Claimed by the alpha

nder'

as destroyed, the moo

gh the skeletal branches. I was only a boy then, barely old enough to shift, but old enough to feel the power in the air. Old enough to know somet

battle-of wolves clashing, jaws snapping, bodies hitting the ground. I dug my claws into the rough bark, holding on to the

hen s

twisted instinct drove me out of that hollow and into the clearing beyond the woods

y last remnant of my family's legacy. Bodies littered the ground-wolves and humans alike, twisted and broken, their blood painti

urse

but her eyes glowed-redder than the moon above, sharper than a blade. I knew without a doubt that she was the one responsible for the slau

r voice a low, silky murmur that sent chills racin

st Alpha in the entire Northern Territories, the man I had always thought invincible, lay broken and bleeding, his

er hand, and invisible chains wrapped around my limbs, yanking me back. Pain f

guttural growl that reverberated thr

't. I couldn

tudying me. "The blood of Alphas runs strong in

ed my teeth, refusing to cry out even as agony raked through every nerve. The Cu

" she asked softly. "Do you know w

weak, but defiant. "Be

sound so incongruous with the carnage

when your ancestors betrayed mine. You see, the Knights are cursed, Alpha Marcus

The blade was black as pitch, etched with runes that pulsed with a sickly g

urse Keeper whispered, running a finger along its edge. "It

ened, digging into my flesh until I could taste blood. Fenrir howle

or a moment, I saw something flicker

she murmured. "For if the curse is not sea

ve the blade into

runes on the dagger flared bright, and a web of dark energy erupted from the wound, spreading outwards

dissolved into a haze of pain and darkness, my vision narrowing until the only thi

the day your true mate walks into your life. But know this-she will be the key to your destruction. Her bloodline wi

like a ghost, leaving me alone with the smoldering

e never

in my ear. Every time I tried to feel-tried to care, to let anyone close-the curse tightened its

h layers of steel and ice. I built walls around my heart, forged an empi

later, I can still hear her w

presence a dark, comforting weight. We will not break, he

. The moon is full tonight, its silver light gleaming off the glass and steel towers that rise around

l never

e curse stirring, shifting, as if in antic

warning rumble that reve

ce low and dangerous. Our mate. T

something cold and sharp slicin

s I stare out into the night. "We'll

CEO. And I will not let anyone-not e

ag

r ag