The Angel's Curse

Chapter Eight

-Trey-

This wasn’t how I wanted to break the news to her. If anything, it was far from what I had dreamed. But with the threat of attack drawing near, I had little choice in this matter. At least not if I wanted to keep them close. Looking into the stunning pools of hazel that stared back at me, I could make out the mixed feelings that Veronica held. She was conflicted, fearful even, of where she stood in this. However, among the confusion there was a glimmer of hope for me. There was a light of want and comfort buried deep within her that I would need to draw out. Until then, I would just need to show her that what I told her was true and hopefully gain not only her love, but her daughter’s as well.

“You don’t have to hide how you’re feeling, Veronica.” I spoke, feeling her body stiffen against mine. Her heart rate increased as she listened. “I can see it, hell, I can sense it on you. Just trust me when I tell you, I don’t wish to harm you, your daughter or anyone you care about. I only wish for you to give me the chance to prove myself to you and your daughter. Should either of you not like me, I won’t darken your doorstep again.” I meant the words I said, even if it pained me. I would step away should neither accept me. After all, there is no telling if I will be around long enough in the end.

She stood silently in my arms, her eyes seeming to be scanning mine for a hint of lying. Carefully scoping me out, making me chuckle slightly. The look on her face reminded me of a rabbit debating about whether they would take the carrot from their owners hands. It was cute, even more so when she blushed, pushing me away from her to pout.

“I-It doesn’t seem like you’re lying to me… So I don’t see any harm in giving you a chance.” She stated, crossing her arms under her chest and going towards the stairs. Her golden locks fluttered about the middle of her back, holding my attention before the ghost of a smile brought my gaze upward.

“So… I guess tomorrow will be your first chance, unless… you’ve changed your mind about fixing up the kitchen?” I smiled back at her, ensnared by the playfulness she held in her words. The way her eyes shimmered gave me hope for the future that one day, she would be the sun that I started my day with.

“Then it’s a date. “ I replied, walking with her to the front door. The doctor would need time to finish up with Ember and with Lily asleep there was no need for both of us to be in the way.

“Thank you… For everything Trey.”

“Anytime. I’m just a phone call away.” Taking one last look at her, I had to refrain from kissing her then and there. Maybe tomorrow I will have earned it. With everything possibly going through her mind, it didn’t feel right. For now, I brought her hand to my lips and left a butterfly kiss. Watching her eyes soften, and her blush grow deeper, permanently etching the look of innocence into my mind.

Bidding her farewell, I left for the night, praying that the memory would be enough to get me through the night. As much as I wanted to ask her to stay with me, I knew that her place was here. Her family needed her, more importantly, she needed them. The panic and worry had been clear in her eyes the moment her daughter had burst through the door. From that point on, it was as if her sister was a missing piece that needed to be found. Before I had begun the hunt, I could smell the desperation coming from her. It was a heavy decaying scent in the air that drained the light from her beautiful hazel eyes. ‘Just like when mother had lost father.’ I found myself thinking, knowing these feelings well. After all, my mother had to bury not only her mate but two of her sons as well. Leaving me to take up a mantle that greatly overtakes me. Not only did I have to lead a pack I was never meant to lead…but I'm left to be the only Westing son to ease our mother’s sadness. Thinking of my mother, I smiled a little. She was sure to be overjoyed to hear there might be a chance for our family yet. For a Westing to find a mate was a miracle all on its own. Maybe things were starting to look up for us after four years of death.

‘Alpha, borders have been secured. ‘ Beta Conner’s rough gravelly voice broke through. Shaking me from my thoughts long enough to alert me to the fact I would be nearing the pack house in the center of town.

‘Thanks Conner. Please see to it that the eastern border gets double the protection.’

‘Does this have to do with the girl?’ His question was leading, a faint hopefulness lingering on each word. It seemed I wasn’t the only one hoping that my mate would be found sooner or later. I just hadn’t expected Conner of all people to be this hopeful.

‘Not her per-say, but her sister. However, you don’t know a thing. I want my mother to be the first to know.’ I replied, chuckling, already hearing the laughter he and his wife shared. I knew I could trust Conner and his wife Abigail with this news. They weren’t ones to gossip about personal matters. If anything, Abigail was known to silence anyone gossiping in her presence.

‘You better hurry home then! I’m chomping at the bit to hear who our Luna is!’ Abigail exclaimed, taking control of the conversation like she always had. Her excitement is infectious and heart-warming, to say the least. Having these two at my side gave me the courage to keep going many times. That’s why I never saw a need to anoint my own Beta. Conner more than earned his possession in my eyes. It was only luck that Abigail was the mate that came with him. If it had been anyone else, things might not be as good as they are now.

