THE CURSE OF TWO MATES

CHAPTER 4

Alexander's brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the map of his territory in the Crescent Moon Pack House. His thoughts were a storm of conflicting emotions—concern for his pack, frustration at the growing rogue presence near their borders, and the gnawing sense that something wasn’t right with Nyla.

Since her arrival, things had become… complicated. Warning signs flashed in his mind, but he couldn’t shake the primal connection he felt with her.

His door creaked open, and Elias walked inside, his face fixed in a stern expression. "There’s been another sighting of rogues near the northern border. They're keeping their distance, but it's obvious they're scouting us.

Alexander nodded as his jaw tightened. "They will eventually make a move.

Elias hesitated, glancing toward the map on the wall. "You think this has anything to do with Nyla?"

Alexander’s eyes darkened. "I do not know. But I am not ruling anything out.

His beta’s silence spoke volumes, and Alexander could feel the weight of his unspoken questions. Was Nyla a threat? Was she playing a game that they could not see? He wanted to think she was on their side, that she had gone to them for safety from the rogues, but something inside told him there was more to her story

"I'll handle it," Alexander replied, standing up. "We’ll increase patrols along the northern border. If the rogues are planning something, we’ll be ready."

As Elias left to carry out his commands, Alexander's mind returned to Isolde. He hadn't seen her since the rejection, and the guilt gnawed at him like a rotting sore. He had done it to keep her safe from the curse that had been passed down through generations in his family. But now that the rogues were closing in and Nyla's presence was causing anxiety in his pack, he wasn't sure he'd made the correct decision.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he said, knowing just who it was.

Nyla entered and looked around the room before focusing on him. She glided with an almost inhuman grace, each stride deliberate and calculated.

"Alexander," she whispered, her voice as soft as silk."I hear there’s trouble on the borders."

"There always is," he replied, watching her carefully.

There was no warmth behind the tiny smile that twisted her lips. "I can assist if you're worried about the rogues." I know how they think, and how they operate. After all, I was one of them for a long time."

Alexander studied her, trying to read the truth behind her words. "Why did you leave them, Nyla?"

Her smile faltered for a brief moment, as a dark flash passed through her eyes. "I left because they’re dangerous, unpredictable. They don’t follow rules and don’t care about loyalty. I wanted something better."

"Or maybe you wanted something more," Alexander continued, his voice low.

Nyla's eyes hardened, but she didn't take the bait. Instead, she moved closer, her gaze fixed on his. "I’m not your enemy, Alexander. I’m here to help you, to help your pack. But if you don’t trust me, then maybe I should leave."

Alexander’s heart pounded in his chest, his instincts warring with the undeniable pull.

Isolde observed the activity from the edge of the training field, holding onto the leather straps of her gloves. As they sparred, the Crescent Moon Pack's fighters moved with accuracy, their bodies dripping with perspiration. The sounds of their grunts and the loud thud of fists hitting flesh filled the air.

Her chest tightened as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. She wasn’t like them—she never had been. She was not like them—never had been. She wasn’t born into strength or molded by the trials of battle. But today was different. Today, she was here to change that.

She wouldn’t be weak anymore.

"Isolde."

Elias' voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her attention. She glanced over to find him a few steps away, concern etched on his face. "You don’t have to go through with this."

His tone was gentle and brotherly, but there was a protective edge to it that made her jaw tighten. She didn’t need anyone to shield her—not anymore. Not after everything.

"I want to," she responded, her tone harsher than she expected. "I need to be stronger. I can't continue to stand on the sidelines and observe."

Elias scowled, his eyes searching her face for signs of uncertainty. "Training with the warriors isn’t easy. They go all out and never hold back. "It's nothing like what you’re used to."

"They go all out and never hold back." It’s nothing like what you’re used to." "But I’m not the same either."

Elias hesitated, his shoulders tensing. "Isolde, you’ve been through hell. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone—not to me, not to the pack, and not to Alex."

Her heart skipped at the mention of Alex’s name, but she quickly buried the feeling. There was no point dwelling on what had already been shattered between them. His rejection had hurt more than any physical wound ever could, but she wasn’t here for him. She was here for herself.

"I’m not doing this for Alex," she said, her voice steady. "I am doing this for myself."

Running a hand over his hair, Elias sighed. "Just don't overdo it." You do not need to fight the entire world to show your value, Isolde. You've always been strong, even when you didn't believe you were.

