Blood Of The Cursed

by BrittanyAnn Robinson

  “Scarlett Steele, don’t you fucking dare!” I screamed at her. And within seconds of me yelling at her, her presence was gone. I felt nothing from her. Nothing. She was standing in front of me and I couldn’t feel her. She opened her eyes, and she was completely gone. Just a shell. I reached out to her and she slapped my hand away.

  “Stay away from me, Rhett Jameson. If you try and follow me, I will kill you. I promise you that.” she said before she shifted and ran out the door. I couldn’t move my feet. I couldn’t breathe. My heart all but stopped. Finn looked at me.

  “She just severed our connection, breaking the bond. I feel absolutely nothing from her.” I said with even more anger in my voice.

  “Fuck. Rhett, man, I’m sorry. I can’t help you here. I’d definitely not go after her. She’ll come back when she’s ready. How about you go for a run and I’ll clean this shit up.” he said softly.

  I nodded, shifted, and ran out the door. I made my way out of the house, the front door was already open. Scarlett must have opened it when she came down, knowing she was going to shift and run away. This is my fault. What the fuck did I just do? I sat in the backyard, feeling the rain hit my face. I heard a howl come from the property. It was full of pain and sadness. Scarlett. I can’t wait for her to come to me, I ran to her as fast as I could.

  She was standing by the cliff that hangs over Pictured Rocks. She had shifted back to human form, butt ass naked. Staring out over the lake. For a second I thought she was going to jump. She stood so close to the edge, my heart sank. I shifted back to my human form.

  “Scarlett, baby, please. Come here, please. I’m sorry I said all of those things. I wasn’t thinking. I couldn’t think. I’m numb, Scar. I reacted all wrong, I know this. But you are wrong, I do love you. I do care about how you feel. I’m sorry for blaming you for the loss of our child. Thank you. For trying to save me. For saving anyone you can. It’s who you are. And I love that about you. It’s what draws me to you.” I said softly to her

  I slowly approached her, she didn’t move a muscle. I stood behind her, I put my hands on her shoulders and leaned my forehead against the back of her heard. She didn’t move still. She silently cried. The rain putting a bite to the air. Especially on these cliffs. I noticed goosebumps on her skin. I slowly turned her around to face me. She stood in front of me, her eyes boring right through my soul.

  “I loved him too. I loved Phoenix just as much as you did. You’re right, he’s gone and it’s all my fault.” She sobbed and started to fall to the ground, but I caught her. I picked her up and carried her back to the house. She laid her head against my chest. Shivering. Crying. We made it back to the house, I walked her upstairs, and into our bedroom. I sat her on the bed and walked into the bathroom. I turned on the hot water to the garden tub, filling it up. I poured a little bit of her bubble bath in it. Suds began to form. I went back to the bed and picked her up again, carrying her to the tub. I stepped inside the tub and sat down, sitting her between my legs. I sat in silence with her, pouring hot water over her hair and rubbing her back with the washcloth. I felt her relax some as she leaned herself against my chest.

  She leaned forward and turned around to face me. In my mind, I was willing her to talk to me. To touch me, to love me. But I don’t want to push her, I hurt her too badly. As if she knew what I was thinking she sat on my lap, straddling me. Placing her hands on my cheeks. She leaned forward, pressing a kiss on my lips. I need this. I need her to touch me, and not sexually. I wrapped my arms around her body and held her close.

  “I’m so sorry I severed the bond.” She cried against my lips.

  “Shh. Shh. Baby no. It’s okay. I don’t blame you, I’m not upset with you, I promise. I love you so much. Please forgive me.” I pleaded.

  She gave me another long kiss. Nodding. I could finally breathe again and I started to relax. Scarlett started to kiss me harder. It became needy. I knew what she was wanting and I couldn’t do that to her. Everything was too raw still. She sensed my hesitation.

  “Rhett. Please give me this. I need it. I know it doesn’t feel like the right time, but I need it. Please take some of my pain away. Please. I need you. I’m begging you.” She cried and pleaded.

