The Curse

by Harper A. Brooks

  “Besides you—Mila and Father. And now Bec and Kalle. Oh, and Erec.”

  “Erec?” she asked. That was a name she hadn’t expected to hear. “How does he know?”

  “I thought he deserved some answers from Claus, after everything the wolf has done to him,” Filip said. “Because of him, we found out Jerrick wants to rule over all as the one and only alpha. That’s what all this death and destruction has been about.”

  But they had known that already, hadn’t they? It wasn’t an unbelievable goal for a madman like Jerrick.

  “Anything else? Anything new that we can use to stop him?” Astrid walked over to her bed and sat on the edge. As she glanced around the room, she realized all her belongings had not only made the trip but had been placed exactly how she always set them—from her bed in the center of the small space and the white fur rug lying underneath, to the loom that held the half-woven blanket she’d started years ago and never finished. Even the dried lilac flowers she had picked last spring hung from the tent’s ceiling and her oldest pair of boots, still covered in mud and grass, were lined up near the tent’s entrance. All of it must have been Filip’s doing. She had expected most of her things to be left behind in the rush of the move, but then again, her brother always went the extra mile when it came to her. Seeing everything still here and so neatly placed wasn’t too surprising.

  “With every pack Jerrick takes down, he takes recruits to join his ranks. The east pack makes four packs that he’s destroyed, and that’s only from what we know of. There may be more. Jerrick must have a nice size army by now.” Filip began to pace at the foot of her bed, his forehead creased with worry. “We haven’t gotten any word from Rohan’s pack in the north yet, or the ones up the east point.”

  From what Astrid had gathered from her father’s conversations in the past, Rohan’s pack was small and he was a young alpha without a lot of experience. Father thought him arrogant and only dealt with him when it came to trading goods. But if his pack and theirs were the only two left, it might be smarter to close the distance a little and work together.

  Filip must have been thinking the same thing because the next thing he said was, “Rohan’s is the closest. I’ll send a messenger up north at the first light of dawn. Father won’t like it, but we may need to band together for this coming battle with Jerrick. Strengthen our numbers.”

  There was a short pause, and Filip stopped his pacing. When he looked at her, the same worry hung in his gaze. “Claus also mentioned something about Jerrick wanting Erec—that he’s been looking for him. Do you know anything about that?”

  A wiggle of fear went through Astrid. Jerrick knew who Erec was? And he was searching for him? Did Erec know Jerrick more than he had let on?

  “No…” she choked out, her mouth suddenly dry. “He never said anything to me about that.”

  “Erec seemed pretty shocked, too,” Filip continued, and relief rushed through her. “Erec pushed for more, but Claus didn’t say anything else about it.”

  “Where is Erec now?” she asked.

  “He’s helping Bec and Kalle dispose of Claus’s body.”

  So that meant Jerrick’s right-hand man was dead. Astrid wondered by whose hand—her father’s, Erec’s, or Filip’s.

  Astrid let out a loud sigh. Her shoulders slumped forward, and she sank farther into the softness of her bed. Filip came over and sat beside her. His gaze softened.

  “I didn’t tell you all this to concern you, Ash,” he said, his tone gentle. “After hiding Father’s secret from you for years and seeing how it hurt you so deeply, I promised myself I wouldn’t keep anything from you again. I don’t want to see you that upset, especially because of me.”

  Filip hadn’t said it outright, but Astrid knew her brother well enough to decipher his words. He was saying he loved her, in his own way. At least he wasn’t trying to protect her by lying to her anymore. But not worry? How could she not? Her father and brother were clashing for ownership of the pack and Erec… Even with Filip’s confidence in Erec, Astrid still wanted to ask him a few more questions about Claus’s confession and his past with Jerrick—if he had any. If Erec had been lying at all, then there was a chance that she had stood against her father for the enemy. And that her father had been right all along.

