Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

The next few days dragged. Every time my phone buzzed, my stomach twisted, waiting for the bad news to land.

It finally came on Thursday afternoon.

"Let’s meet up."

Richie Lind’s voice was flat and blunt. No pleasantries, no small talk. Straight to the point.

I gripped my phone tighter. "When and where?"

"This Saturday. Ten in the morning. Starville Cafe."

"Fine."

I hung up before he could say anything else. My hands were shaking.

"You okay?" Eve’s voice stirred in my mind, careful.

"No," I muttered under my breath. "But when am I ever?"

"You could tell Sebastian."

"And say what? ’Hey, honey, remember that guy whose son I was supposed to marry? Yeah, he wants to meet.’ That’ll go over great."

Eve went quiet. She knew I was right.

Saturday morning came too fast. I forced down breakfast without tasting it, running through a dozen worst-case scenarios. When I grabbed my bag and headed out, I skipped the car. I needed the walk to clear my head.

Of course, that’s when Sebastian’s car rolled up beside me.

The window slid down, and those sharp green eyes locked onto mine. "Where are you going?"

My pulse jumped. "Shopping. With Lily."

His gaze didn’t move. "Want a ride?"

"No, I’m good. Already planned to meet her halfway."

For a moment, he just stared at me. Like he could see straight through every lie I’d ever told.

Then he smiled. "Have fun."

The engine hummed, and he drove off, leaving me there with my heart pounding.

Starville Cafe was one of those trendy spots with overpriced lattes and plain, bare decor. I grabbed a corner table by the window and tried to look casual, like I wasn’t about to make a deal with a man who had my past in his hands.

Outside, the clouds drifted across the sky, white and free. I envied them.

"Emilia! Emilia!"

I turned my head, and my stomach dropped.

Leighton Lind was rushing toward me like an oversized puppy, his face lit up with that innocent, childlike joy that always made my chest ache.

"Leighton?" I blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"My dad brought me!" He beamed and turned to point at Richie, who was walking up behind him, cold as ever.

Richie slid into the seat across from me, his face unreadable. "He’s been bugging me non-stop to see you. I couldn’t take it anymore."

I folded my arms. "So you used him as bait. Classy."

Richie didn’t flinch. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and handed it to Leighton. "Go downstairs and buy me a pack of cigarettes."

"Okay!" Leighton took the money and skipped off like he’d just been handed the best job in the world.

The second he was gone, Richie’s face changed. "I’m here to make a deal."

"Of course you are." I leaned back. "What do you want this time?"

His mouth twitched. "I know you’re not going to marry my son."

"Glad we’re on the same page."

"But he’s not going to stop asking for you. So here’s the deal. I won’t push the engagement. I won’t tell your husband about our... arrangement. But once a month, you spend a day with Leighton."

I stared at him. "You’re serious."

"Dead serious."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I make a few phone calls. Maybe drop by Silver Moon Pack territory. Have a nice chat with your Alpha husband about how his beloved Luna was promised to another man."

My jaw tightened. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that?"

"I’m a father doing what’s best for his son."

"By blackmailing me?"

"By giving him something to look forward to." Richie’s voice softened, just a little. "You’re the only person who’s ever been kind to him. One day a month, Emilia. That’s all I’m asking."

I wanted to tell him to go to hell. I wanted to flip the table and walk out.

But I couldn’t.

Because he was right. Leighton didn’t deserve to be used as a pawn. And if one day a month could keep this whole mess from blowing up in my face...

"Fine," I said. "One day a month. But the second you try to pull anything else, this deal is off. Got it?"

"Deal."

Leighton came running back, a pack of cigarettes in one hand and a single blue rose in the other. Water drops still clung to the petals.

He pushed the flower toward me, grinning. "I got this for you! Do you like it?"

My throat tightened. "Yeah, Leighton. I like it."

"Yay!"

I set the rose on the table, and Leighton’s eyes lit up even more. "Emilia, can we go to the park? Please?"

I glanced at Richie. He gave me a pointed look.

"Starting today," he said quietly.

I swallowed my frustration. "Sure, Leighton. Let’s go."

Leighton was almost bouncing with excitement as we walked out of the cafe. Richie trailed behind us for a moment, then stopped.

"Dad, are you coming?" Leighton asked.

"No. I’ll be at the hotel. You two have fun."

Richie’s eyes met mine, and we understood each other without a word. This was my life now.

I took Leighton to Silverlake City’s biggest amusement park. The place was packed with families, kids screaming on roller coasters, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy in the air.

"What do you want to do first?" I asked.

Leighton’s eyes went wide. "Everything!"

I laughed before I could stop myself. "Alright. Let’s start with the merry-go-round."

He ran ahead like a kid half his age and climbed onto one of the brightly painted horses. As the ride started, he waved at me, his grin huge.

I waved back. "You’re doing great, Leighton! Keep going!"

"This is amazing!" he shouted.

We spent the whole day at the park. Leighton dragged me onto every ride, every game booth, every food stand. By the time the sun started to set, my feet hurt and my head was pounding, but Leighton was still bouncing with energy.

"Come on, Leighton," I said, tugging his sleeve. "We have to go. Your dad’s waiting."

"But I don’t want to leave!" he whined.

"I know. But we’ll do this again. I promise."

His face fell. "Every day?"

I glanced away. "No. Not every day. But... soon."

Back at the hotel, Richie was waiting in the lobby. Leighton ran up to him, still chattering about the rides and the games and the "best day ever."

"Did you have fun?" Richie asked.

"So much fun!" Leighton grinned at me. "Emilia, can we do this every day?"

My chest tightened. "I can’t, Leighton. I have to work."

His smile vanished. "Oh..."

Richie nodded toward the elevator. "Want to come up? I can make some tea."

"No thanks," I said quickly. "I need to get back."

I patted Leighton’s shoulder. "See you next time, okay?"

"Woo... woo..." Leighton’s eyes filled with tears, and my heart twisted.

I turned and walked away before I could change my mind. Behind me, I could hear him crying.