Break My Curse Heart of The Lycan King

Being the daughter of an alpha isn't some glamorous, fairy-tale life. It's hell. Or at least it is for me.

I'm Olivia Archer, the only child of Alpha Drake Archer of the Nightfall Pack. Sounds impressive, right? Like I should be the spoiled princess of the pack, adored and respected by everyone. But reality doesn't care about what should be. My father doesn't see me as his legacy or his daughter. To him, I'm nothing but a mistake-a problem he can't wait to forget.

My mom was different. She was my safe place, my light in the suffocating darkness of my father's cold indifference. She used to tell me that I was her world, that I'd grow up to be someone incredible despite everything. She loved me with her whole heart, even though I could see the pain in her eyes every time my father ignored her.

She wasn't his fated mate, you see. She was his chosen mate, who stood by him when his fated mate rejected him. That should have meant something. It should have been enough. But it wasn't. The day Celeste walked into our lives, everything fell apart.

Celeste-his second-chance mate. Beautiful, perfect, and blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. My father took one look at her and decided that my mom and I didn't matter anymore. We were kicked out of the alpha's mansion within days of Celeste's arrival, banished to a dingy little room in the packhouse. My mom didn't complain, but I could see the heartbreak in her every time she looked at me.

And then she got sick.

I stayed by her side through every agonizing moment, watching as the life drained from her body. My father didn't visit her, not once. Celeste forbade it, and he obeyed like the good little puppet he'd become. When my mom finally passed away, it felt like the world had shattered into a million pieces. No one mourned her but me.

That's when the real torment began.

Celeste became the adored Luna, worshiped by everyone in the pack. Her son, Sid, became the golden boy. And me? I became their favorite target. Celeste's disdain was ice-cold and calculated, while Sid's cruelty burned like fire. Every day was a battle to survive their twisted games and my father's indifference.

This morning I started like all the others-miserable.

"Olivia! Where the hell are you?" Celeste's shrill voice cut through the thin walls of the packhouse like a knife.

I shot upright, heart pounding. I'd been curled up in the corner of the broom closet I called my room, a space barely big enough for the lumpy mattress on the floor and a pile of secondhand clothes. The faint scuttling of mice reminded me I wasn't alone, though they were the least of my problems.

"I'm coming, Luna Celeste!" I called, stumbling to my feet.

I didn't bother changing out of my ratty pajamas. Celeste hated waiting, and the consequences of making her angry weren't worth the effort.

I sprinted toward the mansion, where Celeste was waiting at the front door, arms crossed and eyes blazing. Even in her workout gear, she looked effortlessly perfect. Her dark hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and her skin glowed like she'd just stepped out of a spa.

"What time is it?" she demanded.

"S-six a.m.," I stammered, trying not to trip over my own feet as I came to a stop.

"And where are my running shoes and water bottle?"

"I-I'm sorry, Luna. I'll get them right away!"

She rolled her eyes. "You're useless," she muttered as I darted off toward the pack's gym.

The gym was Sid's favorite hangout, and I prayed he wouldn't be there. But as usual, the universe wasn't on my side.

The door slammed into someone as I rushed inside, and I froze when I heard the low growl behind me.

"Watch it, b***!" Sid snarled, his voice sharp enough to make my skin crawl.

"I'm so sorry, Sid!" I stammered, spinning around to face him.

He stood there, arms crossed and lips curling into a cruel smile. Sid looked so much like Celeste it made my stomach turn-same dark hair, same piercing eyes, same perfect features twisted with malice.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he accused, taking a step closer.

"No! I swear I didn't see you-"

"Liar," he sneered, grabbing my wrist. His grip was bruising, and I winced as I tried to pull away.

"I didn't mean to-"

"You're nothing but a bastard, Olivia. Do you know what that makes you? Worthless. Lower than an omega."

"Let me go, Sid," I said, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

His smirk widened, and his free hand slid along my back, making my stomach churn. "You know what omegas are good for?" he whispered, his fingers toying with the waistband of my jeans.

"We're step-siblings," I said, panic rising in my chest.

"Step-siblings," he repeated with a laugh. "That doesn't mean anything."

Rage and disgust surged through me, and I shoved him as hard as I could. He stumbled back, crashing into a bench with a loud thud.

"You'll pay for this, you little b****!" he roared as I grabbed Celeste's shoes and water bottle and bolted.

By the time I reached Celeste, I was shaking so badly I could barely hold the items.

"You're late," she snapped, snatching the shoes and bottle from my hands.

"I-I tripped and fell," I lied, my voice barely a whisper.

"Lazy and useless," she spat. "All you ever do is eat and sleep like a pig. I'll speak to your father about cutting off your tuition fees."

"No! Please don't!" I begged, dropping to my knees. Tears blurred my vision as I clung to the last shred of hope I had. "I'll do anything you ask. Please don't take school away from me."