  “I don’t want you to worry,” he repeated. “It’s not your problem to stress over. It’ll work itself out.” He laughed, but it sounded forced and too false to her ears. “I’ve always wanted to be alpha. Follow in Father’s steps. I just thought that when it did happen, things would be a little different. That’s my luck, I guess.”

  He was trying to raise a smile out of her, but her lips stayed in a stiff frown. She saw nothing funny about this. Not one bit.

  Silence enveloped the tent, and the minutes dragged by.

  “I heard you fought off some of Jerrick’s scouts. Even killed one.” Filip attempted to change the subject. He even wrapped an arm around her and drew her into a side hug. “And here I thought you were just my baby sister, not some wild, vicious beast.” He laughed again, but this time, the natural rumble to it told her it was genuine. “Go on. Say it—I can take it. I know you want to. Say it.”

  A whisper of a smile touched her face as she peered up at him. “I told you so,” she muttered.

  “What was that?” He leaned in closer. “I couldn’t hear you.”

  Astrid chuckled. “I told you so! I told you letting me train with you wouldn’t be a waste of time.”

  “There it is!” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Ash.”

  “Maybe now you can let more women join in your training sessions?” she asked.

  “We’ll see,” he replied. “Although I don’t think many women are keen on learning to fight, like you.”

  “I think you’d be surprised.”

  Filip rose from the bed and walked to the tent’s entrance. “Mila and I are only a few tents down, if you need anything.”

  “Filip, wait…” She stood. There was one more thing she needed to ask her brother, something that had been nagging her for some time.

  He spun around. “Yes?”

  Astrid took a deep breath. “How did you know Mila was your mate?”

  Filip tilted his head to the side, pondering her question for a few seconds before answering. “The moment I stepped into Rohan’s pack to deliver Father’s message and saw her there, I felt it. She was meant to be mine forever.”

  Astrid had almost forgotten that Mila had once been part of Rohan’s pack. She had adjusted to their pack so easily after meeting Filip, it was difficult to believe she had belonged to any other.

  “So you knew right away? As soon as you met her?” she asked. That wasn’t good news for her and Erec. She still wasn’t sure what it was between them—if it was lust, infatuation, or love. Maybe it was all of the above?

  Filip gave her a teasing look, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why do you ask?”

  She narrowed her gaze on him.

  “It’s Erec, isn’t it?” he pressed.

  Astrid’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t know what to say so she clamped it shut again.

  “I had a feeling…” he jested. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  That took her aback, and a strange fluttering sensation filled her belly. How does he look at me?

  “He protected you against Jerrick’s scouts, and just the way he reacted when Claus spoke your name before—he cares for you. I like him.”

  Filip approved, but that wouldn’t mean much if Erec wasn’t really her mate. She hadn’t felt that same certainty Filip had with Mila. If anything, she was more confused than ever about her feelings toward Erec. But what did that mean, exactly? Was this not the match she had hoped it was—the one they needed to break the curse and save them?

  “I don’t know if it’s Erec.” Through the mess of her thoughts, she found her voice again. “And now that you say that about Mila, I’m even more doubtful.
I didn’t have any kind of magical moment like that. I’m still…not sure.”

  Filip closed the distance between them and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s different for everyone, Ash,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a little longer for people to realize than others. It’s all part of the risk.” His grin touched the corners of his eyes, drawing a smile from her, too. “But when you finally do know it, you’ll know it. With every fiber of your being. Believe me. It’s a feeling like no other.”

  He turned away from her and strode back to the door. “I think this is it for you,” he whispered. “He’s the one who’s going to save you. He has to be.”

  …

  The hopefulness in her brother’s voice before he left reminded Astrid how little time she had left before the Blue Moon and the final stage of the curse. He was just as eager as she was that she’d survive it, but despite Filip’s assurance, Astrid’s nerves were still a jumbled mess. Filip had known Mila was his mate immediately, as if it’d been fate. Although Astrid felt many things for Erec, hesitance was included in that list, too. Was finding a mate really different for everyone, like Filip had claimed? Or was he just trying to keep her from worrying more? She didn’t know, but the chance Erec wasn’t her mate wasn’t going away; it loomed over her like a storm cloud, ominous and threatening. There was no escaping it.

