Wolfish: Curseborne

by G. K. DeRosa

  “You see,” said Sonia, “Tyrien was always convinced the witch who’d cursed his son had died. He’d sent witch hunters after her many years ago, and one returned, claiming to have brought her head when she refused to reverse the spell. But now I’m thinking that hunter brought him the wrong witch.”

  Bile oozed up my esophagus, my gut churning like a monstrous tornado. There was only one person my mom could’ve been talking to. It all made sense now—why Mom had grown distant from her, why I hadn’t seen her in years. I buried my face in my hands as the realization crashed over me.

  “Where is she, Montana?” Sonia’s fangs dropped as she loomed over my mom. “Where is the High Priestess of the Lune Sacré?”

  My eyes widened. Holy shift. She doesn’t know.

  Mom threw her shoulders back and straightened. “Try your compulsion again, vamp freak,” she hissed. “Oh right, it doesn’t work on me.” She coughed and spluttered from the effort, and a trickle of blood dribbled from her mouth.

  “Tell me!” she shrieked.

  “I already told you I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

  “Liar!” The Royal queen bitch slapped her, and fury exploded through my veins.

  “Don’t touch her,” I growled.

  Hunter had turned to stone behind me. He hadn’t uttered a word, and in the emotional chaos I’d forgotten all about him. I craned my neck back and searched his eyes. I couldn’t even feel him through the bond.

  “Let’s make a deal.” Sonia sauntered closer and finally, Hunter reacted. He stiffened his rock-hard torso, going glacial. “Perhaps you can get the truth out of her. Once we have that, I’ll let her go.”

  “And what about Sierra?” Hunter asked, his voice laced with an eerie icy edge.

  “I’m sure an arrangement can be made—perhaps banishment or castration?”

  A gasp slid free through my clenched jaw.

  “No deal,” Hunter barked.

  It didn’t matter what deal she offered, my mother would never give her up and neither would I. There was a reason Grams had been in hiding for all this time. She was the effin’ high priestess of the Lune Sacré, and she’d cursed my fated mate for revenge.

  Had Hunter put it together yet? He must have…

  “Then I’m afraid we’re at an impasse.” Sonia waved a nonchalant hand. “Sierra cannot be allowed to live to create more Mystics. It is one matter in which your father and I are in complete agreement. Now as for your curse, that is another issue entirely.”

  Walt stepped closer to my mom, and a sharp claw ripped from his fingertip. He held it across her neck, and my pulse skyrocketed.

  “No!” I cried out and lunged forward. Energy rippled through my core, and I broke free of Hunter’s hold and raced for my mom. Aras threw his hands out and deep blue sparks shot from his fingertips, immobilizing me.

  “Sierra!” Hunter’s dragon fangs lengthened and an earthshaking roar tore across the chamber. He raised both hands, showcasing two palms illuminated by dragon fire. “Release her!”

  The other wolves stepped out of the shadows, some in human form, but most on all fours. They formed a circle around us, tightening the noose.

  “You can’t save them both, Aristaeus. Make your choice, will it be the mother who kept the truth from you, kept the secrets from breaking the curse or your beloved fated mate? If the mother dies, you’ll never get the answers you seek…”

  “Please, Hunter,” I begged. “Save her.”

  Indecision twisted his lips, a storm of emotions surging through our bond.

  “I know you Aristaeus, you’re just like your mother. Kind, loyal and honorable. You wouldn’t tie this girl to you without hope of a cure. If her mother dies, with it your hope for happiness. Either way you lose.”

  Flames flickered across Hunter’s golden irises as Aras moved closer toward me. I fought against his magical restraints, but my emotions were a chaotic mess. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t get my churning magic under control.

  “Sonia, I’ll give you anything you want.” Fear etched into Hunter’s eyes, defeat on the horizon. “Name it. Just let them both go.” His worried gaze bounced from me to my mom and back as Walt’s claw dragged across her neck, drawing a thin line of blood. “I’ll make sure Ransom wins the trials. How about that? The high alpha title for your son?”

