Chapter 103 - Their Cursed

Calder

Even though everyone showed up an entire day early, I don’t think things could have turned out any better. Remi’s smile never once broke from her face. Even my father seemed relaxed and happy when he didn’t catch Elias and Carson sitting too close or holding hands. I linked Carson during the second movie of the night to tell him I wanted to handle both our father and the Maya situation. I just knew tonight was not the time or place.

Dad held Mom on his lap, showing her far more affection than he had publicly for years while we all enjoyed our night. Ryker and Pip were snuggled up, barely paying attention to anything else, much to Gentry’s annoyance. Remi, Cullen, and I took up an entire section of the couch ourselves, also cuddling. Gentry sat on the floor with Carson and Elias. I knew he was feeling lonely, and I hoped his mate was ready to handle this curse soon. Remi’s birthday was less than two months away now.

After two whole movies, no one was ready for bed, so Remi and Pip got us all to play games. Elias and Carson joined me, Cullen and Remi to go against Gentry, Pip, Ryker and my parents. For one of the games, Remi put oven mitts on everyone, and we had to unwrap a present while wearing them. It ended when my father got frustrated and his claws shredded through his oven mitts. Remi thoroughly enjoyed herself; the evidence was clear on her face. I wish I knew why we couldn’t feel her properly, but I had already resolved to speak with Sammy about it when she returned.

When it was finally time for all of us to retire, Remi seemed too excited to sleep. She and Pip stayed downstairs to arrange all the presents around the tree. Pip also brought stockings for everyone else. When Remi finally joined us in the bedroom, she launched herself at me, knocking me backward onto the bed. Her lips found mine, and she kissed me deeply and enthusiastically. I chuckled at her attack.

“So far, so good?” I asked when she let me go. She nodded her head vigorously.

“This is the best Christmas I have ever had, Calder. Thank you! I love you so much,” she gushed. I wanted nothing more than to make her this happy for the rest of her life.

“Let’s give her the gift now,” Cullen linked me as he came out of the bathroom.

“Close your eyes, baby. It’s about to get better,” I told her. Her face scrunched up in confusion, and I shot up to quickly kiss her nose. “Just close your eyes,” I told her again, lifting her off me. Once I sat her on the bed next to me, she closed her eyes and waited patiently. I positioned myself behind her so that she was sitting in between my legs. Cullen climbed on the bed in front of her, holding the box. I lifted her arm and held it up so Cullen could put the bracelet on her. I could tell she was utterly confused as she sat there.

“Since it is after midnight and our family decided to invite themselves over early, I thought we would give this to you now,” Cullen began to explain. Her eyes fluttered open as he spoke, moving down to the simple yet beautiful bracelet on her wrist. “This is one of a kind. The material it’s made of includes a tiny amount of ashes. We wanted you to have something you could keep forever after we break this curse.” She tensed in between my legs, her eyes fixed on her wrist. The bracelet consisted of a white gold plate with a tiny heart stamped out on one side. A delicate chain connected it around her wrist. To anyone else, it would be a simple bracelet, but we were hoping it would be much more to her.

“What do you say, baby? Is it okay?” I asked softly. She looked up at Cullen then turned her head to me. Tears were threatening to spill over her eyelashes. She bit her lip and nodded her head slowly before she sucked in a shaky breath. She turned back to Cullen, gently flinging herself at him. He caught her and squeezed her tight. She sobbed into his shoulder, but we didn’t think it was sad tears.

When she finally calmed down, she pulled away from Cullen and wiped her face. “This is the most thoughtful present anyone has ever given me. I’ve never felt more loved. Thank you,” she whispered.

Remi

There is nothing that will ever compare to the past two days. I kept having to stop myself from being a blubbering mess but only because I was so happy I couldn’t contain it. The twins’ gift for me made my heart stop. I won't ever take it off.

We drove back towards the Supernatural Realm, not entirely ready to go back to real life. Christmas had been the perfect fantasy come true, but there was still a pack to run. The twins and I would be visiting the farthest of the merging packs in a few days, so there was a lot to prepare before we left.

When we arrived home, the twins wistfully retreated to their offices. There was an etiquette book in the library that Nicole suggested I skim through to make sure I was ready to go with the twins. I made the twins a giant breakfast before we left the apartment, so we planned just to see each other at dinner time.

