Her Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER 5 - CORALINE'S POV

I didn't want to go shopping. I could just wear one of my old gowns. There really was no need for everyone to put on such a show simply because my mate was King Derick.

My new guard followed behind me, humming softly to himself and winking playfully at the female maids that passed, but when I stopped to look at one dress, I heard a woman ask if she could buy him a drink after his shift was over, but he rejected her, stating he had a mate and she'd skin him alive.

We carried on to the next location and as I lifted a pretty blue dress, I turned to him.

"Do you really have a mate or were you just trying to find a kind way to reject her?"

He smiled, "I have a mate, and she's the most exquisite creature in existence."

My temper flared, "Then maybe you should stop flirting with every woman that passes you, and show your mate some respect."

Roman looked down guiltily, "Forgive me Luna, I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just naturally flirty, but my mate knows I'm devoted to her and our pups."

"You'd better be," I warned him, "Because if I accept your King and I find out any of my guards are unfaithful to their mates, I'll have your d***s cut off."

Roman stepped back looking nervous, "As I've said, I am devoted to my mate."

I glared at him, and kept exploring the shops. Finally, out of boredom, as Merin usually did my dress shopping, I just picked a black shimmering gown with a gold vine pattern growing up one side and let Roman pay with my mate's gold.

As we walked back, I noticed one of the orphans from our horrible war, looking at some kebabs with hunger, and my heart ached for him.

The King did give money to the children of the fallen, but it never seemed enough.

"Are you hungry sweetheart?" I asked him, placing a comforting hand on his back as I leaned in.

His big blue eyes looked up at me as he nodded, and I smiled.

"Order whatever you want," I told him, and his little face lit up.

Once he'd made his selection, I turned to Roman.

"Well? Pay the man."

Roman looked nervous, "Luna. I only had permission to use the King gold for your dress."

I growled in frustration and snatched the satchel. After paying the man, I knelt down and took out five gold nuggets and handed them discreetly to the boy. It was enough for him to live on comfortably for a year.

"Sweetheart, you keep this, and make sure you keep it hidden," I whispered, "Don't let anyone know you have it, and if someone finds out and takes it from you, don't fight them, just come to me directly and I'll handle it."

"Thank you, Princess." He gave me a big warm smile, before running away.

"I see the King's going to have to put you on an allowance, if this is how you treat gold." Roman smirked at me, as I handed him back the satchel.

"Let's just get back."

"You can't save all of them, Luna," He told me as we walked, "I was an orphan myself, it's not gold they need. It's a purpose. Help him find a path in life. Joining the guard, or the medical unit or teaching or something like that. Gold will only last for so long."

"Thank you for the advice," I said, as I looked at him, "May I ask why you were orphaned? What happened to your family?"

"Oh," He smiled sadly, "It was... 15 years ago now. I was 12, and my whole pack was attacked by rogues. It was the King who saved me. He single handedly killed them all. He's a good man, Princess. He'll be a good mate to you."

I ignored his comment and asked, "The King. How old was he then?"

Roman smiled, "23, he's 38 this year," He answered, "I know it's a bit of an age gap, but with our slow aging, he only looks around 28."

"I know," I nodded as we reached the castle steps.

Lycans aged differently to others. Once we hit 18, we'd only age 1 year for every 2 that past. I always thought that was a good thing. I'd love longer and get to see more of the world. I never thought it meant I'd find an older mate. We were from different generations. What would we possibly talk about or have in common?

I was still deep in thought as we reached the entrance to the royal wing when I saw Eric talking to the guards posted there. I froze and my heart raced in guilt.

"Cora, we have to talk!" He rushed over to me, but Roman acted quickly, and stepped between us.

"Go home, boy." He ordered, "My King isn't known for his patience. Luna Cora is his."

"She hasn't accepted him yet, and it's none of your business, so step aside!"

"Roman, step back," I ordered, and he quickly moved to my left, "Eric, you have to leave. If the King finds out you've been here, it'll be really bad for you."

"I don't care," He said as his hand locked around my wrist, "Just give me five minutes."

Before I could refuse, he pulled me into an empty room that used to be used for my brother's private lessons growing up.

"What is it?" I asked, as I pulled free and shut the door in Roman's anxious face.

I turned back to Eric. He looked like he hadn't slept, his eyes were filled with tears, and there was a faint smell of alcohol on his breath.

"Please don't do this. Don't treat me so coldly like I'm a stranger, "He pleaded and grabbed my arms, "I love you. We were going to get married, and now you're pushing me away. You don't want to be a Luna. You want a peaceful life. A simple, happy life with me. Remember everything we'd planned. Don't throw it all away now just because of the bond!"

Tears filled my own eyes as I stepped back and shook my head. "Eric you don't get it. If I reject him, the King will kill you."

"So let's go now while they're all distracted. Neither of the Kings have jurisdiction at the border. They can't touch us!"

