I Married The Villain Alpha

Atlas's POV

"Please, spare him! Please!" My mother's voice trembled, pleading fervently, her hands clutching desperately at the man who would decide my fate.

Her eyes were wild, swollen, flooded with tears that dripped down to mingle with the blood that stained the floor. The blood of my father.

The red pooled around his torn body, soaking into my bare feet, the metallic scent suffocating.

"Take me instead!" she cried, pressing herself into the man's unforgiving grip. His green eyes glowed coldly under the moonlight pouring through the window, casting an eerie shadow over everything.

I stood, dazed, numb, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear her voice. I tried to piece together what was happening, yet everything blurred, slipping through my mind like sand.

*Why was she pleading so desperately? Why was my father lying in his own blood, eyes vacant and unseeing? Why were my own hands bloodied, trembling?* I tried to remember, tried to pull the threads together, but all I could recall was darkness. I'd blacked out.

"This boy killed my brother!" the man roared, his finger leveled straight at me. "Why should I spare his life?" His glare pierced through me, unwavering, full of disgust. I felt a wave of shame crash over me, something I couldn't understand. "Was it me?... Did I do that to father?"

"Please," my mother begged again, her voice a broken wail. "Noah would never do such a thing. Please…he's just a boy."

But her words were like ashes in the wind, scattered by his fury. "He's a monster," he snarled.

I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but my body refused to move. My lips stayed shut, frozen.

I felt something twist deep inside me, a coldness that spread like poison. "Why did I feel hollow, like there was something missing, something I should remember but couldn't? "

"Take him!" the voice finally decreed.

***

"Atlas!"

The voice dragged me from the nightmare, slicing through the fog clouding my mind. My eyes shot open, and I sat up, sweat slicking my skin.

My heart was racing as if I'd run a race, each beat pounding against the echoes of my mother's cries, the image of my bloodied hands refusing to fade.

"Atlas," a voice said again, closer this time. Kaleb, my second in command and aide. His face hovered above me, brows drawn in concern. "You were mumbling and panting in your sleep."

I ran a hand over my face, breathing heavily. "The nightmare…yes," I muttered, the words thick on my tongue.

I tried to ground myself, but questions gnawed at the back of my mind, as relentless as ever.

Kaleb's eyes searched mine. "The same one?"

"Always," I said, my voice a bare whisper. Part of me wanted to ask him, to confide in someone about the fragments of memory I had from that night.

To tell him how I sometimes feared I might be guilty. "But what would he think of me then?"

I cleared my throat. "What's the status report?" I asked, forcing myself to shake off the lingering haze.

Kaleb hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but finally nodded, taking the cue. "The men are ready to depart. Everything's packed."

"Good." I moved to stand, swaying slightly as my vision swam. Kaleb reached out instinctively to steady me, but I waved him off.

"I'm fine, Kaleb," I insisted. "I've been fighting for months. I can handle a little sleep deprivation."

We stepped out of the tent, the crisp dawn air hitting me like a slap, and for a moment, it felt like I could breathe again.

But even then, the familiar metallic scent of blood from the battleground lingered, stirring memories better left buried.

"The king wants a personal report," Kaleb reminded me as we approached the assembled soldiers.

"I know. Simon sent a letter." My jaw clenched involuntarily at the thought of Vincent.

Despite everything I'd done, every battle I'd won in his name, his shadow loomed over me, judging, expecting more. "Just like that night…"

As we neared the horses, the soldiers greeted me, their faces haggard but lit with pride. "General!" they called, their voices filled with respect.

They had fought valiantly under my command, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of responsibility toward them.

I straightened, speaking with a voice clear and steady, burying every doubt, every shadow behind a mask of command. "We ride back today, men. We fought well, for the honor and glory of Estoria."

"For the glory of Estoria!" they echoed, their voices resonating with victory and loyalty.

"Then let's go home." I mounted my horse, nodding to Kaleb, and with a final glance at the men, I spurred forward, leading the way.

Days later, we finally reached the capital's border. I knew that soon, I'd stand in front of Vincent, recounting our victory while he bared the leash he controlled me with.

The border stretched out before us, defined by a horizon ablaze with the hues of eternal sunsets, casting long, haunting shadows over the land.

At the kingdom's edge, a vast, untamed forest rose, its towering trees thick with centuries of growth, their branches twisting like ancient sentinels.

The gates of the border stood imposing, crafted from iron and adorned with the kingdom's sigil, a symbol of strength and protection.

Scattered across the borderlands were small, fortified towns, where soldiers and watchmen kept a vigilant watch, ensuring the kingdom's safety against the unknown that lay beyond.

We dismounted near the central square, where a few villagers still lingered, exchanging hushed words in the fading light.

The townsfolk knew to keep their distance, respectful of the soldiers.

As I looked around, I saw familiar faces old comrades, fellow warriors from different packs, waiting for orders, ready to head to their respective homes.

Some of them spoke quietly to their families who had come to greet them, while others simply sat and rested, their exhaustion written across their faces.

Turning to Kaleb, I spoke, my voice firm. "Gather the men. Tell them to go home."

He hesitated, his brow furrowing. "What about the king's orders?"

I shot him a glance, cold and decisive. "Don't worry. I'll handle it myself. You've earned your rest." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "Besides, I'm the one Vincent wants."

"But-"

"Are you disobeying my orders?" I cut him off, my tone sharpening.

Kaleb swallowed, his shoulders stiffened, then he bowed slightly, understanding. "Understood, sir." He turned and left, heading to address the men.

The sound of the men cheering at the news filled my ears as I went further and further away back to the entrance of the border.

As I passed through the border, the thick forest loomed ahead, dark and silent, its shadows stretching like claws. I entered its depths, the trees closing in around me.

The further I ventured, the thicker the forest grew. The air grew damp, heavy with the scent of moss and decay. Finally, I came upon a small clearing where a stream ran through the center.

In the distance, a wooden hut stood, half-hidden by the trees. Crossing the stream, I approached the hut, the creaking of the door echoing as I pushed it open.

Inside, Damien was seated, his hands clasped in his lap, eyes wide with fear. He stood as soon as he saw me, his breath catching in his throat.

"You're here," he managed, his voice betraying his terror.

I didn't move, allowing the silence to stretch between us, the weight of my presence filling the small room.

"Yes," I replied, my voice calm, controlled. "Do you know why I spared your life?"

His eyes flickered nervously, as if searching for an answer. He took a slow breath, trying to compose himself, but his fear was palpable, making his attempts at bravado feel pitiful.

I stepped closer, my gaze cold. "You made a mistake challenging Estoria. You paid for it on the battlefield, but I spared you because I have use for you… and your army."

His voice trembled as he spoke. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I said, my voice lowering, "that you and your men, now belong to me. You will answer at my call, understood?"

He stood silent, his body stiff, as if weighing his options.

I narrowed my eyes, my patience thinning. "Do you understand? Or should I make myself clearer?" I let the threat hang in the air, my eyes locked on him, daring him to challenge me.

He faltered, his face paling as he took a shaky breath. "Y-Yes," he stammered, his voice barely audible.

"Good." I leaned back, my tone final. "Now go. Before I change my mind about letting you live."

Damien bowed his head, his eyes still filled with dread. Without another word, he turned and fled the hut, leaving me alone in the silence

Memories from the haunting night flooded my mind again. My mother's voice rang in my mind, sharp and desperate, as it had been that night, echoing through the years.

"You must take your place back, Noah.

Promise me!" Her withered fingers had clutched my arm, her tear-streaked face contorted in agony.

An ache spread through my body, seeping into my bones as my reminded me of what I had to do. "You must kill Vincent!"