THE CURSED ALPHA: DAMNED TO BE HIS

Damien's POV.

I sat in my usual detached manner as my face rested, void of any emotion. My gaze ran through the faces of the members of the counsel sitting before me. There was no way they hadn't heard the rumours about my ordeal, yet, they sat, each of them looking at me with uncertainty.

"What do we do, alpha? The situation keeps getting worse" " the counsel man closer to me asked.

I knew too well what the man in question was doing, he was seeking another fault from the Alpha. After all, this was just a game to them, a game of hierarchy, so I kept mute.

The life of the cubs around the pack sat quietly in my palms; there had been a recent killing surrounding the Starlight Pack, ye; the cause was mysterious, hence, the reason for this meeting.

My inability to shift makes me weak and most of the pack members blamed my weakness for what was going on in the pack.

My Beta stood up and looked down at me for permission, and I nodded my head granting him that. This was something we had talked about before coming here.

"We all should make our security over our cubs tight and make sure they are all safe. Make sacrifices to Selene, beg the moon goddess in your various homes and hope for the better" Micheal said.

"Isn't that supposed to be the Alpha's Job?" Another counsel man spoke, the others murmuring and nodding their heads in support.

"Do you expect me to sit around, babysitting those cubs when I have other pending matters to attend to? Is that too much for you to do as a council member?" I asked, waiting for them to oppose me.

"But-"

"But nothing," I interrupted the voice, not looking to see the face of the man who claimed to be my advisor. "If I place you guys on babysitting duty, then you do it"

They all exchanged glances among themselves before one of them spoke up, "We know about your current situation, I don't think you should be the one making this decision"

My lips tipped up with a smile. "This is my pack and every decision I make will stand, and if you have a problem with that, maybe you should take it up with me"

I stood up, my chair screeching back to a halt "Joe" I called walking over to the man who just spoke, I leaned down my mouth in line with his ear "My inability to shift doesn't make you more powerful than I am, I could tear you to pieces if I wanted to"

Every eye was on me, and each of them had something to say, but none of them had the guts to say it. Tough luck for their wolves.

I sat back in my seat, waving my hand around for the dismissal of the meeting; they all went out, murmuring silently among themselves.

They could as well fuck themselves.

"Typical of you to threaten them, knowing so well they could make most of the pack members turn their back on you", Micheal chuckled.

I gazed at him with a fond smile on my face; this was my best friend of 12 years turned brother; I had nothing to hide between us.

"That doesn't change the fact I am their Alpha, including you too," I pointed at him, a crooked grin on my face.

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows ", And here I thought it didn't apply to me since we would be bound for life."

We both burst out into laughter.

"But seriously though, we need to find out who set out those rumours." he paused. "They all say it is a curse; do you have any idea about that?"

I felt my mouth and face go sour. "I have to see Rebecca first, she must know what the cause of my inability to shift. I am tired of my wolf being locked up"

"Okay, I will be heading to the office as well, there was a matter that I needed to run through"

I got up, buttoning my suit jacket, "Good, I will meet you back here in an hour on an update with the cubs. I want every detail concerning how it goes"

"Okay, boss", Micheal retorted with a fake salute.

I moved towards the door, pausing as my hand held out to the handle, I turned back.

"Have you heard from my Clara today?"

I asked.

She was usually the one who rang Micheal's phone with calls hoping to speak with me about being more serious about the company and when next she was going to see me.

We ran a company of textiles and diamonds, and I've always known about the money which went missing from time to time but I had a pack to run and that comes before anything. The culprit, which happens to be the account, had been caught and was waiting for his punishment.

"No, I haven't", he replied, which was unusual.

"Put a call through to her; I need to see her", Okay Michael answered. We patted ways, each of us facing his destination.

I drove through a blurred line of trees and houses, going to a place where Rebecca calls her home. Rebecca was my mum's best friend before she stayed away intentionally from, everyone, including me, her son. I guess she was feeling guilty for her actions, or probably hurt.

There wasn't much my car could do; as the road was full of bushes. I packed at the tip of the narrow lane, deciding to continue on foot.

I stopped, looking around wondering if I was walking through the right path. The new trees around have created a bit of confusion.

I walked further down the path and I could see a hut.

I stood outside the hut situated in the middle of nowhere, typical of witches to stand out in the silliest way.

How was I to call her out?

"Alpha," a voice called out in a sing-song way.

