Betrayed and Sold to the Cursed Alphas

Veronica POV

“This is crazy, Dever,” I squealed, letting him pull me further into the garden. “We can’t just leave our party. What about the gues–”

Whatever I was about to say dissolved as his lips covered my mouth. I sighed and melted into his body, letting him deepen the kiss. It felt… so good. 

Everything felt perfect tonight. The night was cool, and the party had turned out great. I bet Ana, my wolf, would agree if only I could reach her. She’s been unusually quiet lately, drifting away from me for days now.  But today feels different.

“Tell me you love me,” Dever demanded, his voice low as his lips trailed along the length of my neck, nibbling. I moaned in response, threading my fingers through his hair.

He stopped abruptly, knocking my hand in his haste. “I need to hear you say it,” he groaned, his voice desperate. 

A smile crept across my lips at his neediness. Dever was my baby in every word, and teasing him was something I enjoyed. 

“You know I do,” I purred, stroking his chin. He remained still, his eyes fixed on mine like he was asking for more than words. 

My eyes lost all their playfulness.

I’d known Dever Hawthorn most of my life. My mother worked for the Hawthorns as a tutor, while I’d trailed after Dever like a puppy, worshipping the ground he walked on. After my mother died, he became my only family. The only one that mattered at least. 

I could tell when something weighed on him. Right now, I could feel it in his clenched jaw.

“Is everything alright, my love?” I asked, worried yet trying to speak softly. 

He grabbed my hands, bending his face towards me. My heart picked up, pounding against my chest. I searched his eyes for clues, but I found none. “I need to hear you say it, Vee.”

“I love you,” I conceded, pleading with my eyes. “I love you, Dever, with everything in me. Always have, always will. So, can you stop now? You’re scaring me.”

“And me? Do you believe I love you?”

“Yes, I do,” I nodded, my heart pounding. “You know that. What’s going on, Dever? You know I will always be here no matter what…. just talk to me.”

He planted a quick kiss and straightened up. A tiny, wicked smirk curved his lips. “Just wanted to be certain you still feel the same way,” he winked.

My shoulders sagged with relief.

 “You scoundrel,” I yelped, landing a playful fist on his chest before he could grab my hand, laughing. “I thought you had something awful to tell me.”

“Did you see your face?” he managed to say between his fits.

I shook my head and stalked ahead, feigning annoyance. He followed behind, still laughing. A child, through and through, that was Dever. I was going to pay him back when he least expected it.

Something snapped behind me, and I swung around, my senses alert. “Did you hear–”

The sound of a gunshot cut me off. One shot, then another. I watched as everything froze around me, except Dever. My gaze followed him as he crumbled to the ground, blood gushing from his chest. 

I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.

Do something! Move! The words clawed at the back of my head

Dazed, I stumbled to his side and pressed my hand to the wound, feeling the sticky red liquid soak my palm. With my free hand, I searched frantically for a pulse. Nothing.

An emptiness settled within me, hollow, bitter, but I refused to acknowledge it. Not yet. Desperately, I scanned the area, searching for help. Two men walked towards me, one of them holding a smoking gun.

Something slithered down my spine, numbing my body.

“You’re coming with us,” the taller of the two spoke, grabbing my wrist.

I jerked at his touch, my body trembling. “I can’t,” I barely heard myself above the ringing in my ears. I glanced at Dever. “He needs a doctor.”

They snickered. 

“Your alpha’s dead, and I wasn't asking,” the tall guy sneered, tightening his grip.

His words echoed in my head, filling the emptiness that had settled inside me. My gaze fell on Dever’s lifeless eyes, and I stifled a moan.

They were wrong. He was alive. He was fighting… holding on for me.

“He needs a doctor,” I repeated, adamant, my voice a notch louder.

“We don’t have time for this.” A hand fell over my mouth just as someone grabbed my legs, pulling me away from Dever. 

I kicked hard, trying to break loose. It was useless. They were stronger, pulling me off the ground.  I tried to reach Ana, but there was no response. 

“Dump her here.” The words came before my back hit something rough, forcing my eyes open just in time to catch the sigil seared on their wrist before they slammed the trunk shut.

Blackmoon pack.

What were they doing… Cold ran through my body as realisation dawned on me. Our pack was under attack.

I shut my eyes in panic but snapped them open as Dever’s empty eyes haunted me. Finally, I opened my mouth and screamed, letting the pain engulf me.

Only one was clear despite the pain; if I lived through the night, I’d burn Blackwood to the ground, starting with the men who pulled the trigger.