The Cursed Alpha Princess

Seraphina's POV.

I stumbled out of the woods as my tattered purple tunic clung to me, soaked in blood and torn from last night's shift. My whole body ached and there was this awful, metallic taste of iron and warm blood on my tongue.

My long blonde hair was tangled and sticky, strands of it falling into my eyes and blocking my vision. I tried to brush it away, but my hands... they just wouldn't stop shaking.

My claws had only just begun to retract, coated with blood and dirt, and my vision was still hazy from the shift.

The sun was trying to rise, but the forest canopy above was so thick that it kept me wrapped in darkness. My wolf whimpered weakly inside me. She was shaken. Actually, we both were and I couldn't comfort her.

"It happened again."

Another night stolen from me.

Another shift I didn't choose.

Another blackout where I became something I couldn't control.

I've lost count of how many times this had happened. But this one... last night's... it wasn't just another... it was the beginning of my downfall. The start of everything falling apart for me.

My legs were weak and unsteady... making me stagger like a drunken beast. My bare feet scraped against stones and thorns, cutting deep into my skin... I didn't even flinch. I was too numb. Too used to the pain.. I just kept on moving.

As I made my way toward the clearing, I started hearing voices... quiet whispers, full of fear. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but something about the way they spoke made my stomach drop.

Then, I saw them..

My pack.

Dozens of them standing in a circle, staring down at someone on the ground.

Someone not moving.

A lifeless body.

My heart pounded violently in my chest. My wolf became restless, scared.. as my vision cleared just enough to make out the blood soaked tunic of the man on the floor. The scent hit me hard as it was familiar.

That scent... I knew it.

"Here she comes," someone growled. "The murderer.. She's finally done it again."

"No..." I gasped, stumbling forward as my knees threatened to give out.

It was my father.

Alpha Flynn. The most respected, feared, loved and strongest warrior in the Crimson Moon Pack. The man who raised me.

And he... he was just... lying there.

His throat was torn open, blood pooling beneath his lifeless body. His eyes were wide, staring into the void.

He was wearing his indigo Alpha robe... the one trimmed with black wolf fur, that had our family's crest stitched proudly over the heart.

I dropped beside him, my knees hitting the ground hard.

"No, no, no. Dad!" I cried. "I didn't mean to... I didn't know... I didn't..."

I couldn't breathe. My chest felt tightened and my lungs collapsed. My wolf curled up deep inside me... but even she couldn't hide from this.

I heard footsteps thundering behind me.

It was my mother... Elysia.

She was running, her maroon velvet gown flowing behind her, the kind only high-ranking Gamma wolves wore. But the skirt tangled around her legs, nearly tripping her as she reached us. I could tell she wanted to shift as I saw her wolf clawing beneath her skin... but she didn't.

She dropped beside his body, her hands shaking as she pulled his head onto her lap. Blood smeared across her dress, her arms, her chest... but she didn't care.

Her sobs tore through the air like they might rip the sky apart.

Then she looked at me.

"What have you done, Seraphina?" she growled. Her voice was low, shaking... but her eyes... those warm brown eyes I'd known my whole life... were full of hate and disgust.

"I... I didn't mean to," I whispered, reaching for her. "Mom, please..."

She flinched away like I'd burned her. Like my touch would kill her too. Like I was a plague to be avoided at all cost.

"You've cursed us," she spat. "You've betrayed your blood!"

The crowd behind me got louder. I heard the anger in their voices... shouting, accusing, judging me.

Then stones hit the ground near me.

One struck my shoulder. Another hit my thigh.

"She's a beast!"

"She should be killed!"

"She murdered her own father!"

"She'd be the death of every one of us, if we don't stop her now!"

"No... I didn't..." I tried to stand, my legs shaking... but someone pushed me back down.

Then he stepped out from the crowd.

Dante.

My Alpha mate.

Tall and cold. His black hair was slicked back, perfect as always. His silver eyes didn't even flicker with concern... just pure disgust.

He didn't ask what happened. He didn't need to. He already knew.

He looked at me like I was filth.

"I always knew you were a good for nothing," he said, his voice low and laced with venom.

