Chapter 98 The Curse
LIRA POV
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like wolves whose bloodlines participated in the original massacre." She looked uncomfortable. "Descendants of the five alphas. They could become vessels for the curse's physical manifestation."
"That's half the northern territories." Kael counted mentally. "Dozens of packs with those bloodlines."
"Not dozens." Aria corrected quietly. "Five specific wolves, firstborn descendants of each alpha line."
Understanding hit me cold. "Elias Thornfield."
"Magnus's nephew." Kael confirmed. "Firstborn of the Thorn line through his sister."
"Who else?" Thomas demanded.
"Thane Redclaw's eldest son." Aria listed. "Gareth Ironwood's daughter. Soren Shadowridge's nephew. And"
She stopped, looking at me with pity.
"And who?" I pressed.
"And any firstborn of Alpha Magnus Thorn's direct line." She finished softly.
Kael went still. "I'm Magnus's firstborn."
"No." I grabbed his arm. "You're nothing like him, you rejected his corruption"
"Blood doesn't care about rejection." He pulled away. "If the curse needs vessels from those bloodlines, I qualify."
"Then we break the connection." I refused to accept this. "There has to be a way."
"There is." Aria opened the journal to the final page. "But you won't like it."
I read the passage, my heart sinking with each word.
"The bloodline curse can be severed through the Luna's claiming. If she accepts her mate fully, marks him completely, binds their souls beyond separation—the old blood magic cannot touch him. He becomes hers entirely, reborn through their bond. But the claiming must be absolute. No walls, no fears, no holding back. Complete vulnerability from both sides."
"The claiming ceremony." Kael said flatly. "The one you keep refusing."
"Because it requires" I couldn't finish.
"Everything." He met my eyes. "Total honesty. Every shame, every fear, every weakness exposed before the pack."
"I can't." The words escaped before I could stop them. "Can't stand in front of everyone and."
"Then I might become a vessel." He stated it calmly. "During the eclipse, the curse could take me use me to destroy everything we've built."
"That's not fair." I backed away. "You can't make me choose."
"I'm not making you choose anything." He stared at me. "I'm telling you the reality. Either we do the claiming ceremony properly, or we risk me becoming the thing we're fighting."
"There has to be another way!" I turned to Aria. "Some other ritual, some"
"There isn't." She shook her head. "I've searched every text, this is it."
"Twenty-one days." Thomas said quietly. "Until the eclipse. Until we find out which path you choose."
"I need air." I headed for the door. "I need to think."
"Lira" Kael started.
"Don't." I stopped without turning. "Don't push me on this. Not now."
I left before anyone could argue. The packhouse halls were quiet. Most wolves were at evening meal, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I found myself at the temple ruins.
"Quite a dilemma." Marcus's voice came from behind me.
I spun around. "How long have you been following me?"
"Long enough to hear about the eclipse." He stepped into the clearing. "And the claiming ceremony requirement."
"Eavesdropping now? That's low even for you."
"I prefer to call it staying informed." He circled slowly. "So the mighty Luna has a weakness after all. Vulnerability."
"Everyone has weaknesses." I tracked his movement. "What's yours?"
"Ambition." He smiled coldly. "But unlike you, I don't let it paralyze me."
"I'm not paralyzed." I countered. "I'm being strategic."
"You're being afraid." He stopped circling. "Afraid to let anyone see the real you. The broken, scarred, terrified girl under all that power."
"Get to the point." I raised my hands threateningly. "Before I make you."
"The point is simple." He met my flames without flinching. "You have three weeks to decide. Save your mate and expose your weakness, or protect your pride and risk everything."
"That's not a choice." I said through gritted teeth.
"Isn't it?" He started walking away. "Because from where I stand, you've already decided. Self-preservation over love. Just like your mother."
"My mother chose love!" I shouted after him.
"And died for it!" He called back. "Is that really the example you want to follow?"
He disappeared into the trees, leaving me alone with impossible choices. I sank onto the altar, head in my hands.
Through the bond, I felt Kael. I don't know if I can do this. I sent honestly.
Then we'll find another way. His response came without hesitation. Together.
What if there is no other way?
Then we'll face it together. Whatever you choose.
I looked up at the sky. Stars were appearing, bright against the darkening blue. In three weeks, an eclipse would cover them. And I'd have to choose between my walls and my mate.