The Alpha's Curse, The Mafia's Queen

Selena’s POV

The night was quieter than I expected.

Only the wind moved through the trees, brushing against my skin like a secret it wasn’t ready to share. The pack grounds felt different after dark—less judgment, fewer eyes. Just silence.

And him.

Alpha Kael walked beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat of his body, but not touching. Not yet. His steps were calm and unhurried, like he was exactly where he belonged.

I wasn’t.

My thoughts twisted tighter with every step until I couldn’t hold them in any longer.

“Why?” I asked suddenly, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

He glanced over. “Why what?”

I stopped walking.

He slowed, then turned to face me fully.

“Why me?” I asked again. “Why would you choose to walk with me when everyone in this pack sees me as…” The words tasted bitter. “As nothing? A human. A mistake. The girl born from a one-night encounter between a werewolf and someone who never should’ve been here.”

I forced myself to meet his eyes. “A girl without a wolf.”

For a moment, he simply looked at me. Then, as if it were the most obvious truth in the world, he said:

“Because you’re my mate.”

The air went still. My heart dropped.

“No, I’m not.” I shook my head sharply. “That’s not possible.”

“Why?” His voice stayed calm, but his eyes sharpened, studying me.

A bitter laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “Because I’m not worthy.”

The moment the words left me, something shifted in his expression—something pained.

“Why would you say that?” he asked quietly.

I held his gaze even though it hurt. “Because I don’t have a wolf.”

Silence stretched between us. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

I blinked, startled. A small, broken sound escaped me too. It wasn’t humor. It was exhaustion. It was everything I’d carried for years finally cracking open.

We stood there laughing at something that wasn’t funny at all.

Then he stepped closer—slowly, carefully, like I might shatter. My heart stuttered as he reached for my hand.

The instant his fingers brushed mine, everything changed.

A sharp, electric spark shot through my skin and raced up my arm. Warmth followed, flooding my chest and curling deep inside me like it had always belonged there. My breath caught. My pulse thundered.

It wasn’t fear.

It wasn’t confusion.

It was recognition. Like my body already knew him. Like it had been waiting.

My fingers trembled in his grasp, but I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t.

*So it’s real.* The thought echoed, soft and terrifying. *He really is my mate.*

A storm of emotions crashed over me—shock, disbelief, fear, and something dangerously close to hope. That hope scared me most of all.

Panic rose fast. I gently pulled my hand free.

“I—I should go,” I said quickly, avoiding his eyes. “My friend will be looking for me.”

“I’ll walk you back.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. My place isn’t far.”

I didn’t wait for him to argue. I turned and started walking, heart still racing, skin still tingling where he’d touched me. Each step felt heavier than the last.

But I didn’t stop.

“Selena.”

His voice halted me.

I turned slowly. Our eyes met across the quiet path. He was watching me like I was already his. A small smile rested on his lips.

“See you at tomorrow’s mating ceremony.”

My breath caught. I could only nod.

The night air clung to my skin as I made my way home, but my mind was anywhere but calm. I could still feel his touch. That warmth. That undeniable pull.

*You’re my mate.*

The words echoed, softer now, but heavier.

I reached the steps of my small house, a faint smile still playing on my lips.

“Selena!”

I blinked.

Isadora stood by the door, torch in hand, her face tight with worry and relief. The second she saw me, she rushed forward.

“Where have you been?!” She grabbed my arm. “I came out to check on you and you were gone. I almost lost my mind—I thought the night patrol took you or something happened. You’ve never been out this late!”

Her words spilled out in a frantic rush. Concern. Fear. Love.

And all I could do was smile.

“You’re always worried about me,” I said softly.

“Of course I’m worried!” she snapped, but there was no real bite in it. Only relief.

I laughed quietly.

We stepped inside, and I closed the door behind us. The quiet wrapped around me like a blanket. My body relaxed, but my mind kept drifting back to him. To the way he looked at me. To the way my entire being had responded, like it had finally found the missing piece.

A soft sigh escaped me.

“Okay,” Isadora said, cutting through my thoughts.

I looked up. She stood in front of me with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

“Where did you go? And why have you been smiling like an idiot since you walked in?”

I bit my lip, failing to hide the grin.

“Selena,” she warned, stepping closer. “You’re starting to scare me.”

I laughed softly. “Okay, okay. Guess what happened.”

“I’m terrible at guessing.”

I smiled wider. “The person who knocked earlier… was the Alpha.”

Silence.

“Wait,” she said slowly. “Which Alpha?”

I raised a brow. “The one you know.”

Her eyes widened. “Alpha Kael?”

“Yes.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

She stared at me, stunned. “What happened next?”

I hesitated, warmth flooding my cheeks again. “He asked me to walk with him.”

Isadora froze. “You went?”

I shrugged, but the smile gave me away. “He said I had nothing to be afraid of.”

She stared. Then narrowed her eyes. “So because Alpha Kael showed up, you left me alone in this house?”

“I didn’t—”

“Wow.” She placed a dramatic hand over her heart. “Betrayed. Abandoned. Forgotten.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re so dramatic!”

“I almost died of worry and you’re laughing?” She tried to look serious but failed, a smile breaking through.

I nudged her lightly. “You know you’re my favorite person.”

She lifted her chin. “I’ll forgive you. But only because I’m kind.”

“Of course,” I teased.

For a moment, everything felt warm. Simple. Safe.

Then a knock sounded at the door.

We both froze.

Another knock followed—firmer this time.

Isadora and I exchanged a look. The smile slowly faded from my face.

“Is your Alpha back to make sure you got home safely?” she whispered.

I shook my head. “No… it can’t be him.”

A third knock came. Slower. Heavier.

A strange unease settled deep in my chest.

“Then who is it,” Isadora whispered, “at this hour?”