"A psycho pretending to be a victimized wolf..." he growled, "Yeah.. Sera, that's exactly what you are!" he added, nodding like it was a confirmation I needed to hear.

Then he sneered, his eyes burning.

"...because what kind of Wolf shifts... and kills her own father?" he snapped. "Tell me.... what kind of a monster are you?"

He took another step, close enough that I could feel the heat of his anger.

"You disgust me, Sera!"

Then he spat in my face, I didn't even flinch. I just let it drip down my cheek. My tears blended with it anyway.

But his words...

They were cutting me deeper than the stones, deeper than the crowd's hatred for me.

"You should've been put down the moment your curse first showed," he growled. "You're not a she-wolf... You're a monster in heat!"

Tears filled my eyes, blurring everything.

I shook my head, my voice breaking.

"Please... don't say that. I didn't..."

Before I could finish,

Dante grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked. Hard.

I cried out, grabbing his wrist.

"Dante!" I screamed. "Please... let go!"

But he didn't. He yanked harder, dragging me away from my father's body, from the crowd that watched and did nothing. My knees scraped against the ground. Stones ripped my skin open. My back burned.

I screamed until my throat went raw.

"Dante! Stop, please! You're hurting me!"

Still, he dragged me across the courtyard like I weighed nothing. He didn't even slow down. Blood smeared the dirt in our trail, but no one moved.

They all watched.

Whispers rose. Murmurs filled the air.

But no one helped.

Because in their eyes...

I deserved it.

We reached the Alpha quarters.

Dante slammed the door open and threw me inside like I weighed nothing. I hit the cold stone floor so hard... that my bone cracked. Pain shot through my ribs.

"Akira!" he growled.

She stepped in, slowly. My childhood beta friend.

Her face had gone pale.

"Y... Yes, Alpha?"

"Bring the salt."

Geez! Not again!

"No..." My voice trembled. "No, Dante. Please. Don't do this."

Akira didn't move at first. Her hands were shaking. She knew what he meant. But his tone... it was an Alpha's command. And she had to obey.

She came back minutes later, carrying a bowl of coarse white salt. My heart sank.

I tried to crawl back, my body screaming in protest.

"Dante... please, I'm begging you."

He smiled. Like my begging fueled him.

Then he tied me down. I didn't have the strength to fight. My wrists burned against the bindings.

Without a word... started pouring it onto my wounds.

"NO! AHH...!"

I winced and screamed. The pain... unlike anything I'd ever felt. It was fire. Real torture... and I couldn't break free.

The salt sizzled against my torn skin. I thrashed and cried, blood and tears soaking the floor. Every grain of salt felt like a blade stabbing into me.

Akira covered her mouth, tears in her eyes, but she didn't dare move.

And Dante?

He leaned in, his voice low and sickeningly calm.

"Let this be a reminder..." he leaned in closer, "of what you really are."

I could barely breathe. I wanted to fight, to curse him, but all I could do was cry.

And just when I thought the pain couldn't get any worse, I heard her voice.

My mother.

"I wish you had died instead of your father!"

That was it.

The pain in my chest drowned everything else.

And in that moment...

I stopped begging.

Seraphina's POV

I stopped begging... because in that moment, I realized something..

I really wanted to die too.

This beast... this curse, has taken everything from me. My own father's blood is on my hands, and my wolf? She was silent. Broken. Just like me.

"Perhaps we should run," my wolf howled, her pain mirroring mine.

"You know we can't," I whispered.

"There's no pack that doesn't know us." I could hear the desperation in her tone, but there was really nothing I could do.

Every pack knows who we are, and by now, word of what happened today has already spread. They wouldn't accept us. No one would open their doors to the cursed girl and her shattered wolf. Not after today.

"If we try doing that, believe me they'd shoot us down on sight." I gently whispered.

I wanted to see the Moon Goddess... to ask her why she chose to afflict me like this.

Was I so unworthy of peace? Of love?

My wounds refused to heal, my wolf was too weak to help. She was barely breathing.

"Get up Bitch!"

Dante's growl cut like a whip.

He grabbed my filthy, wet blonde hair and dragged me toward his chambers. My feet scraped against the stone floor, my body too broken to resist.

