Echoes of Betrayal

Chapter Seventeen Alexander

Frustration and anger churned within me like a tempestuous storm. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that had consumed me upon seeing her with Ethan Hawthorne, his arm casually draped around her shoulder as if he had every right to be there.

Muttering a curse under my breath, I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening with barely contained rage. "If he doesn't get that arm off of her," I growled to myself, "I'll cut it off myself."

The thought was irrational, born of jealousy and wounded pride, but I couldn't help the surge of possessiveness that coursed through me at the sight of Karyna with another man. She was mine, damn it, even if she didn't realize it yet.

I couldn't deny the possessiveness that surged through my veins at the sight of Karyna with Ethan, nor could I shake the protectiveness that had taken root in my heart.

Though I hadn't yet come to terms with my own feelings, there was an undeniable pull drawing me to Karyna, a magnetic force that refused to be ignored. She had unwittingly woven herself into the fabric of my life, and though I didn't yet fully understand why, I couldn't bear the thought of anyone else laying claim to her.

The intensity of my emotions caught me off guard, leaving me grappling with a turmoil I had never experienced before. Karyna's presence had become an anchor in my tumultuous world, a beacon of light amidst the darkness that threatened to consume me.

As I watched her from afar, I swore that I would protect her at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing everything else. The world could burn, for all I cared, as long as she remained safe by my side.

With a determined stride, I made my way to the secluded library hidden within the depths of the academy, a sanctuary known only to a select few. As I entered the dimly lit chamber, the musty scent of old parchment greeted me, comforting in its familiarity.

I navigated the maze of shelves with practiced ease, my fingers trailing over ancient tomes and dusty scrolls. Each book held the promise of untold knowledge, a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

Finally, I found what I was looking for—a tome nestled in the far corner of the library, its leather-bound cover weathered with age. With trembling hands, I carefully opened the book, the pages whispering secrets long forgotten.

For hours, I poured over the text, my mind racing with possibilities. Every mention of relics and ancient artifacts drew me deeper into the mystery surrounding Karyna's enigmatic power.

As the night wore on and the candles burned low, I finally stumbled upon a passage that sent a shiver down my spine. It spoke of a prophecy, of a chosen one destined to wield unimaginable power—a power that could shape the very fabric of reality itself.

As the hours stretched into the early light of dawn, I delved deeper into the forbidden knowledge, each revelation sending a chill down my spine. But amidst the ancient prophecies and arcane rituals, one grim truth emerged—a truth that filled me with dread.

The chosen one, destined to wield unimaginable power, was also fated to meet a tragic end.

A cold knot of fear tightened in my chest as I whispered a solemn vow to myself. "I'll never let anything happen to her," I swore, my voice barely a breath in the stillness of the library.