The Alpha's Cursed Redemption

tretched dark and endless beyond the gathering, but inside the stone circle, the air buzzed with magic. It wra

r. Wolves lined the edges of the ceremony grounds, their faces lit by the flickering torches. The smell of pine and

e. Her

ushing away the rising ne

protected her from bullies. The quiet strength who had stood beside her after her par

ht was th

ed with silver threads, the weight of it a reminder of wh

e trem

silver-blonde hair spilled over her shoulders, and her gray eyes sparkled with mischief

ough her fingers still tremble

verything you've ever wanted." Her smile faded slig

mony wasn't just a tradition-it was a vow, stronger than any spoken words

and Vaela's breath caught

av

er armor hugged his broad shoulders, and the silver clasp at his throat gleamed under the m

It had always been like this

.. something

He moved toward her with the confidence of an Alpha,

ld her hand in the quiet of the forest? The one w

probably just tense. This w

h of his presence settled around her, steady

e," she mur

t it never reached his eyes. "I'm h

nswers, but the wall he had

d Moon. The ancient words of the ceremony echoed through the

nion of Alpha Draven Kaelith and his fated mate, Vaela Stormr

th hope. This was the mo

aven, his voice ringin

accept Vaela as your

t followed stre

caught. Why was

n her ears as she lifted her eyes to Draven's face. His

was wrong.

" she wh

slid away

th..." He paused, his

d seemed

you, Vaela

ck her harder

in slicing through her chest as the bond-the c

. This couldn't be

ing into the leather. "Why?" Her vo

sk. Cold. Distant

said, the words sharp and

through the silent clearing. The w

ing against the walls of her ribs. He

silence. "Vaela Stormriven,

She couldn't spea

la had never seen before. She was beautiful, with long blac

.. he didn'

h as the woman slid

s my true mate," he said, h

wolves exchanging confused glance

vanished. She wanted to scream, to demand

t a second glance, leadin

at, everything t

down on her chest. The world blurred around her as her v

er

refused to let them fall. Not h

word, she turned

e pain and confusion, a tho

ever for

had wrapped around her since she arrived faded, leaving a cold emptiness in its place. The voic

rowing heavier with every breath. The scent of pine and damp earth surrounded

ned out everything else. Every beat

raven do

d she had shown enough weakness tonight. The entire pack had seen her humiliati

fabric of her dress, but she barely felt it. I loved him. I

of the forest closed in, swallowing the crimson light of the Blood Moon. Only then d

her chest refused to ease-the ache where their bond had been was still raw. S

coul

ho once held her when she cried, who promised to stand

oman-Lyria

en had spoken her name with certainty, wi

ed mates. The thing every wolf dreamed of. The magic

th the hurt, somethi

sn't li

ut a reason. He had loved her. She had felt it in eve

shoulders. Her skin prickled, a heavy weight settling in her g

ng the icy breeze bite at her skin. I shou

her, colder and sharper,

ut the

est. Draven didn't deserve her

would

ind her snapped her

d toward the noise. She wasn't afraid-she had grown up

av

ped through t

Lily had always been like a sister, but now, her pre

softly. Her usual playful tone was gone

er voice to stay steady. "Came to

t look away. "No. I came bec

rried about me? Your brother just ripped my heart o

believed her. Her eyes were too wide, her expression too r

Vaela's skin faltered. If

gh, almost a growl. "Why wou

. "I don't know," she whispered. "But I do know he's not the same. Som

stuttered. A f

that time-canceling their nightly walks, speaking less, always di

it was som

aela said quietly. "I can't w

tened. "I'll help you

shifted. The girl who had wanted to be Lu

e stronger. Someone who w

s her world fell apart, the wolves of Duskwind cheered for their Alpha-for Draven and

her to Draven forever. Instead, he h

ding her. No more tears. No more weakness. Whatever had broken inside

," she said softly. The word

. "You don't

s? How do I walk through that village and face them? Every look, every whisper-they'

rgue, but no words came. Becau

would

" Lily tried again, softe

gainst her ribs. "I'm not Luna. I'm not Dr

r lips, but there was no denying it. W

ll? He had mad

ncern etched into her f

ght in her chest was crushing. "But I c

he distant sound of wolves laughing and

, guilt heavy in her voice. "But if you go

y had always been by her side-but thi

me in her life, she

ew sound cut through the nigh

second-in-command, emerged from the shadows. His cold, sharp eyes sw

re," he said, his tone fla

" Vaela snapped,

as no warmth in it. "Good," he said. "Because if you care at

landed l

" Vaela said, keep

"You have no place here. You're

beside her. "

ng. She met Elder Kaelith's gaze and refu

nd as far as the pack is concerned, that means you

ir, heavier than stone.

right. What was she without Draven? Without the promis

t because you told me to. I'm leaving because I refuse to

cision." Without another word, he turn

d for her a

this pack everything. I gave him everything." Her fists clenc

lt, but there was nothing she

" Vaela whispered,

t time tonight,

eel it. Her thoughts churned as the truth settled

Her voice was steady now, the

s sagged. "Wher

he pack's territory. The world outside their borders

she admitted. "B

, wanted to burn everything behind her. But a larger part-the part

illing with tears. "Pro

a weak smile

ince Draven had shattere

ng she knew-it was that no o

to the villa

music, the sound of a pack that had already forgotten her. S

called home, Vaela stopped. The simple place th

mering in her eyes. "You d

am," Vaela

he slipped inside, clos

ce dreamed of sharing this space with Draven-of waking ev

ss that still clung to her skin. It was a symbol of

eeded-clothes, weapons, and the silver dagger her mother had

roke, she w

ouldn't l

orizon, Vaela slipped out of the cottage. The village slept behin

e crossed the pack's border, leaving

she paused, glancin

forgive you,"

Stormriven disappeare