In case there's any confusion, Ethan is currently 31 and Esme is 19. He's 12 years older than her. It's been 9 years since he was first taken hostage by Alpha Waylen and Tanika. He was in captivity for 3 years before he escaped with some help, he recovered and trained for two years before taking back his Pack. He spent three years going to wars and earning the name the bloody conqueror and one year was the time period for his bet with Esme. So that's what makes 9 years since his captivity. I hope I've cleared all confusion, if any. On a side note, what do you think is going on? Any guesses?
Esme's POVThe doctor finally came out after what felt like ages. I'm already at my wit's end and if she hadn't shown up when she did, I probably would have barged in to ask for answers.Despite my rousing headache, I rushed over to her as fast as I could. Rachel and Axel followed behind me.The doctor told us she wanted to speak to us privately so we went into Ethan's room."Doctor, what's going on with him? Is he alright? Can you do something?" I bombardedThe doctor tried to keep a straight face as she spoke but her defenses eventually cracked and her expression changed to a solemn one."I'm really sorry Luna Esme but there's nothing I can do for the Alpha. I've examined him and ran all sorts of tests but all have been futile so far. I only know his temperature is high and he's in a subconscious state, other than that, nothing can medically explain what's happening to him right now.I tried everything but I just can't explain it, it's beyond me.He's sick, that's for sure but this
Ethan's POV It had been seven agonizing days. The stench of the dungeon was unbearable and Ramine's corpse had reduced to bloated remains, clumps of green decaying skin littered around the dungeon floor, a work of the rats. The rats weren't the only problem as flies and insects clambered over the corpse. My vision blurred uncontrollably, my eyes were so heavy that keeping them open was torture. My stomach was churning and rumbling, my insides twisting painfully. My throat was so dry that it had become sore and my bladder was so full that I could barely move my legs because I feared that if I did, I would wet myself. I had been starved of food and water for these seven days, no one had come to see me so I couldn't ask to use the bathroom. The first few days I cried a lot, seeing Ramine in this state again made me too emotional but on the fourth day, when the hunger and thirst became unbearable, I didn't even have the strength to worry about that anymore as I battled with the hung
Esme's POV"A week?!"Rachel and I exclaimed."Yes. He might last a little more than that but I doubt it. His body is growing frail and this keeps up then……""No! There must be some way to save him. He just can't……He can't die like this. Please, there has to be a way, tell me what it is. I'm willing to do anything." I broke out in tears, shivering."I'm really sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Luna but there are only two options here. Since the mate mark you placed on him is the ultimate cause of his suffering, it seems you'll have to break your bond with him, completely.You'll have to renounce your bond and go far away from him. After the bond is broken, I'm sure the effects of the curse will cease." Irma explained and I collapsed.Rachel held me up while I covered my mouth with my hand to muffle my cries.Of all the options in the world, I had never expected this. If we truly are fated mates then why does our bond hurt him?I thought we could finally be together but now I realize
Esme's POV"I'm sorry Rachel but I have to do this. He's only in this state because of me so I have to fix it." I decided."Esme, you should know how much I adore the both of you and how I've always prayed that you would stay together forever but this……. This changes everything. I know you love him a lot, maybe even more than I do but the bottom line is, I won't let you risk both your lives on a gamble. Please, I'm begging you from the bottom of my heart. Please take the easier alternative and go far away, when Ethan wakes up and we explain the situation to him, he'll understand. He'll just have to.I know it'll be difficult having to be away from each other for the rest of your lives, especially with a baby on the way but this is for both your well-being.We could find a way to make it work, just please promise me you'll give up on the idea of retrieving that flower." Rachel requested, holding my hand pleadingly."I'm sorry Rachel, that's a promise I can't make to you. All of this h
Esme's POV I woke up in my bed, my head pounding. I sat up groggily and tried to get up but my feet felt cramped. What am I doing here in the first place? And where's Ethan? I try to recall the events that could have led up to this point but my head is all fuzzy. "Esme, are you OK?" Solar asked. "Yeah, I think I'm fine but what happened?" I asked. "Irma told us the reason Ethan is currently indisposed. You decided we were going on a quest to find the blessed flower but Rachel tried to stop us." Solar recounted and everything suddenly started coming back to me. Rachel had called in the doctor who injected me with something and the next minute, I was losing consciousness. Just what did they do to me? And how long have I been asleep? I rushed towards the door and tried to open it but it was locked from the outside. No, no. I banged on the door, trying to see if I could catch the attention of anyone nearby. "Hello? Hello? Is someone out there? Please open the door." I called a
Esme's POVHis reply had me stunned for a bit because it was what I least expected but I quickly regained my composure, still pointing my knife at him."And why should I believe you? You could just be saying that in order to make me drop my guard so you can overpower me." I yelled accusatory."Please keep your voice down, I don't want the guard outside to know that I'm having a conversation with you. I had to go through a lot of trouble just to be able to be the one to bring the food to you." He whispered and I frowned."You still haven't answered me. What are your true motives?" I questioned, keeping my voice low this time."What reason would I have to lie to you? Besides……." He said and swiftly grabbed my hand pointing the knife at him, applying enough pressure to make me drop the knife as I whimpered in pain.He just as swiftly picked the knife up and I flinched backwards.He grazed his index finger over the edge of the knife, cutting himself."Do you really think this could hurt m
Esme's POV"Please tell me you're joking." I beseeched."I'm speaking the truth. This fact combined with the dangers just makes it impossible, I'm sorry." He apologized"No. No, it can't end like this." I said and plopped on the bed."I'm sorry but if you wish to save the Alpha, you'll have to take the other option. I know it would be devastating to be away from each other for the rest of your lives, it's a cruel fate but then the Alpha would be alive at least.Even if I could get you out of this palace and you choose to embark on the journey, according to the witch's predictions, the Alpha would be dead before we even get there. So please Esme, I want you to…….""How can that be the only way? I can feel it deep in my heart, I'm sure that there's some other way. I just have to think about it with a clear head." I cut in."Esme please, stressing like this will be detrimental to your health. Think of your child this one time please and take the safe option." He advised"Irma!" I exclaim
Esme's POVI put on the guard's clothes and braided my hair into a ponytail before wrapping the braided part round and round in a circular pattern, holding it in place with a bobby pin and putting on a cap to cover it.I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with how I looked so I left."I'm done." I alerted and he paused to take a good look at me. I could see a smile stretching the edge of his lips."Is my disguise convincing enough or am I missing something?" I asked in a fret."No, you aren't missing anything. Your disguise is pretty convincing. I'm rather surprised how good you look even in men's clothes." He said and I didn't have time to decide if he was either flirting or just teasing."Alright, let's go." I urged and we both headed for the door. But I quickly made a stop at my bedside table to grab the fruit knife just in case I might really need it.He went out first and when he told me the coast was clear, I followed.He locked the door from the outside but left the key in