The Cursed Alpha King’s Forbidden Obsession

“Why the frown, darling?” Alpha Greval’s voice was dripping with false concern.

In the middle of their lavish wedding, Zariyania tried to keep her composure. Anger rippled through her like a tidal wave. She glared at Greval with a look that could have set fire to the walls around her.

“Save the act, Greval,” she hissed.

Greval chuckled, leaning in closer. “Oh, Zariyania, don’t be so dramatic. We’re a perfect match. A symbol of strength.”

“A symbol of your control, you mean. I know about your affairs. The whole pack does.” Each word was edged with a fierce intensity.

“And? What are you going to do about it? You’re mine now, whether you like it or not.”

“I don’t belong to you. I’ll never be your trophy.”

Greval’s playful demeanor was slipping. “Watch your tone, Zariyania. You’re here because you need me. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

She met his gaze defiantly. “I’d rather endure this than pretend to love a liar and a cheater.”

He grabbed her arm, pulling her close. “You will play your part. Smile for the cameras, be the perfect wife. Or else…” he whispered harshly.

Zariyania wrenched her arm free. “You’re a coward, Greval. You can try to control me, but you’ll never break me.”

"Well, too bad, here we are. The union that saves your people,” Alpha Greval mocked.

“This isn't a union. It's a bargain, and you know it."

"Call it whatever you want. Your clan needed protection, and I provided it. Now you're mine."

"Forcing me into this doesn't make it right. You might have saved my people, but you've condemned me to a life with you!”

“A small price to pay, don't you think? Your clan survives, and I get the perfect Luna by my side."

Her eyes flared with fury, her face flushed as if she were burning from the inside out.

"Perfect?" She almost laughed. "You mean obedient. Someone to show off while you continue your affairs."

“And what can you do about it? This is the price of your clan's safety. Play your role, Zariyania, or they suffer."

“You're unbelievable, using people's lives to manipulate me. But don't think for a second that I will ever care for you."

Greval's face hardened. "Care? I don't need your care. Just your cooperation. Remember, every smile and every act of defiance affects your clan."

“I won't be your puppet, Greval. You can force me into this marriage, but you'll never control me."

“We'll see. Just remember why you're here. Your clan's safety depends on your obedience."

As he walked away, mingling with the guests, Zariyania felt a mix of rage and helplessness. Every muscle in her body was taut with fury. Her fists trembled as she struggled to contain the storm inside. Silently, she vowed, "This may save my clan, but I will find a way out of this, and you'll regret ever forcing me into this marriage, Greval."

As the night settled over the estate, the celebration continued. The sounds of laughter and music echoed through the halls, but Zariyania felt isolated.

Greval was also nowhere to be found. She retreated to her room, hoping for a moment of peace. However, her temporary relief was short-lived.

From down the corridor, she saw a woman coming out of Greval’s room. Zariyania’s heart sank as the realization hit her. Greval was already indulging in his infidelities, even on their wedding night.

The woman's lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Well, if it isn't the bride herself. Enjoying your new role, Zariyania?" Her tone oozed with mockery.

Zariyania straightened, masking her unease with defiance. "Enjoying your new role as a mistress?”

The woman laughed, a harsh, taunting sound. "How does it feel, knowing you're not enough for Greval? That even on your wedding night, he needs someone else?"

Zariyania's jaw tightened. “What Greval does is his business. I have no illusions about him."

“No illusions, huh? Yet here you are, trying to play the perfect wife while everyone knows the truth. Greval's already bored with you, darling. It's only been one night, and he's already back to his old habits."

Zariyania's fists clenched at her sides. "And you think you're so special? Just another fling for him to use and discard."

“Maybe. But at least I know my place. Unlike you, trying to play the devoted wife. Face it, Zariyania, you’re never going to be enough for him. You're just a pretty face to parade around, nothing more."

“I’d rather be true to myself than lower myself to your level!”

The woman stepped closer. "True to yourself? You mean deceiving yourself. Greval needs excitement, something you clearly can't provide. That's why he comes to me and not you."

“You're nothing but a distraction. He'll get tired of you, just like he does with everyone."

