The Cursed Alphas

CHAPTER 3

Talia

Two days had passed, and the day I feared was finally upon me, I sighed looking up at the early morning sky, the sun barely showing its scalp.

Boots crunched against the gravel, sharp and grating against my ears adding spices to already raw nerves.

Men moved in and out of my apartment, hauling boxes and suitcases toward the waiting cars. Some handled them carefully the others—were asking for an earful.

"Watch it!" I snapped as one grumpy dude nearly sent a case of my books tumbling. "If anything breaks, you are paying for it."

The guy startled, adjusted his grip on the case before scurrying off. I exhaled one hand gently rubbed against my temples. I did not care about anything these replaceable stuff but the last thing I needed was shattered glass or torn fabrics on top of my already at the edge of a cliff life.

A soft shuffle of shoes on the front step drew my attention, Lisa stood there, a bag slung over her shoulder, a small suitcase at her feet.

I raised a brow, "what are you doing?"

She blinked at me dramatically, "Uh, what does it look like dummy?" She walked up to me dragging her luggage along before handing it over to the nearby guy. "I'm coming along with you."

My stomach clenched "Lisa, you don't have to my dear."

Lisa snorted. "it's my job to protect and follow you, even if that means stepping straight into a monster's lair"

A breath of something like laughter pushed past my lips, "Very well, then welcome to my ride to potential death."

Lisa smirked "Wow, you are not evening gonna tell me to stay back and at least save myself?"

A chuckle slipped out. "Please, if I'm going down obviously you are going down with me," I teased. "How on earth did you want me to survive on my own?" I blurted out shamelessly.

Lisa laughed bumping her shoulder against mine. "Shameless."

"Completely" I admitted.

We both stood and watched the last of things being hurled over into the van.

Something about her standing beside me made it seem like she had carried a certain portion of my weight on my chest.

The last suitcase was already in, my house stood behind me, I held back the urge to run in and lock myself in, to escape this fate of mine.

Lisa pulled open the car door, I was about to climb when the sound of boots froze everyone in their steps

My Dad.

The men straightened instantly, heads dipping in acknowledgment. "Alpha."

Lisa followed suit, bowing slightly, her expression schooled into something respectful.

My father gave her a look—one of those small, indiscernible ones—before reaching out and patting her head. "Take care of my girl for me."

Lisa grinned. "Of course, Alpha."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm right here, you know.

His soft gaze fell on me, his arms shot out—fast—-pulling me into a hug before I could react.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "For placing this burden on you."

My throat itched

He smelled the same as always—faint cedar, but something about this hug was different

I squeezed my eyes shut, my fingers curling against the fabric of his jacket. Because what if I never came back?

What if this was the last time I hugged him?

Would he regret this? Would he wish he had fought harder for a different solution?

When I pulled away, my voice came quieter than I wanted. "Where's Mom?"

A shift. Subtle, but there.

My father looked away.

I shouldn't have asked. I already knew.

Still, the answer—or the lack of it—made something in my chest pull tight.

Of course, she wouldn't come.

Of course, she'd send me off without even looking at me.

It wasn't surprising. It wasn't new.

But damn it still stung.

I inhaled sharply, then forced a smile. "Well, seeing her wouldn't have changed anything anyway."

My dad's eyes flickered, maybe he wanted to say something to justify his wife's choice but he didn't.

There was nothing to justify. My should

I straightened

My shoulders felt a bit heavier "Well we should get going." I said to Lisa before turning back to my dad

"I'll do my best," I said "I'll fulfill my role and save the Hayes pack."

A pause

Then he nodded.

No more words were needed.

Lisa slipped into the car. I followed.

The door clicked shut, and the engine took its first breath of the day.

As the car pulled away, I didn't look back

Just stared out the window as we drove off to the worst of the worst of wolves' household.

********

After about four hours, The city gateway arch loomed ahead—iron-black, massive. Wolves and crescent moons carved into their surface gleamed as they creaked open, revealing Alderwood territory.

Not just a pack. A city.

Stone-paved streets stretched in every direction, lined with markets, training grounds, and estates that dwarfed anything in Hayes territory. Wolves moved with purpose—sharp gazes, disciplined strides. Even the children carried themselves with quiet awareness. No one here was weak.

After another twenty minutes, the car slowed. The mansion rose ahead—dark stone, towering, watching. More fortress than home. The weight of its history pressed against me.

And standing at its steps, a shadow against the arching windows, was him.

I stepped out, boots striking stone. My breath caught.

Tall.

A man dressed in a black suit was waiting for us. His hair was black and styled back. A suit that could barely hide his frame with honed muscles—one that seemed quite expensive for an escort. A glass perched on his nose, hiding his eyes.

"Good day, Miss Hayes." He greeted me. "I'm here to escort you in."

The man stood tall, towering over me with a posture too arrogant for an escort.

It was the Alderwood pack; they were all known for their arrogance.

"Sure."

We followed him in.

Inside the hallway, we meet another man Too tall. Six-seven? More? Broad-shouldered, built like something meant to withstand war. The sheer size of him made the doors behind him seem smaller.

With a toned build over honed muscles, his long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail.

Framed sharp cheekbones, his eyes—ice blue, nearly silver—fixed on me. Not cruel. Not welcoming just watching.

And then he smiled.

"Welcome to the Alderwood wolf pack, Miss Hayes."

His voice was smooth, and rich, carrying the weight of authority without needing to force it.

I swallowed.

Was this Carson?

No one told me he towered over everyone like a titan.

"Hi, I'm Talia Hayes." I stretched my hand out to shake him.

"Seth." He called out.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Seth."

Oh, he wasn't Carson?

I rolled my eyes

"Wow, the mighty Alderwood pack can't even be bothered to send their alpha to greet me?" I muttered. I leaned towards Lisa who stood beside me. "Guess his too busy stroking ego," I shielded my mouth.

The escort chuckled.

Seth laughed "We are not that discourteous, Miss Hayes," he paused.

Behind you, that is Carson Alderwood."

The air shifted.

Slowly, the so-called escort reached up and pulled off his glasses.

Light brown eyes met mine.

Not cold. Not distant. Just sharp—too sharp. Studying me, weighing me. And in that split second, as the last traces of his disguise slipped away, realization slammed into me like a freight train.

That was Carson Alderwood?

My stomach dropped. Like I had just stepped off a ledge and there was no ground waiting to catch me.

I had insulted Carson Alderwood to his face

Silence stretched.

A heartbeat.

Two.

Then—his lips curved. Just slightly.

Not a real smile. Something worse.

Amusement.

The kind that said he had heard every word. That he was entertained by my mistake.

That he was letting me flounder.

My pulse spiked. My mouth went dry.

Oh, I was so in trouble