chapter 22 all I’ve ever wanted

She stood frozen, unable to meet his intense gaze. Her eyes dropped to his chest, his half-buttoned shirt exposing just enough to make her throat unconsciously bob as she swallowed nervously.

"You haven't answered my questions yet," Alexander reminded her, his tone both firm and teasing.

"I… I remember now," she stammered, her voice trembling, barely audible. Alexander, with his heightened senses, heard her effortlessly. His other hand traced an uncomfortably slow path around her neck, causing her to shudder involuntarily.

"Please don't kill me," she whispered, her eyes squeezing shut in panic. The memory of how close she had come to death by his hands still haunted her. A flicker of emotion—pity, maybe?—flashed in Alexander's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual coldness.

"I'll do anything you want," she pleaded, her words tumbling out in desperation.

Alexander's gaze bore into her. After a pause, he replied, "Fine. I'll tell you what I want tomorrow." His hand dropped from her neck as he stepped back. A smirk crept onto his face. "See you tomorrow, scared little bunny," he said, before vanishing into thin air.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor. She gasped for air, realizing she had been holding her breath the entire time. Her trembling hands clenched into fists as frustration welled up within her.

"Where even am I?" she muttered, her voice laced with confusion. Forcing herself to stand, she approached the window. Drawing back the heavy curtains, she froze, her jaw dropping in shock.

The scene before her was like something out of a nightmare. The building opposite hers was foreboding, its architecture sinister and gothic. The sky was an endless sea of darkness, with no stars or moon to provide comfort—only flashes of lightning illuminated the ominous expanse. Surrounding the castle was a dense forest, its twisted trees resembling monstrous creatures poised to strike. Guards patrolled the grounds below, their presence only adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

A chill ran down her spine, her body trembling. Her gaze was suddenly drawn upward as a shadow crossed the window. She gasped, her breath hitching as a massive griffin—its body a lion's and its head an eagle's—soared toward her, its crimson eyes glowing like molten embers. She slammed the window shut, stumbling back to her bed in terror.

Throwing the blanket over her head, she trembled beneath it, tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to be here anymore," she whimpered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, back in the Crescent Moon pack…

The rain poured relentlessly as Prince Ezekiel and Jacob lay shackled on the ground. Their wrists and ankles were bound with silver, the cursed metal that sapped their strength and prevented them from transforming. Its mere touch burned their skin, a cruel reminder of their failure.

Ezekiel's eyes were dull and lifeless as he stared up at the stormy sky. Guilt and despair consumed him. "I failed her," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain. "I couldn't protect her. I couldn't protect the person who means everything to me."

Tears mixed with the rain as they streamed down his face. He turned his head to glance at Jacob, whose bruised and bloodied face reflected the pain he felt inside.

"You managed to act like you didn't care about her all these years," Ezekiel began, his voice heavy with resentment. "Why help her now?"

Jacob coughed, wincing as the movement sent pain shooting through his battered body. "Because," he rasped, "I wanted to keep her alive. That's all I've ever wanted."

Ezekiel's eyes narrowed. "And you think this will make up for all the years you ignored her? For all the times she suffered alone while you stood by and did nothing?"

Jacob's gaze darkened, his expression unreadable. "I'm no hero, Ezekiel," he said quietly. "But if suffering is the price I have to pay to keep her safe, so be it."

Ezekiel's fists clenched against the ground. "I'll save her," he vowed, his voice filled with newfound determination. "I'll find her and bring her back, no matter what it takes."

Jacob turned his head slowly, his eyes filled with exhaustion and skepticism. "You're insane," he muttered. "This is King Alexander we're talking about—the demon king. Do you think you stand a chance against him? Your own father fears him. This isn't bravery, Ezekiel—it's suicide."

Ezekiel's jaw tightened. "I don't care," he said firmly. "She deserves to live. To be happy. And if I have to lay down my life to make that happen, then so be it."

Jacob closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. Memories of Calista flooded his mind, memories he had buried deep. He had tried so hard to convince himself he didn't care, but the truth was inescapable. He had always cared.

Twelve years ago…

The storm raged on as a carriage rattled along a narrow path, its wheels struggling against the muddy terrain. Trees loomed on either side, their branches clawing at the air like skeletal fingers.

Inside the carriage, a young Jacob sat with his mother, Rachel, and his younger sister, Emily. Rain pounded against the roof, and the wind howled like a beast in pain.

"Mother," Jacob asked, his voice trembling, "do we really have to leave? What about Father?"

Rachel stroked Emily's hair soothingly. "We have to go home, Jacob," she said firmly, though her face was lined with worry. "Your father will join us later."

Before Jacob could respond, the carriage lurched to a sudden stop. The abrupt motion sent him tumbling to the floor, waking Emily, who whimpered in confusion.

"Peter, what's wrong?" Rachel called to the driver, her voice cutting through the storm.

"Madam, you might want to see this," Peter replied, his tone grave.

Rachel's expression tightened. She turned to her children. "Jacob, take care of your sister. No matter what happens, don't come out of the carriage. Do you understand?"

Jacob nodded solemnly, his small hands gripping Emily's tightly. As Rachel stepped out into the storm, the air grew thick with foreboding.