| CHAPTER 54 : PAIN |

Sunlight rolled in from the huge balcony glass doors, poking my eyes. A groan came out of my lips as I rose like a creeper. My head pounded like a hammer being repeatedly hit on it. What happened?

"The pest has awakened." King Alpha strolled into his room from outside.

I squinted my eyes up at him. He wore jeans and a black vest with a flannel shirt unbuttoned. Before I could stare at him more, he flung something towards me that hit me square in the face.

"Ouch." I picked up the small packet of tablets.

"For your hangover." He said, giving me a glass of water too.

I frowned in confusion as my mind hazed. King Alpha stretched himself on the foot of the bed, with one hand supporting his head as he lay on his side to face me.

"Give me some of that too," he said, rolling his eyes, "need it after taking care of you last night."

My frown deepened and I opened my mouth. Before I could ask something, my eyes landed on my bare arm and I gasped.

"What the hell is this?" I gaped in horror at the large tattoo covering my forearm.

"You wanted it." He rolled his eyes, then rolled up the sleeve of his flannel shirt showing me his arm, "you made me get one too." he grumbled while I stared at the word 'BLONDIE' written in a cursive calligraphic font.

I looked down at my clothes and frowned at the white t-shirt and shorts I wore, "Who changed me?"

"I did," he answered before adding, "And before you say anything, nope, I didn't see or touch any inappropriate parts. You still have your virginity and you're still as pure as motherfucking honey." He smiled sarcastically.

My hand went to my head, "What happened last night?"

"Seriously?" King Alpha asked, "you don't remember what you put me through last night?"

"We were at the club, and I was running from these vampires..." a gasp came out my lips as I suddenly remembered. From Diego biting into my arm from King Alpha and I stargazing.

Then him doing the eye glowing thing-y on me when I didn't go to sleep and kept on talking to him about how Mayonnaise is just unsalted and tomato-less ketchup.

I lifted my eyes to King Alpha who was giving me a flat look.

I grabbed the covers and threw them over my burning hot face and head, "Gah what did I do? That was so embarrassing! Can someone please swallow me?"

"I saved you from more embarrassment."

I removed the covers off my head, glaring at him, "I freaking tried to unzip the pants of every guy who walked past me!"

"That's a lot of dicks," he nodded before shrugging, "You were drugged and out of your mind. Now take those fucking tablets before the actual hangover comes banging on your head."

I gave out an embarrassed groan before taking a pill and swallowing it with the water. Then I tossed King Alpha the same pill along with the glass I drank from.

"Now that's done," King Alpha wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then glared at me, "Why the fucking hell did you bond with Diego?"

My eyes widened momentarily at his glare, before I glared back, "You wouldn't help me with my magic. So I helped myself."

"Why do you go fucking bonding with creatures?"

"Why do you fucking care?"

"Well because you somehow indirectly made it my responsibility to watch your fucking naïve ass which gets into dangerous situations."

"I'm only in those dangerous situations all because of you."

"Why can't you just sit back here and enjoy everything within these walls instead of being so hell-bent on going outside?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Mother Gothel, I didn't know I had to be locked up in a tower with no human contact," I glared, "I can do whatever the hell I want, and you can't stop me."

"You know, the least I expected was some kind of an understanding between us after you so shamelessly admitted how attractive I am to you last night."

My cheeks flamed, "I was in a moment where I wasn't in contact with my brain. That's not fair."

He smirked, "Would you tell me how hot I am again?"

"Shut up." I glared.

"More than the sun, wasn't it?"

I whacked his head with a pillow.

He grabbed the pillow from me and whacked me back making me see stars for a few seconds.

"Alright, what's done is done," King Alpha grumbled before setting a serious face, "you've bonded with Diego for your magic. Let's see how that turned out."

My eyes landed on my hands as I held them in front of me. How do I even channel it or summon my magic?

"Erm...what's step number one?" I asked.

He narrowed his eyes, "Seriously?"

"I'm not some genius with this. I need some beginner steps. Diego said I might have control over it if I bond with him."

