THE CURSE OF MIRA CONSTANCE

Chapter Four

Nicholas' POV

"How did you get in here, Mer?" I asked, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "You know women aren't allowed in my room."

Meredith pouted, completely unfazed by my warning.

"Nick," she said sweetly, taking another step toward me, "I just wanted to spend some time with you. As the Alpha of this pack, you need a woman's touch. You deserve to be taken care of."

I nearly sighed out loud.

Who told her it was her touch that I wanted?

The overwhelming scent of her desire filled the room, making me feel suffocated rather than flattered.

I wished she would finally get it through her thick skull that I didn't want a woman in my life.

Not now, maybe not ever.

I had already lost the two people who mattered most to me.

After my mother and sister died, I made a promise to myself and to the Moon Goddess that I would never allow myself to become vulnerable again.

Love makes people weak. Love gave fate something precious to steal.

I wasn't going to make that mistake twice.

Quietly, I mind-linked Josiah without letting Meredith sense it.

"Come to my room immediately." "Knock first, then pretend you're checking on me."

His response came instantly.

"Yes, Alpha!"

Only a few seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

"My Alpha?" Josiah called from outside. "I wanted to check on you before retiring for the night."

I didn't even let him finish. "Come in." The door swung open.

Meredith's expression darkened immediately.

With an irritated huff, she snatched up the clothes she had carelessly discarded moments earlier.

"I am so sorry, Alpha," Josiah said, lowering his head respectfully. "I didn't realize you weren't alone."

His eyes nervously darted between Meredith and me.

"Sorry for yourself, you bastard," Meredith snapped.

She turned toward Josiah, planting both hands on her hips.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"He called you here, and you came running exactly when he wanted."

She pointed a finger at him.

"We'll settle this later."

With one last glare, she finished dressing and stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind her.

The silence that followed was blissful, hopeful.

She would finally understand that forcing herself into my room wasn't going to change anything.

My name is Nicholas Hoult. I am the alpha of Crescent Pack.

Many people call me the most ruthless Alpha alive. They're not entirely wrong.

If someone commits a crime within my pack, I punish them according to our laws.

I didn't care who they were. Friends, warriors, and relatives. Everyone answered to the same rule.

The woman who had just left my room was Meredith, my childhood friend and the daughter of Alpha Jay.

She had convinced herself that we were destined to be together. Unfortunately for her, I had no intention of making that dream a reality.

"I am sorry, Alpha," Josiah said again, bowing deeply.

"I truly didn't mean to interrupt."

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Don't apologize."

"I was the one who called you."

Relief immediately crossed his face.

"It worked perfectly," he chuckled nervously.

"I'm glad to hear that."

I folded my arms. "Tell me, is my father returning today like he said he would?"

Josiah shook his head.

"He sent word that he'd arrive first thing tomorrow morning."

"There were... a few unexpected delays on the road."

A frown settled on my face. "What kind of delays?"

"He said one of the slaves they purchased was close to death." "The healer insisted she shouldn't be moved until her condition stabilized."

I blinked. "She's dying?"

I frowned even harder. "What is Father still doing wasting his time over a dying slave?" "He should've left her behind."

The words slipped out before I realized Josiah was still standing there. He wisely pretended not to hear them.

"That will be all, Josiah." "I would like to be alone."

"Yes, Alpha."

He bowed and quietly left the room.

The moment the door closed, I mind-linked my father.

"Where are you, Father?" His familiar voice answered almost immediately.

"I am close to Mountain Pack." "I ran into a little problem." "One of my slaves is badly injured."

I sighed. "You should've left her there." "Why concern yourself so much over one slave?"

"Throw her aside and continue your journey."

He laughed softly.

"Son, I can't do that."

"That girl is worth more than ten ordinary slaves; I know it." His answer caught me off guard.

Worth more than ten slaves?

Who exactly had he brought home?

Curiosity stirred inside me.

"Who is she?"

He laughed again. "You'll find out soon enough, little devil.

"I will be home tomorrow morning, little devil." I rolled my eyes.

He had called me that ever since I was a child. It was ridiculous.

There wasn't anything little about a six-foot alpha.

"Stay safe, Father."

"Always."

The mind-link faded.

Unable to sleep immediately, I walked around the pack territory, checking the patrol routes and making sure everything was in order before Father's arrival.

Only after I was satisfied did I return to my room.

Sleep claimed me almost instantly.

The next morning, the sound of the ceremonial bell echoed throughout the pack.

Father was home. Josiah only rang that bell whenever Father or I returned safely from our travels.

I dressed quickly and walked outside.

One of the guards informed me that Father had already retired to his chambers to rest.

The new slaves had also been secured inside the holding quarters. Including the dying girl.

For some strange reason, my wolf became restless.

Speed paced endlessly inside my mind. He had never behaved like this before.

"There is something here," he growled. "I can smell it."

"So can I," I replied.

There was a scent drifting through the air.

It was unfamiliar, powerful, and strangely comforting.

I immediately ordered the slaves to be brought outside.

Father would question them later.

I wanted to see them first. Fifteen slaves were standing before me.

But somehow, only one caught my attention. She was tiny compared to everyone else.

Her long dark hair framed her delicate face, while a pair of icy-blue eyes wandered around in confusion.

She looked completely out of place. I realized that if she stood beside me, I would look like a giant.

An unexpected thought crossed my mind.

She would fit perfectly against me.

I frowned. Where had that come from?

I pushed the ridiculous thought away.

As she walked past me, her scent suddenly became stronger.

Speed froze.

Then he roared inside my head.

"Mate!"

Every muscle in my body locked. No. Absolutely not.

I fought against the instinct rising inside me.

"We don't need her," I argued.

"She's just another slave!" I screamed at Speed.

Speed ignored every single word.

He only repeated one thing.

"Mate."

To distract myself, I began explaining the rules of the Crescent Pack while slowly walking in front of the line.

Even then, I couldn't stop watching her.

She kept looking at me with wide, confused eyes.

Almost as if she had never seen someone like me before.

The closer I got, the stronger her scent became.

It wasn't only a wolf.

There was something else mixed with it. Something powerful.

I stepped directly in front of her. Slowly, I tilted her chin upward.

My eyes glowed red. My fangs extended.

"What the hell are you, pup?" I growled.

She trembled beneath my gaze as I leaned closer, carefully inhaling her scent.

For a split second, her icy-blue eyes flashed bright green.

Then, just as quickly, they returned to blue.

Before I could react, a powerful force exploded between us.

I was thrown backward.

If I hadn't been one of the strongest Alphas alive, I would've crashed onto the ground.

Instead, I managed to steady myself by digging my feet into the earth.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

I looked back at the strange little slave.

A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Sorry, Alpha," she mouthed innocently.

But the amusement dancing in her eyes told me otherwise.