Isolde smiled faintly, appreciating his comments but knowing in her heart that she still had a lot to prove—to herself, the pack, and possibly even Alex.

She didn't wait for Elias' reaction before entering the training field, her muscles coiling with fear and excitement. As she neared, the warriors gave her a wary look, with some nodding in respect and others astonished to see her. She was no longer merely the Beta's daughter or the girl who had been turned down by Alpha. She was here to fight, and they would soon discover that she would not back down.

She squared her shoulders and approached one of the trainers, a large man named Cato. He raised an eyebrow at her presence but didn’t question her as she asked to spar. His lips curved into a smirk as he motioned toward the circle, and Isolde felt her heartbeat quicken.

Her opponent stepped forward—a towering woman with sharp eyes and a muscular frame. Isolde swallowed hard, knowing this would not be an easy fight. But that’s what she wanted. She needed this to be hard. She needed to push herself past her limits.

As the two faced off, Isolde sensed that someone was watching her. She knew Alex was observing her without even looking.

Alexander's arms were crossed as he stood at the side of the training field, staring at Isolde as she faced her opponent. His chest twisted in a whirl of pride and embarrassment as he observed her. He had never seen her appear so fierce and determined.

Alex was surprised to see her here after everything that had happened between them, But there she was, eyes shining with determination as she walked into the ring with the other fighters. Although he knew it wouldn't help, a part of him wanted to run in and grab her out of danger. But Isolde wasn’t someone who wanted protection. She was someone who wanted to prove herself.

Elias appeared beside him, his expression grim as he followed Alex’s gaze. "You’re proud of her," Elias said, his voice low.

Alex nodded, though his jaw tightened. "She’s strong."

"She’s always been strong," Elias pointed out. "But you never gave her the chance to show it. You rejected her because you thought you were protecting her from something, but maybe she never needed that kind of protection. Maybe she needed someone who believed in her strength instead."

Alexander remained silent, his eyes still locked on Isolde as she exchanged blows with the warrior in the ring. Every time she fell, she got up, her drive unwavering. Her opponent wasn't kind to her, but it didn't seem to matter. Isolde battled with all she had and refused to be defeated.

"She’s not just a rejected mate, Alex," Elias continued, his voice softening. "She’s someone who loves this pack, who wants to fight for it, for herself. You should talk to her."

Alex's hands tightened at his sides, and remorse gnawed at him. He pushed Isolde away, confident that he was doing the right thing. He couldn't disregard the curse on his family. He thought he was protecting her from something worse than death. But now, seeing her fight, he wonders whether he had underestimated her all along.

A loud thud interrupted his thoughts, and his pulse pounded as Isolde hit the ground, her body crashing into the earth. A sudden intake of breath from his lips, but before he could react, she was already forcing herself back up, her face splattered with blood and dirt but her spirit intact.

Alexander's chest clenched as he observed her. He had never doubted her strength, but seeing her now—so fierce and resolute—filled him with admiration. Yet, it also brought to mind what he had taken from her.

"I can't talk to her," Alex said quietly, shaking his head.

Elias exhaled deeply, his frustration clear."You owe her that much, at least."

"I owe her more than I can give."

Elias didn’t respond right away, but the silence between them spoke volumes. Finally, he clapped a hand on Alex’s shoulder. "You need to figure out what you can offer before it's too late."

She had fought well. Not perfectly, but well enough to earn respect from the warriors around her. Standing up despite her bruises, she felt stronger than she had ever been.

But when her gaze searched the crowd, it settled on Alexander. He stood in the distance, his gaze fixed on hers, an unfathomable expression in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, but she swiftly glanced aside, determined not to let his presence break her determination.

Whatever he thought of her now didn’t matter. She was done trying to prove herself to him.

She was over Alexander, or so she told herself.

But, deep down, she yearned for him—for the connection they had shared, the relationship that had been severed by his rejection. Despite her best efforts to ignore it, the anguish of rejection persisted like an open sore that refused to heal.

Isolde felt a shiver run up her spine as the sun fell below the horizon, sending sweeping shadows across the training field. Something was coming—something dark and dangerous. She could feel it in her bones, like a warning spoken in the air.

She knew without a doubt that this was just the beginning.

From behind the trees, a stranger watched the training unfold, their eyes narrowing as they saw the warriors, Alexander, and Isolde.

A cold smile curled across their lips.

The game had begun.

And soon, everything would fall apart.