Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 86 – Alaric’s condition

Landry's POV

Landry couldn't believe the words that Bernice had just spoken. She finally admitted to loving him; she confessed her feelings to him. By the time he was about to say it back, she was already asleep. Did she mean it when she said that?

Was it only in the heat of the moment?

He watched as her chest rose and fell; he couldn't possibly sleep after that. He wanted to just wrap her in his arms and never let go of her. He never wanted this moment to end. He wanted to be able to satisfy her like this all the time, for the rest of their lives. He needed to get that cure from Alaric so they could have the life they dream of.

He adjusted her on the bed and placed a blanket over her naked body. As much as it pained him to cover her body because he could just stare at her forever. She moved slightly, groggily murmuring something he couldn't understand. Landry leaned down, pressing his lips against the nape of her neck, smelling the light scent of strawberries, and feeling her soft flesh against his.

"I love you too," he whispered in return, just as he fell asleep.

...

Bernice's POV

I woke up in the middle of the night with Landry sleeping beside me. There was a part of me that wanted to wake him to say goodbye, but another part of me worried that he would just try and stop me. I couldn't let that happen. My mind was made up; I was going to see Alaric tonight.

As I slipped out of bed, I grabbed an old pair of clothing and slipped it on. I glanced back at him, he remained unmoved. He was sleeping so gently, and it warmed my heart. I worried that this would be the last time I saw his face; the memories of earlier surfaced in my mind.

I told him I loved him, and I meant it.

I pulled my eyes away from him, leaving the room.

Most of the palace was silent as everyone was still asleep. Only the night guards remained awake. Nobody noticed that I had left though; that was how I wanted it.

As I made my way outside, the brisk air hit my skin as soon as I stepped outside; I wrapped my arms around my body and let out a shiver as I made my way into the night. I wished I could shift into my wolf; as a wolf, I would be able to navigate through the darkness with ease. But I had to just trust my instincts.

The forest is enclosed around me; something about the forest always put me at ease. Maybe it was because it seemed the trees gave me strength. I wasn't sure how Landry summoned Alaric the first time, but I hoped that Alaric had enough sense to feel me nearby.

I don't even know where his layer was.

I found a patch of dirt on the ground that looked to have been burnt. I knelt on the ground, smelling the scent of sage that occupied the ground. That must have been Landry; he must have used it to summon Alaric.

I touched my fingers to the sage, bringing it to my nose. It smelled like lavender and burnt leaves.

"Alaric?" I said, loudly, allowing my voice to get carried away into the wind. "I'm here. Just like you wanted. I'm by myself. Come see me!"

I stood on the ground, staring around at the darkness. There was no sight of vampires or anybody nearby. My frown deepened.

"Alaric!" I said louder, my voice booming across the forest. "Come get me!!"

There was no sound other than my voice being echoed and the sound of the birds flying away.

I went to say his name again, louder, but I felt a sting on the side of my neck. I gasped as a large hand covered my mouth. I struggled against them, trying to get myself free, trying to kick and scream until they released me. However, whatever they suck me with was making me weak.

Darkness closed around my vision and my entire body went limp.

...

I opened my eyes; my body was still exhausted, and I had no idea how long I'd been asleep for. I lifted my head but was stopped by a splitting headache. I winced in pain, allowing my head to fall back to the ground.

I recognized the smell of mildew and rotten flesh; I was back in the room they had tortured me in. I was back in Alaric's layer.

I wanted to cry out for help, but words wouldn't leave my lips.

What was wrong with me?

"It's just a side effect, you'll be fine soon enough." I heard a familiar voice from nearby.

I lifted my head again, ignoring the pain that came with it. Peering through the darkness, I saw Alaric standing on the opposite end of the cell they placed me in. His aura was dark, and his face was expressionless, besides the small smirk that was placed on his lips. His eyes were darker than they were before. Staring into his dark eyes, caused me to shudder.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised the wolf king did as I asked and sent you here alone.” He paused for a moment, staring around my very confused face. "Unless he doesn't know you are here."

I didn't bother answering him. I finally found the strength to sit up completely, ignoring the dizziness across my vision.

Whatever they gave me, made me feel sick. I thought I was going to throw up at any moment. I swallowed the feeling into the pit of my stomach, feeling it boiling and bubbling.

"That feeling will go away," Alaric said, reading my face. He sounded uninterested and bored.

"What did you do to me?" I managed to ask, my voice sounding extremely distant.

"Don't worry, it won't harm your child. I just needed to get you here without you knowing the location," Alaric answered. He walked closer to me. "Tell me, why did you come to see me." "You know why I'm here."

"Indeed, I do... but I want you to say it. I want you to beg me to save you."

What I wanted to do was spit on him.

"I need to be cured..." I said to him. "I have an illness that only you can cure. I know that now and I need your help."

He grinned as he stared around my desperate face.

"I can help you," he said, narrowing his eyes. "But I have a condition."

Of course, he does.

"I thought me being here alone was your condition."

He laughed, but the laughter didn't meet his eyes. It seemed forced and chilling.

"That was only step one of my conditions," he said, he lowered himself, so he was almost eye level with me. "Step two of my condition requires something different." "Tell me," I said between my teeth. "What do I need to do?"

He smiled, revealing his sharp fangs.

"Leave," he said, his tone darkening. "Leave Landry's pack and don't ever look back."