The Cursed Alphas

CHAPTER 2

Talia

My jarred laugh echoed off the walls of his office.

He couldn't be serious? Was he trying to make me feel better?

My father's face remained sitting across, his face stoned and lips as straight as a line.

My stomach dripped, and my gaze lingered on him searching for the moment his lips would twitch or exhale shaking his head saying it was a bad joke.

But that moment never came, his expression didn't change.

A cold dread crept onto the back of my neck.

"You can't be serious?" My voice slipped out weakly. Too weak.

"I am." His silent moments finally came to a stop.

I blinked, and the room around me tilted slightly.

Had he forgotten?

Had he forgotten that I had been brutally rejected in front of half the pack? Only four days ago, these two legs of mine had crumbled to the ground with everyone watching as my seventh mate spat my name like it was a curse and walked away.

Had he forgotten I had gone through that humiliation seven times already?

That I was cursed?

That no man in his right mind would want me?

"Talia" my father said, his voice even, firm. "Calm down."

Calm down

He said it like he wasn't asking me to destroy myself all over again.

"It's an arranged marriage between our pack and the Alderwood pack." He continued.

My breath hitched.

A long sigh, and then my father continued. "You will be getting married to Carson Alderwood."

The name Alderwood hung heavy in the air. A pack ruled by blood and power. The pack whose enemies never lived to tell the tale.

And my father was telling me I was to be married into it. No just into it. That would have been merciful.

But to it's Alpha.

Carson Alderwood.

The man who had driven every mate before me to their deaths.

I swallowed as dryness engulfed my throat. "You are joking right?"

"I wouldn't joke about something like this." My dad's eyes never lacked sharpness when he was being serious.

At that moment I missed his playful Jokes I wished this one was one of those jokes

"So what? You are selling me off? Throwing me to the wolves—worst of wolves— like that? Does my existence bother you and Mother that much?" I yelled, slamming my hands on his desk.

His jaw tightened. "Talia, this isn't just about you girl."

"Oh, of course, It isn't." I leaned back into my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why would it be? Why should I get a say in the fact that you are sending me to a pack that will tear me apart the second they find out what I am."

Silence, and then I huffed a bitter breath. "Right. I'm not supposed to let them find out they are making a losing bargain. And marrying a barren woman."

"Talia, there are two things at stake here," he paused, took a deep breath, then continued.

"One, this family. This pack, we are on the brink of destruction." His voice was cold but the words felt heavy, the words of a man trying his best to save his pack. Of course at the expense of his daughter.

"This alliance is the one thing that can protect us."

"And the second?" I asked

"Breaking your curse."

I swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

"We have searched for years for witches Talia. And the only signs of them now are in the Alderwood territory."

His hand shot out like lightning grabbing mine. "You marry Carson, you have access to their land. And the time to find the witch who can lift your curse."

The air felt too thick, my lungs ache just from breathing.

The thought of breaking my curse was mouthwatering but marrying Carson Alderwood?

Could I handle that?

A pack that would tear me apart the second they realized their Luna was barren.

A partner who hand-driven every woman before me to death.

I wanted to say no. I wanted to slam my hands on this desk right before me and tell my Dad no. That he should find another way to save the pack.

But he was right we have been searching for witches for over two decades and nothing not even traces until now. If there was even the slightest chance one was in the Alderwood territory, then was my shot, the one chance I had so desperately been looking for.

I sucked in a slow breath as my gaze shifted to my dad. "I have to move there, don't I"

"In two days."

My stomach twisted just two days ago? Not even enough time to process it.

"And the engagement?" I asked

"A week from now, Talia, for some reason they want it to be fast."

I see it all dropped on me like a bomb, a week and I would be bound to a man I had never met. A man who was rumored to be shrouded in blood and madness.

I gritted my teeth, i didn't have another choice And if they find out?"

Silence.

I laughed—a hollow sound. "If the Alderwood pack finds out I can't give them an heir, they'll kill me, Father."

His jaw tightened. "Then don't let them find out."

Simple words. As if it was that easy.

As if a secret I had never been able to hide from my mates wouldn't eventually slip free.

I exhaled shakily, my nails digging into my palms. "And Carson?"

"He agreed."

Something bitter curled in my chest. "Did you tell him?"

His silence was answer enough.

Of course, Carson Alderwood didn't know. He wouldn't have agreed if he did. No alpha would.

I pressed my lips together, pulse roaring in my ears.

I had two choices.

Refuse and live the rest of my life in a pack that pitied and resented me.

Or accept and walk into a pack that would turn on me the second they realized what I was.

Either way, I was doomed.

But only one path gave me a chance.

A chance to break the curse. To enjoy the bliss that comes with being a mother.

To break my curse I was ready to lay with even the devil.

"Fine, I'll do it."