Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 29

Angel’s POV

As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, we arrived at a clearing near a waterfall.

It was beautiful.

Water cascaded down smooth rocks, creating a natural pool at the base that sparkled in the fading sunlight. Trees surrounded the clearing, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. The sound of rushing water was soothing, peaceful.

I’m bathing there tonight, l decided immediately. I’m soaking myself in there for a long time.

The group dispersed to their various duties. Warriors gathered firewood, set up sleeping areas, someone was erecting a tent - the same tent I’d slept in last night. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d receive such treatment again today, or if it’ll be given to Sera and Lyra.

I could’ve enjoyed it while it lasted. Too bad.

The other warriors left to hunt for dinner, their bows and spears in hand. Someone planted the Black Wolf flag at the edge of camp - a black wolf’s head on a crimson background, snapping proudly in the breeze.

I remained near Sheena, unsure what else to do. I had no tent to set up, no weapons to hunt with, no particular skills to contribute.

I was useless, as always.

"Come," Sheena said, noticing my awkward hovering. "Let’s go find those herbs while there’s still light."

We ventured deeper into the forest, away from the noise and activity of camp. Sheena moved with grace, her eyes scanning the undergrowth with the eyes of someone who knew exactly what she was looking for.

"This one," she said, kneeling beside a plant with broad leaves. "Bitter root. Good for cleansing the body, speeding up metabolism." She carefully harvested several pieces, wrapping them in cloth.

As we searched, she showed me other herbs too - plants for healing wounds, for reducing fever, for fighting infection.

"As a human," she explained, "you don’t have the self-healing powers werewolves possess. You’ll need to rely on natural medicine. It’s important you learn to identify these."

I absorbed the information eagerly, grateful for something useful to focus on.

But as we knelt beside another plant, the question that had been burning in my chest finally escaped.

"Why me?"

Sheena looked up, surprised. "What?"

"Why did the Moon Goddess choose me to be the Alpha’s mate?" The words tumbled out. "What did I do wrong to deserve such punishment? I’ve never hurt anyone. Never planned evil against anyone, even when they were cruel to me. So why not choose the cruel girls instead? Why me?"

Sheena stood slowly, her expression shocked. "You think being mated to a powerful Alpha is punishment?"

"Yes." I met her gaze steadily, unwavering. "To me, it’s worse than hell."

"You don’t know what you’re saying." Sheena shook her head. "Angel, many people would die to be in your position right now. To be chosen by the Moon Goddess, to be destined for an Alpha..."

"Then why didn’t she choose one of them?" I interrupted. "Why not pick from the lot who would die for this honor? I don’t understand the Moon Goddess at all. If she’s so wise and all-knowing, why pair me with a monster I can never love?"

"You can’t understand," Sheena said quietly. "You’re not a werewolf. You were preparing to serve the church, to devote yourself to a different kind of life. The ways of the Moon Goddess are beyond human comprehension."

She paused, studying me intently. "At first, I thought your dislike for the Alpha stemmed solely from the fact that he murdered your family. But it seems it goes deeper than that, doesn’t it?"

"Of course it goes deeper!" My voice rose despite my best efforts to control it. "I hate him with every fiber of my being. He has no heart, no conscience. He’s not a man - he’s Satan himself wearing skin."

The words hung in the air between us, loud and unforgiving.

Rustling leaves made us both freeze.

We turned toward the sound, Sheena’s hands instinctively moved to a defensive position.

Uriel emerged from the shadows.

Finally alone.

My heart did a traitorous leap before I could suppress it.

He approached us, his expression concerned. "What are you doing out here? Dinner’s being prepared. You should come back."

I refused to look at him, keeping my gaze fixed firmly on the ground.

Let him wonder why. Let him think I didn’t care.

"We’re looking for herbs," Sheena answered when I remained silent. "Specifically, herbs that aid in weight loss."

"Weight loss?" Uriel’s voice sharpened. "But you’re already lanky enough, Sheena. What other weight could you possibly need to lose?"

"Not for me." Sheena’s tone was neutral. "For Angel."

Silence.

I could feel Uriel’s gaze boring into me, but I still didn’t look up.

"What?" His voice had gone dangerously quiet. "Angel, look at me."

I didn’t.

"Angel." More insistent now. "You’re not seriously considering..."

"I can do whatever I want with my own body," I snapped, finally meeting his eyes with all the anger I’d been suppressing. "It’s none of your concern."

"The hell it isn’t!" Uriel took a step toward me, and I saw anger flash across his features. "You’re not losing any weight. I forbid it."

Forbid it?

White-hot rage surged through me.

"You forbid it?" I repeated, my voice trembling with fury. "Who do you think you are? My father? You have no right to tell me what to do with my body!"

"Angel..."

"You love slim girls!" The accusation burst out before I could stop it. "You spend all day laughing with those travelers, those beautiful slender girls, but you won’t let me try to look like them? How wicked can you be?"

"That’s not..."

"Bastard."

The word came out quiet but venomous.

Uriel looked like I’d slapped him.

Good.

I turned and walked away, heading back toward camp, my vision blurring with tears I refused to shed.

Behind me, I heard Sheena say something in a low voice, and Uriel’s responding murmur, but I didn’t stop to listen.

I was done hoping.

The truth was painfully clear now. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Even the kindest man I’d ever met - the only one who’d shown me compassion - preferred women who looked nothing like me.

And no amount of wishing would change that.