I whipped my head with a sigh, "Rebecca"

My gaze ran through her. She had been on blonde locks the last time I had seen her, but now her hair was a mixture of purple and red. Her blue eyes were pale in comparison with her almost white skin.

"I see you haven't changed at all" I commented drily, shaking my head with a little smile on my face. Micheal and Rebecca were the only people who saw this side of me.

"Except for the fact that I don't go around making loose spells anymore." her full face broke out in a smile. "Wanna come in?"

I looked at the hut which looked on the verge of collapsing "No, thanks"

Amusement lit into her eyes, "What are you here for Alpha?"

My face turned cold. "I need you to take me to her, Rebecca, I want to know about my father."

"You must really have a death wish," She said. "No one visits her anymore, except you will lose yourself"

"What do you mean?" Confusion marred my face.

"I can't take you to go see her, Alpha"

I stood there staring at her waiting for her to offer me something.

Anything.

"Rebecca, you do not understand this puts my pack at risk. My inability to shift is a great risk to my pack."

"You should focus on other abilities such as the Alpha. There is nothing I could do to help, neither is visiting my mother a grave decision."

I took a deep breath, frustration crawling its way up my chest."Then what am I to do then?"

"Find your mate, Alpha" she paused "That is the only thing I can offer you right now"

That also was close to being impossible. How was I to find someone who doesn't exist? Hmm!

Damien's POV.

My conversation with Rebecca was ringing in my head. I still had questions, questions that would never be answered.

I was cursed without a wolf and a mate. Talk about a complicated Alpha.

I got up from the bed. A sleeping Chyna beside me. My fiancee, who I was going to get married to in a few months.

"An Alpha without a mate wouldn't be respected by his subjects." So says Micheal always. He's right anyways.

But how do I explain to the pack that I haven't found my mate, and if I do find her, would she accept me in this pitiful state of mine?

That's where Clara comes in. I have to pretend even if the mate bond is not there.

Michael was adamant that the best time to do a wedding was during the summer. I didn't want to be tied down to someone I didn't love. Someone who didn't understand me.

Someone who wasn't my mate, but I had no choice.

Mate.... that word brought a lot of pain to me. Lots of what-ifs.

What If I wasn't cursed?

What if it was possible to find her?

Maybe I wouldn't be here. A longing situated deep within my heart. A pain I had no way to take away.

"Babe" Clara moaned, opening her eyes to stare up at me in her sleeping haze. She smiled reaching out for me.

"Go back to sleep; I am heading out for a meeting with my beta; we have some issues to solve."

A frown painted her face, replacing the smile she had on earlier. She did not like the idea of me leaving her here but I felt suffocated in her presence.

It felt like she was sucking at my happiness, like a leech that could not be removed, and she kept sucking my peace of mind, leaving me with nothing but pent-up anger and frustration.

The Clara I knew back in my childhood had changed so much. She was now an empty shell of the person she used to be. Just a glimpse.

Just maybe things would have been easier getting married to someone I know or even was in love with.

"I will be back soon" I made a show of pecking her forehead before heading into the bathroom to freshen up.

The ringing in my head was still loud in my head. Taunting me.

I got dressed and steered out of the

house.

Mate...The voice in my head had scribbled the word down in my mind. That's all I hear when I am left to silence.

Halting at the front of the pack house. I got down, acknowledging a tired Micheal waiting for me outside.

"Too many agendas today?" I asked, smiling slightly.

"Don't even ask," he sighed. I felt bad for him. Most of the pack's work was kept on his shoulder.

"Did you get things right at the office yesterday?" I asked, weaving my fingers through my hair.

"Yes, I got his name and house address. I also found out he was missing, nowhere to be found"

I stopped walking, looking back at him, "Are there any of his family left to pay off his debt?"

"Yes, I already drop all the documents concerning his debt on your table"

I nodded, carrying on with my steps "Are the pack members already inside?"

He nodded his head leading the way unto the pack house, heading to the hall.

"Why didn't you come with your Clara?" He laughed, mocking me because he knew how much the idea of getting married to her pissed me off.

"Shut up. Don't rub it in" I scoffed, walking in.

Everybody was mingling with each other. It isn't every day I assemble a pack meeting, but the issue at hand was serious, and we were losing people, pubs and our pack's treasure.

I clambered onto the rostrum, looking down, I could see every person standing in this room.

