Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

"How happy can you be?" He threw his hands up. "Married to a man who’s divorced six wives? An Alpha cursed by the Moon Goddess?"

"No one forced you back then, Emilia."

The words hit me like a punch to the chest.

No one forced me?

I stared at him. My heart felt like someone was squeezing it. No one forced me? Really?

I thought about that day. My father’s cold eyes. Dorothy’s fake smile. Linda’s smug face.

All he saw was a girl who married a rich man.

A trace of sadness flashed through my eyes. I couldn’t hide it fast enough. "Yes. No one forced me back then." My voice dropped. "But in that situation, what else could I do? You see me married to a wealthy Alpha now, and you think I hit the jackpot. Did you ever consider I might be the seventh wife who disappears?"

He didn’t flinch. "Still, you can’t go back on your word."

I almost laughed. "It’s my fault that I breached the agreement. I admit that." I paused. "But I didn’t want to keep that promise from the start, Uncle. I never did."

My voice cracked at the edges. "So I’m sorry. This time, I’m really going to give up on you."

His eyes went wide. Panic flickered across his face. "Emilia, you can’t do that! Your uncle’s life is completely in your hands now! If you let go, I’ll die! Richie will destroy me!"

"If you knew the consequences, why did you do what you did in the first place?"

I looked at him. This man who was supposed to be family.

I turned. Walked away.

Behind me, he kept calling my name.

I hailed a taxi. Gave the driver an address.

But not home.

I went to the cemetery.

The night air was cool against my skin. The grave was quiet. Peaceful. I sat down on the cold grass and leaned against the headstone.

"Mom," I whispered. "I don’t know what to do anymore."

I told her everything.

I stayed there until the moon climbed high and my legs went numb.

When I finally walked through the pack house, it was late. The lights were dim.

But Mila was waiting.

"Emilia, what’s wrong with you?" She rushed toward me, her eyes scanning my face. "Why is your face so pale?"

I forced a weak smile. "I’m okay, Mom."

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push. She pointed toward the dining room. "Let’s get ready for dinner."

I followed her. My feet felt heavy.

Sebastian came down from upstairs. His eyes met mine. Sharp. Observant. He noticed everything. When he walked past me, his voice was low. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," I muttered. I didn’t look at him.

Dinner was a blur. I pushed food around my plate. Took a few bites.

I was about to escape upstairs when Tiffany’s voice cut through the silence.

"Sister-in-law, shall we play cards tonight?"

"No, thanks." I kept my voice polite. "Enjoy yourselves. I’m going upstairs to read."

Tiffany pouted. "Why don’t you relax? You’re always so disciplined. When can you capture my brother’s heart? Abigail was so good at playing..."

The name dropped into the room like a bomb.

Tiffany froze. She looked at her mother. Mila’s eyes were blazing.

Tiffany realized what she’d said. Her face went red.

The air turned thick. Heavy. I looked at Sebastian. His face, which had been calm moments ago, went dark. Hard. His jaw tightened.

"Raise your hand if you’re in," Tiffany said quickly, trying to salvage. She raised her hand high.

No one moved.

She pulled her hand down. Let out an awkward laugh. "No one wants to play? Forget it then. I’m going to sleep."

I climbed the stairs with heavy legs. My heart felt like it was dragging on the floor.

I hated being compared to her. To Abigail. The woman whose shadow still hung over this house.

I stood in front of the window. Leaned my head against the frame. Stared out at the night sky. It looked like black velvet. Gold stars scattered across it like careless brushstrokes. The wind blew, and I heard the grass rustle below.

"Are you in a bad mood?"

I turned. Sebastian was walking toward me.

"No." I shifted my gaze back to the stars. "Good night for watching the moon."

He followed my line of sight. Nodded. "Indeed. Full moon."

"Pity." My voice came out softer than I meant. "The moon is round, but the people aren’t around. And here I am, still troubled by my relatives at this hour."

I hadn’t meant to say it out loud. But he heard it.

He moved closer. "What’s wrong? Did your sister trigger you again?"

"No. How could she trigger me?"

"Who are you worrying about then? Your father? Your stepmother?"

That was all he knew of my family. He couldn’t imagine there were more.

"Not them."

I didn’t want to talk about it. I changed the subject. "Can I take a bath in your bathroom tonight?"

"Why?"

"I’m a little tired."

It wasn’t a lie. The exhaustion was carved into my bones. It sat heavy on my shoulders, pulling me down.

"Sure."

He was easygoing tonight. Unusual. He even switched on the massage feature for me. Put on some soothing music.

I sank into the bathtub. The warm water wrapped around me like a hug. I closed my eyes. But the thoughts wouldn’t stop.

The deadline.

I held my breath. Sank to the bottom of the tub.

When I came out, Sebastian was lying on the sofa. He didn’t look at me. Just said, flatly, "Your phone kept ringing."

"Oh."

I walked into the secret chamber. Picked up my phone.

Dozens of missed calls. All from the same contact.

Chuck Lorris.

I ran my hand through my wet hair. Flopped onto the bed. Stared at the ceiling.

Richie’s appearance didn’t scare me much. But my uncle’s mess? That was worse than ever. Because it wasn’t just his life on the line anymore. Somehow, he’d dragged me back into it.

I heard footsteps. Sebastian stood at the door. Dropped the magazine in his hand.

Then he saw my bag. "Are you still going out at this hour?"

"Yes."

I lowered my head. Moved toward the door. Fast. I didn’t want him to ask more. I didn’t want to explain.

Just as my hand touched the doorknob, his voice stopped me.

"Don’t forget the curfew." His tone was cool. "I’ve promised to treat you well. But you’d better not deliberately break some principles."