Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Novel

Stars Beyond Shattered Skies - Ethan Rowland 86 Summary In Chapter 86 of "Stars Beyond Shattered Skies," titled "Confusion," the story unfolds through Maximus's perspective as he confronts Soraya about Milandra, a looming threat. Soraya, visibly shaken and fearful, reveals that Milandra's shadows-dark magical creatures bound to her-are beginning to awaken. This revelation sends a chilling wave through Maximus, who realizes the gravity of the situation.

Soraya's urgency escalates when she senses that one of these shadows might be nearby, prompting her to insist that they return to the palace immediately. As they make their way back, the atmosphere is tense and foreboding, filled with an unsettling silence that amplifies Soraya's palpable fear. She insists that they must summon Milandra's spirit to contain her before it's too late, but Maximus firmly refuses, leading to a heated exchange between them. Soraya's desperation highlights the stakes involved, as she pleads with him to understand the potential consequences of inaction.

Despite her emotional turmoil, Maximus remains resolute, torn between his duty and the fear of what summoning Milandra could unleash. Upon reaching the palace, their conversation is interrupted by Lucien, who claims he has been searching for Maximus. Confusion ensues as Lucien reveals he hasn't seen Maximus since he went to see Emilia, contradicting Maximus's belief that Lucien was with him in the forest. Soraya's realization that Milandra's shadows can shapeshift heightens the tension, leading to the horrifying conclusion that one of them may have already infiltrated the palace.

The chapter ends with a chilling sense of dread, as Maximus grapples with the terrifying possibility that the shadow he thought was his ally could be lurking within the very walls of his home. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Stars Beyond Shattered Skies - Ethan Rowland** **Chapter 86 - Confusion** **Maximus's POV** "What about Milandra?" I pressed, stepping forward with urgency, the weight of my question hanging heavily in the air. Soraya's breaths were uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she had just sprinted a great distance.

Her complexion was ashen, and her gaze flitted nervously toward the darkened woods behind her, as if she anticipated something sinister to emerge from the shadows. "I was in my room," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with fear. "That's when I felt it. Her shadows-they're beginning to awaken." The impact of her words struck me like a physical blow, leaving me momentarily breathless. "What do you mean by her shadows?" I asked, my voice sharper than I had intended, laced with an urgency that mirrored my racing heart.

She swallowed hard, her throat moving with visible effort. "They are her loyal servants," she replied, her voice quaking. "Creatures of dark magic, bound to her very soul. They would do anything for her. Even in death." A chill coursed through me, sharp and biting, as the implications of her words sank in. Suddenly, her eyes darted around the forest, wide with alarm. She froze, her breath hitching in her throat. "One was here." My muscles tensed, every instinct on high alert. "What do you mean?" I demanded, my heart pounding in my chest.

She turned to me so quickly that her coat nearly slipped from her shoulders. "My King... were you here with anyone?" Her voice was urgent, almost frantic. I frowned, confusion swirling within me. "Yes. Lucien. He was with me earlier." The color drained from her face, leaving her looking ghostly. "We need to return to the palace. Now." The urgency in her voice ignited a primal instinct within me, a sense of foreboding that I could not ignore.

I wanted to press her for answers, to demand clarification, but then the wind shifted, carrying with it a faint, unsettling scent-one that did not belong to either of us. It was metallic and foul, a stench that sent shivers down my spine. It slithered through the trees, brushing against my skin like a living thing. "Fine," I muttered, my jaw tightening with determination. "We'll talk inside." Soraya nodded quickly, her hands trembling as she clutched her coat tighter around herself, as if seeking comfort from the fabric. We began our hurried walk back toward the palace.

The forest was eerily silent, save for the crunch of frost beneath our boots. I could feel her fear hanging in the air between us, thick and suffocating, like smoke lingering after a fire. As we drew closer to the castle, my unease intensified. Something felt deeply wrong, as if the very air around us was charged with an unsettling energy. "If her shadows are already coming back... we need to summon her spirit and lock it away before it's too late," Soraya said, her voice low and urgent as we approached the gates. I halted in my tracks, her words crashing over me like thunder.

Summon her spirit. I understood all too well what that meant. "No," I replied firmly, my voice leaving no room for negotiation. "My King-" "I said no," I interrupted, my resolve hardening. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path with an intensity that surprised me. "You don't understand! If Milandra rises again, nothing will stop her. Not even you." My jaw clenched tightly, frustration boiling within me. "I know what it means to summon her spirit. Do you think I've forgotten?" Her eyes were filled with desperation, pleading for my understanding.

"Then you know why we can't hesitate!" Silence hung between us, sharp and palpable, as if it could slice through the tension. In a moment of frustration, she threw her hands up, her patience fraying. "My King, you're being unreasonable! Your life is at stake-the entire kingdom is at stake! Are you going to throw that all away for-" "Watch your tone," I warned, my voice colder than the winter wind. The chill in my words silenced her. Soraya stiffened, her lips pressing together tightly. "Forgive me, my King," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "I spoke out of fear. I'm just...

worried." I remained silent, my heart heavy with the weight of her concern. I understood her fear all too well. But fear would not sway me to choose between Emilia and the world tonight. Not when I was barely holding myself together. We continued our walk in silence, the imposing palace looming ahead like a dark sentinel. Upon reaching the front steps, the guards bowed quickly and opened the grand doors for us. Soraya followed closely behind as I strode down the long marble corridor, our footsteps echoing in the stillness. We turned the final corner and entered my office.

