Her Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER 2 - DERCIK'S POV

As the airship began to descend, I looked out the window at our allied Dragons. Their wings flapping slowly to bring the ship down.

Dash was on edge, he'd been complaining about going to this stupid peace treaty ball since we left the battlefield. He wanted to go home and rest, but his restlessness was due to something else now. He couldn't explain it, but he thought we'd meet our mate here.

I scoffed at the idea, "We don't need another mate. Didn't you learn your lesson with Victoria?"

Dash growled angrily as he remembered her betrayal. Cheating was one thing, but to actually have a pup with our head Beta was another. I still wished I'd killed them.

"That b***h was just a chosen," He pointed out, "Our actual mate would never do that."

"We'll see."

I continued to look down. Now that we were lower to the ground, I could see King Damien's carriages. I'd offered to let him, King Shalock, and King Landon fly with me, but they were all too chicken to leave the ground.

My brother and new Head Beta shifted in his sleep, waking up just on time, after snoring loudly for the past three hours.

"Are we there yet?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, we're just landing now."

"Good, we need to redress your burn."

I just nodded and looked down at my right side. I was wearing a loose shirt, but beneath it was a burn from the last Dragon I'd killed. My entire right side would be useless from now on. I could barely move my arm or grip anything with my hand, and thanks to my grandfather getting our pack cursed, no one in my kingdom had accelerated healing anymore. We were worse than witches.

We landed with a soft thud, and I gritted my teeth together to stop the sound of pain escaping my lips before I climbed out.

The Dragons were already shifting back into their human forms, their long tails and massive wings shrinking into limbs.

King Palmor, the only Dragon King who stood on our side, landed beside me and shifted back.

A young buck handed him some pants, and he dressed quickly.

"How long do we have to stay here?" Palmor asked, "My mates are demanding my return."

I smiled at him. He had twin mates who were constantly pulling his attention from one task or another. I didn't know how he did it.

"Just a few days to divide up territory and go over the treaties," I answered as we walked towards Damien and a large crowd gathered to greet him.

"What do you mean Coraline isn't here?" I heard Damien complain to his mate, but he fell silent upon seeing us.

"Missing one of your pups, Damien?" Palmor asked.

"She is very willful," Damien answered angrily. "I apologize for her rudeness. She should be here to greet you all."

"Oh, think nothing of it," Palmor waved his hand, "I have 9 hatchlings. You can't keep them all in check all the time."

I ignored their conversation. I'd wanted a pup for years, but it was extremely difficult for my royal line to conceive. My parents waited years to have me and then years more for my brother, which is why they ended up adopting my sister in the end.

My brother, on the other hand, not being the Alpha, had no trouble producing 3 pups easily with his mate Liana.

"Are we going to stand around all day, or can we go in and rest?" I cut off their conversation.

"Yes, of course. You're still healing." Damien said at once, "Julia, Robert, Tony, Jessica, each of you take our guests to their suites and bring them some food. We will rest today and tomorrow, and the day after ball tomorrow night, we will begin peace talks."

"Sounds good, "King Landon.

"It better be real food," King Shalock demanded.

I smiled to myself, Dwarfs were far too greedy when it came through food. He'd been complaining for months that he didn't get enough fresh meat.

"All your dietary needs have been taken into consideration, your majesty," Queen Bonnie answered with a tight smile. It was obvious she didn't like Dwarfs.

"Good. Good. Now lead the way."

We were each escorted to our suites. I'd sent my troops home except for a handful of guards that were shown to smaller rooms down the hallway towards my suite, before my brother and I were shown to the largest room.

Jessica, our escort, pointed out the two rooms, each with their own bathroom, along with a small kitchenette, dining room, and a sitting area, before she bowed and left us alone.

"Finally, a proper shower," My brother rejoiced, "I never want to see another camp shower or cold river ever again. Go shower and I'll redo your dressings."

"Don't forget who the King is," I warned before turning to the bedroom, but my brother only laughed and shut his bedroom door.

We caught up on much-needed sleep that night and all the next day, until we were forced out of bed to attend this tedious ball. I kept it simple, not wanting to aggravate my burn, just pulling on black slacks, my belt and a loose black shirt beneath my jacket.

The Queen had gone all out of the Ball. Fae musicians played on a raised platform, waiters in gold walked around offering the finest wines and food.

I was standing with Damien who was talking to me about a possible marriage alliance with his eldest daughter Coraline, when she walked in and I knew my answer to this alliance would be a yes.

"PRESENTING PRINCESS CORALINE!" A man announced her, and my eyes fell to her immediately.

"About time." I heard her brother whisper, but I ignored him.

My heart was racing.

"MATE!" Dash was shouting.

"Wow," One of my guards commented, "She's gorgeous, Alpha, if you don't want her. I wouldn't mind marrying her as a chosen."

I saw red and growled, "Mine."

My guard stepped back and looked down, trembling now that he knew she was my mate.

"No," I heard my girl say over the music, and my heart clenched. She didn't want me.

I noticed her eyes shift around the room until they landed on an omega boy who looked at her as if he wanted to cry. We're they lovers?

No, she was mine. Only mine! I'd kill the boy if I had to.

I moved towards her, ready to claim my prize when she spun and ran from the room.

"CORALINE!" Her father shouted as I ran after her. Ignoring the pain in my right side from the movement.

My girl was quick, but I was quicker, and the second she ran into a room, I caught her. I locked my hand around her arm, probably too tightly, and pushed her against the wall.