  She clucked her teeth. “Only for it to be snatched away by your Mystic-Dragos pups in a few years?” Shaking her head, she sneered. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Anything else?” he begged.

  Her dark brow arched, and a sinister smile curled her crimson lips. “Swear a blood oath that you’ll never mate with the girl. No, better yet, reject her and banish her from Moon Valley all together.”

  Hunter’s jaw clenched, his tendon fluttering beneath his skin. “I can’t,” he growled. “Don’t you think I’ve tried? I physically cannot leave Sierra. I never will. There must be something else.”

  She tsked and shook her head. “I see this detestable mate bond will prevent us from reaching a mutually beneficial arrangement. And I need the Mystics eradicated for good.” She motioned to Aras and an invisible rope curled around my neck. I clawed at the tether as it tightened. I called on my wolf, searching for her deep within my core, but the warlock’s magical restraints had her bound. I couldn’t feel her at all.

  Fear ricocheted across the bond, squeezing my lungs. I opened my mouth to stop Hunter because I knew, I knew what he would do now, but it was too late.

  Hunter hurled a fireball at Walt and sprang at Aras. The white-hot dragon flames scorched up the guard’s arm, but the hand at my mom’s neck was left unscathed. With one powerful swipe, he dragged his claw across her throat as the flames licked up his forearm. Blood poured down her chest, and her eyes widened for a second before her head slumped back.

  A scream ripped through the air. The horrifying sound pierced my eardrums. It wasn’t until Hunter’s body crashed into me, dispelling the shock that I realized it had come from my own mouth. Chaos erupted. Beside me, Aras was splayed across the floor, a gaping wound carved into his torso spewing more blood.

  Howls echoed through the chamber as wolves lunged from every corner. Hunter jumped up and tucked me behind his immense reptilian wings as he released a wave of dragon fire.

  Yips and cries reverberated through my skull as the scent of burnt fur filled the air. From the corner of my eye, the pool of blood beneath the chair where Mom sat caught my attention. So much blood. I couldn’t look up. I didn’t want to see her mangled form, to remember her like that.

  She died because of me, because of Grams, protecting her secret. A knot of emotion clogged my throat and stole my ragged breaths.

  A flash of dark hair drew my attention back to the fight. Sonia darted across the room and lunged at Hunter, her vampire fangs protruding from her upper lip. I tried to call out a warning, but all the words stuck to the back of my throat. I was numb, frozen.

  I watched helplessly as the Royal sank her fangs into the back of Hunter’s neck as he battled four of his father’s guards. Piercing pain stabbed my insides, the echo of the bite rushing through the bond.

  No. I couldn’t lose him too. I shook off the haze of shock and forced my body into motion. My wolf awoke, desperate to break free of her skeletal prison. So I let her out. The shift came over me faster than ever before. I barely had time to drop down on all fours before she took over.

  She—no, I leapt across the room, setting Sonia in my sights. Aras limped in front of me with his hands outstretched. Opening my jaw, I let out a snarl and bit his hand before his magic surfaced. He cried out a curse and fled as I darted for the Royal queen. Galloping toward her, I pummeled into Sonia’s back. Stunned, she released Hunter and spun at me.

  Rage coursed through my veins, and I let out a vicious snarl. A haze of crimson swirled at her legs and began to climb up her torso. Only unlike me, it took her more than a second to shift. As her body began to contort, I slammed into her again, forcin
g her to the ground. Black seeped into my vision as fury unfurled in my core.

  Mom was dead because of her.

  And now she’d suffer the same fate.

  Vander’s words flitted across my mind. And Sierra, don’t forget, he’s a Royal. The only way to kill him is decapitation. He’d been referring to Lucien, but the same would hold true for his mate.

  I squeezed my eyes shut and chomped down on the back of her neck. A high-pitched scream raised the hair on the back of my nape. Warm blood seeped into my mouth, and all I saw was red. Anger, fear, and anguish consumed my vision as I ground my teeth together, locking my jaw. The crunch of bones ricocheted across my skull as I whipped my head back and forth, until—snap. Sonia’s head came free.