Her lips curled into a cold smile. "That's the best thing you've said in a long time," she said before turning and walking away.

I stayed on the ground long after she left, trembling and fighting back the sobs threatening to break free. School was the only escape I had-the only place where I could pretend, even for a few hours, that I was more than the unwanted daughter of Alpha Drake Archer. But even that small comfort was slipping through my fingers.

Being me means surviving one day at a time, hoping today isn't the one that breaks me. The morning sun filtered through the trees, golden light dappling the forest floor as I stood before Luna Celeste. Her sharp eyes pinned me in place, her smile a thing of venom wrapped in silk.

"In two days, we'll have guests. Important ones," she said, her tone dripping with a menace she didn't bother to hide. "Make sure the packhouse is spotless. Not a speck of dust, Olivia. You know the consequences."

I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. "Yes, Luna."

Her lips curled into a smirk, satisfaction oozing from her perfect features. Without another word, she turned and jogged into the woods, her athletic form disappearing among the towering trees. Only when I was sure she was gone did I let out the breath I'd been holding, my chest heaving as I fought to calm the frantic rhythm of my heart.

For now, I'd dodged her threats, but the weight of her words pressed heavy on my shoulders. College was my only lifeline-the one thing keeping me tethered to a future beyond this hellhole. If she followed through on her threats to cut off my tuition, I didn't know what I'd do.

I retreated to my room-or rather, the closet I called a room. The faint scent of damp wood clung to the air, mingling with the metallic tang of rust from the broken showerhead in the corner. Stripping out of my threadbare clothes, I stepped under the icy stream of water. It shocked my senses, but I welcomed the cold, letting it wash away the grime of the morning and the residue of fear clinging to my skin.

Dressed in my only clean jeans and a faded hoodie, I slung my battered backpack over one shoulder and slipped out of the pack's territory. Being an early riser had its perks-like avoiding Sid and his gang of bullies.

The forest path to school was my sanctuary, a winding trail that cut through dense greenery. The trees whispered secrets to one another, their branches intertwined like a protective canopy. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves were a balm to my frayed nerves. Here, I could almost pretend I was free.

But peace was fleeting, and the sight that greeted me at the school gates yanked me back into reality.

Luxury cars-sleek, black, and gleaming like polished obsidian-lined the curb. Men in suits stood like statues around them, their sharp gazes sweeping the crowd of students gathering in curious clusters. The air buzzed with whispers, excitement and unease crackling like static.

I pushed through the throng, drawn by a sharp yell. My stomach dropped when I saw Cole, one of my few friends, suspended mid-air. A massive man had him by the neck, lifting him effortlessly like a ragdoll. Cole's glasses hung askew, his legs flailing as he clawed at the hand choking him.

"Let him go!" I shouted, my voice slicing through the noise.

The man's cold, steel-gray eyes flicked to me, his expression unreadable but radiating menace. "Speak to the king like that again, and I'll kill you," he growled, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder.

My pulse thundered in my ears. "He's not talking to the king," I said, barely keeping the tremor out of my voice. "Let him go!"

The man's grip tightened, and Cole's face turned an alarming shade of red. Panic surged through me, adrenaline flooding my veins. Without thinking, I swung my backpack with all the strength I could muster. It slammed into his side with a dull thud.

"Leave him alone!"

The man barely flinched, his brows furrowing as if I were an annoying fly buzzing around his head. His gaze shifted briefly toward the school building, and instinctively, I followed it.

The dean's office. The blinds were drawn, save for a narrow sliver, through which I caught a glimpse of molten gold eyes watching the scene.

The eyes were locked on me.

A shiver ran down my spine, my breath hitching as I stared back. The gaze was sharp, predatory, and unnervingly intense. Whoever was watching wasn't just observing-they were studying me.

Before I could fully process it, the man released Cole, letting him crumple to the ground. The crowd scattered like leaves in the wind as the man barked a single word, his voice slicing through the chaos like a whip.

I dropped to my knees beside Cole, helping him sit up. "Are you okay?"

He nodded weakly, rubbing his neck. "Girl, are you insane?" he rasped. "That was Beta Matt of-"

"I don't care who he is," I snapped, shoving his glasses into his hands. "No one messes with my friends."

But even as I spoke, the prickling sensation of being watched refused to fade. My gaze darted back to the dean's office, but the blinds were now fully closed.

"Who are these people, and why are they here?" I murmured, more to myself than Cole.

He shrugged, still wincing as I helped him to his feet. "Rumors are flying. Some say the Lycan King is donating money to the school. Others think he's recruiting guards. A few even say he's here to find his mate."

I frowned. "Why would the Lycan King come to a public school? This isn't exactly an elite academy."

Cole gave a weak chuckle. "Beats me. Maybe he got lost."

