The Cursed Alpha

Alaric Sokolov stood on the balcony shirtless, the moonlight shining on his bronze skin that seemed to sparkle, a cigarette in his mouth as he puffed smoke into the air.

His assistant stood behind him, arms crossed awaiting orders.

“Is everything ready?” Alaric asked.

The assistant nodded, “Everything is ready sir. They will arrive in a few hours.”

Alaric nodded, “Good…remember what the witch told you, right?”

“Yes sir.”

“But if nothing happens before I pick one of them, make sure to keep aside the strong-headed one, the one that no one would care about if they were dead.”

****

Liana's POV

I knelt before Olivia's lifeless form, my thoughts clouded as I gazed upon her vacant eyes, the crushed throat, and the gaping mouth. Her knees shattered and her arm contorted.

She met such a tragic end, subjected to unspeakable torment. How could I have been so blind? Why did I fail to notice the second carriage trailing behind us, carrying the torturer and another healer?

Why did I heed Amira's request to gather tarline flowers for her headache in the wild bushes? So many questions ran through my head as I stared at the dead body of my friend.

Stockholm syndrome. That was what I had, I failed to see the fault of my sister because I loved her. She was my family and the only one who had shown me support. But she had manipulated my emotions to suit her will and I had been stupid enough to allow it.

I took in a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

“Goddess…if you really do exist, I pray you take her soul into your perfect home and let her rest in peace.”

I didn't say more as I placed leaves on her, the tears burning my eyes, her parents would not see the body of their daughter. I would no longer be healed by her hands. She was gone.

****

The carriage stopped at a grand elegant palace, something that Olivia had so much wanted to see. I could have been excited to see the home of our king but at this very moment, I was too numb from my loss.

“It was meant to happen and you know that,” Amira said from behind me. “You knew you shouldn't have had a healer as requested by the court. You killed a high council member so you must pay the price for it and Olivia had to pay the price of going against the law. Max did what the law required so stop being somber.”

I didn't say anything as the night breeze went through my hair, causing it to dance across my face, letting strands fall over my forehead.

“Don't forget you shall attend to Amira's every request, stay behind us at all times, and be glad that you are taking this week off from your usual weekly whips,” Max warned, his cold gaze lingering on me from head to toe. They had sent the whipper back, I guess this was their way of making me loyal to them again.

Just as Olivia had predicted. On and off switch, that was what these two couples were. Whereas Amira had her way of hiding whatever she was planning, Max was an open book. They had killed Olivia for the fact that she had healed me, but what other secrets were these couples hiding?

I forced a smile, “Yes, alpha,” I replied obediently, causing Max to frown before pulling Amira by the waist and continued walking.

I looked down at the heaps of bags I needed to lift one by one, it would take a while but I will do it. Right now my focus is survival, I don't know how long I will survive, but I will, and maybe I would manipulate Amira too into getting me my freedom.

I lifted the bags as I walked into the castle grounds. I was in awe as I looked around the Grand Hall. The space was filled with guests and maids running up and down decorations adorning every corner, creating a breathtaking sight. Oh, how I wished Olivia had seen this.

My heart clenched, the tears were coming back but I shook my head. I can do this.

I looked around for Amira and Max but they were nowhere to be found and I had no idea where the room was. My eyes scanned the room searching for any sign of them amongst the bustling guests. With so many people around, spotting them is like finding a diamond in the rough.

“Where would they have gone?” I wondered silently. Suddenly, I caught sight of Amira making her way into another room across from me.

I pushed the box I was holding and followed her. As I neared the door, I noticed it led to a staircase, I followed, my shoulders straining as I lifted the box. I groaned when I reached the top, it was there my ears picked up a conversation coming from another room.

“Is the poison potent as you claimed?” Amira inquired, my eyes widened in alarm.

“Of course, give it to her as if it's a gift, it's in a perfume bottle. Once she sprays it on her body, the rashes would form and enter into her bloodstream killing her wolf and slowly killing her heart. Within 24 hours, your sister would be dead.”

My eyes widened, and my breath shortened as I clenched the suitcase handle. No…oh God…no. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and goosebumps appeared on my skin.

“Great. I don't need her anymore though, as I had killed her stupid friend, she would become rebellious and I don't want that. As much as I enjoy watching her being whipped, it's starting to become boring, she had done her job by being accused of the councilman's death, and Max had gotten the land and the money that the old wench kept in his safe. It would do us good that he would be able to buy a position close to the Lycan king and that's power. Good, sweet power. Gosh, I can't wait.”

A sinister chuckle left Amira’s lip.

“Why do you hate your sister so much?” The voice asked.

Amira sneered, “Mind your business henchman.”

Then I heard shuffling, I quickly turned and left. Luckily I was able to find the Coachman who had led me to their room and I had placed the suitcases. But my mind was reeling. I needed to escape as soon as possible.

At this very moment, I stood behind them in the great hall, where a booming voice announced the king's arrival. All eyes turned to the staircase where the king emerged flanked by two royal guards. Bowing ensued and silence reigned as he took his seat on the grand chair at the foot of the staircase.

My heart raced as I studied the king, his premise was as dark as the rumors had claimed but his looks were anything but horrifying. His hair was well-styled, his lips had a piercing at the side and a tattoo on his neck was obvious. Those dark eyes scanned the room as he looked at the females gathered around him, shaking in fear.

Lycan King Alaric scoffed at them, “Weaklings,” he said, his voice voice sending chills, “We all know why you are gathered here. You volunteered or were forced, others are here to see me choose again another bride who would probably end up dead. So…I am just going to randomly choose as I am too lazy to start knowing all your names.”

He was so relaxed and uncaring as his eyes scanned the females dressed in white lined before him. The she-wolves were likely forced by their alphas or dragged, no one would want to die willing. I am sure in their heads they are praying not to be chosen by the Lycan king.

As his eyes watched the females, mine was on Amira, with each breath, my heart started to become stone. I knew tonight, that even though she knows I might not spray that perfume, she would do it herself. She had framed me for the councilman's death. She and Max. She had enjoyed watching me being whipped and suffering. I don't know what I did to deserve such hatred from a girl I took care of after our mother died.

But I needed to survive. I needed the people who had put pain on me to experience the same pain, I needed her to suffer for what she did, but I can't do that if I was dead and I can't do that if I have no power.

So with that desperation, I raised my hands, “I volunteer to be your Luna, your majesty.”

That was the last sentence I made before the world went into chaos.