STOLEN BY THE CURSED ALPHA

AZARI FAIRBUN “Please,” I begged, as he ripped my underwear apart. “Please what?” he asked, the ice never leaving his tone, despite the searing heat his body emitted. He pinched my n****e, I sucked in air as my vision blurred slightly. “Please do—” He slammed into me, halting my plea. One sleek thrust, and everything blurred. How did I get here? And who was this man? I'll tell you in a bit. But first, it all began with a wedding. My wedding. _________________ I never dreamed of being a Luna. While other girls my age had fantasies of grand ceremonies and fated mates, I yearned for something else. Freedom, adventure, a life that was truly mine. Not one determined by bloodlines, alliances, or politics, but I guess not everyone get their happy endings. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, seeing myself like a living ornament in a silk gown, prepared to be handed over like a trophy. I hated not having control over my own life. The maids fluttered around me like frantic butterflies, adjusting the heavy lace of my gown, pinning stray curls back into place. Their voices overlapped in a symphony of forced cheer. “You look breathtaking, my Lady.” “Alpha Lucian won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” “Such a perfect Luna you’ll be…” I forced a smile, staring back at my reflection in the enormous mirror in front of me. The woman staring back looked… ethereal. Strange, even to my own eyes. My honey-gold irises glowed faintly under the soft lighting. Wild auburn curls, tamed into cascading waves, framed a face kissed with a delicate flush. My frame, lithe and graceful, disappeared into a masterpiece of white silk and embroidered silver thread. By all accounts, I was beautiful. A perfect Luna-to-be. Yet deep inside me, a hollow ache gnawed at my chest. Outside the bridal chambers, the hum of excitement drifted in through the heavy oak doors. The guests had already gathered, I was told. Packs from across the territories had come because of the magnitude of an event like Mooncrest’s halls buzzed with political power tonight. Werewolf weddings were sacred, steeped in ancient tradition. It wasn’t just about love — it was a binding of bloodlines, a fusion of power, a ritual that tied destinies together under the moon’s blessing. Once the vows were spoken, and the mating mark exchanged, there was no turning back. The bond would be absolute. Eternal. “Ready, my Lady?” a soft voice asked. I turned to see Elira, my closest maid, smiling gently. She tucked a white lily into my hair — a Mooncrest tradition symbolizing purity and loyalty. Pure. Loyal. Words I wasn’t sure belonged to me anymore. I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I whispered. “Don’t talk like that. My lady,” Elira said, caressing my hair gently. “You’re going to a wedding, not preparing for war.” "It really feels like the latter,” I said with a sigh. “Nonsense. You’re too pretty to be frowning. I know your husband-to-be, Alpha Lucian. He’s a very good man. He’ll take care of you,” Elira said, resting both her hands on my cheeks and staring directly into my eyes. “You’re going to be a great Luna.” I reassured her with a smile. Trying to convince her that I was going to at least try to look happy during the ceremony. She let go of my hair and I stood up looking as breathtaking as the maids intended. In a few seconds, the grand doors opened. A hush fell over the crowd. I stepped into the aisle, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. The hall was a sea of opulence — golden candelabras, tapestries of silver and midnight blue, walls carved with ancient sigils of the packs. Hundreds of eyes watched as I moved forward, my gown whispering against the stone floor. At the far end, beneath a sprawling arch of moon flowers, stood the priest… and beside him, Alpha Lucian. He looked regal, almost unreal, in his ceremonial black and silver robes. His icy blue eyes warmed the moment they landed on me, and a genuine, soft smile curled his lips. For a fleeting heartbeat, I felt a pang of guilt. Lucian truly cared for me. Maybe even loved me in his own way. The way he was all over me that evening during dinner said a lot about his attraction to me. As I reached the altar, he extended his hand to me. I hesitated — just for a breath — then placed my fingers lightly in his. His palm was warm, steady. The priest began the sacred rites. “Before the goddess of the moon, before the packs gathered here, we unite two souls in sacred bond…” The words blurred at the edges of my mind. I felt detached, floating, like a stranger in my own skin. “Azari Fairburn, do you accept Alpha Lucian as your mate and Luna, to lead and protect beside him, to honor the ancient code of the packs?” I opened my mouth. The words “I do” perched on the tip of my tongue but didn’t get the opportunity to come out before chaos erupted. A dense, swirling fog suddenly appeared across the hall, limiting our vision. The guests gasped and shouted. Chairs scraped against stone as people rose to their feet in alarm. Lucian’s hand tightened around mine protectively, his head snapping around, eyes narrowed. From the mist, shadows emerged — dark, swift figures in masks and cloaks. They moved with terrifying precision, weaving through the crowd. Screams echoed. Our guards were overwhelmed in seconds. "Stay behind me!” Lucian snarled, yanking me closer. But it was too late. Rough hands seized me from behind. A cloth was pressed over my mouth — sharp with the bitter tang of sleeping herbs. I struggled, kicking, twisting, but the world was already spinning dizzily. Through the haze, I saw Lucian fight; throwing punches, howling orders. But, the masked figures were relentless. In seconds, they had Lucian on his knees. One figure, taller than the rest, wearing a black mask with silver markings, stepped forward. He stared straight at Lucian, his voice calm but mocking. "Find her if you can, Lucian,” I heard him say. Lucian looked defeated. His downcast eyes were the last thing I saw. Slowly, darkness swallowed me whole.