Her Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER 11 - CORALINE'S POV

Merin hovered around me, pulling my hair up into an elaborate bun, clipped into place with gold clips.

I frowned, pouted and complained, but she kept insisting that it was Dericks orders, and she couldn't disobey now that he was her King, so I just gave up and endured.

Once I was in my black dress, make-up and hair done, Merin left me alone to go get dressed herself.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and frowned. I never liked dressing up like this, but I guess now I'd have to get used to it. Queens rarely wore plain clothing.

"Aunty Cora!"

I turned to see the only member of the family I loved and scooped him up.

"Happy birthday. Can we go to the party? Mommy said there will be cake."

"Well, let's get going then," I joked with him.

I placed Ezra down on his feet, and took his hand. Everyone was waiting by the door, and I rolled my eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd actually believe they loved me, but I knew it was all an act for Derick.

"You look lovely," Bonnie said in a sickening false tone.

"And you look worn out, careful or the King will replace you with another wh*re one day."

"CORALINE, SHUT TOUR MOUTH!" King Damien rose his hand, but I simply smiled and offered him my cheek, as I held up my hand so he could see my engagement ring, and he quickly came to his senses and put his hand down, "I can't wait to be rid of you."

"Yes, it'll be nice for me too. I'll no longer have to live with my mother's murderers."

Ryker opened his mouth, probably to defend his trash father, but I just shoved past him and walked out into the hallway.

Everyone followed me in silence, tensions growing, but I just smiled. Derick had given me another gift. The gift of protection. None of them dared hurt me anymore. I should thank him for that.

My breath stopped as we entered the ballroom. It looked amazing. The last party I had was when my mother was alive and she would always go all out like this.

When I saw Derick walking towards me, I tried to play it cool, but my stupid heart started racing, betraying how I felt upon seeing him.

In front of everyone. Derick cupped my face on his large hands and kissed me. It wasn't a gentle sweet kiss that lingered. He was claiming me, and I felt a mixture of desire and embarrassment at this sudden display of affection.

I was bright red when he pulled away, and I felt every set of eyes on me. Pack members in my kingdom rarely kissed in public, and he'd done it in front of all the elders. The other Kings are still here for peace talks and all the servants and pack members in attendance.

"Do you like it?"

I looked around and nodded, "It's lovely."

"I'm glad. Come dance with me."

As if waiting for him to say it, the musicians began to play softly.

I caught a glimpse of the King as Derick pulled me towards the dance floor. He was clearly annoyed that Derick was commanding the room and playing host in his territory, but he chose not to say anything.

He just took a wine from a passing waiter and started talking to one of the Kings.

"You seem... Happy." I commented as my mate and I danced.

"I am about to marry my mate. Shouldn't I be happy?"

"I guess," I responded, "You really are different from the stories I've heard. Everyone said you were scary."

"I am, just not to you," He winked, dipped me and then spun me around.

"Show off," I heard his brother whisper to a guard, who laughed.

"How long has it been since you were home?"

"Two very long years," He answered, as he moved us through the other dancers, "You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again."

"I can imagine," I smiled up at him, "I... I don't know anything about the torments of war, but if you ever need someone to talk to about everything you've gone through. I am here for you."

Derrick smiled and kissed my forehead, "And just think, only a few days ago you ran from me, and yet here you are, wanting to be my shoulder to cry on."

I looked down in shame. I must have really hurt and embarrassed him that day.

"I'm sorry, I just."

"You don't need to explain again," He said quickly, "I was only joking. And thank you, if I ever need to vent, you'll be the first one I go to."

"The only one." I said firmly. I would not have the relationship my parents had. Not ever.

He smiled and nodded, "As you wish, my Queen. And guess what?"

"What?"

"Your maid and her mate can come with us."

"Truely? Oh, thank you, Derick!" I squealed, "It'll be so nice knowing someone in your Kingdom."

"I'll never let you be lonely. I swear."

The entire party was over in an instant. One second I was dancing. The next there was cake that Ezra was the first in line for, then speeches, though it didn't escape my notice that Damien's was genetic and more about coming of age, rather than anything personal about his daughter.