There was no one in the library when I entered, so I headed straight back to my favorite spot, grabbing the book on the way. My heart stopped when I rounded the corner, and a man was sitting in one of the armchairs. He sat there with one leg crossed over another, clearly waiting for someone. I immediately felt like something was wrong. I hadn’t ever seen him around the packhouse.

“Nice of you to finally join me, Remi. Did you enjoy your little holiday?” he said in a menacing tone. Calli screamed at me to run away, but the man snapped his fingers, and my body felt frozen in place. “Tsk. Tsk. Don’t think about running away when you just got here,” he goaded me.

Who was this man, and where did he come from? Why couldn’t I move?

I tried desperately to link the twins but felt nothing from them. Why wasn’t it working? “Oh, I don’t think we should call them just yet, young wolf,” the man said. My eyes were wide in fear. He stood from the armchair, stretching himself to his full height. He was tall like my mates and Cassius but not quite as big. His suit was a deep red color and looked a little pompous. He had bright silver hair and striking blue eyes that looked sinister and cold. He stretched out his limbs before striding towards me. He stopped inches away from me, looking down with a crooked smile that sent chills through me.

“You are smaller than I thought you would be. Surely, your wolf should have made your body grow,” he thought out loud. “You do bear a striking resemblance to her, though.”

“Who are you?” I demanded. He laughed coldly.

“You haven’t guessed yet? Well, dear, I guess I gave you more credit than I should have.” He paused, stepping around me, looking at me like a prize. Finally, he continued, “I am the greatest warlock in the world; the very same one your family has been so desperately running from all their lives.” I gasped. This was Voldigoad in the flesh. How did he get in here without being noticed?

“And now you wonder how I got into your little packhouse without anyone knowing. Easy,” he said, snapping his fingers again. He vanished right in front of me, appearing back in the chair a moment later. “I am not confined to the same conventions of travel and time as you dogs.”

If I could move, I would be shaking in terror right now. Why was he here? What did he want? How do I tell the twins?

“I wanted to come and have a little chat, seeing as you and I will be getting very well acquainted soon. By your smell alone, I know you aren’t carrying a child for me. Such a shame we will have to do this the hard way,” he sighed. His eyes drifted for a moment before snapping back to me. “I guess those little mates I let you traipse around with were useless after all. No matter, I will take care of things when it is time.”

“They won’t let you touch me,” I threatened. Voldigoad laughed as he stood and stalked towards me. He bent down, his face stopping too close to mine.

“Are they going to stop me?” he asked. For effect, he ran his knuckle down my cheek. His touch burned, but I couldn’t move to get away. I bit back the scream wanting to escape my body from the pain.

“Oh, and this,” he said, reaching behind my head. He plucked the broach from my hair where I clipped it this morning. He tossed it towards one of the bookshelves, and it bounced away. “It's disappointing that someone of my own blood could be so pitiful with magic.” He turned around and walked back to the armchair, plopping down in it.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. I didn’t know if it was stupid or wise to keep him talking. The twins wouldn’t be looking for me for hours still, but maybe they would be able to feel me.

He chuckled. “That little trinket did nothing to hide you from me. The foolish little witch could never cast a charm strong enough to do that. All she managed to do was interrupt your bond with the two mutts. Did you not notice you couldn’t feel all their wolfy feelings anymore?”

Realization washed over me. When we went to the Winter Fae territory, I had left the broach at home by accident. They could feel me the entire time; then, when I put it back on, they couldn’t again. It was the thing we thought was protecting me the whole time.

“Our time is short now that I got rid of that for you,” Voldigoad went on. “I will not take you today. No, you are going to come to me willingly, I think. Your time is running out, little rose. I am not quite sure the witch will last until your birthday either. It would be best if you decided soon and maybe I will spare her, well, what's left of her.

Sammy. He has her, and he's using her to get me to come to him sooner. A tear escaped my lashes.

“I don’t quite feel like getting my hands dirty today, so I will take my leave before they arrive. I will see you soon, little rose,” Voldigoad said, bringing my panicking mind back to focus on him. He gave me a sinister smile before snapping his fingers again. He vanished, and I fell forward to the ground, regaining control of my body. Footsteps thundered behind me.

“Remi!” Calder shouted. Two sets of arms were quickly pulling me up, and even their comforting sparks weren't calming my racing heart.

“Baby, what happened?” Calder asked quickly.

“All of a sudden, we could feel you again,” Cullen said.

“V-Voldigoad…” I stuttered.