Cursed Love With The Alpha

As soon as Aurora entered her home, she was hit with the overpowering smell of sweat and sex. The scene before her seemed almost too perfect - pink stilettos and Ryan's Vans scattered across the foyer. The stilettos looked strangely familiar to her.

Trying to push down her mounting unease, Aurora made her way towards the bedroom. Along the way, she passed silk suspenders, a tossed T-shirt, and a pair of pants crumpled in the hallway. She froze at the bedroom door when she heard a woman's moan.

"Ahhh! Harder! Harder! Ryan, I'm coming!" the loud moan sent shivers down Aurora's spine. But what troubled her the most was the woman's voice sounded like her best friend Emma, and Ryan was her boyfriend.

The unsettling sounds continued as Aurora stood frozen in place. Ryan was speaking to Emma in a way she had never heard before, making her feel nauseous.

"Please, Ryan!" Emma's passionate and lustful plea echoed through the room. Aurora started shaking uncontrollably as bile rose in her throat.

She clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle any outburst, but tears streamed down her face freely. Her boyfriend was cheating on her with her best friend in their bed.

Minutes passed before the sounds of passion ceased, replaced by footsteps. Aurora assumed they were done. She wiped away her tears angrily before pulling open the door.

The sight that greeted her was as expected: Ryan and Emma naked on her bed, covered with Aurora's favorite blanket. They exchanged gentle kisses, Ryan's hand still on Emma's breast, as if to taunt Aurora with their recent escapades.

"How could you do this? Why?!" Aurora screamed at them, trying to hold back her tears, but they flowed freely.

At the sound of her voice, Emma jumped up in surprise, wrapping herself in the blanket. She explained that she and Ryan were fated mates, deserving of each other more than Aurora did.

Aurora shook her head in disbelief at the absurd excuse for cheating. Ignoring Emma, she turned her gaze to Ryan, who was now dressing himself.

"Ryan, I need an explanation."

Nonchalantly, Ryan finished dressing, meeting her gaze with indifference. "Emma is right. We're mates, destined to be together. You're just a human, a pet I kept to pass the time."

His words only added fuel to the fire.

"Do you think I'm stupid, Ryan? You betrayed me, slept with my best friend, and now you're trying to act insane?!"

"Blame the Moon Goddess if you have to, Rora! No one can resist their mate bond!" He dusted himself off before strolling over to Aurora, arms outstretched, to hug her as though nothing was wrong.

Aurora huffed at the ridiculous excuse as anger flared up in her chest. She took a step back to create some distance between them. She couldn't believe that the cheating scumbag would try to use some fairy tale "Moon Goddess" to distract her.

"We're breaking up. You two, get out of my apartment now." Aurora couldn't stand the sight of them for even a second longer.

"Rora, please don't make a big deal out of it. I really do love you." Ryan refused to give up. "We can start an open relationship, yeah?"

"Get the fuck out!!!" Aurora couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at his face.

"You crazy bitch!" Ryan barely had enough time to retaliate, let alone pick up his T-shirt from the floor, before being chased out of the room with Emma, who was still wrapped only in a blanket.

Aurora harshly slammed the door shut behind them. She stormed to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of whiskey, and downed it all in one shot before resting both hands on the countertop, gasping for air.

It was bad enough that Ryan had cheated on her, but what made it worse was that he had made up some "Moon Goddess" to try to convince her otherwise!

If he didn't love her anymore, he could have just told her that. They could have tried to find a way to fix the relationship or just break up and find other people. How could he cheat, of all things? Maybe men were too afraid to take responsibility. Maybe escaping is all they can think of.

The alcohol soothed Aurora's boiling anger to a shimmer, and she spent the rest of the afternoon filling her stomach with whiskey until she found herself teetering into a nightclub with an empty bottle in her hand. She still couldn't understand why he had chosen such a childish lie as an excuse.

She stumbled down the club's first few flights of stairs, staggering past the crowded dance floor and private booths, before barely making it to the bar. She lurched onto a tall bar stool and then slurred to the bartender, "I want a margarita." She then all but collapsed head-first onto the countertop.

"You look like you've had too much already. What you need is a glass of lemonade." A low, pleasant voice rang out above her.

"What do you know?" Aurora burst out in irritation before trying to glare at the person who had just spoken. But as soon as she saw the owner of the voice, she almost stopped breathing.

