Cursed Mates

MARCUS' POV The dark sky loomed heavily over the Pack, as I stood at the top of the hill. My eyes were dark and emotionless, however, the moon shone brightly. At this point, I started to see a red lining on the moon and I took a deep and long breath. "It's that time, again." I said to myself in a low tone. I knew what the red lining meant and it wasn't a good thing for me. Every leap year, my mate, Romie, would die and be reincarnated. Most people would be happy if their mates died and reincarnated. However, it was a heavy burden on me. With a sigh through my lips, I knew I didn't want to go through the happy moments of falling in love with her again. After every kiss we have, she would die and I would be left in great agony. It was a curse that caused me great agony! Her constant death caused me to be weak. Also, I don't want to see lay cold on the floor, dead. "I can't do this, anymore." I said as I came to a final decision in my mind. I decided I would not fall in love with her. My mate has to stay alive while I become cold and heartless toward her. At the same time, I could not let my legacy end. After a few seconds, I heard light footsteps from behind and I knew someone was approaching. "Alpha..." A voice sounded from behind and I took a deep breath before turning around. Standing before me was my Beta, Zuvy. "What is it?" I asked, with raised brows. However, at this point, I couldn't conceal my emotions anymore. "It's that time, again." I heard Zuvy say and I sighed, knowingly. I could see the emotion of pity on his face and I didn't like that one bit. He knew how I felt about my mate and I didn't think I should hide anything from him. There was a moment of silence as I contemplated on the words to say, "I have decided!" I said, in a stern tone. "What have you decided? Are you going to take your mate?" He asked, with a look of anticipation. "I need you to swear that you would never tell Romie that I'm mated to her. She needs to live." I dropped the bombshell and Zuvy frowned. He was about to reply to my words but then he was cut off by a deep growl from me. I felt my wolf stirring within me and for a moment, I was confused. "Wolfie! You don't have to do anything here." I said, trying to reach toward my wolf in the deepest part of my mind. However, I could feel him pushing relentlessly against our bond and I frowned. "Are you okay, Alpha?" I heard Zuvy said but at this point, I could feel my consciousness starting to fade. My wolf was trying to take over. Immediately, he rushed toward me and touched my shoulder. "Alpha, you can't shift! You wouldn't be able to control what is going to happen." My Beta said, in worry. At this point, my wolf took control and my arms and legs changed into strong limbs. Black fur covered my body as I landed on all fours. My senses were heightened and immediately, I dashed past Zuvy. "Marcus!" He called out, in urgency but I was already running down the hill, with my wolf in control. Soon, I ran through the Pack and past the borders. I didn't know where I was going but I could feel my wolf sniffing the air while he ran. A few minutes later, we were in the forest and from a distance, I could spot a shabby looking house through my wolf's eyes. Soon, I was running toward the house and immediately I broke in. My eyes narrowed as I saw what was going on in the house. Two witches were about to sacrifice a girl! Obviously, the witches were a couple. I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of anger and I growled. "What is that dog doing here?" The lady witch said, in anger, as I had interrupted their plans. She had called me a dog! I'm one of the strongest Alpha and she dared to call me a dog. She knew what I was but then she would never want to admit it. "We just need to get the wolf out of here." The male witch said and he started to walk toward me. His face looked threatening and I knew he thought he was going to be done with me within seconds. On the other hand, the lady witch still had the girl in tight clutches. Planting my claws firmly to the ground, I crouched and in the blink of an eye, I jumped toward the couple. "Ahhhh..." There was a loud scream in the air as my claws scratched against the lady witch's face and she let go of the girl. Swiftly, I landed on all fours while I watched the lady witch and her companion scurry, in fright. Without thinking twice, the girl summoned her strength and dashed out of the house, while limping. "You! What have you done! You will pay for this." The lady witch screamed as she realized that her prey had run away. Immediately, the lady witch rushed toward me. Her hands started to morph a fiery ball of light and her face was red in anger. As she sent the fiery ball toward me, I dodged immediately. The ball landed on the wall and there was a loud crash. With my limb muscles flexed, as I lunged at the lady witch. My claws caught onto her right hand and immediately, I tore it apart from her shoulder. "Ahhhh..." Her screams echoed through the night as she fell to the ground, wailing in pain. From behind, the male witch held a sword in hand. I could see every one of his movements from the corner of my eyes. As I crouched over the wailing witch, his sword was raised and he was ready to stab me. Seeing his hand motions, I dodged immediately and his sword pierced through the lady witch's eyes. "f**k! What have I done?" I heard the male witch say as the lady witch hissed and cursed in pain. There was a bloody gash on her shoulder and blood trailed from her eyes. My eyes shone as she laid in the pool of her blood. "You're not going to get away with this! Who the f**k are you?" The male witch said. A wicked expression crept onto his face but before he could do anything, I lunged at him. My sharp teeth caught onto his legs and he fell to the ground. His fingers dug into the ground as he tried to get away from me but I was having none of it. Holding onto him, my limbs found their way to his neck. Swiftly, I descended on him. My sharp canines dug into his neck, tearing off his skin. Blood sputtered out as he wailed. With a thought, my sharp claws dug into his chest, pulling out his heart. He took his last breath! "You killed him!" The lady witch said as she was already sitting upright. She could only see with one eye and could only support herself with her left hand. Her expression was a mix of pain, anger and hurt. I then started to move toward her. "Don't come any closer!" She said, in fright. Immediately, I lunged at her. My limbs landed on her while she lay flat on the ground. Swiftly, my canines and claws dug into her neck and tore her head off her body. A stream of blood splattered all over my fur but then I didn't care. The smell of blood invigorated me. In the next second, I heard something break and my head snapped in the direction of the noise. I growled and I heard a light whimper. My eyes zeroed in on a girl hiding in the corner. Her body was shaky terribly and fear was evident on her face. The scent in the air was intoxicating and I couldn't help but want more of it. On the other hand, the girl tried to scurry away from me as I approached her in my wolf form. I realized she was scared of me. I looked like the god of death at that moment. Swiftly, I morphed into my human form and I stood naked before her, unashamedly. The scent in the air was prominent and it was obviously from the girl. Her scent was intoxicating and I held her gaze. Her starry eyes looked at me and I was lost in them. Slowly, I walked toward her, trying not to scare her. She also didn't pull away as she was also intoxicated by me. As I got close to her, I held her chin. Sparks flew between us as I came to a realization. "Mate!" My wolf said and immediately I stepped back in horror.