When it came time for gifts and Derick made me sign a transfer deed for the island, I was a little overwhelmed, but quickly signed to get all eyes off me.

The other royals all gifted me gold or jewelry and I quickly made a note of whom to thank and for what.

Finally, as the guests left, Derick took my hand and announced to Damien, that, because I was now of age, I'd been sleeping in his suite from this moment on, until we'd leave.

The King looked like he wanted to argue, but Derick didn't give him a chance to speak, and just pulled me with him out of the ballroom.

"Did it occur to you to ask me if I was ready to share a room with you?" I asked shyly as we walked.

Noah, who was ahead of us started laughing, "Nothing ever occurs to our King except for what he wants."

"Shut up and stay out of our private conversations," Derick warned his younger brother, before looking at me, "No, it didn't occur to me, but it doesn't matter. You're mine. You've agreed to accept me, and you're now of age, it's happening."

I frowned at me, but kept walking.

"I have no clothes."

"It's already taken care of."

"Well, what about my toiletries and things?"

"Taken care of," He repeated, though now he sounded smug.

Damn it. He'd already thought of everything.

"Fine."

I couldn't believe how nervous I was as I entered my mate's bedroom. It was bad enough when he'd kissed me on the bed, but now I would be sleeping in it, with him beside me.

My heart raced as a I scanned his body, before quickly averting my gaze.

"Would you like to shower first?"

"Yes," I practically yelled and races towards the bathroom, but then I realized something and paused at the door. I slowly turned around and saw my mate smirking at me, "Um.. where are my clothes?"

He didn't speak, he just pointed to two large chests and I went over to them.

While he removed his boots and belt, I searched the contents, but each slip I found was more revealing then the last.

"Something wrong?

I peeked up at him, and then quickly looked back down when I realized he'd removed his robes and was standing in his pants.

"I can't find anything normal to sleep in. Can I wear one of your shirts?"

"Normal?" He frowned and squatted beside me.

He pulled out a cream-coloured silk slip with lace paneling up the sides.

"What's wrong with this?"

I blushed and pulled it from his fingers, "It's too revealing."

He laughed and gently took my chin in his fingers and pulled my face up.

"Honey, are you to shy to show me your body?" He asked, as his eyes ran down to my chest, and then back into my eyes, "It's not very nice to tease your Alpha. Do you have any idea how many times I've imagined you naked, and won't even let me have a small peak before the wedding night? That's really mean of you."

I bit my lip nervously as my cheek flushed again, and I just grabbed the slip, some underwear and bolted to the bathroom, while Derick laughed.

"So cute." I heard him mumble.

I washed quickly, but I nervously kept dropping the soap whenever I imagined my mate outside the door.

But I nearly slipped over entirely when he walked in.

"What are you doing?" I gasped and looked at the shower glass door. Luckily there was so much steam he couldn't see anything.

"You were taking too long, so I thought I'd just come in an brush my teeth."

"No, get out and wait!"

He didn't answer, he just walked over to the vanity and picked up the toothbrush if just used. Sh*t, was that his one?

"I'm sorry. I used that one earlier. I thought it was new."

Again, he didn't answer and just started to perform his routine.

I nervously continued to wash, peeking over it as he shaved, brushed his teeth, and then walked over to the second door leading to the toilet.

Once he'd shut the door, I shut the water off, wrapped the towel around my body, picked up my clothing and power walked out of the bathroom into the main room.

"He did that on purpose to unsettle us!" I complained and quickly dried off, but Clara just giggled.

Once I was in the slip, I felt a whole new kind of shyness. I turned in the mirror and no matter which was I turned, you could see my chest, so I climbed into bed and pulled the covers right up to my chin and waited.

Goddess, I was nervous when he walked out on his towel.

"Didn't you take clothes?"

"I sleep naked."

My eyes widened,"You do not, you're just trying to embarrass me!"

Derick laughed softly as he approached me, "No. I really do sleep naked. Embracing you is a bonus. You're on my side."

Without another word, he pulled off his towel and I quickly slid over to the other side, trying desperately to avoid looking at his p***s, before I rolled over and shut my eyes.