The Alpha Who Rejected His Cure

Chapter 4

Rafael

“I am saving them,” I rasp, my voice breaking despite everything in me fighting to keep it steady.

“This is how we stop it. I did the right thing!”

This is how we survive. Even if it costs—

No.

I don’t finish that thought, I don't even let myself because if I do…If I really let myself think about what I’ve just done…

Then I won’t be able to stand here.

And I have to stand.

I have to.

“Liora is strong. She'll be safe. This pack needs this. This is what is right." I repeat like I hadn't said that to myself a thousand times before now.

I unclenched my palm that had been coiled into a fist and stared at the flower in it. I remember the day she gave it to me.

She had smiled so softly, almost shy, her dimples ever so breathtaking as she pressed into my palms.

"For good luck.” She whispered and turned away immediately like it meant something.

Like I meant everything.

It had always been with me ever since that day, it was like my own promise that she'll always be with me.

My fist tightened around it subconsciously again and it crushed, almost turning to dust. This was the exact depiction of what I had turned us into, something ruined.

A low, broken sound tore from within me and it took me a moment to realize it wasn't coming from me.

My wolf. He was hurting, his energy was depleting from losing his mate and so was I.

I placed my hands on my chest slowly, I should be feeling the pain from the rejection right there. It should have torn through me and make me unable to breathe and despite knowing that, I rather took all the pain that let her have any.

I redirected all the backlash to myself because this is what I deserved. And yet! I felt nothing!

I dug my claws into my chest, right where it should hurt, blood trickling down. The curse made me unable to feel any pain.

I just wanted to feel something! Something other than this guilt and this doubt.

Pain! I desperately wanted to feel but the curse made sure that didn't happen.

“It's evident the blood curse feeds on the bond between you, Alpha and your mate. And she isn't a formidable Luna. She can not help us!" I banged my hands on the table and the room went quiet immediately.

"You do not speak of my mate in that manner.”

“But Ironblood is persisting. You can not marry their princess while keeping your fated mate, Alpha. And letting them stop the distribution of the serum is out of the question.” Another elder countered.

“The null is clearly useless, Alpha. You mustn't let emotion cloud your judgement."

"Yes. Just kill her off! For the greater good of the pack.”

My hands were tied. The bloodcurse was invading. A total of 54 people, children excluded, had died from the plague due to the curse.

We were yet to find the root of the curse. And they were right, Ironblood couldn't be made to stop the distribution of their serum.

It was the only thing that helped. The only thing that stopped the rapid growth of the plague, the only thing that protected my people.

So when they proposed that their distribution would only continue if I married Serena, I knew there was no way out of this.

But I also couldn't kill my mate.

So banishing her to the eastern plains with enough money to keep her on her feet was the best choice out here for me. It was a foreign land but she'll adapt quickly, I know she will.

And it wasn't that harsh out there. I had made sure to look for the most comfortable place I could send her too.

The eastern plains was the right place. And they weren't that hostile to rogues, wolfless or foreigners. She would do just fine.

“Alpha." Ronan called out from outside the door and I tried to put myself together before walking up to the door.

“I've handled it. The guards escort her to the boundary to make sure she's safe. And the money to ensure she's safe has also been handed over. It would be given to her at the boundary." I nod and dismiss him immediately as I walk up to the window.

As I stared out the window, for some reason, I spotted a lonely figure in front of the guards. I know it's her, I know she's there.

My fated mate, my sweet little petal.

Alone.

In that open wild, probably scared, probably cursing me to the heavens right now, cursing the day our paths aligned.

I'm so sorry, princess.

I really am so sorry. There's nothing I could do.

My wolf roared, ready to chase after his mate. I am ready to bring her back, but I can't do this. I've already managed to get this far. I can't ruin it now. My golden gray eyes were now bright gray. I had lost all my sense of light. Everything!

“Please don't look back." I whispered.

Despite her figure being vague, I would tell if she turned around. I gripped the frame, my wolf raging inside of me.

And Goddess, help me, if she did, if she turned around…