Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

1 goi nje groggily the next day, covered in sweat. It was like I was sleeping next to a furry furnace. I shoved the blankets off, trying to cool down, but the warmth still dong to me, like an invisible Ing. My heart started beating faster as pieces of the dream came back to me a deep voice murmuring sohtly, though I couldn't remember the words, and strong furry arms holding me close. It felt so real, like it actually happened.

Was someone here!

1 looked around the room. Everything seemed normal-the chair by the window, the half-open wardrobe, and the bedside lamp still glowing because I forgot to turn it off. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that I hadn't been alone.

1 got out of bed and walked to the window. The sunlight warmed my skin, but it didn't stop the chill that ran down my back, I rubbed my arms, trying to calm myself, but my mind kept racing. Why did my nightmares go away the moment I felt that warm thing in my dream! And why did it feel like more than a dream? Like it was realt

Shaking my head to clear away the weird thoughts, I decided to take a long bath. As the warm water surrounded me, memories of Sable's humiliation came flooding back, dragging my mood down again. That wolf always had a way of making others feel awful while pretending she was doing good for others.

hi got me breakfast in the room. "Lady Auren," she said, keeping the breakfast tray down. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you yesterday. Sable shouldn't have stepped out of line."

I nodded as I sat at the table. "Vivi, is BDSM a wolf?"

And she blushed again heavily. "Ah no!" she blurted. "It's something you do while having sex!"

1 blinked rapidly, struggling to process what I'd just heard. This was all about sex! My mouth fell open in shock, and heat rushed to my cheeks. Was that why Sable wore all those things-to show what it meant in sex? A startled gasp escaped my lips. "Oh. My. Goddess."

"Vivil" Tom's loud voice reached us.

Vivi looked towards the door. "Please don't

on't tell Alpha

Lucien that I told you so,"

knew my outcome, Sable's actions made me feel unhappy. Tears welled in my eyes on how everyone around me treated me as nothing more than

fresh air outside

have accepted me. But the very thought of him

Even though Lucien saw

was still

house was breathtaking, bursting with blooms in a vibrant riot of colors. A cool breeze swept through, sending a shiver down my spine as it wrapped around me. The pups were playing near the training grounds, their giggles cutting through the otherwise chilly

me of simpler times-back when I watched them playing "Help!" One of the

the world.

I saw him. A small pup, no older than six, was struggling in a shallow hole near the tree line. He looked scared, his late arms flailing as he tried to climb out. The other pups

he have claws! He can dig himself out," one okler puj said, rolling his

could catch up. "Are you okay?" I rushed and crouched beside the hole, giving the pup a

eyes, full of tears, linked up at me.

his voice trembling. "And there

help you out," I said softly, digging into the loose dirt with my hands. It wasn't deep, but his foot had gotten wedged under a roo

managed a small smile.

said, hugging the tightly. My

him safe, went back to their gaine as if nothing had happened. But as I stood and brushed off

from the packhouse steps. Their gazes were full

when they hugged him

as the father picked him up in