  Once night fell, the steady pounding of drums replaced the familiar sounds of the crackling fire and the occasional mutter of passing voices. Then came the melodic drone of a horn, followed by the rattle of a tambourine. It was enough to spike Astrid’s interest and draw her from her tent again. She stepped outside. The bonfire’s flames were even higher than before, igniting the camp in a brilliant orange and gold light. The heat kissed her cheeks, making her smile. Like Erec had promised, the crystal stones surrounding their camp glowed a vibrant pink under the moonlight, matching the same fiery hue that smeared across the sky every time the sun rose and set. It was breathtaking.

  Near her father’s tent, a group of musicians sat, playing their instruments in a rhythmic and uplifting song. Children clapped their hands to the beat of the music, while couples joined hands and danced around the fire’s edge, pounding their feet and throwing their hands into the air. A crowd had already formed around the commotion, and more people began to wander over, filling in all the empty spaces.

  Excitement coursed through Astrid. The amount of joy surrounding her, radiating off every pack member’s aura, made her insides hum. Celebrations this grand were rare, usually saved for the night after the Blue Moon when mates who’d survived the curse were announced and accepted. But they had another two weeks before the Blue Moon, so why all the merriment?

  Astrid strolled around the many onlookers, some already swaying from drinking too much spiced ale. Like always, a few pack members trotted around in their wolf forms, more comfortable in fur rather than skin. She spotted her father sitting on one of the logs circling the fire beside the musicians. Bec sat on his left, and Filip and Mila were on his right, with their son cradled in Mila’s arms. It made her think of Stefan, and Astrid’s gaze swept around the many familiar faces. She found Dana toward one of the tents, grinning broadly as she bounced little Stefan in perfect time with the music’s steady beat. Mother and son reunited at last. It was one of the most beautiful sights Astrid had ever seen.

  When she approached her father and brother, something struck her, making her hesitate. Why was Filip here, in front of all the pack? He had told her moments ago that he was avoiding any interactions in fear of his alpha wolf being discovered and causing more confusion. Yet here he was.

  Then another thought hit her just as hard. Is Filip going to challenge Father?

  Her chest constricted as panic set in. Here? Now?

  When Father’s gaze found her, he stood and beckoned her over with a wave of his hand. Spine stiff, she walked over. He offered her his seat by her brother and she sat down. Her nerves skidded across her skin, raising goose bumps.

  Astrid watched her father march to the bonfire and turn to face his people. He held out his hands, and the musicians stopped playing. An eerie silence settled over the pack.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered to her brother, but he shushed her.

  Then, in front of the many curious onlookers, Boden raised his arms out to Filip, a grin lifting the wiry whiskers above his lips. “My son,” he started. Filip rose to his feet and joined his father’s side. Boden placed a meaty hand on his shoulder. “It brings me great joy that this day has finally come—the day my son takes my place.”

  Astrid held her breath. Could it be? Father was stepping down? Was he handing over his alpha gift to his son? Her insides warmed. Father must have really thought Filip deserved the title to give it to him willingly. And that meant no challenge, no fight. She expelled a sigh of relief and met her brother’s gaze.

  He pulled his shoulders back and smiled, proud. He didn’t need to say a word; the emotion in his face said it all. “See, I told you not to worry. It all worked out.”

  Boden’s voice boomed in the stillness. “Filip is now your alpha.” He paused, peering down at his son with so much admiration, Astrid’s heart swelled with pride. “As well as mine.”

  With those words, Astrid sensed the alpha aura receding from her father. She saw it, too—the golden glow around him dimmed, while Filip’s grew in size and strength. Boden had renounced his position of alpha to not only the pack, but to the sky spirits as well. The air around her brother sizzled with energy as new power gathered and encased him.

