==Lila==
The storeroom door rattled again.
Remy stepped back from me fast. His chest heaved. Lips still wet from the kiss. My body burned where he had touched me. My full breasts rose quick with each breath. My soft belly felt tight. Heat pooled low in my thick thighs.
Mira's voice came from outside. Sharp. "We need to move. Now."
Remy opened the door. He pulled me out behind him. The human worker stood there confused. Mira had already talked him down with some story about bad lighting.
We loaded the truck in silence. Remy drove us back. His hands gripped the wheel tight. The partial bond hummed between us. Angry. Wanting. Dangerous.
That night the pack house felt heavier. Whispers followed me everywhere. About the kitchen. About the training. About the kiss someone probably saw.
Morning brought trouble dressed in a nice suit.
The council room filled with elders and important wolves. I stood near the back. My curves filled out the simple dress Remy had given me. It hugged my wide hips and generous chest. I tried not to fidget.
The doors opened. A new alpha walked in.
He was sleek. Tall. Dark hair slicked back. Sharp smile. His name was Darius. Alpha of the neighboring Bayou Shadow Pack. His eyes scanned the room and landed on me.
They stayed there.
"Beautiful," he said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Curves like that are rare. Strong blood too. I can smell it."
Heat rushed to my face. I felt every soft inch of myself under his gaze. My belly. My thighs. My heavy breasts. He did not look away. He admired openly. Like I was something worth claiming.
Remy sat at the head of the table. His jaw clenched so hard I heard teeth grind.
Darius walked straight to me. He took my hand. Kissed the back of it. Slow. "Lila Moreau. I have come with an offer. Marriage. Alliance between our packs. Your rare blood and those powerful curves would strengthen my line."
Gasps rippled through the council.
I pulled my hand back. My wolf stirred. Not happy. Not interested.
Remy stood up fast. His chair scraped loud. "She is not for sale."
Darius smiled wider. "Not sale. Alliance. Your pack is weak after your father's death. Mine is strong. Lila's blood could fix that. And her body..." He looked me up and down again. "It promises strong pups. Wide hips. Soft strength. Perfect."
Remy's eyes flashed gold. His hands curled into fists. The partial bond flared hot between us. I felt his rage. His jealousy. His need to claim what he had rejected.
One elder cleared his throat. "This is a serious offer, Remy. We should consider it."
Remy took a step toward Darius. His shoulders tensed. Muscles ready to shift. "She stays here."
Darius laughed soft. "Jealous, Laurent? You rejected her publicly. Called her too big. Too soft. Now you want to keep her? Interesting."
The room tensed. Elders whispered. Some nodded at Darius's words. Others looked uncomfortable.
I stood taller. My thick thighs planted firm. My soft belly rose with a deep breath. Mira's words echoed in my head. Weaponize it. I let my curves settle. Heavy. Present. Not shrinking.
Darius stepped closer to me again. His scent washed over me. Earthy. Strong. Different from Remy's pine and smoke.
My wolf recoiled.
She pushed toward Remy instead. His scent filled my nose. Familiar. Pulling. Even after everything. My body leaned slightly his way without meaning to.
Darius noticed. His smile faltered for a second. Then came back sharper.
He leaned in close. Voice low but loud enough for the council. "Your Alpha rejected you because his father ordered him to. Ask him about the real curse."
The words dropped like stones into still water.
Silence crashed over the room.
Remy froze. His face went pale then red with fury.
I turned to him. My heart slammed against my ribs. "What is he talking about?"
Darius spread his hands. "The old Alpha hated anything that did not fit his perfect image. Curvy wolves. Soft ones. He cursed the bloodline to keep them weak. Your mate here followed orders. Rejected you to protect the lie. Or maybe to protect you. Who knows?"
Remy growled low. The sound vibrated through the room. His control slipped. Gold eyes bright. Claws pricked at his fingertips.
The elders stood up. Voices rose. Chaos built.
I stared at Remy. The partial bond screamed truth and lies at the same time. My curves felt heavier. My soft body a battlefield now.
Darius watched us both. Still smiling. "Think about my offer, Lila. A pack that would celebrate those curves instead of hiding them."
Remy took one step forward. Ready to lunge.
The head elder slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! This council will discuss both matters. Privately."
But the damage was done.
My wolf had chosen Remy's scent over the rival's.
And now I needed the truth about the curse.