Inner Voice

I found myself standing in a forest, but this one felt different from the ones in my usual dreams. It was colder here, the ground beneath my feet muddier, and a damp, heavy mist hung in the air. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself as I realized I was only wearing a thin fabric of pajamas. The cold seeped through, chilling me to the bone, and every breath I took came out as a foggy plume in the frigid air.

Around me, I could hear distant voices and movements, rustling in the underbrush and echoing through the dense canopy of trees. The sounds were muffled, almost as if they were coming from a far-off place, but they sent a shiver down my spine. I strained my ears, trying to make out the words.

"Sire," a voice cut through the silence, low and almost indistinguishable from the wind. "The beacon came back up, in Montana. We already have word movement was spotted moving to Colorado."

My heart began to race. Colorado—that was William's territory. Were they talking about him? I moved forward cautiously, the ground squelching beneath my feet. The cold air bit at my skin, and I could feel my body starting to tremble, a combination of fear and the biting chill.

"King Alpha's territory?" another voice responded, sharper, more commanding. There was a tense silence, and then a loud crack split the air, like wood breaking under immense pressure. The sound made me jump, my breath hitching in my throat.

"If that mutt has it in his territory, it will be nearly impossible to move in with the plan," the voice continued, filled with irritation.

William? They were definitely talking about William. My heart pounded harder. I needed to hear more, to understand what they were planning. I stepped forward again, moving cautiously, but my foot landed on a dry twig, and the sharp snap echoed through the still forest.

"Who's there?" a voice barked out, harsh and filled with suspicion.

Panic surged through me. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The cold seemed to intensify, wrapping around me like icy fingers. I closed my eyes, desperately willing myself to wake up, to end this nightmare before whoever it was found me.

The rustling grew louder, closer, and I could hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps crunching through the underbrush. They were coming closer. I could almost feel their presence, feel the air shift with their movements.

Please, I thought frantically. Let this be a dream. Let me wake up.

But the cold remained, and so did the voices, now growing louder and more distinct. I could feel the ground vibrating beneath me, and for a terrifying moment, I thought they had found me, that they were right behind me, ready to grab me and—

And then, just as suddenly, everything went still. The forest fell silent, the footsteps ceased, and all I could hear was the sound of my own ragged breathing.

I opened my eyes slowly, my heart still pounding in my chest. The forest around me was still, the mist swirling gently in the cold air. But I knew better than to think I was alone. I could feel it—the weight of unseen eyes watching me, waiting.

The silence in the forest stretched on, suffocating and tense. I could still feel the weight of those unseen eyes, the air thick with a sense of danger. I took a step back, my body tensing, every instinct screaming at me to run, to get away.

Then I heard a low, guttural growl.

My heart stuttered in my chest, and I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat. There, emerging from the shadows between the trees, was a dog—or at least it looked like a dog at first. But as it came closer, I saw it wasn't a normal animal. Its flesh was rotting away, patches of fur missing, revealing raw, decaying muscle underneath. Its eyes were a horrifying, bloody red, glaring at me with a malevolent hunger. Blood oozed from its mouth, dripping down its muzzle like drool.

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. The creature took a step closer, its eyes never leaving mine. I could smell the stench of decay, feel the cold sweat running down my back. My hands trembled, and I knew I had to wake up, had to get out of this nightmare.

But before I could react, it lunged at me with a snarl, and I—

I woke up screaming, bolting upright in bed, my hand clutching my chest as if to steady my racing heart. My breath came in shallow gasps, my skin slick with sweat. For a moment, I couldn't tell if I was still dreaming. The room around me felt too quiet, too dark.

Then the door burst open, and Agon stepped in, his eyes wide and alert, scanning the room for any threat. His presence was a jarring contrast to the horror of the dream.

He looked around quickly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the room, but when he saw me sitting in the bed, terrified but unharmed, he relaxed slightly. His shoulders dropped, and he let out a slow breath.

I couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but stare at him, my mind still reeling from the nightmare. He watched me carefully, then nodded once, seemingly satisfied that there was no immediate danger. He closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and the lingering fear that clung to my skin.

I laid back on the bed, my gaze drifting out the window. The night was dark, the only light coming from a distant sliver of moonlight. I must have fallen asleep waiting for William to return. My heart was still pounding in my chest, and I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep anytime soon.

