The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 142: Night Of The Feral Moon

As Esme and Althea exited the balcony, Esme stopped by in the room she woke up in and slipped inside, searching through the drawers and picking a fur coat.

The fabric was luxuriously thick, its warmth a welcome comfort against the chill in the air. She wrapped it around her form, the weight of it grounding her as she prepared to face what lay ahead.

Descending the staircase with Althea by her side, Esme’s steps faltered as she overheard the low voices of a group of Northern women below.

Recognizing them, she realized they were some of the courtesans from the Fang Fortress, women she’d glimpsed in passing but had never engaged with. They hadn’t exactly welcomed her presence then since she was an intruder, but while others were risking their own security to help her hide, the rest simply stared as though she was upsetting the delicate balance of their domain.

"Is it just me? Or are those cursed males actually... captivating?" the brunette murmured, casting a sideway glance at her friend who was adjusting her dress. "Have you taken a good look at them when they came in?If anything, that curse is keeping them safe from admirers. I mean, look at their leader for example... the one that led everyone during the battle."

"I heard his name is Donovan," her companion replied in a whisper, a hint of excitement in her voice. "He’s not just their leader — he’s their Alpha, and you can definitely feel his aura when he walks by. If he’s unmated, as you say... Well, I’ll be on my knees tonight, praying to the Moon Goddess to let me bear his pups. Imagine, cubs with his strength and looks."

"A whore can dream," came the brunette’s retort as she secretly eyed her friend. "You think he’d pick someone like you as his mate? Doesn’t matter, since I’m the one who has plans to get close to him tomorrow night."

She sighed dreamily as she could already imagine the moment, "It will be us under the Feral Moon. You’re aware of what happens when it’s the Feral Moon. It stirs an Alpha’s blood, making them crave... connection. And if he’s unmated, well, he’ll definitely need someone to help him through that cold night, don’t you think?"

"Tomorrow, I’ll wear my most revealing dress," her companion whispered eagerly, a playful grin lighting her face. But the woman she was conversing with looked more than ready to slap some sense into her.

"Are you blind, or simply foolish? He’s always wearing a blindfold. It doesn’t matter what you wear – he won’t see a single thing. Just leave him to me," she snapped.

A wistful sigh escaped her lips. "When he carried the new Luna into this manor, I did wish it was me in her place. Curse or no curse, I don’t care. Are we losing our mind here? We’d be risking our heads to even entertain such thoughts about an enemy of the land.

Althea, who was also listening alongside Esme, could hardly believe how brazen these Northern women were – discussing such things so openly. She itched to silence them, and it was only Esme’s firm grip on her hand that stopped her

"Ignore it, we have other important things to take care of," she murmured, managing to hide the discomfort in her voice. Althea didn’t budge, but she was glad to see that Esme, too, seemed unimpressed by their bold comments.

No one would like to listen to others speak that way of their mate, but what satisfied Althea the most was that Donovan did in fact have a mate, and he’ll definitely be spending the night of the Feral Moon with Esme. Hopefully, he ends up completing the bond and marking her so these women can put an end to their fantasies of catching his eye once and for all.

As they continued down the stairs, the gossiping women finally noticed Esme and Althea. Their facial expressions instantly switched to a mask of innocence, as though they were never gossiping about the same man everyone had poured hate on. When Esme reached the bottom of the stairs, the two women were prepared to greet her, only to be taken aback as she swept past without a glance, with her head held high.

Althea shot them a huff of disdain before following Esme.

The two women exchanged glances, finding their attitude unlikable. The brunette was the first to whisper. "She’s probably flaunting her victory as the Luna of the North. She has no idea she won’t last in this place. I doubt the king will willingly agree to make her Luna without a mate."

Her companion frowned thoughtfully before speaking, "But think about it, she might treat everyone fairly around here. We have suffered enough in the hands of Thadius. I don’t mind how she treats us as long as we’re not forced into any brutal demand. Let’s leave her and focus on the Feral Moon night. I heard Donovan has an equally attractive brother, but he’s a priest."

Their conversation faded as they followed a different route.

Esme stepped out of the manor, following closely behind Althea who led the way, but her mind was far from her destination. The two women’s bold conversation lingered, and she couldn’t ignore the implications of the upcoming Feral Moon night – a lunar event known for intensifying the primal urges of werewolves, especially those of Alphas.

With everything unfolding around them, she doubted many would even remember that tomorrow night marked the powerful lunar phase. But then, the idea of Donovan spending that Feral night with anyone else stirred a storm of emotions within her.

The mere thought had unsettled her so deeply that she didn’t even pause to return the women’s greetings, a rare lapse in her usual courtesy.

A painful ache took hold in her chest, reminding her of the bond they shared. Would Donovan seek her out tomorrow as his fated mate? She had never known what it was like to be with one’s mate under the Feral Moon’s influence, and the possibility of Donovan coming to her for any reason sent a flush of warmth to her cheeks.

Esme snapped back to the present when they arrived at a discreet door at the back of the manor. Bracing herself, she took a steady breath and knocked. The door creaked open after the second knock, revealing Leonardo’s indifferent gaze as it settled on the friendly intruders before him.

"Esme?" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

His eyes flicked briefly to Althea before he stepped aside to let them in. As Esme entered, her attention immediately fell on Dahmer who was bound to a chair, whilst he struggled with the binds to free himself.

When his eyes found hers, they widened with unmistakable disbelief.