The Cursed

- Froylan's POV -

"Froy," my father's voice carried across the courtyard as I dismounted my horse. The towering gates of the castle loomed ahead, casting long shadows across the stone. He followed close behind, the Former Alpha of the Rigorou Mountain Pack... a man feared by many, respected by all... except me.

I ignored him, leading my horse to the stables. The smell of hay and leather filled the air, but all I could think about was her.

"I'm talking to you, Froylan. Face me," he barked, his voice sharp, the kind that could freeze a room.

I turned slowly, irritation simmering in my chest. "What?"

"Don't talk back to me," he snapped, the familiar edge in his tone slicing through the space between us.

My patience thinned. "Then say what you want."

He stepped closer, his eyes cold and calculating. "Is she your mate?"

The question cut deeper than I expected. Her face flashed in my mind... bruised, filthy, yet still holding on like the world had tried to crush her and failed. The way her eyes met mine... fragile but burning with something I couldn't name.

I clenched my fists without thinking. "Why do you care?" My voice came out sharper than I intended.

"I don't like her," he said with that same cold finality he always carried, like the world bent to his will alone.

I stopped walking. My back was still to him.

"It's not your decision," I said flatly, forcing my voice to stay calm even though my chest was tight.

"You think being Alpha is about what you want?" His tone rose, hard and unyielding. "Do you know who that girl was? That girl is weak. The infamous cursed orphan. The whole pack hates her. She doesn't even have a wolf, does she? What would they say if you brought her into this castle as their future Luna?"

His words hit harder than I expected. I hated him for it, but part of me knew he was right. The pack already questioned my leadership, waiting for me to fail. Choosing her would give them the excuse they needed.

"Let them talk," I muttered, though my voice lacked conviction.

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "This isn't just about talk, Froylan. We have enemies watching us. Other packs waiting for a single sign of weakness to take everything from us. You think they'll respect a Luna they see as cursed? Power is built on fear and strength, not pity."

I said nothing.

His voice dropped lower, each word deliberate. "Do you even know her story? Rumor says she burned her own family alive. She's been nothing but a servant, beaten and hated by the very people you rule. If you claim her, the pack will turn on you. The council will question you. Our allies will doubt you. The throne will see you as reckless. Do you want to lose everything? Your crown. Your title. The respect of every Alpha in this land?"

I swallowed hard, my heart aching as if it was torn into pieces. Was that her story? I clenched my hands into fists in anger for her.

The Images of the girl's bruises flashed in my mind again. Her eyes when she looked at me... like I was the first person who had ever stood for her. Like she had finally found something to hold on to.

And here I was, being told to crush it.

"Listen to me, Froylan." My father's voice softened, but it was the kind of softness that cut deeper. "You think it feels cruel now? What will feel worse is watching your entire kingdom burn because of an infamous cursed girl."

My hands curled into fists. My wolf was restless inside me, angry, refusing to accept what he was saying. But I couldn't ignore it. The danger. The risk. The weight of the crown waiting for me.

"Tch." I turned away, each step heavier than the last. I had only met her today, but already, something inside me had claimed her. My wolf had chosen, but my kingdom demanded otherwise.

I had a duty to my people. To my pack. To the legacy I would inherit.

And it was clear now...

I couldn't have both.

- Vienna's POV -

A week had passed since I last saw the man my heart whispered was my mate. I'd found out the truth since then... he really was the Alpha of the Rigorou Mountain Pack. I saw his face on a banner at the market.

My mate... an Alpha?

Why would the Moon Goddess pair someone like me to him?

I'm cursed. I don't even know if I'm truly a werewolf.

I served my family, setting plates on the table, bringing food like I always did. Usually, they'd talk while eating, but tonight was heavy and silent. No one spoke until my mother broke it.

"I thought you seduced him," she said, eyes on my sister.

"I tried!" Eloisa snapped, "I didn't think he'd resist me."

I poured water into my father's glass. My sister stared at me with that same look she always had—anger, disgust. Maybe because I was cursed. I moved to fill her glass, but she grabbed my hand.

"Let me do it!" she hissed. The suddenness startled me, and the water spilled onto her shirt.

"What the heck?!" she shouted, jumping to her feet.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, grabbing a napkin. My heart was pounding so loud it drowned my thoughts.

She shoved me. "Sorry?! Do you think you can afford this?"

"It was an accident," I whispered.

"Accident?! You poured it on me on purpose!" she yelled, grabbing my hair hard.

"Don't you dare talk back to me, you b*tch!" she screamed, yanking harder.

My parents stayed silent, eating like nothing was happening. The pain in my scalp burned, but Eloisa didn't care.

Something inside me snapped. I grabbed her wrist, forcing her to let go. I pushed her just enough to free myself. "It was an accident!" My voice came out low, dark.

She fell back, gasping. Before I could react, my father's hand struck me so hard I fell to the floor.

"How dare you touch my daughter!" he roared.

Daughter. Right. I had never been his daughter. Only a slave.

"I-I'm sorry," I whispered, struggling to get up.

"Sorry won't change what you did!" my mother snapped, rushing to Eloisa's side. "You're a disgrace! I should never have let that devil child into this house!"

"We needed a slave, Talia," my father said coldly. Then he turned on me. "But you—you're not even fit to be a slave. You're useless!" He spat at me.

I ducked, but it landed on my tangled hair. Useless. The word stabbed deeper than the slap. My tears fell freely now. No matter how hard I tried, I'd never be enough. I'd never earn their love. I wished, just once, I had a real family—one that would love me.

Before they could lock me up again, I ran. Out the door, down the street. I didn't know where—just away. Away from their words, their eyes, the pain.

Why am I even alive? Was I born to pay for sins I don't remember?

If my real parents are watching me... if I ever hurt you, please forgive me. I've paid. I tried to be good. But I'm still useless.

I'll never be anyone. I'll always be a curse. I hated my life, but I kept living. Now... now I wasn't sure I wanted to. Why should I? What reason was left?

I served them, treated them like family, but they would never see me as one of their own. Since I was a child, I'd wanted someone... anyone to love me, to look at me without seeing a monster. Deep down, I knew it would never happen.

I stopped running, breathless, and looked up. Somehow, I had reached the castle gates.

Then I saw him. The man that made my heart melt. He was walking toward the gate like he was leaving.

"Froylan!" the Former Alpha Jerson called out.

Reality hit me like a wave. "Oh no." I ducked behind the gate before Alpha Froylan could see me.