Cursed to Claim Her

Chapter 2: That Arrogant Animal

The news spread like wildfire all over Maverick City. News blogs posted both true and untrue stories about the attack on the day of the coronation. While the press and paparazzi were busy itching to hear more about the attack, the royal family was at the verge of falling apart.

“I’ll never marry a human… like… I can’t!” His throat felt like a fire had been lit in it. “All my life, I’ve done everything correctly just to be a perfect heir to the throne… but life is just out for me!” Tim kicked the air, not minding the hot glaring gaze of the entire royal council.

“My lord, I know how hard it all seems but… you have to remember that this is the fifth time since the attack that we have had to source the healing elves because you have fainted.”

Tim could feel his strength failing him just as much as he was angry. Almost like the war was first to survive rather than to still be the Alpha’s heir.

“But… marrying a human is a disgrace… a demotion… a demoralizing and degrading act.” His throat tightened. “If I do that, the people will never accept me fully as the heir.”

“That’s not true,” Alpha Vega breathed. “For years, the werewolf community has sought ways to form a more reliable bond with humans, and this is the chance.”

“I don’t want to be part of such a weakling experiment.” Taking a deep breath felt like life was leaving him again. He stared through the window to confirm the moon wasn’t out yet for the curse to be activated.

“The Ministry of Public Affairs has pinpointed a few options for you.” Minister Ceasar lifted up a portfolio. “These are the children of high and mighty calibre among the humans in Maverick City.”

Tim found himself reaching for the portfolio with sheer disgust.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” His eyes popped at the first profile. “Beverly Cane!”

Beverly Cane

She spread herself comfortably on her convertible office chair with a faint smile on her face. Once again, she had led Cane Enterprise to winning another major fashion contract.

Knock! Knock!

“Don’t come in.”

The glass door still pushed open with Felicia smiling from ear to ear. “Girl! You were fire in the conference room.”

Fighting the urge to smile sheepishly, she replied, “I’m always on fire.”

Beverly Cane, the name that sent other business ventures into hiding. Some said she wasn’t human but part of the mutation that happened years ago because of her unmatched confidence and intelligence. Despite her father’s wealth, she had played a major role in expanding the business venture into several lines of business, from fashion to publicity to beauty and many more. Every time Cane Enterprise was mentioned, Beverly’s face was somehow attached to it.

“For real!” Showing her the CCTV footage from the conference room, Felicia continued, “Even your uptight father couldn’t help but stare in admiration.”

Felicia had always been in awe of her boss’s efficiency and when she got the job as her assistant three years ago, it was a big accomplishment.

The mention of her father instead sent chills up her spine, immediately dousing every bit of excitement.

“I’m sure he’s just angry that it wasn’t Billy or Suzan, his lovely children, that bagged the contract.”

Pulling closer, Felicia said, “You are his child too.”

“The illegitimate one.” Beverly sat back up to face her laptop like the realization was all that she needed to get back her fighting spirit. “What about the publicity unit? Any more news about the cursed heir?”

“Nothing yet.” Advancing further, she added, “The council has gone full incognito, hence making some blogs spread the rumor of Prince Tim’s death.”

She broke into unrestrained laughter. “Death? That arrogant animal is still alive.”

“How are you so sure? Even some of the biggest blogs have bought the idea. Our blogs are the only ones that haven’t reflected it.”

“He’s still alive.” Heaving a deep sigh, she added, “If he was dead… I would have stopped feeling the maddening pain and quest for revenge.”

Wagging her head, Felicia said, “If I didn’t know you were human, I would have said you’re now a werewolf.” Leaning on the wall, she added, “Do you have some superpowers now?”

Beverly said nothing, just shutting her eyes again. She could feel it again, the burning swell in her throat and the erected hairs on her skin from the pain and fear she felt years ago. She could still hear their distant voices laughing at her frustration, see them raise their claws at her, and push her like unfortunate prey.

“Beverly!” Felicia snapped her fingers.

“Yeah.”

“What happened? I’ve been calling you.”

“Sorry.” Faking a smile, she added, “Send in my schedule.”

Felicia’s face formed a frown. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“What?”

“I said your father just sent an emergency SOS that you see him at the mansion now.”

Beverly swallowed hard. “Did he say why?”

“Nothing.”

She immediately reached for her purse, dropping last-minute orders for the rest of her team. Her bodyguards led her into the SUV her father sent to pick her up. Her mind ran through several reasons he might have sent an emergency SOS.

A few miles to the mansion, she reapplied her red lipstick. With her father, she had always been on her best game, trying not to show him her weakness, even if she could tell that he longed earnestly for it, to use it as an excuse to put her half-brother, Billy, in her place.

“This way, Miss Beverly.” Mr. Shine, her father’s sixty-five-year-old housekeeper, led her through the upward alley. She could remember how she used to play in it with Billy when they were younger, when the vastness of the mansion served as the perfect ground for hide-and-seek. But now, it was almost like a museum that was too revered to hold childish memories.

As soon as the main entrance to her father’s suite was opened, a strange smell welcomed her. It wasn’t her father’s. Her insides turned, knowing something was wrong.

Just before she could loosen her tongue to ask, Mr. Shine locked the door behind her.

“Dad?”

“I’m here.” His distant voice responded, giving her the confidence to walk through the dim lights and straight to his study with her left hand holding tightly to her pepper spray.

There he was, sitting at the table with his usual scotch in front of him, but he wasn’t alone. Two men in black tuxedos sat on his side with a glistening box on the table.

“Don’t be scared, come in.”

Feeling a little embarrassed that he could tell she was scared, she raised her shoulders, walking head high to take a seat opposite them.

“You sent an emergency SOS.” She glanced at the strange men with an off energy she couldn’t place. Her father treated his private suite like sacred ground; not even his children could walk in without proper invitation. “Who are these?”

Taking a sip from his glass, he answered, “Internal Affairs for the Alpha King.”

Her stomach tightened with an even more awful realization.

“Okay?”

“They have come with a proposal.” Mr. Cane peered intently into his daughter’s eyes. “A marriage proposal… they want you to marry the Alpha’s heir.”