The Cursed Alphas

CHAPTER 7

Talia

Lisa stepped back, tilting her head as she looked over. "Wow." A slow exhale. "You look amazing."

Sliver draped over me—smooth, light as a feather. My wrists clinked as I moved, bangles lined from edge to edge. Earrings. Necklace. Hair swept back everything looked perfect except for the day itself.

I stared at the mirror.

Today was the day, of engagement.

I used to think about what it might feel like. The nerves, the excitement. Maybe even happiness.

But this—this wasn't what I had in mind.

Lisa's gaze Flicked to me. "Are you still thinking about what he said?"

I raised a brow.

"How could I not?"

Feral.

The word clawed through my skull if it was true—if Carson was losing himself—then being bonded to him would just tie me to his fate.

I was already cursed I didn't need to run mad to know that moon goddess hated me.

I clenched my hands in my lap. "If I bond with him—"

Lisa cut in. "You'll go mad too?" A pause. "What if it's all a lie?"

I turned to her.

"Sebastian and Carson are brothers, Talia. And they're not just brothers—they're competing"

She folded her arms. "Carson wanted this engagement to solidify his position. What if Sebastian's just trying to stop it?"

It made sense.

But.

"What if he's right?"

Lisa let out a breath. "And what if he's wrong?"

Silence stretched.

I swallowed. "If he is or not….. I need to find out." I took one last deep breath. "But not tonight."

A knock.

Lisa and I stepped out.

The hall was full.

Suits dresses. Candles flickering against polished wood. Voices murmuring, whispers slipping through the air.

And the moment I stepped onto the stairs—

Gasps.

Eyes drifted to me from all corners

Stunning. Is she the bride? What beauty. The whispers were overwhelming.

Lisa nudged me forward. Well, they weren't lying," she whispered. "You do look stunning."

I let her words slip by my ears, because across the room standing apart from the crowd, watching—

My father

His gaze softened the moment I met his eyes, he lifted a hand in a slow wave.

Something inside me twisted.

Lisa nudged me again, harder this time, and I barely had time to blink before my father pulled me into his arms.

"My baby girl," he murmured.

"Look at you." A pause. His grip tightened. "Beautiful."

I let my eyes shut for a breath, just a breath sinking into the warmth.

But under everything, Sebastian's words echoed.

Carson.

Feral.

My eyes searched around for her but she wasn't there, there was no point in asking my father.

The mother I knew wouldn't come even if I was getting engaged.

People came around and greeted me with familiar faces. My father had performed his role perfectly as the father of the Luna, he exchanged words, nodded, and smiled the usual pleasantries. But I wasn't here, not there was no way I could enjoy an engagement, the start of a union based on lies and deceit.

To me, it was just a contract. A deal signed, binding me to a man whose fate could ruin me and mine could ruin him.

The seven high priests stepped forward, their robes stark white, their presence suffocating. Incense burned slowly and heavily in the air, curling into unseen shapes. The ceremony had begun, but before the ritual came the performance.

My eyes swept across and they suddenly fell on Carson, standing tall above everyone else as he indulged in a conversation. A wine glass caught between his slender, long fingers, his eyes glistening beneath the light—it was all beautiful. It was unfair how he held that kind of presence. That powerful, breath-snatching presence.

And when his lips curved into a wide grin, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth, I felt a twinge in my heart.

Immediately I caught myself admiring him, I shrugged off the thought. Not now. He might run mad and drag you along with him, but this isn't the time to admire that sultry smile of his.

Barely minutes after I forced my gaze away from him, Carson moved towards me.

The room fell into silence, and the air stilled.

I stood frozen, my pulse thrummed in my ears, my neck craning as Carson eclipsed me.

His fingers found mine warm, sure, lifting my hands slowly with ease like he had all the time in the world to himself.

Without breaking eye contact, he brought it to his lips.

A brush of warmth. A show of devotion and false affection.

The crowd had whispers of admiration

But My stomach curled in knots, this was it? It was happening to me.

I forced my lips into something soft, convincing to all eyes around. But deep down I just wanted to pull away.

"You look stunning." His voice was smooth and calm.

I stiffened.

His mouth twitched—not quite a smile. "Beautiful," he added, softer this time.

I said nothing.

He exhaled, then turned slightly, acknowledging my father with the respect expected of an alpha greeting another alpha A firm handshake. A polite exchange of words I barely absorbed.

And then, without pause, he held out a hand.

"Dance with me."

It wasn't a question.

My stomach twisted. Eyes were on us. Watching, waiting.

I took his hand.

And we hit the dance floor the center of the crowd the music swelled

And Carson's grip was sure as he led me to the center of the floor. His other hand found my waist, firm but not intrusive. I rested mine lightly on his shoulder, carefully. Distant.

The moment our bodies aligned, he leaned in slightly. His voice was low. Private.

"You're stiff," he murmured.

I forced my spine to relax.

His hold on me didn't change, steady as the beat beneath our feet. "You're supposed to look in love with me." His tone was almost amused. "Not like you'd rather be anywhere else."

I swallowed. "I—"

His thumb brushed against my wrist. Not an accident. A silent warning.

"Relax," he said again.

I nodded, slowly. Let my fingers press a little firmer against his shoulder.

His eyes flicked to my lips, then back up. "That's better."

I held his gaze, reading him, searching. For what—I wasn't sure.

The dance stretched on, each step a quiet battle between proximity and restraint.

Finally, the music faded, and a voice rang out. It was time for the bonding ritual.

But something was wrong. The moment the high priestess announced the start of the ritual something inside lurched.

A feeling so Sharp it carved its way through my ribs

My head snapped to the door.

Deja vu.

Seven times.

I had felt this before. I had woken to it. Lived through it, and bled for it.

But this—this was worse.

Because I knew what it meant.

I had experienced it too many times to be mistaken. The moon goddess had laughed at me again and mated me for the eighth time.

But my mate wasn't Carson standing before me, but a stranger I could feel beyond the door.

I couldn't think. Couldn't move, not as the Seven high priests chanted. Not as Carson held my hand waiting.

The ritual had begun.

The high priests stood in a perfect circle, their voices weaving the first words of the binding. Magic hummed beneath my skin, pulling, sinking.

And then—

Bang.

The doors exploded open

Wood splintered. Dust rolled through the entrance.

A figure emerged.

The feeling grew stronger— he was here.

Black suit trousers. Ash longed long-sleeved shirt that hugged his frame with a black waistcoat on top and a tie loosely around his neck. His presence sucked the air from the room.

His head tilted as he sniffed the air.

His eyes found me and then the world tilted.

A slow smirk stretched his lips. "Well." His voice was deep, unhurried. "Came for sightseeing. Didn't expect to find my mate."

My throat closed.

I knew that face.

The man from the restaurant.

Carson stepped forward. "Who the hell are you,"

"Me? You should know." The man smiled, sharply, his irises darkened until they were black. His blue pupils shifted—to the color of the moon.

Not silver, not blue, but that unearthly, luminous shade that sat between light and shadow. A pale, ghostly glow, like moonlight reflecting off still water.

His lips curled before he spoke. "I AM ZANE CRESSWELL."

The name landed like a thunderclap. A silence that led to chaos followed.

Gasps. A sudden shift. Bodies recoiling, feet stumbling back, the crowd parting like instinct alone could keep them safe. Someone swore. Someone else whispered his name like an omen.

Because everyone knew it.

The walking calamity. The halfbreed who left nothing but ruin in his wake.

And I—

I was mated to that man? My stomach twisted. A cold, sinking dread.

Zane tilted his head as his gaze snapped back to me."That woman in your hand." He stepped forward. "She is mine, hand her over."