The Alpha's Cursed Heart

am still your Alpha!" Zach's voice thundered through the

o can't shift into his wolf form? Tell me, Zach, how long do you think the pack will ke

filled with doubt and unease. Zach could feel it pressing against him, suffocating him. H

t filled with authority. "I've kept us safe, haven't I? I've fought for e

it carried weight, laced with frustration and something close to pity. "How are we

s in the crowd. His sharp glare sliced in

ind rustling through the trees, carrying with it the faint scen

. "I just want what's best for the pack," he

in his anger. "So do I, Marcus. But

ngered like a storm cloud. Zach watched them go, h

" came a deep, gravelly

s presence as commanding as ever. The old wolf carried himself wi

bitterly. "I'm sure they're all b

ous. "Leadership isn't about making everyone happy, Z

ry line of his face. "It's hard to lead when they don't even belie

s curse-" He paused, his voice lowering. "It's more than just a sha

owing. "A test? What the he

er. "The curse wasn't just placed on you, Zach. It was placed on the entire pack. You breaking i

aving the words ha

d. "What aren't you

hings you're not ready to hear yet. But you will be, soon en

e room. Lyorine Josephine sat in the far corner, a hood pulled low over her face. She was nu

he air around her seemed to hum with energy, an

rying to belong. She w

he felt it-a presence, strong and comma

Kil

ing the doorway. His dark eyes swept over the room, landing

d her with the confidence of someo

, though his tone made it clea

utral. "Depends. Are you here to talk, or to threat

irk. "I guess that depends on how co

"Bold of you to assum

I came here asking for

like a live wire. Finally, Lyorine sighed, gesturing to the chair acro

e weight of his presence, the barely-contained power simmering beneath the su

Zach said, cutting s

That's the only reason people ever

It's about my pack. My people. They're in danger because of t

ng him. "And why would I do

ulnerability in his eyes. "Because I think you're part of this

ghtening around her glass. "I don

You don't even remember who you really are, do you? But I think you want

kly masked it with a scoff. "That's a pretty

. And whether you believe me or not, we're running out of time

e, but the weight of his wor

nd racing. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll help you. But if you're lying

flickering across hi

air was cool and crisp, the moon ca

hing," Lyorine said sudden

at her. "What

tting on," she said, her voice sharp. "I'm not stu

re right. There is more. But it's not s

want my help, you're going to have to trust me.

ble. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. I'll t

Instead, she started walking again, her th

the shadows seemed to close in arou

wolf howled-a lonely, mournful so