‘I’m almost home.’ Home. It’s funny how a word so simple felt empty. A home is a place in which your loved ones can be found. Your wife, children, even your parents should you wish. Yet looking at the large three-story brick building drawing near, I could honestly say that this place counted as a home for many, just not me. Not until Veronica and Lily are at my side. My beautiful mate and daughter, the family I yearned for so long, was my home. The only saving grace here is that my mother resided on the third floor of this building, where the Alpha’s quarters resided. Otherwise, the two lower floors were reserved for the pack. Those in need of a home, or visitors that came to visit resided on those floors. If they didn't live there, everyone lived in the town in their own homes, designed for their needs. My home was on our side of the lake, awaiting my return. For now, this building dressed in ash gray brick and old Victorian fencing was where I resided. Looking over a pack that was never meant to be mine.

“Welcome home, Alpha.” I was greeted upon stepping into the largely lit entryway. Many of the packs’ pups ran about whilst their parents did their part. The kitchen staff was already hard at work keeping up with the many requests, despite how late it was getting. While the few that had joined me on the hunt for Ember had begun spinning tales of the girl that faced three to four rouges on her own and only broke her wrist.

‘If only they knew.’ I chuckled, making my way towards the stairwell, paying no mind to the stories. My footsteps sounded heavy on the floor boards, each one creaking in defiance. The old floors, one of the many reasons I didn’t favor being in the pack house. They were scratched and worn, many times children got splintered by the rough surface and cried out. Making Ember only one of many to hold a great disdain for the practically microscopic swords that embedded the flesh.

‘And Veronica thought Ember was being unreasonable.’ I smiled, stopping mid-step to kneel down and lightly touch the floor. They had begun to splinter over the years. Chunks of the surface have already broken off from overuse. Much to my surprise, bringing my hand away from the boards, just touching them had left a small cut on at least one of my fingers. We hardly notice such small discrepancies, our heightened healing saw to that. But Lily didn’t have our healing. What would happen should she go running through these halls with kids her age and slice up her feet? Worse yet…what if Veronica were to be blessed with a baby…my baby…and fall because a board was uneven or broken?

‘ Conner, on a free day I want to take care of the floors. They are splintering more than normal.’ I may be over thinking things or rushing towards an outcome I don’t yet know. But I didn’t care. Just picturing them getting hurt wounded me far more than any tooth or claw could dare.

‘ Alpha, that’s not your job. I’ll have someone come in to replace them.’ Conner stated, his tone firm.

‘Very well. Just please have Abby make sure it's done properly.’ I asked, wishing I could just handle it myself. But Conner knew what was best. An Alpha shouldn’t be worrying about minor repairs, even if he finds them enjoyable, to say the least. Maybe that’s why I never really looked into anything happening within the pack house. They usually get fixed if not by someone here, there would be someone called in to do it. Either way, the issue would be handled well before I even knew the individual had been there. Call it neglectful or what have you. In my defense, I never anticipated being in the pack house long.

Nevertheless, it didn’t make up for all that I saw. Everything from minor cracks in the walls to an old painting missing the glass from its frame, had started catching my eye. Gradually lengthening my venture up to the third floor. Now with a laundry list of repairs or changes that need to be done, I wasn't any closer to being ready to bring them here.

“Mom, I’m home!” I called, pinching the bridge of my nose, already regretting letting Conner take control of the repairs. Not that he would do a bad job. It was more so the fact I could get them completed faster should he not make me follow a schedule. And there was no telling if the complete list would be completed without complaint.

“Welcome home, Sweetie!” Mother exclaimed, looking up from her chair in the office. She was an avid reader, always enjoying the newest tales spun in the world. So much, in fact, I had given her own place within the alpha’s office to call her own. A reading nook complete with hand carved bookcases that surrounded both a window seat and a nice oak rocker that used to be fathers. The only difference being the cushions were reupholstered, so they were a sweet pink-peach with white lace. It was the one place on this floor, besides her own room, where she could be found. Often sitting there talking with me about all the stories she would read to her future grandchildren. Children that neither of us even knew were possible.

Going over to her nook, I smiled, leaning down and kissing the top of her head as I did every time I greeted her. Her green eyes smiling back up at me just before closing the book in her hands.

