Alpha Talia's POV

"No" His words did not come as a surprise. I was aware of his stubbornness. It was a quality I adored about him. But I knew that in this instance, resorting to rage out of frustration wasn't the best course of action. I had to explain where I was coming from. I needed him to know who I was.

"Little claws . ." He put one finger on my lips just as I started to speak, muting me. While he bent down and brushed his forehead with mine, I cast a quick glance in his direction.

"Shh. Can we just for once, agree on something? Why can't I participate in the ritual if all the other betas have already gone through the process with you? Am I not worthy? Am I too weak?"

He spoke softly, attempting to prevent his voice from breaking. It wasn't about his ability or courage; rather, it was about keeping him safe.

"Do you not see where all the other betas have ended up? Do you not realize I'm saving you from the same fate?" I pondered as I observed the graveyard. A chilly wind blasted in our direction. We were headed towards a disagreement where there would be no room for compromise.

He took a big breath and grabbed my hand. I could tell just by glancing at his face that he had so much to say. I couldn't disregard his sentiments when he still had a lot more information to process. So I waited patiently as he collected himself.

"The only way to break the curse is when you find your mate. I am your mate. I'm here, right in front of you. And if during the ritual, it's deemed that I'm not, I'm still okay with that. We wouldn't know if we don't try." He finally spoke.

We were going back and forth with this argument. And no matter how many times he tried to reason with me, I couldn't bring myself to agree with him. His life wasn't something I wanted to gamble with, even if he was willing to give it away.

"Goddammit Hugo, I'm not losing you. When I told you, I would kill every being on this planet if any harm comes to you, I wasn't lying. I will. If you die during the ritual, I will lose the last shred of any emotions left in me. I'll truly become a monster. A monster that was once dreaded by all"

I screamed in rage. My words weighed a lot heavier than he anticipated. And this time, his look coincided with mine.

He was frustrated.

"Hugo, for the past two years I have been trying to find a way to end this curse. I've captured numerous betas but to no avail. I've even performed the ritual alone. I've died and been resurrected multiple times. Frieda and her coven sought their ancestors for help in order to learn more about the curse. But even the ancestors persuaded Frieda to give it up. They had no desire to interact with someone like me." I mumbled, giving in at last.

As tougher than confronting the past was having someone I really cared about finding out the unpleasant reality.

"You mean a hybrid?" He asked.

It was widely believed that the coven witches' ancestors generally disliked the blending of their kind with that of werewolves. Since the beginning of time, hybrids have been highly despised in the Falcon Valley.

"Technically, yeah, I suppose. Have you heard of the Draverri witches?" I inquired, dreading the conversation I was about to have with him.

"I'm aware of them. The slaughter of Draverri witches. I always thought they were a myth, you know, like a folklore passed from generations." He remarked quietly.

"Many years ago, there was merely a handful of True-blood hybrids. They were the first of their kind. True-blood Hybrids were created by the most powerful witches that existed named Draverri whose bloodline interbred with an Alpha. All of them were wiped out to restore balance. Everyone from Draverri's bloodline were slaughtered to ensure no more True-blood hybrids would be born. Werewolves and covens from several cities mutually came together to cast a spell that rendered Draverri witches infertile."

I grasped both of his hands after a little pause and resumed. He was more nervous than furious, and I could tell that his rage was slowly subsiding.

"Everyone thought that the Draverri witches have gone extinct by now. But by some chance, one Draverri witch was able to procreate with an Alpha. The Alpha saw the child's potential with only one glance. That the child would grow up to be strong and useful. Every night, he abused this child. He claimed that it was done to heighten her rage and resentment. Kept reminding her that she would need them to reign over cities in the future."

Despite my voice shaking, I continued. It wasn't my intention to tell him everything all at once, but I would prefer for him to know the truth than to worry whether he was unworthy of me.

Because, if anything, I didn't deserve him.

