Married To The Cursed Alpha

~Zuri~ Was I mad? Yes. But only a mad person could do what I was about to do. I cat walked towards my target, Corvus Vane, with my head up high, and ignoring my heart thumping. "Pardon me." I pushed past the other guest surrounding him and gave him a confident, almost seductive smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr Vane. I'm Zuri Shepherd." I purred and stretched out my hand to him. "And I believe you owe me a dance." The guests let out a silent gasp as the same question ran through their minds. What the f**k was I thinking? No one approached Corvus Vane without a death wish. He was the living definition of a man so powerful the world mistook him for a god—and in this country, he might as well have been. Rumors clung to him like shadows; some whispered he ran a global syndicate, others swore he led a clan of actual monsters. Honestly? Ridiculous baseless nonsense. But as I met his cold, predatory gaze, I understood why even the bravest men lost their courage. Those dark, crimson-tinted eyes were locked on me, and a sudden wave of heat rushed through my skin, sending my heart racing for something far more dangerous than nerves. Damn, he was handsome as hell. A tall glass of dark and broody masculine energy. With a large body covered with pounds of muscles that couldn't be made less intimidating by his expensive, tailored made suit, and a face that inspired erotic statues, he deserved the mile long line of ladies simping for him. "I don't." Corvus replied, his deep, commanding yet smooth voice almost weakened my knees. Focus, Zuri. "You would have if you responded to my mail or granted me an audience when I tried to see you." "You're the pest that has been visiting my office for the past two weeks." He raised a brow, and the corner of my lips twitched. "I'm not a pest, but yes, that's me, and I'm sick of being sent away like a child. It's a good thing I finally met you here because I had already planned to cause a scene to draw your attention the next time I visited," I huffed as I dropped my hand. "What do you want, Miss Shepherd?" He asked and I grinned. "Marry me." This time, the people around couldn't stifle their gasps, and murmurs rose. Others turned to us, sniffing out the drama. "You want me to marry you." Corvus said like we were talking about the weather. There was not an inch of surprise, annoyance or amusement on his face. It was like his blank, intimidating expression was carved in stone. "Yes. You are to marry the first daughter of the Shepherd family, are you not? Well, I'm here. My family lied to you. Serap—" "Zuri! What are you doing?!" Mathilda, my stepmother, shrieked as she ran towards us. She grabbed my arm, digging her fingers into my skin as she bowed her head at Corvus. "Sorry, Al—Mr Vane. The girl has had too much champagne. She doesn't know what she's saying." She apologised, pulling me away, but I yanked my arm away from her. "I am perfectly sober. Thank you very much," I hissed. "You will listen to me this instance, missy." "Why? Afraid of what will happen now that I've told Mr Vane the truth?" "Tell her to stand down, Derek." She snarled, turning to my father. "Please follow her, Zuri. We'll discuss this at home." He pleaded, unable to look me in the eyes. Coward. "No. I'm not leaving until I tell Mr Vane the truth." I snapped and turned to Corvus. "I am Zuri Shepherd, the first daughter of Derek Shepherd. It is I you are meant to marry, not my sister." "Seraphina is the first daughter. You are just an illegitimate t**t!" Matilda snapped, and I glowered at her. "Illegitimate or not, I'm still my father's first child, and according to the agreement between the Shepherd and Vane families, I am meant to be the next Mrs Vane, and I am going to." "Have you gone ma—" "Enough," Corvus commanded. His word wasn't a shout, but the power in his voice froze the entire room. It was like a suffocating blanket had fallen on everyone. My chest tightened at the ominous presence suddenly behind me, and I slowly turned around. Corvus was towering over me with his large body. He leaned closer to me; my breath hitched as his eyes seemed to glow red under the light. His delicious scent filled my nose, cold and woody, like a snowy forest of cedar and pine, and I strangled back a needy sigh. He tilted his head to the side, bringing it to my neck, and he sniffed. Sniffed? He stepped closer, and I sucked in air, standing as still as a brick wall. He sniffed again, and a deep rumbling reverberated in his chest. "Mine." He growled, and I gasped as desire suddenly flooded my veins, pooling in the sensitive regions of my body. I bit back a moan as his lips brushed my sensitive skin, and I jumped back. "Hey, no wifey privileges till after marriage." I cleared my throat as my skin buzzed. What the hell was that? Corvus stood up straight, and for the first time that night, there was a tiny bit of emotion on his face: irritation. "I am not marrying you," he said. "But I'm the first d— wait!" I exclaimed as he turned to leave and I grabbed his arm. Everyone practically screamed like I had done an abominable thing, and I rolled my eyes. Wow, calm your t**s down. I just touched him. A small wolfish growl echoed through the air, and I gasped, letting go of him. What was that? My gaze darted around as my skin crawled. Did someone let a dog loose? Those creatures of hell better stay away from me. Corvus grabbed my jaw, his fingers dug into my cheeks, and my lungs squeezed at his choking aura. “I will never marry you, Miss Shepherd. And if you dare come near me again, I’ll slit your throat.” He growled, and my stomach dropped. It wasn't a threat; It was a promise.