The door creaked open, and I turned to see William step in. His face was a mix of exhaustion and irritation, the weight of whatever he'd been dealing with evident in the tense set of his shoulders. But as soon as his eyes met mine, his expression softened into a bright, unmistakable relief. He crossed the room quickly, peeling off his shirt as he moved. His bare chest caught the dim light, highlighting the contours of his muscles, the strength he carried so effortlessly.

Without a word, he flopped down onto the bed beside me, his weight pressing me back against the soft mattress. His body radiated warmth, a stark contrast to the coldness I hadn't realized had seeped into my bones. He was like a living furnace, and I couldn't help but lean into his heat, craving the comfort he brought.

"Damn, you're cold!" he remarked, his voice muffled as he buried his face into the pillow beside me.He pressed against mine, his skin hot against my icy flesh, and I felt myself begin to thaw, to melt into him.

I reached out, my hand sliding into his hair, the strands soft and slightly damp against my fingers. He let out a low moan, a sound of pure contentment, and I felt his body relax, the tension melting away under my touch. His muscles, taut with stress and weariness, softened, and he shifted closer, his warmth enveloping me like a cocoon.

For a moment, the world outside disappeared. The castle, the danger, the whispers of dark creatures lurking in the shadows—all of it faded away. There was only William, his breath warm against my neck, his presence grounding me, calming the storm of fear and confusion that had been swirling inside me.

I let my hand move gently through his hair, stroking, soothing. He sighed, his body sinking deeper into the mattress, his face still pressed into the pillow. "You're safe now," he murmured, his voice soft, almost sleepy. "I've got you."

I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, didn't know what other dangers lurked in the dark corners of this castle or beyond. But right now, in this moment, I felt safe. Safe in his warmth, in the way his body seemed to shield me from the cold, both outside and within.

I closed my eyes, my fingers still tangled in his hair, and allowed myself to relax, to let go of the fear that had gripped me so tightly. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe.

Owen

I slumped against the cold stone wall, my knees bent, arms draped limply across them. The cell stank of old straw and stale sweat, its damp chill gnawing at my bones. Heavy chains rattled whenever I shifted, a harsh reminder that I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

How did it come to this?

I let out a bitter laugh, staring at the iron bars that separated me from the corridor beyond. My gaze followed a lone torch's glow, casting trembling shadows across the cold floor. Footsteps sounded in the distance, muffled and unhurried. Guards, probably. Or maybe it was nothing. Nothing but the hollow echo of my own regrets.

Then a voice rippled through my head, as familiar as my own reflection—yet infinitely more twisted.

We should have gotten rid of the pups.

That snide, self-assured tone made my teeth clench. "Shut up," I muttered, my voice harsh in the still air.

A low chuckle emanated from inside my skull. 'Shut up'? You should be thanking me for staying quiet this long while you turned everything into a fiasco. You should've put a stop to them, taken Liliam back—

"Shut. Up." I half-growled, half-whispered, pushing off the wall. The chains clinked as I paced a few steps, then gave in to the short reach that jerked me back. The anger in my chest flared, igniting the demon's amusement.

How do you think you'll escape this cage if you don't let me help? the demon taunted, ignoring my command. Don't forget the last time you resisted me. You remember how that ended.

I inhaled sharply, forcing down the memory. "You caused a bloodbath," I said, voice trembling with anger. "I had to clean it up. You nearly destroyed everything."

But we survived, the demon replied. You survived, because of me.

"That's not survival if everyone around me suffers," I snapped, raking my hand through my hair. "You attacked them. You made Liliam—" My words trailed off, the images too painful to conjure. Liliam's fearful eyes, her trembling form. God, what have I done?

And you'd do it again if it meant keeping her safe, the demon said, his voice silkily confident, sliding around my thoughts like a serpent. It's what we are. We don't let anything stand between us and whats ours.

"Ours," I repeated bitterly. The word tasted like salt on a wound. "She… she's not ours anymore, is she?"

The demon fell silent for a heartbeat. Whose fault is that? it said at last, sounding almost bored.

Pain splintered through my chest, the guilt roiling in my gut. I lost her. "I can't…I can't just kill the Alphas." My voice dropped, as if afraid someone might overhear. "I can't even kill one, let alone two. Both are King Blooded-"

Oh, I have my methods, it reminded me in that mocking tone. But you've been too soft. You'd rather rot here in chains than let me free to do what needs to be done.

"Do what needs to be done?" I barked a hollow laugh. "Last time, you practically scorched the earth."

