Chapter 2 The Cursed Rogue

• Lucas' Point of View
• There was a rumor going around that I was on the hunt for a bride, but that was completely untrue. Still, I got why those rumors were flying through the Packs. It all started when Alex, the Alpha of the Red Blood Pack, declared he wanted to gift me a bride for keeping watch over his Pack.
• ‘Why would I ever think about taking a bride?’
• My curse would only bring pain and sorrow. Just take my dead friends as example. They all died because of me. If it weren’t for the last words of Alex’s father, I would have left the Red Blood Pack ages ago. But here I am, trudging through these empty woods, haunted by his dying wish.
• ["Look after my son. Keep him and the Red Blood Pack safe."]
• It always reminds me of what I need to do, like a heavy blanket I can't shake off. With my fists clenched tight, I told myself to push away any silly thoughts and focus on why I was heading to the Alpha's place.
• Being a werewolf comes with this solid rule for me: I always stick to my promises and keep my vows. While thinking this, I reached the Alpha's door.
• Once I walked in, I saw the Alpha of the Red Blood Pack sitting on a couch.
• Our eyes locked for a second, but I quickly glanced away to show my respect.
• "Greetings to the Alpha of the Red Blood," I said, dropping to one knee and placing my arm across my chest.
• "Lucas, my brother, no need for all that," Alex replied, giving me the nod to get back up. I stood tall, locking eyes with him again.
• Alex, the Alpha of the Red Blood Pack, has this warm vibe and speaks in a really calming way. He’s the son of Leon, the former Alpha who took me in this Pack. We're not blood-related. But his father treated me like his own.
• "I came to give you an update on the border security. We had three rogues trying to sneak in, but I took care of it. No worries, the pack is safe," I reported.
• The room went silence. Only when Alex got up from his chair that a noise broke out.
• He walked closer and stood before me.
• "Your reports are always straight to the point," he said quietly. "But the message is still clear. You managed the situation with great skill and efficiency."
• I noticed Alex's eyes darting around, but I couldn't figure out what was going on in his head. Why does he look bothered when I just shared some good news? His gaze reminds me of Leon’s; he always seems like he’s hiding something.
• "Lucas, you did an outstanding job, as usual. The pack owes you a lot," Alex added with a grin.
• "I'm just doing what I’m supposed to do," I replied. "Plus, your kindness in letting a rogue like me hang around the border line of your pack makes me feel like I owe you too, Alpha."
• "If you didn’t have that deadly curse hanging over you, I’d totally let you come and go as you please, Lucas."
• My heart felt heavy as I thought of my friends who died because of my curse. Still, I fought back the tears, telling myself I didn’t deserve to cry for them.
• “Alpha Alex,” I said, meeting his gaze again. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
• “Oh? What’s that?”
• “I heard you sent your wolf soldiers to track down my mate. I need you to stop that. I’m not interested in getting married or meeting my mate.”
• "Is that right?" he asked, pretending not to understand why my curse kept me from my mate. "Well, it seems I’ve just been informed that your mate has arrived at your cabin."
• My eyes widened, and my heart raced.
• "Alex!" I shouted, my voice ringing out louder than I intended.
• I was furious that he had acted so recklessly without asking me first.
• "Why would you do that? That wolf could be in serious trouble if she stays with me!"
• Even though he knew about my curse, he still brought her into my cabin.
• "I couldn't care less about that girl," Alex shot back, making my blood boil. "What matters to me is you, Lucas. You've been moping around for ages. It's sad to see you so alone."
• My fists tightened and relaxed behind my back.
• How could he act like my feelings don’t count? If this isn’t Alex, I’m ready to let loose on whoever’s in my way.
• "Head back to your cabin; your mate might get anxious if she wakes up alone," Alex suggested.
• I didn’t need Alex to tell me that; I was already aware of what was going on.
• After hearing the surprising news, I dashed back to my cabin without even saying goodbye to the Alpha. I took off through the thick woods and reached my cabin in no time. But when I stood in front of the door, I caught a whiff of a sweet and tangy scent that made me smile.
• ‘Could that be the smell of my mate?’
• I stepped inside. As I got closer to the bedroom, the scent grew stronger.
• Creak.
• The old door creaked open, unveiling a shadowy room bathed in the gentle light of the moon. And there, on my bed, lay a graceful and beautiful woman, her long blonde hair flowing around her like a sparkling waterfall. Her skin was as pale as the moonlight, and her delicate frame looked like it could break with just a gentle touch.
• When I looked at her, my thoughts just vanished, like someone had pressed the mute button in my head. She was breathtaking, almost unreal, but her frame was too frail. Under the moonlight, I noticed the scars of violence marked on her skin.
• ‘What kind of pack could have done this to her?’
• My wolf, Yel, growled in fury, yet I couldn’t shake off the feeling of sympathy for this unfortunate woman.
• As I got closer, her beauty hit me like a wave. But deep down, I knew the harsh reality.
• [“She wasn’t your mate, Lucas,”] my wolf, Yel, said.
• The thrill Yel and I had was short-lived, leaving me feeling totally let down. Then, as if the universe was playing a joke on me, I found myself face-to-face with a gorgeous girl who had nothing to do with my wolf.
• I kept telling myself I wouldn’t feel a thing, but every time she moved, my nerves were shot. And when she finally opened her eyes, my heart started pounding with excitement.
• “Hmmm!”
• With a groan, she propped herself up, clearly in pain. Her gaze swept across the room, trying to figure out where she was.
• Out of nowhere, she met my eyes and flinched, wrapping her arms around herself like she was trying to shield away a threat. Her bright green eyes went wide with fear, and her dry lips parted in confusion.
• "W-What’s going on? W-Where am I?" she stuttered.
• Being the only one there, I moved closer and introduced myself.
• "I'm Lucas," I said, trying to calm her down. “You’re at the border line of the Red Blood Pack territory.”
• Her face tightened as she exclaimed, “L-Lucas? You’re the CURSED ROGUE, aren’t you?”