The Cursed Alpha and his mate

*Eleanor* “ I, Alpha Ryan of the moonlit Shadow pack, reject Eleanor Riley as my mate.” His words cut through the music and laughter, silencing the crowd present. I felt the rejection like a razor’s slice. “ Please Ryan, you said you said you felt the mate bond, why are you rejecting me now” the tears on my eyes were flowing freely now. “ I had to reject the bond due to the harm it might bring to my pack, you are born under the wrong moon, destined for solitude, I have to protect my pack”. Alpha Ryan expression softened, his eyes darting to my lips before he turned away. A subtle tension in his shoulders betrayed his composure. Tonight is the full moon harvest festival, it’s a night of celebration, where werewolves gather to honor the ancient tradition, it was the night every werewolves anticipated, as this was the night many found their true mates. I was also among the crowd, I had dressed properly anticipated for the night, I made sure to stand out among the crowd as my silver gown shimmering in the moonlight. But Asher rejection shattered my hopes totally. It’s the night I turned 18 and the night I was supposed to meet my mates. Tears streamed down my face as I looked up at the moon, this is my sixth rejection. No one wants me as their mate, they called me the cursed one.The truth of my birth like I heard was thatI was born as a Riley, they did say I was born under a wrong moon, I heard my blood was tainted with darkness and tragedy. I overheard my ancestors' reckless ambition earned our family a curse. I grew up alone as pack members always avoided me, they feared my "tainted" blood would bring them misfortune. Even my own family wasn't left out from the ill treatment . My mother, Aurora Riley, was a renowned seer. Her prophecies came at a terrible cost, which earned her the nickname "The Cursed Oracle. Her obsession with breaking the curse drove her mad, and eventually, she vanished into the night. My father, Thane Riley, was a brooding alpha who resented me for being a reminder of his failed mate. He saw me as a flawed, unwanted daughter. He would constantly call me a burden and the only reminder of the family shame. The pack's cruelty was endless. I couldn't count. Children taunted me, calling me "Lunar Freak" and "Cursed One." people always whispered behind my back, they were fearing that my presence would bring the pack some bad luck, with that no one associated with me and I grew up alone, with only my books and the ancient histories which I use for comfort. I've never known the warmth of a pack. Never felt the thrill of a full moon run. My life's been lonely, I am desperate to search for acceptance. For being in love. But the problem now is that I have to find my mate before the full moon as it is part of the custom for every werewolves to seal the mate bond on their 18th birthday, tonight i turned 18th and if I don't seal the mate bond I will perish. I recall the ancient tales about wolves who failed to mate, they succumbed to the moon's wrath. I've also read of wolves who wandered, alone and lost, until the moon claimed them. Their howls echoing through the forest, a chilling reminder of their fate. I don't want to be one of them. Please I begged in my heart for someone or anyone to see me, hear me and love me. Tears stream down my face as I rise, my heart heavy with resignation, The moon's rising, and I'm running out of time. I knew it’s too late. I knew my fate had been sealed as the Asher whom I see as my potential mate rejected me again. With determination I decided to end my life. I stepped back into the pack's grand hall, the silence enveloping me like a shroud. The hall which once a vibrant space now seemed cold, dark, and unforgiving. The moon's soft glow outside couldn't penetrate the heavy curtains, which were casting long shadows across the room. My determination hardened with each step. I knew ending my life would spare me the agony of perishing under the Full Moon. As I moved deeper into the hall, suddenly I heard a low, menacing voice suddenly cut through the silence. "What do you want?" I froze, my heart racing. The voice seemed to come from the shadows themselves. Suddenly I saw the figure which sat inside the darkness, his features looked obscured. The faint moonlight hinted at his broad shoulders, and it looked like a powerful build. Fear gripped me, my breath catching. I tried to speak, but my voice trembled. "Wh-who are you?" The figure didn't even move, but his voice as he spoke sent shivers down my spine. "Is that how the pack teaches you to greet your Alpha?" His words struck like a slap. Alpha? I hastily bowed my head, I clasped my hands together. "Alpha, forgive me." As I spoke, I could see the figure rose from the shadows. His towering presence loomed over me, his piercing eyes gleaming in the dim light. The Alpha's heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as he approached me. I remained bowed, my head still lowered. "Rise," he commanded, his deep voice rumbling. I hesitated, sensing a subtle undertone of curiosity. The first he asked me was . "Why do you smell... different?" he asked, his tone was laced with intrigue. I slowly lifted my gaze, our eyes met. His gaze nearly cut through my soul. I was scared and with caution, I replied, "I-I'm Eleanor Riley, from the Moonlit Shadow Pack." His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes narrowed. "Can't you smell me?" he asked, his voice was low, almost menacing. I hesitated first, I was unsure on how to respond. His scent was... unfamiliar. "I-I'm woofless," I stammered, my cheeks were burning. The Alpha's staring intensified, his eyebrows were furrowing and focused on me. "Why?" he pressed, his tone softer, but yet they carried a hint of surprise as it’s uncommon to see werewolves like me without her wolf. My voice barely above a whisper, I confessed, "I couldn't find my mate. Suddenly his expression shifted, there was a subtle tension easing in his jaw. His eyes, however, remained piercing. He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "You're Lunar Born right," he stated, his voice tinged with realization. The Alpha's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity. " you knowIf you don't find a mate tonight, under the Full Moon, the Lunar Law will claim you," he said, his voice low and urgent. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he stepped closer. "But I won't let that happen," he whispered, his breath caressing my ear. "You're... different," he murmured. "Your scent, your energy... it calls to me." His gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt a flutter in my chest. "Look at me, Eleanor," he commanded me, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. I met his gaze, and our eyes clashed. "You're mine," he finally declared, his voice was filled with conviction. There was a subtle tremble which ran through his hand as he suddenly grasped my wrist. "I can feel it. I can smell it. You're the one."