The Alpha's Cursed Mate

Chapter 4

Sleep didn’t come easy It never did but last night was worse than usual every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Those piercing blue eyes that look on his face that voice in my head “MINE” I shot up in bed, my breath uneven. “No,” I whispered to myself, dragging my hands down my face. “This isn’t real” it couldn’t be I refused to let it be. Sunlight filtered weakly through my window, casting pale shadows across the room a new day another chance to survive this place. I got dressed quickly, keeping things simple. I stiffened “No,” I muttered under my breath, quickening my pace. “Not today.” “Hey!” I froze that voice Bright, Warm, Unexpected I turned slowly and there she was. she jogged toward me, slightly out of breath but smiling like she had no idea how cruel this place could be or maybe…She just didn’t care.

“Hi,” she said, stopping in front of me.

“I’ve been trying to catch you since yesterday.” I blinked, caught off guard. “Me?” She laughed lightly. “Yeah, you. You’re hard to miss, you know.” That didn’t sound like a compliment.

“I’m Selena,” she added, holding out her hand I hesitated Just for a second then I shook it.

“Ariana.”

Her grip was warm, Firm, Real. “Good,” she said, as if satisfied. “Now we’re not strangers anymore.” something about the way she said it, Simple, Honest, No hidden edge. It made my chest tighten in a different way this time.

“You shouldn’t be talking to me,” I said quietly glancing around People were watching of course they were. Selena followed my gaze, then shrugged.

“Let them.”

I frowned. “You don’t understand” “I do,” she cut in gently.

Her expression softened slightly. “They think you don’t belong here.” I stilled.

“But I don’t care what they think,” she continued.

“I care about what’s true.”

“And what’s that?” I asked cautiously. She smiled.

“You looked terrified yesterday”

…That wasn’t what I expected. “And?” I pressed.

“And no one deserves to go through that alone.” The words hit harder than they should have. I swallowed, looking away. “I’m used to it.”

“Well,” she said lightly, nudging my arm, “you don’t have to be.” I glanced at her. Real looked this time. She wasn’t like the others.

There was no arrogance in her posture. No superiority, No judgment, Just… warmth. “Why?” I asked quietly. “Why are you being nice to me?”

Selena tilted her head slightly.

“Asking the real questions already, huh?” I didn’t smile.

She sighed softly, then said “Because I know what it feels like to be on the outside.” That made me pause.

Before I could ask more…. Her expression shifted, Subtle but noticeable her gaze flicked past me then sharpened.

“Don’t turn around,” she murmured. Too late.

I already felt it that presence, that pull, that fire under my skin. My breath caught he was here even without looking I knew. Selena stepped slightly closer to me not afraid but… alert.

“That’s him, isn’t it?” she whispered.

I didn’t answer, I didn’t need to, the air had changed, everyone could feel it and then “Selena.” His voice, low, Controlled, Dangerous. I turned this time Slowly

Xander stood a few feet away His gaze wasn’t on me not yet it was on her and it wasn’t friendly.

“Walk away,” he said.

Selena didn’t move. “No.”

My eyes widened slightly no one said no to him. No one the tension snapped tight. His jaw clenched. “You’re crossing a line.” “And you’re scaring her,” Selena shot back calmly.

Deadly silence then his eyes shifted landed on me and everything else disappeared that pull slammed into me again Stronger, Hotter, Impossible to ignore. I gasped softly, my hand pressing against my chest. His expression darkened instantly.

“Stay away from her,” Selena said firmly but I barely heard her because all I could feel was him and all I could think was one terrifying truth. This wasn’t stopping, it was getting worse.