9:The Alpha's Voice

Arda’s heart pounded as Luke’s words cut through her. “What did I do?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“This only happens with you,” Luke said coldly, his tone sharp enough to wound.

She stared at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”

He stepped closer. “Don’t play dumb. The kiss. The headaches. It only happens when I’m with you.”

Her lips parted in disbelief. “So, what are you saying?”

Luke’s eyes darkened. “You tell me. Or should I just say it? Witch.”

The word slammed into her, knocking the breath out of her lungs. Tears welled up. “I’m not a witch, Luke,” she whispered.

“Then what are you?” His voice was ice. “A monster with a pretty face? Because that’s what I came here to find out.”

The accusation broke her. “I’m not a monster!” she sobbed.

Luke didn’t flinch. “I’m done wasting time waiting on you. You should’ve told me what you are.”

“Luke, please.” She stepped closer, but he recoiled.

“Stay away.” His face twisted. “God, are you cursed?”

“I like you, Luke. Please, don’t do this.”

Her words were desperate, but he was unmoved.

“I don’t need a doctor!” he snapped.

Before she could process his rejection, he turned to his car.

“Sonia, get over here.”

Arda’s heart sank as a girl from her school stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement. She watched in horror as Luke cupped Sonia’s face and kissed her deeply.

The kiss burned into her vision—mocking, final. Behind her, the door creaked open. Her friends had come outside. But it was too late.

Luke broke the kiss and looked at Arda. “Stay away from me. We’re done.”

“Luke, please! I love you!”

His gaze flickered, almost uncertain. But then it hardened. He took Sonia’s hand and turned away.

Jacob’s voice broke the tension. “Wait a minute! You’re not leaving until you explain this.”

Luke turned back, arms crossed. “Ask her. Or should I prove it again?”

Arda shook her head, refusing to endure more humiliation.

Luke sneered. “That’s what I thought.” He faced Jacob and Karina. “Your friend’s got issues. Better to end this now than later.”

With those words, he left.

Arda couldn’t hold back any longer. She turned and ran inside.

Jacob and Karina followed her, their steps heavy with sympathy.

“This is painful,” Karina muttered.

“Yeah, but we agreed to let her live like a normal girl,” Jacob replied.

Karina hesitated. “Maybe that was a mistake. She has a mate, Jacob.”

“We couldn’t have stopped her without raising suspicions.”

They reached her door and knocked softly.

“Go away,” Arda’s voice broke through the wood.

Ignoring her protest, they entered.

Arda was sitting on the bed, tears streaking her face. “I told you to stay away.”

They sat on either side of her, silent but present.

“I don’t ask for much,” she began, her voice raw. “I never dreamed of some rich, powerful guy—just someone I’d feel safe with.”

Karina reached for her hand as Arda continued.

“Luke was perfect. I thought I’d found love.”

“What happened?” Karina asked gently.

Arda recounted the headaches and the humiliation. “Then he kissed her, and nothing happened. I feel cursed.”

“You’re not cursed,” Jacob said firmly.

But Arda wasn’t convinced. “First the mark, then the necklace and note, and now this? I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

“We’ll figure this out,” Karina promised.

Jacob added, “You’re not alone.”

Arda wiped her tears and tried to smile.

“He called me a monster.”

Jacob cracked a joke to lighten the mood. “A monster with a pretty face?”

Arda let out a soft laugh, but it faded quickly.

“I need to go home. I need a break.”

“That’s fine,” Karina said. “Call us anytime.”

“Thanks, guys.”

Once alone, Arda sat at her desk, staring at the note and necklace. She touched the pendant, and flashes of the stranger at the restaurant invaded her mind.

Shaken, she dropped it. But curiosity pushed her to pick it up again. The stranger’s face lingered.

Pushing away the thoughts, she booted her laptop and started searching.

Her fingers typed: Alpha.

Images of wolves and mysterious men flooded the screen. She refined the search: Human-wolf.

The results deepened her unease. Words like shapeshifter and werewolf popped up.

She leaned back, muttering, “Damn joke.”

Her phone rang, cutting through her thoughts. A private number.

She answered hesitantly. “Hello?”

A voice—deep, distinct, and enthralling—greeted her.

“Hello, Arda.”

Her breath caught. “Who is this?”

“I’m sorry about your broken heart.”

Her blood turned cold. “Who are you? How do you know—”

The man’s tone darkened. “Did you like the gift?”

Her heart pounded harder. “Who the hell are you?”

“It won’t be long before I come for you.”

Her throat tightened.

“Wait patiently. And don’t accept another man. I won’t tolerate it.”

The line went dead.

Arda sat frozen, the phone trembling in her hand. She wasn’t imagining things anymore.

The Alpha—whoever he was—was real.