Broken Curse

15

I didn’t want to touch his hand, but that wasn’t a feasible option. I was determined to at least pretend to be polite. When my skin touched his, a coldness skittered down my back. It felt exactly like the warning I felt on our way over. He’s dangerous.

Aidan held his hand out, making Barry release my hand to shake his. How so?

I don’t know. It’s just a feeling. I didn’t know how to explain it any better. The tug was still there, but the warning was connected to the man standing in front of us. I was sure he was involved in The Hallowed Guild, and I would bet money on how.

“So, you two are mates.” He tipped his head to the side. “That makes sense.”

“I’m James.” Aidan dropped the alpha’s hand and placed his arm around my waist. “And this is Angel.”

“It’s very nice to meet you all.” Barry pointed to the rest of the group. “And you are?”

They introduced themselves, although Sunny hung back a little. She was the most skittish among us.

“Well, the food should be almost finished.” He waved at us to follow him. “Come meet the others.”

Now that he’d mentioned it, the smell of steak was thick in the air. My stomach growled so loudly everyone heard it.

“Hungry, Angel?” Beth snickered from behind.

“Oh, bite me.” It was important for us to act normal, and our banter made this whole situation bearable.

“James would get jealous,” Beth sighed dramatically. “Otherwise, I’d be down.”

“Are those two always like that?” Barry asked.

“Sometimes worse.” Aidan chuckled. “They’re behaving for you.” Stay beside me the entire night. I don’t trust him.

Don’t worry. I don’t plan to run astray. I looped my arm through his, anchoring myself to him.

The neighborhood consisted of older homes similar to the housing in Mount Juliet. The homes were probably at least fifty to seventy-five years old. They were uniform and each painted the same light blue color, which I found odd. Normally, houses varied a little bit. “Your homes are nice.”

“Yes, my grandfather built them when we first settled in Athens.” Barry beamed with pride. “He had a military background and knew that the best way to organize a neighborhood was to have the same houses. The lack of favoritism helps maintain control of the pack.”

“Your house is a little different.” His house was twice the size of the others. Granted, it was painted the same blue shade.

“Well, that’s because it’s the alpha’s house.” He patted himself on the chest. “Because of our extra work and responsibility, we deserve something more special.” He looked over his shoulder at me. “Don’t you agree?”

I wanted to say no, but that would cause more suspicion. Yes, being a leader laid responsibility on your shoulders, but it didn’t mean I was special. To me, it meant the opposite. We had to worry more than the others. “Isn’t that what America was founded on?”

“Smart woman.” He led us toward a larger building with a concrete patio. “That’s a dangerous thing.”

The building was the size of two pack homes but had glass for the walls. Inside, a large television sat on one wall and an L-shaped black couch with a recliner on each side faced it. A table was set in the back with a checkerboard sitting on it. This had to be the pack’s common area.

Wow, backhanded compliments. Aidan’s shoulders tensed. He’s just like my dad.

Really? Aidan never acted like that. Even when Jacob had carried my things to class, Aidan had sounded disgusted … like he’d expected me to take care of myself, which was the opposite of how Barry acted.

“You only have stupid women in your pack?” Gabby asked from the very back.

I wanted to punch her. We weren’t here to start a fight but rub elbows with Barry and find the girl. The girls knew she was here just like I did. We didn’t need a mind link to figure that out.

“And you all are funny.” Barry’s dry laugh sounded forced.

We were playing a game of chess, one I hoped we could win.

At least ten women were setting the tables, grilling, and pulling out side dishes.

“This is the hard work our women contribute to our pack.” Barry stepped onto the patio. “The rest of the pack will be here momentarily. I called for them just now.”

Ten black-wired rectangle tables with eight black-wired seats at each table stood on the patio.

“How big is your pack?” It would be good to have numbers for future reference.

“We have sixty members here, but a few of our kids are away at college.” The alpha headed to the table closest to where the women were putting out fried potatoes, collard greens, deviled eggs, and a few other items. “But when everyone is here, we’re around seventy.”

A girl close to our age came out of the building, carrying mac and cheese. She walked to the end of the table they were setting the food on and placed the tray down.

My eyes immediately went to the area behind her left ear and discovered a birthmark. The top vertex of the star was in plain view for everyone to see.

That didn’t make any sense. Why would they let her walk around like a normal pack member? They were part of The Hallowed Guild. How was this possible?

“I

s everything okay?” Barry asked me as he walked over to the girl with the mark. “Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I fought against the natural urge to avert my eyes. That would make me look guilty. “Oh, no. Her tattoo caught my eye.”

Aidan kept his gaze forward. Smart move.

That’s becoming obvious. We had to outsmart him. I only hope the others follow our lead.

They were chosen for a reason just like you. Aidan’s confidence was the boost I needed.

“There’s a very interesting story to it.” Barry touched the girl’s shoulder, and she flinched. “It’s the mark of the unfortunate.

“Really?” Gabby asked combatively. “How so?”

I turned around and gave her a warning look. If she let her anger get the best of her, we’d all be screwed.

“Oh, it’s the mark of a curse.” Barry touched the mark with his pointer finger. “Many packs aren’t aware, but this could be the end of all shifters.”

“Daddy.” The girl’s voice wavered as she turned toward us.

Wait … that couldn’t be possible, but as I took in her brown hair and eyes and her facial structure, it hit me hard. She was his child.