The Fated Curse

Cain was always carefree in his life. Born to be the next King of the Wolf Shifters Kingdom, there was a great deal expected of him. He, however, wanted to spend the days of his youth as free as possible before duty called for him. He traveled across the continent to have as many adventures as he could. On his journey, he met a beautiful witch named Elisa. She was breathtaking, smart, and kind. Cain fell hard for the witch. He knew she was not his fated mate, but he didn't care. He wanted her to be his and rule by his side. He traveled with Elisa for many months before bringing her home to meet his parents. They adored the girl and thought she was a wonderful match. However, they were concerned that he was being too hasty. How would she or he feel if he did meet his fated mate? He was still young, only 19 years old. Despite their concerns, he insisted on marrying Elisa and having a marking ceremony. Preparations were in full swing. The kingdom was buzzing with excitement about the royal wedding. Elisa was so happy to be marrying Cain. She truly adored him and cared not for his status or wealth. She loved him for him with all her heart. She knew even if she met her true mate later in life, she would never feel for them what she felt for Cain. On the day of the wedding, wolves from all across the Kingdom gathered. The decorations were perfect. Her fairy tale dream wedding. A perfect day with a perfect man. She fastened up her dress and prepared to walk down the aisle. She could hear the chattering of guests as she made her way to the reception hall. As she was heading to the hall, she heard murmured conversation coming from a nearby room where the door had been left open. And then she heard the fevered sounds of love making. She blushed at the noises coming from the room and attempted to walk by as quickly as possible. Her hastened footsteps caused her to trip on the hem of her dress and fall over. The noise caused the occupants of the room to stop their activities and rush from the room. Much to Elisa's surprise and dismay, the two who exited the room were none other than her fiancé, Cain, and a woman she had never seen before. Upon seeing Elisa, Cain's eyes went wide. It didn't take a genius to realize what he and the woman had been doing in that room. Pain tore through Elisa, and she ran off in her gown. Cain chased after her. With his wolf speed, he was far faster than her. He caught her by the arm in the courtyard and pulled her away from prying eyes. She tried to rip herself away from him. She couldn't stomach his betrayal. "Elisa, please let me explain." "Explain what? That you cheated on me? On our wedding day!" "It's complicated, Elisa." "Complicated how?!" "She's my mate..." Elisa felt as though she had been slapped across the face. Her world was crumbling around her. "I thought you loved me." "I do Elisa, I truly do! But the mate bond. It's nothing I have ever experienced before. I couldn't control myself." "Are you choosing her?" "Elisa, she is my mate." "What happened about not caring about the mate bond?!" "I know I have said that, but that was before I experienced it. She is who I am meant to be with, not you. I am so sorry, Elisa. One day you will meet your true mate, and you will understand." "I will never understand. Love is greater than some magically forced bond. If you had met her without the bond, do you think you would still have chosen her over me? That anyone would choose their mates without the presence of the bond?" "Yes." he said with confidence. "Then prove it." Elisa spat. At her declaration, Elisa's eyes turned black. All the pain that was coursing through her body was channeled into raw power. The air was visibly rippling around her. "I curse you and your family line, from now until the end of time. The firstborn child will be cursed to never sense their fated mates, and their mates to never sense them. If not marked by their fated mate by midnight on their 25th birthday, the curse will consume their life force and bring about their death. Only upon the firstborn successfully being marked by their goddess chosen mate will the curse on the family line be broken." The energy rippling from Elisa's body then rammed straight through Cain, branding his family. Cain staggered backwards at the energy rippling through his body. Searing pain coursed through his veins until the curse took its hold. After the energy release from her body, she collapsed to the ground. The curse was bound by her life force. She could not bear to live without the love of her life. But she would watch the next generations and see if the bond was true love or a fabrication. 100 years later. Eleanor had been so happy to meet her mate. The shifter prince. It felt like it was straight out of a fairy tale. She was the beta's daughter from a small pack. The king and the prince came to visit on their annual tours of the kingdoms packs. As soon as they laid eyes on each other, they knew they were meant to be. The prince was full of excitement about meeting his mate. However, Eleanor hadn't missed the glint of sadness in his eyes. When she finally had time alone with her mate later that evening, she pressed him for answers. He held her in his arms gently before delivering the most earth-shattering news she would ever receive. Their firstborn child was destined to die. Eleanor cried in his arms all night. When she woke the next day, she determined that she would smother their first child with as much love as a mother could muster. A month later, she found out she was pregnant. She knew her conviction, but there was still pain that she might never see the child grow older, or have a family of their own. That the child would live knowing the day their clock would run out. Most of her pregnancy she spent in fear for her child. She prayed to the moon goddess that her child would be the one to break free from the curse. That they would find happiness. The day finally came and Eleanor gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Valencia she named her. It meant strength, for Elanor knew her daughter would need it.