"Ah then that's what you people did," King Alpha nodded, "stupid human, you only have control over your magic. Meaning you can control it when it comes out. The coming out is all you. You'll have to do that on your own."

I stared at my hands, "And how do I do that?"

He shrugged, "Just like how you always did before?"

"But I didn't do anything. It just comes out of nowhere."

"You need to figure out which emotion-" he abruptly cut himself off, looking horrified for a second before averting his eyes and looking away, "nothing."

"What?" I asked.

He remained silent.

"You were just saying something," I said, "I need to what?"

He shook his head.

"Oh come on, Alpha. you were just going to tell me how to do magic."

"It was a slip of the tongue." He grumbled.

"That must be a damn slippery tongue," I said, "why can't you help me with this?"

"I can't."

"You have magic too and I know you use it," I said before adding, "don't deny it. I know you used it when you transformed into that tiny puppy when I was bawling my eyes out."

He rolled his eyes.

"What's the harm in helping me with my magic."

"So many things could go wrong." He sighed.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. What if you get overwhelmed with it and it leads to you destroying yourself? What if you're doing magic and accidentally harm yourself? Hmm? What would you do then?"

I blinked. "I didn't know you cared for me."

He narrowed his eyes, "I don't care for you," he scoffed, "I just-I just..."

I raised my eyebrows, "You just?"

"I just...got-used to having you around here, that's all," he gave a hard look, "it would be a shame if you...disappeared suddenly."

His eyes lifted to my face. He glared, "Stop smiling like that."

A strange kind of laugh came from my mouth making King Alpha roll his eyes.

"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"Piss off," he muttered.

"So what's in for today?" I asked, "training?"

He shrugged, "I've got some work, so I'll be heading out. You do whatever."

"Look how nice. The beast and the chatter-mouth having some bonding time."

"What the fuck?" King Alpha exclaimed, jumping up and looking around while I let out a startled gasp.

"Who said that?" King Alpha demanded, standing in the middle of the room looking around.

"Me, obviously."

"Casper?" I asked.

"Right. I watched that movie. Why the fuck would you compare me to an egg?"

"He's a ghost," I replied.

"Not all ghosts look like Casper."

"Wait," King Alpha frowned, "I know that voice...I know you, don't I?"

Casper dramatically gasped, "I know you too. Yay, we can become besties."

King Alpha narrowed his eyes, "Stop playing games, escaped soul. Go back to Arsenio. You've been out of the limbo for too long."

"No one tells me what to do," I could feel Casper grinning, "Especially, you."

"Why don't you show yourself, huh?" King Alpha raised an eyebrow.

"What is this? Frozen 2?"

"You've watched Frozen 2?" I asked.

"I've been watching movies all night since you called me Casper. Apparently, a TV works by clicking a button on the remote now. And there I was banging the shit out of it."

"How old are you, Dead ass?" King Alpha asked.

"Old enough to be older than you, Living Mutt."

King Alpha's face went hard for a second at the name Casper called him.

"And why are you here?" he asked.

"I don't have to answer to you," Casper replied, snobby.

King Alpha pulled his eyebrows together, "Did I...Did I kill you somewhere or somehow?"

"Yes."

"Oh." He blinked.

"You killed me."

"You're not gonna get an apology from me."

"I know you won't. That's why I came here to destroy your life."

"Yawn."

"Don't yawn me, you pug. Once I find the right time, I'm gonna attack and you won't see a single thing coming."

"Well obviously, genius," King Alpha rolled his eyes, "you're invisible."

"I know you try acting smart while all the while you feel unsure inside," I could feel Casper's smirk.

"I'm gonna go call Arsenio. Tell his demon crew to come here and capture you're flaunting ass and drag you back to the Limbo." King Alpha glared at nothing but the air.

"Don't you wanna know my name?"

"Nah, not interested."

"You sure?"

"Yup."

"Your ignorance is what will lead you to destruction," Casper spoke, "Elias."

King Alpha's face hardened; his eyes flicked golden. My heart jumped at the sudden change of King Alpha's features. Before I could jump or do something, King Alpha got control over his beast and glared menacingly.

