The Angel's Curse

Chapter Three

~Ember’s Pov~

It had been a relatively nice day, the sky a crystal clear light blue with no clouds hindering its magnificent beauty. Which only meant one thing: it was the perfect day to go for a run. My body was begging for the exhilaration of a nice run and, with the number of hiking trails around, it would be a nice difficult one. A long, limit-pushing rush with a scenic view of the lake, that was a perfect thought I imagined all morning during the unpacking process. As much as I didn’t want to wait, I had promised to help move some of the larger furniture up the stairs so Veronica and I could finally start putting our rooms together. Granted, our beds were up there in rooms we had claimed as our own, but it was just all of our stuff had been left in the boxes taking over the living room. The sooner we got them out of there, the sooner we could start living life normally. Well, live it as we wanted. Which meant, for me, daily morning runs and spending time with my two favorite people, Lily and Veronica.

“Hey Ro, you know it would be easier if you had let the hot movers move everything heavy up those stairs,” I remarked, helping her bring up the last dresser. My back pressing against the heavy piece of furniture, I tried as hard as I could to get it up the last couple of steps. However, I knew it would be struggling with Veronica helping me. She may be strong in mind, but she was far from having a strong body for something like this. I guess that’s probably why I was on the stairs while she was at the top of them. If it went down I could get out of the way faster than she could.

“With how you were mentally licking them up and down... I wasn’t going to let them past the front door if I didn’t have to.” She remarked, poking a bit of fun my way. A breathless laugh slipped past my lips as the dresser gave in, moving up the last two steps after five minutes of fighting. Keeping my hands against its side, I turned back around to face it. Pushing with all I had so it was completely off the stairs. There wasn’t even an inch of it hanging off the lip of the step.

“I was not mentally licking them…” I grumbled, climbing the now open steps, finally able to face my accusing sister. Her eyes giving me that knowing, motherly look within seconds of our eyes meeting. “Fine, I was. But I wouldn’t have touched them...much.” I confessed, both of us bursting into fits of laughter. There was no hiding it from her. She had eyes like a hawk and just knew me too well. As nice as it was to have her know me like this, it did bother me having her act like a mother towards me at times. Her maternal instincts often outweigh her personal wants and even trying to force that way of thinking onto me. Even though she knew that it’s not how I am. Not until I become a parent anyway.

“You’re horrible,” Veronica said, gripping the dresser once more, dragging it over the wooden floor. Pushing from the opposite side, I helped her guide it around the banister. We were going into Veronica’s room, which was opposite mine in the hall. My bedroom is the first one at the top of the stairs, about four steps away from the top step, actually. While Veronica's room resided down the hall at the very end, leaving Lily’s room just before hers. We had done it this way so that, no matter what, one of us was on either side of her. Well, that and out of the three of us, I’m the lightest sleeper. So if someone broke in I would hear it and could get to Lily and Veronica before the intruder would know.

“Oh please, if you weren’t on this ‘No Dating’ kick you would be eying them up too.” I countered, getting this last bit of furniture into her room. It was finally over, all that was left was items that belonged downstairs. Knowing that made me almost dance for joy, almost.

“ You can mock me all you want for it. But after the last one...I don’t think I will ever end up with someone. Not if someone would be willing to do such a thing to me.” she spoke solemnly, her eyes filling with specs of pain. I knew what she meant all too well. The problem was, I couldn’t help her forget that pain, let alone talk about it. It wasn’t my story to tell. All I know is that in my heart I knew she would find someone that would love her, scars and all.

“I’m not mocking you, Ro... I... I,” sighing softly, I had to look away from her. Her eyes had grown distant, already recalling her tale that led to this move. Taking control, I moved the dresser to its final resting place under the only window overlooking the front yard. Leaving it there, I then turned my attention back on my dearest sister. Silently stepping behind her, snaking my arms around her from behind. I could feel her heart pounding wildly in her chest, her memories startling her more than I could ever know. Even my touch had made her flinch before she even showed signs of relaxing.

