The Cursed Alpha King's Mate

Chapter 14

Isla

"An hour?" I repeated numbly, my voice a ghost of itself. How could I pack a lifetime into a single hour? How could I prepare myself for a future shrouded in shadows and uncertainty? I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribcage like a wild thing desperate for escape. My lips parted, but no sound emerged, just a silent scream trapped within the confines of my throat. The horror of his demand clawed at me, tearing through the facade of composure I struggled to maintain.

"Alpha King, I—" I stuttered out, not really sure what I was going to say. Not that it mattered, it was clear that the monster had no interest in listening.

"Silence!" His interruption sliced through the room. My body jolted, an involuntary response to the authority that rolled off him in waves. I could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy and unyielding, pressing me down. My mind raced, thoughts scattered by the sheer impossibility of what he asked. Move to the pack? To live among those who saw me as less than them, as merely a weak, pathetic human? It was different here. I knew that my family and my pack loved me for who I am. But the Sovereign Claw pack was a different place. And I doubted they would see beyond what I was, or more what I wasn’t.

And that wasn’t even going to be the worst of it. I glanced over at the man who claimed a right to me and my life. A shudder racked through me, and I wrapped my arms around myself as if to ward off the chill of his dominance. The thought of being so close to him, under his control, it was both terrifying and... an ache blossomed deep inside me, stirring embers I didn't dare acknowledge. Something crossed his eyes as I looked up at him and he stepped closer, the heat of his body a stark contrast to the cold dread filling my chest.

"You have no choice in this, Isla." His voice was softer now, but no less commanding, my name on his tongue wrapping around me like a dark caress.

"Please," I whispered, the word slipping out before I could bite it back. "This isn't fair."

"Fairness is a human concept," he replied, his breath a hot whisper against my ear. "In my world, you do as your Alpha commands." I turned away, the room blurring as tears pricked at my eyes. I would not let him see them fall. I could not allow him, or anyone else to have proof of the weakness that they see in me. The Alpha King’s towering frame loomed over me from behind, a dark silhouette edged with the dying light from the window. I could feel the heat from his body and the weight of his gaze, heavy and unyielding. There was attention in him, like he was waiting for me to speak, to submit, and we stood like that for what felt like hours, but I knew it was merely seconds.

I felt more than heard the sigh that escaped his lips. It was filled with sadness, like it wasn’t him that was destroying everything that I held in my life. I missed the heat of his body the moment he stepped away and could almost tell the mask that fell across his persona as he turned away from me and towards my family.

"Make the necessary preparations," he growled at my father, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the room. "I expect her transition to be smooth." I turned in time to see my father nodding, his expression unreadable.

"As you wish, Alpha," he said, his voice betraying none of the storm I knew raged within him.

“I have my own preparations to make,” the Alpha King said, “I trust I can use your office to do so.” I had to hold back the scoff that threatened to spill from my lips. He wanted to make preparations for my life, like it was nothing more than an inconvenience. My father shot me a warning look, seeing how I wanted to speak out again, before forcing a smile to his face and nodding to the Alpha King.

“Of course Alpha,” he said, his voice strained, “My home is at your request.”

“Very well,” The Alpha King replied. I felt his eyes on me again for a brief moment before he turned on his heel and marched toward the door, each step a pronouncement of his authority and power. The room seemed to shrink with his departure, the air growing thin as if he took all the oxygen with him. I could help but to turn and watch, my heart pounding a desperate rhythm against my ribs.

"Remember your place, my little mate," he commanded without looking back, his words slicing through me like a blade. “One hour.”

The door closed behind him with a finality that echoed in the cavernous space of my chest. My thoughts were a whirlwind, treacherous and wild. The idea of submitting to him, of being part of his world, sent shivers crawling across my skin. It was a mixture of terror and an inexplicable yearning, an attraction to the darkness I couldn't quite shake off.

"An hour," I whispered again, more to myself than to anyone else. In sixty minutes, the fabric of my existence would be altered. I looked up at my family, trying to will the tears that threatened to fall away. I tried to force a smile on my face but the look of desperate sadness painted on the faces of each of my family members made even that impossible. Instead, I grimaced.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I was already packing,” I said, my voice raw with the tears I refused to show. My stepmother rushed over to me and pulled me into a hug.

“Oh Isla, sweet child,” she said as she stroked my hair. “I am so sorry this is happening.” She pulled away from me to look at my face and I could see her own face was stained with tears.

“Don’t worry mum,” I said, “I am stronger than they think, I will be alright.” She was about to respond but then I saw her expression change and her eyes clouded over, signalling that she was in a mind link. I looked around the room and saw my father with the same clouded eyes. I glanced at my sister who had her own smile painted on her face.

“What is going on?” I asked and my sister shook her head.

“Don’t worry little sister,” she said. “We are not going to let you go without a fight.”

“A fight?” My eyes widened at what she was saying. “What do you mean? There isn’t any other choice.”

“Yes there is,” my father said, his eyes clearing from the link. I looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“We leave,” he said as he looked around the room, “All of us, right now, while they are busy making their preparations.”

“Dad, no,” I said, fear clawing into my stomach, “It’s too dangerous. If any of you are caught with this, then he will have you killed. I can’t allow that.”

“Sweetheart, I suspect that we are already going to have a severe punishment for having you here. I refuse to allow that man to take away what is mine.” He stepped towards me and met my eyes. There in his eyes I could see the fierce and protective Alpha and father that I knew.

“Isla, you have to understand,” my sister said, “I don’t want my pup to grow up not knowing her amazing aunt Isla. And I don’t want her to go to your funeral either.” I felt the tears pricking my eyes again, and I smiled at my sister. I could see the pain in her eyes and the matching one in Niall’s, her husband and mate as he stepped forward to wrap an arm around her shoulders. For a moment I felt a pang of jealousy. I had never dreamed of having my own fated mate, being human made me think that it just wasn’t possible. I envied my parents and my sister when I saw how they were. But here I was, getting my wish of a soul mate and the pain that came along with it. Maybe I should have been more careful with my wishes.

I looked around at my family, and my best frond, Cassie, and smiled. They were right, of course. Family was the most important thing in the world. I closed my eyes and nodded.

“Okay,” I said. I opened my eyes again and smiled at my father. “Whatever it takes, right?” He smiled and nodded before pulling me into a hug.

“You, your sister and your mother are the most important ones to me. I will do anything to keep you all safe.” I knew in his heart that he was telling the truth. I knew my father would lay his life on the line for us. And I knew I would do the same. Whatever it took to keep my family safe.