"Please..."

"P.... please, D.... Dante, I'm.... in so much pain already."

I whimpered, my voice hoarse.

He didn't care. He dragged me anyway... dragged me to his chambers. Threw me to the floor like garbage. Then, slammed the door shut behind him.

He stalked toward me, his eyes blazing.

Then he got on me and grabbed what was left of my torn tunic and ripped it off me. My body was naked before him, trembling, covered in bruises, dirt, and blood.

I knew what he wanted, to mate with me..

But... what kind of bastard looks at someone in this state and gets turned on?

Dante wasn't just cruel.

He was rotten to the core.

I tried to fight, to shove him off, but I was too weak. My wolf stayed curled inside me, she didn't fight back. She wanted him.

No... stop. Don't want this.

I wanted to scream at her. Damn! Betrayal never tasted so bitter.

But it wasn't her fault. My body... the mate bond... it had to react regardless.

Dante's rough hands grabbed my breasts. I wanted to scream in disgust, but I felt the heat between my thighs and I hated it. I hated myself.

"Ah... ah," the sound escaped me... soft, involuntary. I felt his smirk against my skin. Shame burned through me.

Why? Why does my body still want this?

My breathing grew heavier. I couldn't stop it. He shoved my legs apart, his touch grew rough and greedy. I wanted to close them, but my muscles betrayed me, trembling with a lustful desire for him instead of resisting.

"Oh... my..." I whispered when his teeth grazed my skin, shame twisting in my gut. My fingers... stupid, desperate... ran through his hair, I held onto him tightly.

He pushed inside me.... no warning, no care.

I hated myself for the moan that escaped my lips. For the way my hips rotated swiftly, trying to meet his pace... even though my heart begged me not to.

I gasped, pain and pleasure bleeding together. My claws dug into his back, dirty and jagged, until I smelled blood. The sting only made him move faster.

Each thrust sent fire through me, my body betraying me fully now. My wolf stirred faintly, almost... pleased. She wanted more. She was craving him.

"Ah! Bitch!" he moaned.

"More," I whispered.... begged, even. My voice cracked with need and hatred for myself. "More."

He didn't hold back. He thrust deeper, harder. I cried out .... not just from the feeling, but from the war inside me. Shame, pain, pleasure.... all tangled together.

The room was filled with soft moans and heavy breathing. Dante moved like he couldn't get enough of me, and his lips brushed against my neck.

Dante has avoided marking me ever since the day we started mating. He knew about my beast like nature so I figured that was why he never marked me.

Dante didn't even try to look at me with softness... at least, for the sake of the moment.

Not like I was expecting it or maybe I was.

Tears leaked from my eyes as my body trembled, the heat built, more and more . I shook violently as the pleasure took over me and I reached the climax. My breathing became faster. My legs were weak.

He groaned deep, finishing with a final thrust before collapsing over me, breathing heavily.

He stayed inside me for a while, then gently pulled away. We both lay there, catching our breath, silent and lost in the moment.

I reached for him... weak, desperate to be held in his arms.

But he shoved me off the bed like I was diseased. I hit the cold floor with a crack in my bone, breath knocked from my lungs.

He stood, walking to the bathroom without a word.

I lay there, half-naked, bruised, aching.... not just in my body. My soul felt cracked too.

Tears fell, silent and hot.

Minutes later, guards barged in. Bigger wolves. Stronger than I. They didn't speak.

I got up, immediately grabbing my already torn tunic, and slightly covering my naked body with it. They yanked me out and dragged me toward the palace.

-- -- --- -- -- --- --

The guards threw me to the center of the throne room. I was already so weak. My blood was trailing down my arms.

The king... King Malrick.... sat high on his throne, his silver eyes cold and unreadable.

"You have murdered your Alpha," he growled. "Your father."

"Great King Malrick," a council wolf snapped, stepping forward, voice sharp. "We must act before she kills again. She's a danger to the pack. Give us permission to end her."

Another voice joined, nastier, bolder.

"Or lock her away.... in the Tombs of Shadows. Let her rot there, Your Majesty."

I stood there, shaking, the chains cold and heavy around my wrists and ankles. My heart had already given up.