  I nodded. She pressed her lips to mine again. As if on cue, my dick became hard underneath her. She lifted herself up a little bit, reaching down and grabbing my dick, stroking it a few times. Scarlett held it at her opening, and then slowly slid down on me. She let out a sigh of relief. She kissed me harder this time. She stopped, looked at my shoulder. I knew that look. I nodded. Her canines elongated and she bit down on my shoulder. Hard enough to draw blood but not so hard that it hurt. She drew blood and drank it in. Instantly the connection we had before sprung back to life. Everything she felt came rushing back to my mind. I could finally breathe again. She sat there with me inside her for a moment so she could catch her breath from the bond hitting her like a freight train. A small smile crept up her lips. She slowly lifted herself up and down on me. We both moaned and she quickened the pace. After a few moments of this, she came and so did I. Scarlett lifted herself up enough so I slid out of her. She still sat on my lap, laying herself against me. I played with her hair and poured warm water on her back. For a moment things were calm. Raw and painful but calm.

  "We can get through this Rhett. But we have to do it together. I can't do it alone." She said as she buried her face into my neck.

  "Yes baby, we can get through this. I'll be by your side through it all. The most painful and the most happy times. I love you so much." I kissed her hair and continued to hold her close.

  We finally emerged from the tub after the water had turned cold. I may have apologized to Scarlett for saying those things about her, and I meant the apology, but I still feel numb inside. It is going to take a lot for not only us, but the pack to move on from this. We may have only found out recently that Scarlett was pregnant but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Wolf pups are coveted, the whole pack cares for them. There is nothing more precious on this earth. I need to be here for Scar. I can mourn and hurt but she comes first. She felt the physical pain of losing Phoenix. Tears pricked my eyes as I got dressed. I took a deep breath and shook off the thoughts.

  “Hey, babe, why don’t you crawl into bed and I’ll go downstairs and get you some food. I know you’re starving by now.” I suggested cautiously.

  “Thank you, but no. I need to go down and face everyone at some point. Might as well get it all over with now.” She said as she blew out a breath.

  “You’re one strong woman. Just remember that they won’t be judging you. They are sad for us but they aren’t going to judge you for this happening. Remember that.” I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. Kissing her on top of her head, we parted and grabbed each other's hand. We walked this way out of the bedroom. The pack had seen how we acted towards each other, it was also important that they see us fixing things between ourselves.

  Hitting the bottom step, I could feel the anxiety pouring off of Scarlett. I squeezed her hand, reassuring her that everything will be okay. If anyone ended up treating her nasty or disrespecting her, they would have me to deal with.

  “Scarlett! I’m so glad you’re okay!” Athena comes running up to Scarlett, giving her a big hug.

  “Easy Athena. Be careful.” I growled.

  Athena was in my face before anyone could stop her.

  “Listen here asshole! You don’t get to tell me how to deal with my best friend. From what I hear, YOU’RE the one who hurt her. I swear to god if you weren’t alpha of this pack and a fellow werewolf, I would kill you where you stand. If you think I’m going to forgive you like Scarlett has, you’re sadly mistaken. I don’t know what the hell you think gives you the right to talk to her the way you did, and say the things you did, but you better find someone else to treat like shit and not her. You’re fucking lucky I wasn’t here. Because your office walls wouldn’t be the only thing with a huge hole in it.” Jackson finally came in betw
een Athena’s angry finger and myself.

  Well, shit. I really dug myself a hole with this.

  “I will be begging for her forgiveness for a very long time. I’m well aware of that. I fucked up. I know that. I was hurting and I lost control of myself.” I said, knowing it was impossible to defend myself. I was wrong, and everyone knew it.

  “Athena, let’s just leave it be for now. I’m starving, so I’m going to end up eating your arm if someone doesn’t get me some food. Pronto.” There’s the Scarlett we know and love.

  “I’ll let it go for now, but only because I’m actually going to need two arms to beat Rhett to a pulp if he fucks up again.” Athena said smugly.

  Great, I’m going to be on her shit list for a long while.

  “Wait until Hazel gets home. You think that you’re getting an earful from me, you just wait.” Athena laughs, making me groan and throw my hands up. I’m not looking forward to that.