“It’s okay, I’m here.” I breathed into her ear, resting my head against her shoulder, slowly rocking her like she did when my first real boyfriend dumped me. Back then she held me lovingly like this, gently rocking while humming softly, letting me know she was there for me when and if I needed her. Now it’s my turn to return that loving comfort. Humming softly the first tune that came to mind. I couldn’t recall what the song was or even where I heard it, all I knew was it was helping. Standing like that a little while longer, I didn’t let go until she had calmed down. Her head-turning to look at me, kissing the top of my head. Her head resting sweetly against mine in gratitude.

“Thanks, Em…” She whispered, easing herself away from me, her hand gently patting mine while they slipped away. I watched her head for the stairs, head dipping to take a look at the watch on her right wrist.

“It’s going to be one, How about you take a break. I’ll start bringing up the boxes.” She offered, resting her hand on the banister, glancing over her shoulder at me. She seemed alright on the outside. Her eyes back to how they had always been, guarded. Seeing her this broken put a damper on my idea of going for a run. I couldn’t tell if she was really going to be alright or if this was just to give her that chance to dwell in her thoughts.

“Are you sure? I can help out more if you want.” I offered, following her back down the stairs into the sea of boxes. There really wasn’t much left to bring up to the rooms. Plus both of our boxes were clearly marked so I didn’t have to worry about my stuff getting mixed with hers. My things weren’t what I was worried about, Veronica was. She was keeping her back to me while she worked, going over to the radio to play a few CDs. Which was my cue that she had meant what she had said, I hoped.

“Well, I’ll go get Lily from school while I’m out. I’ll be back soon.” I told her, grabbing my house keys from the hook beside the door. Taking one last look at my sister, then leaving to have a quick run. Letting the door click shut behind me I stood still until I heard the music start blasting. The rhythmic thumping and steady pace of a country song had been what I heard. The words muffled by the wooden exterior of the house. A smile tugging at the corner of my lips, listening for a moment before I stepped off the porch. My hand grazed the crimson rose bushes as I passed, the gentle breeze kissing my cheeks in greeting. Humming the last of the beat I had heard of the song, I could hardly wait to run with the wind. Not waiting to hear the gate click closed I started a steady jog, letting my feet be my guide. My heart fully intending on letting them take me on my first adventure through the trails to help me forget what happened at home. My mind giving in to the excitement blocking out anything and everything that didn’t have to do with the path I was taking. The last thing I recalled seeing before it completely turned into my own world of bliss was a muscular tuft of red hair head down the road I came from. After that, it was all trees on either side of me and the nice relaxing crunch of dirt under my shoes.

~Trey’s Pov~

The sky looked duller today, not as blue as the last nice day. Sure there were no clouds, but it was hard to see its beauty when your heart had felt empty for so long. Following the roads, I chose to walk to my appointment today, needing the extra time to clear my head of dark thoughts. I couldn’t let my pack know how hurt I was that I had returned alone. My Luna never came to me last night, not a scent that I could pick up making my inner wolf howl in need. All that I got was sick of seeing so many wolves finding their one true match, their second half, and leaving with the brightest of smiles on their faces. Even Jax Peyton, the Alpha hosting the gathering, had found his mate among the fray... But why couldn’t I? We were similar in age, even strength, and yet the Moon Goddess granted him the right to have a mate. Leaving me to be one of the few remaining Alphas with no better half, their strength so much weaker than those that were whole. Now I needed to wait another year till the next gathering in hopes to find my Luna. Another year to suffer alone, bearing the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I had such high hopes the day before, today not so much. If I had my way I would have been home for the next week just to rebuild my self-esteem. Just to do some work around my own home instead of going out to a stranger’s house. But thanks to Jax, I was left with no choice but to leave my house after yesterday. All because he forgot he had borrowed my phone when his phone had died in the middle of scolding the caterers that had been running late. It wasn’t my fault it had interrupted his ‘special moment’ with his mate. But now I had to suffer the consequences of someone else's actions, the story of my life.

Looking over the piece of scrap paper with the name and address of the woman who had requested my help, I knew where I was going. The house was at the other end of town, pretty far from the pack house and on the border of the pack lines. It had been left empty for years till now it seemed, Connar, my Beta, had told me about it being purchased a week or so before this call. In my opinion whoever bought it was desperate if they bought a home that needed to be remodeled from rustic lakefront home to a modern one.

