Magic Under Darkness

Forbidden Bond

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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FORBIDDEN BOND

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'Your sacrifice.'

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Alex was all too familiar with the answer to Celeste's question.

Despite this certainty, a deep ache gnawed at his heart, as though he was committing a grievous error. His mind, however, insisted it was the only path to flee the relentless nightmares and find sanctuary in Wonderland.

Alex trembled with fear, an unsettling dread filling him as he grasped the implications of accepting this forbidden bond with Celeste, the infamous devil princess of Hell. Her reputation and respect stemmed from her royal lineage; in her mother's absence, she was regarded as the Queen, while her brother was already acknowledged as the young King among the other princes of Hell, next in line to their royal parents. Initially, it was all a bewildering maze for Alex to navigate, but he eventually understood one undeniable truth... Celeste was extraordinarily powerful and... dangerous.

With a pounding heart and a mind in turmoil, Alex slowly opened his eyes and asked, "What would I have to do if I chose to stay with you?"

Celeste's breath hitched at his sudden question as if caught in her throat. She released him from their embrace, grasped his hands, and locked her eyes with his once more.

Seeing his tear-stained cheeks filled her with sadness, but she knew she had to answer him, even if the truth might be difficult for his fragile nature to accept.

So, with a heavy heart and her voice heavy with the weight of her words, she eventually answered his question.

"You... would have to... kill your wolf."

Alex's eyes widened with disbelief and hurt evident in his gaze. He was desperate to question her, but his voice failed him. As he struggled to find words, Celeste proceeded to explain the process to him.

Celeste drew in a deep breath before speaking with solemnity yet her cold narrowed eyes shone with intense pain and... for the first time... with fear, "Considering our forbidden bond... the only path for us to bond and share a life together is by killing off your wolf. Through your sacrifice, you'll become a human. If you resist or oppose me, and I'm forced to initiate this change upon your body with an unprepared mind, it could lead to your death. My blood must infuse your body to infect and eliminate your wolf, but if it resists, anything could happen. You might lose your sanity as your wolf struggles to comprehend the sudden transformation and its origin, or worse, it could lead to your painful death as your wolf rejects the process and infects your human part instead. Your wolf must be willing so that, upon infection, it won't spread my demonic venom throughout any part of your body. This transformation is our sole path to life a life together as bonded."

With trembling hands, Alex gently pushed Celeste aside and stepped down from the table. Hurriedly, he started walking toward the main door, his words rushed and uncertain, "I... I don't know... I don't know what's right or wrong... I need time to think. Please don't... don't follow me."

As Alex spoke in a wavering voice and dashed out through the main door, Celeste couldn't stop him in time.

Frustrated and agitated, she ruffled her hair, knowing he was in grave danger and couldn't be left alone, especially with a council of werewolves targeting him.