  “Well fuck. I might as well get Scarlett fed before Hazel gets home and I’m stuck being chewed out all day.” I start walking to the fridge.

  “Hey Rhett, sorry to butt in right now, but don’t forget about that little situation we have to take care of.” Finn says nervously, glancing at Scarlett. I can tell he didn’t want to say anything, but he knows the issue can’t wait.

  “Finn, what are you talking about? And Rhett, don’t say anything because I don’t want to hear lies, and I know that’s all you’re going to tell me.” Scarlett knows I wasn’t going to answer honestly.

  “Babe, I don’t want you to worry about anything right now. It’s nothing that needs to be dealt with right this second.” I replied. Athena snorts.

  “Yeah go ahead and lie to her big man. That’s really going to solve your problems.” She says, rolling her eyes.

  “Finn tell me right the fuck now.” Scarlett demands.

  “It really isn’t that big of a deal Scar. But, during the attack, we were able to capture a rabid wolf. He is currently in a basement at a Baraga packhouse.” Finn says quickly.

  “What are we all still doing here then? We're wasting time.” Scarlett says as she gets up from the table.

  “There’s nothing that we can do right now. We planned on heading over there later on. I just heard from your dad that Sybil and Amora are on their way over there. I’d really like it if you stayed here. Hazel will be back in a little bit, maybe she can keep you company.” I suggested. I knew well enough that it wasn’t going to work. There was no way that Scarlett was going to stay here. I couldn’t even get out another word before Scar began growling.

  “Rhett Jameson, if you really think I’m just going to sit here and twiddle my thumbs, you are out of your fucking mind. I won’t go to see the wolf, but I sure as shit am not sitting here. I’ll go visit my mother. I’m sure she’s worried out of her mind about me anyways.” Well, I guess that was as good as it was going to get. Instead of arguing with her, I just gave her a quick nod.

  8

  Pulling up to my parents' house, they were already outside on the porch. As soon as I got out of the Jeep, I could tell that my parents had both been crying. Their eyes were red.

  “Scarlett, my god I’m so glad you’re here.” my mom pulled me into a hug. I could hear her sniffling. This makes my heart break a little more. My dad envelopes us both into an even bigger hug.

  “I love you baby girl. Thank you for saving me. I know what it cost you. And I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, Scarlett.” I have never seen my father break down in tears the way he is right now. The three of us just held each other and cried. I could hear sniffling all around us. Were all supposed to be a bunch of tough werewolves, but right now we are anything but. The loss of our baby boy, Phoenix, is breaking everyone. Just as the emotions were getting to be unbearable, two cars pull into the driveway. Sybil and Amora. Thank god. I needed a break.

  “We’re sorry to interrupt during this time. Scarlett, come here child.” Sybil calls to me.

  Right at this moment, all I could think about was what she said at the Alpha council meeting. The bad things she said was going to happen. Well, I’m guessing losing the baby was one of them. I walked to her slowly.

  “You knew, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?” I yelled, tears brimming my eyes again.

  “I’m sorry, but you know why I couldn’t. I know it hurts. Please accept my condolences.” Sybil said, putting her hand on my arm.

  I had nothing more to say to her right now. I understand why she couldn’t tell me, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I began walking back towards Rhett, who stood nearby and had been waiting patiently through my breakdown with my parents.

  “Wait, why are you and Amora here?” I stopped in my tracks, realizing that I had no clue as to why they were here.

  “Barret has asked us here to check out the rabid wolf.” Amora answers.

  Oh, well that answers that. I know I was unconscious for a day, but I was suddenly feeling very exhausted.

  “Rhett, you go on ahead with them. I’m going to lay down. I’m really tired.”

  “Are you sure you’ll be alright? I can stay with you if you’d like.” Rhett offered.

  “That is nice of you, but no you can’t stay. You have to go get this all figured out. Amora and Sybil can’t wait on you all day. You go ahead and I’ll stay here with mom. She will make sure that I’m okay. Go.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  9

  “The wolf is being kept in Dakota’s basement. I asked him to keep an eye on it until we could get Sybil and Amora here to investigate.” Barret told us.

