Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

When I got back to the pack house, I found Tiffany alone by the fountain in the courtyard, staring at nothing.

"Hey." I eased down beside her. "You okay?"

She jumped a little, then forced a smile. "Yeah. I’m fine."

"You’re thinking about Fynn again."

It wasn’t a question. Her smile slipped.

"No," she said, but we both knew better.

"Tiffany." I turned to face her. "I’ve been where you are. I know what it’s like to love someone who doesn’t love you back. You can’t fool me."

She was quiet a moment. Then, softly: "I’m trying, Emilia. I really am. It’s a process, you know? But I’ll be okay. I promise."

"I know you will." I bumped her shoulder with mine. "Hey, your birthday’s coming up soon, right? What do you want? I’ll get you anything."

"I don’t need anything."

"Come on. Don’t tell me you’re like your brother, refusing to celebrate."

That pulled a small, real smile out of her. "No, nothing like that. I just don’t feel like seeing a lot of people right now."

Tiffany usually threw huge birthday parties, half the pack and all her friends. Not wanting one this year said everything about how much she was hurting.

"Alright," I said. "We’ll keep it low-key then. Whatever you want."

But on my way inside, I already had my phone out, dialing Fynn.

He picked up on the second ring. "Luna Emilia? Is Alpha Sebastian—"

"I’m not calling about Sebastian." I cut in. "Tiffany’s birthday is in two days. I need you to spend the day with her."

Silence on the other end. Then, quiet: "You sure that’s a good idea?"

"I’m sure she needs a friend right now, and whether you like it or not, you’re still her friend. So yes, I’m sure." I left no room for argument. "Pick her up in the morning. Take her somewhere she likes. Make her smile. Can you do that?"

Another pause. "Yeah. Okay. I can do that."

"Good. Thank you, Fynn."

I hung up before he could say anything else.

That evening, Sebastian came home looking like he’d gone three rounds in a boxing ring. His knuckles were bruised, a cut split the skin above his eyebrow, and he moved like his ribs hurt.

I didn’t ask.

We ate dinner in near silence. Afterward, I went upstairs and did something I almost never did. I got dressed up.

I picked a deep blue coat that brought out my eyes, did my makeup with care, grabbed my nicest bag. When I came out of the bedroom, Sebastian was in the hallway, and he went still when he saw me.

His eyes ran from my heeled boots to my styled hair, taking in every detail. "Where are you going?"

"Out."

"Out where?"

"Just... out." I shifted my bag on my shoulder. "I’ll be back later."

"Emilia." His voice hardened. "It’s freezing outside. Where could you possibly need to go right now?"

"Because I want to." I held his gaze, daring him to push it. "Do I need your permission, Alpha?"

Something dangerous flickered in his green eyes, but he didn’t stop me as I walked past him and down the stairs.

I felt him watching me all the way to the front door.

The theater was packed by the time I got there. I found my seat, first row center, exactly where Damien’s ticket put me. The crowd was mostly young women, faces bright with anticipation.

"This should be interesting," Eve said.

"Quiet. I’m trying to blend in."

"In the front row? Good luck with that."

Ten minutes before showtime, someone slid into a seat a few spaces down from mine. I glanced over and nearly choked.

Abigail Tanner.

"Well, this just got complicated," Eve muttered.

I looked away fast, pretending I hadn’t seen her. My heart slammed against my ribs.

The lights dimmed. The crowd erupted as five figures took the stage, Damien at the center, guitar slung over his shoulder.

"Hello, Silverlake City!" His voice boomed through the speakers. "We’re Magic, and we’ve missed you. It’s been three years since we stood on this stage. Three long years. But tonight, we’re back to make music with you again."

The cheers were deafening.

Damien waited for them to settle before he went on. "Before we start, I want to say something to someone in this audience tonight." His eyes swept the crowd, and I had a feeling I knew exactly who he was looking for. "The first song is for you. No matter how much time has passed, no matter what’s happened between us, my feelings haven’t changed. They never will. I love you. I always have, and I always will."

The audience lost it. Screams, whistles, applause loud enough to bring down the ceiling. Everyone around me buzzed with guesses, trying to figure out who the mystery woman was.

But I knew. And so did Abigail, a few seats away.

The opening chords of "I Really Love You" filled the theater, and Damien’s voice cut through the noise like lightning.

Magic was phenomenal, I’d give them that. The kind of raw talent you can’t fake or buy. Around me people cried, screamed, swayed to the music. And the whole time, Damien sang like his heart was breaking.

"The rain warmed my heart. Giving you my all for the rest of my life. The warmth of your gaze taught me to be strong. To never give up whenever I fall."

As the atmosphere in the hall hit its climax, my eyes landed on Abigail Tanner. She sat a few rows ahead, like a quiet rose blooming in darkness, emitting her own unique fragrance.

Her gaze was fixed on the man singing for her on stage. The expression on her face was rather indifferent, and there seemed to be a gentle smile playing on her lips, but there was no affection of a woman towards a man in her eyes. No warmth, no longing, nothing that suggested she returned even a fraction of what Damien felt for her.

I smiled bitterly. Ironically, Damien’s love for her was one-sided too.