MARRIED TO THE WRONG ALPHA

CHAPTER THREE: THE CURSE WITHIN

As my father exited my room with tears flowing down his cheeks, he shut the door behind him, and it felt as though he had locked away the final glimmer of hope I possessed. That moment marked not only the conclusion of our intimacy but also the onset of my spiral into insecurity. For the last two years, I started to think that my 20th birthday celebration was not a blessing but rather a curse. All changed following that day.

I retreated from society, turning into an empty shell of my previous identity. My interactions with others became tense, and social events felt unfamiliar to me. I spent my days shut inside, particularly on full moon nights, when my father made me stay locked in my room. The affectionate connection we previously had turned frigid and remote.

I could no longer perceive the compassion in his gaze. It was overtaken by fear, sorrow, and something else I couldn’t fully identify. As the nation's president, my father established his reputation by hating wolves. To him, they represented loathsome beings, manifestations of turmoil and devastation that had to be eliminated. Yet destiny, in its harsh twist, had given him a daughter who bore the lineage of the entities he despised.

The disclosure had broken me. I was unaware that my mother was a wolf. She concealed this reality during her entire life, and upon her death, she bequeathed a legacy I never desired. It was not until my 20th birthday—during the night of my change—that my father disclosed the reality. He referred to it as the “curse” that my mother had left. Those words hurt more than any physical agony I had ever experienced.

From that point on, my father was engulfed in secrecy. He promised to safeguard me, not for love, but out of fear. Worry that if anyone learned the truth, I would be tracked down and murdered. Only we two understood what I was. My siblings, stepmother, and all others in our lives were left uninformed. However, the cost of maintaining that secrecy was steep.

I no longer sensed a sense of belonging with people. The joy and closeness of family life felt unfamiliar, a faint resonance of a realm I had lost connection with. My instincts had ceased to be human—they were untamed, elemental, and instinctual. To prevent the transformation, my father secretly brought animal blood to my room. I consumed it discreetly, every drop serving as a harsh reminder of my transformation.

The image of myself in the mirror scared me. My human eyes appeared as a delicate barrier, hardly holding back the wild beast hiding below. The individual I used to be has vanished, substituted by someone unknown and unmanageable.

My disposition also transformed. One day, my brother saw it happen when I lashed out at a person who inadvertently collided with me at the mall. It wasn't merely anger; it was something primal. My whole body responded to the stranger as if he were prey. My brother later reprimanded me, stating that I had humiliated him, and his letdown hurt more than I anticipated. I assured myself I would strive to improve, yet inside, I was terrified I was succumbing to the beast inside me.

Then came the evening of the unexpected invitation. My father's longtime friend, Mr. Alaric Dorian, head of the infamous Dark Wolf Pack, had invited our family to a grand celebration in honor of his son's return from a prolonged journey. Rumors of animosity between Mr. Dorian and my father had circulated for years, ignited by accusations that my father played a role in the oppression of their community. My father, of course, dismissed these allegations.

I was amazed when my father announced that we would go. That evening, as I came down the stairs, I found my stepmother and stepsister eagerly examining luxurious dresses that had been delivered to the house. The atmosphere in the room was charged, but I stayed aloof, unsure of my father's motives for having me present. As our gaze met, he handed me three boxes containing the dresses he chose for me. His attitude eased, as though he were expressing regret for something. I offered him a faint smile, unsure if he was attempting to protect me or if his motives were entirely different.

That evening, as I passed his study, I overheard him conversing with my stepmother.

“This invitation... it might be a trap,” she said, her voice tinged with worry.

"I comprehend," my father replied earnestly. "Nonetheless, I cannot avoid it."

I quietly slipped away, my mind racing. What did he mean when he said “for my benefit”?

The following evening, we were prepared. I walked down the stairs in one of the dresses my father picked, and as soon as I entered the room, my brother’s admiring look caused me to stop. After my transformation, I observed slight changes in myself—the radiance of my skin, the gracefulness in my movements, and the captivating allure I appeared to have on others. I attempted to overlook it, but instances like this rendered it unattainable.

Upon our arrival at the party, the magnificence of the venue left me in awe. Guards enclosed us, remaining near at my father's order. As soon as we entered the hall, it felt like every gaze was directed at us. Mr. Alaric Dorian welcomed us with a loud voice, his gaze quickly focusing on me. For a brief time, he confused me with my mother. "You resemble her exactly," he remarked, his voice gentler than I anticipated. I politely smiled and corrected him, introducing myself as Adrianna.

I stayed in the shadows, evading notice, until Gavin Dorian arrived. His aura was captivating, his custom suit highlighting his impressive traits. He walked into the room with confidence, capturing attention without uttering anything. Following a short address, he approached me directly, his intense stare connecting with my eyes.

“Adrianna,” he spoke, his tone velvety and deep. “Would you do me the honor of dancing?”

I paused, looking at my father. He offered me a slight nod of approval, and I hesitantly grasped Gavin’s hand. While we were dancing, I couldn’t avoid seeing Helen’s resentful stare from the other side of the room. She marched away in a rage, but Gavin’s charisma swiftly redirected my focus to him. His tone was courteous, yet his gaze concealed a mystery I couldn’t interpret.

Eventually, while I strolled into the garden for some fresh air, a soft voice summoned me by name. It was far away yet persistent, drawing me to a secluded spot illuminated by moonlight. I halted abruptly when Gavin appeared from the darkness.

"How did you—" I started, but he cut me off with an understanding grin.

"We share a connection, Adrianna," he stated. "You sense it, don't you?" "You resemble me."

I gasped. He was aware. In some way, he had discovered my secret.

"You have no idea what you're saying," I replied, stepping back.

He laughed softly. "You cannot escape from who you are." But don’t be concerned—I’m not here to harm you. "Actually, I'm able to assist you."

“I don’t require your assistance,” I retorted, pivoting to depart.

As I left, his voice trailed after me. "You can't escape me indefinitely, Adrianna."

Anxiety surged within me as I looked for my father. I traced his voice to a shut door and halted when I caught snippets of his intense discussion with Mr. Dorian.

“I desire your daughter to wed my son,” Mr. Dorian stated icily. “Only then will I let go of what you’ve done.”

"You realize that I'll never consent to that," my father responded. “Your son poses a threat.”

"Decline, and I'll reveal her real identity to everyone," Mr. Dorian menaced, chuckling ominously.

Before I had time to absorb the shock, Helen arrived, her expression contorted with anger. She hit me forcefully on the face.

"You monster!" she yelled, her voice quaking. "I'll reveal to everyone your true nature!"

I stood still as people glanced our way. Time appeared to stretch as everyone focused their gaze on me. My heart raced.

Is it possible that Helen knows my secret?