“We'll see about that. But for now, enjoy playing the role of the dutiful wife. Just know that while you're pretending, Greval and I will be having real fun."

With a final, mocking glance, the woman turned and walked away, her laughter echoing down the corridor. Zariyania stood there, seething with anger and frustration.

But she has to remember that her determination to find the woman who killed her mother shouldn’t be affected by Greval’s disrespect. So, the very next day, she had summoned her allies.

“Any update on Rasia?” Zariyania asked in a hard tone.

Diego sighed heavily. “We were able to track her in Grezanda Forest, but now, we’ve lost all traces of her. It seems someone is protecting her. Someone who’s more powerful. Rasia is from the lowest rank of black witches, so finding her should have been straightforward."

Zariyania’s eyes narrowed. “Rasia is just a low-ranking black witch. Who would bother protecting her?”

“We still don’t have any idea who it is. But whoever it is, they’re not just hiding her. They’re actively covering her tracks. It’s as if they want to keep us from finding her.”

One of the scouts, Elena, stepped forward. “We did find something odd, though. There are traces of magic at the last known location, stronger than what Rasia is capable of. Someone of a much higher rank must be involved.”

Zariyania’s expression hardened. “Then we need to dig deeper. Find out who it is and why they’re protecting her. This can’t be just about Rasia.”

Diego nodded. “We’re expanding our search, but it’s risky. Whoever is shielding her might not take kindly to us poking around.”

“Let them come,” Zariyania said coldly. “I’m not afraid of them. This isn’t just about revenge. It’s about justice for my mother and protecting others from Rasia’s kind.”

“We’ll keep investigating. You don’t need to worry.”

Zariyania shook her head. “No, I need to worry. This is personal. My mother’s death has haunted me for years, and I won’t rest until I find Rasia and whoever’s protecting her. Keep me informed of every lead, no matter how small.”

After the meeting with her allies, Zariyania felt the need to clear her mind. She wandered through the estate’s corridors while her thoughts were a whirlwind of plans.

Her footsteps eventually led her to the basement. She quietly explored it. She noticed a large door at the end of the hallway. It was unusual, much more secure than any door she had seen in the estate. As she inspected the area, she noticed a small, almost invisible button on the wall beside the door.

Taking a deep breath, Zariyania pressed the button. There was a soft click, followed by the grinding sound of gears. The door slowly slid open, revealing a dimly lit room.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed in the room.

“Greval? Is that you?”

Zariyania froze, her eyes widening in shock as she saw a figure in the shadows. As she stepped closer, the figure became clearer. It was a woman.

Zariyania’s breath caught in her throat as recognition dawned on her.

“Rasia,” she whispered, hardly believing her eyes.

The scene before her felt unreal, like a terrible dream she couldn’t escape. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing, unable to accept the shocking reality.

“No… this isn’t true…” A trembling sigh escaped her lips. The shock hit her with such force that tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

Suddenly, Greval appeared in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on Zariyania with an authoritative glare. "What are you doing here, Zariyania?!" he demanded.

"Greval!" Rasia exclaimed as she rushed towards him, embracing him as if she had not seen her husband in ages.

Zariyania was stunned, unable to even breathe as she watched them so intimately connected. She stumbled back a step, her legs feeling weak and unsteady as if they might give way at any moment. The world seemed to tilt around her.

"Why is she here? She will kill me! Please, get rid of her, Greval! You promised you would protect me from her!" Rasia pleaded, shooting Zariyania a fearful look.

Zariyania’s voice wavered with disbelief and pain. "You’ve had her here all this time? You’ve been protecting that murderer knowing we’ve been desperately searching for her! How could you betray us like this? How could you do this to me?”

“Enough, Zariyania! Just get out of here! You shouldn’t be here in the first place!” Greval growled.

“No! You fucking monster! I’ll kill that murderer!”

Just as she was about to unleash her fury, Greval moved with lightning speed, stepping between them and catching her wrist.

“No! You can’t kill her!” he shouted.

“Let me go, Greval! She deserves to pay for what she did! I will kill her! She deserves to die! Worse than what she did to my mother!”

