The Mate Curse

Alpha's Routine

Kael’s POV

The sun had barely risen, but I was already awake, standing in front of the training grounds, watching as the younger pack members went through their morning drills. My muscles were tight, the air crisp against my skin as I folded my arms across my chest. I pulled the arms of my black shirt down to cover my tattoos. The pack was strong, as it always was. No one questioned my authority here. But something about today felt different. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was just… off.

The sounds of sparring echoed in the distance—punches landing, bodies colliding, the thud of feet against dirt. Every movement qwas instinctive, every attack precise, controlled. I nodded to myself, satisfied with the discipline my pack displayed. My pack. My responsibility.

I didn’t have time for distractions. I’d learned long ago that emotions were a weakness. As an Alpha, I had to be strong, unshakable, a leader for the others to follow.

Girls in the pack sometimes looked at me differently than the others. I could feel their eyes on me during training, in the halls of the pack house, or during the rare moments I passed by them in the forest. The looks were familiar by now—admiration, desire, curiosity. It was expected.

I’d been the Alpha for years, and over time, the girls had started to fall for the power, the status, the strength that came with being me. Some would try to get close, a smile here, a flirtatious comment there. But I didn’t indulge in it. They were distractions, all of them. None of them were worth my time. I had no need for a mate.

It wasn’t just that I didn’t need one; I didn’t want one. I’d seen what having someone you care about could do. It made you vulnerable. And I couldn’t afford to be vulnerable. My pack needed me, and I needed to be untouchable. The weight of that responsibility was enough to keep me grounded.

The whispers I heard were always the same: "He’s so strong, so untouchable," they would say. "But there’s something so cold about him."

I could hear it in their voices, the admiration and the distance. They didn’t know me. Not really. They couldn’t. No one could.

I turned away from the training grounds and walked toward the pack house. The day was just beginning, but there was always something to do. Meetings with my Betas, checking in with the pack’s operations, overseeing the daily routine. Everything had to be perfect.

Inside the house, Rylan, my Beta, was already waiting for me in my office. He was a steady presence—always calm, always collected. “Alpha,” he said, his voice steady. “The border patrol noticed some rogue activity near the western edge. They’re asking if you want to take action now or wait until we have more intel.”

I considered it for a moment. “Wait. But keep me updated,” I replied, not needing to look at him to know his reaction. Rylan was good at his job, and he knew I didn’t like to waste time unless it was necessary. The pack’s strength lay in our ability to act swiftly and decisively.

I walked out of my office and down the hallway, my boots thudding against the polished floors. The pack house was busy, filled with the sounds of everyday life—members eating, talking, preparing for the day. But I couldn’t help the sense of restlessness that lingered in my chest. I wasn’t sure where it was coming from. My pack was strong, my leadership unquestioned. But lately, something about my life had started to feel… off.

Every night, the dreams came.

One type of dream was always the same—abstract, confusing. It wasn’t like any normal dream. The images were fragmented—blurred visions of the Moon Goddess, her face half-hidden in shadow, her eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity. She never spoke directly, just flickered in and out of my vision, leaving behind a sense of unease and a strange pull in my gut. I didn’t understand what it meant, but it felt important. Felt like it was connected to something I couldn’t quite grasp.

Then there were the dreams of her. The girl.

I didn’t know who she was. She was just a silhouette at first, her figure faint and elusive. But when I woke up, I felt a peace that I couldn’t explain. She was the one thing that made sense, the one thing that felt real. Her presence, even in the dream, was calming. I couldn’t remember her face clearly, but there was something familiar about her, something that made me feel whole.

The dreams were always the same. I’d wake up in the middle of the night, my chest heavy, but calm, like the storm inside of me had temporarily settled. For a moment, I felt like I had a purpose. But when the morning light broke through my window, I was left with nothing but confusion and that gnawing emptiness.

And then I’d push it all away, bury it deep down where no one could see. I didn’t have time for this.

But the restlessness… it never went away.

I stepped into the training room, and the noise of the pack filled my senses. The younger wolves were sparring again, some of the girls looking at me, catching my attention for a fleeting second before turning away quickly. They were always so shy around me, like I was some untouchable legend.

It felt like a game to them—flirting, testing the waters, hoping for a glimpse of attention from the Alpha. But I didn’t give them anything. I never did.

I went to join the training session, the pack members acknowledging my presence with respectful nods, a few whispering among themselves. I could feel their gazes on me, especially from the younger females, their eyes full of admiration—or perhaps something else. But I ignored it. I didn’t need any of it. Not now.

Not with the dreams. Not with this nagging feeling of something being missing.

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