Cursed to Three Alphas

1.

Chapter One

The moment I stepped out of the small cottage I shared with my best friend, Celeste, and looked up at the heavy gray clouds hanging low in the sky, I knew the kind of day it would be—a disastrous one.

Being a 21-year-old unmated Omega in the Silverthorn Pack was like walking around with a target on your back. It didn’t take much to ruin your day; a couple of rude kids making snide comments about your wolflessness or, even worse, nosy adults prying into your personal life as if you owed them an explanation for not having found your mate.

“Why haven’t you found your mate yet, Aria?” they would ask, their fake smiles barely masking their condescension. As much as their questions grated on my nerves, I always answered politely. If I didn’t, it wouldn’t take long for the old and greasy Alpha Darius to hear about my “disrespect.” The very thought of him made my skin crawl. He’d been trying to corner me since I turned 18, and I knew the consequences of rejecting his advances could be deadly.

Shaking off the unease, I stepped back inside, facing the cracked mirror above our tiny dresser. My red hair, once bright and fiery, had deepened into a darker crimson over the years. Against my pale skin, it was the one thing about myself I liked. I swept it into a tight bun, keeping it out of my face. “Neat and efficient,” I muttered, trying to sound more enthusiastic about the long day ahead.

Grabbing the keys to my market stall, I threw one last glance at the mirror. My dark green eyes stared back at me, reflecting the weariness I felt. “Just another day,” I whispered, trying to convince myself it would be fine.

Monday was the busiest day of the week in the Silverthorn Pack, and I needed to get to the market early if I wanted to sell all the fruits and vegetables I’d brought in from the fields. It wasn’t glamorous, and it sure as hell wasn’t profitable, but it was my only way of saving up for college. College—the dream that kept me going, the escape from this suffocating pack and its oppressive rules.

By the time I reached the market square, the air was already buzzing with activity. The scent of fresh bread and smoked meat mingled with the sharper tang of ripe fruit, creating a heady mix that always made my stomach growl.

“Good morning, redhead,” a familiar voice called out, cutting through the noise.

I turned, already smiling as I spotted Celeste approaching. Her blonde curls bounced with every step, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with the same energy that had made us fast friends years ago.

“Good morning to you too,” I replied, my smile widening as she reached my stall.

“You seem less cranky today,” Celeste teased, her grin mischievous. “That’s got to be a sign of good things coming.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head as I continued arranging the apples and peaches on my wooden table. “Don’t get your hopes up. Mondays have a way of turning into disasters.”

Celeste leaned against the edge of my stall, her expression turning thoughtful. “You know, you should let me set you up with one of the guys from my block. Someone sweet who’ll take your mind off all this Alpha Darius nonsense.”

I froze, my stomach churning at the mere mention of his name. “Celeste, no. You know how he gets. If he finds out I’m even talking to someone else, it’ll just make things worse.”

Her playful smile faltered, replaced by a frown. “You can’t live like this, Aria. It’s not fair.”

“Fair or not, it’s my reality,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. “And I’d rather not get someone else dragged into it.”

Celeste opened her mouth to argue, but the sound of raised voices nearby caught both our attention. A small crowd had gathered near the center of the market square, their murmurs growing louder.

“What’s going on over there?” I asked, squinting to get a better look.

“I don’t know,” Celeste said, her brows knitting together. “But I don’t like the way they’re all looking at us.”

Before I could respond, a deep, gravelly voice cut through the commotion. “Aria!”

My blood ran cold. Slowly, I turned to see none other than Alpha Darius striding toward us, his dark eyes locked on me like a predator stalking its prey.

Celeste’s hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly. “What does he want now?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.

When Darius reached my stall, the crowd fell silent, their curious gazes flicking between us. He was dressed in his usual black leather jacket, his slicked-back hair giving him an almost oily appearance. But it was his smirk that unsettled me the most—a smirk that promised nothing good.

“Good morning, Aria,” he said smoothly, his tone dripping with mock politeness.

“Alpha Darius,” I replied, forcing my voice to stay steady.

His smirk widened as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. The gesture made my skin crawl, but I didn’t dare flinch.

“I was hoping we could have a little… chat,” he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

“I’m busy,” I said quickly, gesturing to the stall. “It’s market day, and—”

“Don’t play games with me, Omega,” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “I’ve been patient long enough.”

“Alpha, I—”

Before I could finish, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “You’ll regret making me wait.”

My breath hitched as he straightened up, giving the crowd one last smirk before walking away.

“What the hell was that about?” Celeste demanded the moment he was out of earshot.

I shook my head, my hands trembling as I gripped the edge of the stall. “I don’t know. But whatever it is… it’s not good.”

The rest of the morning passed in a blur, my unease growing with every passing minute. By the time noon rolled around, the market was quieter, and I was beginning to think I might actually survive the day unscathed.

But then it happened.

A sharp scream rang out, shattering the relative peace of the square. I spun around to see two pack enforcers dragging a struggling figure toward the center of the square. My heart stopped when I realized who it was.

Celeste.

Her blonde hair was a tangled mess, her face pale as she fought against their grip.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, rushing toward them.

One of the enforcers glared at me, his grip tightening on Celeste’s arm. “Step back, Omega. This doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it doesn’t!” I snapped. “Let her go!”

“Aria!” Celeste cried, her voice panicked. “Run! Get out of here!”

Before I could react, Darius appeared once more, his expression cold and unyielding.

“This is what happens to those who meddle in things they don’t understand,” he said, his voice carrying over the square.

“What are you talking about?” I demanded, my voice trembling.

Darius’s gaze locked onto mine, his smirk returning. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The enforcers dragged Celeste away, her screams echoing in my ears as I stood frozen in place, dread pooling in my stomach.