Her Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER 16 - DERICK'S POV

I walked into the tavern with Noah, after making sure my mate still guards posted around her, and found the party already in full swing.

The Kings, and several of my troops were already drinking. A beautiful woman stood on the stage singing, and I realized she was a Siren, so I made sure to sit as far from her as possible as to not be affected. Waiters were rushing around holding trays, and one came right up to me, offering me my first drink.

"Thanks," I said, as I downed it all in one, and the men cheered.

"Congratulations on your wedding,'' Palmor slabbed my back, and I felt the full force of his Dragon strength.

I suppressed a growl, and moved out of his grip, ''Thankyou Palmor. Do you have any advice?''

''Yeah, run,'' Ryker interrupted from where he was sitting, and drinking scotch.

I turned and glared at him, as I sat down opposite my future brother-in-law, ''You know Ryker. It's almost like you think I won't rip the treaty contract up and snap your neck.''

''He was just joking, Derick. Calm down,'' Damien defended his son, ''This is meant to be a fun evening.''

He clapped his hands, and half-naked dancers came over with silk cloths that began sliding over my body, but I growled.

''ENOUGH!'' I slammed my hand on the table, ''GO!'' The woman looked nervous and rushed away, while I turned back to Damien. ''You might enjoy disrespecting and betraying your mate, but we're not all like you. The only woman I have any interest in seeing naked is Coraline.''

''You two are made for each other,'' Ryker rolled his eyes, ''You're both wet blankets. Looking doesn't count as cheating. I'd never cheat on my mate.''

''Come now!'' Landon exhaled angrily, ''We're meant to be having a good time.''

''And I have just the thing to kick things off,'' Shalock slammed a bottle of dark black liquid on the table, ''This boys, is the best, most potent ale from my clan, and only real men can handle more than three glasses.''

''Bring it on then,'' Noah said with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, and Shalock laughed with glee.

Shalock laughed, ''Care to make it interesting,''' He challenged my brother, ''If I can drink more than you, you have to hand over that enchanted dagger you're so fond of. The one with the gold pommel."

Noah didn't hesitate. He loved that dagger he'd gotten from one of our witches, but not enough to get sentimental about it.

"And if I win? You give me that gold ring. The one with the Shalrock stone.''

Shalock looked down at his ring, and hesitated, before sizing up my brother, ''You're on pup.''

I laughed at my brother's confidence. He was a good drinker, but he was no match for a dwarf.

They poured the first round, giving one to me too, an ink-black sludge that smelled faintly of pine needles and burnt sugar, before they cheered each other.

I watched them go glass for glass, while I drank my own fill. My own judgment started slipping away as I drank to keep them and the others company. By the fifth round, the room began to wobble. By the sixth, I was laughing at absolutely everything, even at Damiens jokes about marriage. As round seven kicked off. Landon and I were singing Lycan folk songs, while my brother laid his head on the table. Whatever competitive edge Noah had possessed had vanished.

''I surrender,'' He waved his hand.

''You did well, lad!'' Shalock clapped his hand on my brother's back, ''I've never seen a Lycan endure so many rounds!''

I collapsed back into my chair, laughing uncontrollably as Noah handed over the dagger.

''Welcome to your new home, my prize.'' Sharlock spoke to the dagger before tucking it away.

Noah switched to tea after his drinking challenge, and by midnight, he was more sober than I was. He looked a little green around the gills, but he stood up, swaying slightly when the owner of the tavern announced the last round before closing.

''One more round!'' I held up my hand, and the others cheered, but Noah shook his head.

''You're getting married in the morning, remember. No more drinking, lets get you home to your mate.''

''My Cora!'' I said, my words slurring as I stood up, ''Enjoy the rest of the night, gentleman, but I am off.''

''We'll see you in the morning Derick,'' Damien waved me goodbye.

I glared at him for a second, before Noah grabbed my arm, and hauled my arm over his shoulder.

We walked clumsily out of the tavern and I exhaled, ''I think I should just kill him. Cora will be better off if he's dead.''

"Easy there, brother," Noah mumbled, his voice thick. "Let's not talk like that in public.''

''You're right.'' I leaned in, and lowered my voice, ''We should plan in private.''

''Sounds like a good idea.'' He agreed, and continued to help me home.

The walk back was a blur of spinning stars and muffled, drunken apologies to passing pack members every time I stumbled into one. Every step felt like a marathon, but we made it back to the suite, where I found my girl sleeping in the bed. The quilt had fallen down to her hips, revealing her body, and I felt myself getting hard.

''Goddess, she's so beautiful. Isn't she?'' I asked my brother as I tried to lift my foot to take off my boot.

''I don't know how to answer that question, without getting knocked out by you or Liana.''

I laughed and fell over when my boot got stuck. I landed loudly and Cora jumped up in fright, and I quickly crawled over to the bed and cupped her face.

''I'm sorry, honey. Did I wake you?'' I said, as I began to see two of her. ''The floor came out of nowhere, and pulled me down.''

''Pull you down?'' She questioned and frowned in confusion as she looked from me to Noah, ''I'll take it from here.''

''He's all yours little sister,'' Noah laughed and walked out.

''I see you had a good night.'' Cora said as she climbed off the bed, and I started looking her body up and down.

''I did, even with your father and brother there.'' I said as I turned around and sat with my back against the bed.

''I'm glad,'' Cora smiled and pulled off my boots, ''Can you stand?''

''Why? Do you want me to f*ck you against the wall or something?'' I asked, as I reached out and ran my hand over one of her perfect t**s. ''Take this off, and let my pleasure you.''

She giggled and shook her head, ''Keep dreaming, drunken one,'' She scolded me, but luckily, she was smiling, and I relaxed, ''Get up and let's go brush your teeth and give you a shower.''

''Only if you shower with me,''

''Sure.'' She said as she hugged me and helped me up, but we stumbled, and I fell back on the bed with her on top of me.

''Ah,'' She squealed and giggled, ''You're so heavy. I can't lift you. You need to help.''

''Why would I do that? I'd prefer to stay here with you on top of me.''

She lapped my chest and stood up, before offering me her hand, ''Get up.''

''I'm always up around you.''

''Stop it,'' She glared at me in amusement, and I heaved myself up onto my feet, and wrapped my arms around her neck, before I leaned in and took a deep whiff of her scent.

''Do you know you make me feel very shallow.''

''What do you mean?''

''Well look at you. You are so damn sexy,'' I pointed out as my hands ran down her body, ''I didn't realize how shallow I was until I met you, but if you're my mate, then the Goddess created you to my exact taste, which means I'm shallow, because I've never seen a more beautiful sexy woman. I want you so much it actually hurts to leave you a virgin. You'd better get a lot of sleep tonight, because I'm going to f*ck you all night tomorrow.''

''I was getting some sleep until my drunken mate woke me up,'' She giggled and rolled her eyes, ''Just move your butt, Alpha. You need to shower. You smell like a tavern.''

She helped me into the bathroom and even helped me brush my teeth. Something Victoria never did. Before she helped me shower, the whole time I was fighting sleep, because I knew she'd never get me into bed if I passed out, but the second she helped me onto the bed, I was out like a light. The second my head hit the pillow.