The Cursed Alphas

CHAPTER 6

Talia

The scent of coffee and ink hovered around the room. Faint, but still clinging.

Papers scattered across the desk, reports I had yet to read, invoices I hadn't even thought of signing yet. I dragged my hand down my face, fingers pressed hard against my forehead.

Three days.

Three days until I was slicked into this engagement. Three days until I stepped into this castle and every door behind me shut. No way out.

And still, I had nothing.

No witch, no lead. Just the whispers from my father, a rumor passed in secret. What if he was wrong? What if was betting everything on something that didn't even exist?

I barely had time left. Three months wasn't long—not for something like this, it could slip by like a gust of wind, gone before I even realized it.

And if it did—if time ran out and I stood before Carson. Still cursed, still barren.

My stomach churned

I didn't have to imagine his reaction. I already knew.

My family's name would mean nothing. My own life would mean even less. Who did he kill me with his own two hands? Or throw me to the Alderwood elders to devour and rip me apart limb by limb for wasting their alpha's time?

A Sharp Knick snapped me out of the thoughts that I was drowning in.

I jerked my hands and dropped to the desk.

"Come in."

Mr Griffin pushed the door open and stepped in. "Ma'am," he called out as formal as ever. " A customer is requesting to see you."

I frowned "What for?"

"A complaint." He hesitated. "He is a regular here, he wants to see you personally."

A regular? In a new branch? My pulse ticked up. We hadn't been open long enough to have regulars, at least not ones worth noting. And losing one of the biggest ones? That wasn't an option.

"What happened?" I pushed back my chair and stood.

"His dish," Mr. Griffin said. "It wasn't made the way he likes."

I sighed. "Lead the way."

Mr. Griffin smiled, stepping aside to let me pass. As we moved through the restaurant, my thoughts still spun, but I shoved them down. Whatever this was, I needed to handle it.

I stepped out.

My eyes fell on him.

Seated at the counter, a tall frame with broad shoulders, he dominated the air around him without even trying. Despite the slouch of his baggy black jeans and jean jacket.

"That's him?"

"Yes." Mr. Griffin whispered.

I walked up to him.

Taking a closer look, his black hair, parted at the center, framed his sharp features, leaving his forehead bare will a few strands drifting to the sides.

His gaze flickered up as I got closer his arched brows shadowed his hollow-looking sky-blue eyes.

"Are you the manager?" His deep voice echoed through the air. Intimidating….

"Yes, I'm."

He didn't nod, didn't blink. Just dished out the words. "The fries are wrong."

I stared at him "Excuse me?"

"They're soggy." He pointed at the plate. "They're always thinner, crispier." His tone didn't give out much but I couldn't tell if he was annoyed or just pointing things out. "And the chicken's missing seasoning."

"I glanced at the dish, then back to him. "I'm sorry you're dissatisfied. I can have them remake it."

"Smith isn't in the kitchen is he?" He asked

"No." I answered, "Well today is the day off."

"Then a remake won't be necessary it wouldn't be the same as Smiths." He got up. His tall frame towered over me.

He walked past me and then out of the restaurant.

But something wasn't right his scent….

It wasn't human…

But didn't seem exactly like a wolf.

My gaze snapped to the door just who was he?

….

A few hours had passed.

My back hit the bed, and I exhaled sharply staring at the ceilings.

I managed to survive another hectic day at the restaurant

But still

His scent still clung to my nostrils.

Not human, not quite wolf. Didn't smell like a halfling either.

Who the hell was he?

I turned on my side, just what was I thinking about a random guy who wasn't going to get me anywhere the other day… the engagement grew closer with every second that went by.

I needed air.

The room felt too tight for some reason the walls pressing in, the air gaining more layers as it grew thicker and thicker with my restless thoughts.

This wasn't getting me anywhere, I pushed off the bed, grabbed a jacket, and slipped outside.

The night was cool, the streets of Alderwood quiet.

These lands were shut out to humans, where wolves could live freely.

I walked without a destination. Letting the fresh air blow out all my thoughts. Eventually, I found myself sitting under a tree, my back to the rough bark of the tree, the air here was cooler.

I closed my eyes. Just a moment. Just to.

"Daughter of Hayes."

The deep voice slid through the air, thick with weight.

My eyes snapped open.

A figure stepped out from the shadows, tall, and broad. The night barely masked him, the glow of a streetlamp catching on his sharp features.

Light brown eyes. A rough stubble lined his jaw. The same dark, unshaken presence.

Carson?

No.

Recognition slashed through me. Not Carson.

Sebastian.

I got up as fast as could and greeted them with a bow didn't know how to refer to him, Sir, lord.

But he just waved it off with his hand.

"No need to be so formal. We're going to be family soon, you re marrying my younger brother after all."

Family, younger brother? I swallowed.

The words barely settled in my head before I shoved them aside. I smiled though it felt stiff on my lips.

"What are you doing out so late?" He asked.

"Umm, I just needed some fresh air," I replied with another stiff smile.

Sebastian ran his hand through his hair. "Is that so? This happens to be my spot. I come here from time to time. The tree always seems to comfort me."

"I see, I would be on my way then, I wouldn't want to disrupt you."

I already felt uncomfortable.

It wasn't the words, wasn't even the tone. It was something in his presence.

I got up to leave.

But his words held onto my legs

"I know this might come out strange, but you shouldn't marry Carson."

I stopped and turned. "Excuse me?"

Sebastian leaned against the tree, his gaze heavy. "For your good."

A pause.

"Do you know why Carson has never been able to get along with the women of the pack? Every woman who has been with him has either run mad, run away… or died."

I stared at him.

"All of them gone." Sebastian continued as he walked closer "No reason, no explanation…"

My pulse kicked.

I had wanted to doubt those rumors after meeting Carson myself.

But hearing them here again….

We're they true?

"The reason is this… Carson is an abnormality. He has never had a mate— not a real one, just arranged bonds, arranged pairings. The moon goddess never blessed him with a mate."

I could barely breathe

I couldn't tell where he was heading but a wolf that had never been mated was unheard of even I who was cursed had been mated severally.

"None of them could stay. Because his wolf can't be tamed currently Carson you know he is slipping.

He is going feral.

My body turned cold.

And you know what happens," Sebastian said, watching me, "when you bond with a feral wolf?"

He didn't wait for me to answer.

"You go mad, too."

The words froze me in place.

For one reason, the whole world seemed to shut out.

I was getting married to a wolf that was running mad?