Then I heard her....

"I disown her," my mother spat.

"She is no longer my daughter. I will not be tied to a murderer."

That shattered whatever pieces of me were left. The words burned deeper than any wound.

Tears slipped free, but I didn't wipe them. I had nothing left. I had no one left. Not a single soul.

Then, cutting through the noise...

"But... Father."

All heads turned.

It was Prince Lucien.

He stepped forward, his long black embroidered robe fluttering behind him, his gray eyes locked on me. I looked away, shame swallowing me whole.

His voice was steady, but his clenched jaw betrayed his anger.

"You can't just punish her like this," he said. "No one has asked what really happened."

Gasps and murmurs filled the air.

Why was he defending me?

King Malrick's face twisted. "Lucien..."

"No, Father," Lucien snapped. "... because a wolf doesn't just wake up one day and decide to be bloodthirsty. She's a member of this pack. She deserves a chance to speak. We should be helping her find answers... not trying to kill her or branding her a monster."

Queen Marie touched his arm gently. "Drop it, son."

But he didn't.

"She's broken," he said, his voice lower now, almost to himself. "She needs help."

Then a sharp and elegant voice cut in..

"Lucien."

Valerie. His Luna-to-be. She stepped forward, her crimson velvet dress sweeping behind her, every bit the perfect royal. Her flawless face twisted in disgust when her eyes landed on me.

"Babe, this isn't your fight," she said softly, resting a manicured hand on his arm. "She killed her father."

Lucien didn't look at her.

"She's still one of us," he said.

"She deserves punishment not pity, Lucien. She's dangerous!" Valerie growled.

"And yet I'm the only one asking if there's more to this story," Lucien shot back.

A sneering voice rose from the crowd.

"Easy for you to say, prince. You live in a castle. You don't know what it's like to fear her."

Rafael, Lucien's bodyguard, growled and stepped forward, unsheathing his claws.

"Watch your tongue!"

In a blink, Rafael's hand was around the wolf's throat, squeezing. The man's face turned purple.

"Rafael!" Lucien growled quickly. "Let him be."

Rafael dropped the man instantly, slightly bowing his head as he clenched his fist around his sword's hilt..

The tension in the palace was suffocating.

"Father..." Lucien started again.

But the king slammed his golden staff down.

"Silence, Lucien!"

The King's growl sent shivers down my spine, and the hall fell dead quiet.

"Seraphina Ashwood," the king declared, "by my power, I announce that... you are stripped of your rank. You are no longer Alpha-born. From this day, you are an Omega and a slave to the pack."

My knees gave out.

"I choose not to spill your blood today," the king continued. "Because we've had enough bloodshed. But cross me again... and I'll show no mercy."

No one objected. Not even Lucien.

As the crowd began to leave, a guard approached, unlocking the chains on me. I caught Lucien staring.... pity flickered in his eyes, but something else was there too. Something I couldn't name.

I didn't wait to find out.

I ran.

Deep into the forest, away from everything. From everyone. I didn't want to hurt anyone else.

The darkness swallowed me.

I collapsed beneath the trees.

Hours passed. Days maybe.

When sunlight finally reached my eyes, I dragged myself out of the woods. As I stepped out, there, standing before me, was the last person I expected.

"What... what are you doing here?"

Lucien'S POV

I was pacing in my father's chambers after the sentence was passed on Seraphina. I didn't know why I was so disturbed, but something about it all felt wrong. Maybe I was just being overly sensitive... or maybe I couldn't stand how unfair it all seemed.

Like I said, maybe.

Either way, my nerves were getting the best of me.

Father was still outside, deep in talks with the elders of the pack about the rogues that have been terrorizing the neighboring packs. When he finally walked in, he found me ruffling my hair, unable to keep still.

Before I could utter a word, his palm collided with my face, a sharp and merciless slap. His sharp golden ring tore across my cheek, drawing blood. I hissed slightly, my wolf healing the wound instantly, but the sting still lingered.

"Have you completely lost your damn mind, Lucien?!"

"What have I told you about showing weakness in front of the Council?"

"I was only trying to...."

