Cursed Desires

Four

A hidden tale that lived in the secrets of the Avante family—the one they never dared to mention.

The Avantes were not only influential and successful people; they were wolves, an ancient magical creature only read about in books.

They had a whole community, but the Avantes left the community in the 1700s and started building their empire from scratch. They sold illegal drugs and other items to make a living.

In less than fifty years, everyone knew the Avantes, the ruthless mafia family who feared everyone. They had all the power they could dream of; they built leaders and worked hand in hand with presidents.

1700.

In the quiet and remote village of Veridale, nestled deep within the darkened woods of the 1700s, the Avante family reigned supreme. They were not like the common folk, for the Avantes were a clan of wealthy and powerful werewolves.

They were envied, revered, and, above all, desired. The Avantes' greatest pride lay in the lineage of male children that flowed through the family, for they believed it was these sons who would ensure their dominance for generations to come.

But within the Avante household, secrets were as plentiful as silverware. It was there, hidden in plain sight, that Sara toiled day and night as their loyal maid.

She had been born into a family of werewolves with a unique gift—the power to paint destiny. Her ancestors had guided their people for centuries, using their artistry to shape the fate of the village. Sara had inherited this extraordinary talent, and it had brought her into the service of the Avantes.

“When are you going to stop working for this family? We were supposed to get married this year," Alexander asked Sara.

The pair had met at Avante Mansion, where they both worked. Alexander was a cleaner and was the lowest in rank when it came to being a wolf. Sara, on the other hand, was treasured for being from a family of painters who were discovered by the head of the Avante family, Edward, and his wife, Anya.

She painted their successes in return for a good life; the Wolf Painters were only able to paint the destinies of others, not theirs or anyone related to them. They remained hidden in their packs and tried not to get any attention from their kind. Everyone knew the stories of the Wolf Painters, but they thought it was a myth.

Wolf painters were one of the most powerful wolves; immediately they painted your destiny, it was already settled unless broken by one of their descendants.

"The Lord is not going to free me. I have not spoken to him about it yet, but I will soon,” Sara told Alexander.

Alexander sighed.

"Why will they let you go when they know you are the source of all their wealth and fame? Sara, I love you so much, and I don’t know why you are wasting time,” he said.

Alexander was very much in love with Sara; he always protected her and provided for her with the little he had. She was his destined mate, and the Alpha had already declared a group marriage for commoners, and before it could happen again, it would be in ten years.

Alexander knew Sara’s worth; she was from a comfortable home and the last descendant of her kind.

Unfortunately, her parents were brutally killed, and she lived on the streets until she was discovered by the Avantes.

“You have done enough for the Avantes. You have given them riches, fame, and whatnot. I have made enough to pay for our freedom. We have to get married for our child." He smiled and kissed her belly.

Sara was already gone; she had been hiding her stomach from everyone. She and her beloved were expecting a child.

Voices were heard at the door of his bedroom.

“Come out!” They heard multiple voices. Sara looked through her window; there were men, and they carried torches and blades.

“Where is Alexander?” Lord Edward Avante shouted.

Alexander came out of the room.

“I know what you did!” He shouted.

Alexander was confused.

“What are you talking about, my lord?” Alexander asked, but was pulled out.

Edward Avante secretly had feelings for Sara and wanted to make her his mistress, and that was due to Sara’s maltreatment by Anya. He told Sara of his plans to make her his, but she refused, and told her she was already betrothed to another.

“Take him away!” Edward ordered the men.

Sara followed them.

“What did he do?” She screamed at the top of her voice, crying.

Edward went to her.

"We asked the seer the reason why Anya has been unable to bear children. She told us that Alexander here has been the reason; he did something to her, and he is going to tell us what he did,” he shouted.

Sara could not believe that Alexander was not capable of this.

"Alexander does not have any powers! He is innocent!” She supported him.

Edward looked at him in disgust. He wondered what Alexander had that he did not have.

Sara was a beautiful young woman; she had a slender waist, curvy hips, and a beautiful face with white hair that grew past her waist. White hair and blue eyes were how painters were easily recognized.

Edward got angrier as he saw Sara support him.

“Take him away!” Edward told them,

“No, you cannot do this! My child cannot grow without its father."She cried and ran to Alexander, who still had hope that everything would be fine.

Edward stopped to listen to what she had just said.

“You are pregnant?” He asked her.

“Yes, my lord,” Sara responded.

“Burn him to death!” Edward ordered.

Alexander was tied to a stake.

"I love you, Sara; our child will grow up with a good mother." He tried to reach out to her hand.

Sara cried and begged him, but he refused to listen. She watched Alexander get burned to death for a crime he did not commit.

“Take her to her room and lock her up,” Edward ordered the maids.

Sara, filled with hatred and pain, picked up her brush and a piece of cloth she used for painting and cut her hand.

She drew the community into burning down the Avante Mansion and driving them away. She drew their entire generation, not being able to change from their wolf form on their own.

The following day, it was found that the Avante family had a secret weapon they were hiding for themselves, and they used it against the community.

The secret that led them to look for the wolf painter was a secret that the Avante family was built on.