"Who. The fuck. Are you?"

"Oh, now you wanna know me?"

"Once I find out who you are," King Alpha's voice lowered down to a threatening tone, his entire aura darkened, "I swear you'll be begging for my mercy and god forbid, you'll regret immensely coming here and playing with me like this."

"I'll be sure to wait for that." You could sense Casper's smirk.

The room went silent.

I'm pretty sure Casper left.

I let out a low whistle, "You've picked up some beef with a ghost."

King Alpha's glare turned to me, "You," he marched towards me with a finger threateningly pointed towards me, "tell me everything you and Casper talked about. Now."

I glared back at him, getting off the bed and crossing my arms, "If you think I have something to do with Casper successfully disturbing and riling you up, you're dead wrong." I stated, "and next time before pointing fingers at me, think about who's your real enemy and who's trying to be your friend." I lowered his finger with mine.

His glare didn't falter for a few moments before he inhaled deeply, looking away.

My voice softened a bit, "I have no idea who Casper is and how does he know your name."

"He said he's older than me," King Alpha spoke, "meaning he lived before I was even born," he sighed, rubbing his forehead, "only werewolves can enter Saludom without permission."

"Meaning he's a werewolf ghost?"

"Yup."

My mind went back to last night. King Alpha said he had killed a couple of his wolves when they tried reviving him back.

King Alpha read my face and knew what I was thinking.

"Maybe." He answered.

A sudden headache came on and I winced, placing my palm on my temples, "Ow."

"What?" King Alpha asked.

I shook my head, "My head just started pounding."

"It might be your hangover," he said, "lie down. Also, you just reminded me that I have to grab my stake and hunt for Diego."

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Although King Alpha told me to lie down, I just couldn't. So I hopped into a new pair of clothes that consisted of a loose white tank top and white shorts. My head continued pounding but I tried to ignore it until the pain got duller. Fastening on my shoes, I waltzed towards the arena and as expected, the Royal warriors and Levi were there, training.

This time, there was an addition to the gang. Drew sat on one of the bleachers, with his ankle crossed over his other knee and stared at the training warriors.

"I'm all in for heavy distractions from my messed-up life right now," I spoke turning everybody's eyes in my directions, "so hit me with the best you got."

"And here I thought you were actually interested in us." Chase pouted.

"How about you master that yoga pose to grow a bigger dick" Hans grunted, "then you might even attract tomatoes."

Fred let out a laugh.

"S'cuse me, my dick is long enough to slap your brooding self," Chase batted his eyelashes at Hans.

"What the fuck?" Warrant frowned, chewing on a lollipop, "you got a dick or a whip?"

"More like a noodle," Matt spoke, lazily doing some weight-lifts in the corner.

Everyone laughed while Chase flipped everyone the bird.

"Heard you got into a bit of a vampire drug situation," Drake raised his eyebrows at me, doing a few rounds of push-ups.

Drew looked at me questioningly with a teasing smile lining his lips.

"I asked for distractions," I stretched my arms, "not flashbacks."

"Doesn't hurt sharing deeds, Ez," Chase spoke.

I stretched my back which gave a satisfying crack, ignoring the headache that seemed to grow. Maybe I should have taken more pills.

"What's that on your arm?" Matt asked, pausing on his weightlifting.

My eyes, along with a few more eyes, fell onto the tattoo on my arm.

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, "Nothing."

"Dang baby, is that our King's name?" Chase whistled, moving towards me to get a better look.

Everyone had a look of small horror on their face as they recognized King Alpha's name tattooed on my arm. I mentally face-palmed myself. Should've worn a full-sleeve.

"King Alpha and you must have had a long night," Drew smirked to himself.

"When did you get that?" Drake asked.

"I was high and out of my mind," I spoke, ignoring their pointed and shocked looks.

"And King Alpha didn't turn or anything?" Fred asked, grabbing my arm up to his nose and inspecting the tattoo.