"Silence!" he snapped. "You humiliated me, challenged me in front of the elders! Do you realize how that weakens my authority? My own son, questioning me!"

His words cut deeper than his slap ever could.. because I really couldn't believe we were arguing about his authority when someone's life was at stake here.

"What kind of uncouth manner was that?" he growled heavily.

"You're my son! The crown prince, for that matter."

I bet that I could hear Lorenzo chuckling to himself, leaning against the doorframe.He had that smug look on his face that always made my blood boil.

"Oh, how the mighty crown prince has fallen," he said with a slow, cruel smile. "You never had the backbone for this role, little brother."

I clenched my fists, but I didn't respond. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Lorenzo and I... we'd never been close. He believed I stole the throne that should've been his.

And maybe he wasn't entirely wrong, afterall, he was older.

My mother entered almost immediately, her scent flooding the room before she did. She looked exquisite as always, dressed in a rich wine-red corset, her expression composed... too composed I must say.

"Mother," I said, rushing to her. "Please... talk to him. You can't possibly agree with this. You haven't even met the girl. You don't know her."

She let out a soft sigh and reached to cup my cheek where the slap had landed.

"Lucien, darling... sometimes we don't need to meet monsters to know they exist."

"She's not a monster," I said, voice shaking. "She's just... she's hurting."

"At least, let's give her a benefit of doubt. What if she didn't kill him?"

"Oh, sweetheart," she whispered, looking almost sad. "Even if she didn't kill her father... you know what she is. Everyone knows. She's dangerous. She was born of darkness. Her own wolf is unstable."

"I don't believe in that ancient nonsense, Mom!" I growled. "We're wolves. We trust our instincts... and mine tell me she's not a threat."

"Your instincts?" Lorenzo sneered. "Or your d*ck?"

"Oh! Shut up, Lorenzo!" I yelled."Not everyone is like you!"

I turned back to look at my mother, "You're all just assuming! No one is even trying to understand her!"

"And you need to remember who you are," she said, her voice sharpening. "You're the crown prince. You don't get to fall apart over every pretty girl that cries!"

"What will Valerie think, hmm? She's your mate. You're going to marry her."

"How do you think she'll feel hearing you've been defending another woman?"

I shook my head, barely able to breathe.

"Goddess... is this what this is all about? Appearances? Political alliances?"

"What about what's right Mom?"

"Right?" Lorenzo scoffed from the corner. "Since when has our dear prince ever known what's right? You've always been weak. Coddled. Soft-hearted."

"Shut up, Lorenzo," I snapped, glaring at him.

"I really don't know why you guys are so surprised, but me? I'm not, because Lucien has always been a fool."

"He doesn't know when to back off."

"And this is the 'loser' Father wants to hand over the race of the pack to?"

"What a pity!"

I was in total disbelief with the gibberish coming out of Lorenzo's mouth.

Vexed.

I clenched my fist and was about to punch him right in the face when my mother's voice held me back.

"Shut your mouth right there," My mom snapped. "What's the meaning of this rubbish, Lorenzo? Be you his older brother or not, he is still the crown prince!"

"Out of my chambers, all of you!" My father thundered. We had no choice but to leave.

I nearly crashed into Valerie in the hall. She'd clearly been standing by the door, listening.

"Where are you rushing off to, baby?" she purred, looping her arm through mine.

I tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip.

"Valerie, not now, please."

She smiled sweetly... too sweetly.

"Oh, don't be like that. You're upset, I get it. But you shouldn't shut me out. We're supposed to share everything, remember? We aren't stranger, Lucien."

I scoffed under my breath because literally, that was what she was to me... a stranger.

"Valerie, I don't have time for this. Excuse me."

She grabbed my wrist, looking at me with lustful eyes. Valerie was beautiful, yeah, but I just didn't feel attracted to her. Though she was my mate, our relationship was nothing but politics, my father's alliance with King Darius of Rothenberg Pack.

"Obsessed with her?" she asked suddenly, her voice sharp beneath the silk. "What is it about that girl that has you so worked up like this? Don't tell me, you like her?"

I paused looking, shocked at her question. Honestly, I didn't want any more drama so we went to my chambers.

