The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 218: Infected

Esme slowly pushed herself to her feet, her breath uneven as her heart pounded against her ribs.

The demon withdrew its hand from the bed’s surface, leaving behind deep, jagged punctures where its clawed hand struck. The sight of it made Esme’s stomach twist, as the thought of what would have happened if she had been a second slower made her shiver at the horrible image.

Should she scream? Call for help?

Apparently, this was only the beginning since she had an actual demon in her chamber.

But how did it get in? She remembered she had locked every window and barred every door before she even opened the book. Hadn’t she?

In the midst of her thoughts, a low, guttural voice snapped her out of it.

"So... you are the one who possesses the blood wolf, after all." The demon’s voice dripped with pure amusement. "Ultima has been consuming too many wolf spirits. He would be delighted to know the hunt is finally over." Its hollow eyes gleamed as it tilted its head, carefully observing her own reaction. "Tell me, how does it feel to know that all these time, a wolf has been residing inside you, while the world called you wolfless? Unfortunately for you, you won’t have enough time to enjoy the truth of this one revelation. Ultima is coming for it."

The demon hopped off the bed with unsettling ease, and Esme instinctively stepped back, her body tensing as the demon prowled over. The demon was in a grotesque half-shifted state. Clawed hands flexed, while its sharp teeth were bared in a twisted grin. Its hollow eyes gleamed like pits of darkness, while its wolf ears flicked at her slight movement, attuned to every sound she made.

Esme knew better than to reason with a demon. Clearly, the one in front of her had a clear intention, and that was to end her life. Her fingers curled into fist as adrenaline flooded her veins.

Running wasn’t an option.

So she did the only thing her instincts demanded.

Casting a quick glance across the chamber, Esme immediately bolted toward the cupboard where she safely kept her blood petal. Her heartbeat pounded like war drums in her ears, and she knew the demon would lunge the moment she moved. Hence, she counted on it.

As expected, a guttural snarl erupted behind her. The air shifted violently as razor-sharp claws slashed toward her, and she barely had time to react.

Dropping low, she tucked her head and rolled, feeling the rush of wind from the missed strike just above her. Wood splintered where the claws connected instead, sending shards scattering across the floor. It knocked down tables and chairs as the demon kept going with the pure intent to end her at the spot.

Luckily, Esme reached the cupboard where her blood petal was, just as she perfectly hoped on. She yanked it open, snatching the weapon just as another roar tore through the room. A flicker of movement in her periphery was all the warning she had.

She threw herself sideways, and a fraction of a second later, claws raked across the wood where she had rested her head, carving deep, jagged grooves.

The demon whirled to strike again. But Esme was ready this time. Gritting her teeth, she slid across the floor when the demon lunged itself at her, and she skidded between its massive legs.

With a sharp flick of her wrist, she slashed upward. The blade’s serrated edge bit deep into the demon’s leg, slicing through muscles and tendons.

A pained, inhumane screech split the air, and the creature staggered. Esme watched as the demon’s blood coated the petals of her weapon, and it ignited a reaction.

The petals twisted, lengthening and unfurling into their true nature, which was a lethal whip. Esme’s eyes gleamed with something that looked like determination, and the fear the demon saw in her eyes a moment ago was no longer visible.

Few minutes later, Esme collapsed onto her knees, her breathing ragged as the strain of the battle finally caught up to her. Her gaze locked onto the demon sprawled before her, and its massive body twitched once before it stilled. The mouth of her blood petal still pierced the glowing mass on the demon’s chest— the thing she suspected was the heart.

Panting, she dragged herself to her feet, sweeping damp strands of hair from her face. She reached for her weapon and yanked it from the demon’s chest, her fingers curling around the handle.

Just when she assumed it was finally over, the night shattered.

Outside the inn, a chorus of blood curdling screams erupted, followed by deep, guttural growls. Surging forward, Esme opened her window and quickly looked below her window. Her pupils dilated at the sight of demon wolves as they filled the inn, almost like they had the entire place surrounded. Atticus and Orion were busy taking down the demon wolves that threatened to get in.

"What is happening?" knowing staying up here won’t answer her questions, Esme immediately reached for the door. When she opened it, she froze at the sight of Revana who was already standing outside, her fist raised mid-knock.

Revana’s gaze shifted to the decaying body of the demon wolf in Esme’s chamber before letting her gaze settle on Esme.

"Come with me," she said, the urgency in her voice leaving no room for argument. She swiftly grabbed Esme’s wrist, pulling her forward before she could react.

As they stepped into the chaos, Esme could hardly believe her eyes. The demon’s that were attacking still carried a somewhat familiar feature, and she recognized the innkeeper right away. The realization soon dawned on her. These demons weren’t just outsiders— they were the very people who had been staying in the inn.

"I don’t know how," Revana muttered, cutting down a lunging demon with ruthless efficiency. She moved with sharp precision, guiding Esme toward the exit. "They all got infected— suddenly, all at once. We need to get out of here fast."

"Infected?" Esme equally dodged an attack, while Revana moved to end the creature’s life. Her face paled drastically at the realization, then panic surged. "Wait, Revana— I left something important in my chamber. My aunt’s book– I need to get it."

Revana didn’t slow down. "What could possibly be more important than your life right now?" She snapped, weaving through another chaos as another beast lunged at them.

The building was already falling apart. Esme took the lead this time around, striking the demon first while Revana delivered the final blow. "Don trusted me with your safety," she continued. "Whatever’s up there doesn’t matter to me, because we’re getting you out of here first."

"You don’t understand," Esme tried to catch her breath, but there was little time for that, as more demon wolves kept lunging at them. Eventually, they had to fight side by side to make it to the exit, all the while evading falling debris.

"That book is important!" Esme snapped, turning to Revana after they had made it out safely. "I know what I’m saying, I need that book."

"Atticus!" Revana called, and a brown wolf lunged forward from the chaos. Esme’s pupils dilated the moment she recognized the wolf beside her to be Atticus. "Keep her safe."

Esme barely had time to react when Revana turned back toward the already crumbling inn filled with demon wolves.

"Wait, what are you going?" She demanded.

"What else?" Revana tsked. "Getting you your damn book." Her eyes shifted to Atticus. "Lead the Luna to her carriage, and get her out of here first. The rest of us will follow."

Atticus’ ears flattened in acknowledgement to his beta’s orders, and he responded with a single nod before turning to Esme. Before Esmeray could stop Revana from going back in there herself, the woman had already launched herself straight into Esme’s chamber with her grappling hook.