Cursed Bond of the Alpha

Selvara's POVThe party ended hours ago, yet I was wide awake. How could I sleep when the whispered I’s over looped in my head until I was seconds away from running mad.‘Zyros will ruin himself if the rumors are true.’ ‘A fated mate too close to home?’They hadn’t said my name, but they didn’t need to. I knew. And my wolf knew too. She hadn’t stopped repeating the word since last night; Mate. It thrummed in my chest, heavy and sharp, like a curse I couldn’t shake off.'No,” I whispered quietly. My voice was so small it barely reached my own ears. “Not him. Not Zyros.” I added it almost immediately. I rolled restlessly on my bed until sleep finally got me. The morning came way too soon. I didn't bother to check the time I slept, but I knew it wasn't long ago.I looked wrecked. Puffy eyes, aching head, hands that wouldn’t stay steady. I got off the bed and made my way to the toilet, had a quick bath and rushed to join the rest of the Omegas in the kitchen, as our daily routine was.Qu

Selvara’s POVWith shaky hands, I opened the door. The shadow I saw reflecting under the door had long been gone, but his scent stayed in the hallway. With a tight breath, I slowly backed into the room and got in bed.Seconds passed and I was no longer comfortable in the room. It felt like it was choking life out of me. I slipped out of the bed quietly. The other omegas snored on, but I didn’t breathe until I crossed the hall. If Queen Celine found me out here again, she’d skin me alive.The back door creaked. I froze, two guards leaned against the wall, talking low.“…Zyros pushed the warriors harder today. If he keeps this up...”“Shh. Do you want trouble?” I pressed myself into the shadows until they moved off. My pulse hammered. One of the guards shifted suddenly, his nose lifting in the air. My stomach dropped.“Wait. Do you smell that?” he asked, sniffing.The other guard frowned. “You’re imagining things. Come on, before Zyros finds us slacking.” His eyes swept the shadows, to

SELVARA’S POVI woke up to rumours and giggles in the hall. I could hear them clearly from my room. I knew I was in some kind of trouble from the moment my leg got cut in that creepy trap. Even when I managed to step out to meet the rest of them in the kitchen.I greeted them, but no one replied, as usual.“Did you see the blood in the hall?” one whispered.“Maybe a rat,” another snickered.Their eyes slid to me. My cheeks burned, but I kept my head down, scrubbing the pot harder than I needed to.“Are you fine, Selvara? Your...” that was Ravenna "...your leg," she said closer to my ears.“I’m fine,” I muttered, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. I am fine, of course, I always am. But deep inside, I wasn’t. Not after what I had heard Queen Celine said, and worst of it all; Zyros's Silence.“All of you, outside. Now.” I suddenly heard Queen Celine from outside The omegas scrambled into a line, heads bowed, the usual chatter silenced all silenced by now. I dragged myself out wi

SELVARA’s POVI didn’t leave my room all morning. My leg still ached, but it was nothing compared to the one I felt inside my chest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Zyros’s face his hand slamming the wall, his voice low and rough, and how he had looked when he said “Tell me you don’t feel this.” Not like I didn't want to scream my struggles out loud, but I just couldn’t. By midday, Ravenna slipped into my quarters with a tray of food. She was the only one of the few who didn’t treat me like dirt. She set the tray down and looked at me.“You didn’t eat yesterday,” she said softly. “You need your strength.”I stared at the bread and broth but didn’t touch it. My throat was too tight to eat.Ravenna sat on the edge of the bed, looking deep into my eyes as if she could read into them. “Selevara… talk to me. What’s wrong?”The words burned in my chest. I wanted to stay silent, but they spilled out before I could stop them. “I think…” I swallowed hard. “I think Zyros is my mate.” Her

SELVARA’S POVI dragged myself out of bed when the bell rang loud in the hall. It was the call for tonight’s gathering. My body felt heavy, my head still spinning from the restless night before. I really didn’t want to go. I hated nights like this, but I knew what would come if I stayed behind; trouble. And trouble always found me too easily. I went to the bathroom sluggishly, splashing cold water on my face before stepping under the shower. The bath was quick. I dressed in a plain dark gown, the one that didn’t draw much attention. Also tied my hair back into a ponytail. I wrapped my cloak tight around me. When I stepped into the hall, it was already as noisy as I had expected. Everyone was moving toward the courtyard. It was the full moon night. The tradition no one was allowed to skip.I sighed, pulling my cloak tighter, and forced myself to join them. Not too long after I stepped into the crowd, I started to feel it. My heat was back, and it would be weird to go back inside now.