Greval tightened his hold. “Not like this, Zariyania. This isn’t the way.”

It was then that the realization dawned on Zariyania like a cold, hard slap. The way Greval held Rasia, the concern in his eyes, the way Rasia clung to him. It all made sense now.

She pulled her arm free from Greval’s grasp, stumbling back a step. “She’s your mate,” Zariyania whispered. “You’ve been protecting her because she’s your mate.”

He didn’t deny it, and that silence was more telling than any words could have been.

She turned and walked out of the basement, feeling as though her entire world had collapsed.

“How did she know I’m here, Greval?” Rasia cried on his chest.

Greval tried his best to stop himself from running after Zariyania. He felt as if the ground was slipping away beneath him. He knew there was no way to undo the damage now. His usual authority was replaced by a sense of helplessness. The secret he had been hiding was out, and he was left with nothing but the heavy weight of his own failure.

“I’m sorry. The guards must have not noticed her. Don’t worry. I promise. You’ll be safe here.” He forced a smile.

“How long do I have to wait before you kill that woman?”

“You just have to trust me. I already married her as part of my plan. I have to get the full trust of her whole family, including her. I promise you, you’re gonna be able to see her cold, dead body soon enough. I’ll do everything for you, Rasia…” he stopped, swallowing hard. “because you’re my mate. Just trust me.”

“I trust you, Greval, because I love you…”

Greval sighed. “I love you, too. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry about anything.” He planted a kiss on her forehead before he left the basement while his mind filled with confusion and dread. He stumbled in his room, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey, desperately gulping down the burning liquid to escape the turmoil in his mind. The more he drank, the more numb he felt, trying to drown his fears.

As the alcohol began to take hold, he found himself wandering through the hallways. The scent of Zariyania drew him closer, a sweet, intoxicating aroma that stirred something deep within him. He was drawn to her room, unable to resist the magnetic pull of her presence.

When he opened the door, he was struck by the sight of Zariyania lying on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles. The sight of her so vulnerable and alone made his chest tighten with a mix of sorrow and desire.

The scent of her, now alluring, intensified his already unclear senses. His wolf roared to life, driven by a fierce longing he couldn’t ignore.

“No. Stop. This isn’t right. I should stop. Stay down. I can’t lose control,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

His wolf howled, a sound that resonated with a deep, ancient hunger. With a guttural growl escaping his lips, his hands, trembling and clawed, reached out for her. His last bit of control shattered as he positioned himself above her.

Zariyania stirred from her drunken slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, but the haze of alcohol clouded her perception.

Her body reacted, shifting and moaning softly. “Who… are you?”

“Zari…” Greval whispered.

“I-I need this,” she mumbled, her words tinged with frustration and a desperate desire to escape her current state. “I want to forget. I just want to feel something else. Please, help me forget…”

She writhed beneath him, her movements both eager and disoriented. “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t stop… I want this.”

The sound of her moans only fueled his wolf’s desire. The last traces of his control faded completely. He found himself lost in her moans as he took her.

The next morning, Greval woke up with a pounding headache. The effects of last night’s drinking were still heavy on his mind. As sunlight filled the room, he began to realize what had really happened. The memories of their wild night came back clearly, leaving him feeling horrified.

With a mix of anger and panic, he roughly grabbed Zariyania’s arm, shaking her awake. She jolted up, her dizzy, disoriented gaze met his furious face.

“Did something happen? Answer me, damn it!” he demanded.

Zariyania just stared at him in shock.

His eyes closed tightly in frustration as he released her arm. “Why did you let it happen?” The devastation in his voice was palpable.

“I—I was drunk…” Zariyania stammered.

“I was fucking drunk, too, Zariyania!” Greval snapped back. “You should have stopped me! What if you get pregnant? A child with you is the worst thing that could happen!”

Tears began streaming down her face. “So you think a child with me is an abomination?”

“Yes!” Greval shot back. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I can’t be responsible for this. I can’t!”

“What are you talking about? What’s so wrong about us having a child?” Zariyania pleaded, trying to understand.

