The Rejected Link

Chapter 16: Curses of destruction

I pressed my fingers to my lips, the ghost of his kiss still lingering there, as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

He had kissed me! All the pent-up tension between us led to that moment. I always yearned for his touch, every brush of his skin sending shivers up my spine. But he hadn't just touched me, he'd kissed me.

I don't think I was ever going to forget the feeling. Our bond was flaring in my mind, the pieces molding stronger. I was utterly unprepared for the storm he had just unleashed within me.

The library was silent once again, the only sound filling the air was my heavy breathing and my rampant heartbeat. The rich blend of oakwood and cinnamon swirled in the air. Exol's hasty departure left me feeling empty and perplexed.

I wanted to go after him, but I had to remember the reason we were in here in the first place, I had to set my priorities in order. If we broke the curse, we could be together without the impending fear of our destruction.

I pushed myself off of the wall and began wandering through the aisles; I traced my steps back to the section on curses, my eyes skimming over the titles of ancient wisdom.

I felt a strange feeling in my stomach, a surge of energy going through me. I could feel the Heart pulsing softly within me, the more I moved, the higher the pulse as if it was guiding me, directing me. It pulsed highly as I stopped in front of a shelf filled with grimoires and ancient texts and adorned with intricate silver clasps.

My gaze fell upon one particular book, its cover clasped with skeleton hands. The Heart pulsed violently as I reached for it, and the book fell abruptly from the shelf with a loud thud. I picked it off and went back to the table.

Looking at it closely, it was very old, older than other books on the shelves. The skeleton hands held each other, one from each side, with a dark red ruby on the front where the hands met.

My curiosity was piqued as if this book called to me, I traced the bones with the tips of my finger; the moment it touched the ruby, the skeleton hands began to unclasp, untangling themselves from the forged embrace and opening the book before me.

Out of shock, I dropped the book hastily on the table before me, it opened to the first page, Darkhold of Umbra written in bold red ink. The pages started flipping until they stopped at a page right in the center.

“Curses of destruction” I whispered, reading the title on the page.

A cold breeze passed through me, the air suddenly becoming crisp. I shivered, going to close the window ahead, but the library remained cold. Ignoring the rising chill, I returned to the book.

My fingers traced the worn parchment of the grimoire, its pages tearing away but somehow remaining intact, it was filled with esoteric symbols and cryptic messages. One particular symbol that caught my eye was an emblem with a clawed hand burning.

According to this ancient text, a curse of destruction is a very powerful one, woven from the darkest fabrics of despair and vengeance by a powerful dark witch like the one mother told me about.

It is a curse from a deep-rooted source of pain; only those who place the curse can lift it or know how to break it.

A wave of disappointment goes through me at that.

Did that mean the curse can't be broken?

I read further to see some instructions written in an ancient language, strangely, one I could read. It told of a complex ritual, one a witch had used decades ago in an attempt to break the curse. It didn't say if it worked or not but it was worth trying. The ritual was a delicate dance of magic that required the combination of a rare collection of ingredients.

I needed to find these ingredients, to gather the requirements for the ritual. I needed to at least try. But where? The packhouse’s apothecary was well-stocked, but I doubt it had the arcane items I sought.

Then I recalled. The magical market.

Held once a month on the outskirts of the pack, a common space between packs, a shared ground. The market was a haven for the fremd, a gathering place for creatures and mystics of different origins from across the land. They would have what I needed.

With renewed determination, I closed the grimoire and hurried out of the library. I stood in the hallway that led to Exol's room, contemplating If I should share this potentially helpful information, but I decided against it.

If this doesn't work, he'd be dejected. I didn't want to get his hopes up so I turned the other way and headed towards the main entrance of the packhouse.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice behind me, “Ruthni?”

I turned to see the Alpha sitting in the main room, with a book in hand.

I bow. “Greetings, Alpha.”

“What are you doing here?”

I looked around sheepishly, “I was in the library,” I smiled “Just doing some research.”

“Find what you needed?” He asked going to put his book down on the table. He stood and approached me.

“Yes Alpha, I was just on my way out”

“Oh, I see…” He said. It looked like he had more to say but was holding back. “How are things with Exol?”

He looked uncomfortable, “I don't mean to pry…it's just he's been different lately. He's better.” He smiles; it's small, but it's there. “ He's happier.”

What? Happier?

“Alpha…” I start, but before I can say more, he cuts me off.

“I know you know Ruthni and I just want to say thank you, for still sticking around” He sighs going back to his seat “Most wolves want a perfect mate, you know, not one that's…defective”

“He's not defective” I rush to interject. “He didn't curse himself, that's not his fault”

Alpha stares at me for a minute, and I think I've made a big mistake. Interrupting the Alpha was something any sane person knew not to do. Before I can apologize, he grins; it's wide and welcoming like I had not just insulted him.

“It's nice to see he now has someone defending him,” He says, his voice calmer than its normal gruff nature. He picks up his book and moves to exit the room throwing a “Goodnight Ruthni ” on his way.

