True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 242

“Don’t touch it, you’ll die.”

I clicked my tongue as I watched Niall take the cup full of blood. He smirked, seeing my dull expression.

“Want to have a taste?” he offered, tilting the cup, but I ignored him. He laughed with his lips closed while I gazed up at the woman hanged above in this vast underground expanse.

Blood oozed from the little and big lashes across her naked body. The blood in Niall’s cup, which he was now drinking as if it was an expensive wine that was worth an entire country, was squeezed out of this woman.

She was not the same woman I’ve seen a week ago. I wasn’t even surprised. Staying in this place had already turned my stomach too many times.

Hendrik… was a total dystopia.

“What happens to them once they served their purpose?” I asked casually, blinking, before setting my eyes at the man across from me. “You bury them? I hope.”

He licked the blood on his lips. “Well, they were used to feeding the animals.”

“…”

“Isn’t that better? They were useful till the end. I drain their blood then feed their flesh to the animal, which my people will butcher to eat.” He shrugged playfully, not even bothered by his remarks. “They are contributing to the empire for fighting the famine.”

“You’re sick.”

“Am I?” he laughed as he looked up, bearing the same smirk. “Well, I was born as a bloodsucking monster. Blame it to the one who let our kind exist.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line and sighed. “Finish that cup and let’s go.”

“Oh? You’re waiting for me?” he smiled as he cast me a delighted look. “You’re the sweetest.”

“Think whatever you like.” I waved and shook my head, prompting my way out of this place. As I did, I heard him chuckle and only followed me after a minute, like usual.

My first week in this place was nothing but revelation and enlightenment. Niall had everyone in this place under his control. No one opposed him. That was because everyone was under his spell.

That was why, even though his orders were inhumane, no one would stop him. The reason I was keeping him busy. He had done nothing crazy so far, but this was Niall. Our relationship might appear friendly and peaceful, but it was only a matter of time before we both try to kill each other.

‘I can’t find the witches,’ I thought, slowing down in my tracks. ‘I wonder where he was keeping them.’

This was the only downside of my stay. I was keeping a close eye on Niall, and he was also doing the same. During my week’s stay here, he took me to this place three times, including this visit.

“Still want to find where I am keeping the witches.” My thoughts abruptly stopped when he bumped his shoulder against mine. “Ask me nicely, and I might tell you where.”

I frowned. “Where?” turning my head toward him.

“You’re surprisingly gullible.”

“Stop teasing me. You’re not cute and it’s not funny.” I clicked my tongue and hastened my steps until I reached the exit, entering an empty hallway. Niall kept a close distance from behind me.

“Are you sure you want to leave me?” his voice suddenly sounded distant as I waltzed through the hallway. I looked back, only to see him stop walking.

“No,” came out a blunt reply while sizing him up. “I had indulged with you and I know you will not leave me alone. You already made sure I know you will not leave me alone. Why are you still acting so dramatic?”

Niall frowned while tilting his head to the side. “Rinnie, you… really want to see the witches?”

What sort of stupid question was that? I had already made it obvious. Even what I planned to do with it.

“Let me show you.” My brows rose as he tilted his head. “My farm, I mean. I’ll show you my farm.”

A strong sense of dread suddenly crept up my spine as I looked into his eyes. There was nothing. Unlike the past several days I was with him, his eyes were… empty.

“Don’t you want to see it badly?” he asked when he received no reply from me.

“Niall,” I called as I took a step forward. He stood still.

One step was followed by another until I was sprinting back to him. When I reached his vicinity, I planted my palm on his chest and tapped it.

Niall blinked, and the life in his eyes returned. The space between his brows wrinkled, gazing down at my hand on his chest.

“The drink made me a little sleepy,” he confessed, raising his eyes to meet mine. “Why did you do that?”

“I…” I awkwardly retrieved my hand from him. “… don’t know.”

That was the truth. Just now, Niall wasn’t the person I was talking to. I couldn’t say it wasn’t him and he was possessed. But after spending a week with this man, I understood he wasn’t entirely crazy. It was a total irony of the dread that was reigning over the empire and ridiculous to even think about.

However, that persona… was something I stopped from coming out. Every addition of power from the blood of witches… would kill him completely and become nothing but evil. That was why I had been trying to find the witches but to no avail.

“You could’ve taken advantage of it.” He pointed out, eyes glinting menacingly. “That state, I mean.”

“Stop drinking the witches’ blood,” I expressed sincerely, staring into his eyes. “Was it so hard for you to give this ambition? Even if it means killing yourself and getting devoured by darkness… can’t you give up?”

“Did you give up?” he answered my question with a different question. “When the wolf devoured you, did you also give up?”

“It wasn’t easy, but I did.”

“Thanks to his other half.” He rocked his head lightly before he took a step back. “You and I are different. I would appreciate it if you didn’t interfere with me the next time.”

Niall warned in a light tone as he pivoted on his heel, turning his back on me. When he started walking away, he waved and spoke.

“The witches are held in Azazel’s room.. Good luck finding them.”