  Scarlett, her mother, and Athena had all gone into the house. Leaving Barret, Dakota, Finn, Jackson, Sybil, Amora and myself, outside in the yard.

  “Let’s head on over to my house, it’s just a short walk through the woods.” Dakota began walking onto a small path not far from where we were standing. The path was only big enough for us to walk in a single file line. I walked behind Dakota, the witches behind me, then my guys, and Barret brought up the rear. There was a look of sadness on Barret’s face. He normally walked with his head held high, and a look of assurance on his face. His face could not be more opposite today. After a few minute's walk, we reached an opening in the woods. There was a clearing with a double level log home, with a wrap-around porch. Beautiful. You’d never know there was a rabid zombie wolf locked in a cage in the basement.

  Dakota led us all up the porch steps and into his home. We continued following him until he reached the basement door.

  “Rhett, why don’t you and the guys go down first, check everything out to make sure he is still secure, and then I will send Sybil and Amora down.” Dakota suggested. That was fine with me. I’d rather make sure that everyone stays safe anyway.

  I started down the steps, with Finn and Jackson right behind me. At least this rabid wolf was now in a cage. Can’t do any harm from behind the bars. I wasn’t in the mood to put up a fight right now. We didn’t even reach the bottom of the stairs before we heard growling and a body slamming into the side of the cage.

  “It’s safe for the girls to come down!” I yelled back up to Dakota.

  “Gross. The longer they stay alive like this, the worse off they look. Can’t we just put it down now? Poor dude. If I get infected, don’t wait. Put me down right away. Don’t fucking wait.” Jackson told us, sounding as serious as could be.

  “That isn’t going to happen, so don’t even talk about it. Nobody else around here is going to get hurt.” Barret chimed in as he walked up to the cage.

  Sybil and Amora reached the bottom of the stairs. Both of them gasped.

  “My, he looks worse than he did the other day. We need to hurry and figure this out so you can put him down.” Sybil stated.

  Grabbing hands, they begin to chant.

  “Quaenam radix de malo interius, per viam invenire se posse vigemusque mortem. Quaenam radix de malo interius, per viam invenire se posse vigemusque mortem. Quaenam radix de malo interius, per viam invenire se
posse vigemusque mortem.”

  Sybil and Amora continued to chant together. A teal and lavender smoke rose from their palms as they thrusted them towards the wolf in the cage. The smoke continued to flow as it completely covered the wolf. The chanting went on for a few minutes, then stopped all at once. Both women stopped chanting and let out a few coughs.

  “Are you alright? Did you see anything?” Dakota asked.

  Both women stare at each other.

  “What is it?” I asked impatiently.

  “We saw where the infection originated. A witch. A witch caused this. Circee Talbot.”

  “Who is Circee Talbot?” Finn asks.

  “Circee Talbot is not just any witch but a powerful one. A high priestess to be exact. She went missing about a year ago. The spell revealed exactly why she went missing. At the time she was with a wolf, Troy Woods. She was madly in love with him, but he had found his mate, and left her.” Amora spoke up.

  “She couldn’t handle the heartbreak. She made this curse to get back at him. She infected a vampire that she made attack Troy. During the attack, he got bitten by the vampire and became infected. That vampire ended up loose and continued to infect others. After the attack, before he turned rabid, Troy had made his way home and infected his new mate. The infection just spread from there. Eventually, it got introduced into the witch population when one of the vamps attacked a witch coven. All of this over a broken heart.” Amora shook her head.

  “Can you two trace her? Can you turn this curse around and heal the infected?” I asked hoping the news would be positive.

  “Unfortunately we can not. The curse is specific to Circee. She is the only one who can fix it. Which I don’t see happening. She took her own life because she couldn’t bear the pain of her broken heart.” says Sybil.

  “Speaking of seeing, how is it that you’re a seer, and you didn’t see this coming. Shouldn’t you have been able to see that another High Priestess developed this curse?” My man, Finn took the words right out of my head. It made no sense how they didn’t see this coming.