**TITLE: The Perfect 363**
**Ella’s POV**
As the days unfolded, our secret, almost clandestine dance morphed into a habitual rhythm, a series of hidden rendezvous and forbidden encounters that felt as thrilling as they were terrifying. I found myself surprisingly drawn to this routine, more than I had ever expected. Alexander, with that mischievous glint in his eyes, seemed to thrive on our stolen moments—those fleeting bursts of joy that offered a flicker of light amidst the heavy shadows of our grim realities.
Every time Alexander and I found ourselves alone, it was as if an unspoken urge compelled us to explore one another, our hands and lips tracing the contours of our bodies as if we were trying to imprint every inch of each other into our memories. We stole kisses in closets, pressed our bodies against cool walls, and even found ourselves bent over the bathroom sink, the soft hum of the shower fan creating a soundtrack for our secretive escapades. In the midst of Alpha King meetings, we seized every opportunity to connect, to share the passion that had been suppressed for what felt like an eternity.
In those moments, everything else faded into obscurity. Despite the persistent dread of the curse, the uncertainty that loomed over us like a storm cloud, those instances felt precious and rare. They became the only times when fear receded, allowing a flicker of hope to ignite within me.
When Alexander’s lips brushed against my skin, and his tongue entwined with mine, the outside world ceased to exist. It was just us, suspended in a bubble of intimacy, a world crafted solely for our hearts.
As he held me close every night, enveloping me in his embrace so tightly that I could scarcely breathe beneath the weight of his arms, all I could focus on was the steady rhythm of his heart beating against mine, a reassuring reminder that we were alive, together.
It was a cruel twist of fate, really, to find myself on the other side of a death sentence. The irony of our roles being reversed was not lost on me. It felt like the universe was playing a dark joke at our expense.
Just a year ago, I had been the one teetering on the brink of death, consumed by thoughts of the experiences I would never have, the bucket-list dreams I had yet to fulfill, the love I longed for, and the sensations I craved before the inevitable darkness closed in.
And now, it was Alexander who faced the specter of death.
Or so I feared.
Each morning as I awoke and each night as I drifted into sleep, I clung to the hope that we could break this curse before it claimed him, just as it was threatening Liam.
Yet, with each passing day, my optimism waned, flickering like a candle struggling against the wind.
If Margaret possessed the artifacts, she was proving to be a master of evasion. Hunter had traced her to distant islands, where she, my father, and Brian had supposedly spent a night in a hotel.
But by the time Hunter arrived, they had vanished. The hotel staff reported that they checked out at the crack of dawn, having spent only a few fleeting hours in their room. The security footage showed them slipping into a taxi, heading east, leaving us with nothing but frustration and anxiety.
Hunter eventually picked up their trail leading to a train that took them to a city on the eastern coast of the island.
But after that, the trail went cold. Alexander was growing increasingly impatient, waiting for news from Hunter, but two days had slipped by without a word.
For all we knew, Margaret could have boarded a plane and been halfway across the globe by now.
We desperately wished that wasn’t the case. Whatever plans she had for those artifacts could not be beneficial, and we needed them to break the curse. There was simply no other option.
Each day felt like a countdown to the inevitable—Alexander and Liam’s impending demise loomed over us like a dark cloud.
Fortunately, Liam’s condition remained stable. The doctor assured us that his wolf was keeping his body in a state of stasis, preventing any further decline. It was a small comfort, but at least he wasn’t getting worse.
Perhaps his wolf was buying us precious time to locate the artifacts.
But could we say the same for Alexander?
He didn’t respond immediately, lost in thought.
I stepped closer, wrapping my fingers around the hand that held the tissue. “I can’t lose you,” I choked out, my voice trembling with emotion.
In an instant, Alexander closed the distance between us, enveloping me in his arms, pulling me tightly against him.
“You won’t,” he murmured into my hair, his breath warm and tinged with the metallic scent of blood. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. Nothing will separate us again. Nothing.”
With a deep, rattling breath, he added, “Call the witch.”
**Conclusion**
As the shadows of uncertainty loomed over us, the weight of our circumstances pressed heavily on my heart. Each stolen moment with Alexander felt both like a blessing and a curse, a bittersweet reminder of what was at stake. The urgency of our situation became palpable, intertwining with the affection that blossomed between us. I could no longer ignore the reality that our time was slipping away, and the fear of losing him gnawed at my very core. In that moment of vulnerability, as he held me close, I realized that love was not just a fleeting escape but a fierce determination to fight against the darkness threatening to consume us. We were bound by more than just desire; we were intertwined in a battle against fate itself.
With a newfound resolve, I understood that our journey was not just about breaking the curse but about embracing the fight for our future. The call to the witch was not merely a last resort; it was a declaration of our refusal to succumb to despair. As Alexander whispered promises of unwavering loyalty, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me, illuminating the path ahead. Together, we would confront the shadows of our past and the uncertainties of our future, armed with love and the unyielding belief that we could alter our destinies. In that moment, I knew that no matter the outcome, we would face it together, united in our love and our determination to reclaim the life that had been cruelly interrupted.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the next chapter, the tension will reach a boiling point as Ella and Alexander embark on a desperate quest to seek the help of the enigmatic witch. With the clock ticking against them, the stakes have never been higher. As they navigate the murky waters of magic and curses, they will confront not only external threats but also the internal demons that threaten to tear them apart. Expect revelations about the witch’s true intentions and the shocking connection she may have to their pasts, which could alter the course of their destinies forever.
As Ella grapples with her fears of losing Alexander, she will be forced to confront her own vulnerabilities and the sacrifices she is willing to make for love. Will she find the strength to face the witch, or will the fear of the unknown paralyze her? Meanwhile, the elusive Margaret looms in the background, her motives more sinister than anyone could anticipate. The chapter promises to unravel secrets that could change everything, leading to unexpected alliances and heart-wrenching choices that will leave readers breathless. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as the battle against the curse intensifies, and the line between love and sacrifice blurs.

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