His Destined Mate

I watched with pain as my most recent attempted mate walked away without a backwards glance. Phillip's broad shoulders were tense, his gait stiff with barely restrained relief at escaping my cursed existence. His sister Elena's shrill voice lashed out from behind him. "You're making the right choice, Phillip! Stay away from that wretched girl unless you want to die the same way she killed others !" Flinching, I dropped my gaze to hide the tears pouring down my cheeks. As if her malicious words could somehow infect me further. Around us, the rest of the pack pointedly avoided eye contact. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire of my dysfunction. With a last hateful glare thrown over her shoulder, Elena trotted after her brother. Leaving me alone, I ran away in shame. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about how life has been cruel and unfair to me. I can remember clearly the tragic accident that stole away my beloved sister and parents. My only real family was gone in an instant of shattered metal and flames. While I survived, my body was unharmed but my soul eternally destroyed . Ever since that fateful night, my life has never remained the same. Every female in the pack will always tell me "You're cursed , and deserve to die the same way you killed everyone . Stay away from this pack unless you want to keep ruining lives." More tears burned in my eyes. The cruel words and accusing looks never stopped. I was the black sheep, the constant reminder of their losses. My only place of solace was the bar. The bartender set another drink in front of me, not bothering with niceties. I drank down the glass of whiskey, feeling the burn as it went down my throat. The amber liquid gave me a short break from the loneliness that was always with me these days. I signaled the bartender for another drink again. I looked around the dingy bar. Couples and groups of friends filled the booths, laughing and having fun without care. A feeling of jealousy and bitterness twisted in my gut. If only I could be so carefree. If only I could live a normal life like every other person. I had drunk more than six bottles of beer, yet I wasn’t satisfied. A memory flashed as I remembered my first mate sister's harsh words at her brother's funeral: "Stay away from him unless you want to end up in the grave too." More tears stung my eyes. How many times have I heard that I was...cursed? The pretty bartender set another drink in front of me. "Rough night?" I gave a hollow laugh. "Rough life." I replied, taking a sip of the whiskey. As I was about to open the seventh bottle, a warm presence settled on the stool beside me. The newcomer's cologne had an intriguing cedar and smoke scent wafting my way. I risked a glance over. A strikingly handsome man caught my eye, all thoughts of him forgotten when I met his piercing hazel eyes. There was something...different about him. Exotic and powerful. Like an immortal watching over normal people. He held my gaze for a long moment. What would make a pretty lady like you to drink this much? "You seem troubled." Let me guess the love issue? The handsome man asked. I mumbled into my glass, "That's an understatement." This is worse than love.” Anyway, what does a handsome man like you want from me? Emboldened by the whiskey, I blurted out, "Unless you have a miracle cure for being a genetic dead end, move along." His eyebrows inched up, intrigued and not leaving me. Well, since you won’t leave , I guess I should tell you a little bit about my life ...” The words rushed out of me. I started telling the strange man the sad details about my life. “ I thought I was supposed to be a wolf shifter, destined to find my true mate. Except every mate I'd ever had ended up horribly killed through no fault of my own. I was the proverbial black widow - a cursed woman doomed to a life of loneliness and misery. “ I yelled in tears. I hate myself!! Why was I brought forth into this world if the only thing I would feel is pain and torture? I kill any single mate that comes my way. When I finished, tears streaked down my cheeks. I wiped them away, laughing bitterly. "See? A real bundle of joy, aren't I?" Rather than the expected pity or disgust, he studied me with an unreadable expression. Then, almost reverently, he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face. “ Why would such a beautiful lady like you think she’s cursed? You’re not cursed, they probably just happened coincidentally.” I laughed at his horrible remark. You mean to say they all died as a result of coincidence? “ You know what let me just kill myself and go meet my parents” I said, raising up the bottle in my hands. The strange man dragged the bottle out of my hands and turned me from eyeball to eyeball. "What if I could offer you a break?" His rough voice had a wild effect. "A temporary escape from your...situation?" I am currently trying to change my fate, from being destined to my current mate it another. So it’s a win-win situation for both of us. I blinked, my mind struggling to understand. "How?" "Simple." His eyes seemed to glitter with unspoken promise. "Become my mate for a short time." A harsh scoff escaped me. Of all the ridiculous suggestions... Yet he went on undeterred. "Six months. Live a normal life at my side, wanted and welcomed. No more self-pity or longing looks. In return..." One side of his mouth quirked up. "You help deter an extremely stubborn nuisance of my own." My heartbeat quickened, the alcohol and his closeness making me reckless. I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear. "Is this your way of hitting on me, stranger?" His laugh had a sinful quality. "Perhaps. Though I assure you, the benefits for you go well beyond one night of pleasure..." I shivered, desire sparking low in my belly. For once I felt...wanted. Desirable. It had been so long since I'd experienced a man's touch without the threat of death looming over us. Before I could think better of it, I turned and boldly kissed his lips in a searing kiss. He froze for just an instant before kissing me back, his hands gripping my waist to pull me flush against his hard body. I groaned into his mouth, savoring the blistering heat that licked through me. Then, with impressive restraint, he broke the kiss. Leaving me flushed and dazed. "Patience," he