My gaze shifted to the name of the woman, just so I knew who I would need to speak with. Veronica Freeman, a name I’ve never heard of till now. It sounded pretty in my head, yet my sour mood this morning made me detest this name. I haven’t even met this woman and I already pictured a pompous rich girl whose daddy spoiled her rotten. She probably got into trouble in the city and came out this way to hide.

Heaving a heavy sigh, I crumpled up the paper and stuffed it into the pockets of my worn jeans, I was ready for this day to end. Lightly hitting a small pebble with my boot, I observed how it skipped across the dusty surface of the cement before finding another cluster of stones to nuzzle up to. My inner wolf growling in disgust, it’s pride gravely wounded. So much so this silly stone made him jealous of how it had others like it. ‘This is so stupid, it’s a damn rock!’ I thought, lifting my head, smelling the lake water in the air. Taking a moment to sniff the air, I was nearing the border of my packs lines. On the other side of this imaginary line was the sickening stench of the mongrels trying to take my home away. However, that wasn’t the only thing on the air. No, there was something else and it was driving me crazy.

Pushing onward, I barely noticed the girl that ran past me. Nothing about how she looked even registering in my mind thanks to this scent. What was it? I kept following the scent, letting it guide me towards a lone two-story cabin-style home. Its outside appeared to be made from solid logs, the front yard fenced off by a generic picket fencing, the gate gently moving in the breeze. Lightly gripping the gate, I closed it behind me, still under the distracting control of this now strengthening scent.

‘It smells like...honey and chamomile.' I mentally noted my heart beginning to race the closer to the door I got. Whoever this woman was was pushing my senses towards overdrive. I needed to know who this was to finally come face to face with the woman in the world that could make this wolf's heart flutter, My Mate.

Knocking loudly on the door, I tried to control myself despite the want to break this door down to get to her. It was a power struggle as my inner wolf yearned for her with each passing moment. I wasn't going to be an Alpha who hated their hand-picked mate, oh no, not when I've finally found her.

It felt like time had stopped the second the door opened up. The suspense was intensifying with each passing moment. The creaking door driving me to the point of insanity, only getting the teasing glimpses of parts of her. She had long wavy golden hair that barely fell two inches past her shoulders. Her hand gently gripping the side of the door as it opened, her hazel eyes meeting mine, sending a wave of heat throughout my body.

'My Mate…' I thought, staring at her in awe. Her body was on the smaller side, her legs and arms exposed thanks to her revealing clothes. She looked to have been busy judging by the light layer of perspiration that was on her skin. It would make sense seeing as she would still be in the process of moving in. But much to my surprise, I didn't really seem to care about her appearance. Even if she was to gain weight the next time I saw her, she would be just as stunning as she was now.

"Umm Hello? Are you alright?" Her heavenly voice spoke. Shaking my head I had to restrain myself otherwise I may just blow my chances with her.

"Y-yes, sorry. I'm Trey Westing, are you Veronica Freeman?" I introduced holding my hand out to her in greeting. Her hand tightened its grip on the door, her knuckles gradually turning white from how tightly she was grasping it. Tilting my head to the side slightly it was hard to tell if she was scared or worried about me being so close to her. It wouldn't be the mate bond seeing as she wasn't fawning over me as I was her. At least I didn't think she hid any effects pretty well from me. All except her racing heart that is. That was one thing I could hear clear as day, the rhythmic thumping in her chest the longer it took for her to answer.

Eventually, she did take my hand. The feeling of her smooth skin against my rough calloused ones had my wolf yearning for more. It and I both wanted to feel her skin against mine, to caress her body longingly in my arms and never let her go.

"Yes, I am. Sorry to have interrupted your gathering last night, but I needed to get the counters taken care of as soon as I could. Otherwise, more then just a few cuts may happen. " she explained, gingerly tucking a lock of sun-kissed golden hair behind her ear. She picked her wording carefully it seemed, her wording trying to keep her sounding professional while her eyes didn't mirror that same want.

"I see, well let's have a look then. Maybe I can help you out, even if it's a temporary thing until I can get the supplies." I told her, lightly touching her shoulder, feeling her skin relax under the simple interaction. She was reacting to the bond, just not in a way that would make this as easy as most. Judging from the mixture of scents in the home she didn't live here alone and one such scent shared a similar honey scent. Knowing this it made me think of the possibility this young woman had a child. It was more likely the shared scents if she did than her already being claimed. Especially since Connar had informed me that it was two women that lived in this home.

