Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Chapter 167

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Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Matt POV

The ceremony of my ascension as the Alpha of the Everflame pack was short but significant. I stood before the pack as the Shaman carried the ritual.

He was surprised to see me taking over, but he smiled and said, "I'm so happy that you are taking over as the Alpha of the Everflame pack, Matt. Alpha Magnus loved you a lot."

口

The mention of his name brought back so many childhood memories that a lump formed in my throat. I swallowed it as I gave him my hand. He sliced it with a knife and allowed my blood to drop in a sacred bowl in front of Veles's statute. Once the bowl was half-filled, he asked every pack member in the clearing to add their drop of blood to it. When finally every pack member did it, the Shaman offered it to Veles. As the blood dropped on his feet, and disappeared in the ground below, connection with the pack members slammed into my chest. It felt heavy, like I was weighed down with a thousand responsibilities deep inside.

The Shaman raised my hand which was already healed, and said, "Your new Alpha, Alpha Matt!"

The crowd started cheering for me. My parents watched me with pride in their eyes. And I knew that from today onward, I would concentrate on what was ahead of me instead of dwelling in the stupid, ugly past.

My parents left soon after. Though Tulip was with me for the ceremony, I asked her to leave because I wanted to focus on my pack's business. Being Alpha was what I had to do. Over the next few months, I did my job well. I handled everything efficiently. But handling relationships? That was another story.

Girls constantly threw themselves at me, admiring my status, my looks, my power. It was thrilling. They wanted me, and I think I wanted them. There was a new girl every night I was alone-brief moments of escape from a feeling that I wasn't able to escape. Was it loneliness? Ah no! I couldn't be lonely. There were so many things to do.

Sex had become a great distraction from my pack business. It was tiring to be an Alpha. There was so much to do all the time. Yet, there were answers I was searching for, always. But what were the questions?

7

years later.

years as an Alpha had felt like a blur, and in others, it had dragged on endlessly. My pack had flourished under my regime. Alpha Lucien had generously donated to us and he helped us on many fronts. However after three years, I asked him to stop with his help because we were

I was stuck. Like I was on autopilot, trapped in a loop that I couldn't break. I had everything I had ever imagined. Tulip finished college and joined me. She was a

an Alpha, the kind of girl every pack member expected me to settle with. Easy to talk to, always smiling, always eager to please. After she

glass in my hand, I took a deep sigh as I

are you thinking?" she

"Nothing" I replied absentmindedly.

my shoulder. "I don't believe you. You have been so pensive the past few days. What's

wants it." Veles, my bear was really pushing me to break free. Even after all the training in the morning, all the pack

turn toward her. "Can I ask you something?" she said in a soft voice, her dark eyes fixed

said, a frown pulling at

cherks. "I know this will

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Chapter 167

stands?"

forehead as I narrowed my eyes on her. Tension bunched up in

I've known you ever since we were pups. I think it is high time we take decisive

clenched my teeth, not liking the direction

wait forever for you to ask me to marry me, so' She let

exhale. "Will you marry me, Matt?" she

Marriage? But then didn't I want Tulip as my mate? She was a strong woman, and I knew her well. My Beta, Seth, often

inside me.

me breathless. Like I betrayed myself, like I

couldn't. It wasn't right. I could have asked her to give me time. But on