rumbled, the promise in that one word making me ache with need. "Once you accept my proposal, you'll have all the time in the world to satisfy yourself." Drunk on his presence and the dizzying effect of his nearness, I could only numbly nod. He brushed another lingering caress across my heated cheek. "Sleep on it. I'll come find you again by month's end. We'll...finalize the details then." With those parting words, he was gone. Leaving me half-intoxicated and fully aroused, my head still spinning. What had I gotten myself into? Chapter two I woke up with a pounding headache from drinking too much whiskey the night before. Blinking at the bright morning light, I looked around the unfamiliar room feeling very confused. This wasn't my small, empty room back home in at pack. The room had nice wood furniture and clean sheets on the large bed I was tangled up in. What the hell happened and How did I end up here? Slowly, I started remembering what happened last night. I was drinking away my sadness at the rough bar like usual. Then that mysterious, handsome stranger propositioned me with...that shocking offer to be his temporary mate. I gasped, recalling how I brazenly threw myself at him in a drunken haze. Desperately kissing him with no shame. A flush of mortification ran through me. I had acted so wantonly in front of him, leading him on before anything could actually happen between us. Tears filled my eyes as I glanced around what was clearly his private bedroom. He must have simply brought me here to sleep off my inebriated state after rejecting my stupid advances. My body ached slightly from the memory of being pressed against his hard frame, but thankfully that searing kiss was as far as it went. A noise from the hallway made me freeze. Quickly, I slipped out of the fancy bed and hunted for my rumpled clothes, dressing as fast as my shaking hands could manage. I had to escape this strange place and my humiliation before he returned. Just as I finished tying my boots, the door burst open. I tensed like a scared rabbit, bracing for the handsome stranger's reappearance and potential scorn over my behavior. But it wasn't him. Instead, a maid in a uniform strode in, not noticing me at first as she went to open the curtains. "You'll want to get ready, miss," she said crisply. "The King arrives at noon. You're expected at the official welcoming with the ladies." Her words were hard to understand.. The...King? What in the sacred moon's name was she on about? The maid finally noticed my undressed state, looking surprised. Heat flooded my cheeks as I averted my eyes in shame. She cleared her throat professionally. "My apologies. I thought the master was still sleeping." Without waiting for me to explain, she gave me a serious look. "I'll have fresh clothes brought up. You'll want to look neat and tidy." With that, she left. I was left staring open-mouthed after her, feeling confused and uneasy. Fresh clothes? Look presentable? Surely this couldn't mean what I was afraid of - that the bold stranger was somehow associated with or worked for...royalty? My jumbled thoughts spun with worry. One thing was certain - I couldn't stay here a moment longer, caught up in whatever fancy indulgences had happened. Especially not after disgracing myself and likely my whole pack with my unbecoming behavior. No, it was better to sneak away from this fancy place before anyone took further notice of me. I pushed aside any small hope that this was just a big misunderstanding. Straightening my rumpled clothes, I squared my shoulders and rushed out, intent on fleeing before— The blaring sound of ceremonial music shattered my focus. I jumped, pressing against the hallway wall as uniformed servants hurried past in a flurry. Some big event was clearly happening whether I stayed or not. Scolding my momentary cowardice, I hurried after them, trying to blend in and not be noticed. If I could just make it outside before it began, I could likely still escape... But as I entered the great hall where the entire household staff had gathered, I couldn't breathe. There, surrounded by armed guards. Then I saw Emily, the lady who was rumored to be the Lycan king's obsessed mate. What the hell was she doing here? Is this some kind of big ceremony?” I thought. What was the cruel Shewolf doing here? I have had an encounter with Emily once , when I mistakenly bumped into her and then she slapped me. As I was scanning through the crowd to see if there were other people around, I noticed almost everyone in the pack was here. I turned around and was about to move when I heard the loud yell following my joyful screams.. THE KING HAS ARRIVED!! ALL HAIL THE KING… ALL HAIL THE KING The crowd kept chanting. Because of how miserable I had become, I almost forgot that the Lycan limo was going to be introduced. Finally, the king walked inside the hall. I was at the back and wasn’t able to see the face of the man clearly. After struggling, I finally caught a glimpse of him. I felt a shiver run down my spine as i took a clearer view of his face. There stood the unmistakable figure from last night. Standing tall and self-assured, his very presence commanded respect and reverence. Our eyes met across the bowed heads, his pale gaze locking on mine with an intense look. That same overpowering longing I felt so shamefully last night twisted inside me again, making me flushed and unsteady. I quickly looked away, panic and mortification washing over me. What madness possessed me to act so unforgivably forward with this fearsome legend? As his deep voice rang out, I slowly raised my face towards the others as ordered. Only then, finally taking in the lavish decorations and banners, did the terrible truth dawn on me. This was no ordinary household event - the entire proceeding was to welcome none other than the LYCAN KING himself into our town! And the Lycan king was the same man I kissed last night. And watching the sovereign wolf lord stride forth, I knew with sinking dread and shame that any hope of slipping away unnoticed had just become disastrously, irreversibly impossible. After the whole ceremony was over, I turned around to leave immediately to avoid seeing the Lycan king. But just as I was about to move, one of his bodyguards held my hands and told me not to leave. “ The Lycan king wants to see you”