The Mate Curse

Static in the Air

Kael’s POV

I woke up before the sun. Again.

My eyes blinked open and for a second, I was just... staring at the ceiling. My room was quiet, except for the ticking clock and the low rustle of the wind outside. I could still feel the dream clinging to me, like fog. It was one of those dreams. The weird kind that never made sense. There were flashes of silver, like eyes or stars—I didn’t know which—and a voice that sounded like wind through trees. She never said anything clear. Just... whispers. Sometimes I thought it was the Moon Goddess. But I didn’t even know what that meant.

I ran a hand through my messy dark hair and sat up. My chest felt tight. Not like something was wrong in the pack. Something was just... off in me. Like I was supposed to know something but couldn’t grab it. Like a word on the tip of your tongue.

I shook it off.

My closet was full of stuff I didn’t care about. I grabbed a plain black shirt that stretched over my chest and arms, dark jeans, and my leather jacket, to cover my tattoos, i had a full sleeve of tattoos, onfact my whole body was littered with them, some having meaning, some just for fun. I glanced at myself one last time in the mirror. It made me feel grounded, like armor. I put on my black combat boots and left my room. The hallway smelled like pinewood and fresh coffee—someone was already up.

Downstairs, the pack house was buzzing like usual. Omegas were cooking, warriors were getting ready for morning training, and everyone moved out of my way when I passed. Their heads dipped in respect. A few of the younger she-wolves stared a little too long, whispering behind their hands. I ignored them. I always did. It was easier that way.

Training went fast. My body knew what to do. My wolf liked the fight—the sweat, the focus, the snapping of bones and fists hitting punching bags. I was the strongest alpha in the region. Everyone said it. Everyone knew it. But sometimes... I didn’t feel strong. Not when I had dreams I couldn’t explain and peace I couldn’t find unless I was asleep.

“Hey,” Jax called out, walking over with that stupid smirk of his. “We still going to the city today?”

I groaned. “Do we have to?”

He rolled his eyes. “Come on. You promised. Just one meeting. Some boring human business crap. You’ll be in and out before your ego gets bruised.”

I laughed a little even though I didn’t want to. Jax was my best friend. My Beta. He always knew how to annoy me enough to get me moving.

“Fine,” I muttered, brushing past him. “But you owe me a burger after.”

We left just after lunch. The drive to the city was long but not terrible. Trees faded into buildings. Mountains turned into glass towers. I hated it. The air was different here. Thicker. Loud. Too many smells—car smoke, hot dogs, perfume. My wolf hated it more than I did.

We had the meeting in some boring office near a movie theater. I didn’t say much. Just glared and nodded while Jax handled the talking. I looked out the window most of the time, my mind drifting to that dream again. The silver shapes. The girl I saw sometimes. I never saw her face, but just dreaming of her made me feel calm in a way I never did when I was awake. Like all the chaos inside me quieted down. It was stupid. Probably fake.

When we finished, Jax said, “Let’s grab coffee or something.”

“I don’t like coffee,” I muttered, but followed anyway.

We walked out, crossing through the crowd. There were a lot of people around. Some coming out of the theater, some just walking fast with bags and phones like ants in a hurry. I hated crowds. I kept my head down, trying not to breathe in too deep. I just wanted to get back to the truck and drive home.

Then it happened.

It was so fast. A tiny brush—just an arm against mine.

I froze.

It was like a spark shot through me. Not like lightning. Not like pain. Just this soft, warm tingling that ran straight down my arm. My eyes snapped up, scanning the crowd. I turned, trying to see who it was.

A girl. I think. Long hair. But she was already gone.

Gone.

I stood there like an i***t, heart beating faster than it should. It was just a touch. Not even a big one. Not like a mark or a scent or anything. Just... static in the air.

Jax looked back at me. “Dude? You good?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “Thought I saw something.”

I didn’t tell him what happened. How could I? It didn’t even make sense to me.

We walked on, but my mind wasn’t with me anymore. My arm still tingled where she brushed it. It didn’t hurt. It didn’t even feel wrong. But it felt... like something.

Like peace.

And that scared me more than anything.