Chapter 2

Alpha Roman’s POV

This century’s mate trials were charged. They’d become a tourist attraction, wolves from far away lands tuned in to our channels, watched, voted for and placed bets on contestants.

I stepped out of the shower, towel in hand, wiping my wet hair.

“Come on babe.’’ Jenny, lying on my bed naked, staring at me seductively, called for me. I walked over to her, throwing my towel down.

“Princess.’’ I teased her, touching her soft skin while I climbed into bed. Jenny was my call girl, better yet, a woman hoping she’d get picked one day. However, I’d made it clear the only women who had a chance with me are those who sign up for the mate trials. Those who fight and kill in my name.

“I like it when you call me that, Alpha.’’ Jenny said, licking her lip. Her hand stretched to touch my member. I’d already been hard coming from the shower-courtesy of a not so innocent dream.

“Did you dream about me again?’’ Jenny asked, licking my neck. I hummed, letting her believe this mysterious woman who belonged to me in my dreams, was here.

Month after month, I had the same dream. A girl whose touch made me shiver. Having her in my arms, her naked body beneath me, writhing, shaking, begging me to fuck her, it was my undoing. She was everything I wanted. I was a cursed Alpha. I can’t have a mate, none of the Alphas in my family can. So, every hundred years, we throw a mate trial and secretly forge a spell that would make the winner my new mate. It’s the only way to ensure I’m not consumed by the urges of my wolf.

“Tell me about the dream again babe.’’ She whispered while I lay on my back. She straddled me, positioning her pussy right against the head of my cock. My fingers were folded into a fist, I hated that word, ‘babe’. She clearly had the wrong idea about all this.

This was purely politics. I was playing the long game with the girl, looking to get support and an army from her powerful father by pretending to have given a chance to this joke of a relationship. The only good thing about Jenny was that she understood the vitality of the mate trials. She also didn’t care who I slept with, as long as she’d always be my number one.

“Come on babe, tell me..’’ She whined, biting my ear, sinking herself down on my cock.

I let out a low growl as she moved, feeling her warmth envelop me. Jenny was skilled, and she knew how to keep me distracted—but not from everything.

The dream lingered like an ache I couldn’t soothe, vivid even now. That mysterious woman with her wild hair, fiery eyes, and untouchable allure. Her face was blurred, yet the sensation of her was seared into my soul. I could never tell Jenny the truth of it, though. She wouldn’t understand, nor did I want her to.

"It’s always the same," I muttered, my tone edged with irritation as she started to move against me. My hands gripped her hips, steadying her. "A woman I’ve never met but know better than anyone. She’s mine."

"Yours?" Jenny laughed softly, leaning forward to press her lips against my neck. "I’m yours, Alpha. Maybe your dreams are trying to tell you something." Her voice was sultry, her words dripping with self-assured possession, as though she truly believed she could hold that title.

"You’re not her," I said bluntly, my eyes narrowing as she froze, her confidence faltering for a split second. I didn’t care if the words stung. Jenny needed reminders, lines she couldn’t cross.

Her smile returned quickly, but it was forced. "Maybe not," she said, a little too casually. She rolled her hips again, trying to regain control. "But I’m here now. Isn’t that enough?"

It wasn’t. It never would be.

The tension in the air thickened, but I ignored it. Instead, I let my mind drift, imagining her. The woman who haunted my nights, whose voice whispered promises I couldn’t grasp. Every movement Jenny made paled in comparison, but for now, she served her purpose.

Jenny leaned down, her lips grazing my jaw. "Whoever she is," she said, her voice low, "she’s not here. I am." Her words were a challenge, but I didn’t rise to it. Instead, I grabbed her wrist, stopping her movement.

"Enough," I said, my voice firm. The playful smirk she’d worn earlier faltered, and I pushed her off me gently but decisively. She huffed, rolling to the side, clearly displeased.

"You’re always like this," she muttered, lying back against the pillows. "Lost in your head, thinking about someone who doesn’t even exist."

I didn’t respond. I stood, grabbing my discarded towel and wrapping it around my waist. The cool air was a welcome contrast to the heat of the moment.

