The Cursed Gift

Chapter 5

It became routine for Evelynn and Midas to meet by the lake before and after school. As the months passed, a quiet friendship slowly formed between them. Sometimes they talked for hours about meaningless things, while other times Evelynn rambled about random facts she had learned from whatever book she was currently reading.

Midas rarely understood half of what she was talking about, but he listened anyway. Eventually, he even brought a chessboard to the lake so they could play when he needed a break from schoolwork and the endless Alpha training his father forced on him.

Somehow, the strange girl with oversized sweaters and gloves became the one thing he consistently looked forward to seeing.

Over time, Midas stopped questioning the gloves entirely. At first, they had seemed odd, but after spending so much time with her, they simply became part of Evelynn. Just another detail that belonged to her.

Occasionally, he took Leo and Henry with him to the lake, but deep down, Midas preferred being alone with Evelynn. The feeling bothered him more than he cared to admit. Every time his two friends demanded her attention, irritation coiled tightly in his chest. He found himself growing strangely possessive of her, even though she wasn’t his and had never given him any reason to think she would be.

The worst came from Leo.

Leo constantly brought Evelynn books he thought she would like, and every single time, her entire face lit up with excitement. Then the two of them turned into their own little book club, talking about authors, stories, and fictional worlds Midas had absolutely no interest in.

But the books and conversations weren’t what truly irritated Midas. It was the way Leo looked at her.

Midas noticed it more and more as time passed. Leo’s expression softened whenever Evelynn spoke, and his attention always drifted toward her no matter who else was around. There was something in the way he watched her that made Midas deeply uncomfortable.

When winter finally moved into the mountains, everything changed. Snow buried the territory beneath thick layers of white, and dangerous storms rolled through the mountains so frequently that Alpha Malcolm issued a freeze warning for the entire pack. Everyone was ordered to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Only warrior patrols were allowed outside, and even their shifts were shortened because of the brutal weather conditions.

For over 6 months out of the year, Midas didn’t see Evelynn. Her father, Paul, spent most of his time working at the packhouse, helping maintain heating systems and repairing weather damage while Evelynn and her mother remained in the cabin. Beta Phillip offered to move them into an unused suite in the packhouse until winter ended, but Tara politely refused, insisting they would be perfectly fine.

Life settled into a repetitive routine. After seasons and years had gone by, Midas’s 18th birthday finally came at the start of spring.

The entire pack buzzed with anticipation for the future Alpha’s birthday celebration and upcoming first shift. Luna Dalia and Alpha Malcolm spared no expense organizing a massive gathering, inviting neighboring packs from across the region, hoping to strengthen alliances and show off Moon Lake’s future Alpha.

Most of the pack members cared about one thing. Would Midas find his mate?

While his parents stood in front of the packhouse, greeting invited neighboring packs to the grand celebration, Midas was standing under the large oak tree, staring across the lake, waiting.

Would Evelynn come? Could she possibly be my mate? The thought consumed him.

“Happy Birthday, Alpha Midas.” A pillowy-soft voice spoke from behind him.

His heart slammed painfully against his ribs as hope surged through him so quickly it almost made him dizzy. Slowly, he turned around to face her. Her sea-green eyes met his, and nothing happened. No spark, no pull towards a mate bond, his wolf stayed silent. Azrik didn’t react at all.

Midas inhaled sharply, trying to catch the mate scent everyone described, but only Evelynn’s usual scent reached him, layered with that strange undertone he could never figure out. Disappointment crashed through him so violently that it twisted into anger before he could stop it. She wasn’t his mate.

“I saw you walking out here and followed you.” Evelynn smiled. When he didn’t answer right away, confusion crossed her face. “Are you alright?”

Midas forced himself to refocus on her instead of the frustration boiling beneath his skin. He shoved every thought about mates and the disappointment aside before giving her a strained smile.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m fine. Long time no see, Evie.”

Evelynn scrunched her nose while thinking aloud. “Winter in the mountains keeps everyone trapped inside. It isn’t unusual for months to pass without seeing people.” Her expression brightened slightly as she continued rambling. “Social interaction is important for mental health, though, especially for werewolves since we are pack creatures. But I imagine nobody in the packhouse suffers much from cabin fever considering how crowded it always is.”

Midas smirked despite himself. She had a knack for turning anything into a random fact.

“Are you excited about your birthday party?” she asked.

