A Cure For The Cursed Alpha

CHAPTER EIGHT

ISABEL'S POV

I could feel the tension in the room as the pack members began to come in for breakfast. My eyes stayed glued to the floor as I moved around, silently serving everyone. I had learned long ago that it was better to remain invisible. To blend into the background as best as I could, disappear completely if possible. That was the only way to avoid getting into trouble. Unfortunately, it wasn’t always that easy. Sometimes trouble follows me and during such times there's nothing I can do to avoid it.

This time was a little different, though. It wasn’t as if they didn’t see or notice me—they did. Their eyes followed me with each step I took. They didn’t talk, but they didn’t need to. I knew what they were thinking, even if they wouldn’t dare say it aloud. It wasn’t about me being the alpha’s new mate, even though that should have mattered to them under normal circumstances. But that wasn’t it. Instead, it was the scene playing out in front of them that was the cause of their discomfort and awkwardness.

Alpha Leo sat at the head of the table as usual, but this time with Erica perched smugly on his lap. They were lost in each other, whispering, laughing, exchanging kisses as though I weren’t even there—like I didn’t exist. Actually, forget me for a second—it was like they were the only people in the room, like no one else was there besides them. My hands clenched around the tray I was carrying, but I forced myself to keep moving. What did I expect? It wasn’t like anyone here cared about my feelings. Then again, if I was being honest, I didn’t really care about what they did. They could go ahead and make babies where they sat, as long as they left me alone. I was just glad they weren’t paying attention to me.

Even though no one said anything, I could feel their eyes on me—some disgusted, some pitying, but all judging. After all, how could the alpha’s mate stand to watch him parade another woman in front of her? I ignored them as best as I could, biting the inside of my cheek to keep the tears from falling. I don’t even know why I’m acting like this. I’m not supposed to care. I don’t even like him. I don’t even want any of this.

Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t expect him to suddenly start caring about me just because he got stuck with me. But it still hurt more than I wanted to admit, watching him be with Erica like this. It wasn’t exactly the betrayal that bothered me—it was the humiliation.

As I approached Alpha Leo and Erica with a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice, I did my best to block out their laughter. But when I leaned forward to pour it, Erica shifted slightly, her foot darting out to trip me before I knew what was happening. I stumbled, my hands slipping, and before I could regain my balance, the jug of juice tumbled, splashing all over them.

For a brief moment, there was silence. I stood rooted in place, my eyes wide in horror as I waited for what would happen next. Surely it couldn’t be anything good. I had just dumped a full jug of orange juice on Alpha Leo. That alone was enough to get me in trouble. Add Erica to the mix, and I had a death sentence. I’m so dead.

Alpha Leo was quiet, his jaw clenched and ticking as he stared down at the stains on his clothes. Then Erica shot to her feet, her hand connecting with my cheek in a sharp, stinging slap. The sound of it echoed through the room, and I could feel all eyes on us, watching as I stood there, frozen.

I could barely register the pain in my cheek as my palms, already scarred, burned, and hurting from hours of work, throbbed painfully. I raised a hand to touch my face where Erica had slapped me, only to find Alpha Leo’s eyes following my movement. For a moment, his eyes stayed glued to my burnt palms, which were nowhere close to healing due to the unfortunate fact that I had no wolf.

For just a moment, his gaze lingered on the burns, and I noticed a flicker of something unrecognizable crossing his face. But whatever it was, it disappeared as quickly as it came, and his expression hardened. He didn't ask, no surprise there. I already expected that.

Erica wasted no time taking advantage of the situation, her voice rising dramatically as she screamed, “You—you dirty little slave! She did it on purpose! I knew she would! She’s so jealous of us, Leo. She can’t stand that I’m the one you want, even after she tricked you into mating with her! She wants to ruin everything!” Her tone was so dramatic, so full of false sincerity, that it made my stomach churn, and I suddenly felt like throwing up—preferably all over her.

Alpha Leo’s frown deepened as he turned his attention to me. “Isabel, what is the meaning of this? I swear there’s a limit to how much of your misbehavior I can take in this house! Ever since you stepped foot into this pack, you’ve been nothing but trouble! You’ve been so lazy and incompetent lately that I don’t even know what to do with you!” he snapped. “You can’t even handle the simplest task anymore. Tell me, what the hell are you good for?”

I bit my lip, forcing myself to remain silent. No matter what he says, I won’t say anything back. I won’t defend myself. He can say whatever he wants—I’ve already heard it all. My silence must have been the final straw because Alpha Leo’s growl suddenly filled the room. He stood, towering over me, causing me to stumble backward. He took two steps in my direction, his eyes flashing dangerously. Even though he hadn’t really hit me before, I still braced myself for a blow. But before he could reach me, he stopped, coming to a sudden halt.

His face contorted in pain, and he clutched his chest, gasping for air. His fingers clawed at his throat as blood started to drip from his nose. The pack members, clearly sensing what was about to happen, scattered, every man for himself. Some rushed to Alpha Leo’s side, trying to help him, while others fled the room in terror, the fear of being attacked or, worse, killed by the cursed beast clearly overpowering their concern for their alpha’s well-being.

I stood frozen, my mouth hanging open, watching in horror as Alpha Leo began to lose control of his beast. His eyes burned with fury as he let out a blood-curdling growl, his body convulsing violently. I gasped and stumbled back, almost falling to the ground. It was happening again. He was transforming.

