Page 47 of The Cursed Wolf King

It’s him.

Him. The one who had fought for me, who brought freedom and protection in every vision I’d ever had. He was here. He’d come back for me.

Except…

As he stepped closer, the light caught his face, and the expression he wore wasn’t one of salvation. It wasn’t kind, or soft, or filled with the promises my visions whispered to me.

It was hardened. Cold. Furious.

Logan wasn’t here to save me.

He had come to kill me.

23

LOGAN

The platform loomed ahead, bathed in the pale, cold light of the moon. I’d scoured Heraclid land all day, only to find myself back here, where I’d caught her scent first.

Every step dragged me closer to a truth I didn’t want to face, but I wouldn’t falter. I wore my alpha pride, my pack’s dignity, like a shield. Inside, I was chaos.

She’s there.

The scent of spiced apples was stronger than ever, pulling me toward her with a magnetic force I couldn’t shake. My wolf thrashed against me, slamming into the walls of my mind, his growls rattling through my chest. She was tied, hands overhead, a rope pulling her upwards.

Stop. Protect her.

I pushed him down, clenching my fists until my knuckles cracked. Protecting her wasn’t an option.

Shespoke the curse.

Shedamned my pack.

Shewould pay the price with her life, and Orion would rule again.

This was likely a trick, an attempt to win my sympathy again—poor little oracle wolf who would consume Orion the moment I let my guard down.

Not happening.

My jaw tightened as I stepped onto the platform. The air was thick with the stench of damp wood and iron. She was slumped, her white dress in a heap beside her, replaced with an ill-fitting formal gown.

She looked fragile. Broken.

For a fleeting moment, something inside me broke too—but the memory of the curse rose up. My missing brothers, presumed dead. My family slaughtered, our children stolen, the loss of the power that had belonged to Orion since the Shadow Moon crossed this land.

All because ofher.

She knows her time is up. This is one last effort to convince me otherwise. The Heraclids were wise to her ways before me.

The scent of her blood lingered faintly in the air, mixing with the memory of her in my dreams—those haunting dreams where she was radiant, strong, free. That wasn’t the woman in front of me now.

My wolf roared for me to stop.She’s yours. Ours. Don’t do this.

“She’s the curse,” I growled aloud.

Eve’s head jerked up; her eyes were wide, dazed. My chest burned, and my wolf howled in pain.

I couldn’t let it show. I hardened my expression, forcingevery ounce of fury and purpose I had to the surface. She had to know why I was here.

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