Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Signs of Change

As they exited the forest, Richard stumbled slightly, his breathing labored. Ahcehera turned to him sharply, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Richard, are you alright?” she asked, her voice tinged with urgency. Was he injured?

Richard waved her off, his face pale. “I’m fine. Just a little… tired.”

Something’s not right about him. But Ahcehera wasn’t convinced.

She felt the sudden spike in his aura, a suffocating wave of darkness that seemed to cling to him like a shroud. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong with Richard.

“No, you’re not,” she said firmly, stepping closer. “Your aura… it’s unstable. This isn’t just fatigue.”

Richard opened his mouth to protest, but a sharp jolt of pain coursed through him, and he dropped to one knee, clutching his chest. “Damn it…” he hissed, his voice strained.

Without wasting another moment, Ahcehera summoned her hovercar steadying him as she guided him onto it. “Hold on,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

She directed the hovercar toward her exclusive villa in the suburbs of Agartha, a secluded property she rarely used but maintained for emergencies.

The journey was silent except for Richard’s labored breathing and occasional groans.

Ahcehera’s thoughts were racing, attempting to put together what had led to his abrupt collapse.

When they arrived, Ahcehera wasted no time. She activated the villa’s protective barriers and guided Richard inside.

With large windows that let in natural light and a serene interior with muted soft colors, the home was modern and clean.

She helped him to the nearest couch, gently easing him down. His forehead was damp with sweat, and his usually sharp eyes were clouded with pain.

“Stay here,” she said, grabbing a blanket and draping it over him. “I’m going to prepare something to stabilize your aura.”

Richard barely managed a nod, his body slumping against the cushions. Ahcehera moved swiftly to her alchemical cabinet, pulling out vials of rare herbs and essences.

Her hands worked quickly, mixing a potion designed to soothe dark energy imbalances.

As she returned to his side, she noticed the dark aura around him growing thicker, swirling ominously like a living entity.

Her heart clenched. This wasn’t normal, something had triggered this, and she needed to find out what.

“Drink this,” she said, holding the vial to his lips.

Richard groaned but complied, swallowing the bitter liquid with a grimace. Almost immediately, some of the tension in his body eased, though the dark aura still lingered.

“Ahcehera…” he rasped, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here,” she said, kneeling beside him. He was no longer addressing me distantly. Strange.

His hand reached out weakly, brushing against hers. “It’s… inside me. The darkness. It’s stronger now. I don’t know how much longer I can fight it.”

Fight what? Her eyes softened, but her resolve hardened. “You’re not fighting it alone. Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out. I promise.”

Richard’s gaze met hers, a flicker of gratitude in his pained expression.

Ahcehera stood, her mind already working on a plan. She needed to uncover what had caused this surge in his dark energy. The chanters? The portal? Something deeper?

One thing was certain, Richard was at the center of something far more dangerous than either of them had anticipated. And she would do whatever it took to protect him.

As Ahcehera stood deep in thought, a low growl rumbled from the couch. Did he just…

She turned sharply, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Richard’s eyes, no longer their usual deep purple but glowing with a feral, golden intensity.

“Richard?” she called cautiously, taking a step closer.

He didn’t respond with words. Instead, his body tensed, and his breathing became heavier. A guttural snarl escaped his lips, sending chills down her spine. Will he shift into his wolf form?

“Richard? Can you hear me?” Ahcehera realized what was happening. His werewolf genes, triggered by the surge of dark energy, had taken over his consciousness.

His wolf was in full control now, and its primal instincts were unmistakable, it sought to claim its mate.

“Damn it,” Ahcehera muttered, quickly backing away as Richard rose from the couch, his movements predatory and deliberate.

“Ahcehera,” he growled, his voice a deep, rumbling mix of man and beast. “Mine.”

Her heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Richard, fight it,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “You’re stronger than this. Don’t let the wolf take over.”

But her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Richard lunged toward her, his speed blinding.

Ahcehera barely managed to evade him, summoning her mental power to create a barrier between them. I can’t hurt him or I will feel it too.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” she warned, her hands glowing with energy. Please regain your sanity!

The wolf snarled in response, pacing like a predator circling its prey. Ahcehera knew she had to act fast before he lost himself completely.

Summoning the enchanted chains she kept for emergencies, she waited for the right moment.

When Richard lunged again, she sidestepped and flicked her wrist, the chains snapping around his wrists and ankles with a metallic clang.

The wolf roared in anger, thrashing against the bindings with terrifying strength. I’m sorry, but I have to do this…

The chains glowed faintly, powered by Ahcehera’s mental and light energies, but even they strained under his relentless struggle.

“Richard!” she yelled, her voice trembling slightly despite her efforts to stay composed. “This isn’t you. I know you can hear me. Fight it!”

His glowing eyes locked onto hers, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a flicker of recognition. But the wolf growled again, straining against the chains with renewed vigor.

Ahcehera knelt before him, her hands trembling as she placed them on his shoulders, sending a calming pulse of energy through the chains and into his body.

It was risky, too much force could hurt him, but too little wouldn’t break through the wolf’s frenzy.

“You’re stronger than this,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “Richard, you’re not just a wolf. You’re you. Come back to me.”

The wolf stilled slightly, his breaths coming in ragged pants. Ahcehera could feel the dark energy swirling within him, feeding his primal instincts.

She focused her power, sending soothing waves to counteract the darkness.

“Remember who you are,” she whispered. “You’re not a beast. You’re my mate. And I need you.”

For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of Richard’s labored breathing. Slowly, the golden glow in his eyes began to fade, replaced by the familiar deep purple irises.

“Princess…” he rasped, his voice hoarse and trembling.

She released the chains, catching him as he collapsed into her arms. His body was heavy, his energy spent, but he was himself again.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.