“You were out all day today. That’s not like you.” She remarked, giving me her typical motherly look. The same look that you knew if she gave you, you’re better off just coming clean. It was also the look that my mother, Cassandra Dawn Westing, was known for in the Moonstone pack. After raising three sons, she had perfected the use of her facial features to gain the information she wanted. Often using it during her time as Luna to assist my father in gaining information from the Lunas of other packs. In this case, I knew what she was hoping for. The very light I hoped to give her with my news.

“I’m sorry, I had gotten distracted. “ I began, gently taking her hands into my own. Feeling the wrinkles that had begun to form on her once agile fingers.

“Kori Trey Westing, you are starting to worry me with all this stalling.” She scolded, gripping my hands firmly. Her eyes grew firm, almost as if she expected more bad news.

“As impatient as ever, Mother. “ I laughed. “ I found my mate, my goddess given mate.” Those words felt like a dream to me, and I was the one who had spoken them. However, seeing the emotions that flooded my mother's face was worth it. A new hope for the Westing family and one long overdue. She struggled to keep her tears in check, pulling a hand from mine to touch her wedding rings at her neck.

“Trey…please tell me this is not a trick. I don’t think this old heart can handle it not being true.” She breathed, her eyes looking into my own for signs of deceit. When she hadn’t found any, a smile took over her face and tears fell from her eyes. “It’s true! Oh, thank the heavens it’s true!” she exclaimed before managing a laugh. “Good thing I’m sitting, I might have fainted if I had been standing.”

“You know I wouldn’t have risked that.” standing up, I helped her to her feet. “I can’t wait for you to meet her. She’s perfect, a real ray of sunshine.”

“Then bring her in! Let me meet her and we can start planning her Luna Ceremony. Then you both can get started on making me grandchildren.” Grandchildren, with every union there was that expectation. I knew deep down that upon Veronica agreeing to become my Luna, there would already be a grandchild for my mother to pamper and spoil. But this brought a new fear to my heart. Would she accept Lily as her grandchild as I would accept her as my daughter? It was unheard of that an Alpha had children that weren’t theirs by blood. At least I haven’t heard of this happening.

Sighing softly, I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to figure out what to say from there. I didn’t want to ruin any chances of Veronica and my mother getting along. Let alone, ruin Lily’s chances at having the love of her grandmother.

“Well…she’s not in the pack house. She’s at home with her family. “

“Well, they all could have come here. After all, there is plenty of space.” I could hear her slip the book back onto the shelf, then the shuffling of her feet as she drew close to me. Averting my gaze, I didn’t want to risk our future by saying the wrong thing.

“ There are repairs that need to be done before I bring them here. Mother…they are human. She doesn’t come alone either. She has a daughter, a seven-year-old that may be afraid of wolves after today…” I selected each word carefully. Only looking at her once I was done explaining what I was willing to tell her. I knew she heard the conversation through the pack link about the attack earlier that day. Especially since I needed the pack on high alert should the rogues come into town or should it be an attack from the DemonClaw Pack. What I didn’t know was what finding my Luna would do to me. These fears had never been a part of my thoughts before. Nor this sense of losing what I don’t yet have. All I knew was that in the morning I had a date with the woman of my dreams. That should it go well, the pack will be whole, and we can finally rebuild our strength to keep anymore of our home from being claimed.

Flinching, I hadn’t noticed I had scratched at the back of my hand until I felt my mother’s hands touching my calloused hands. Looking down at them, I could see the two bleeding cuts I had created whilst trapped in my own thoughts.

“ Trey, it doesn’t matter if she’s human, wolf, pink, purple or green. What matters is that you have found the one person that will lead you towards your strength. Nothing else matters outside you finally finding your happiness as Alpha of this pack. “ She spoke calmly to me, just as any mother would. Her words were comforting. Soothing those fears into nothing more than concerned blips in my mind. Looking at her, I smiled softly, kissing her forehead, grateful to have her to guide me.

“ You truly are one of a kind,” I told her, earning a small smile in return.

“Well, I’m the mother of three head strong Alpha men. I have to stand out somehow.” she mused, lightly patting my cheek before turning away. Taking a few steps towards the hall, she finally let herself laugh. “Plus, her having a daughter means I get to be a grandmother without the wait. So you better do your best to win her over, Trey. Give her flowers and be flattering.”

“What do you mean by that? I’m pretty charming.” I chuckled.

“All you Westing men are charming. But women want sweet words and actions that knock their socks off. Not someone that smells like a horny teenage boy! “ She remarked, hiding the smirk on her face by leaving me there in the study. Had I smelt like a teenager? I haven't the slightest clue. But nevertheless, I was going to clean up before calling it a night. Especially if what mother said was true, I would need to go all out to win my mate over.