Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Auren POV

Tarian reappeared and led me out, with a kind but cautious expression. “Don’t take it personally,” he said quietly as we walked down the long hallway. Was he listening to us? But with sharp hearing senses, what else could I expect from the Beta of the most powerful Alpha?

“I didn’t,” I lied. Even though Lucien was cold, distant, and angry, I felt safer here than I ever had back at Crimson Howl.

Tarian led me through the grand halls of the pack house, his boots echoing against the polished floors. I followed close behind, keeping my gaze low to avoid staring at the beautiful but intimidating surroundings. Everything about this place felt unwelcoming, much like its Alpha. The sadness of Alpha Bram’s rejection came back, and I took a deep breath in to stop myself from crying.

He had smartly not only rejected me, an omega, as his mate, but he had ensured that I would die in a year. At the same time, because of me, he formed an alliance with Alpha Lucien.

When I was just leaving the pack, Bram had come to my room. He stood too close to me and traced my jawline with his fingers. I wanted to lean into him, but I stopped after what he did to me. “You better serve your purpose nicely, Auren. If I come to know that you’ve escaped, I’ll personally hunt you and kill you.” And then he leaned down and kissed my brushed my cheeks with his lips. I felt sick, so I pushed him away, but he chuckled and sauntered away.

“This will be your room,” Tarian said, snapping me from my memories. We had reached a door at the far end of a hallway. He stopped and turned to me, opening the door.

I peeked inside, half-expecting something dreary, but it was surprisingly clean, comfortable and better than anything I had ever lived in. The room had a bed with a plush blanket, a simple wooden table by the window, and a wardrobe. Sunlight poured through the window, making the space seem warmer than I’d imagined.

“You can explore the pack house if you want,” Tarian continued in a steady but kind voice. “But stay away from the north wing. That’s Alpha Lucien’s quarters, and he doesn’t want to be disturbed. Understood?”

I nodded quickly, not wanting to make a bad impression. “Yes, I understand. Thank you.”

Tarian studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out why I was being so agreeable. Without another word, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

I stood in the middle of the room, letting out a small sigh of relief. This room felt like a safe haven. It was beautiful, but it was mine, even if only for now.

The thought of being left alone made me smile a little. I didn’t have to see Alpha Lucien or deal with his anger. I didn’t have to endure Reya’s sharp words or Maris’s cruel smirks or Alpha Bram’s rejection. Here, I could just be quiet and unnoticed.

After placing my small bag in the wardrobe, I spotted a door on the side of the room. Curious, I opened it and found a bathroom. The bathtub looked clean and inviting, the shiny faucet glinting in the light.

The idea of a warm bath was too tempting to resist. I filled the tub and stepped in, the heat instantly easing the tension in my sore muscles. I had never felt this kind of comfort. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the water wash away not just the dirt, but the weight of the past few days.