Chapter 45: Dream or Real?

I carefully placed Valerian's carcass on the ground, seeing that nothing was moving except for me. My hands were fidgeting, letting the turmoil of my emotions blind my whole core.

"What is happening...?"

Standing up, I even dared to approach Ismael, who was not moving. I even waved my hand in front of him to know if he would blink or not. I even drew closer to hear my second brother's heartbeat but couldn't hear anything.

"Did the time stop?" I asked myself.

However, that question had suddenly given me mice rattling inside my guts. Some cold air came to pass on my nape before I turned around when I felt a presence.

There.

A man, wearing a masquerade eye mask and an expensive suit, stood in the middle of the arena beside... Valerian's cadaver. His forefinger was on his lips, indicating that I should hush or not make a sound.

"Who are you?" My heart was pounding so fast seeing that familiar body built I had seen in my previous life. But I couldn't remember who that person was.

Who was that person? Who was that person that had the same physique as this masquerade man?

Hold on...

I knew all VIPs who could be allowed to enter the underground arena. I knew their physiques even though they wore masks and concealed their scents.

But this one... I knew he did not go here often, even if I said I did not actually come here to watch the matches in this arena.

But I sensed familiarity from this person. My heart hammered inside my chest as if someone was inside it to keep punching it so I could live longer.

The man did not answer me—his attention heed on Valerian. Folding his knees, he slightly tilted his head before he released a longing sigh.

"Not again..."

My jaw dropped, hearing that familiar baritone voice I knew I had heard in my previous life.

"You..." My lips were quivering. His voice... There was no doubt... I remembered now. "You were the rogue Alpha... right? The one who was beside me when I had my last breath in my... previous life..." That was it! That was him! I couldn't be mistaken!

The rogue Alpha! The rogue Alpha whose name was... was... Shit! I did not know his name.

He was immobilized—quickly turned his attention to me. "Dameta told me that you must not suppose to remember me..." He stood up, facing me. "That is our deal."

"Deal?" I parroted. "Dameta?" Was he referring to the woman who looked like me at that time?

"Yes. How come you suppose to remember me...?"

I couldn't utter another word. I had so many questions in my mind now that I was facing the person with me when I lost my breath. But I did not know where to start.

"Why...? And who is Dameta? And why does she look like me?"

There. The most critical questions were asked today. Finally.

"Good questions, Lilith."

My heart skipped a beat with the way he called me. I even growled, offended. "Do not call me by my second name. Only Valerian calls me that." I clenched my hand. "I appreciated that you were there on my last breath, but I wouldn't allow you to call me on the second name only Valerian could do. My second name symbolizes that he is politely showing his affection to me. And you are not him..."

He chuckled, sighing in relief. "I know, Domi... I know..." He stepped forward and halted in front of me. His familiar emerald green eyes danced in happiness before he leaned forward.

"W-What are you doing?" A quick whiff of his scent had reached my nostrils.

I smelled a familiar scent of—

"This is not the end, right? You still have something to do, Dominixe. You are not going to let m—him killed." He gestured his head, turning at Valerian.

That was the moment I started to shed tears. "Val..." My voice croaked before I collapsed on the ground, clutching my hair, not wanting to accept that everything was over. "I promise myself that I will save you this time, but why...? Why did I let you be killed again?"

This time... It was Ismael who killed him. No... I couldn't accept this.

This was not over... I just wanted to avoid everyone's miserable fates but failed to foresee everything.

I failed to see that Papa had already threatened Ismael!

I failed to see Papa notice what was going on between Valerian and I!

I failed to see my father's plans!

And I failed to protect Valerian and watched him die twice before my eyes!

Valerian... Honeydew...

The love of my life... My fiancé...

"Valerian must live! I cannot live without my honeydew!" I cried out and opened my eyes to meet the rogue Alpha's eyes. "Help me, Nic—"

"Domi!" I gasped and flinched when I saw Henry so close to me, shaking me with a concerned expression on his handsome face. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?" I was bewildered. Why was I facing Henry? And why did his clothing seem familiar? It was as if it was the time I met him for a secret meeting along with Ismael.

"Domi." I mindlessly stiffened, hearing that familiar voice that broke my whole being. I slowly turned beside me to confirm it and saw Ismael, who looked worried. "What happened to you? Why are you shouting all of a sudden?"

My jaw dropped. "You..." I was unable to express myself. I was even immobilized upon seeing my second brother and the same clothing he wore when we met Henry here in Solacia. "You..."

Before I could utter that Ismael had betrayed me, my vision was pitch dark. The last thing I heard was Henry and Ismael calling my name before everything went black.

"The time has come, my dear child..."

I woke up, hearing a divine female voice whispering in my ear. "Mother...?" I did not know why I uttered that, but I was sure it was my mother's voice. I groaned and peeled my eyes open to see Ismael and Henry. They were so close, which made me feel overwhelmed by their presence. "What the... fuck?"

They both exchanged glances before Henry snorted. "'What the fuck' is what you are going to say? Really?" he asked in disbelief. "Is she always like this in your household?"

Ismael chuckled as he helped me to get up. "Ask her personal maid." He grinned and offered me a glass of water.