“You don’t understand the consequences! This shouldn’t have happened! It’s fucking wrong! Do you understand?” Greval shouted, his frustration mounting.

“What consequences? Why are you being so harsh?” she cried out.

“Because this situation is dangerous! And I can’t fix it! I thought I could manage, but clearly, I was wrong! This could have serious repercussions!”

Her tears flowed freely. “Why? Is it because of Rasia? Because of your murderer mate?! You regret marking someone who’s not your mate?! Is that it?! But you married me! I’m your wife!”

“I didn’t want any of this to happen, and now we’re stuck with a problem I can’t easily solve.”

“But what if I get pregnant? What would you do?” Zariyania challenged him.

Greval stared directly into her eyes, his expression hardening. “I’ll kill it. Make sure you won’t be pregnant, Zariyania. I’ll kill it myself if I find out you’re pregnant.” He shot her a look full of disappointment before he left.

As he stormed out of Zariyania’s room, anger and regret were slowly killing him. He ended up going to his father, seeking comfort as he was helpless.

“Greval, what brings you here?” Demetrico, his father, asked.

Greval’s tears started escaping. “I-I marked her, Father…”

Demetrico’s face paled as fear filled his eyes. “No… why did you fucking do that?! You know how dangerous this is, Greval!

“I-It was so hard to control my wolf. I was so drunk. I didn’t know what I was doing. When I went to her room last night and her scent filled my nose, I could no longer stop my wolf. I’d die if I won’t be able to have a taste of her… and it happened…”

“Son, our family carries a dark curse. If we mark the woman we love, it can kill her! Have you forgotten about it?!”

“I’ve never forgotten about it, Father…” Greval’s voice weakened.

“Then why did you let this happen?! Our bloodline has lived with this burden for hundreds of years. Any woman we love will die once she turns 30 years old if she returns our love. Worse things can happen if we mark them! Your mother… she was so full of life, so vibrant. But her love for me became her death before I even learned about our curse. If only I had known earlier, I would have never fallen in love with her or with anyone! You should have stopped yourself from falling for Zariyania, Greval!”

“Did you think I wanted to fall in love after learning about our curse? God knows how much I tried to stop it, but it’s too strong! Zariyania is my life!”

“You are aware of the rules of the curse! We can’t mark the woman we love, and they shouldn’t reciprocate our love! The worst risk is if she gets pregnant, it can lead to her death and the child will suffer! You fucking know that, Greval! But what did you do?! Zariyania is now at risk because of what has happened between you two! Six years from now, Zariyania will turn 30! The signs of the curse will then start to show! No matter how much you try to protect her, the curse would always cast a shadow over your love. And this is the reality of our life, Greval. Love is not for us!”

“I-I’ll try to seek advice from Rasia. She must know what to do.”

“You must be careful around Rasia. Once she finds out that you’re just using her, she can ruin you with her dark magic, Greval.”

“I know what I’m doing, Father. Rasia thinks that I’m protecting her. I’ve earned her trust already. She’s falling in love with me. I lied about her being my mate and that I'll marry her. I’m doing this for Zariyania.”

“That black witch is powerful, Greval. Make sure you know what you’re doing. What if Zariyania finds out that you’re hiding her? Things will be much more complicated if that happens!”

Greval dropped his gaze to the floor. “She already knew…”

“What?!” Demetrico exclaimed in disbelief.

“S-She went to the basement. I didn't expect this would happen, Father. She saw Rasia and now, she thinks I’m protecting Rasia from her. She thinks I’m… in love with Rasia…”

“Son, this is too dangerous for the three of you. You should prepare yourself. But Zariyania is the most affected by this situation you created! How will you fucking protect her from this?!”

“I-I‘ll fix this…” he whispered, but he knew that deep inside, he was feeling hopeless.

“And how are you even going to do that? It’s too late, Greval. You already put her life in so much danger!”

“S-She hates me, Father. And I know it’s impossible for her to fall in love with me, but I have to make her despise me even more. I have to show her how cruel I am. In that way, she’ll loathe me. That’s the only way I have to save her from my mark.”