Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Chapter 248

DAMIEN'S POV

The other cars pulled up, doors slamming as my men piled out—ten of them, sharp and ready. Maximus had sent trackers from the palace who knew how to sniff out hidden spots. We'd need them.

"Spread out," I ordered, my voice cutting through the night. "Search every inch. Look for tracks, disturbances, anything out of place."

They fanned out, flashlights slicing through the darkness, boots crunching leaves. I joined them, my senses on high alert. The air smelled of pine and damp earth, but underneath... something faint. Metallic. Blood? No, too soon for that. Or maybe I was imagining it.

We pushed deeper into the forest, branches snagging at my clothes. Minutes dragged on—five, ten, fifteen. Nothing. No signs of life, no hidden paths. Frustration built like a storm inside me.

"Dammit!" I growled, slamming my fist into a tree trunk. Bark splintered, pain shooting up my arm, but I didn't care. I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling hard, pacing in a tight circle. How could this be it? The signal led here, but there was nothing. Were we wrong? Had they moved her?

I closed my eyes, reaching for the bond again. Come on, Rose. Give me something. It was there—faint, like a distant echo—but no emotions, no pull. Just a thread, thin and fragile. She was close. I could feel it in my bones. But where?

The men called out updates.

"Clear over here!"

"Nothing on this side!"—each one twisting the knife deeper.

Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the chill. Time was slipping away. Every second we wasted, she could be suffering. Bleeding. Dying.

"Keep looking!" I shouted, my voice raw. "She has to be here!"

More pacing. More frustration boiling over. I kicked at a pile of leaves, sending them scattering. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not after everything.

Then, a shout from the east side. "We found something! Over here!"

My head snapped up. Hope surged through me like electricity. I bolted toward the voice, the others converging behind me.

One of the trackers—Leo, from Maximus's team—was kneeling on the ground, brushing away leaves and dirt from what looked like a metal hatch. It was camouflaged perfectly, covered in foliage, blending into the forest floor like it had always been there.

"What is it?" I demanded, dropping to my knees beside him.

"Hidden entrance," Leo said, grunting as he pried at the edges. "Feels like a bunker or something. Locked, but..."

He yanked harder, muscles straining. With a groan, the hatch swung open, revealing a set of concrete steps leading down into darkness. A faint light flickered at the bottom, and the air wafting up... God, the smell. Blood. Thick, coppery, fresh. My stomach twisted, fear gripping me like a vice.

"Let's go," I said, no hesitation.

The steps were steep, slick with moisture. Matteo followed close, then the others, single file, weapons ready.

The deeper we went, the stronger the scent hit—blood mixed with chemicals, sweat, fear. Alarms wailed faintly in the distance, muffled but urgent. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat echoing in my ears. What would we find? Rose, alive? Or...

We hit the bottom, a narrow hallway branching off into rooms. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, some flickering like they were about to die.

"Split up," I whispered. "Search every room. Quietly."

We moved like shadows, checking doors. Empty labs, equipment smashed. Then, up ahead, a larger room—door ajar, red light pulsing inside.

I pushed it open, and my world stopped.

Bodies. Everywhere. Mangled, torn apart, blood pooling on the white tiles. Limbs twisted at wrong angles, throats ripped open. And in the center... Rose.

She lay crumpled on the floor, naked, skin pale and smeared with crimson. Her hair matted, eyes closed. Still as death.

"Rose!" The shout tore from my throat, raw and desperate. I ran to her, dropping to my knees, sliding in the blood. I gathered her in my arms, cradling her head against my chest.

"Rose, baby, wake up."

My fingers trembled as I pressed them to her neck. Pulse—weak, thready, but there. Alive. Barely. She was cold, so damn cold, her body limp like a rag doll. Bruises bloomed on her arms, needle marks dotting her skin. What had they done to her?

I shrugged off my jacket, wrapping it around her, covering her as best I could. "I've got you," I whispered, voice breaking. "You're safe now."

The men filtered in behind me, faces hardening at the sight. Matteo's eyes scanned the carnage, piecing it together. She'd done this. My fierce, beautiful mate had fought back.

I looked up at him, my voice steel despite the storm inside. "This never happened. Wipe out everything—cameras, records, all of it. And find out who else is involved. Anyone still out there breathing who had a hand in this... bring them to me."

Matteo nodded, already signaling the team. "On it, boss."

I lifted Rose gently, her weight nothing in my arms, and carried her out. Up the steps, through the forest, back to the car.

The night air hit us, but she didn't stir. I slid into the back seat, holding her close. "Drive," I ordered the driver. "Back to the palace. Fast."

The engine roared, tires kicking up dirt as we sped off. Rose's head lolled against my shoulder, her breathing shallow. Too shallow. Panic clawed at me. She needed help—now.

I bit into my wrist, fangs sinking deep, blood welling up hot and dark. "Come on, drink," I murmured, pressing it to her lips. The metallic scent filled the car. A few drops trickled into her mouth, but she didn't swallow. Didn't move.

"Rose." I tapped her cheek gently, then harder. "Rose... wake up. Please."

No response. Her eyelids didn't flutter. Her chest rose and fell in weak, uneven breaths.

"Rose!" I shook her slightly, desperation rising. "Come on, baby. Wake up. You have to wake up."

The road blurred outside, but inside, time slowed. Her skin was like ice against mine. What if the damage was too much? What if my blood wasn't enough?

Please, moon goddess, don't take her from me.

The palace lights appeared in the distance, but it felt too far. Too late.

"Rose... please wake up."