"Hugo, I'm not just a normal hybrid. Draverri's blood runs through me. I'm a True-blood Hybrid. The only true-blood hybrid in existence" My cheeks began to flush with tears as he moved back.

"But . ." He was completely in shock as he observed me.

"Are you scared of me, little claws?" I whispered, reaching out for him.

"I . . .really thought we were mates." He mumbled, still in shock.

"Even if I manage to find my mate, my wolf won't be able to recognize him at first. It's a symptom of the curse. The heat curse starts every full moon, and I can clearly smell the scent on the fifth day, when the ritual begins. When it happens, it's too late. The sparkle in their eyes fades and I find myself back where I started before I can even realize they aren't the one." I muttered glancing as his finger ran through his dishevelled hair.

"But if true-blood hybrids can procreate with an Alpha, why have you been capturing betas?" He asked.

"Because before Frieda's ancestors rejected her for asking for their support, they informed her that the destiny begins with a beta, and the duty lies with the Alpha. That's all we know so far." I replied. I was unable to discern his exact thoughts. However, he appeared to have lost something.

His spark.

Silence. During the following few minutes, whenever he attempted to open his lips, he would immediately close it. He strode back and forth around the hill while he contemplated. I remained silent during this time because I dreaded ever having this conversation. There would be a million thoughts running in his mind that he's unable to comprehend. After a while, he turned towards me and asked,

"Do you trust Frieda?"

I nodded before answering despite the peculiarity of the question. "Yes. More than my life. She's my confidant. She was willing to be shunned by her ancestors to help me with this curse"

"Then why . . . you know what, never mind, I need some time to think about this. Can you take me back?" He asked, without looking at my face. His eyes were bloodshot red, as if he was attempting to hold back tears or his fury.

"Sure" I murmured under my breath.

The concoction had worn off and I couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling. Did his perception of me change? Was he scared of me again? I wasn't sure. I teleported both of us back to the mansion dining room with a single hand motion in the air.

He sat across the table from me, looking at me intently. I could hear Frieda screaming at me for misusing my powers for teleportation. My heart began to beat fast as I contemplated what he was about to say. But Frieda's words echoed the room which prevented me from doing so.

"Frieda, leave us!" I growled and the room became silent at once.

"Frieda, stay. I'll go" Hugo spoke almost immediately. He stood up from his seat while both Frieda and I watched, and walked out the dining room.

Watching him walk away made my heart ache. It might have been in the moment, but it almost felt as a breakup. How could we end before we even began? I had a billion questions to ask him. I wanted to know what he was thinking. I wanted to know how he was feeling. Maybe this was what he had been feeling before, when he demanded answers and wanted to know how I was feeling.

Anxiousness.

"What did you do?" As she approached me, Frieda spoke in a low voice.

Overall I think I did very well opening up to him, despite the fact that I might have become a little contentious for his benefit. I knew he would need time to think things through and I didn't blame him for feeling the way he felt. He was certain that we were mates, but I've just shattered every last shred of hope he had.

"I told him the truth. At least he won't try to join the ritual now. He'll be safe" I replied.

"Tal, he's your only hope. I'm against you performing the ritual alone. You'll die, Tal. Does he know you'll die?!" Frieda shrieked.

"I might have left that part out."

"Why? You should have told him, like we agreed" Frieda stressed.

"No, you agreed, Frieda. I know you want to save me. But there's no way in hell I will allow him to partake in the ritual. If it's down to his life or mine, I'll happily end mine. I'll choose him always, Frieda. I love him"

As the words escaped my lips, I bawled my eyes out, unable to keep back the emotions. It was the first time, I felt something so strongly other than anger and resentment. I felt my feelings for him become stronger. But it still didn't mean he was my mate. I've loved before and I've lost. Even if this time it felt different, it wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

If you were me, would you let me partake in the ritual and gamble my life, Hugo? I wondered. Or was I letting paranoia prevent me from achieving my happy ending?