But I kept you alive, the demon retorted, voice sharpening into a growl. You cling to this illusion that you're better, that you're still human enough to handle things gently. Wake up, Owen. We are neither fully demon nor fully human. We're both.

I stopped pacing, my fists clenched at my sides. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. "I never asked for any of this," I whispered, pain lacing my words.

No, the demon agreed. You didn't. But it's who we are.

Tension strung my muscles tight. My demon. He lived inside me like a second heartbeat, fueling an anger I couldn't always control. And yet, he wasn't completely wrong. If I had unleashed him, I might not be in chains right now. But the cost… wasn't it already high enough?

So tell me, the demon purred, voice sliding back to its typical smugness. Are you going to keep moping, or are you going to do something about it?

My jaw clenched so tight it hurt. "You don't get it. I can't just rampage. I'd tear everything apart, kill people I—"

Care about? the demon finished for me. You think it's more merciful to let them fall into Cerberus's hands? To let Liliam slip through your fingers forever?

My stomach twisted at the mention of her name. Images of Liliam's face flashed through my mind—her laughter, her tears, the night she looked at me in fear. "I won't be a monster," I said finally, voice trembling.

You're already a monster, came the demon's easy reply. The question is, what kind of monster are you going to be?

That question lingered, cutting deeper than any chain. I slumped onto the small bench at the back of the cell, massaging my temples. My eyes darted to the barred window high above, letting in a thin shaft of moonlight. The demon gave a mirthless laugh, as though it sensed my desperation.

You can't keep me caged, Owen. Sooner or later, you'll need me.

I didn't answer. My throat felt too tight to form words. Once again, the demon's presence began to retreat, leaving me alone with the echo of my ragged breathing, the faint drip of water leaking somewhere in the depths of this place, and the cold reality of my situation.

Moments later, I heard the distant clang of a gate opening, footsteps approaching down the corridor. A guard, perhaps checking on the prisoners, or delivering meager rations. My heart thrummed with a useless surge of hope. If I just explained…? No. They wouldn't care. To them, I was just another threat behind bars.

The demon's words replayed in my mind. Are you going to keep moping, or do something about it?

I clenched my hands so hard my nails bit into my palms. I pictured Liliam, the haunted look in her eyes. Zeff's fierce expression, William's unstoppable power. King-tier Alphas. And me, an abomination somewhere between demon and human, locked in a cell because I was too dangerous or too weak—or both.

A slow exhale escaped my lips, and I let my head fall back against the wall. Maybe the demon was right. Perhaps in the end, I'd have to unleash him again. If it meant saving her, saving them, or righting my own wrongs. But part of me couldn't shake the fear: If I let him loose, will I come back from it this time?

The guard's footsteps reached my cell. I looked up, meeting his gaze through the iron bars. He peered at me with disinterest, tossed some stale bread onto the floor, and left without a word. Just another day in captivity.

I remained still, watching the corridor until it fell silent once more. Then I carefully lifted the bread, trying to ignore the filth clinging to it. My stomach twisted in hunger, but my mind was miles away, reeling with a hundred plans and a thousand regrets.

Night settled in, the moon's glow shifting along the floor, and the demon's presence slithered around the edges of my consciousness. Just say the word, it whispered. I can break these bars in minutes.

I shuddered, refusing to answer. Instead, I pressed my forehead against the icy stone, swallowing back the frustration. I am not doing this now, I told myself. I can't.

In that moment, I felt the demon's amusement flare—amusement laced with a hint of contempt. It drifted away again, leaving me, ironically, more alone than ever before. My thoughts tumbled in circles, fighting off the thirst for vengeance and the desire to see Liliam safe.

But as the minutes ticked by and exhaustion tugged at my eyes, one realization sunk in: If I stayed here, helpless, I risked losing everyone I cared about—again. And the demon's right about one thing: Cerberus doesn't play fair, and neither do the Alphas. If I want any chance of redemption—or retribution—I might need the darkness I so despised.

The chains rattled as I shifted, forcing myself to lie down on the wooden bench, ignoring the straw that pricked my neck. My mind churned, weighed down by regret and longing, anxiety and defiance, all swirling in a hopeless mix. Eventually, my eyelids grew too heavy to keep open, and I drifted into a light, fitful sleep.

Even then, I felt the demon lurking, waiting. When you're ready, it promised, I'll be here. And somewhere in the distance of my mind, I wasn't sure if I should feel comforted by that or terrified.