Kissed By The Curse

I didn't sleep.

How could I?

My wolf paced inside me all nde me all night, restless and wild in a way that made my skin feel too tight. The pull in my chest hadn't faded. If anything, it had gotten stronger. A constant tug toward the main house, toward him.

I pressed my pillow over my face and tried to breathe.

This couldn't be real. Jasper Hale couldn't be my mate. The Moon Goddess wouldn't be that cruel.

Except she would. She cursed me the moment I was born, so why not finish the job?

By the time dawn broke, I had given up on rest. My body ached from exhaustion, but lying there was worse. I dragged myself out of bed, splashed cold water on my face from the basin, and pulled on the cleanest shirt I had. It still smelled like soap and hard work, but it would have to do.

The estate was already buzzing with activity when I stepped outside. Wolves moved in and out of the main house, preparing for the Alpha King's arrival. Vanessa stood near the entrance, barking orders at anyone within earshot. She looked perfect, as always. Hair sleek, dress fitted, every inch of her screaming power and confidence.

I kept my head down and slipped past her toward the kitchens.

"Quinn!"

I flinched. Stopped.

She turned, her sharp eyes locking onto me like a predator spotting prey. "Where do you think you're going?"

"The kitchens," I said quietly. "To help with-"

"No." She walked toward me, heels clicking. "You're not going anywhere near the main hall today. In fact, stay out of sight entirely. We have important guests, and I won't have you embarrassing this pack."

My jaw tightened, but I didn't argue. What was the point?

"Understood," I muttered.

She smiled, cold and satisfied. "Good. Now disappear."

I turned and walked away before she could say anything else.

Fine. I would stay out of sight. That was easy enough. I had been doing it my whole life.

I spent the morning in the stables, mucking out stalls and trying not to think about the ceremony happening without me. The council would greet the Alpha King formally. There would be speeches, alliances discussed, and respect exchanged. None of it involved me.

But the pull didn't stop.

It burned hotter as the hours passed, like something inside me was trying to claw its way out. My wolf whined and pushed at the edges of my control. She wanted to go to him. Needed to.

I gritted my teeth and kept working.

By midday, I couldn't take it anymore. I abandoned the stables and made my way to the far edge of the estate, where the old trees grew thick and the pack rarely went. It was quiet here. Peaceful. The only place I could breathe without feeling like the walls were closing in.

I sat down beneath one of the trees and leaned back against the trunk, closing my eyes.

"Running away?"

My eyes snapped open.

He stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching me with an expression I couldn't read.

Jasper Hale.

The Alpha King.

My mate.

He was taller than I expected. Broader. His presence filled the space like a storm about to break. Dark hair, sharp jawline, eyes so intense they pinned me in place. He wore all black, simple, but somehow it made him look even more dangerous.

I scrambled to my feet, heart hammering.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was-"

"Relax." His voice was low, rough around the edges. "I'm not here to punish you for sitting under a tree."

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say. What to do. He was the Alpha King. I was nothing. This didn't make sense.

He took a step closer, and the pull flared so violently I had to lock my knees to stay upright.

His eyes narrowed. "You feel it too."

It wasn't a question.

I didn't answer. Couldn't. My throat had gone dry.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Quinn," I managed. "Quinn Blackwood."

Something flickered across his face. Surprise, maybe. Or recognition.

"Blackwood," he repeated slowly. "I thought that line died out."

"Almost," I said quietly. "Just me now."

He studied me for a long moment, and I felt exposed under his gaze. Like he could see every scar, every bruise, every piece of me I tried to keep hidden.

"You're an omega," he said finally.

I nodded.

"And yet..." He trailed off, frowning. "Your wolf. There's something else there."

I blinked. "What?"

He stepped closer again, and this time I couldn't move. The bond wrapped around us like a living thing, pulling tighter with every breath.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "But I feel it."

My wolf surged forward, desperate to close the distance. To touch him. To claim him.

I shoved her back down, panic rising in my chest.

"This can't happen," I whispered.

His expression darkened. "Why not?"

"Because-" I gestured helplessly at myself, at him, and at the space between us. "Look at me. Look at you. This doesn't make sense."

"The bond doesn't care about sense," he said flatly.

"But the pack does." My voice cracked. "Your council does. They would never accept this. Never accept me."

He didn't argue. He just stood there, jaw tight, eyes burning into mine.

"I didn't come here looking for a mate," he said after a long silence.

"I didn't ask to be one," I shot back.

His mouth twitched. Almost a smile, but not quite.

"What do you want me to do, Quinn?" he asked, and there was something raw in his voice now. Something almost vulnerable. "Walk away? Pretend this doesn't exist?"

Yes. That was exactly what I wanted.

But my wolf howled in protest, clawing at my insides.

"I don't know," I admitted.

He took another step forward, close enough now that I could feel the heat coming off him. Close enough that my wolf went silent, satisfied just to be near him.

"I should go," I said, even though I didn't move.

"You should," he agreed.

Neither of us moved.

His hand lifted, hesitant, and brushed against my cheek. The touch was light, barely there, but it sent a shock through my entire body. My wolf purred. My knees went weak.

"This is a mistake," I whispered.

"Probably," he murmured.

And then his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was nothing like I imagined a first kiss would be. It wasn't soft or sweet or gentle. It was desperate and consuming and fierce, like he was trying to devour me and I was letting him. My hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer even though every logical part of my brain screamed at me to stop.

The bond roared to life, snapping into place so violently it nearly brought me to my knees.

Mate. Mate. Mate.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"Come to my room tonight," he said, his voice rough.

I should have said no. Should have run.

But I didn't.

"Okay," I whispered.

He stepped back, his eyes still locked on mine, and I saw the war happening behind them. The same war is happening inside me.

Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees.

I stood there alone, hand pressed to my mouth, heart racing.

What had I just agreed to?