Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Lucien POV

The council chamber of the Shadowfang Pack was stifling, filled with the heavy presence of my pack's Elders. They had serious expression, their faces weathered with age and experience and their eyes carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. I stood before them, my arms crossed, my jaw tight as they droned on about duty and heirs.

"You cannot keep delaying this, Lucien," Elder Orlan said in a sharp voice. "The pack needs an heir. Without one, we risk losing everything we've built."

I clenched my fists, the sharp points of my claws pressing into my palms. "And what happens to the woman you force me to marry?" My voice was cold, laced with a simmering anger I couldn't contain. "She will die, just like the others who died marrying my ancestors." I really wanted to put an end to this.

Elder Ryna, the oldest among them, leaned forward, her pale gray eyes penetrating. "We know the cost of the curse. But the survival of the Shadowfang pack must come first. Your power keeps us strong, but strength alone will not secure our future."

Their words were like iron chains around me, dragging me back to the nightmare I lived every day. The curse-a cruel legacy of my bloodline-had claimed every bride my forefathers had taken. On the night of the full moon after our bond was sealed, death would come for them, slowly, silent and final. Within a year they all died. How many women will die just to carry my bloodline?

It was said that centuries ago, the moon goddess cursed our Alpha bloodline for betraying love or breaking a sacred bond. Rejections happened all the time, but I don't know why did the goddess curse my forefather? What was special about that mate bond?

I turned away, pacing to the window. The moon hung low in the sky, veiled by storm clouds. "You think an heir will fix this?" I said bitterly. "The curse will take them too. It doesn't just stop with my bride."

Orlan sighed heavily. "We don't know that. There is a chance...”

"There is no chance!" I snapped, spinning to face them. "This curse is absolute. It doesn't matter how strong I am or how much the Alphas of the North grovel for my alliance. They want my strength, not my curse."

is what keeps us alive, Lucien. That's why they seek you, despite the curse. It's why we must ensure your bloodline continues. Without you, the

upsetting, not because I disagreed, but because I knew they were right. The Shadowfang pack thrived because of me—because of the power I wielded. Alphas from all corners sought my favor. Their alliances were a testament to my strength. Yet beneath it all, I was hollow,

to him, but this alliance will secure his loyalty. It is a solution that benefits us all. He has been seeking your

use for alliances built on the backs of weak

my eyes, the weight of their stares pressing on me. "If I agree, this alliance must

leaning back in

decision settled like a stone in my chest. I would take another bride, knowing her fate, because I had no other choice. I was twenty-seven already

we arrived, I noticed the pack house was bustling. Bram greeted me with a wide smile. "It's a

main hall of his packhouse. "The omega I promised," he said, gesturing toward

had golden hair that caught the light. She was small, barely reaching my shoulder, and she was trembling like a deer in headlight. Her face was soft like that of an elf, her presence fragile. She looked pale and thin as if she hadn't had

stepped forward, her scent hit me-a sweet, warm fragrance of apples that stirred my wolf. For a moment, she lifted her eyes to mine. They were gray, like that of a pale moon

thoughts. "I hope she will serve the purpose," he added like she was a commodity. He stood beside me exuding false camaraderie. His grin was tight and it wasn't difficult to see through him. This was not a gesture of goodwill-it was a business transaction, plain and simple. I

Auren, I didn't care for her fragility or her fear. What roiled my insides was the blatant manipulation behind this so-called alliance. I had no intention of entertaining this charade. Yet I had

flatly, not sparing her another

excitement. "Of course, Alpha Lucien. I'll have it drawn

turned to leave, but a commotion stopped

approached me to marry her, but I had refused not because I had come to know of her plans of divorcing me and taking away half my money in less than a month, but

being yanked by her arm by Maris's rough grip. The poor girl winced, her

a sneer. "You should be grateful for this opportunity. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as us, let alone

enough.” My voice cut through