Rejected Mate, Cursed Alpha Behind the Mask

Episode 2

Alice traveled to the North. It was not a short journey. She spent several nights in the forest, passed through the countryside, and entered the forest again until she arrived at the snowy land typical of the Northern region which is always frozen and cold.

But, before reaching her destination, Alice was attacked by a group of bandits. Alice fought back, but was outnumbered and wounded, while the bandits took all her leftovers.

Alice, wounded and bleeding, felt unable to continue the journey, until she collapsed helplessly on the snowy ground.

At that moment, a mysterious person approached her. Checked on Alice's condition and carried her away.

When Alice regained consciousness, she was surprised to find herself lying on a comfortable bed, no longer on the cold snowy ground as before. Feeling as if she was dead, Alice was shocked by her new situation.

"How are you feeling now? Does anything still hurt?" someone's voice suddenly broke the silence, making Alice flinch.

"Who are you?" asked Alice as she got up from bed and sat on the soft mattress. "Are you the one who saved me?" Alice could not see the man's face as he wore a mask that covered his eyes and nose, while he stood looking out the window.

"I found you passed out in the snow. You would have been dead by then," the man said in reply to Alice.

Alice was quick to show courtesy. She thanked him and expressed her desire to continue on her way. However, when Alice was about to leave the bed, the man's voice stopped her.

"You must be Alice Nightshade," his guess was spot on, making a confused Alice look at him.

"How do you know my full name?" asked Alice in surprise, increasingly curious about the identity of the strange man before her.

"If your purpose in coming to the Northern Land is to meet your future fiancé as instructed by your parents, then you have come to the right place," said the masked man, then he turned around and looked at Alice through his mask. With the long black robe he wore, the stranger gave off a mysterious and dashing impression.

Alice stared at the masked man with a mix of curiosity and unstoppable confusion. She had never heard of anyone knowing her purpose in the Northern Land, let alone with such personal details like her full name.

"Who are you really?" Alice asked, trying to pierce through the mystery shrouding the man's figure.

However, the masked man only smiled mysteriously, not providing a direct answer to Alice's question. "My name is not important. What matters is your purpose here. Are you willing to marry your intended fiancé as instructed by your parents?"

Alice fell silent for a moment, contemplating the question. Although she had never met her fiancé, she knew that the marriage was part of an agreement between two families to unite their strengths in politics and business.

However, Alice also felt hesitant. She never thought such a marriage would bring her happiness. Was she willing to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of her family's interests?

While Alice was caught up in these considerations, the masked man stared at her sharply, seemingly waiting for an answer from Alice that could change everything.

Alice lifted her chin firmly, her eyes piercing the masked man. Despite her doubts, this decision was hers to make.

"With all due respect, I don't believe that my happiness lies in a marriage arranged by others," she said firmly. "I want to have control over my own life, even if it means defying my parents' decision."

The masked man was not surprised by Alice's answer. Instead, he seemed pleased with her courage and decision. "You are a brave woman, Alice Nightshade. You trust yourself and pursue your own freedom. That is a decision to be respected."

Alice felt relieved to hear the masked man's words. Although she didn't fully understand who the man really was, his presence gave her strength to hold onto her principles.

"But do you know that by rejecting the marriage, you have attracted unwanted attention?" the masked man asked seriously.

"Who do you mean?" Alice asked, trying to understand the threat implied behind the masked man's words.

"The dark players lurking behind the shadows," the masked man replied, his voice full of firmness. "They have significant interests in the Middle Land, and your decision could facilitate their plans to attack your family pack. If you marry me, your family pack will be protected."

Alice swallowed hard, realizing that her decision not only affected her own life but could also impact many others. "Then what is your benefit in marrying me?"

"You must have heard rumors from others about me." said the masked man known as Adrian.

"They say there's an Alpha cursed and living in the frozen Northern Land all year round." Alice spoke according to what she heard from circulating gossip. "And the reason you wear a mask is to conceal the curse on your face, isn't it?" Alice concluded.

Adrian nodded with sadness, feeling exposed by Alice's honesty. "Yes, that's true," he replied with a slightly trembling voice. "This curse indeed requires a very strong energy to be cured, and the only way for that is through marriage with a member of the Nightshade family."

Alice felt her heart pounding hearing Adrian's confession. She could feel the heavy burden on her shoulders, knowing that her decision would not only affect her own fate but also Adrian's and his family's fate.

"But isn't there any other way?" Alice asked softly, seeking hope in the darkness of this situation.

Adrian shook his head slowly, his expression filled with sorrow. "Unfortunately, there's no other way that I know of," he answered honestly. "This curse has haunted me and my family for generations, and we have tried every possible way to cure it without success."

Listening to that difficult decision, Alice felt trapped in her thoughts. She knew that marriage would be the best choice to save her family, but in her heart, there was still doubt and a desire to find another way.

Meanwhile, Adrian looked at Alice hopefully, hoping that he could understand the burden she carried. "I know this is a heavy burden for you, but I promise to protect you and your family as best as I can." He said with a hopeful voice.

With a heavy heart and a confused mind, Alice knew that she had to make a difficult decision soon. She had to carefully consider what was best for her family, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.