Hank's sudden applause echoes through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. The perplexed gazes of the gathered pack members shift towards him as he enthusiastically approaches. An uneasy tension settles in the air, and Nina and I exchange an anxious glance, sensing that Hank might be on the verge of unveiling Nina's secret curse.
My hands find their place on Nina's shoulders. ‘Nina, what if this is the curse? What if your wolf is dormant?’ I whisper, trying to make sense of the situation.
‘But that doesn’t explain how it affects you,’ she replies, her confusion mirrored in her eyes.
I mentally revisit a section of the spellbook, the warning about the consequences of casting curses or spells.
Casting spells or cursing ill fortune on another comes with the cost of one's own curse. Only spells that mean well will have no negative effect on the caster. Please proceed with caution. Praying, wishing, or cursing to one's God or Goddess may also be granted by the deity. A powerful sign will occur, such as an earthquake, lightning strike, or a loud rumble, if the God or Goddess accepts your prayer, wish, or curse.
Then, my face pales as a sudden realization grips me, and I stumble upon a memory from my childhood. ‘Damn you, Nina,’ I shouted as I addressed the moon that glistened in the darkened sky. 'I wish the Moon Goddess herself would curse you, deny you your wolf, and sever your mate bond until I find my fated mate,’ I shout angrily.
Then I remember the flash of lightning that suddenly hit the roof of the packhouse and the thunder that roared in the sky. It was the Moon Goddess accepting the curse!
My mouth drops in shock and realisation of what I’ve done. ‘Nina… ‘ I tell her, my eyes filled with regret. ‘It affects me because I am the one who cursed you,’ I confess.
More gasps resonate through the hall at my confession.
Nina takes a step back, creating a widening gap between us. Tears glisten in her eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger flooding her gaze. ‘Why would you do that to me? Why would you put a curse on me, Magnus?’ she cries out, her voice carrying the sound of betrayal.
‘Nina is cursed?’ echoes a shocked voice from the crowd.
Nina's tear-filled eyes lock onto mine. I can see her inner pain from what I've done.
‘Well, that’s one less thing I don’t have to tell everyone tonight,’ Hank smiles.
Nina and I shoot him fierce glares, but he revels in the chaos and faces the guests.
‘Nina has a curse that affects your dear future, Alpha. Magnus can’t shift naturally without severe pain, and it could even kill him, but you don’t know it’s because of Nina’s curse,’ he smirks, revealing our secret.
Gasps ripple through the crowd, and accusatory glares converge on Nina.
I act instinctively, pulling Nina behind me, a protective barrier against the pending hostility.
Hank's grin widens, and he continues his calculated expose. ‘I have proof that Nina is not what she seems. She has no wolf because she’s a witch and cursed your future Alpha,’ he declares, brandishing a remote and pressing a button.
The projection screen flickers to life, revealing a video of Nina and me by the lake, showcasing her casting spells. The hall erupts in outrage, with voices of anger and disbelief.
Insinuations fly: 'Witch!' 'She cursed Magnus!' 'What if she curses the rest of us?'
Terrified, Nina clings to the back of my suit jacket. I guide her back behind me, shielding her from the accusatory gazes of the pack.
My parents rise, stepping in front of Nina and me to create a protective barrier. My father raises his hands, attempting to quell the unsettled guests and pack members. ‘Please, everyone. You must all calm down and take your seats. Nina is not a danger to anyone,’ he says assuringly, trying to restore order.
‘See,’ Hank taunts, pointing at my father. ‘The witch has even bewitched Alpha Ryker to protect her,’ he adds, deepening the chaos.
‘She would never!’ my mother vehemently protests.
Hank turns to face the now terrified and furious crowd. ‘I suppose they haven’t told you either that their son Magnus killed Moss?’ he jeers.
‘What!’ reverberates through the hall, a collective gasp of upset and disbelief.
I step forward, joining my father at the forefront. ‘Moss kidnapped Nina. He wanted to kill me,’ I explain.
‘Lies!’ Hank retorts with a hateful glare. ‘I have a witness here who saw the brutal murder of her son,’ he declares, gesturing for someone to step forward.
From the shadows emerges a hooded figure who aligns herself with Hank and pulls her hood down.
‘Vanessa!’ My parents scowl with the look of recognition across their faces.
‘It’s true,’ Vanessa asserts. ‘Magnus murdered my son after Nina bewitched him. She made him fall in love with her. She willingly came to our pack and pretended we had kidnapped her. Magnus went straight for my son during his first shift, not giving him a chance to defend himself, and ripped him to pieces. And now, I seek my revenge!’ she proclaims, her voice resonating with anger and vengeance.
The hall is suddenly swarmed with hooded figures. Panic erupts, and the air is filled with shouts and screams. The rogues cast off their cloaks, their forms shifting seamlessly into wolves, launching a fierce attack. The once-celebratory ceremony hall transforms into a battlefield.
Mum, Dad, Leon, Seth, Mia, and Amelia instantly shift, confronting the onslaught of rogues. I step back, positioning myself protectively in front of Nina. We witness the battlefield erupting around us with flashes of fur, fangs, and blood.
We watch as my mother’s goes straight for Vanessa. They’re biting, snapping and snarling at each other. I have never seen my mother so vicious and put up such a fight with the pure intent to kill. They fight to the death, a battle that should have happened many years ago. My mother whimpers as Vanessa rips a chunk of flesh from her side. Mother uses her weight to pin Vanessa down, delivering a fatal bite to her neck, the same way I killed Moss. Blood pools around Vanessa, her legs twitching before succumbing to stillness. My mother's triumphant howl resonates through the chaos.