"Yeah, I heard his beast comes out when his name is mentioned..." Matt who usually looked blank and bored had a look of uncertainty and shuddered along with the rest of the guys.

"I'm going to drag my ass to Arizona and fuck a fucking cactus but man, I would never want to be where a beast is," Chase spoke then added, "that belongs to King Alpha."

"How did she survive then?" Hans asked, raising a crossbow and pointing it at my face with a raised eyebrow.

"You tattooed his name," Fred's eyes were wide, "that's something huge, Ezzy."

"Yeah, every time he sees that tattoo he's gonna be a deadass cruel bitch." Warrant quipped.

"Don't make her anxious, you fuckers." Levi glared at them and slapped Fred on the back of his head, making him drop my arm.

"She was high, and King Alpha must have..." Levi shrugged, "went along with whatever she was doing."

"King Alpha doesn't "go along"," Chase soured, "he straight up kills."

"You must have him wrapped around your finger pretty tight." Hans mused, smirking at me.

Fred laughed, "He's whipped."

Everyone gave teasing looks in my direction including Drew.

I glared hard at all of them, "The next person who talks shit about this gets period blood on every single thing they own."

That immediately shut everybody up.

I gave a sarcastic smile, "Thank you."

I continued my normal training with Sydney. He's the only one who knows how to keep his mouth shut despite the utter curiosity glimmering in his eyes.

The headache grew and soon my arms were starting to feel weak and sore. I couldn't throw punches anymore and gasped in tiredness, sinking down to the floor.

"Man, I'm really low on metabolism today." I panted.

"Here." Warrant threw me a water bottle and I was too late to see it coming my way. The water bottle hit me square in the face and I yelped.

Fred fell on the spot, laughing at me and I seriously thought of marching up and knocking the daylights out of him. His Minion laughter brought on annoyance.

"Shit," Warrant cursed, holding a fist to his mouth, "Sorry."

I tried waving it off despite my left cheekbone throbbing immensely as I drowned a whole sip of water. Series of coughs and splutters escaped my mouth when the water went down the wrong pipe.

Sydney thumped my back while my eyes watered horribly.

"Looks like it's not your day," Drake spoke, running at an inhuman speed on the treadmill.

I suddenly felt sick and wanted to lie down, curling into myself. My head spun and I closed my eyes, taking in a few steady breaths.

"You alright, Ez?" Levi asked and I opened my eyes to see him looming over me.

I gave a nod, "Yeah,"

He asked me one more time. When I said I was alright he shrugged and went back to his training.

I stood back up and took another sip of water before continuing with my fake attacks on Sydney. I was visibly showing too much weakness which always ended with Sydney slamming my body to the ground.

After a few more years-minutes-I couldn't take it anymore and melted down to the ground, wallowing in my sweaty weak body.

"What's wrong?" Levi asked again.

"Are you okay, chérie?" Drew asked.

"I've never seen someone looking so miserable by skipping only a few days of training." Chase popped his gum.

My mouth heaved in heavy pants, "I have...no clue...why am I so tired."

"She must be still suffering from the vampire blood," Hans shrugged, "humans take time getting through it.

A couple of legs planted around my body, looking down at my weak state.

"Why don't you go back and lie down?" Drew asked, "just for today."

I didn't have the breath to even agree or disagree. I only nodded.

I turned my head to the side, taking in a deep breath when something caught my eye.

A small black mark shaped in a flower with four petals rested above an ankle. I recognized that birthmark. I would recognize it anywhere.

Because Collin had the exact same birthmark.

Before my eyes could travel up to see who the birthmark belonged to, a sudden pain bloomed within my chest making me squeeze my eyes shut and groan. My hands curled around my heart which seemed to be squeezing within itself.

Is this what a hangover feels like?

The pain intensified and soon I was panting and gasping with my legs thrashing around. My chest ripped with stabbing pain. A scream left my lips.

Voices called out my name around me, hands ran over my skin trying to soothe me. But the pain spread like a wildfire from my chest to all parts of my body until the pain was all I could feel.

Something was wrong.

Something was definitely wrong.

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Date: August 29, 2021