THIRD PERSON POV
Earlier, Nikolas and Hartiie emerged from the castle as Hartiie led the way, her pace confident and purposeful while she guided Nikolas towards the castle gate.
"Are you sure this is Alexander idea?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.
Hartiie turned to him, her smile reassuring. "Of course, yor highness. I was ordered by the king himself to bring you here. It's perfectly safe," she replied, her tone convincing.
Nikolas's doubts lingered but Hartiie's words eased his concerns. He had no reason to distrust Alexander's orders, and Hartiie seemed to know exactly where she was going.
As they approached the castle gate, Hartiie called out to the guards stationed at the entrance. "We are heading into the forest, by order of The king " she announced, her voice clear.
The guards nodded, their faces emotionless and they stepped aside, allowing Hartiie and Nikolas to pass.
Once they entered the forest, Hartiie quickened her pace, her movements swift and silent. Nikolas followed closely behind, his senses on high alert as the trees seemed to close in around them.
"Hartiie, where are we going?" Nikolas asked again but this time Hartiie didn't respond, her focus is fixed on the path ahead. Nikolas's unease grew more as they continue to walk deeper.
Suddenly, Hartiie stopped in her tracks, her eyes gleaming red as She turned to face Nikolas, her gaze piercing through the dim forest. "This is a good place to die, don't you think, Your Highness?" she said, her voice dripping with craziness.
"Huh?" Nikolas stuttered, "What's going on, Hartiie? Why are you saying this?"
Nikolas's mind struggles to comprehend the transformation in Hartiie. The shy, demure maid who had led him out of the castle was gone, replaced by a creature with eyes that glowed like fire from the underworld.
Hartiie's smile grew wider, her lips curling up in a sinister grin. "You really are naive, aren't you, Nikolas?" she sneered "Following someone out of the castle without a second thought. You are like a lost lamb to be slaughtered."
Nikolas took a step back, his heart racing with fear. "But...but you said Alexander ordered you," he stuttered, his mind reeling with confusion and panic.
Hartiie's laughter echoed through the forest, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down Nikolas's spine. "Oh, I never thought this would be so easy," she replied, her eyes glinting with madness. "You are so trusting, so gullible. It's almost pitiful and pathetic."
Hartiie took a step forward but Nikolas backed away, his eyes fixed on her advancing form. "Get away from me," he warned keeping his voice steady.
Hartiie's smile grew even wider, her sarcasm dripping like venom. "Oh, Your Highness," she said, her voice heavy with mockery. "Don't be scared. It will just be quick. A little pain and then it will all be over."
Nikolas's eyes darted around the forest, searching for an escape, but the trees seemed to close in around him trapping him in at Hartiie's mercy but she showed no signs of mercy.
Nikolas's eyes widened in terror as Hartiie body tenses up for an attack. "Why?" he asked, "I haven't done anything wrong."
Hartiie's laughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down Nikolas's spine. "Being the king's mate alone is an offense," she spat, her eyes blazing with hatred. "You are a constant reminder of Alexander's weakness, his foolishness , in making humans our equals." with that she attacked, her claws extending from her fingers like razor-sharp talons.
Hartiie's claws swiped at Nikolas, her movements lightning fast and deadly. He tried to defend himself but she was too strong, too fast . Her claws ripped through nikolas top, tearing into his skin with ease.
Nikolas screamed in agony as Hartiie's claws dug deep into his shoulders, pinning him to the ground. He tried to struggle , Nikolas managed to free one arm, using it to push Hartiie away. But she was too strong, and she easily overpowered him, her claws raking across his chest.
Nikolas's vision began to blur, his body screaming in agony as Hartiie's claws tore into him again and again. He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer, that he was running out of time.
Nikolas managed to land a blow, his fist connecting with Hartiie's jaw. But she just laughed, her eyes flashing with anger and struck back with renewed energy.
"You should have stayed out of this, Nikolas," Hartiie hissed, her breath cold against his ear. "You should have just kept your mouth shut."
As she raised her claws for the final blow, Nikolas closed his eyes, waiting for the end to come. But just as suddenly as it had begun, everything stopped. Hartiie's grip relaxes from Nikolas, her claws retracting as she let out a loud cry.
Nikolas opened his eyes to see Alexander standing over them, his eyes blazing red with fury, his fangs bared.
Alexander's eyes blazed with fury as he gazed at Hartiie, his fangs bared and ready to strike. With a swift and deadly movement he flings her into the nearest tree, her body crashing into the tree with a loud thud.
Hartiie struggled to get back to her feet, but Alexander was already there, his movements lightning fast. He grasps her by the throat.
"You dare to touch my mate?" Alexander hissed, his voice low and menacing.
Hartiie tried to speak but Alexander's grip was too tight. He raised her off the ground, her feet dangling in the air as he leaned in close with a swift and deadly strike, Alexander sinks his fangs into Hartiie's neck, draining the life from her body. Her eyes widened in shock and terror as she realized she was doomed.
Alexander continued to feed as Hartiie's struggles grew weaker and weaker, her body going limp in his grasp. Finally , with a last defeated whimper , hartiie drops dead, her body hanging lifeless in Alexander's grasp.
Nikolas watched in horror as Hartiie's lifeless body slumped to the ground, He felt a mix of emotions relief, gratitude and fear . This is the first time nikolas has seen Alexander this angry even if it isn't towards him.
Alexander dropped the lifeless body of Hartiie to the ground, his eyes still blazing with fury as he turned to his mate, Nikolas. But as his gaze landed on Nikolas, he was taken aback by what he saw. Xaitar was already by Nikolas' side, helping him to his feet, and Alexander's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of Nikolas' unwounded skin. There was no sign of the brutal attack that had just occurred, no wounds or scars, only a smudge of dried blood on his shirt indicating that there had indeed been an injury before.
Alexander's mind reeled with questions , so Doctor sooj didn't lie but Instead, he simply asked nikolas "Are you okay?"
Nikolas nodded, still looking a bit dazed from the attack. Alexander didn't hesitate, sweeping Nikolas into his arms and holding him close as he begins to make his way back to the castle. Xaitar following behind.