I pulled away from him and walked towards the middle of the room. It was tempting. We could just run and take our chances, but the bond held me back.

My heart was racing as I looked back at him.

"I can't do that, not anymore," I told him, "I might hate the King but he was right about something, I'm a Princess. I owe my people for all the luxury and gifts I've been given throughout my life. If I run with you now, it might cause a war. And our people don't deserve to die because I chose you."

"So you'll marry some man who you think would kill innocent lives simply because you rejected him?"

"Eric enough," I held up my hand to him, "It was a dream, that's all our future together was. A wonderful dream, but still, it was never real. Not for me at least. I am a Princess. I have a duty to my people, but you can go live that life for the both of us. You can keep the home and one day you'll meet your mate too, and what you feel for me will vanish."

"I don't want the bloody house!" He charged over to me, "I want you. You can't just throw away years together for some man you just met. You can't honestly tell me that you're falling for him!"

"I don't know what I feel for him, but I do know whether I accept him or not. It's over for us, I am so sorry, but it has to be over."

"NO!" He shouted and launched himself onto me.

I screamed in surprise as I hit the ground, my head smashing into the wood.

"YOU LOVE ME. I KNOW YOU DO!" Before I could do anything, his lips met mine as he held me down. "I'll MAKE YOU REMEMBER!"

I was a Beta from a royal line, and I knew how to fight, but in this moment of shock and fear, I froze.

As Eric tried to pull my dress is, I was about to shove him back, as I regained my senses, but Roman beat me to it. He grabbed Eric by the scruff of his neck and ripped him into the air before slamming him against the wall.

"YOU DARE TOUCH MY QUEEN!" Roman screamed as his claws dug into Eric's neck.

"NO. WAIT. STOP!" I ordered as I clumsily got to my feet. My whole body was shaking, and I felt light-headed, but I stood my ground and grabbed Roman's arm, "He didn't mean it. Please stop!"

Roman went silent for a second before looking at me. "My King is on his way."

No.

My heart started to race. "No, contact him again and tell him it was all a misunderstanding. He didn't mean it. He just lost his mind for a second."

Roman shook his head at me. "I am sorry, Luna, but I can't and won't do that. He put his hands on you. The King will not let this go."

Eric looked at me with a frightened expression, "I didn't mean it. I'm sorry Cora. I just lost control. I really didn't mean to hurt you. Please help me."

"SHUT UP. YOU LOST THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE PRINCESS!" Another guards, one the Kings said from the doorway, "The King is also on his way. Let's see what happens to you once he arrives."

No. How had things escalated so quickly?

"Please Roman, at least retract your claws!" I pleaded, but he ignored me, and Erica throat continued to spill blood.

I heard loud footsteps and then Derick's scents flowed around me like a blanket before he charged through the door.

His eyes looked crazed as they scanned the room, and he closed the gap between us. He cupped my face in his hands as the King entered the room.

"Honey, are you hurt?" Derick examined me.

"I'm okay, but please, don't hurt Eric. He didn't mean to. He just lost it for a moment, but..."

My mate growled and I fell silent before he turned to Eric, "Report!"

Roman told my mate and the King everything, word for word, and I realized that the room wasn't protected by the privacy spell.

I looked nervously at Eric as he cried, and I felt my mate's power grow. The true Alpha was coming out. Not just the passive, non-threatening mask he wore in public to put others at ease in his presence.

Even I trembled slightly, but there was something else too. A raw primal attraction that had Clara panting inside me.

Derick released me and walked towards Eric.

"You tried to r*pe my mate?" He asked him, his voice calm but cold, and Eric trembled.

"I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. I was upset and..."

Before Eric could finish, Derick ripped him out of Roman's grasp and held Eric in the air by his still bleeding throat.

"I SHOULD RIP YOUR HEART OUT!"

"NO!" I rushed to Derick's side and touched his arm, "Please don't kill him. He knows he was wrong. He was just upset by the rejection. For me, please, please spare his life."

"Coraline step back!" The King shouted at me, but I ignored him, as tears fell down my face.

"Please, Derick. I'll accept you if you just spare him!"

Derick looked at me in shock and shook his head. "You're actually pleading for this boys life after he attacked you? Have you lost your mind?!"

"He just lost control. He knows he's wrong."

"No, he knows he's f*cked. That's why he's remorseful." Derick shot back, but then he exhaled, "However, if you truly don't want him dead, then I won't kill him."

"Thank you," I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't thank me. I said I wouldn't kill him. I never said he'd go unpunished," He told me, before looking at Roman, "You said we're on the third flood, yes?"

"Yes, Alpha."

Derick looked towards the window, then back at Eric, and carried him towards the opening.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a panic.

"If you ever touch my mate again, or so much as come within a meter of her. I will kill you." Derick warned before he shoved Eric from the window.

"NO!" I screamed.