Bride of the Cursed Alpha - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Auren POV
Lucien’s eyes glowed with authority. His presence was like a force that filled every corner of the room, commanding respect and fear. No one spoke until he did.
I swallowed hard when he intertwined his fingers with mine and was hyper-aware of people who saw us doing that. The weight of so many eyes on me made my skin prickle. But more than that it was his touch that was sending tingles in my body. Why was it that it happened whenever he touched me? He wasn't my mate. My mind went to Alpha Bram who rejected me so coldly, and here Lucien was, who held my hand firmly, showing to the world that I belonged to him.
In that moment, Lucien’s deep voice shattered the silence. “Four days,” his voice sliced through the room, dangerously low. Almost feral, possessive and filled with threat.
The council members froze.
He continued, “In four days, I will wed Auren in a grand ceremony. There will be feasts, celebrations, and every pack allied with us will witness it.”
There were sharp intakes of breaths that rippled through the council members. My own breath caught in my throat. Four days? That meant that Alpha Bram would also attend it.
One of the older councilmen coughed, “Alpha, this is not a wise decision.”
Other council members remained composed, but their expressions were etched with concern, and I felt the shift in the room. Like there was a hesitation. Silent glances were exchanged.
“What do you mean Nelson?” Lucien asked, his voice a lull before a storm.
Nelson cleared his throat as he exchanged a quick glance with someone who looked like Sable’s relative. “Alpha…” He measured his words carefully with his chin up. “A Luna’s position is unquestioned. We acknowledge your choice. But…” He paused, eyes flickering toward me briefly before returning to Lucien. “A grand wedding… is unnecessary.”
A chill went down my spine.
This time Sable’s relative spoke in a low but steady voice. “Lunas before her have proven their strength before being honored with such an event. She is—” He hesitated, choosing his words with care. “—not meant for such a display.”
They thought I wasn’t worthy. Feeling small, I clenched my fists and swallowed down the lump in my throat. They just humiliated me. Showed me that I was merely an omega breeder. Tears gathered in my eyes.
Lucien’s grip on my hand tightened and I blinked them away. “Explain it to me, Rizv.”
Rizv inhaled slowly, his fingers interlacing in front of him. “The breeder contract was drawn to secure an heir, not a queen. The pack… does not expect celebrations for something that was meant to be a duty.”
The room held its breath. His words fell heavy and clear.
Lucien didn’t move. His face betrayed nothing, but I sensed something from him. His eyes darkened.
“You suggest that my future Luna should be hidden? That she is unworthy to stand by me?” His voice was dangerously quiet, more threatening than if he had shouted.
Rizv stiffened. “No, Alpha. But—”
Lucien moved.
Before I could react, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him, my back flush to his broad chest.
Startled, I gasped. I felt so tiny in front of Alpha Lucien’s tall, broad, muscular body. What was he doing? My cheeks flushed deep red.
A silent warning pulsated through the room. Everyone became alert. Tension was so high that the weight of it pressed on my chest. I was so stunned by his sudden movement that I froze in my place and words left me. The heat of his body seeped through me. I could sense his rapid heartbeat, his aggression, his wolf.
He narrowed his eyes at Rizv and Nelson and growled, “Then let me be clear.”
Both of them inhaled sharply, looking scared, as others just stood in their places like they had grown roots.
“She is not just a breeder. She. Is. Mine.” His words were slow, deliberate, seething with a quiet rage. “And she will be honored as my Luna in every way.” Lucien’s grip on me tightened before he turned his head, his lips brushing against my hair in a show of possessiveness. He declared publicly, "Speak of my Luna with disrespect again, and I will remove your tongue myself. This is not a threat. Test it if you dare to.”
The entire room fell into stunned stillness. Rizv’s face paled, his lips parting as if he couldn’t believe he had just said that.
Neither could I. A shudder ran down my spine. I had never felt so exposed. Never felt so claimed.
The council remained silent for a while as the room’s energy turned thick with unspoken surrender. They wouldn’t protest now because their Alpha had spoken.
And in this pack, his word was law.
“This meeting is over!” Lucien growled.
The council members left silently without another word. As the last one exited, Tarian shut the large double doors with a quiet thud.
“Phew!” he shook his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “That was quite a show, Alpha Lucien!” he chuckled nervously.
Lucien ignored him. He turned me in his embrace so that now I was facing him. My heart was still racing from the tension of the meeting but his expression was as composed as ever. His eyes settled on me. “Would you be interested in shopping?” he asked casually, as if the meeting had never happened.
“I have everything I need,” I replied in a low voice.
He took a strand of my hair in his fingers and rolled it. Then he brought it to his nose and smelled it. “Wedding shopping,” he said in a soft voice. “Our personal stylist isn’t here for a few days, but you can accompany Vivi and buy whatever you like.” He tucked the strand of my hair behind my ear, and took my hand in his. As he tugged me to the exit, he added, “I don’t know much about this part, so you have to manage it alone.”
“I-I don’t know as well…”
“Don’t worry, Vivi knows and she will guide you.” Saying that he walked me to my room in silence still holding my hand. Before he closed the door, his eyes lingered on me for a few seconds.
As soon as I was alone, I went straight to my closet. I dug my old bag from there, taking out a bundle of my old clothes. Digging further inside it, my fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. My heart skipped a beat. I pulled out a delicate gold chain with a ring hanging from it. It was worn smooth with age. The ring had two wolves protecting the moon with thorns spreading on each side, carved intricately on its surface.
It had always been with me since I was a pup. I held it tightly in my palm. The Shaman of the Crimson Howl pack had said that it was my father’s ring and that I should never part with it. I intended to give it to Alpha Lucien at our wedding.