The Time I Tripped into a Curse and got two Mates

Chapter 31

Rina stuttered for a moment, her usual confidence wavering as she squared herself, hands planted firmly on her round hips. “We were just helping Evelette leave, is all.” she said innocently.

Luke took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fury as he pointed directly at her. “She was trying to force Evelette out. Then sh–”

“Enough!” Alpha James’s voice cut through the air like a whip. He stepped forward with an air of confidence and silenced everyone. His piercing gaze swept over each of the pack warriors and lingered just long enough to make each of them squirm. “You all need to leave. Now.” He said with force.

Immediately, the pack members moved. Without hesitation, they hopped into their trucks and fled the scene one by one.

“Except you, Rina.” His command halted his daughter mid-step just as she was about to slip into the nearest vehicle.

Her body stiffened, then, as if caught in slow motion, she turned to face her father. Her face was a mask of dread as her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. She started to slowly walk towards Alpha James as if she could delay the inevitable. When Rina finally stood by her father, Alpha James exhaled heavily before turning his gaze back to us.

“I deeply apologize for this,” he said, his voice quieter but no less commanding. “I had no knowledge of what Rina was doing. Clearly she is distraught by her mate’s rejection and isn’t handling it well.”

As Alpha James spoke, his words came slower and more deliberate. “Please, don’t let her actions reflect poorly on our pack. As I said before we were aware of what was happening here, the Blue Pearl Pack wishes to remain strong and loyal subjects to the Lycan Kingdom.” His eyes flicked between Ivan and Malcolm as if trying to gauge their reactions. Though it was clear from Ivan’s rigid stance that he wasn’t moved by the apology. The tension in the air was palpable as Ivan’s fists clenched at his sides, his eyes cold as they fixed on Alpha James.

Ivan stepped towards Alpha James, his voice rising with the anger bubbling beneath the surface. “If you thi–”

“Thank you for your apology, Alpha James,” Malcolm interjected smoothly as his hand landed gently on Ivan’s shoulder. “A rejected mating can make anyone…reckless.” Malcolm’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of warning in his words, a quiet reminder that they were dealing with more than just an aggrieved pack member.

Ivan exhaled slowly through his nose, his anger not fully quelled, but I could feel him beginning to relax as I grabbed his hand when he stepped back beside me. His grip was firm, but it softened as he felt my presence. I looked up at him and offered him a reassuring smile before resting my head against his shoulder. The tension in his body seemed to melt under my touch, and his arm slipped protectively around my waist.

Alpha James swallowed audibly and his gaze shifted to me with a mix of regret and unease. “If you need anything from me before you go, please let me know. Evelette.” he said, voice quieter now, “I’m deeply sorry for what Rina has done.”

Then, turning to his daughter, he gave her a slight nudge forward. Rina stumbled at the push and her face flushed a deep shade of red. Her lips tightened into a thin, stubborn line as she raised her eyes to meet mine. I could see the anger and humiliation churning behind her gaze, but it was clear she had no choice but to face the consequences now.

Her voice was barely a whisper, so low it was almost inaudible. “I’m sorry, Spir-Evelette.” She mumbled, and her words tripped over themselves as if they pained her to say them.

Alpha James cleared his throat loudly with a stern warning in his eyes as he looked at her. Rina straightened, drawing in a sharp breath before forcing the words out louder. “My father is right. I’m distraught because I was rejected, and I seem to be experiencing…jealousy.”

The words came out stilted as each one was spat out as if it were a shard of glass cutting through her. Her cheeks flushed even deeper, and for a moment, I could have sworn her complexion shifted to an almost greenish hue, as if she were physically sickened by the apology she was being forced to make.

I wanted to say something snide in response, but I decided to take the graceful route. “Thank you for your apology.” I said as I kept my voice calm. “I can only imagine the pain you went through…and the…loneliness you face.” I couldn’t help myself, I had to throw in a minor insult.

