.

I picked up the phone, but I remembered what Kain told me. I put it down helplessly and felt my world crumbling down.

A loud knock had me frozen, dead quiet. I stood up with no weapon but myself, and if Asina would not punish me for being stupid, she could be helpful.

I tiptoed outside the room and went to the small sitting area when another loud knock followed. Whoever behind the door was impatient.

I reached the door, sniffed the air, and caught a familiar signature scent in the air that made my heart skip a beat. No. This couldn’t be. This is impossible.

“Code?”

A few seconds had passed, and I didn’t hear a response.

“Nirvana, it’s me. What code?”

I gasped for air and fumbled to unlock the double-bolt lock. When I opened the door- there he was, standing before me, so magnificent that it took my breath away.

“Rough day, huh?”

Before I could throw myself at him, I was already crying. I hugged him tight and inhaled his scent into my lungs, making sure for myself that I wasn’t dreaming.

“I was so scared. I thought I was going to die, and I wouldn’t be seeing you again.”

He engulfed me with a tight hug and whispered, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. I wish I were there with you. I’m so sorry that I failed to protect you.”

I pulled away and looked at him in the eye. He looked tired, wearing a simple t-shirt, leather jacket, and baseball cap. “Is that really you?”

“Unless you’re expecting someone else?” He smirked.

My heart was in my throat when I remembered Cyrius could glamour anyone he wanted. At the same time, I wished I was wrong or that my Knight was either captured or dead. “Kain would have told me if Knight was coming. How do I know it’s really you?”

“Nirvana, it’s me.” He stared at me with forest green eyes narrowing.

“That’s exactly what someone glamoured as Knight would say.”