Marked By Alpha's Curse

Chapter Ten

Steam drifted into the room as the door opened. Lyra stepped out, wrapped in a towel, her skin still glistening from the bath. Her hair was damp, strands sticking to her neck. She avoided Kael’s gaze, clutching the towel tighter as she crossed to the bed.

Kael’s eyes followed her before he could stop himself. Something primal stirred deep within him—sharp, urgent, almost painful. His wolf pushed against his control, growling low in his chest.

Touch her.

The voice was low, rough, and ancient inside him. His muscles tensed. He forced his jaw to lock, dragging in a slow breath through his nose. The air smelled of soap and warmth—of her.

His wolf growled again, louder this time, clawing at the edges of his restraint.

She’s ours.

Kael’s hand curled into a fist at his side. He turned away sharply, staring out the window instead. “The feast begins at dusk,” he said, his tone flat, giving nothing away.

Lyra paused at the bed, glancing at him through the mirror. She couldn’t see the turmoil beneath the mask—but he could feel it, pulsing in every vein.

“Where will I sit?” she asked quietly.

He didn’t look at her. “By my side.”

She paused, fingers brushing the gown’s fabric. “Do i really have to sit by your side?”

His jaw flexed. “Do you want to embarrass us both?”

Lyra met his gaze in the mirror, her reflection steady though her eyes burned with defiance. “I’ve been embarrassing you since the moment fate chose me,” she said softly.

Kael said nothing. The air between them grew heavy.

She turned, slipping into the gown. The gold fabric shimmered faintly, clinging to her shape — beautiful, but suffocating. Every thread of it reminded her of chains.

Kael stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her reflection. “You’ll get used to it,” he murmured.

Lyra didn’t respond.

When she finally turned, the distance between them was too close, his scent wild and warm around her. She forced herself to meet his eyes.

“Is this what it means to be your mate?” she asked quietly. “To be protected only when it suits you?”

For a fleeting second, Kael’s eyes softened — then the walls returned. “It means no one disrespects what’s mine,” he said, his tone low, guarded.

Lyra’s breath caught, her fingers tightening around the edge of the gown. She didn’t understand him — the way his voice sounded like both a promise and a warning. Before she could respond, something changed in his eyes.

His pupils darkened, his chest rising a little too fast.

Kael’s wolf stirred violently within him.

Touch her.

The command wasn’t his own — it was the beast inside him, impatient, restless, craving what his mind denied.

Kael’s hand moved before reason caught up. His fingers brushed her waist, firm and warm through the thin fabric.

Lyra froze. Her pulse stumbled. “Alpha?” she whispered, unsure, her gaze lifting to his face. He looked… conflicted — as though he was at war with something she couldn’t see.

His breathing roughened. His wolf pushed again.

Claim her.

Kael clenched his jaw, dragging in a sharp breath before forcing himself to step back. “I need to get ready,” he said quickly, voice tight.

Lyra stood there, still dazed, her skin tingling where he’d touched her. She didn’t know what just happened — or why his eyes looked like that — but her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

Without another word, Kael turned away, walking toward the adjoining chamber.

The air between them pulsed with something unspoken.

And as the door closed behind him, Lyra’s fingers brushed her waist, her thoughts spiraling.

Lyra's pov

I was still standing by the mirror when the door opened again. Kael stepped in, already dressed — black attire trimmed with silver, a cloak draped over one shoulder. His presence filled the room instantly, the scent of cedar and smoke following him.

I looked away quickly, pretending to adjust the sleeve of my gown. My heart hadn’t stopped its restless pace since the last time he touched me.

His voice broke the silence. “Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Yes, my Lord.”

Kael’s gaze swept over me once — sharp, unreadable — then he moved closer, his tone steady and clipped. “At the feast, you’ll stay by my side. You won’t speak unless spoken to. And you’ll keep your head low when the King addresses us. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ll do as I say, Lyra. The council already doubts the bond. They’ll be watching for any weakness , for any reason, to call you unfit.”

I swallowed hard. “I understand.”

He studied me a moment longer, as if making sure I truly did. Then he exhaled quietly, the sound almost like a sigh. “Good.”

The silence stretched again. I could feel his eyes on me, weighing, measuring, maybe even protecting, though he’d never admit it.

Then, without warning, he extended his arm slightly.

For a moment, I didn’t understand.

His expression didn’t change, but his meaning was clear. He wanted me to take it.

I hesitated, staring at the hand of the man who had frightened half the council with a single glance — the same man who had pinned me to a wall not long ago, whose touch had just hours before sent my heart stumbling.

Part of me wanted to refuse, to prove I wasn’t as fragile as they thought. But another part — the part that still trembled from the memory of last night — wanted to trust that he wouldn’t let anything happen to me.

Slowly, I lifted my hand and placed it around his arm.

Kael’s muscles tensed under my touch, but he didn’t pull away. His warmth seeped through the fabric, grounding me in a way I didn’t expect.

“Keep close,” he said simply.

I nodded. “I will.”

He glanced down at me briefly, something flickering behind his eyes — something almost human. But it disappeared as quickly as it came.