Chapter 9 Whispers from the Shadows

Arthur’s story about his parents kept turning in my mind. The pain in his voice, and how he carried everything alone made it difficult for me to sleep. I should end his life in a few months, yet here I was, feeling sorry for him. The thought made me sick with guilt and mad at myself all at once. 

Eventually, exhaustion won. I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep.

The dream came fast. Darkness surrounded me, then the familiar cold pull of the coven’s magic dragged me into a ritual circle. Lucy stood in front of me, staring angrily and her eyes glowing with power. Other sisters stood in the shadows behind her.

"Charlotte," Lucy’s voice cut through the dream in my mind. "Time is running out. You have signed the contract, but you have done nothing to move closer to the sacrifice. Six months is not forever. What's holding you back!"

I tried to speak, but the dream held my tongue for a moment. "I am making progress. I am gathering information. The alliance—"

"Excuses!" Lucy snapped. She waved her hand, and horrible images flooded my mind. Images of my lost family. My parents and little brother tied up and screaming in pain while dark figures tortured them. They were like suffering beyond what you could possibly imagine, blood on their clothes, tears, their voices calling my name, begging for me to save them.

The nightmares felt so real. I could hear their cries, feel their fear as if it was happening right now. 

"You will finish this as quick as possible," Lucy warned. "Or we will make their suffering real. Complete the ritual, or we come for everyone. Including that wolf you seem to be getting too close to."

I woke up screaming.

My throat felt raw as I sat up in bed, heart pounding wildly for fear. Sweat covered my skin, and tears ran down my face. The door to the room burst open. It was Arthur who rushed in wearing only dark pants, his chest bare and his golden eyes wide with worry.

"Charlotte!" He was beside the bed in seconds. He pulled me into his strong arms against his chest without asking. One hand stroked my hair gently while the other rubbed my back. "It is alright. You are safe. I am here."

I trembled in his hold. His warmth and scent wrapped around me like a shield and for the first time in years, I allowed someone comfort me. His heartbeat was steady under my ear.

"You had a bad dream?" he asked softly, still stroking my hair.

I nodded against his chest. "Yes. About my family. I… I do not remember much about them, but the dreams make it feel like I am losing them all over again."

Arthur held me tighter. "I understand. I still have nightmares about my parents you know. The blood, the screams, the way I could not save them. Some nights I wake up ready to fight for them to stay alive as if it were that very day. It never fully goes away, but you do not have to face it alone anymore."

His voice was low and gentle in a way that made me almost break. It's like words I never wanted to speak rose in my throat. I wanted to tell him part of the truth about the coven and what they made me do. But I stopped myself. Lucy’s warning echoed in my head. My sisters could sense betrayal. If I said too much, they would know. And they would destroy everything, including Arthur and his pack.

I pulled back slightly and wiped my face. "Thank you, Arthur. I will be fine now."

He searched my face for a long moment, clearly he was not convinced, but he did not want to go further. "Try to rest, and don't worry about a thing. I will stay close."

He stayed until my breathing calmed, then returned to his side of the chambers, leaving the connecting door open.

Morning light filled the room when I woke again. Arthur waited for me in the training yard. He held a beautiful dagger in his hands. The blade looked really looking sharp and deadly, having on it runes carved along the handle and glowing faintly.

"This is for you, Charlotte" he said, offering it to me. "Our shamans enchanted it for protection. It will never miss its target when your life is in danger. Keep it with you always alright."

I nodded and took the dagger. It felt warm in my palm, and my magic reacted to the runes again, just like the ring. "Thank you. This means a lot."

A small smile touched his lips as I tried not to steady my gaze on him. "You are my bride now. I protect what is mine."

We started training with the knife. He stood close behind me, correcting my grip and showing me how to strike properly. Our bodies brushed once in a while when he sees I'm moving wrongly from his examples. The tension from last night returned stronger.

"Should I go like this?" I asked, twisting the blade in my hand.

Arthur’s hand covered mine, guiding the motion. "Exactly. But keep your wrist straighter." I tried again. "Good. You learn fast." He added. 

He came close again, "Try to keep your hands firm like this" His breath brushed my ear as he held my hand from behind. Heat rose between us. I turned my head slightly and met his golden eyes. "Careful, Alpha. Teaching me to use a knife might be a little dangerous for you."

He chuckled, low and rough. "I like a little danger, especially from you. But tell me, little bride, are you planning to use that on me one day?"

The flirtatious words sent a thrill through me. "Only if you deserve it." I never wanted to start feeling guilty for what I'm going to do to him until he is in his graves. 

We moved through more drills. Sweat made my clothes stick to my skin. Arthur stayed close, his hands on my waist and arms as he demonstrated new moves. I must say he knows so much about tactics and combat skills from the look of things. The air felt thick with something more than training. 

"Listen," he said while we practiced. "The city is a dangerous game right now. Politicians and governors play nice in public, but many of them take money from the syndicates. The police are split into two categories, while some are honest, believe me when I say that most of them are corrupt and look the other way when the syndicates operate. To stay out of trouble, you watch everything, say little, and trust no one completely. Not even inside these walls. Understand?"

He spun me around suddenly, pinning my knife hand gently. Our faces were inches apart. My breathing grew heavy. His eyes showed nothing but that he clearly wants me.

"Arthur…" I whispered.

For a moment, I thought he would kiss me. But I stepped back, breaking the hold. "We should focus on the lesson."

He let out a slow breath and nodded, though disappointment flashed in his eyes. "As you wish."

We continued training, but the attraction between us refused to fade. Every word made it harder to remember my mission even if he avoided touching me for the remaining time we spent training under the morning sun. Lucy’s nightmares still lingered in my mind, a dark warning of what would happen if I failed the coven. 

I gripped the new dagger tighter. The game was getting more complicated, and I was no longer sure I wanted to win it the way the coven demanded.