THE ALPHA'S CURSED BRIDE

The grand ballroom of Silver Moon Palace sparkled like something out of a dream. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting golden light across the marble floors. Long tables groaned under the weight of the finest foods and wines, while the orchestra played lively music that made noblemen and high-ranking wolves laugh and dance without care.

Tonight was Lady Elara’s eighteenth birthday, and the entire pack had turned out to celebrate. The party was hosted at the palace itself, a rare honor granted because of how close Elara was to the royal family, especially Prince Kai. Everyone who mattered was present. Ministers, Alphas from allied packs, wealthy merchants, and the most respected families in the kingdom.

No one remembered that today was also Selene’s birthday.

Selene moved quietly through the crowd like a shadow, balancing a heavy silver tray of wine glasses. She wore the plain gray uniform of the palace maids, her long dark hair tied back in a simple bun. Her dark skin glowed under the warm lights, making her stand out even though she tried her best to disappear.

She could hear the loud cheers and laughter from the center of the hall where her twin sister stood like a queen.

“Happy birthday, Elara!”

“You look absolutely stunning!”

“Another gift for our angel!”

Selene’s chest tightened, but she kept her face blank. She was used to this. Since the day they were born, she had been seen as the curse while Elara was celebrated as the blessing. Elara’s fair, glowing skin was praised as perfection. Selene’s rich, dark complexion was called a mark of darkness, a bad omen, something to be hidden.

Because she came from a reputable noble family, people expected better. But her parents had made it clear long ago, they wanted nothing to do with her. So while Elara was pampered with the best clothes, tutors, and attention, Selene worked as a maid at the palace just to feed and clothe herself.

She arrived with the other maids this evening, slipping in through the servant entrance as usual. No one had wished her a happy birthday. Not even her own parents, who were currently standing beside Elara, beaming with pride as they presented her with a beautiful diamond necklace.

“Look at this, my darling,” their mother said loudly, fastening the necklace around Elara’s neck. “Only the best for our precious girl.”

Their father laughed proudly and kissed Elara’s forehead. “You make us so proud, Elara.”

Selene stood a few feet away, tray in hand, watching everything. Her fingers tightened around the edges of the tray until her knuckles hurt. She tried not to feel anything. She had learned years ago that feeling only made the pain worse.

A group of guests nearby laughed loudly at something Elara said. Selene lowered her gaze and continued serving, moving from table to table offering wine. She kept her head down, hoping no one would notice her.

But Elara noticed.

As Selene passed behind her sister, Elara turned suddenly and “accidentally” bumped hard into her. The tray tilted. Several glasses crashed to the floor, spilling red wine everywhere.

“Oh!” Elara gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. “Selene! Watch where you’re going!”

Selene froze. “I’m sorry, I….”

Before she could finish, Elara’s friends, a group of spoiled young she-wolves surrounded her.

“You clumsy fool!” one of them hissed. “How dare you ruin Lady Elara’s special night?”

Another girl grabbed a full bottle of wine from a nearby table and poured it directly over Selene’s head. The cold liquid soaked into her hair, ran down her face, and stained her uniform. Laughter erupted around them.

“Look at her,” someone sneered. “The cursed one is even darker when she’s wet.”

Selene stood there, dripping, humiliation burning through her chest. She didn’t fight back. She never did. Fighting only made things worse. She simply whispered, “I’m sorry,” and turned to leave.

But as she hurried away, trying to escape the mocking laughter, she collided straight into a hard chest.

Strong hands caught her arms to steady her. Selene looked up and her heart stopped.

Prince Kai stood before her, tall and devastatingly handsome in a black royal tunic embroidered with silver. His stormy gray eyes widened for a split second, then filled with clear disgust as he recognized her. He released her immediately, stepping back as if she carried a deadly plague.

Selene’s breath caught. She had admired him from afar for years, ever since they were children. While she scrubbed floors and carried trays, she would sometimes watch him train or speak with the pack. He was everything she was not, strong, confident, and loved.

But he had never once looked at her. His attention had always been on Elara.

Kai’s lip curled slightly. Without saying a word, he brushed past her and continued walking toward the center of the ballroom where Elara waited with open arms and a bright smile.

Selene stood frozen for a moment, wine still dripping from her clothes. The rejection in his eyes hurt more than the laughter behind her. She turned quickly and fled from the ballroom, ignoring the whispers that followed her.

She ran up the long winding stairs until she reached the highest tower of the palace. The night air was cold up here. The music and laughter from the party below felt distant, but she could still hear it faintly.

Selene collapsed against the stone wall and slid down until she was sitting on the cold floor. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as fresh tears fell.

“Happy birthday to me,” she whispered bitterly.

No one cared. Not her parents. Not the pack. Not even the Moon Goddess, it seemed.

She had always known she was different. Her dark skin had marked her as unwanted from the moment she took her first breath. While Elara was paraded around like a princess, Selene was hidden away like a shameful secret. Even though she came from a noble family, she had to work like a common servant just to survive.

She stared out at the moon, her vision blurry with tears.

“Why did you make me like this?” she asked softly. “Why give me this skin if it only brings pain?”

The wind answered with silence.

Down below, the party grew louder as someone proposed a toast to the beautiful Elara. Selene covered her ears, trying to block out the sound, but the pain in her heart only grew sharper.

She didn’t know how much longer she could continue like this.