Even though she was sitting down, she could tell that the man in front of her was tall. He was at least 6'3" with a well-built body. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt that highlighted his muscular figure. Aurora could almost make out the V line leading down into his jeans.

But he was now resting his head on the bar with folded arms, just like Aurora, his dark green eyes staring straight into her soul. Aurora was lost in his beautiful eyes and found herself trapped in place by his electrifying gaze. Then a sudden, drunken thought popped into her mind.

What would he be like in bed?

Her eyes lingered on his before slowly moving her gaze down the bridge of his nose to his seductive lips.

What would his lips taste like?

With that question in mind and alcohol in her system, Aurora locked her eyes on his and leaned in for a kiss. Here goes nothing.

Please don't reject me.

The man froze for a moment before reciprocating with vigor. He traced the shape of her lips with his tongue before slowly pushing his way into her mouth and hooking his tongue with hers.

After some more intense kissing, he moved to the side of her neck. His breath danced on Aurora's skin and gave her goosebumps. She couldn't help but wonder about how his hands would feel on her body.

"Do you want to continue in my apartment? I live upstairs." Aurora was barely holding back. Her panties were completely drenched in arousal.

"Do you feel okay about this, Aurora?" the man asked at the same time.

Aurora frowned, and her body stiffened. She tilted her head and asked,

"How do you know my name?"

"How do you know my name?" Aurora felt herself starting to sober up a bit. The fact that he knew her name was strange. She was quite certain that this was their first meeting.

"Because you're my mate," the man replied, his intense gaze unwavering as he continued to stare at her. The look in his eyes made her feel intoxicated once again. It was a sufficient answer for her.

Aurora took his hands and placed them on her hips, wrapping her arms around his neck. Unlike her, the man was insistent on getting a genuine response. His brows furrowed. "Are you certain you don't feel unwell anywhere?"

Aurora shook her head. The only sensation she felt was the warmth spreading from his kisses, causing her ears to flush. She giggled, her eyes sparkling in the dimly lit club. If anything bothered her, it was his statement about being "mates."

It reminded her of how Ryan had described Emma. Was it some sort of popular phrase? Was there a hidden meaning she was missing?

But Aurora brushed off these thoughts for now. She encouraged his fingers to explore her body, reveling in the pleasure that shot through her skin with every touch. She had never felt happier.

The man looked at her with a hunger she couldn't quite decipher. But she didn't need to understand it. His hands moved from her hips to embrace her waist, pulling her close to his sturdy, muscular frame. Aurora bit her lip, suppressing a moan of pleasure, feeling as though his touch had ignited something primal in her soul. Her mind urged her to forget about Ryan, live in the moment, and surrender to this man.

However, a sudden pang of pain shot through her stomach, causing Aurora to feel disoriented as her legs weakened. She doubled over in agony, clutching her belly and unable to respond to the man's worried inquiries.

"Aurora, are you alright?" He helped her upright as she almost tumbled off the stool. Despite being strangers, his concern sounded genuine. Touched, Aurora tried to stand on her own, determined not to let the sudden pain spoil their moment. But it was too intense, rendering her unable to move.

With a swift motion, the man lifted her onto his shoulders, appearing effortlessly strong despite carrying her full weight. As she found herself perched on his shoulders, his warmth began to comfort her.

"Wait! Where are you taking me?" Aurora inquired, leaning over his shoulder to notice a trickle of blood from her nose staining the floor.

"You're bleeding; you need medical attention," he replied calmly, bearing her weight on one shoulder.

"But I barely know you!"

"I'm Dexter," he stated flatly. Without hesitation, he carried her through the club, past the dance floor, and out to the parking lot, where a black sedan awaited. Opening the door, he gently placed her inside.

The car journey brought a warm summer breeze through the open window, helping Aurora to gather her senses. Looking out, panic surged through her as she realized they were leaving the city. "Aren't we going to the hospital?"

"No," Dexter's response was abrupt.

"Then where are we going?"

"My house. Are you feeling any better?" He inquired once more.

"No," Aurora replied, reclining against the backrest, feeling a bit disoriented. Everything was unfolding rapidly, making it hard to keep track.

She knew she didn't want to return home. It held the scent of her tears, her shame, and memories of Ryan and Emma. All she craved was to drink all night and seek solace in the arms of a handsome stranger. She yearned for his touch and presence to help her forget the events of the day.