I noticed her wince in pain, and I felt guilty, but my temper was flaring up at her obvious rejection. I looked down into her scared defiant eyes and warned her, "Run again, and I'll make sure you never find the strength to walk, let alone flee from me!"

I didn't mean it of course, I'd never hurt her. This woman was now the most precious thing in my world.

"GET OFF ME. I DON'T WANT YOU!"

Her words were like a dagger ripping through my chest to my heart.

"Might I ask, that without even a word between us, I repulse you so?" I asked, trying to sound like I was in pain, "You don't even know me and yet you want to reject me?"

"You're an Alpha, that's all I need to know in order to reject you!"

"Oh, so you want a weak mate who can't protect you, like that Omega boy you were staring at," I said angrily. Goddess, this hurts. Why didn't my mates want me? "You don't want a strong mate?"

"You say strong, I say domineering, and who are you protecting?" She said viciously as she shoved against my chest, making me cringe in pain. "You just slammed me into a wall and hurt me! Where is this protection?!"

Guilt ripped through me.

"No, it's not like that," I said quickly and instantly released her, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I have burns all down my right side from the war, so I've been overcompensating with my left side. I didn't mean to use my full force on you. I'm so sorry, please forgive me."

She looked at me as if I'd grown a second head, and then she laughed. It was a cold emotionless laugh.

"An Alpha is actually apologizing for something, and you actually sound like you mean it. There's a first." She said as I stepped back.

Why was she like this? Had her father and brother harmed her in some way? Or did she truly not want me?

"The Omega. Are you with him?"

Before she could answer, the door was thrown open and her father and brother, along with my brother ran in looking furious.

"Coraline, how dare you run from your mate, you ungrateful little."

Before he could finish insulting my girl, my hand shot out and locked tightly around his throat.

"CORALINE IS MINE NOW!" I shouted in my full Alpha command, "SHE IS NO LONGER YOURS. SPEAK TO MY QUEEN LIKE THAT AGAIN, AND I WILL SNAP YOUR NECK AND BURN YOUR KINGDOM TO THE GROUND!"

I tossed him back easily before turning back to Coraline who went to run again, but my brother stepped into her path.

"Don't even try it." He warned her, making her growl angrily and kick him in the chin.

My brother winced in pain as I stepped over to her and grabbed her wrist.

"All of you get out. I need to speak to my mate alone!"

"I AM NOT YOUR MATE!" She argued, but I ignored her protests.

Once everyone was gone, I released her and turned her back on me. She looked like she was shaking, and I realized she'd started crying.

"Does the idea of being my mate disgust you that much?" I asked her, but she didn't answer, "Can't you at least give me a chance? I'm here for the next few days for peace talks. We can at least get to know one another. Your father mentioned you came of age on two days. You can decide on your birthday if you accept me or not, but please at least give me that time to show you I'm not the man you think I am."

She was frowning as she spun around, and there were tears on her cheeks. "Why was the King telling you about my birthday?"

The King? I didn't escape my attention that she didn't call him her father.

"He was talking to me about a potential marriage alliance. I was going to reject him until I saw you were my mate."

Anger flashed in her eyes, "Typical Alpha!" Her voice rose angrily, "Using women as bargaining chips to gain more power!"

"I was going to refuse," I repeated, "Whatever has happened between you and your father, I can assure you that I am not like him. Please, give me a chance to prove it."

My heart raced as I waited for her response.

Please say yes.

Dash whined inside me, he'd closed his heart off after our mate betrayed us, u don't think he could stand a second rejection.

Coraline looked into my eyes, searching for something, before she said, "Okay. Just until my birthday, but I'm not making any promises."

I frowned suspiciously at her. Was she lying? She was so against it, and she just readily agreed.

"I want your word, Coraline." I took a step towards her, but she moved back, "In my pack, someone's word means everything. Swear to me that you will give me a chance to win you?"

She was breathing hard, her fists clenched, and I knew in that moment that's she'd been lying, she was never going to give me a real chance.

"Okay, fine," She said angrily, "I swear. I will give you a chance."

This time, she sounded sincere, and I relaxed.

"Thank you," I smiled, and because I could no longer resist, I reached out and touched her cheek. It was cold and wet from her tears. "That's Omega boy, are you in love with him?"

Anger flashed in her eyes as she stepped back, "It's none of your business!" She said angrily, "Good night!"

"Wait, I'll walk you back!" I said quickly, not wanting to part from her, but she ignored me and left me standing there feeling confused, angry and with a massive pit in my stomach.

My brother rushed in looking concerned, "Well? How did it go?"

"She... She's going to give me a chance," I answered, feeling slightly defeated, "Find out everything you can about her relationship with her father and brother. She has a grudge against Alpha's and I want to know why, and see if you can find out how she's treated within the pack."

"I'm on it," He said, and tapped my arm, "And don't worry, you'll get your girl. We won't leave without her."

"I'd better," I said angrily, "Oh, and the omega boy, the one she looked at after seeing me. Did you notice him?"

"Yes."

"Find out what his relationship to her is, if they're lovers, I want him taken care of."

"Consider it done." He assured me and left.

I turned towards the window and pushed it open, letting the cool breeze wash over my face.

"I told you I felt our mate," Dash pointed out, "And what was your response? You didn't want her."

"Shut up, that was then, and this is now," I argued, "Did you see her? She's exquisite, and that body... My Goddess, I can't wait to see her naked."

When I felt myself getting hard, I quickly pushed away those thoughts and returned to my suite, but I couldn't get my girl off my mind.

Coraline.

My darling Coraline.