Mated to the Cursed Alpha

Before My Dad died, he told me to pick between two potential mates, Rhys or Finn. But I knew the one they only admired was that pathetic Omega, Cassidy. They’d even broken tradition and marked her.

So, I chose Harris, the supposedly cursed Alpha of the Shadow-fang Pack.

"Rachel, the Elders are pressing you for your decision again," Elara, my handmaiden, reminded me. "Rhys or Finn—who will you choose as your mate? That’s what decides who our pack’s Alpha will be."

Dad had been gone for three months. The Silver Moon Pack had lost its Alpha.

Day and night, the Elders pushed me to choose between Rhys and Finn, two warriors I’d grown up with.

I’ll admit, I used to have a thing for Rhys. His smile, those amber eyes, his strong shoulders – pretty much every girl in the Silver Moon Pack had a crush on him.

But now, his eyes only lit up for someone else.

"They're here," Elara said softly.

I turned and saw Rhys and Finn striding over. Trailing behind them was Cassidy, that so-called "pure" Omega she-wolf.

"The celebration's about to start, former Alpha's daughter," Finn said, his voice flat.

"Thanks for the heads-up, warrior," I replied, standing a little straighter.

Rhys didn't even glance my way.

His gaze was locked on Cassidy, as soft and warm as a spring creek.

"I’ve prepared a special gift," Rhys announced, his smile beaming. "The first kill of the day, for the future hope of our pack."

My heart skipped a beat. By tradition, the first kill was offered to the future Luna.

He pulled a bloody silver fox from a hide bag. I held my breath.

Then he turned, dropped to one knee, and presented the kill to—Cassidy.

"My strongest kill, for the purest heart."

The crowd went dead silent. Then, a ripple of whispers. For me, it was a total slap in the face.

"That’s not traditional," one of the Elders spoke up.

"Traditions change," Rhys said, getting to his feet and patting his shoulder proudly.

I spotted it right away – the special herbal dye on his shoulder, a totem only a mate could place there.

He’d actually marked Cassidy…

"Rachel," Finn looked at me, his voice dripping with scorn. "You should get used to this. Rhys always goes for what he wants."

"I only choose those who are worthy," Rhys finally looked at me, not a hint of apology in his eyes.

I turned towards the bonfire, fighting back tears. "Let the celebration begin. I need to see the Elders."

The Elders were waiting for me in the highest stone house, all of them looking grim.

"This is your final warning, Rachel," Head Elder Thorne said, getting straight to the point. "You must choose a mate before the full moon. If you don't, the pack will be torn apart."

"And what if I don't pick Rhys or Finn?"

"Then the Silver Moon Pack will lose the former Alpha's bloodline, and you'll be branded a traitor."

I laughed, a bitter sound. "Betray what? A pack that's already stabbed me in the back?"

Just then, a guard rushed in, his face white.

"Elders, a messenger from the Shadow-fang Pack is at our border!"

The room fell utterly silent.

The Shadow-fang Pack. The stories said they were the most savage, a pack soaked in blood and death. Their Alpha, Harris, was supposedly cursed, and every mate he’d ever had met a horrible end.

"What do they want?" Thorne demanded, his voice sharp.

"Alpha Harris is invoking the Moon Goddess Pact… he’s looking for a marriage alliance," the guard stammered. "He needs a female willing to be his Luna, to stop the fighting within his pack."

The Elders shot panicked looks at each other. No one wanted to join that cursed pack. No parents would ever send their daughter to such a dangerous place.

But I saw my chance.

I got to my feet and walked towards the guard, every step solid and sure.

"Tell the messenger," my voice was surprisingly steady, "Rachel of the Silver Moon Pack accepts Alpha Harris's pact."

A collective gasp went through the Elders.

"You're insane!" Thorne yelled.

However, I clutched the wolf-fang amulet Mom had left me, lifting my chin high.

"Tell the Shadow-fang messenger their new Luna is ready."