I did not hesitate to drink it and held my head. "What happened?" I felt like my mind went blank. I could even feel my head being smashed into the wall.

Since when did I get to have a migraine?

"We are talking about the reports you made since you have less than three weeks before you shall attack Valerian's pack." I was horrified upon hearing that. "Then you suddenly shout some words like... 'Valerian must live! I cannot live without my honeydew!' Then you scream 'help me'... I am not certain if I am right."

Hearing Henry said those words made me have flashbacks where I happened to be in the arena and saw Valerian die—

"I need to see Valerian! I need to see him right now!" My heart couldn't stop beating fast since I wanted to confirm what had happened.

"Where are you going, Dominixe?" Ismael asked.

"To Valerian, of course!" I was about to get out when I remembered what Henry had said. "Did you say... I am making a report to you?" I turned at Henry, shocked. "Do you mean... we are in Solacia?"

"Huh? Of course, we are." Henry's forehead knitted in one place, looking at me like I had grown another head from my shoulder. "I even asked you if your brother can be trusted. Then that was the moment you screamed and cried suddenly."

His words were spine-chilling. I stepped back, covering my mouth with my hand, when the realization hit me.

What happened in that arena... That was not a dream, right? That was real! I knew it! I couldn't be mistaken!

Those events happened!

I even faced that mysterious man I knew was the rogue Alpha!

I happened to meet him again at an... unexpected time.

Then, I returned here before... that nightmare happened?

Did I... regress again before Valerian died for the second time around?

Was that it, right?

I regressed again!

I regressed again before Ismael slaughtered Valerian!

I felt betrayed at that time since I couldn't believe Ismael would dare—I paused and turned at Ismael, remembering how he killed my honeydew. "You..." Growling, I fished out my dagger and caught my brother off guard by tackling him on the floor, and choking him. "Since when did you betray me, Ismael Jackson Cantavalle?!"

"What?" he parroted. His eyes repelled while his heart was pounding so fast inside his chest. "W-What are you saying, D-Dominixe?" The wave of his voice was like tidal waves with pure uncertainty that could be easily deciphered that he was cornered. "I-I do not know... what you are... talking about?" He chuckled nervously.

I snorted, tightening my hold on his neck. Ismael coughed before I stabbed his hand on the floor. He hissed in pain but didn't shout in agony. "I told you not to make me a fool, bastard. I know you sold me off to Papa!" I said, gritting my teeth.

"What is happening, Dominixe?" Henry asked as he tried to distance me from him, but I did not let him. "Why are you trying to kill him? You said the two of you are allies?"

"Apparently, he is not, Henry..." The metallic smell of blood reached my nostrils. "This man sold me off to our father because he was being threatened that our father would kill Airene! He did not even put his trust in me and let himself be played by our father's hands!" I didn't care if I spat out what he said back before regressing, but seeing Ismael's eyes widen in horror made me confirm that he betrayed me and did something behind my back. "Do remember that I am going to kill your beloved mate before you can kill mine, you sick bastard!"

I couldn't hide my anger. My emotions blinded me. My surrounding seemed like they were bathed with blood around me. It was something I couldn't help.

My blood was boiling to the point I wanted to slaughter my second brother. I wanted to lacerate his body and gouge out his guts. Then I would slap it to his face. I would even use my claws to remove his heart from his ribcage and crush it into my palms.

The murderous traits of being an Alpha slayer were succumbing to my whole being. The anger and remorse I felt when I saw his spear pierce Valerian's back had replayed in my mind.

My wolf screamed a killing intent. This time... my wolf was aware of what had happened.

She believed that the Moon Goddess used the rogue Alpha as Her instrument to help me.

Now... I would be certain that Ismael would die here.

No mercy!

"Please... spare... me..." Ismael begged. Tears were already forming in his eyes. "Domi... please... forgive me... I would... I would not dare to... do that—"

"I shall ensure you will watch Airene be killed with my hands, Ismael! I shall make you feel how it feels to see your mate die before your eyes! I trusted you, asshole! I am going to make sure you are not going to hinder my plans because today, I, Dominixe Lilith Cantavalle, shall kill—"

My words were cut off when in an instant, someone dragged me by my collar and slapped me so hard. I growled menacingly, glaring at Henry, who did that to me.

"You scumbag! Why did you slap me?!" I pulled him by his collar. "It seems you are courting for your death, Your Highness..."

Before my fist hit on his face, Henry slapped me again. This time, it was hard that it made me snap back to reality. I grasped for breath as I collapsed in his arms.

Henry held me on my shoulders, looking at me with an icy gaze. "Are you freaking awake now, Dominixe?"

I creased my forehead. "What?" There was disbelief in his tone.

He tsked, shaking his head. "Look at what you did to your brother." Then he gestured his head, informing me that I should watch what I had done.

I hastily followed his gaze and gasped in horror upon seeing Ismael's face beaten to a pulp.

That was when I felt my blood drain my whole body, realizing I had almost killed Ismael.

"Dear me..." My breath was shaking before I clutched my hair in distress. "What have I done...?" I asked, breathless.

Dear Moon Goddess... What was happening to me?