I sank heavily into the chair behind my desk, the wood creaking under my weight. The room was dimly lit, the flickering fire in the corner casting warm, dancing shadows on the walls. Soraya settled into the chair opposite me, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her coat. For a few moments, silence enveloped us, broken only by the crackling of the fire. I leaned back, rubbing a hand over my face in frustration. "Start from the beginning. What exactly did you feel?" She hesitated, gathering her thoughts. "It was faint at first. A pulse... like a heartbeat deep within the ground.

Then I felt the darkness stirring. Her energy is old-familiar. It's as if the very air remembers her." Her gaze flickered to the window, as if she could see the encroaching darkness. "If the shadows are awakening, she's close to returning. We must prepare for-" A sharp knock interrupted her, three quick raps against the door. I straightened immediately, my senses heightened. "Enter," I called, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. The door swung open, revealing Lucien. The firelight illuminated his face, sharp and composed as always.

But the moment our eyes met, my jaw clenched involuntarily. My mind raced back to the forest-the memory of my hands slamming him against a tree, the anger that had burned through me like wildfire. "What do you want?" I asked, my tone cool and guarded. Lucien stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a sense of finality. "I've been looking all over for you, my King," he said, his brow furrowing with concern. "Where have you been?" I frowned, impatience bubbling beneath the surface. "What do you mean?

You were with me just moments ago." He blinked, confusion flickering across his features. "What?" Soraya's body tensed in her seat, her eyes darting between us. "What are you talking about?" I pressed, irritation creeping into my voice. Lucien looked from me to Soraya, then back again. "I haven't seen you since you ran off to see Emilia. I came to your room, but you weren't there. The guards said you'd gone into the forest alone." A heavy silence descended upon the room, thick with tension. My pulse quickened, every muscle in my body going rigid. Soraya's chair scraped back slightly.

"That's what I was trying to tell you," she whispered, her eyes wide with realization. I turned toward her slowly, dread pooling in my stomach. "What do you mean?" Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Milandra's shadows-they can take the form of anyone. Anything. They're shapeshifters of pure darkness. And if one was with you in the forest..." The realization struck me like a blade to the chest, cold and brutal. Then she uttered the words that sent a chill down my spine, spoken quietly, as if fearing that raising her voice might summon the very darkness we sought to avoid.

"...it means they're already inside the palace." The room fell into an oppressive stillness. The flames in the fireplace flickered violently, casting wild shadows that danced across the walls, as if echoing the turmoil within us. A deep, unnatural chill swept through the air, snuffing out the faint warmth that had lingered. Lucien's eyes stared at me, confusion etched on his face. Soraya's breath caught, her gaze darting toward the corners of the room, as if expecting something to leap from the darkness. My heartbeat thundered in my chest, slow and heavy with dread.

Because if she was right... then the shadow that had stood beside me in the forest-the one I had mistakenly thought was Lucien-had followed me home. And it could be anywhere. Anyone. Even now. Conclusion In the dim light of the office, the weight of impending doom settled over Maximus like a shroud. The realization that Milandra's shadows had infiltrated the palace sent a wave of dread crashing over him, each heartbeat resonating with the chilling truth. Soraya's urgent warnings echoed in his mind, amplifying the fear that had already begun to gnaw at his insides.

The once-familiar walls of the palace, meant to be a sanctuary, now felt like a cage filled with hidden threats. Maximus's resolve to protect Emilia clashed violently with the reality of the dark forces gathering around him. He was ensnared in a web of confusion and fear, torn between the safety of his kingdom and the haunting memories of a love that could lead to its destruction. As he sat in silence, the flickering flames casting ominous shadows across the room, Maximus grappled with the enormity of his choices.

Each moment stretched into eternity, the tension palpable as he faced the possibility that the darkness had already taken root within his closest circle. The stakes were higher than ever, and with every passing second, the line between friend and foe blurred further. Soraya's trembling hands and Lucien's bewilderment mirrored his own turmoil, amplifying the sense of urgency that propelled him forward. In that moment, he understood that he could no longer afford to be paralyzed by indecision.

With the revelation that Milandra's shadows could be lurking within the very walls of the palace, the atmosphere is charged with an impending sense of dread. Maximus, grappling with the realization that he may have unwittingly invited danger into his sanctuary, must navigate not only the treacherous landscape of dark magic but also the fragile alliances that bind him to Soraya and Lucien. Each decision he makes will hold monumental consequences, and the question looms: can he trust those closest to him, or has the darkness already begun to corrupt their very souls?

As shadows creep closer, the palace itself may become a battleground of loyalty and betrayal, where every flicker of movement could signal the presence of an enemy. Prepare for twists and revelations that will leave readers breathless and eager for the next turn of the page. Joseph King