THE CURSE OF MIRA CONSTANCE

Chapter Five

Nicholas POV

I wanted nothing more than to wipe that stupid smirk off her face.

Yet, strangely enough... it was sexy as hell.

There was something dangerously thrilling about a woman catching me completely off guard. No one had ever managed to do that before.

Still, attraction could wait.

First, I needed to figure out what had just thrown me backward.

I stepped toward her again, refusing to break eye contact. This time, I laced my command with every ounce of Alpha authority I possessed.

"Tell me, pup," I snarled.

She trembled.

For a second, I thought she would submit.

Instead, she fought me.

My entire body stiffened. No one had ever resisted my Alpha command before. No one.

Not warriors, Betas, or even rival Alphas.

Yet this tiny girl, this strange slave, was fighting against it with everything she had.

The harder I pushed, the harder she resisted.

Then I heard it.

"Crack."

Another c***k followed.

The sound of bones shifting echoed from her body as though her wolf were desperately trying to surface.

Her icy-blue eyes slowly melted into glowing gold.

I frowned. That wasn't the eye color I had seen moments ago.

Earlier, they had flashed green. Now they were gold.

Just how many secrets was she hiding?

Inside me, Speed became restless.

"Mate"

His excitement slammed into me like a tidal wave. He wanted her wolf to emerge.

He wanted to claim her. My chest tightened.

"No, not again."

I had already lost control once in my lifetime.

I wasn't about to lose it today, not in front of my entire pack.

With great effort, I withdrew my command before Speed could overpower me.

"Josiah!" I barked.

My voice came out sharper than intended.

"I need you."

Almost instantly, I felt his submission through the bond before he appeared beside me.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Good"—that was how it was supposed to be. That was how it had always been. I thought.

I hadn't spent years becoming the strongest Alpha alive only for one mysterious girl to shake my control.

I glanced back at her one last time.

Fear, confusion, pain.

Her emotions washed over me so strongly that I had to look away.

Without another word, I turned and walked off.

I needed answers, and only one person might have them.

My father.

Before speaking to him, I stopped by the kitchen.

If I didn't eat something soon, Speed would keep clawing at my mind until I lost patience with everyone around me.

Normally, Diane would send food upstairs, but today she already had enough work preparing meals for the newly arrived slaves.

The moment I entered, she nearly dropped the bowl she was holding.

"Nick?" she asked in surprise.

"What are you doing in my kitchen?"

She was one of the very few people allowed to call me that.

She looked me over carefully.

"Are you alright, my child?"

"I just need food," I replied, forcing a lazy smile.

She didn't look convinced.

Without another question, she grabbed two large plates and piled them high with meat, bread, roasted vegetables, and stew.

She handed them over with warm concern shining in her eyes.

I accepted them.

"Thank you."

"It was the most I could manage." She nodded.

Back in my room, I ate quickly.

Every bite helped calm Speed a little.

By the time both plates were empty, the constant pressure inside my head had eased.

After nearly an hour, I mind-linked Josiah.

"Prepare everyone for tonight's initiation ceremony." "Keep every slave locked up until further notice." "Keep the blue-eyed slave separate."

"Yes, Alpha."

Most of them should have already been assigned quarters by now.

But not her.

Until I understood exactly what she was, I wasn't taking any chances.

I might be many things, but I wasn't stupid.

I headed towards Father's quarters.

It had been a long time since I had stepped inside.

Usually, I summoned him whenever I needed something. Today felt different.

As I lifted my hand to knock, "Come in, little devil."

I sighed.

Of course, he already knew it was me. I pushed the door open.

Nothing had changed.

Everything remained exactly where it had always been, including the family portraits. I frowned.

I had asked him to remove them years ago.

He never listened.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked with a smile.

I remained silent, my eyes lingering on Mother's portrait. A familiar ache settled inside my chest.

"You still haven't answered me, son."

"What brings you here?"

I finally looked at him.

"I wanted to know more about the girl."

His brows lifted.

"Which one?"

"The short one with blue eyes."

Realization crossed his face.

"What about her?" He questioned, looking at my face.

"Where did you find her? Did you notice anything... unusual?"

He leaned back thoughtfully. "No." "Nothing unusual."

"Although..." he chuckled.

"I did notice the way you were staring at her."

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"This isn't funny."

His smile faded.

"Is something wrong?"

I hesitated. "I don't know."

Then I finally admitted it.

"She's immune to my Alpha power."

Silence, complete silence.

Even Father looked surprised.

"That has never happened before," I continued quietly.

"I know," he replied.

He folded his arms.

"I told you she was powerful." "I believe there's something very special about her."

"She simply hasn't learned to control whatever power she possesses." "With proper training, she could become one of the strongest weapons this pack has ever had."

I frowned.

"Why do you have so much faith in one woman?"

His expression softened.

"Because you weren't there to feel what I felt."

There was conviction in his voice. Absolute certainty. I leaned forward.

"Should I keep her locked away until we know we can trust her?"

He shook his head immediately.

"No, that would be a mistake." "If we want her trust, we have to give her a reason to trust us."

His words lingered in my mind.

"We can assign someone to watch her, observe her, and then decide."

I slowly nodded.

That sounded more reasonable.

He studied me carefully.

"There's still something you're hiding."

I looked away.

He sighed. "I won't force you, but whenever you're ready, I will be here."

I stood.

"I should get ready."

As I reached the door, his familiar voice stopped me.

"Little devil," I glanced back.

"When you're ready to talk, I will listen."

I gave him a small nod before walking away.

The full moon had finally risen.

According to Mildred, tonight was the perfect night for the initiation ceremony.

As Alpha, my presence was required.

Tonight, the young pups would experience their very first shift.

The slaves, meanwhile, would swear loyalty to Crescent Pack through an ancient binding spell.

Once the ritual was complete, anyone who betrayed the pack would suffer unbearable pain before death claimed them.

The arena had already been prepared.

Bonfires blazed in a wide circle, casting dancing shadows across the clearing.

Extra clothing had been neatly stacked nearby for everyone after shifting.

I inspected everything once before taking my place.

The ceremony began.

Young pups stood proudly at the front.

The slaves formed a line behind them.

Mildred stepped into the center.

Her ancient chants echoed through the night, calling upon the Moon Goddess, the spirits of the ancient wolves, and every Alpha who had ruled before me.

The air itself seemed to hum with power.

Soon, bones cracked, and growls filled the arena.

One after another, wolves emerged.

Strong, healthy, successful. Everyone shifted except one.

She collapsed to the ground. Her entire body shook violently.

Bone after bone snapped beneath her skin,

Yet nothing happened. No wolf emerged.

"Make it stop, please!" she cried.

Her screams tore through the arena. Her eyes flashed again, green, gold, then green once more.

I had never witnessed anything like it.

Without thinking, I rushed to her side.

I grabbed both of her hands.

The moment our skin touched, her pain flooded into me.

Every broken bone, every burning nerve. Every scream.

I felt it all. Inside me, Speed roared.

He lifted her chin with his paw.

"Mark her," he screamed inside my head.

I clenched my jaw.

"No."

If I allowed him to mark her now, there would be no turning back.

Mildred hurried over.

She uncorked a small vial from her pouch and poured the liquid into the girl's mouth.

Almost instantly, she began coughing violently.

Foam spilled from her lips as her body convulsed.

Then

"Boom!"

A burst of energy exploded from her body.

She slammed unconscious onto the ground.

Before anyone could react, a heart-wrenching scream echoed across the arena.

Every head turned. One of the young pups had collapsed, completely unconscious.