CHAPTER ONE

I watched with pain as my most recent attempted mate walked away without a backwards glance. Phillip's broad shoulders were tense, his gait stiff with barely restrained relief at escaping my cursed existence.

His sister Elena's shrill voice lashed out from behind him. "You're making the right choice, Phillip! Stay away from that wretched girl, unless you want to die the same way she killed others!"

Flinching, I dropped my gaze to hide the tears pouring down my cheeks. As if her malicious words could somehow infect me further. Around us, the rest of the pack pointedly avoided eye contact. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire of my dysfunction.

With a last hateful glare thrown over her shoulder, Elena trotted after her brother. Leaving me alone as I ran away in shame.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about how life has been cruel and unfair to me.

I could remember clearly the tragic accident that stole away my beloved sister and parents. My only real family, gone in an instant of shattered metal and flames. While I survived, body unharmed but soul eternally destroyed.

Ever since that fateful night, my life has never remained the same. Every female in the pack will always tell me "You're cursed , and deserve to die the same way you killed everyone. Stay away from this pack unless you want to keep ruining lives."

More tears burned in my eyes. The cruel words and accusing looks never stopped. I was the black sheep, the constant reminder of their losses.

My only place of solace was the bar. The bartender set another drink in front of me, not bothering with niceties. I drank down the glass of whiskey, feeling the burn as it went down my throat. The amber liquid gave me a short break from the loneliness that was always with me these days. I signalled the bartender for another drink again.

I looked around the dingy bar. Couples and groups of friends filled the booths, laughing and having fun without a care. A feeling of jealousy and bitterness twisted in my gut. If only I could be so carefree. If only I could live a Normal life like every other person.

I had drank more than six bottles of beer yet I wasn’t satisfied. A memory flashed as I remembered my first mate sisters harsh words at her brother's funeral: "Stay away from him unless you want to end up in the grave too." More tears stung my eyes. How many times had I heard that I was...cursed?

The pretty barmaid set another drink in front of me. "Rough night?"

I gave a hollow laugh. "Rough life." I replied taking a sip of the whiskey.

As I was about to open the seventh bottle, a warm presence settled on the stool beside me. The newcomer's cologne had an intriguing cedar and smoke scent wafting my way. I risked a glance over.

A strikingly handsome man caught my eye, all thoughts of him forgotten when I met his piercing hazel eyes. There was something...different about him. Exotic and powerful. Like an immortal watching over normal people.

He held my gaze for a long moment. “What would make a pretty lady like to you drink this much?”

"You seem troubled." Let me guess love issue? The handsome man asked.

I mumbled into my glass, "That's an understatement. This is worse than love. Anyways what does an handsome man like you want from me?”

Emboldened by the whiskey, I blurted out, "Unless you have a miracle cure for being a genetic dead end, move along."

His eyebrows inched up, intrigued and not leaving me. “Well since you won’t leave , I guess I should tell you a little bit about my life ...” The words rushed out of me.

I started telling the strange man the sad details about my life.

“ I thought I am supposed to be a wolf shifter, destined to find my true mate. Except every mate I'd ever had ended up horribly killed through no fault of my own. I was the proverbial black widow - a cursed woman doomed to a life of loneliness and misery. “ I yelled in tears.

“I hate myself!! Why was I brought forth into this world if the only thing I would feel is pain and torture. I killed any single mate that comes my way.”

When I finished, tears streaked down my cheeks. I wiped them away, laughing bitterly. "See? A real bundle of joy, aren't I?"

Rather than the expected pity or disgust, he studied me with an unreadable expression. Then, almost reverently, he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face.

“ Why would such a beautiful lady like you think she’s cursed? You’re not cursed, they probably just happened coincidentally.” I laughed at his horrible remark. “ You mean to say they all died as a result of coincidence?”

“ You know what, let me just kill myself and go meet my parents” I said raising up the bottle in my hands.

The strange man dragged the bottle off my hands and turned facing me eye ball to eye ball.

"What if I could offer you a break?" His rough voice had a wild effect. "A temporary escape from your...situation?"

“ I am currently trying to change my fate, from being destined to my current mate to another. So it’s a win-win situation for both of us.”

I blinked, my mind struggling to understand. "How?"

"Simple." His eyes seemed to glitter with unspoken promise. "Become my mate for a short time."

A harsh scoff escaped me. Of all the ridiculous suggestions...

Yet he went on undeterred. "Six months. Live a normal life at my side, wanted and welcomed. No more self-pity or longing looks. In return..." One side of his mouth quirked up. "You help deter an extremely stubborn nuisance of my own."

My heartbeat quickened, the alcohol and his closeness making me reckless. I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear. "Is this your way of hitting on me, stranger?"

His laugh had a sinful quality. "Perhaps. Though I assure you, the benefits for you go well beyond one night of pleasure..."

I shivered, desire sparking low in my belly. For once I felt...wanted. Desirable, It had been so long since I'd experienced a man's touch without the threat of death looming over us.

Before I could think better of it, I turned and boldly kissed his lips in a searing kiss.

He froze for just an instant before kissing me back, his hands gripping my waist to pull me flush against his hard body. I groaned into his mouth, savoring the blistering heat that licked through me.

Then, with impressive restraint, he broke the kiss. Leaving me flushed and dazed.

"Patience," he rumbled, the promise in that one word making me ache with need. "Once you accept my proposal, you'll have all the time in the world to satisfy yourself."

Drunk on his presence and the dizzying effect of his nearness, I could only numbly nod. He brushed another lingering caress across my heated cheek.

"Sleep on it. I'll come find you again by month's end. We'll...finalize the details then." With those parting words, he was gone. Leaving me half-intoxicated and fully aroused, my head still spinning.

What had I gotten myself into?