THE CURSE

Killian's POV

"You can't rule without a mate, Alpha Wolfe" Ronan, my beta, kept trying to hammer the same thing into my head.

I sighed heavily, standing up from the Alpha's throne. I was done listening to his voice. The reason he still had his head on his neck was because of his other status as my best friend. An ordinary wolf would be rotting in his grave by now. He and I were the only one in the inner court meant for the alpha, his beta, and the council members. 

I snarled, irritated. "What's the point, Ronan? They all keep dying because of the curse. Every she-wolves mated to me within the past years only end up getting killed even before I mark them, and you know that."

Ronan sighed, his amber eyes full of mysteries I couldn't decipher.

"Every member of this pack is aware, but no one cares" He countered firmly. "They want their Alpha to rule with his Luna by his side. It won't be long before they begin to nurse thoughts of snatching the Alpha's seat from you."

"In their dreams!!" I snapped, my wolf growling in displeasure. I could feel a slight disturbance from the mark of the curse engrave in my heart. One more provocation and I was going to lose it.

"I'm the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, Ronan. That title alone is enough to force all enemies on their knees" I added, declaring boldly.

I didn't mean to brag, but it was the obvious truth. Only a pup born yesterday wouldn't know the ruthless Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack who ruled with an iron fist.

I believed I was born to spread terror to the ends of the earth, and the curse was just what I needed as a bonus.

I noticed the dissatisfaction on Ronan's face.

"I'm sorry, Alpha Wolfe" He apologized, bowing slightly. "I was only trying to offer my advice as your Beta. Your decision is always final."

I inhaled deeply. "I understand your fears, but I don't want a doomed mate bond, neither do I want to cause the death of another she- wolf. If the moon goddess really wanted me to have a mate, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"I get your point, Alpha, but remember the prophecy" Ronan hinted, and I froze.

The prophecy? The god-damned prophecy? My wolf was livid at this point, but my resolve to keep him locked up was stronger.

"A curse was placed on my bloodline centuries ago" I stated calmly. "If the prophecy was true, the curse should have been broken a long time ago. We can't even find the prophetess who gave such a prophecy."

Ronan seemed hesitant, but replied. "You're right, Alpha. I, myself, am beginning to doubt the authenticity of the prophecy, but I suggest we give it one last try."

"You're wasting your time, Ronan, and you know it" I shot back coldly. "I already made up my mind to never claim any mate again."

"But don't you find it weird that you keep getting a mate after the previous one dies?" Ronan questioned, and I contemplated on his words for a moment.

There was no way I was going to let him win this conversation.

I simply shrugged. "Perhaps, it's because they died. The moon goddess is quite tricky."

"But..."

"Enough" I snapped, cutting him off. "You should go find something else to do. What about the report on the rogues?"

Ronan exhaled heavily. He already got the signal.

"They're becoming rampant, especially in The Cursed Land" He revealed. "I think we need to deploy more guards to the gates to prevent the rogues from sneaking in."

I turned, and looked at him with eyes full of mockery. "Sneaking in? Unless they're blind or deaf, who would dare to sneak into my territory?"

"We just need to exercise caution" Ronan replied cautiously.

I felt he was going too far with his job, and needed to be warned.

"Ronan, you better...." My words trailed off as I sense a slight disturbance with my inner wolf.

*What is it?* I spoke to him telepathically, but he remain unresponsive, becoming more restless.

I was fed up. Just when I thought to ignore him, a faint scent wafted through my nostrils, and my head snapped to the window side. My wolf howled in delight as my heart thumped violently against my chest.

No way. It couldn't be.

"What's wrong?" I heard Ronan say, but his voice was quite distant. My sole focus was on the strange force tugging at the curse mark.

*It better not be what I think it is* I prayed silently, infuriated by my wolf's actions.

*Keep it down, Ken* I snarled inwardly, but his excitement only got worse.

Suddenly, a knock came on the door. Ronan answered it, while I refused to take a look at the visitor.

"Greetings, Lord Wolfe, Beta Blackwood," The visitor greeted.

"State your business" I heard Ronan urge.

"We've captured another rogue" The wolf replied, and my ears twitched instantly.

A rogue? Why did I feel displeased with the news?

I turned swiftly. "A male?"

"A female" He replied with a bow. "The guards are about to punish her in the outer court. I just thought to inform you. We..."

"Let's head to the outer court now" I interrupted, storming towards the exit.

I wasn't sure whether the two of them were behind me. I was only bothered by the so called rogue who had the guts to cross into my territory.

Every pack members cowered in great trepidation as I walked past them. Fortunately for them, I didn't have their time.

The uncomfortable feeling in my chest doubled as I approached the outer court. It was quite far from my quarters. I could feel my fangs on my lips. My vision zoomed in on the guards at the entrance. It was obvious they had cornered the rogue, but she was still trying to escape.

Without thinking twice, I ran swiftly towards the gate.

The moment I halted, I roared. "Stop there!"

Everyone froze, including the rogue. My guards shifted their gazes to me, bowing slightly.

"We should kill her for trespassing, My lord" One of them stated.

"Yes, she's even a rogue. She smells like on" Another added.

"Let her be!" I commanded, approaching the so called rogue.

The connection I had earlier become stronger. I couldn't deny it anymore. Her long silver hair dangled on her shoulder, and her stormy grey eyes stared into mine with all boldness. She was even injured, and the desperate look in her eyes showed how bent she was on escaping.

"Mate!" That forbidden word escaped her lips, and my wolf wiggled his tail in joy.

No. I wasn't going to give in to him. Between my wolf and I, I was the master. I owned us, and that dynamics of power wasn't changing anytime soon.

"How dare a filthy rogue like you claim the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack as your mate?" One of the guards let out a deep scowl.

The eyes of the woman widened in disbelief. "An.. an Alpha?" She stuttered. "Alpha Wolfe?"

I smirked, my heart swelling with pride. I mean, who hasn't heard of me?

Well, that wasn't the problem. I was waiting earnestly for something else.

Why was it taking so long? Why hadn't the curse done it's job?

My previous mates were killed by the curse the moment I set my eyes on them. Why was she different? I was supposed to be staring at a cold corpse by now.

Too bad that wasn't the only shocker I was getting that day. The next words she spouted, stunned everyone of us.

"Alpha Wolfe of the Shadowfang Pack?" She snarled, spitting out blood. "I can't be mated to a monster. Reject me!"