The Beta's Regret (Eden and Eros)

(Eros Pov)

I was subconscious.

It felt like I was asleep, but I wasn't; at the same time, I wasn't awake and felt like whatever was happening was not real.

At first, there was total darkness, and then suddenly, I heard a low growl, like that of an animal.

Suddenly, I was no longer in the coffin. I stood alone in the middle of a dark abyss, but I could see myself clearly. It was like there was a spotlight on me alone.

Soon, I felt another presence behind me.

I turned immediately but didn't find anyone there.

The growl came again from behind me, and I turned to see what it was this time, but I still didn't see anything.

I felt uneasy.

Despite how tightly strung my nerves were, I couldn't panic. I knew whatever was trying to hide itself from me would sense my desperation if I did, and that was the last thing I needed.

"What are you? A coward?" I sneered. "Why don't you come out and face me?"

There was no response.

Then the growl came again. I turned around.

Still, nothing.

The growl was like a shadow; it followed me.

"Don't hide. Show yourself." I shouted. "Or are you scared?"

"Scared?" I heard a deep throated chuckle. "Why would I be scared of myself? I am you."

I frowned. "I don't know what you are talking about. Where the hell are you?"

A short pause, followed by a fierce roar.

Slowly, a figure came into visibility.

I frowned. I stared at my face.

It was me, or rather, something that looked like me.

"What are you?" I asked quickly.

I looked at the figure in surprise. It was another version of me, but different. The eyes glowed a dark red. The claws were sharp and stained with blood. Scars ran down different parts of his bare chest, and the smirk on his lips said it all. He was not here to have a friendly conversation.

"I am you. I already said so." my other self replied.

I narrowed my eyes on him.

"This isn't who I am." I snapped. "You look-"

""Evil?" He rolled his eyes.

"Yes."

"Does that also mean you are evil?" He chuckled.

"I told you, we are not the same person." I stepped back.

He growled. "You can't hide me forever." Even though he was right in front of me, I heard his voice like a whisper in my ears. "Unleash us to the world. Let everyone see what we are capable of." His voice was seductive, like poison in my mind. "Use me, and I will show you what true power means."

I frowned. "What power?"

"To dominate the world. Your power will be beyond the shores of this realm and beyond. We will be a storm, sweeping across the world. You will be more powerful than your father ever was."

My fists balled. "My father was a monster."

"No. He was a powerful man. I can show you such power too. We can start up a storm together."

"What storm?" I felt my stomach clench.

"A raging storm. We will destroy anyone who stands in the way of our happiness. Anyone!" He roared.

"No." I shook my head and balled my fingers tight. "You have no power over me. This is not who I am, and I will not succumb to evil. I have a responsibility to protect, not destroy."

"Fine. I will let you have control; just let me in. Sooner or later, you will come to accept that we are not so different from each other."

"We are different." I spat.

"Don't delude yourself." He said.

"I'm not. I must protect Eden at all costs. And I will not destroy what I love because of power or blood thirst." I said harshly.

"Eden?" He scoffed. "She's like a dog in heat. She does not love you."

"I took a threatening step forward, and in an instant my hands collided with his face. My blood boiled hot at the insult hurled at my mate. "Don't you dare." I warned.

He laughed harshly, and worked his jaw, loosening his muscles, and "she has blinded you. Love will only make you weak She will use you and then dump you for another. She doesn't love you. She secretly wishes that her first mate never rejected her. She craves his love."

I knew all that he said was a lie, but somehow I felt hurt by every word. I wondered if it could ever be true that Eden doesn't love me.

"Love is not weak." My voice cracked a little. "Eden loves me as much as I love her. I will not allow you to get into my head. I refuse!"

As soon as I said those words, my eyes snapped open, and I saw the wooden coffin staring back at me.

The lid suddenly opened, and light shone on me.

I crossed an arm over my eyes and blink quickly as I slowly sat up in the coffin.

I pulled my arm away, and looked around.

Thirty days was over.

The first person I saw was a very excited Susie and the woman who led me through the cave the last time.

The twelve elders were in the same position they were when I entered the coffin thirty days ago.

"It is done. Now, you will be free from whatever evil lurks around you." one of them said.

I felt strange. Į slowly got out of the coffin. At first wobbled a little as my knees grew weak from lying in one position for a long time. I felt a little dizzy, then suddenly, my body buzzed with a strange kind of electric energy, like I suddenly

possessed powers I never had.

I regained strength and stood boldly before the Elders.

Another elder spoke up. "Now that you have been fortified and ready to serve the throne, the crown awaits you. But no king must rule alone. You must bring your mate to be crowned Queen along with you." "I will." I answered softly.

"Leave now." They ordered.

I turned and walked away. I quietly walked out of the cave and took a deep breath.

A sound alerted me to someone's presence behind me, and I turned sharply.

Susie looked at me with a ready smile.

"You did great. Now you'll bemore powerful, unstoppable."

I nodded. "What are you still doing here?" I thought she would have bolted out of here by now.

"I was waiting for you. I wanted you to complete the ritual and make me your queen," She stepped forwarde boldly. "Choose me, Eros. That is the

reason why I stayed with you all through the process till now

"What do you mean?" I frowned.

-QUMS

"I will make a far better queen than Eden." Susie said more seriously.

I shook my head. "No Susie. Eden is my mate. And she is the best queen I would ever ask for."

"She is nothing!" Susie snapped. "I'm better than she will ever be."

She snarled and growled in a low tone, the anger in her voice deepened. "You have made a wrong decision, and you will forever regret this because you have decided to cling on to a worthless woman."

My blood boiled, and a rush of anger moved through me.

In an instant, I grabbed Susie by the neck, my hands tightened against her throat as her eyes widened in surprise.