My words were laced with just the slightest hint of mockery, enough to let her know I wouldn’t forget what had just happened. Her face tightened as her fists balled at her sides, and I could see her struggling not to lash out in response. But sense, or perhaps fear, had finally found her. So she clenched her jaw and nodded stiffly.

Alpha James sighed, his patience visibly wearing thin, as he reached out to guide Rina toward his car. As they walked, Rina cast one last, bitter glance in my direction. But whatever she was thinking, she wisely kept it to herself. Without another word, the Alpha and his daughter slipped into the car, and with a roar of the engine, Rina was gone from sight.

“Luke, can you go fetch our car while we help Evelette pack?” Ivan asked. “Also, let the others know we all need to leave as soon as possible.”

Luke nodded his head and took off towards the guest house. Then the three of us silently walked into my house and I plopped down on the couch with a huge sigh of relief.

“I cannot wait until I never have to see her face again.” I muttered, my voice dripping with frustration. My head leaned back and I stared at the ceiling as I willed the stress I was feeling to melt away.

Malcolm settled on the couch beside me. “Is she always like that?” he asked.

“Yup, just about.” I replied dully, not even feeling the need to elaborate.

Ivan sat down heavily on the recliner next to me and his face was darkened with disgust. “That pitiful excuse for a she-wolf is lucky her father was there.” he growled as I noticed the barely restrained anger still simmering beneath his skin.

Malcolm let out a low chuckle as his eyes twinkled with amusement. “And you’re lucky I was there. You were totally about to lose your sh*t on her.” He leaned back and I felt the playful remark was a stark contrast to the tension I felt from Ivan. I knew this was Malcolm’s way of trying to lighten the mood, but I could still sense the seriousness in his voice. I imagined that the underlying truth was that Ivan had been just a hair’s breadth away from unleashing the full force of his temper.

Ivan huffed, but didn’t deny it. His eyes flicked to me and I could see the tightness in his jaw relaxing slightly.

“Rina is a complete and total self-righteous b*tch.” I interjected as I sat up to place my elbows on my knees.

I glanced at Ivan, and to my surprise, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It was small, almost imperceptible even, but there it was. His eyes softened as they met mine and I could tell he was grateful for my support.

“Whelp,” I sigh, “wanna help me pack?” I asked as I turned my gaze between the two of them with a small, tired grin.

Malcolm let out a dramatic groan as he stretched his long legs like he was preparing from some strenuous task. “Guess we can’t say no to that, huh?” he teased, though there was a warmth in his voice that made it clear he didn’t mind.

Ivan rose from the recliner slowly. “Lead the way,” he said with a hint of a smile.

*****

About halfway through packing all my clothes, my parents returned home, and I was able to fill them in on everything that happened. They were outraged, but grateful Luke was there to step in before the situation became too messy. Our goodbyes were bittersweet. We were all happy that I wasn’t being exiled to the humans and instead going to the Lycan Kingdom to live with my mates…but the impending separation from my parents broke my heart. I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I saw them, we could visit each other any time! But it was still going to be an adjustment going from living with my parents for 23 years to living with my mates.

It felt surreal as I watched my old pack lands fade away from the passenger seat of Ivan and Malcolm’s car. The trees, the familiar winding roads, and even the distant howl of wolves, all began to blur together as the car sped away. I kept my eyes glued to the window because I didn’t want to miss a single detail of the place I called home.

Luke drove the oversized SUV and Ivan and Malcolm sat beside me, their presence comforting. But the weight of what I was going to, pressed heavily on my chest. I could feel Malcolm’s gaze on me as he sensed my inner turmoil, but he remained silent. Ivan reached over and took my hand and squeezed it gently. I glanced over at him and offered a small smile as I appreciated his silent support.

As we crossed the pack’s borders, the reality of the situation hit me with full force. There was no turning back now. My old life was truly behind me, and ahead lay a world I could hardly imagine–a world where I must find my place as mate to two princes and my place as future queen. A mix of excitement and fear coursed through me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what challenges and opportunities awaited me in the Lycan Kingdom.