Stepping off to the side I let Veronica lead me further into the house, giving me the chance to really study my mate without her watchful eyes on me. Her hips swayed with each step she took, her hand gingerly grazing the framing of the archway that led into a light gray room with black floors. The only bit of color, from what I could tell, was the navy blue curtains that were draped over the window. It wasn’t my choice in colors, much too dark, but something inside told me it was more of a comforting aspect for the woman before me. A means to mask the joy inside her home from the world outside. However, seeing the state of the counters and cabinets in this old home was horrible. Placing my hand on the counter top close to the door, I could just feel it. The wood was rotten, very flimsy to the touch. How they were even still standing was amazing to me.

“ Well...I don’t know how else to say this, but these counters are in horrific shape.” I informed her, catching a glimpse of her heaving a heavy sigh from where she stood. Only three to four steps away and it was as if she was beside me when I broke the news. Her arms holding onto herself tightly making me wish I could comfort her.

“Will you be able to do something? Maybe replace them? “She questioned looking up at me, a faint hint of worry in her eyes.

“Well I can, But it will take some time for me to build them and the cabinets.”

“And the Cabinets? But none of them have fallen…” Moving over to her, I softly touched her hand, bringing her over towards the first broken cabinet that had once rested in this room. Guiding her hand over the hanging cabinet I let her feel it, the way the wood moved just under the slightest bit of pressure.

“ It will give the more you use them...I don’t want anyone to get hurt if I can stop it.” I expressed my concern for their safety, her back pressing into my chest while I helped her see what I saw. She fit perfectly against me, her smaller frame hidden by my much broader one. This little bit of closeness easing my desperate need for her in my arms even if it was just for a short while. Stepping away from her, I let go of her hand. I didn’t want to press my luck with her, to overstep the walls she was struggling to keep up.

“I see...How much will fixing everything cost?” She questioned turning on her heels to face me. Her motions were simple yet breathtaking at the same time.

“It won’t be cheap that much I can tell you,” I informed her trying to think of a means to help her, to keep her close to me and ask her to be mine.

“Will I be able to make payments for the job? Or will I need to get the mon-”

“Tell you what, I’ll cover what you can’t afford. In return, I would like to get to know you better. How about you take a trip into town with me tomorrow? We can pick up the lumber, maybe even some new counters...or go to lunch.” I blushed bright red looking away from her. I couldn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth, was I trying to ask her out or make her my assistant? There was no way she would agree to this kind of offer. My chances were ruined as of this moment. To me, they were anyway. I needed to find a means to backtrack on this, to make it less awkward. But How?

I took several steps away from her, putting distance between us. My eyes moving over the remaining counters searching for my answer. Placing my hand against the counter top, making it appear as if I was testing the give. Panic was taking over my heart and mind. There was no plan forming and the awkwardness in the air was suffocating. I come on, I’m twenty-five and still acting like a prepubescent teenager asking the most popular girl in school out. My tongue felt like it was drying out the longer I waited for her response, palms growing sweaty. I was an all-out mess.

“Alright.” Veronica’s soft womanly voice spoke then. My body freezing in place letting her answer play on repeat in my mind. Did she just agree?

“Pardon?” I responded wanting to hear her say it again before making my judgment on her response. This time, however, I wanted to see her eyes when she said it. Her eyes would give me a definite meaning behind her words. Shifting on my feet I tried not to lean against the counters. My hands casually slipped into the front pocket of my jeans while I faced her. Her cheeks were a cute shade of pink. Her index finger on her right hand gingerly twirling a strand of her golden locks as she looked away from me. She was nervous as well.

“I’m agreeing to go to town with you...as well as going for lunch.” She spoke clearer this time, her voice trying hard to mask the nervousness. She was adorable, my little mate. So guarded and so careful with her words, yet so sweet and innocent at the same time. If I hadn’t known any better I would assume she was an angel in disguise. With the beauty of one and the heart to match, all she needed was the wings.

“Then, it’s a date.”