I Cursed My Alpha Mates

Everything Keeps Getting Strange

Step-Father set me down in a room upstairs. It was nicely decorated and girly. Mum’s handiwork all over it. He left and I was finally alone. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Oh boy, family can be so exhausting; everyone and their own stunts.

I looked around the room again; I saw a bird perching gracefully on my window. The fearless little thing did not fly away until I reached out to touch it. As it fluttered its wings and disappeared into the sunset, my eyes were drawn not just to it but the forest around me. From up here, I had a clearer view and a magnificent one too. There was bamboo and thick tall trees shooting far above the house and spreading out miles into the distance. Little squirrels jumped from tree to tree and wild birds flew over and into the horizon.

I was so mesmerized in all I could see that I couldn’t help but pull closer to the window. Branches and leaves shook as the wind swept from the east and across the house, rushing into my room. That's when it happened; a chill drizzled down my spine. Not just any kind but the type that felt every bit disturbing. It coursed through me, inciting the sort of feeling that you get when you are unwanted.

“Burrrr.” I rubbed my hands around me, wondering what sort of weird thing just happened to me.

For a second, I was snagged into a day dream and I found myself thinking of the moment we passed the city and drove into the path leading here. I had felt something similar back then, like a touch from an unseen angel telling me that I shouldn’t be here.

I prepared for dinner, ignoring those feelings. Mother came up shortly after and helped me get dressed. Mum brought me downstairs before anyone else, except for Step-Father Jean. I helped myself, sitting at the second seat on the left side of the dining table. The other members of the house began to find their way in. Ian sat next to me, mother too. Drake sat alone on the right side of the table. One spot was empty.

“Didn’t you call him?” Step-Father asked Ian.

“I did, three times. You know how he is.” Ian replied in his defense.

“I will go this time.” Mother said, pushing back her seat. The stairway creaked almost immediately. Everyone looked towards it; including me.

Someone alighted, draped in robes. Simple, flowing snow grey robes. It seemed casual but there was an odd thing about the embroidery. I hadn't seen something like it before. He looked phased but he wasn’t; calmly he pulled out the seat in the empty space for himself, almost as quiet as a breeze. All that was, however, not the most puzzling thing about this older brother. It was his hair. It fell freely down his back, nearly reaching past his bottom. He dyed it an odd color; a mix of silver and white perhaps. He kind of looked like the moon.

Step-Father cleared his throat loudly, breaking into the silence. “Alright, now that we are all here,” He looked at me, warmly. “How about re-introductions? Drake, let’s start with you.”

He glared but at no one in particular. “I pass.” He muttered.

“Drake,” Step-Father’s voice deepened. It sounded almost like a growl. I saw Drake’s act break apart immediately.

“Fine. I’m Drake Sanchez. I'm 30 years old and I will be managing my own rugby academy soon, later than my competition apparently.”

I held up a big grin at him, a mocking grin; amused by his wounded pride.

“I’m Ian Sanchez. We are the same age but I am a doctor.”

I gave Ian a big warm smile. He made a gesture, showing me that he was flattered. I looked past him, at the ice-cold fellow sitting next to Drake. He was staring at me and he didn’t look away even though I just caught him. I shuddered.

‘Creepy’.

“Hello.” He began dryly. “I am No-el Sanchez. I’m 32 years old. I have a job; one that actually pays well.”

‘Woof, some ego’ I thought.

“Hi, Noel.” I extended my hand for him to take.

“My name is not Noel. It’s No… el; two separate words. If you can’t say it right, don’t say it at all.”

I crunched my nose, blinking twice and retracting my hand immediately.

‘Okay, creepy, and weird. That's one hell of a combo’.

“Sorry, No-el.” I apologized.

His eyes seemed to grow a little wider. He peered at me like I had suddenly taken another form, then he looked away. For some reason, he seemed shocked by my apology.

“Well, now that that is settled. Let’s eat.” Step-Father disrupted the flow of negative energy again.

Mother uncovered the dishes and the meal was served. No-el picked his food like a bird, Step-Father tore his own apart and the twins seemed to be in a who-will-finish-first contest. All the while, I tried to eat but I couldn’t shake off the cold chills brushing past me. Every time I looked up, No-el was staring back at me without so much as a blink. His countenance was calm but his composure screamed of uneasiness. He just didn’t stop looking and soon, I started to feel threatened.

I stared back, holding his gaze. I was determined to make him stop. I winked at him, stuck my tongue out; made funny faces. He didn’t weave. He was pushing me to bring out the big guns.

I made a circle with one of my hands and then stuck my middle finger into the center, twice. He blinked, utterly shocked, his gaze shifting away. I smiled to myself. I guess Sir Moon isn’t a saint after all. I grinned, mischievously. I didn’t know when a chuckle escaped my lips.

“You and your mother’s laugh are so much alike.” Step-Father chimed, in his usual loud and cheerful tone. He’d pass off as a dwarf from Game of Thrones if he wasn't so huge.

“Speaking of what you two have alike, your mother was spooked by the woods out here for weeks.” He laughed at that fact and mother feigned upset.

“Well, I am spooked a little.” I said.

“Maybe that’s because both of you shouldn’t be here.” Drake muttered under his breath. I raised my brow. – Okay, why did he just say that? Step-Father eyed him. “Pay no mind to what he says. You are welcome to share your experience here anytime. No matter what it is, we will discuss it with you because you are part of our little family now.” His tone had an air of authority and it sounded as if he was making a rule rather than comforting me. “Speaking of experiences, I haven’t told you that this land, as far as the forest stretches, is our Territory.”

“Territory?” I asked, finding his choices of words rather odd.

“Yes, there are other homes just like ours in this territory. Over two hundred thousand of our kind out here living together like a small community.”

“Wow.” Okay that surprised me. I grew up in the rural area but not this far from civilization. They must lack a lot of amenities. I decided to share my thoughts, talking about some sustainable developments that they could make to help them. Step-Father listened keenly but half-way through, Drake interrupted us abruptly, banging his hand on the table.

“Are you seriously listening to this?” He pointed at me like I was talking about some gibberish religion.

“Drake, what’s wrong with you today?” Mother asked softly.

“Stay out of this.” He retorted.

“Drake, upstairs, now!” Step-father ordered.

Just like before Drake couldn’t fight that. He angrily stormed out. Ian rose, going after him. No-el pushed his seat aside and walked away. Tonight’s dinner ended terribly. Although, mother tried her best to make me think differently, I couldn’t help but feel it was all my fault. Ian returned to the dining room, to help me back to my room. Step-Father and mother were already gone. He set me on my bed and bid me good night but I couldn’t sleep.

I decided some boring stroll around the upstairs passage would force sleep on me. I wheeled around quietly. Mother and Step-Father’s room was the last one down the hallway. I drew close to it but then chose to turn around. As I did, I heard them whispering.

“It’s going to be fine. I’m sure Elizabeth is stronger than she looks.”

I paused.

“I know but mates…”

“Is nothing she cannot handle? She is the top remember. They can’t be hard on her.”

I shook my head. Honestly I was expecting some secret leak but I couldn’t make sense out of any of the things they said. Waving it off as irrelevant, I moved on, into the room.

The door creaked slowly as I pushed it open. It was dark inside. Only the light of the moon illuminated the window pane and the bed stand.

There was a silhouette right in the middle of the room, completely still. I gulped, feeling my heart beat slow with my breath.

I whispered. “Who's there?”

The silhouette turned.

“I’m here to accept your offer.”

My jaw dropped. Now those words made no sense to me but I recognized that voice immediately.

“No-el?”