The Queen’s Curse

Chapter 6

As I’m sitting at the table across from Cyrus, stuffing my face with ham, eggs, and pancakes, my thoughts run wild. Did he know my father? He had to have just been a boy when my father was killed. Is he one of the boys in the photo?

I look around but don’t see any decor. Everything is bare besides the wall in the office.

“Are you one the of the boys in the photo?”

I ask then stuff another bite into my mouth.

“I am.” He said plainly.

“Is that your family? Are we related?” I ask starting to feel a little unsettled at the things I’ve been feeling for him.

He laughed loudly and banged his fist on the table. “Yes, that’s my family in the photo, along with your mother and father.” He said, still recovering from his laughing fit.

I felt myself blush “were they friends?”

“My father was the beta to your father. He was his right hand and most trusted adviser.” He said seriously.

“And my father was a wolf? You’re a wolf?”

“Yes, your father was a wolf. He was the protector of our pack and of all the packs in the region.”

“And you’re a wolf?” I ask again.

“Yes, I’m a wolf.” He says proudly.

“Am I a wolf?” I ask embarrassed.

“Not yet princess, but you will be. We must let the elders know you’re here.”

“Okay” I say as I push back my chair to stand up “I’m ready when you are.”

Cyrus smiled and stood.

“How do we even know this human is the son of King Stonewell?” Voiced angrily by the man known as Alpha Cohen Catori.

“Her mother is Clara Stonewell. I’ve seen her.” Cyrus spoke and stood proudly, puffing his chest.

There were whispers among the elders, finally they turned and told Cyrus and Alpha Catori to leave.

“I’d really like Cyrus to stay please!” I blurt out.

Everyone looks at me with surprise, maybe even disbelief.

“Ms. Smith, there’s an order here and you cannot disobey the elders.” One said condescendingly.

“It’s Stonewell, which would do you good to remember.” The alpha stated.

All eyes were on him and his change of heart. Not a few moments before, he was calling me a liar and now he’s defending me. The elders look at each other and nod.

“Ms. Stonewell, Mr. Catori may stay. Goodbye alpha.” One elder said.

As Cyrus and I sat a a long wooden table waiting for the elders to return, we talked about how I should be shifting this night at midnight since I was now eighteen.

He told me it would hurt my first time but would get easier with each shift. I was afraid but I knew Cyrus would be there to help me through and it settled my nerves as much as anything could.

The Elders all sat and began speaking “Ms. Smi- ah, Stonewell, we’ve conferred and we do believe you to be the King Alphas daughter and heir. However, we do need to have proof to show the other packs in the region.” Said an old man.

“What kind of proof?” I asked looking over at Cyrus.

“We just need a few drops of blood on this amulet.” Said another with an uneasy smile.

“O-okay.” I said reluctantly putting out my arm.

“Oh not here dear, we have to wait on the rest of the packs.”

Cyrus took me to the pack house to bathe and change clothes. He took me to a guest room that was so big it could be a small apartment. The bed was bigger than any I’ve ever seen. There was a bathroom attached with running water, which I’d also never seen.

Cyrus showed me where everything was and left. I hated him not being here with me but he said he had things to attend to. I filled the tub with steamy water and sank down into it.

In twenty four hours my whole life had changed. I’m a wolf, my father was a wolf and I’m falling for a wolf that I barely knew.

As I was putting my towel around me, knuckled wrapped the door.

I hurried into the room and yanked on the clothes Cyrus had shown me and wrapped my hair in the towel. Another knock came as I made my way to the door.

“I’m coming.” I say pulling the door open wide.

“Oh. Hello Ms. Stonewell. I hope you’ve found everything to your liking.” Said alpha Catori

“Yes, the room is great.” I say looking down.

“I’m approximately 2 hours, leaders from the packs in this region will be arriving for your ceremony.” He gave my clothing choice a disgusted look. “I take it you’ll be needing proper clothing for tonight.”

“Ceremony?” I ask confused.

“Oh yes dear. The ceremony to prove to the packs that you are the princess.”

He reached to my face and brushed a hair away from my eye that had fallen loose of the towel. “I’ll send someone up with options for tonight, princess.” He said as he took his hand away from my skin. “You may sit beside me at dinner tonight.” He said as he grabbed my hand to kiss it. I pulled my hand from his and smiled. Cyrus was rounding the corner as I pulled away.

“Princess” he said looking at me. He turned to Alpha Catori “Alpha.” He said in a harsh tone.

“I do hope I’m not interrupting anything here.” He said as he raised an eyebrow.

“Nonsense brother, I was just making sure our houseguest was happy with her accommodations and making sure she had something to wear for the ceremony tonight.” He said with a smile. I could feel the tension between them.

“Then I guess we will see you later, brother.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve invited Ms. Stonewell to sit with me tonight for dinner.”

“Of course, we’d love to join you.” Cyrus says harshly.

“The invitation was for one, brother.”

“Well, you have plenty of time to make it for two.” He said, jaws clenched.

“Yes, well then I better see to it.” He said with a smile. He was purposely trying to get under Cyrus’s skin. Of that, I was certain. What I wasn’t certain about was the way he’d touched my face and hand.

I moved to the side and motioned for Cyrus to come in. He was hesitant, but obliged after seeming to talk himself into it.