As usual, I searched around the hall for a whisper of that mate connection. It had become a tradition, my wolf still thought she was still lurking around somewhere.

Even though I had no hope left of ever seeing her. It could be him at this point, even. I was tired of waiting.

"Attention" I ordered, my voice bouncing from the walls to the four corners of the hall.

All eyes snapped to me, every gaze was on me. I was aware most of the people here were assuming, trying to find more fault in me.

"I am sure you are aware of the rouges lurking around our pack. The pack killing and the stolen treasure," I paused, gauging their expression. "I have come to ask that you share your opinion on how this issue should be solved; there is only so much I can do."

"You are the Alpha, isn't it your role to come up with these things?"

I paused, a series of insults at the tip of my tongue, but I clenched my jaw. "I asked for your opinion on the matter, not a say on how I run this pack."

"We should add more able-bodied men to the guards "A masculine voice shouted from the crowd. Some people yelled in agreement while others yelled in disagreement like it was my men's fault we were in this mess.

But I didn't think the idea would work out well, we needed as many people safe in their homes at the late hour of the night. They all had a family they needed to provide for, a family that needed them. I couldn't risk it.

"I am afraid we can't send some people out there. We need as many people as we could get." protest erupted around.

"So you want our kids to die?" An angry feminine voice broke through the chaos.

"We don't need an alpha who isn't going to keep us safe", another voice added, and people cheered on.

I needed to do something fast before an argument or a fight would break out. "I will guard tonight with some of my guards," I announced.

The hall was deadly silent before everyone drew a deep breath, muttering their support. I could see Jake shaking his head in disapproval. He didn't support my idea but neither did I. It was a decision I had to make hastily.

"Okay, that would be all today; I would make sure to send out messages on the situation at hand. You all should be careful out there and remember not to go hunting at night" I got down from the stage as the crowd disappeared.

Mike rushed to my side, muttering curses. "What do you think you are doing?" he glared at me.

"keeping the people safe." I shrugged.

"At the expense of your life?" he perched a brow. "These rogues aren't the normal rogues we have fought easily. Take it from someone who has come in contact with them. They don't die, and you can't shift," he said as a matter of fact.

"Chill, nothing would happen. Let's head out to the border," I ushered the way; I could feel him muttering behind me, his fear sprinkled in my mind, making me worry also.

*****

The night was quiet; I could feel chills seep their way into my bones, and I fought a shiver.

"They usually appear around this time," a guard said.

And a moment later, Just as he had said, a group of rogues appeared, their faces nothing of nature.

They looked like they were walking corpses and the stench of death clung to them like a shadow.

Everyone stood on alert; each and everyone was on their toes. They moved like robots being controlled as they brought out their swords, the bronze of the sword glowing under the moonlight.

We also brought out our weapons and began fighting them. I watched each of my men fighting like their loved one's life depended on this. Well, it did but I was proud.

Some of them began shifting, their wolf on display and I could only stand there looking at them in a fight I was supposed to lead. A pack, I was supposed to watch over.

I felt more pathetic, if not any more useless than I already was. How could the moon goddess watch this happen to me?

I heard a gurgle. A distance one in my mind.

"Damien, get your head wherever it is and look behind you!" Micheal yelled snapping me out of the mess my thoughts had formed.

I twisted around and fused my sword into the chest of the rouges standing right behind me and twisted it. Blood sourced out from their mouth but they kept on fighting.

Micheal had been right.

But the mark at the side of their neck caught my attention. It was something like half moon, but it was large and red, glowing in fact.

Out of instinct I dug the sword into its neck and watched it crumble.

"Their neck...they can be killed by stabbing their necks " I said through the mind link.

Then I felt a pinch to my side then a blinding pain, fucker had just stabbed me.

With the last of my strength, I dug my sword into his neck.

Michael rushed to me, applying much-needed pressure to the wound "Wolfbane", I whispered through pain before everything went black.

CHAPTER 3

MATE

Damien's POV.

I could see him, the man I sought after. My father. The light still existed in his eyes and how much his mouth tipped up as he smiled. There wasn't a frown on his face, the one I usually was given, the kind I was accustomed to.

He was happy, like how he always was.

He held my hands, and for the first time, I could feel his affection, the delicate in a father's touch. I tried to hold onto his hands, seeking answers, but like an evening shadow, he began to vanish.

Body part then body part.