But I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't a coincidence. The way those golden eyes had locked onto me felt too deliberate, too personal.

By the time I got Cole to the nurse's office, my mind was spinning with questions I couldn't answer.

Little did I know, the Lycan King wasn't here for donations or guards. He had come for me.

The morning light sliced through the towering windows of my study, casting fractured reflections across the polished floor. I stood at the edge of the room, one hand gripping the cold sill, my eyes trained on the sprawling grounds outside. The sight of it-a kingdom built from blood, sweat, and unwavering dominance-should have brought satisfaction. Today, it didn't.

Behind me, the soft shuffle of footsteps broke the silence. I didn't have to turn to know it was Drusilla. Her presence was like the faint brush of wind: gentle, yet impossible to ignore.

"What do you see?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but the impatience was real.

She hesitated, as she always did. "It doesn't work like that, my king," she replied, her words slow and deliberate.

"Make it work," I snapped, turning just enough to catch her eyes-pale, stormy gray that seemed to pierce through me.

Drusilla sighed, stepping closer until she stood beside me. She peered out the window, though I doubted she saw the view. "Time is not on your side," she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.

"How much?" My words were a growl.

"A fortnight at most," she said after a pause. "Perhaps less."

Her tone was gentle, but the weight of her words struck me like a blow. I forced a humorless chuckle, trying to mask the anger that threatened to boil over. "The great Lycan King, brought low by fate and vague predictions."

Drusilla flinched but said nothing. Her silence only fueled my irritation.

"Enough of this," I muttered. "I'll go. But don't expect miracles."

Her face softened, and for a fleeting moment, relief glimmered in her eyes. "You'll understand when you see it," she said simply.

---

An hour later, I was in the backseat of one of my cars, the smooth hum of the engine barely registering as Mateo drove us down a forest road. Drusilla sat beside me, unnervingly quiet.

Mateo glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "What are we looking for, my king?"

I clenched my jaw before answering, my voice cold. "An anchor."

His hands jerked slightly on the wheel, and the car swerved before he corrected course.

"An anchor?" he repeated, his voice low with disbelief. "I thought you didn't believe in-"

"I don't have time for debates," I cut him off, glaring at his reflection.

The silence returned, thick and oppressive, broken only by the occasional crunch of gravel beneath the tires.

As we neared the outskirts of the forest, a strange sensation gripped me. My chest tightened, and a sharp, unfamiliar ache radiated through me. It was as though something-or someone-was pulling at the very essence of me.

"Stop the car," I ordered, my voice tight.

Mateo hesitated but obeyed, bringing the vehicle to a smooth halt. I pushed open the door and stepped out, the cool forest air hitting me like a slap. Leaning against the car, I struggled to catch my breath.

"My king?" Mateo's voice was edged with concern as he approached.

I waved him off, trying to steady myself. "I'm fine."

Drusilla's gaze lingered on me, her expression unreadable. "We're close," she said softly.

---

Minutes later, we arrived at a school on the edge of the forest. A modest building, unimpressive by any standard. Yet as we approached, that same unbearable pull returned, stronger than before.

Inside the dean's office, I ignored the man's nervous chatter, my attention drawn to the scene unfolding outside the window. Mateo had a boy-scrawny, glasses askew-by the throat. Typical. Mateo's sense of authority often veered into overkill.

Then I saw her.

A girl stepped forward from the crowd, her frame small but her stance defiant. Her voice was muffled through the glass, but her intent was clear as she swung her backpack at Mateo, a mix of frustration and courage written on her face.

"Looks like you've met your match," I said to Mateo through the mind link, smirking as I watched the scene unfold.

"She's lucky I don't break her," he shot back, though there was a begrudging respect in his tone.

I didn't reply. I couldn't. My focus was entirely on the girl. There was something about her-something that tugged at my very core.

When she adjusted her backpack and her hood slipped, revealing her face, it hit me like a punch to the gut.

My heart clenched painfully, the ache from earlier returning tenfold. But with it came an overwhelming sense of recognition, as if every fiber of my being knew her.

"Let him go," I commanded Mateo through the link, my voice leaving no room for argument.

He obeyed, albeit reluctantly, and the girl moved quickly to help the boy. Her hands were gentle, but her movements were purposeful. And then her eyes met mine.

Time seemed to stop.

Her gaze was fierce, unyielding, and yet there was an innocence to it-a sharp contrast to the cold, calculating world I'd grown accustomed to.

As she turned to leave, the pull inside me grew almost unbearable. Every instinct screamed at me to follow her, to claim her, to never let her out of my sight.

Drusilla's voice broke through the fog. "Do you understand now, my king?"

I didn't answer her. I couldn't.

For the first time in my life, the great Lycan King was rendered utterly speechless. And for the first time, I truly feared what fate had in store for me.