  There were shouts and cheers from the crowd. The ones in wolf form pointed their noses into the air and let out a harmonious howl at the stars. Astrid clapped so hard, her palms stung. Her brother deserved this. He had wanted to be alpha for as long as she could remember.

  When the familiar twitter-like whistle resounded behind her, she glanced over her shoulder to see Erec standing beside her father’s tent. He gave her one of his famous smirks, his midnight blue eyes heavy with the same hunger she’d seen before. His gaze lingered on her long enough to raise heat to her cheeks. Even knowing that there could be deadly secrets he was keeping, she couldn’t stop the burning sensation building inside her. She spun back around, terrified of the power he had over her. How was it that he could make desire pulse through her veins with just a simple look?

  The question stayed with her for the rest of the night, hovering in the back of her mind despite the hours of heavy drinking, dancing, and laughing. Astrid had joined in the merriment, jumping up to her feet as soon as her brother beckoned to her. She missed the nights of music and good company like this; she had always loved to dance. It made her feel…free.

  Since her mother’s death, things had changed within their pack. Celebrations like this were few and far between. But as she swayed her hips to the rhythm, she was untouchable by any of her fears, by the curse, by the painful memory of her mother’s death. Even if only for a moment. It was liberating, and she spun and twisted and rocked as the booming beat drowned out all other noise.

  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even Henrick asked her to make a few turns around the fire with him. The man didn’t normally smile, but when he danced with Astrid, his grin spread ear to ear. She guessed the four pints of spiced ale had helped a little.

  A warm tingle was spreading over every inch of her skin, and her head was pleasantly light. Every so often, she would glance across the flames to find Erec still there, where he’d been before, beside her father’s tent. His eyes would catch the glow of the fire as he watched her, and every time, a shiver ran down her spine.

  As the night pressed on, the numbers began to dwindle as families drifted back to their tents. Even Filip and Mila had left to return to their son, and her father had turned in at midnight. The loud rumble of voices softened to whispers as the few remaining men and women enjoyed the last of the festivities. The musicians’ song changed; the steady boom of their drums, accompanied with the hypnotic drone of a h
orn and the chime of bells, filled the air with a sensual melody. Something inside Astrid changed, too. As she danced by the heat and the glow of the fire, her wolf stirred, wanting something more primal, more physical.

  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, inhaling the scents that swirled around her. The atmosphere was heavy with the rich aroma of sweat, fire, and lust, and she let it soak into her pores, a richness that promised a night of pleasure and more primal indulgences.

  Maybe it was all the spiced ale she’d drunk over the last few hours—she didn’t know, but the more she swayed to the rhythm of the music, the more she hungered for a partner. The more her body craved to be touched.

  Erec…

  She opened her eyes, peering into the shadows beside her father’s tent where she’d seen Erec standing before, only to see the spot empty. She frowned, and her stomach sank. He must have gone to bed, like the others.

  Astrid stopped dancing, contemplating whether or not she should return to her tent herself. Her head was swimming from the mixture of the drink and the heightened arousal thrumming through her. But before she could even take another step, hot breath tickled her ear, and the scents of smoke and spicy cedar filled her nose—Erec. His calloused hands slid up and down her sides, fingers gliding across the bare skin under her sweater, until they finally rested on her hips. They gripped her there and tugged her backward, until his hard length pressed against her bottom.

  Her wolf whimpered in recognition, and an ache began to grow between her thighs. Erec’s fingers dug into her hips, forcing them to move with his in an all too teasing dance. Even with the fabric separating them, she could feel the size of him, large and firm, ready for her.

  She swallowed roughly. It was too easy to think about how he would feel inside her, stretching her. She had only been with one other wolf shifter before—when she was young, stupid, and looking for a little fun against her father’s wishes—but she knew that quick escapade would be nothing like a night with Erec. Unlike the clumsy boy from her juvenile years, Erec’s movements were so slow, so sexual, that they made Astrid shudder. It only heightened her desire for him.