Dexter seemed like the perfect choice. Aurora could feel a tingling sensation in her body at the thought of his touch. Hopefully, her stomach pain would subside soon.

The car traversed the suburbs, venturing into rough mountain paths where looming trees cast eerie shadows like nocturnal monsters. Dexter navigated the darkness with ease, delving deeper into the forest without hesitation.

Eventually, the car halted. Dexter alighted and extended a hand to help Aurora out. As she stepped onto the ground, the crunch of twigs beneath her feet revealed they were deep in the forest. Ahead stood a tall, black edifice flanked by towering pine trees. The darkness obscured details, yet lights illuminated the interior, revealing figures moving within.

Astonished, Aurora remarked, "Is this your home?"

"Kind of. It's the Packhouse," Dexter disclosed, offering his arm for support as they walked towards the entrance, mindful of Aurora's discomfort. He ushered her inside, guiding her down the lengthy hallway.

The interior resembled a medieval castle, adorned with suits of armor and weaponry. Despite the grandeur, the well-lit hallway dispelled any sense of foreboding. Unfamiliar with the term "packhouse," Aurora found the structure impressive.

Ascending three flights of stairs, they entered a room that differed from the hallway, featuring a minimalist decor of black and white, tailored to Aurora's taste.

"I... I need to use the bathroom," Aurora stuttered, swiftly heading to the adjacent room.

In the bathroom's illumination, Aurora gazed into the mirror to adjust her appearance, her heart racing. Alone at last. Despite her abdominal pain persisting, she leaned on the sink with one hand while applying clear lip gloss with the other, not letting it deter her.

She was completely charmed by Dexter, and she knew he felt the same toward her. The way he had looked into her eyes and touched her waist told her everything she needed to know.

When she left the bathroom, Aurora went to sit on the sofa while raising her skirt a little. But Dexter didn't look at her. Instead, he sat across from her, his head facing downwards, as he peeled a crimson apple with so much concentration that it was almost eerie.

"Thank you for your help." Aurora purposely spoke in a sweet voice, trying to get his attention.

"My pleasure." Dexter let out a laugh in a way that made Aurora's thighs squeeze against each other.

As he cut a slice out of the apple, his hand slipped, and the blade cut into his finger. Blood immediately oozed out. Beads of blood instantly seeped into the slice, leaving a crescent-shaped mark on the apple. If he noticed the wound, he gave no sign of recognition. He continued peeling the apple as though nothing had happened. Aurora gazed at his face. Not only was he conventionally attractive, but the way he held the knife was also charismatic, like he was used to it. But most importantly, he was bleeding.

"Your hand is bleeding," Aurora stated.

"Hmm." He didn't take his eyes off the apple and instead finished slicing it up into equal parts. The piece he handed to her still had the crescent-shaped bloodstain on it.

Maybe he hadn't noticed it. But she didn't want to seem too fussy. Aurora smiled, put the apple in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. The stomach pain that had been tormenting her immediately disappeared.

Did apples ever have that kind of effect?

Aurora froze. From their encounter at the bar, the phrase "you're my mate," the sudden abdominal pain, the house deep in the forest, and the magical apple with blood on it-everything was setting off alarm bells and alerting Aurora to how strange this man was.

She cleared her throat and finally asked, "Who... Who are you?"

Aurora's voice faltered as she inquired, "Who... who are you?"

"Take a guess." Dexter rose from the sofa and drew nearer to her, maintaining unbroken eye contact. A woody fragrance enveloped her, unlike any she had experienced before.

The scent instilled trust within her. She found peace in his presence.

His charm led her to whimsical musings – perhaps he was a vampire, elf, or some other mythical being. For now, she found amusement in these thoughts, treating the night as an adventure. Gathering the courage to indulge in what she desired, she aimed to have fun and worry about her troubles later. Dealing with harsh realities could wait until tomorrow, but a night with a handsome, enigmatic "supernatural" figure seemed acceptable, didn't it?

That's right, Aurora. Follow your desires, then forget everything and resume normalcy tomorrow.

"I suppose you're my king. Your Majesty, would you care to taste me?" Aurora's pulse quickened as she gazed at him, stepping closer to feel his warmth.