  I spat the blood and ground up bones as nausea uncoiled in my gut.

  “Sierra! Sierra!” Hunter was on the ground beside me a moment later. Bloody gashes crisscrossed his torso, bruises and cuts mottling his haggard face. He cupped my wolfy cheeks, and I leaned into his palms. He drew me to his chest, and I folded into him.

  A heartbeat later, my paws were hands once again, and I curled my fingers into his tattered shirt. “Hunter…” I whimpered. Dozens of battling emotions swirled through my insides. I was furious at him, but I was so relieved he was okay. I wanted to punch him for letting my mom get killed, for choosing me over her and in the same instant, I wanted to bury my head in his chest and never come out. My grandmother cursed him, his father had my mom killed. This was all so effed up.

  His arms tightened around me as he ran his fingers through my tangled hair. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Hunter

  I’d broken her. Because of me, Sierra had lost everything. I should’ve let her be all those years ago instead of dragging her into my world. But our lives had been entangled well before we knew it, before we had a chance to escape it.

  Sierra’s grandmother was the High Priestess. It was because of her that I’d been tormented all these years. And now the ultimate twist, the curse would prevent me from ever loving her own flesh and blood. Had she known somehow? Had she created the curse to keep us apart?

  So many questions swirled in my mind as I trudged up to my father’s chamber. Leaving Sierra had been brutal, but if I was to get answers, now was the time. I convinced myself she’d be safe with Cass and Vander. I worried about Ransom. What would he do when he discovered the truth of his mother’s death? Sierra had so much faith in him, something I did not share.

  Now I had to confront my father in person. I’d already spoken to him last night after returning Sierra to her home. He’d denied everything. And with all the witnesses except Aras, dead, there was no one to confirm my father’s involvement. The Royal’s pet warlock had suffered third-degree burns across most of his body, not to mention a few bites. He was in a coma, and I anxiously awaited his recovery. Not that I had much hope he’d come clean, but it was all I had.

  Grayson stood as I approached the entrance to my father’s chamber, his silver hackles raised. He and Walt were close, best friends for decades. A grin curled my lips. Good riddance.

  “I’m here to see my father,” I barked.

  He dipped his head, and a snarl twisted his dark lips. His eyes glazed over as he notified the alpha of my presence. As soon as he refocused on me, I blasted him with my beta power and sent him staggering back.

  Capturing the wolf in my gaze, I hissed, “If you had anything to do with Sierra’s mother’s capture or Sierra’s continued harassment, I’ll see to it that your punishment is much worse than what Walt suffered.”

  A whimper resonated through the still air, and the old guard dropped down to his belly. The door whipped open behind him, and my father’s glare lanced over me. The fury dissipated a moment later, giving way to a mask of calm.

  “Aristaeus, if you’re here to throw ludicrous accusations at me again, you can save your breath. I already told you I had nothing to do with this Montana’s capture. Despite what you think of me, I did not conspire with Sonia De La Sangue.”

  “Can we talk about it inside at least?” I growled.

  With a huff, he stepped back and opened the door all the way. “Fine, but I don’t have much time. I depart for the Alpha Council meeting in a few hours.”

  My ears perked up as I marched past him. “In feline territory?”

  “Yes. The tigers have had some skirmishes on the border with Nocturnis.” He waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll deal with Leopold. It’s likely nothing but a pissing match between his pride and Carmen Rosa’s vampires.”

  “Will you be suspending the trials until your return?”

  He shook his head as he folded into the wing-back chair. “Absolutely not. We’ve waited long enough. The third round will begin tomorrow as planned.”

  Sierra was in no condition to compete. Even if I helped her, we’d be hard-pressed in this round. The competition amongst the Lunars would intensify tenfold now that we’d be permitted to use our special powers.

  “Now, what did you want to speak to me about?” Father leaned forward, bracing his elbow on the armrest.

  I forced my attention back to Sierra’s mother and resolved to take up the discussion of the trials later. Perhaps, I could force something out of him. “What was Walt doing there?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe Sonia manipulated him somehow, used her compulsion to seduce him into helping her.”