Alpha Leo spun around with a roar, and my eyes widened in horror when I saw him reach out for Erica, about to grab her by the head.

Oh no.

Erica screamed in fear as she dodged his attempt just in time before turning and running from the room as if her life depended on it. Then again, it actually did. I can’t imagine she would survive if he got his hands on her right now. No matter how much he loved her, he wasn’t himself at the moment. His beast was in control.

I wanted to do the same, but my feet were rooted to the spot as my mind raced with fear and confusion. Alpha Leo’s beast was emerging, and everyone knew what that meant. Destruction. Chaos. Everything wrong you could possibly think of.

Finally, my legs responded, and I turned, running toward the door. I slammed it shut behind me, but even then, I could still hear him—his growls, his roars, the sound of furniture being smashed to pieces, glasses and plates shattering on the floor.

It was all confusing. I didn’t understand why, but each time I heard him roar, something inside me twisted painfully. I shouldn’t care. After everything he’d put me through, after all the pain he caused and is still causing, I had no reason to feel sympathy for him. Yet, for some reason, I did. Because I’m simply stupid!

I tried to leave, tried to walk away so many times, but with each step, my conscience screamed at me, pulling me back. Finally, I gave up. I sank to the floor, sitting with my back against the wall outside the door. And then I waited. I didn’t really know what I was waiting for, but I just was.

That was how Elder Lowell found me.

“Isabel, what’s the matter, child?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. “Where is Alpha Leo?”

I didn’t need to answer. A deafening growl from inside the room was all the reply and explanation he needed. Elder Lowell’s face paled, and he knelt down beside me. “You can’t stay here, Isabel. It’s times like these when he needs you the most. You need to go to him.”

I shook my head, pulling my knees to my chest. “I can’t,” I whispered. "I—I won’t. I don’t want to."

Elder Lowell sighed, his expression softening as he placed a hand on my head. “I understand, Isabel,” he said quietly. “You have no reason to want to help, neither him nor the pack, not after the way they’ve treated you. But please, Isabel, don’t do it for them. Do it for Alpha Henri. You know how much he cared for you. Save his son before he hurts himself. We can’t leave him alone like that in there. He’s bound to harm himself one way or another. Please, my child."

The mention of Alpha Henri made my heart ache. Elder Lowell was completely right. Alpha Henri had always been kind to me, had treated me like a true member of the pack even when no one else had. The thought of him made the pain in my chest even worse. Somehow I felt like I was betraying him. Like I was turning my back on all the kindness that he showed me when he was alive. I suddenly felt like I was letting him down even though he wasn't actually here. I felt like he was still watching, starring down at me and shaking his head in disappointment for my behavior. But still, I hesitated. I just couldn't. I couldn't go in there and put myself at risk for someone who doesn't even deserve it. Someone who isn't even worth the sacrifice. I couldn't.

“Isabel,” Elder Lowell’s voice was gentle, almost pleading. “You’re the only one who can help him. You know that. You have a connection to him—his beast responds to you. You can calm him down.”

Tears filled my eyes, and I buried my face in my knees. “I don’t know if I can do it,” I confessed. “I don’t know if I want to, elder Lowell. I_ I'm scared."

Elder Lowell rested a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You can,” he said. “ You have no reason to be scared, Isabel. And you don’t have to do it for him. Do it for yourself. For your own peace of mind. Surely you wouldn't want to leave the rest of your life feeling the weight of his blood on your conscience. You're are a good person, dear child. You have a pure soul. Don't let anyone or anything for that matter take that away from you. Don't let them turn you into someone you're not. Go, Isabel. You can do this."

I didn’t know if I believed him, but I knew I couldn’t sit there forever. With a deep breath I nodded and I slowly stood, my legs shaking beneath me as I wrapped my arms around myself. I slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The room was a wreck. Broken furniture and shattered glass littered the floor, and in the center of it all was alpha Leo. His body was twisted into a monstrous, half-beast form, furr sticking out of his body, claws activated and his fangs hanging out. His chest heaved with each breath, and his eyes glowed with a wild, uncontrollable rage.

My heart pounded in my chest and I swallowed heavily as I took a step toward him. Then another. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no plan. But I kept walking, each step more terrifying than the last.

When I was close enough, I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Finally, I reached out, tapping him lightly on the back.

Instantly, alpha Leo whirled around, his massive hand grabbing me before I could even react. I screamed, expecting pain, but surprisingly none came. Instead, he pulled me against him, burying his face in my neck. I could feel him inhaling deeply, as if my scent was soothing him somehow. He shoved his face deeper into my neck, groaning in pleasure as he inhaled deeply, causing my eyes to widen in shock even as I stood still, too afraid to make even the slightest move.

It was strange, feeling him so close. Touching me. It felt wired. I quickly recovered from the first shock and tried to pull away, but every time I moved, his grip tightened. He let out a low growl, a warning for me to stay still as he pulled me deeper into him, letting out another growl of pleasure, almost as if he was drunk on it.

Oh Goddess. What is he doing? Why is he doing this?

In the end, I had no choice but to stay there, pressed uncomfortably against his chest, hoping that he would calm down and let me go soon.

I was no fool. I knew just how much alpha Leo dispised me and I knew there was no way he would let me this close to him if he was in his right mind. The only reason he was holding me like this was because he was currently out of it and the moment he returned to himself it will all be over.

I hope that is soon.