Page 9 of Cursed Love

I don’t want someone who’s just going to roll over and let me take the lead every time. I want more. I want someone who will challenge me, who will push back, who will love fiercely and fight just as hard. Someone who has hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Someone who isn’t afraid to take what they want but knows how to give just as much. What we’re looking for is a fucking unicorn.

The thought drags a bitter laugh from me as I start moving around the perimeter, eyes scouring for someone who feels right. Omegas and Betas are starting to open up, laughter ringing out as they timidly approach the dancefloor, Alphasgathering, waiting for an innocent lamb to sink their claws into. Metaphorically. This is the one night that peace is required and anything less results in a harsh sentence.

And then, all at once, a scent hits me. Blueberries. Sweet and fresh, like pancakes on a winter morning, drizzled with honey and just a touch of warmth. It’s the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever smelled, cutting through the cloying perfumes and sweat like a beacon. My chest tightens as my instincts roar to life, my body thrumming with desire. I know without a doubt I’ve found our Omega. The part I don’t like is how close to her heat she seems to be.

My protective instincts take over, a deviant smile curling on my lips as I let the scent guide me. My gaze darts around the room, searching for the owner of that scent as everything else falls away. I hasten my steps until I lock onto a small corner tucked away behind the buffet table. From this angle, all I can see are those thick, beautiful black curls around her face, the sleek golden-orange dress covering her bringing out the same golden hues in her smooth brown skin.

I step a little closer, not wanting to startle her because she’s absolutely gorgeous in her element. Her cheeks are puffed out as she happily stuffs them with the tiny hors d’oeuvres from the buffet, her fingers delicate but quick as she grabs another bite. She’s not giggling nervously or shooting coy looks at the Alphas. She’s not trying to be anyone’s fantasy. She’s just... her. Content. Radiant. Like the happiest person in the entire goddamn room.

She doesn’t notice anyone around her, too caught up in her own little world but she’s perfect.

“I found her,” I whisper to myself. “I fucking found her.”

Koa

The food’s incredible, probably the best part of this whole cursed night. The little mushroom caps stuffed with crab, the flaky pastries, the sweet tang of honey-drizzled figs—it’s like magic on my tongue, and for one stolen moment, I’m happy. I’m curled up in my little crevice, hidden from all the stares, just me and my plate. The only thing that would make it better would be my nest. A tiny slice of peace in the chaos.

And then it’s gone.

One second, I’m savoring the rich, buttery taste of something divine, and the next, my world is ripped apart. Literally. Myplate clatters to the ground, tiny delicacies scattering across the marble floor, as a hand yanks me up by my arm. Pain shoots through me and when I look up, it’s Damien’s sneering face staring back. I’m not surprised. It was only a matter of time before my fantasy was ripped from beneath me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he growls, his grip bruising as he shakes me. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I bite them back, refusing to let them fall. My chest tightens, a whimper threatening to slip out despite my best efforts to choke it down. My body betrays me, leaning into my instincts, becoming softer, more pliant. With my heat so close, it’s nearly impossible to fight my Omega and what she wants.

“Damien, let go,” I plead, my voice trembling as I try to tug my arm free. He doesn’t budge, his hand tightening like a vice.

“You were supposed to find an Alpha,” he spits, his tone dripping with disgust. “That was your one job tonight, Koa. But instead, you’re sitting here stuffing your face like a goddamn child.”

I can’t stop the flinch that ripples through me, my shoulders curling inward as if I can make myself smaller, less noticeable. The tears are closer now, burning the back of my throat, but I grit my teeth and force them down. My body is trying to submit to him, to make this Alpha happy, to rectify the situation but I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

“While you’ve been wasting time,” he continues, shoving me back a step, “I’ve found three Alphas who are willing to take you. You’ll give them each a dance and by the end of the night, you’ll pick one. Do you understand me?”

Before I can respond, he shoves three roses into my hands, the vines scratching against my chest as I clutch them reflexively. The thorns prick at my skin, a sharp reminder of how little choice I really have. I’m warring with the biological desire to submit and the need to shove these fucking roses back in hisface and tell him that I’m more than just a ‘thing’, that I’m a whole person and should be treated as such. “I’m not—” I start, my voice barely above a whisper, but Damien cuts me off with a glare that could cut glass.