  Just like she seduced you? The thought flitted across my mind, but I didn’t think he’d caught it. “But you don’t deny it was your secret chamber in the woods?”

  “It is mine, but Walt knew of it as did many of my personal guards. I go there when I need a break from the constant din at the lair.”

  Liar. I broadcasted the thought across the pack link, hoping he’d catch it. His brows furrowed, the vein in his forehead pulsating before he schooled his face to complacency.

  Tyrien cleared his throat and crossed one leg over the other, the picture of calm. “I spoke to Lucien, and he’s confirmed his mate was working on her own. He disavows any knowledge of what she’d planned and is extremely regretful of her decision. He also admitted to having you followed awhile back which was how he discovered the existence of your mate.” He paused, narrowing his eyes. “You should be more careful.”

  I swallowed hard as my father’s glare bored down on me.

  “Deny it all you want, Aristaeus, but I know who she is to you, and I also understand your reluctance to complete the bond. I don’t blame you.”

  I scoffed. “Don’t pretend to care about me or my happiness. All that you care about is advancing our bloodline.” I slid to the edge of the couch and laced my tone with venom. “Understand this: Sierra is my mate, and I will complete the bond once I’ve broken the curse. I will accomplish what you could not. And I’ll destroy anyone who gets in my way, Father.”

  A streak of gold surged through his dark gray eyes. “Those are strong words to fling around in front of your alpha, son. I’ve made my feelings for the girl plain from the beginning. You are the alpha heir, and it is your duty to mate with a strong female Dragos. Together, you will bear powerful children and grow our pack.”

  I whipped my head back and forth, my jaw clenched tight. “I’d rather renounce my claim as alpha than be with another female. I will be with Sierra, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

  My father’s pupils lengthened to narrow slits, and his wings snapped out, shoving the chair back with a sharp squeal. The intense obsidian of his reptilian scales sucked the light from the room. “You’re wrong about that, Aristaeus, but I will temper my hand for now. The likelihood that your mate makes it out of the trials alive is right up there with the chances of you breaking the curse.”

  “Are you threatening my mate?” I roared.

  His eyes widened for an instant as my rage filled the room. “No, merely stating a fact.” He chuckled. “It’s actually a shame her mother died. Pe
rhaps she could’ve finally pointed you in the right direction.”

  I nearly laughed out loud. I knew exactly where I had to go to break the curse, but could I do it? My claws tore through my fingertips and burrowed into my palms as I leapt up. “Is that what you wanted all along, Father? To kill Montana so that my curse would never be broken? So that I’d never tie myself to Sierra and come to my full powers?”

  A wicked gleam brightened his grim irises. “I already told you I had nothing to do with that. It pains me that you would think so ill of me. I want nothing but what’s best for my heir.”

  I erased the distance between us and jabbed my finger into his chest, looming half a head over him. “Then stay away from my mate.”

  His lips pressed into a thin line. “As you wish, Aristaeus.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Sierra

  Blinding light streamed into my room, and I rolled over with an annoyed grunt, burying my head in the pillow.

  “You gotta get up sometime, Sierra.” Cass folded down beside me, and I turned to the other side, yanking up the covers. Her hand rested on my shoulder and slowly moved down my back. Tears pricked my eyes. “I can’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, but it’s been a week, girl. You have to get out of bed.”

  I blinked back the tears and buried my head deeper.

  “Hunter’s here again. He’s been begging me to let him in. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold him off.”

  I ignored my best friend, just like I’d been ignoring everyone for the past seven days. Of course, I knew Hunter was here. His presence weighed on me, his pain ripping through the bond. But I couldn’t face him yet.

  My mom was dead.

  No matter how many times I said it, I couldn’t quite comprehend it. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I’d never see her again, never smell her warm patchouli scent, never see her contagious smile. She was dead because of me because I was stubborn and refused to leave Moon Valley. Because I was so insanely in love with a man who could never love me back. And all because of my grandmother! It was all so effed up I couldn’t even handle it.