Alpha Knight’s Cursed Mate

NIRVANA

I’d never been to Cumbria, let alone England. The weather was chilly. Archibald castle was built on a highland with greener grass, surrounded by a moat, like one of those featured in a popular historical drama series.

It looked surreal. I expected a Dracula’s castle with a dark and Gothic theme. This one, though, was exemplary.

“Don’t show off. Stay calm, and remember we’re his guests and want something from him, even if he throws insults.”

“Is he that terrible person, Alpha King?” I asked.

“When he’s not in his mood. By the way, his guards are humans.”

We arrived at the gate after walking ten minutes from where Zarah sent us through the portal.

“Lord Archibald is expecting us,” Alpha King said, and these are my presents. He showed two cases of his wines carried by Luka and McKaye.

“I’ll assist you to his study,” the other man, older than the blonde at the gate, said.

The thick double doors cracked open. The interior of his castle was magnificent-gorgeous was an understatement. It was classic with a royal gold accent. That chandelier alone was worth thousands of dollars when it was auctioned. One thing that made it so lonely was that there were no windows.

We passed through the vast living room filled with antiquities, mostly vases and sculptures. Candelabras in gold were everywhere.

“Does silver hurt a vampire, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, honey,” Sebastien answered.

“That says it all with the gold.”

“He’s just rich. He doesn’t know what to do with his money.”

“So do you.”

He chuckled. “I have a child, and I intend to save for her future and the future of her children. Califf might have come from money, but you know our kind, we live longer than humans, and we need investments to support our living lifestyle.” When he said child, it was as if Shadow was not an adult and married.

“Please, come in.” The dark and deep voice echoed from a slightly opened door.

Sebastien walked in first, Knight and I followed, and Kailin and Dylan came after me. Luka and McKaye carried the cases of wine inside.

We expected an old or at least forties like Sebastien in a double-breasted classic suit with a pocket watch.

My jaw literally dropped. I thought Archibald would be wearing a Victorian fashion-era style, but the man looked like he had just walked out off a runway with a white shirt, wool and cashmere overcoat, dark jeans, and fashion boots. He had thick dark hair and thick, perfect dark brows. His blue-gray eyes were too good to be true.

“My friend.” He removed the scarf around his neck, dropped it on the chair, and smiled. His smile was hypnotizing as those dimples popped out on his clean-shaven face.

“Archie.” Sebastien met him in the middle as they shared pleasantries.

“These are my friends. I told you about them last night. Alpha Knight Blackwell, his mate Nirvana Thorne, and his friends.”

“Huh. Werewolves, except for the beautiful lady.” He came to me and curtsy elegantly before kissing my hand. “Nirvana Thorne.”

“Lord Archibald.” I did curtsy as well, making him smile.

I instantly felt Knight. He was tensed, his jaw clenching.

“Relax, boys, and a pretty lady. There is no need for fangs and claws around here. You need me, and I need those exquisite drinks in those boxes.” He picked up one bottle from the case and popped it. Then he went to his liquor cabinet, grabbed a liquor glass, and helped himself.

I swallowed hard as I realized what it was- the thick red liquid filled the glass in half- fresh blood.

I blinked rapidly to unsee what I had just seen. It was too late. I should have known better what he would ask in return for helping us.

Turning my head at Knight, who had his hands constantly in his coat pockets, he wasn’t impressed, or blood triggered his wolf.

The smell of sweet iron from the blood flooded the room.

“My apology, guys. Why won’t you all take a seat?” he said as he breathed in the scent of the blood in the glass before he sipped it like an expensive liquor.

Sebastien was already sitting on the chair next to the dark wooden desk.

My stomach quenched hard. It was unsettling, but I guessed this was his way to survive.

“Are you okay?” I asked Knight when he remained standing, and so did everyone.

“What’s the matter, wolves? Does this squirmy?”

“Archie, we have an important matter to discuss; that’s why we are here.”