"Alpha Damien?"The inure voice of Micheal smashed through the world my unconsciousness had formed.

I levered my eyelid slowly. Taking in the plain ash wall of my room. I glanced around, taking a grasp of reality, bit by bit.

"How long was I out for?" I sat up groaning. I could narrowly note the pain at my side. It was just a whisper that was left.

But my limbs felt heavy, and I could barely move my body. Must be the impact of the wolf bane.

"How are you feeling now?" he raised my shirt, the wound was already gone, but the scar remained.

"I am fine. Did they all escape?" I adjusted my shirt, standing up on my feet.

He stood up following me as we both went to my office. "We were able to catch about two of them, the rest died there."

I pushed the door open and went inside, Micheal closing the door behind me.

"Where did you keep them?"

"in the basement. We didn't want to start asking them questions without you" he sagged on the chair in front of me "We should go back to the fight scenes and check out the dead bodies"

"You fuckers didn't think to remove their body?" I raised a brow, pissed at their carelessness. "What if they revivify?"

"You were dying. We didn't think things through. But they were dead, we made sure to check that"

"You might have just let me die. The council would have my head for the mistake you guys made," I scowled; running a pack wasn't easy, and my men were making it worse.

"Then we better get moving," Micheal shrugged, moaning while getting up.

"Send out an order, There should be about 8 guards parading around the house. None of the people inside must get hurt. And for the rogues make sure to keep an eye on them" I spoke the order to my third in command through the mind link.

"Your mother asked after you. Said I should let her know when you are awake"

"I will see her when I return" She clearly wouldn't suggest that I go out not up to an hour after my wake.

******

The place looked different, I couldn't say what changed, but the energy felt fake, like the seal that had been put here had been broken; others probably couldn't feel it. But I could sense that dark magic had been used here. A strong kind.

"Something is strange" Micheal mumbled, squatting over the spot where I had been stabbed. "There are no signs of blood here but I had seen them sputtering out blood before dying"

"What do you mean?" I walked to where he was.

"It is as if a fight didn't even happen" I looked around, trying to see if it was only me and him who noticed this thing

"Someone cleared the evidence. There is something they don't want us to know" I got up. Madder than I had ever been. An Individual had played us right under our noses.

"What are you saying?" A guy I could recognize as Gerald asked.

Storming over him. I let my anger take over and blinded by it, I encircled my fingers around his neck, holding him in a chokehold. "You fuckers failed to do your jobs" I spoke through grasped teeth, tightening my grip.

I watch him struggle to breathe, getting redder with every passing second. He clawed on my arm trying to pry my fingers off him, but I felt nothing. Nothing but the anger I felt in me.

I could see Micheal in the background, probably yelling for me to let him go but it only led me to press harder on his pulse. I wanted him to crumble, hungry for him to hurt.

Then I heard my name again, the canard of Micheal's voice. He was trying to keep me sane.

I threw him on the floor panting heavily. All the guards stood still, fear evident in their eyes.

"You all should get to work. Find anything that could serve as a trace, a lead, anything at all"

I watch them get to work, it would be by luck if they were able to find anything. The place was as clean as it could get.

I began looking around also. Then, immediately, the wind blew out a scarf. A grey scarf to my feet.

I picked it up and sniffed it. The scent was still warm. It hasn't been long since the person left.

"I found a lead"

Micheal scampered towards me with some guards. "The rest should stay back. No one should pass through here."

We began moving, following the scent of the lead the wind had presented to us. It led us to the west outside the pack. Past the bushes and into the forest.

We came to a stop. We were at a dead end, an end where the scent had faded away.

"Let's scatter and search around" a guard suggested. But that wasn't a good idea. That would just make us open to attacks, and we could be anything but vulnerable right now.

"We should. Let's break into two groups; one group will go that way," I gestured to the left side of the forest. "The other will go the other way" I pointed to the right.

I was with the group that went towards the right and I left Micheal to the other group.

Come to the next minute, we didn't find anything. It was like we were searching for something that didn't exist. Our results were futile.

"We found something" Micheal sent through the link.

All of us headed to their sides of the forest. True to what he had said, footprints were leading to the bushes.

It cropped up a path, and we followed it, directing us to a figure. A lady stood in a sundress. Her hair had a natural blonde tint; it was the same scent, but there was also some distinctness in it.

She turned slowly confirming my fear. Standing there was the person I craved like an addict on drugs. "Mate"