IRIS POV
Days passed and I didn't see the Alpha. I wasn't expecting to see him everyday because he was an Alpha and he had duties to attend to but I was expecting him to at least check up on me.
Or had I been expecting so much?
I sat by the window in my chamber, staring out at the training yard below. Warriors moved across the field, their bodies a blur of movement and among them stood the Alpha.
He stood apart from the others, even when surrounded by them. He looked larger from this angle ans his presence commanded the space. This was the only way I got to see him, by spying on him from my window.
I let out a breath, I didn't know why I was feeling like this. I should be happy that he hadn't come to see me. I was scared of him. I leaned slightly closer to the window, my breath fogged the glass. I closed my eyes briefly.
Go to him
That voice was back again. I kept wondering if someone was in this room with me. Or maybe a ghost? It made my heart beat faster.
"Why?" I whispered softly, trying to see if the unknown voice would give me a reply but there was no answer.
Just silence.
My fingers curled against the edge of the window.
"Am I just a mistake?" I murmured.
Below, Alpha Hades moved through another opponent effortlessly, disarming him in seconds. The warrior stepped back, his head lowered in defeat.
Alpha Hades said something short and sharp. Maybe it was an instruction or correction. Then he turned. For a split second, I thought he might look up. My heart leapt but he didn't.
The small spark of hope inside me died. I sank back from the window slowly.
"Why do you look so dejected sitting by the window?" I jumped back in fright, Carina's voice startled me.
"When did you come in?" I said holding my chest that was beating so fast.
"Just now"
"I didn't hear the door open"
"Maybe because you were lost in thoughts" she said setting a tray of food down. I looked back toward the window one last time before turning away.
"I was watching the warriors train"
"You were watching the warriors or the Alpha?" Her brows lifted slightly. Heat crept on my cheek.
"I-I was not…"
"You don't have to deny it" Carina gave a small smile. I wrapped my arms around myself .
"I'm just fascinated of how he trains" I lied immediately to cover up. Carina tilted her head slightly.
"He has so much strength and agility. He's one of the strongest wolf in the whole region. I'm sure you must have heard of how he defeated his enemies"
Yes. I had heard a lot about him and I was amazed of how one person could be so strong.
"You're not eating?"
"I'll eat now" I said and picked the spoon, but I only ate a little. Carina frowned.
"You didn't eat much"
"I'm not really hungry"
I was used to eating little portions of food and eating much might upset my stomach. But I didn't tell Carina that.
"You barely ate anything. You are too skinny. I'm sorry I have to be this blunt but if you don't gain some flesh, the lack members would continue to taunt you" that made me stop and think.
"Or is there something on your mind? You look worried"
"I'm not worried but I wonder what my role is in this pack. I thought coming here would have been better than staying in the Royal Pack but clearly I was mistaken"
"I've heard how humans are treated in the Royal pack, they even go as far as branding them but in this pack no matter your rank, no one is going to brand you" I sighed.
I didn't want to speak much on this so I don't seem desperate for the Alpha's attention. Carina came closer and pushed the dishes away.
"You don't have to worry about anything like I told you before. You are protected here" I just shook my head.
"You are still tense" Carina murmured gently.
"I have something to ask you. It's been bothering me for a while"
"What is it?" She pressed.
"This room….has it been occupied before?"
Silence. It was a long and unsettling one.
"Carina" I said again, quieter this time. "Please."
Her hands rested lightly against my shoulders.
"I don't want to scare you"
"You already are."
"There's something you need to understand," she said softly. My heart began to pound.
"What?" Carina swallowed.
"Every mate the Alpha has ever had…"
She paused and took a breath.
"…has died" I blinked.
"What?" I asked not sure I had heard clearly the first time but Carina's gaze didn't waver.
"None of them survived"
A cold, creeping feeling slid down my spine.
"No. That's not…." I said softly.
"They never made it past the fourth full moon."
The world tilted. I stared blankly at her. The room felt suddenly too small. I thought I was going to sushi ate.
"Four… moons?" I repeated faintly and she nodded.
"It's a curse. That's why he's known as the Cursed Alpha"
My chest tightened painfully.
"No" I whispered. "That's not possible."
"I wish it wasn't."
My pulse began to race and my breathing quickened.
"That means…" my voice broke.
"That means I'm going to die" Carina reached for my hand.
"Iris.." I pulled back suddenly.
"No." I shook my head.
"No, that's not…that can't be…"
It made sense now. The whispers. The way the wolves looked at me. The way Elke had spoken.
Three.
And they all died.
My stomach twisted violently and I thought I was going to puke.
"That's why they hate me" my voice trembled "Because I'm just…" my breath hitched. "….another one"
"That's not true" Carina tried to be comforting but I was having none of it.
"It is!"
The words came out sharper than I intended. My chest rose and fell unevenly.
"They're just waiting for me to die"
Carina was silent and didn't deny it. That was answer enough. I staggered back slightly, pressing a hand against my mouth.
The room felt like it was closing in.
"I don't want to be his mate" I whispered.
"I thought…" I swallowed. "I thought it meant I was safe."
"I know"
"If I return back to the Royal Pack, I'll be safe" my gaze dropped to my wrist.
"Calm down Iris"
"No! All this while, I thought I was safe here but instead my time was just counting"
A tear slipped free. This time, I didn't stop them.
"Why didn't he tell me?" I whispered.
"I don't think he knows how" I looked up sharply.
"That's not an excuse"
"No, it's not" she admitted softly.
I wiped at my face roughly, trying to pull myself together.
"I'm not staying here" Carina blinked.
"What?"
"I'm not staying here to die. I'm leaving"
"Iris…"
"No."
My voice steadied.
"I don't want to die. I know I didn't have a great life before coming here but it was better. I can't die" Carina's expression shifted to concern.
"You can't leave," she said gently.
"Why not?"
"Because you're bound to the Alpha whether you like it or not" I froze.
"What?"
"I know you don't understand how wolf bond works but even if you leave, the Alpha would come for you"
A chill ran through me.
"I don't care"
"You will, because the bond is so strong that it won't let you go" she said softly. I shook my head.
"You said it yourself. I am not a wolf so it can't control me. I won't let it" Carina didn't argue with me.
"You have to help me" I said pleadingly.
"Help you do what?"
"Escape."