“Ah, yes. My apology, Bastie. You’re looking for a knife, and your beautiful witch led you here. Where’s Zarah, by the way? I haven’t seen here in a while.” Still holding a glass of blood, he sat and crossed his legs before the Alpha King.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“We’re a bit in a hurry, Lord Archibald. There’s a serious matter left in the US that’s escalating fast.” Knight turned to a serious alpha that I didn’t see often. His stance remained strong, confident, and admirable.

“Is it about the virus infecting beings?” He turned in our direction.

“As a matter of fact, it is.”

“Huh.” He slightly nodded. “It is everywhere. A friend of a friend of mine in Germany rotted to death. He was bitten by a werewolf.” He pointed a finger at us. “I know your fangs are deadly, but we don’t die like what happened to him. Here, look at this.” He showed Sebastien the video on his phone.

Knight and I went to watch it. My hand flew to my mouth. I was horrified to watch a person dying, but this one was a nightmare. The man was still breathing while his skin was slowly eroding from its bone, like someone threw acid at him, corroding his body inch by inch. The flesh was melting in black and green viscous substance.

Then someone just struck a stake into the dying man’s chest, which had me yelping. Knight quickly wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face against his chest.

“Will you help us find the dagger that could kill this thing?”

“I will fight alongside you, Alpha Knight. I know this is inconvenient and unusual, but whatever you need, we will help. Our coven is at your disposal to end this plague; even after this, we could be enemies again.” He shrugged. He was not the only one who was desperate. We were, too. At least we had one common enemy.

“I agree. This is a unique circumstance. We can work this out as long as we have the same goal. But first, where can we find the dagger?”

He gazed at me and said, “You’re too beautiful to be with a wolf.” When Archibald’s words came out, a growl erupted from Knight’s chest.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m too good to be with you. No offense. And I love sunlight and beaches.”

“None taken.” He cracked up, grinning. He was really handsome, like a billionaire’s spoiled son handsome. “Let’s go.”

Kailin and the guys followed us to the secret door behind the bookshelf. How original? Then, there were steps downstairs to a dusty dungeon full of cobwebs.

“Do all of you have dungeons?”

“Probably,” Sebastien answered.

We stood before the tomb in shock.

“A catacomb,” Kailin said in awe.

“You buried your family here?” I asked Archibald.

“Yes. And the dagger you’re looking for is buried with my brother.”

“What? So you’re telling me we will dig up your brother?” I stared at him in disbelief.

“Yes. If you’re not up for that, then you may go up. I’ll let your bodyguards of dogs break into one of these graves.”

“Right. I’m not going anywhere. I just respect the dead to stay dead and buried.”

“If the dagger is the means to end this plague, I’m going to dig my brother.” He pointed at the upper deck. “That one at the center.”

Luka and McKaye began removing the stone tablet with tools.

“Just break it. I will ask someone to fix it later,” Archibald said impatiently.

They quickly broke the nameplate with their fists, pulled out the shiny dark wood coffin, and put it on top of another grave.

“Be careful. This one is my father’s.”

The guys carefully lift off the lid. The coffin just made a creaking sound. I grimaced and looked away to make sure I wouldn’t see a mummified corpse.

“Nirvana, do the honor.”

I stared at Dylan. “What?”

“You pick up, my dear,” said Sebastien. “Or if anyone wants to test the theory, feel free to take it from Lord Archibald’s brother’s dead body.”

“What am I missing here?” The arrogant, handsome vampire stared at us one by one.

Grimacing, I tentatively reached out towards the body. “Oh my God!” My eyes widened. “Is he alive?”

His brother didn’t look dead at all. He looked like he was sleeping like a sleeping beauty. Hence, the still shiny coffin.

“Chance’s sleeping. In a way.”

“How can he breathe in inside?” I stared at him. My life was getting crazier and crazier every day.

“Just take it,” Dylan insisted.

Chance, Archibald’s brother, had a beautiful gold dagger with a steel blade, not black.

I breathed deeply and slowly pulled the dagger out of his grip before he woke up. I was halfway to having it to myself, feeling the triumph in my chest, when he suddenly opened his eyes.