Cursed and Fated: Offered To The Wicked Alpha Prince

"Please let my hand go, Ensley," Adeline said sternly, deliberately dropping his formal title.

"Ah, my apologies." He pulled back instantly, granting her space as he retreated a step. He scanned her with a dark look, his head tilting slightly. "Are you an omega? I can’t sense a wolf in you at all," he asserted, his tone bordering on a challenge.

"Yes, I am an omega," Adeline replied simply. She turned to leave, but a sudden thought took hold.

Pausing, she looked back over her shoulder, her eyes steady. "And I like Gideon. It’s true I was offered to him, but after seeing his protective nature, I realized there is no man like him, daring enough to stand against what is wrong, even when that wrong comes from the Luna Queen herself."

She offered a curt, final nod before walking away, Lila trailing quickly behind her.

Ensley watched her retreat, his brow furrowing in genuine surprise. "What was that?" he muttered to himself. "She has a sharp tongue. I was under the impression that omegas were nothing but submissive. And why did she talk about my mother?"

"Our mother planned to have her thrown out of the palace, but Brother Gideon saved the broken omega just in time," Edith’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Ensely turned to find her waving at him. "It’s good to see you after so long," she said, stepping forward to throw her arms around her brother.

"I’m glad to be back from the final training as well," Ensley replied with a smile. As they pulled apart, his expression sharpened. "Now, tell me everything."

Edith recounted the events that had unfolded since Adeline’s arrival at the palace. Ensley listened intently, his frown deepening with every detail.

"Mom should have been more cautious. That woman is no ordinary omega," Ensley remarked. "She already knows how to strike back with her words. And you said Morticia mentioned that Adeline’s wolf is actually strong?"

"Yes," Edith answered. "I believe it’s only suppressed because of the years of abuse she endured."

"Mom should have ensured she didn’t survive," Ensley muttered, his fury rising at the memory of his recent humiliation. "If her wolf is truly powerful, she will become a significant problem for us. She’s already defending Gideon."

"Well, they are departing for the Western borders tomorrow," said Edith. "Let’s hope she dies there. I already dislike her."

~~~~~~

Adeline sipped her water thoughtfully as Lila continued her briefing on Ensley. According to the palace gossip, the younger prince was a paragon of care and composure, a man who rarely invited trouble. However, Adeline’s recent encounter told a different story; she sensed a calculated edge beneath his polite exterior that didn’t align with the stories.

"If Prince Gideon finds out his younger brother laid a hand on you," Lila whispered, her voice trailing off as a visible shiver ran down her spine at the mere thought of Gideon’s potential wrath.

"We won’t tell him," Adeline asserted. "I have no desire to be the spark that ignites a fight between them." She yawned and covered her mouth. "I would like to take some rest. You shall rest too."

Adeline stood up and retreated into the bedroom. As she lay down and pulled the duvet up to her chin, a quiet realization settled over her. "Gideon has no one as his well-wisher. Everyone wants his bad in one way or the other," she murmured to the empty room.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and soon sleep claimed her.

The evening had already settled in when she jolted awake, find the room swallowed by shadows. "How long did I sleep?" she whispered, her voice thick with drowsiness.

She climbed out of bed and felt her way toward the wall, searching for the switch. When she finally pressed it, the sudden burst of light made her squint. As her vision cleared, her heart jumped into her throat. Gideon was sitting on the recliner, his eyes tracking her every movement with a slow, silent intensity.

"You! What are you doing here?" Adeline asked, her expression one of pure shock.

"I have been here since five o’clock sharp. Right now, it is," he paused, glancing briefly at the wall clock, "six-thirty."

"So, you were just sitting there in the darkness? You should have woken me up," Adeline said, moving back toward the bed to begin folding the duvet.

"Leave it," Gideon commanded.

"Why?"

"Get ready. We are heading out for dinner," Gideon told her. He gestured toward a bag resting on the table. "And wear this dress. I picked it out on my way back."

"How many dresses do you intend to buy?" she murmured, though she reached for the bag nonetheless. She pulled the garment out, revealing a black shimmering gown. It was a full-length piece adorned with intricate beads designed to glow under the light, finished with elegant semi-half sleeves.

Gideon stood up and said, "You will look gorgeous in this."

She smiled and told him she would hurry. After she disappeared into the washroom, Gideon called Lila in, asking her to help her mistress with hair and makeup. "Also, get the room cleaned," he ordered before stepping out to bring his car keys.

As he crossed the corridor, he encountered Ensley. Not wanting to acknowledge his presence, Gideon brushed past him when Ensley, grabbed his arm.

"Brother, won’t you greet me? I have come alive and safe," Ensley answered.

Gideon yanked off his hand from his arm and glared at him.

"Your bride is quite pretty," Ensley said.

"You met her!?" Gideon arched his eyebrow.

"Yes. She hurt her finger from a thorn so I provided her my help," Ensley replied with a grin. "A mole... I noticed a tiny mole next to her lips."

Gideon clenched his fists, but didn’t react. He knew it was a way to provoke him.

"You have still not changed, Ensley. Using same rubbish tactics on me, thinking I would be provoked and hit you. Then, like a crybaby you would run to your mother," Gideon muttered.

"What is your problem? Can’t you be a little gentle toward your own family?" Ensley frowned at him.

"You are not my family," Gideon replied. "You are my sworn enemy whom I want to kill and bury along with his mother. I have prepared quite a nice grave for you and your mother," he affirmed with a dark gaze.