She stared at me lustfully, I could feel that she wanted me badly but I ignored.

"You don't want me?" she snapped. "C'mon baby... I need you.."

Her lips crashed against mine, desperately. I stood still at first... numb. I didn't kiss her back.

But she kept going, her hands pulling at me, her mouth relentless. And gods.... the nagging that followed were bleeding my ears out and I gave in.

Not because I wanted her though, I just wanted her to stop fuming.

It meant nothing to me.

We kissed and mated. She was all heat and hunger. I was just... there.

Minutes later, she fell asleep tangled in the sheets, content in her illusion that she'd won.

I lay awake, staring at the ceiling for a long time before quietly slipping out of bed.

I took a quick shower and left the room.

Rafael was waiting outside, leaning against the wall like he always did.... loyal, silent, watchful.

Rafael was more than a bodyguard.... he was a very good beta friend of mine.

"Come on," I said. "We're going for a walk."

"Do I even need to ask where?" he replied, raising a brow.

I didn't answer right away. My mind was already elsewhere.... with her.

Seraphina.

I'd seen broken people before. But this was different.

There was something about her... I didn't know why it got under my skin... why I couldn't leave it alone.

"Have you seen Seraphina?" I asked the wolves near the yard.

They bowed, murmuring that she was probably deep in the forest, cause of her shift.

We headed straight there.

As soon as we got to the entrance of the forest, Rafael stopped me with a hand on my arm.

"Lucien... I really don't know why you're doing this... but I suggest we wait here."

I shot him a look. "You think she's dangerous too?"

"I didn't say that," he muttered. "I'm saying... if she killed her father, then there's no telling what else she's capable of."

I sighed, shoving my hands in my robe's pockets. "I don't believe she did it."

Rafael shook his head. "You're too empathetic.. and that's gonna get you killed one day."

"Maybe," I muttered. "But not today."

We sat under the trees in silence, waiting. Talking about everything and nothing. Rafael kept looking at me like I was losing my mind.

Well... maybe I was.

At dawn, she appeared... stumbling from the forest, barefoot, torn tunic, her hair a mess. She looked like a ghost still clinging to life. Her body trembled as she took cautious steps, not expecting to see anyone.

When our eyes met, she froze.

"My... my prince?" she whispered, bowing slightly. My heart ached for her.

I stood, stepping forward slowly. "I just want to talk."

She looked away, hugging the torn fabric around her.

"You shouldn't be here."

"Uhmm... You need to clean up first," I said gently. "Come with me. I'll take you somewhere safe."

She hesitated. I held out my hand. Eventually, she nodded.

I led her to a hidden chamber beyond the palace walls.... my space away from the palace drama. Rafael followed close, quiet as always.

"Rafael," I said as we entered, "have someone draw her a bath."

"Yes, Your Highness."

She sat quietly while the water was prepared, her eyes never staying still.

"You're safe here, Seraphina," I promised. "I really just want to talk."

She nodded, still unsure.

Soon, a maid came in. "The bath is ready, Your Highness."

I helped her up gently, guiding her to the bathroom. Rafael followed closely behind us. He turned to leave at the door, expecting me to follow. But I lingered... watching her.

She turned to me, noticing.

"Your Highness... I'm about to bathe." her voice came out soft.

"Right," I said, still standing there like an idiot.

Rafael bumped me with his elbow, muttering,

"C'mon dude? You're planning to watch her bathe too?"

My eyes snapped wide. "No! Of course not... I... I wasn't thinking."

She smiled faintly, her dimples flashing. Gosh! even in this state, somehow, she still looked beautiful.

"It's okay," she whispered. "You've already seen me at my worst."

I turned away, my cheeks burning. Rafael chuckled as we left.

"Bro... you could've just said you wanted a peek," he teased, grinning.

"Shut up, Raph."

"Don't worry," he smirked. "Your secret's safe with me."

I rolled my eyes, half-smiling.

We poured ourselves some fermented wine, waiting for her.

Then.... a sudden scream ripped through the air.

It was Seraphina.

Rafael and I locked eyes.

My heart stopped, and without a word, Rafael and I jumped to our feet and dashed towards to the bathroom.