Page 46 of Cursed Alien
“I’ve seen many impossible things,” Bella replied, her voice steady. “Including a beast who remembers being Vultor.”
The other young warrior stepped forward, his stance less threatening. “Is this true? You remember?”
He nodded stiffly. “Pieces. More… with her.”
The patrol exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them. The leader finally sheathed his weapon, though his posture remained alert.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To see Agatha,” Bella answered. “I think my father is staying with her because he’s been ill. We need to check on him.”
At the mention of Agatha, the patrol relaxed further. One of them even smiled faintly.
“We can escort you,” the leader offered, his gaze fixed on Bella rather than Malrik. “These woods can be dangerous for humans.”
The offer, innocent as it might be, sent a surge of possessive rage through Malrik. His transformation accelerated, his beast rising to the surface with a roar that echoed through the forest. He stepped between Bella and the patrol, fur bristling, teeth bared.
“Mine,” he snarled, the word barely intelligible through his elongated jaw.
The patrol tensed, hands returning to weapons, and his anger increased at the threatening gestures.
“Malrik.” Bella’s voice cut through his rage as she placed a gentle hand on his arm. “They’re just trying to help.”
Her touch anchored him, slowing his transformation. He breathed deeply, struggling to rein in his beast.
“We don’t need an escort,” she told the patrol firmly. “But thank you for the offer.”
The leader studied them both, his expression unreadable. “Alpha Seren should know of this,” he said finally. “Malrik’s return—and his… condition—is a matter for the council.”
Malrik tensed again at the mention of Seren. Fragments of memory surfaced—a younger Vultor male, serious and stern, one of the few who had earned his respect before the curse.
“Will you meet with him?” the warrior added.
This time the question was directed at both of them, an acknowledgment of their bond that Malrik did not miss. His beast wanted to refuse, to take Bella and retreat to the safety of his keep, but his emerging Vultor side recognized the importance of this moment.
“After Agatha,” he managed, the words coming with effort.
The leader nodded. “We will send word to Seren. He can meet you at the healer’s dwelling.”
Bella squeezed his arm in silent support. “Thank you,” she told the patrol. “We appreciate your understanding.”
The warriors backed away, still watching him warily. “The old path will take you directly to Agatha’s,” one of them said. “It’s faster than following the stream.”
With that, they melted back into the forest, though he knew they would not go far. They would observe, report back. His return would be known to the entire pack before nightfall.
As they resumed their journey, he found himself caught in a storm of conflicting emotions. Fear of rejection warred with a newfound desire to find a place amongst his kind. Shame over what he had become battled with pride that Bella had claimed him as her mate before others.
“Are you all right?” she asked after they had walked in silence for some time.
“Yes,” he said, surprising himself with the truth of it. “I am… beginning.”
“Beginning what?”
He looked down at her, at the small female who had somehow found the male beneath the monster, who had chosen to stay even knowing what he was.
“Beginning to remember,” he said. “Who I was. Who I could be.”
She smiled, reaching up to touch his face. “I like who you are right now.”
