Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Lucien POV

The council chamber of the Shadowfang Pack was stifling, filled with the heavy presence of my pack's Elders. They had serious expression, their faces weathered with age and experience and their eyes carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. I stood before them, my arms crossed, my jaw tight as they droned on about duty and heirs.

"You cannot keep delaying this, Lucien," Elder Orlan said in a sharp voice. "The pack needs an heir. Without one, we risk losing everything we've built."

I clenched my fists, the sharp points of my claws pressing into my palms. "And what happens to the woman you force me to marry?" My voice was cold, laced with a simmering anger I couldn't contain. "She will die, just like the others who died marrying my ancestors." I really wanted to put an end to this.

Elder Ryna, the oldest among them, leaned forward, her pale gray eyes penetrating. "We know the cost of the curse. But the survival of the Shadowfang pack must come first. Your power keeps us strong, but strength alone will not secure our future."

Their words were like iron chains around me, dragging me back to the nightmare I lived every day. The curse-a cruel legacy of my bloodline-had claimed every bride my forefathers had taken. On the night of the full moon after our bond was sealed, death would come for them, slowly, silent and final. Within a year they all died. How many women will die just to carry my bloodline?

It was said that centuries ago, the moon goddess cursed our Alpha bloodline for betraying love or breaking a sacred bond. Rejections happened all the time, but I don't know why did the goddess curse my forefather? What was special about that mate bond?

I turned away, pacing to the window. The moon hung low in the sky, veiled by storm clouds. "You think an heir will fix this?" I said bitterly. "The curse will take them too. It doesn't just stop with my bride."

Orlan sighed heavily. "We don't know that. There is a chance...”

"There is no chance!" I snapped, spinning to face them. "This curse is absolute. It doesn't matter how strong I am or how much the Alphas of the North grovel for my alliance. They want my strength, not my curse."

Ryna's gaze didn't waver. "Strength is what keeps us alive, Lucien. That's why they seek you, despite the curse. It's why we must ensure your bloodline continues. Without you, the North falls."

Their words were upsetting, not because I disagreed, but because I knew they were right. The Shadowfang pack thrived because of me—because of the power I wielded. Alphas from all corners sought my favor. Their alliances were a testament to my strength. Yet beneath it all, I was hollow, bound by a curse that tainted everything it touched.

Elder Orlan said, "There is an offer from Alpha Bram. An alliance in exchange for one of his omegas as your bride. She's expendable to him, but this alliance will secure his loyalty. It is a solution that benefits us all. He has been seeking your alliance from a long time."

An omega. My stomach churned at the thought. I had no use for alliances built on the backs of weak and innocent. As such I disliked Bram. He was a slimy bastard.

I closed my eyes, the weight of their stares pressing on me. "If I agree, this alliance must serve the pack above all else."

"Of course," Ryna said, leaning back in her chair with satisfaction.

The decision settled like a stone in my chest. I would take another bride, knowing her fate, because I had no other choice. I was twenty-seven already and hadn't found my mate. And I knew that I couldn't love my forced bride. Ever.

The journey to Crimson Howl was uneventful, but my thoughts roiled with every mile. When we arrived, I noticed the pack house was bustling. Bram greeted me with a wide smile. "It's a pleasure to have you here, Alpha Lucien." I grunted in response.

He guided me to the main hall of his packhouse. "The omega I promised," he said, gesturing toward the far corner. "Auren."

My gaze followed his hand, landing on her. My breath hitched. Auren had golden hair that caught the light. She was small, barely reaching my shoulder, and she was trembling like a deer in headlight. Her face was soft like that of an elf, her presence fragile. She looked pale and thin as if she hadn't had food for days. Her head was slightly bowed, but not out of submission-it felt like she was trying to disappear.

As she stepped forward, her scent hit me-a sweet, warm fragrance of apples that stirred my wolf. For a moment, she lifted her eyes to mine. They were gray, like that of a pale moon veiled in mist.

"Alpha Lucien," Alpha Bram said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I hope she will serve the purpose," he added like she was a commodity. He stood beside me exuding false camaraderie. His grin was tight and it wasn't difficult to see through him. This was not a gesture of goodwill-it was a business transaction, plain and simple. I didn't like the way his gaze lingered on her.

As for Auren, I didn't care for her fragility or her fear. What roiled my insides was the blatant manipulation behind this so-called alliance. I had no intention of entertaining this charade. Yet I had no choice.

“Prepare the treaty," I said flatly, not sparing her another glance.

Bram's face flickered with excitement. "Of course, Alpha Lucien. I'll have it drawn up immediately."

I turned to leave, but a commotion stopped me in my tracks.

"Worthless girl!" Maris's voice rang out, dripping with venom. I knew who Maris was. Bram's future Luna. A gold digger. Her father had approached me to marry her, but I had refused not because I had come to know of her plans of divorcing me and taking away half my money in less than a month, but because she was a repulsive creature. And now she found Bram. They fitted well.

I pivoted, my sharp gaze locking onto the scene. Auren was being yanked by her arm by Maris's rough grip. The poor girl winced, her free hand attempting to shield herself.

Maris's lips twisted into a sneer. "You should be grateful for this opportunity. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as us, let alone be offered as a bride to Alpha Lucien. And now you're making us look bad?"

“That's enough.” My voice cut through the air like a blade.noveldrama

Maris froze, her grip slackening on Auren's arm. She turned to face me, her expression quickly shifting to one of false innocence. "Alpha Lucien, I was just "

"I don't care for your justifications," I said coldly. "Behave yourself."

Maris's face reddened, but she protested, "She's just an omega. She should know her place that she is nothing but a breeder."

I took a step forward, my presence towering over hers. "Her place is no concern of yours. Do not test me."

Surprised, Maris swallowed hard as she left her. "I-I'm sorry," she muttered.

I shifted my attention back to Bram. "Ensure your pack members know how to act

in front of me," I said, my tone laced with a warning.

Bram clenched his teeth, glaring at Maris. “Yes, I'm sorry Alpha Lucien." His gaze landed on Auren again, and this time I could see the lust.

Not liking it one bit, I gestured to Tarian, my beta. "Handle her,” I said curtly, referring to Auren. "Get her packed and ready. We leave in two hours."

Tarian nodded with a neutral expression, approaching her.

As I turned to leave, I felt the faintest pull of something—a whisper in the back of my mind urging me to look back. I ignored it. This was not my choice, and I would not let sentiment cloud my judgment.