THE ALPHA'S CURSED BRIDE

***CONRY***

"This is the third patrol found slaughtered at our borders, and still no one can give me a valid explanation!" My fist slammed against the oak table, the sound echoing like thunder through the council chamber. Shadows from the torchlight danced along the walls, shivering with each impact. "Do you all want to lose your heads?"

The gamma nearest me flinched, shoulders caving under my glare. The elders, dressed in ceremonial robes, shifted uneasily but said nothing. Their silence weighed heavier than words. Cowards. Every life lost was one of ours, yet they sat like statues.

"Speak!" My voice rumbled like an approaching storm. "Someone give me a damn answer!"

At last, the leader of the gammas cleared his throat, sweat sparkling at his temple. "Alpha... we believe the attacks are coming from the neighboring pack-Alpha Blake's pack."

My brows rose. Blake? The name hit me like a blade to the ribs. "Blake?" I repeated, tasting bitterness. "Why in the hell would he dare?"

No one moved. The silence dragged until my patience snapped. "Do we have unfinished business with him?" I demanded.

A wave of heads shook in unison, though none dared meet my eyes. "None that we know of, your highness," one of the gammas answered, voice tight.

"Then why suddenly strike my people? Did our patrols cross into his territory?" My words were sharp enough to draw blood.

Again, heads shook. No. Always no. My wolf pressed against my skin, restless, hungry for truth.

I grabbed my goblet and drained it in one pull, the cool water doing nothing to calm the fire inside me. "There's no proof," I muttered, setting the cup down with force. "For all we know, our men wandered too far. I will not risk a war on rumors."

"There was... one survivor," an elder whispered from the far end of the table, voice trembling.

My head snapped up. Finally. A lead. "Then where is he?"

The doors opened. Guards ushered in a trembling boy, barely old enough to stand without swaying. His clothes were in tatters, stained with dried blood and dirt. His eyes-wide, glassy-were the eyes of someone who had stared into death.

"Him?" I scoffed, gesturing with a sweep of my hand. "Since when do we send children to the patrol lines?"

The gamma bowed, shame all over his face. "Forgive us, Alpha. He insisted on proving himself."

A curse burned the back of my throat. That gamma would answer to me later. I leaned forward, my voice slicing through the chamber. "You were there?"

The boy's lips quivered. His whole body shook, each breath shallow. At last, he broke into sobs. "They were so fast... we couldn't fight back. Shadows in the trees. Teeth and claws everywhere. We-" His voice cracked. "We didn't stand a chance."

The chamber fell into silence, broken only by his sobs. Pathetic, but real. I studied him, searching for something useful, but found only terror.

"Useless." I waved my hand. "Take him away."

The guards dragged him out as his cries echoed behind him. I rubbed my temple, the ache burrowing deep. "Artemis," I growled, turning to my beta, "arrange a meeting with Blake. Now."

"Yes, Alpha." Artemis bowed and hurried from the chamber. Minutes later, he returned with a raven's scroll tied in black silk. His face was grim as he handed it over.

I broke the seal, scanning the words. My jaw clenched. "Blake has agreed to meet-at the boundary."

Too quick. Too willing. Trouble brewed in his readiness.

"That cunning bastard," I muttered under my breath. My wolf snarled in agreement.

"Then we go," I ordered. "If he dares play games, we'll be ready."

The boundary stank of old blood and moist soil. Mist clung to the ground, curling around our boots. I paced restlessly, my wolf bristling beneath my skin, every instinct screaming that something was wrong.

"It's been thirty minutes," I snapped, scanning the treeline. "Where the hell is he?"

A raven shrieked overhead, black wings slicing the sky. Artemis caught it mid-flight, untied the message, and passed it to me. My eyes skimmed the words, fury bubbling in my gut.

"Typical Blake." I crushed the scroll in my fist. "He's changed plans. He wants us to come to his Luna Choosing Ceremony."

Artemis frowned. "What does that have to do with us?"

"Less talking," I barked. "More moving."

***

Three hours later, we arrived at Blake's hall. It loomed against the night sky, banners snapping like the tongues of serpents in the wind. Guards in black and silver armor lined the path, eyes cold and sharp. Inside, the hall was already packed-wolves pressed shoulder to shoulder, the air heavy with the scent of wine, sweat, and anticipation.

They ushered us to our seats like honored guests, but every detail screamed of a trap. This wasn't a ceremony-it was a show of power. Blake's wolves moved with precision, their posture designed to intimidate.

I leaned back, feigning disinterest. Let him enjoy himself. A man who flaunts his strength so loudly often hides a weakness.

Bored, my eyes drifted toward a commotion near the far wall. A girl was being maltreated, her thin frame stumbling under the weight of blows. Laughter rose from the bullies around her.

She lifted her head, and in that instant, our gazes collided.

My wolf surged forward so violently it stole my breath. Mate.

My chest tightened, heart hammering in a way no battle ever had. The noise of the hall faded until only she remained in my vision. Her face was streaked with tears, but beneath them lay fire-unyielding, defiant.

I gripped the armrest until the wood groaned. Of all places... here? In Blake's den? The Fates had a cruel sense of humor.

I rose, ready to claim her then and there, but the bells tolled, drowning the moment. The ceremony began. Blake, dressed in ceremonial silver, strode to the dais. Within minutes, he marked his Luna before the roaring crowd. Applause thundered, wine flowed, and wolves howled in approval.

But my mind was elsewhere. My mate. The girl.

Slipping from my seat, I moved like a shadow, following the faint trace of her scent through the hall's corridors.

I found her outside, crumpled in the shadow of a stone pillar. Her sobs were softer now, her body trembling, but when the bullies returned-smirking, ready to torment her again-she rose. This time, she fought back.

A fist to the gut. A knee to the ribs. Fierce. Defiant. Her spirit burned bright even in the darkness.

I stayed hidden, my wolf pressed against the surface of my skin, watching with hunger and awe.

Her strength ignited something inside me-something I hadn't felt in years.

Not just desire. Possession. Destiny.

That woman is mine.