Her Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER 4 - DERCIK'S POV

"Derick," My brother linked me.

"Yes?" I opened up the connection as we followed the others down the hallway.

"Your father-in-law is a real piece of work," He said, sounding annoyed, "I thought he was an arrogant arse during the war, but seeing him now, he's even worse. I'm grateful my in-laws prefer to live at the beach. Unless, of course, he's telling the truth about your mate's personality."

"I doubt it," I responded, not believing a word her father had said about her, "It's obvious she's been neglected and abused, and outside peace talks. I'll never see Damien again, so it doesn't matter how he behaves. I want him as far away from my mate as possible."

"Listen to you, you're already under that girl's thumb, and she hasn't even accepted you yet."

I glared at him, and he looked down, smirking, "What have you found out about the boy?"

"Oh," He smiled at me in sympathy, "Does it really matter? I mean, she's..."

"Answer me."

My brother exhaled dramatically and patted my back, "They were indeed a couple," He told me, as I pushed him off, "The maids said they were inseparable. Apparently, Cora would sneak out to visit him in the blacksmiths every day to have lunch, and they'd be there for an hour, or two at a time, and I hardly have to tell you what you can get up too in that time."

I clenched my fists together, "Enough, just stick to the damn facts."

"Sorry," He said quickly, and continued, "So, according to one girl close to the boy, they'd been planning this whole elaborate escape from the capital. They even bought a home together. I really don't know if she's going to accept you. She seemed pretty serious with him."

We walked into the council room, my mind racing. She clearly loves this boy. I had to change her mind. I had to convince her that I was the best choice for her future happiness. She was mine and I wasn't losing her to some lowly omega!

"And what about her relationship with the King and her brother?" I asked, as I sat down.

"Still trying to get info," He answered, and I felt a twinge of annoyance. "All I know so far, is that Damien cheated during the early stages of the war, got his mistress pregnant and your mate's mother offed herself. Apparently, it was your mate who found the body."

"My Goddess, how old was she?"

"No idea, but she was young, maybe 5 or 6."

"Derick?" Damien spoke my name, pulling me back to the meeting.

"Sorry, just discussing pack stuff, I'm listening," I told him.

Damien continued talking, and we decided on the division of conquered lands, resources and relics. It was all rather boring stuff, I hardly paid attention. I didn't need any spoils of war. I was rich enough, had enough land. It all meant very little to me.

Once the meeting was wrapped up, I went to stand but Damien stopped me.

"Derick, before you leave, perhaps we should discuss the marriage alliance."

"As you wish," I said, sitting back down, while Noah and the others left us alone, "What would you like to discuss?"

"Well, this is rather awkward, but Coraline''s dowry is something we should lock down."

Here we go. I knew this was coming.

"Any dowry I present to my mate will go directly to her, I see no need for you to be involved."

Damien looks like I'd slapped him, but I kept my face neutral.

"Surely you know our traditions are different than yours," He continued, doing a great job at sound nonchalant. "The parents receive the dowry, not the bride, though I'm sure my daughter will appreciate you giving her one as well.

"You greedy b*stard," Dash snarled inside me.

I sat back in my chair, resting my foot over my knee as I measured up this man. I'd really misread him on the battlefield. I thought he was arrogant and selfish, but at his core, he was a good man. How wrong I was.

"And what price do you deem worthy to sell your daughter to me?"

Damien laughed awkwardly, "Derick, don't make it sound so vile. I'm not selling her. She is my precious daughter, and your mate. I am simply following tradition. It shows the bride's family your sincerity."

"Name your price," I repeated.

Damien smile at me, "Well, she is a Princess, her line comes from powerful witches on her mother's side, an white Lycans on mine. I believe she will be a good mate, one capable of giving you many children, and we all know how difficult it is for your line to conceive. I would say, that gold mine you have near the border would be sufficient."

Fool. I smirked.

"That gold mine is all but empty," I answered truthfully, "I would think there is only four, maybe five more claims to be had inside it."

Damien's face fell. I was going to continue making his squirm but when Roman linked me, I paused and held up my hand to him.

"What is it?"

"That boy, the omega, he is harassing the Luna. Should I interject?"

"Only if he poses a threat. Where are you?"

"Level three, near the royal suite. He pulled her into an empty room to speak, but there is no privacy spell."

"I want to hear everything they say to each other. I'm on my way."

I cut the link and stood up, "I need to get to your daughter. The omega is bothering her," I told him. "As for the payment, the mine is yours, along with 500 gold bars. Is that sufficient enough?"

Damien's greedy eyes lit up, "Yes, that... We have a deal."

"Great," I said, before turning and leaving the room, but I heard him following me.

"If Coraline is being bothered, I should come too."

I rolled my eyes. He only wanted to make sure the boy didn't mess up his big payday.

"Alpha!" Roman shouted, his voice heavy with panic when we were halfway to the royal wing.

"WHAT?!"

"The boy tried to force himself on her, but I have him. What are your orders? Should I kill him?"

"No, he's mine!"

Ignoring the pain from my burn, just as I had when I'd run after my mate. I was now running towards her.

"Derick, what is it?" Damien shouted after me, as he too, began to run.

"The boy tried to attack her. He's a f*cking dead man!" I shouted and continued to run as fast as I could.

I hated that I was injures, it made everything harder. With this level of injury, I knew I couldn't protect my pack, let alone my mate to my full extent. Alpha's had been stripped of their rank for lesser injuries. I was just fortunate that I was the King.