“You’ll do it,” he snaps. “You’ll give them each a dance and you’ll choose one. No arguments. No excuses.”

Tears spill over before I can stop them, slipping down my cheeks as my hands clutch the roses tighter. The shame, the helplessness, the unbearable weight of it all—it’s too much. I hate that he has this power over me, that he can reduce me to this trembling, submissive shell of myself with just a few harsh words and a rough grip. It’s even worse that everyone in this gala is no doubt watching or stealing glances, people I know from the city and see every day. They’ll talk and whisper and chide me on the streets come tomorrow.

A smooth voice cuts in, a sound that has a shiver running down my spine and settles between my thighs. Both Damien and I freeze as I bow my head, preparing for the worst. Whenever another Alpha has seen my brother’s treatment of me, they usually pass by. On a night like this, it will attract the worst sort as they believe that they’ll get to slap me around as well—or at least that’s what I envision. Silence follows and I twist my head just enough to catch the visitor into our conversation.

I don’t expect him to be gorgeous, the manicured beard and blue-gray eyes that seem to pierce right through me. He’s a little taller than my brother, wider too, and that’s when I notice his hand outstretched. “I apologize for interrupting but would you care for a dance?” He raises an eyebrow, almost daring me to say no. I don’t want to but I also don’t know him. He could be worse than dealing with my brother.

For a moment, I hesitate, glancing between him and Damien, whose sneer deepens. He doesn’t like being challenged but a flicker of confidence flares in my chest as I reach out to placemy hand in this Alpha’s palm. It’s warmer than I thought it would be, a jolt of desire running through me as he gently tugs me toward the dance floor. There’s a flicker of hope that comes with escaping Damien’s wrath but also fear as I step into the unknown. The last time I accepted an Alpha’s advance was nearly eight years ago.

The Alpha doesn’t say anything as he twirls me into his arms, his movements slow and deliberate as if he’s trying to gauge my comfort. He’s so much bigger than me, my body swallowed in his arms. It’s a strange feeling but also wildly comforting. I peek over his arm, catching a glimpse of Damien standing at the edge of the room. He’s furious, his face twisted in anger as he watches me with narrowed eyes. I shrink into the Alpha’s arms, trying not to groan as the full weight of his scent hits my nose.

God, it’s intoxicating. Pine and cedarwood, earthy musk layered underneath, all of it blending together into something warm and grounding. I know it’s just my heat playing tricks on me, making his scent feel like a lifeline when it’s nothing more than biology. If I still had my blockers, I wouldn’t even notice it. I’d be able to resist.

Instead of fighting it, I let myself sink into him. I bury my face in his chest, the soft fabric of his shirt brushing against my skin as I inhale deeply. His purr starts up almost instantly, a low, soothing rumble that vibrates through his chest and into mine. It’s calming, wrapping around me like a blanket, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away. Once again, I’m drawn into a fantasy where I’m cherished and loved, giggling alongside Amelia about how being mated really is that damn beautiful.

The longer we stay on the dancefloor, the more relaxed I feel, my body sagging against his and the fear seeping away. A small whine escapes my throat before I can stop it, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I mumble a small apology but the Alpha’s purr just thickens, dragging me back into that comfortable haze.This is dangerous so close to my heat but I can’t bring myself to pull away when I know the alternative is being subject to Damien’s wrath.

I’m so wrapped up in this man that I don’t notice him leading us from the dancefloor to one of the nearby dining tables. He gently sits me down before pulling up a chair of his own. His movements are still slow, very calculated, every time I flinch or jerk back, the man pausing to give me time to breathe. No one has ever given me that much thought. It’s both heartwarming and terrifying.

He takes the roses from my hands without a word, laying them on the table. I blink at the sudden emptiness in my hands, the absence of the sharp stems biting into my palms. His fingers catch mine, turning them over, and the low growl that rumbles from his chest makes me freeze.

“You’ve been holding them too tight,” he says, his voice dark, his eyes narrowing at the tiny pricks dotting my skin. His thumbs brush over my palms as though trying to soothe away the sting.

I want to pull my hands back, to hide the way they’re trembling, to hide the little wounds but the Alpha doesn’t let go. “I—thank you,” I stammer, the words coming out awkward and too soft.

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