Did the Alpha just smile at me? Oh goddess, I felt excitement bubbling inside me. I'd come to learn that Exol's parents had died, the Alpha had taken him in under his roof because his father was his dear friend.

So he was like a father figure to him and having him speak to me like this was like a vote of approval. It felt nice.

I left the packhouse rushing home; the market was tomorrow; I needed to prepare, to learn as much as I could about the ingredients, to ensure I didn't make any mistakes; if this was a chance to break the curse I didn't need any obstacles.

I met Mother on her way to her room when I got home, “Little shine,” she started.

“Yes Mother,” I answered, going to hug her. I spent little time with Mother lately with everything going on.

She knew something was up, but she never asked once; she was waiting for me to come to her. I could always tell Mother anything; she was my only family left. According to Mother, we had moved to Shadow pack after Father had passed away and we lived in solitude within the pack.

She was all I had.

“Mother,” I started, heading to our dinner table, “please sit.”

Mother's face twisted in confusion, her brows furrowing as she looked at me. She quietly sat across me. She placed her hands on her lap and waited for me to speak.

I didn't know how to tell her what was going on, how do I begin to explain to her that my mate was cursed with dark magic hence the reason he was able to retrieve the heart.

I looked up at my Mother, finding her eyes trained on me, it made my hands sweat. I felt like a child who had committed a wrong and was awaiting punishment.

“Whatever it is, Little Shine, you can tell me,” She said, assuring me with a small smile.

My heart hammered in my chest; I took deep breaths, trying to relax. After a moment of doing so, I looked back at Mother; the smile remained on her face.

“My mate is cursed,” I say before I can retreat from doing so.

Surprise flashes through her expression, her eyes going wide, my mouth becoming slightly ajar. She took a deep breath, shaking her head as if to steady her thoughts before asking “How are you sure?”

“He said so himself,” I stated, “I've seen it myself,” I added in a small voice.

“We are going to break it,” I said with enthusiasm “We went through the packhouse's library and I found a book”

I rush to bring it out from my bag, dropping it on the table. Mother visibly flinched when she saw the book. “Darkhold of Umbra” she called out in a fearful voice.

“Yes, how did you…never mind that, the book tells of curses of destruction which best describes what Exol is cursed with…” I don't get to finish when Mother stands up abruptly, her chair scraping on the floor.

“Do you have any idea what that book is?” she said, her voice sharper than I've ever heard before.

“Mother?” I called, confused about this sudden change in her demeanor.

“That is a witch's book, the Darkhold of Umbra. Do you know who that is?” her voice was harsh, questioning. She has never used that tone with me before.

“Mother, you're scaring me, what's wrong?” I ask, standing to mirror her position.

“You remember when I told you about Lunaris? The creator of the Heart?”

I nodded in response. Mother continued “This book belongs to her sister, Umbra. This book is a book of dark magic”.

Shock takes over me, I couldn't believe it. What I held was a grimoire of dark magic, not just anyone, but it belonged to the first witch who used dark magic.

“But it can help Mother,” I didn't want to let that knowledge hinder me from finding a solution.

“No!” She said, her tone holding a heavy volume.

“But Mother…”

“No buts, Ruthni, if you use anything in this book, you will be corrupted with dark magic. This book only tells of the curses, there are no cures. Only the witch that casts a spell can undo or break it” She said.

“The heart, you said Lunaris used it to undo her sister's spells. I have the heart within me,” I said, pleasing her to reason with me.

She looked at me like I had gone mad. “The heart is of magic. With enough training, you can harness its powers, but It can be corrupted, Ruthni. The moment you try to use or do anything with this book, it will stain the heart of who uses it. Dark magic is born of greed, one spell will give way to another and another until it consumes you.”

She was heaving, her breathing unstable. I have never seen mother this way before. But I was relentless, a driving spirit I got from the very woman across me.

I nodded to appease her. A look of relief clouding her features, she reached for me and drew me into her embrace, “I don't want to lose you,” she whispered in my ears.

I returned her hug for a moment before removing myself, taking the book with me, and retreating to my room.

Early the next morning before the break of dawn, I was on my way despite her warning. Despite the fear that sprouted from the conversation with Mother, I had to try. I had to do something.

The path to the market led through a winding forest with sparse trees that gave way to rays of sunlight. As I walked, the air grew heavy with the scent of pine needles and moist earth, the silence of the forest gradually drowning out the distant murmur of the early activities in the pack.

The forest, usually a source of serenity, felt strangely ominous. The soft coos of the crows turned to louder caws, the chilly air swirling around me. I quickened my pace, my heart pounding against my ribs. Fear quickly rose, but the thought of the curse pushed me further; I had to reach the market, to find the ingredients, to try my luck no matter where it led me.

A sudden rustle in the distance startled me. My heart leaped into my throat as I turned around, my hand instinctively reaching for the small dagger I had carried from home to protect myself.