“I guess. It’s more about my parents building alliances around a birthday cake.” Then he remembered something. “Your birthday is coming up, right?”

She nodded. “Yes, in less than a week, I’ll be 16. I’ll finally have my wolf.” She pointed at her temple, then she scrunched up her face, looking irritable as if she had just thought of something. “I hope she doesn’t talk while I’m reading; that would be extremely annoying. I should probably establish boundaries and rules with her immediately.”

Midas barked out a laugh before he could stop himself, and just like that, the bitterness inside him eased. Of course, that would be her biggest concern. Mumbled voices made them turn to see Leo and Henry step through the trees.

“What’s so funny?” Henry asked while hopping over a fallen log to sit on it casually. His grin widened the moment he saw Evelynn. “Well, if it isn’t Evie Baby.”

He winked, then purred at her. Evelynn grimaced slightly and offered him a lukewarm half-wave with her gloved hand. She endured Henry because he was friends with Midas and Leo, but she had never particularly liked him. There was always something about him that didn’t sit right with her. He just seemed slimy somehow.

“What are you guys doing here?” Midas asked, unable to hide the irritation in his voice. He had wanted more time alone with Evelynn.

Leo leaned against the oak tree beside her, crossing his arms over his broad chest while his eyes immediately drifted toward her.

“Alpha and Luna wanted us to come find you,” he explained. “Guests are already arriving, and the party’s about to start.” Then he smiled softly at Evelynn. “Are you coming tonight, Evie?”

She shook her head almost immediately. “No, large crowds make me uncomfortable, so I’m staying home. Mom and Dad promised to bring me back some cake, though.”

Disappointment flashed openly across Leo’s face.

“Too bad, I was hoping to dance with you.” He quietly admitted. “But I’ll make sure the Omegas pack up the biggest piece of cake for you, so you have sweet dreams.”

Evelynn blushed instantly at his words. Henry gagged dramatically while Midas felt irritation curl inside his chest again. He hated how easily Leo made her smile.

His mother’s voice suddenly echoed through the mind-link, demanding to know where they were or else. Midas sighed heavily.

“We’ve gotta go, Evie. I’ll see you later, okay?” he said while grabbing Henry by the back of the collar and forcing him upright.

Leo smiled at her one last time before saying goodbye, and Evelynn waved softly before heading back toward her cabin.

As the three walked back towards the main road to the packhouse, the tension in the air was palpable. Leo eyed a brooding Midas warily while Henry ambled along, fingers laced behind his head, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Finally, Henry turned around and walked backward so he could look directly at them. “So,” he said with a grin, “was she your mate?”

Midas blinked himself out of his thoughts. “What?”

Henry rolled his eyes. “Come on, bro, it’s obvious you like Evelynn. You can’t keep your eyes off her, and you try to keep her all to yourself. So, answer the question...”

After a long moment, Midas finally answered. “No.”

Leo tried to hide his obvious relief, but Henry noticed the sudden change in Leo’s body language.

“But you like her, right? Why not make her your chosen mate instead?” Henry said.

Midas frowned. He looked down at his feet as he walked, thinking. Did he like Evelynn? The answer was simple: yes; he did like her. But would he reject his fated mate for her? That answer wasn’t so simple.

True mates strengthened bloodlines, strengthened wolves, and strengthened packs. His father had drilled the importance of strong bloodlines into him since childhood.

By the time they reached the packhouse, the sun had already begun sinking beneath the mountains. Henry headed toward the warrior lodgings while Midas and Leo rushed upstairs to prepare for the celebration.

After showering and changing into tailored suits, the Midas and Leo rejoined their families near the grand staircase. Luna Dalia immediately rushed toward Midas the second she saw him.

“My baby is all grown up,” she whispered emotionally, tears shining in her eyes.

“Mom,” Midas groaned while trying not to smile.

Alpha Malcolm stepped forward next, gripping his son’s forearm proudly. “You look ready to lead.”

Together, the two families entered the massive banquet hall while applause erupted around them. Pack members bowed their heads respectfully as they passed. But Midas barely noticed any of it. Azrik had become restless.

‘What is your problem, Azrik?’ Midas demanded through their bond.

‘MATE!’

Midas froze. The intoxicating scent of jasmine drifted through the banquet hall. It was overwhelmingly rich to his senses. Somewhere inside the crowded room, his true mate was waiting for him.