Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Kaiden
51%
I leaned back in the chair, exuding quiet dominance, my beta Ryker standing tall and silent by my side. Across from me, Alpha Dean of the Shadow Pack and his beta sat rigid, their eyes blazing with anger as they scanned the contract I’d placed before them. The silence stretched, heavy with tension. I savored their frustration; their reaction was predictable.
“All this just to gain your protection?” Alpha Dean spat, his voice cracking with outrage. His anger didn’t faze me. I’d been called many names–ruthless, cursed, heartless. But when trouble came knocking, it was my name they whispered, my help they sought. Strength commands respect, and mine was unmatched.
I tilted my head, meeting his glare with a calm, unyielding stare. “You asked for my help Alpha Dean. My terms are clear. If you don’t like them, then you can fight your enemies yourself.” My tone was cold, sharp enough to cut.
Alpha Dean slammed the contract onto the table, his growl rumbling through the room. “20% of the annual hunt, unrestricted access to our resources, and our alliances. That should be more than enough!” His words were almost a plea now, his pride crumbling under the weight of desperation.
I rose from my seat, signaling that the conversation was over. “Then we’re done here,” I said, my voice ice–cold. I turned on my heel, heading for the door with Ryker at my side.
“Wait!“His voice cracked as he shouted after me. “Fine! 30% of the annual hunt. Just make sure we get your protection!”
I paused, allowing a slow, sinister smile to spread across my face. Turning back, I walked to the table and leaned over, letting my presence loom over him. “You’ll get the protection you seek,” I assured him, watching his face twist with frustration as he reluctantly signed the agreement.
My pack, the Silver Pack, had always been the strongest and the most hated among werewolves. My deals were merciless, and my strength made enemies tremble. But the fear wasn’t just of me—it was of the curse that had plagued my family for generations.
My wolf was savage, uncontrollable on a full moon, and lethal in every sense. The curse, a punishment from the Moon Goddess for my ancestors‘ treachery, took different forms with each generation. For my father, it had been his inability to shift, leaving him weak despite his title as Alpha. For me,
the
curse was my wolf’s bloodlust and the horrifying truth that we always kill our mates during the mating process.
After accidentally killing my first mate during the mating process right after my first shift, the Moon Goddess granted me another chance. I thought she was being merciful. But when I killed my second mate too, I realized it wasn’t mercy–it was
my curse.
I went on to kill five mates in total, each one dying by my hands. When the sixth came, I couldn’t bear it anymore. I rejected her, determined to break the cycle. That was four years ago, and no mate has been given to me since which i was relieved
for.
If the Moon Goddess tries again to pair with another, I’ll reject them. I need no mate, and I refuse to spill more of my mates blood
“We’re gaining more enemies,” Ryker said as we left the Shadow Pack’s territory and walked into the streets of Redville.
“And more resources,” I replied flatly, not even glancing his way.
Ryker sighed, his disapproval obvious. He’d been my beta for years, loyal to a fault, but he often questioned my methods.”Maybe try making more allies instead of enemies for once,” he suggested carefully.
I growled low, silencing him. “You think I care about friendships? This isn’t about trust; it’s about survival.”
He muttered something under his breath–something about my lack of a mate–but I ignored him. The Moon Goddess could keep her twisted games. I didn’t need or want a mate, especially not with the curse hanging over my head.
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Chapter 2
As we passed a small restaurant called ‘Dawn’s Diner‘ something made me stop. A scent. It was intoxicating, sharp and sweet, cutting through the ordinary smells of food and smoke. My wolf stirred uneasily, growling in my mind, ‘Mate
I clenched my fists, fighting the primal urge to follow the scent, but my feet betrayed me. Without a word, I walked into the diner, the bell above the door jingling softly.
A middle–aged man greeted us, and Ryker placed our order. My attention, however, was on her–the source of the scent.
She was standing behind the counter, her small frame almost hidden by the oversized clothes she wore. Her silver–white hair caught the light, framing a face that was delicate and ethereal. She looked up, her wide, curious eyes locking onto mine.
I wanted her. My wolf roared to claim her. The instinct was primal, overwhelming, and I clenched my fists to suppress it. My wolf growled possessively, but my logical mind reeled. A human mate? This was a cruel joke. What kind of mind games was the moon goddess playing now?
“Aurora!“The middle–aged man whom I presumed was her father barked her name snapping the spell. She flinched, turning to him with a confused expression. “Didn’t you hear me? I said get them iced coffee!” he barked, his tone harsh.
My wolf growled, the urge to tear him apart rising unbidden. But I held back, masking my emotions as she scurried to the kitchen. When she returned moments later, her hands were trembling as she carried the tray to our table. Her heartbeat was erratic, her fear palpable.
She stumbled, the tray tipping, and th
cold liquid spilled onto my lap. I shot to my feet, cursing under my breath. Her head bowed, her small form shaking with shame. Her father rushed over, his tone insincere as he apologized. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive my daughter, she can be clumsy. Please let me make it up to you by replacing your spilled drink.”
Ryker waved him off, his expression cautious as he glanced at me. “It’s fine. We were leaving anyway.” But it wasn’t fine. I snarled in frustration, She was too weak. Too fragile. A human mate was a death sentence–for her and for me.
As we walked out, Ryker gave me a pointed look. “She’s your mate, isn’t she?” He asked breaking the silence.
“Yes,” I admitted after a long silence.
“What do you plan to do?” He asked and I paused to stare at him. “Nothing, she’s human,” I said coldly. “Weak. Fragile. I want nothing to do with her. I have Ariel so she doesn’t matter.”
“But Alpha-”
“Enough!” I growled, slamming Ryker against the wall with a force that left no room for argument. “Don’t question me on this again and not a word of it to Ariel do you
understand?”
“Yes, Alpha,” he muttered, his submission clear.
We walked in silence after that, but I couldn’t shake the lingering scent of her or the strange pull in my chest. Then it came- a faint, desperate cry for help.
I froze in my tracks.
“Aurora,” I whispered, the bond pulling me back toward the diner. Her heartbeat was faint, her fear cutting through me like a blade.
I ran, faster than I ever had, with Ryker close behind. The scene that greeted me made my blood boil. Her father stood over her, belt in hand, her shirt torn, her body trembling as she braced for the blow.
A snarl ripped from my throat as I threw him across the room. He hit the wall with a sickening crack and crumpled to the floor. My wolf roared for me to finish him, but Ryker’s firm grip on my shoulder held me back.
I turned to Aurora. Her wide, tear–filled eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before her body went limp. I caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her in my arms.
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Her heartbeat was faint, too faint. Panic clawed at my chest as I ran toward the nearest hospital.
“Stay alive.” I whispered, my voice breaking. For the first time in years, I felt fear–raw and real. But it wasn’t for me. It was
for her.