Jenny propped herself up on one elbow, her expression shifting from frustration to curiosity. "You’re going to make this difficult for yourself, you know that? Whoever she is, if she’s out there, you’ll ruin her. Alphas like you don’t get fairytales."

Her words were sharper than she probably intended, but I didn’t flinch. She wasn’t wrong. Fairytales weren’t written for cursed Alphas with no true mate.

Turning away, I ran a hand through my damp hair. "I have a public appearance and a speech in a few minutes. " I said, changing the subject. "Focus on what you’re here for. That’s the only thing that matters."

Jenny sighed, her disappointment evident, but she didn’t push further. She knew better than to test my patience.

As I left the room, her final words hung in the air like a challenge.

"You can run from your dreams, Alpha," she called after me. "But they’ll catch up to you eventually. And when they do, I’ll be here to remind you who was by your side all along."

I don’t look back.

I walk down the hall, finding my beta waiting for me. “What are the stakes?”

“Eloise is still at the top. If anything, she’s risen higher. People now call her the rightful queen. They believe her to be the chosen one, a special Luna sent by the moon goddess to rule the lands,” he explains, those very words irritating me.

I step out, all the cameras are set. Today’s announcements are as dreadful as ever. Eloise is a constant tick, eating away like a parasite. I can’t let this happen any longer.

My presence commands attention. The moment I step on the podium, the noises die down. All eyes turn to me. The directions signal, cameras set on me.

I glance at Malia. She’s been the girl so desperate for my attention. Yet, her best friend is the only girl in the trials I can’t break. She’s the one I want, not for myself, but to make suffer. Eloise Williams represents everything I’ve lost. Her and her family come from a long line of powerful abominations of nature. The very curse planted on the werewolf race. They’ve caused my family’s downfall 300 years ago, often returning to the shadows when not needed.

"My loyal subjects," I begin, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to all contestants who have shown such dedication in fighting for the honor of becoming my mate. This is a sacred tradition, one that ensures our future queen possesses not just beauty, but the strength and cunning needed to rule at my side. Each participant has shown remarkable courage, and I commend them all."

The contestants cheer my name, each hoping to get noticed. It isn’t pride that makes me this way, it’s the understanding that I can’t possibly get to know each contestant personally. None of them deserve my attention unless they earn it. I’ve had to earn everything I have. I’ve toiled, struggled, dug myself out of the grave, just to be here today.

"The leading contestants have proven themselves exceptional warriors." My eyes gleam as I begin listing names. "Malia of the Northern Pack, Sarah of the Coastal Tribes, Rebecca from the Mountain Clans..."

I can see everyone hold their breath, waiting. Eloise is the name everyone is anticipating.

"And of course, our longest-surviving contestant, Eloise of the Valley Pack."

Cheers erupt from the rest of the girls as Eloise steps up. She’s worked so well that even her fellow competitors adore her. All except one—her best friend, Malia.

My heart flutters at the thought of what will happen. I anticipate this kill for 300 years. Eloise is the girl who took everything from me. Whether she remembers it or not, she’ll pay for it.

I tip my head, giving Malia the signal she needs. She’s like a loyal dog, waiting on its master.

The attack comes without warning. Malia moves with speed, her dagger finding its mark before anyone can react. The blade plunges into Eloise's chest, and I watch as the girl looks back at her best friend in heartbreak and shock.

Finally, a 300-year-old vendetta is closed off.

In the hallways, my guards and I go over security details for the girls' dorm rooms. I plan to open the mate trials to new competitors, given this is the final round. I’m in a good mood.

My father once told me to kill that which killed me. Today, I do just that. Eloise Williams is gone. I’m free of the curse she imposed. I can control my wolf now. I’m free.

Her family arrives quickly to talk to Eloise before she takes her last breath. I want to be there, to see the heartbreak on their faces and remember that they each deserve it, even though they don’t know it.

The Williams family is a secret kept by nature itself.

While I walk in to talk to the sister, Jackline Williams, my heart stops the second I see her. Our eyes meet, and 300 years of pain and anguish crash back into me.

It’s her. She’s still alive. But how?

I killed her.