"Certainly, if you permit it." Dexter replied, drawing her in as he placed a supportive hand on her lower back, leading her through the living room in a quasi-dance. They then entered what appeared to be the bedroom, dimly illuminated with a prominent bed at its center.

Dexter leaned near Aurora, his breath tantalizing her very being.

"I will fulfill all your wishes, my mate," Dexter murmured, guiding Aurora onto the bed while holding her possessively. She closed her eyes, intoxicated by his forest-like essence, running her fingers through his hair.

"Why am I your mate?" Aurora inquired softly.

"It's destiny. A blessing from the Moon Goddess," Dexter stated, kissing her deeply.

Aurora sighed blissfully, tilting her head to grant Dexter better access to her neck and chest. Dexter moved to whisper in her ear, sending shivers down her spine before descending to her neck.

"Enjoying yourself, darling?" He murmured, lightly tracing her skin with his tongue before baring his fangs to nip at her smooth flesh.

"Ah!" The dizzying sensations and desires Aurora had experienced were abruptly punctuated by a sharp sting, almost disguising the faint echo of a wolf's howl in her mind. Dismissing the thought as nonsensical, she focused on the moment.

"Is this a fetish of yours, Dexter?" Aurora patted her neck and noticed slight bleeding from the puncture wounds.

"Sorry. After all, I am a werewolf." Dexter growled, his erection pressing against her waist. He moved his hands to her breasts.

His movements made Aurora whimper and her body tremble, but she couldn't focus on his actions at the moment.

A werewolf-how could he be a werewolf?!

She thought that he might be some kind of elf, or at worst, a handsome vampire like in the movies, but how could he be a werewolf? That was the one thing she couldn't stand. When she was a little girl, she had once seen a strong black wolf. It had bitten her neighbor's grandfather, and its fangs had left horrific wounds on his ankles that never faded away. The wolf's howl had been the cause of all her childhood nightmares. The memories came crashing down on her, breaking her out of the moment.

"No! Let go of me!" Aurora shouted, struggling to break free from Dexter's embrace. She panted heavily as she avoided his seemingly hurt gaze.

"You can't accept werewolves?" he asked, a little flustered. It had never occurred to him that his mate would be like this.

"No, I can't. Wolves are too scary. I... I think I need to go home." Aurora headed for the door, but Dexter grasped her hand before it could touch the knob.

"Don't go, Aurora. Stay here, and I'll explain everything to you. Werewolves are a civilized group. I'll tell you about our pack, our history, how we work, and everything else you want to know about us. You're my mate; we're meant to be together." Dexter persisted in his persuasions, almost pleading with her not to go.

"No. And you know what? Today's been a long day for me. You don't know what I've been through! So, listen to me; I'm leaving now." Aurora stated firmly, shaking Dexter's hand off her own.

"Then at least let me escort you. As you know, we're deep in the forest and far from the city." Dexter was quick to accept her answer as he grabbed a jacket and followed Aurora out of the packhouse.

On the way back to the city, the atmosphere in the car was strained, and no one spoke. By the time they approached the suburbs, it was dawn. Aurora signaled for Dexter to stop the car.

"I hope we don't see each other again. Leave me alone and out of your werewolf business."

As soon as Aurora finished speaking, she slammed the door and made a beeline for a coffee shop down the road. She desperately needed something to calm her nerves, and she knew that caffeine would do the trick.

"One hot Americano, please," Aurora ordered. She fumbled around for her purse, completely missing the wink the handsome barista gave her.

Damn it! She had left her bag at Dexter's house.

"I'm sorry, but I forgot my purse," Aurora said with a frown. She was too embarrassed to look at the handsome waiter. "I may need to withdraw my order."

"That's okay; it's on me. You look exhausted."

Surprised, Aurora took a moment to look at the waiter's face. He had curly brown hair and looked to be about 20 years old. His lips were curled upward, making him look like he had a sunny and lovely disposition, and his eyes were surprisingly the same shade of dark green as Dexter's.

"Wow, thank you so much. That's the first piece of good news I've heard since yesterday." Aurora took the hot cup of coffee and prepared to find a couch in a corner to rest for a while. She would need to wait until it was a bit later in the morning to call and ask her friend to pick her up to take her home. Thankfully, she had at least escaped the werewolves.

However, after the waiter handed her the coffee cup, he made a bow to her.

"This is a token of my respect for you, Luna."