Page 54 of Cursed Alien
“Then what changed?” Varro asked.
He glanced at Bella, drawing strength from her encouraging nod. “I encountered Bella. Her presence… awakened something in me. The part of me I thought was lost forever.”
“Impossible,” the female muttered. “The curse cannot be broken by a human.”
“And yet it is happening,” Korrin interjected, speaking for the first time. “When I first encountered him, his beast still ruled him, but now he stands before us, speaking, reasoning.”
“The beast could still resurface,” Seren warned.
Unease shivered down his spine but he kept his face calm. “As you said, the beast is still part of me. It is always beneath the surface.”
“Then you remain a danger,” the female said. “To yourself, to your human, to all who encounter you.”
“Why?” Korrin asked, before he could respond. “Even when his beast ruled, he never harmed any member of our pack. Why is he any more dangerous than any other male?”
“If he is not in control of his beast, he could become a danger at any time,” Varro said coldly.
“Have you always been in control of your beast? Have you encountered any male who could make that claim?” Korrin demanded, and after a brief hesitation the two members of the council shook their heads. “Then why is Malrik any different? I do not believe he is a danger to us. Do you want to lose a warrior and an ally simply because you refuse to believe it is possible for a cursed male to change?”
“Korrin is right,” Seren said calmly. “We have not seen this type of change in the past, but that does not mean it is impossible.”
“The bond between a Vultor and his mate is powerful,” the old female acknowledged grudgingly. “But what about his beast?”
He tensed, but Bella spoke up before he could.
“That doesn’t matter,” she said firmly. “Our bond encompasses every part of him. It will be enough.”
“It is unprecedented,” Lena muttered. “The curse has never been broken before.”
“Perhaps because no cursed Vultor has ever taken a mate before,” Korrin suggested. He stepped forward, positioning himself closer to Malrik in a subtle show of support. “We should also consider that Malrik has shown remarkable control despite his condition. The first time we met, I was the one who lost control; I was the one who attacked him. He defended himself, but he did not retaliate. When my mate was in danger, it was Malrik who alerted me, even though he was still mostly beast at the time.”
“Is this true?” the big warrior demanded.
Korrin nodded firmly. “I would not have reached her in time otherwise. He could have attacked her—or me—but he didn’t. Even as the beast, something of his honor remained.”
He gave Korrin a grateful look.
“This speaks well of you,” Varro acknowledged. “But it does not fully address our concerns about your stability.”
“I understand,” he said. “I do not ask for blind trust. Only for the opportunity to prove myself.”
Seren considered this, his expression thoughtful. “The old texts speak of trials for those seeking redemption. It is not a direct parallel, but perhaps?—”
A commotion from the direction of the village interrupted him. Malrik tensed, his beast stirring at the sound of raised voices and crashing undergrowth.
“Something’s coming,” he growled, moving protectively in front of Bella.
The other four Vultor immediately formed a defensive line, and Korrin moved to Seren’s side, ready to protect his alpha.
Moments later, a group of humans burst into the clearing—men from the village, armed with hunting rifles and makeshift weapons.
CHAPTER25
Bella’s heart pounded as the armed villagers poured into the clearing. They were led by the miller, George Hendry—a burly man with a heavy black beard who had taken over as mayor after Mrs. Jacobson left the town in disgrace. She’d never seen him look so righteous, his face flushed with indignation as he led the small mob toward them. The rifles in their hands glinted in the sunlight, cold and threatening.
“We’ve come for the Fletcher girl,” the mayor announced. “Release her at once, beasts!”
Malrik’s body tensed against hers, a low growl building in his chest. His arm moved protectively in front of her, blocking her from stepping forward. She felt the vibration of his growing rage, the way his muscles bunched beneath her fingers.
