Rejected By My Cruel Alpha, Saved By My Cursed Mate

Kiera's POV

My stomach drops as the force of gravity pulls me down into the darkness below.

So this is it. After all of this, after everything, this is how it ends.

My eyes stay focused on the man up above—the stranger with cerulean blue eyes who appeared as if by magic. My mate.

I'll never have a chance to find out his name.

The thought makes something snap in my chest. It was worse than the bond breaking, worse than Damon rejecting me.

For a moment, I thought I saw him move.

No.

Then he jumped.

"No!" My scream tore itself free from my throat, but he is already lunching towards me, his body slicing through the air.

His eyes never leave mine as he jumps down, his hands stretching towards me.

He shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't die for someone like me.

But he pushed forward, bridging the gap between us at an impossible speed. His fingers wrap around my wrist and fire erupts along my skin as the mate bond snap into place. The warmth crept up my arm, into my chest.

He pulled me against him, his arms wrapped around me as we tumbled together. His body spins in mid-air and he positioned himself so he's beneath me.

"Don't!" I struggle to shake him off, but he gripped my waist harder.

"I've got you."

Then we land on the ground. The impact jolts through both of us. I hear him grunt, felt his body absorbing it. We roll over rough terrain—rocks tearing at my already shredded dress, branches clawing at my arms before we finally stop.

Pain thunders through every corner of my body. For a moment, I couldn't breathe or move.

But I'm alive. I have no idea whether that's good or bad news.

I threw my eyes open to find myself lying on his chest. "Are you hurt?" He asked, his hand cradling the back of my head.

I look down at him. Blood seeps from the cut above his eyebrow, tracing down his temple. His shirt is torn open, and I notice red angry welts across his ribs where the impact had struck him.

He took the fall for me. A stranger. My mate.

"Why did you do that?" My voice trembles. "You could have killed yourself."

His blue eyes lock with mine. "You're my mate. I would do it again."

Mate.

That one word hangs in the air between us, heavy with meaning that I'm not ready to accept.

I shook my head and pulled back. "You don't understand. I'm cursed. Everyone in my life gets hurt. You should have just let me be."

His hand shoots out and grabbed my waist. "I don't believe in curses."

"You will."

I struggle to break free from his grip, but he didn't budge. Finally, I wrench free and lurch backwards.

The world tilts sickeningly and I had to grab the the bark of a tree to steady myself. I took in my surroundings. We're at the bottom of the cliff. I can hear Grey and Tristan's wolves growling and patrolling, looking for

ways to get down the cliff.

Rain starts falling.The cold drops mix with the blood on my face, stinging the cuts.

"We have to go." The man stands, as if he hadn't just rolled off a mountain. "Those wolves will find another path down."

"Who are you?"

"Caden Blackwood." He took a step towards me. Despite being battered and bruised, he radiates strength—the sort that causes the air around him to crackle. "Alpha of Shadowmoon Pack."

Alpha.

Of course he is.

My stomach churns. "I can't go with you." I took a step back and shook my head. "I'm exiled. I'm a rogue. If you take me to your pack, it'll complicate things."

"Let me take care of that." His eyes scanned my figure. "You're bleeding."

I look down. Blood drips down my ripped dress. My back stings where Grey's claws ripped through my flesh.

"I'm fine."

"You're not." He moves closer, and I catch his scent again. The mate bond hums between us, urging me toward him even as every instinct screams at me to run. "Let me help you."

"Why? You don't know me. You don't know what I've done."

"I know you jumped off a cliff rather than letting them kill you." His jaw tightens. "I know you're strong enough to withstand a rejection and carry on. That's enough."

Tears wells up in my eyes but I brushed it up quickly. "I don't even know if I can shift anymore. My wolf is gone."

"Then I'll carry you."

Before I could protest, he sweeps me up into his arms.

"Put me down."

"No." He starts moving down through the ravine with careful, assured strides despite his injuries. "My pack lands are close by. You need a healer."

I should protest but exhaustion washes over me. My eyelids become heavy as the adrenaline that kept me running, finally drains out. My head fall against his chest.

"I'm cursed," I whisper into his shirt. "Everybody who gets close to me gets hurt."

"Good thing I heal fast." He whispered back.

My eyes drift closed.

"Don't die on me, Kiera." His arms tighten around me, pulling me closer.

How did he know my name?

The thought slips through my mind as darkness pulls me under.

For the first time in my life, I felt safe. Even if it might not last.