Cursed with Two Mates

This can’t be real

I wake up to a familiar smell. Home. Mom. It was all a dream!

I open my eyes and take in my room. I see my mom on the foot of my bed looking a little tired.

“Mom thank god! I had the craziest dream that you sent me to a werewolf school and I made out with a vampire. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I’m home”. I rush out and she smiles at me.

I pull the covers off me and see I’m still in my tiny midnight blue dress. Oh no. It wasn’t a dream. Did I just say that to my mom?!?

I groan and pull the covers over my head. My head is pounding. Is this a hangover?

“Happy birthday sweetheart,” she says and slides closer to me.

I groan again. “What happened? How did I get here?”

“I was going to ask you that Jade. What do you remember?” She looks concerned.

“I accidentally drank some spiked punch, and there was a fight between the guys. I didn’t want everyone to see me at midnight because I wasn’t sure if one of them was my mate so I ran out into the woods. There was some thunder and next thing I knew I’m waking up here,” I recall. “Is everyone ok? How did I end up here instead of the infirm?”

“That’s a good question. When I woke up this morning you were in bed and I had missed a bunch of calls from your school. I called them to find out and they mentioned the fight and that they had been looking for you. They were relieved to find out you were safe and asked how you got here. They didn’t send you home with anyone.”

I pause trying to remember how I got here. “It was a dance with different species, maybe a witch sent me home or something?”

My mom stayed quiet. Finally she asks, “do you remember wishing you were home and picturing yourself here?”

I thought back to the woods and nodded. “I was so upset with the situation - how can 2 guys I’m not mated to affect me so strongly? I remember thinking about how great it would be if I could just be home with some space to think.” She closes her eyes and take a deep breath.

“Mom my friend said my eyes change colour sometimes.. I’m not a normal wolf am I?” I ask quietly feeling a pit forming in my stomach.

“No sweetheart, I suspect you’re not.” She says quietly - barely a whisper. “Your father is home. Give me a few minutes and I’ll do my best to explain. There’s some coffee, water and food there. Get your strength up - you’re going to need it,” she leaves abruptly.

This can’t be good.

I force some toast, and water down and sip my coffee. I wish I didn’t have this hangover! My head is spinning trying to make sense of what’s going on and the fogginess isn’t helping.

I decide a shower would help so I pull out some clothes and make my way to the bathroom. I pause to hear my parents talking downstairs but when I realize it’s about dinner plans I keep going.

I turn the water up to scalding hot and wait for steam to start overtaking the bathroom. I peel off my dress and take out a new toothbrush aware that all my normal cosmetics aren’t here.

I glance at myself in the mirror - I look different. I’m leaner and my muscles have a bit more definition thanks to all the training. My lips are still a little swollen from my make out session - I flush at the memory. Even my boobs look bigger than I remember. I freeze as I notice my birthmark.

It’s different..

I stare at it some more. It used to be a dark color - almost black. But now it’s got a shimmer to it - it’s silver? What the hell?

I get in the shower and see if it scrubs off but it doesn’t. This is so strange. I wash quickly, dry myself off and get changed. I opt to throw my hair in a braid instead of drying it properly.

I leave the bathroom in search of my mom. I find her digging through her closet.

“Mom what’s going on?” I ask. She seems worried which is unlike her.

She pulls out a small box and looks at me. “Jade what do you know about my side of the family?”

“We’ll I know you’re not a wolf. That your parents aren’t around anymore, that you don’t have any brothers or sisters..” I trail off.

Jeeze that’s really not a lot. How could I have never have asked for more?

“Don’t worry sweetie I’ve always been vague about my past when you asked,” she answers my unspoken thought.

“Look we don’t have a lot of time so try to stay focused on what I’m saying. I didn’t know if anything was going to get passed on to you, but I didn’t want to take any chances in case it did. That’s really why I convinced your dad to raise you with humans - wolves would have grown suspicious knowing there are other species out there.”

My mind raced. “Other species? I thought you said you were human?” I ask quietly.

My mom turns a radio on loudly. Clearly she is worried about anyone hearing us. “I said I was not a wolf and you made the assumption that I was human. Listen Jade. Not even your father knows this. My parents aren’t dead, I just left when I found your father - they stayed to rule over the fae kingdom.”

“Fae?? Like a fairy?” I gasp.

“Shhhh” she glances around. “Yes. You have magic in you - you always have. I never thought you’d get so powerful so quickly though.”

“Magic? What do you mean?” My heart is pounding in my ears. Can this be real?

“When your energy is going or your emotions are wild you can influence the situation. Think back, did you ever picture something happening and then it played out exactly like that - as if you willed it into fruition?”

Immediately my mind scans and I remember my fight with Harmony, Travis appearing and kissing me in front of Xander, me wanting to be home and waking up there. Oh my god that was only this week.

She nods as if she heard me. “You have a very special gift but you will need to learn to control your emotions so as to not give into dark magic.”

“Mom my birth mark changed today. It’s silver now. What does that mean?”

The colour in her face drained. “The curse..” she whispered.

We hear a car pull into the driveway. And she springs up “we only have a few more seconds. I was cursed for choosing to leave my people instead of taking my place as Queen. It must have been passed on to you. We can talk about it later but you must listen to me. Take this - it will protect you from being discovered. Fae blood has healing and life prolonging powers for all creatures. We are regularly hunted for this - you must not tell anyone what you are.” I start to open the box but she shuts it and catches my eye.

“You will have multiple mates Jade - you must not let them mark you. I’ll explain more later but promise me you’ll stay safe and keep this secret!”

“But mom..”

“Promise!” She hissed.

“Okok I promise” the front door opens and I hear my dad come home. My mom turns off the radio

“Hello? What’s going on up there “ my dad calls. He can probably hear my elevated heart rate. I still and take some deep breaths willing myself to calm down.

“Oh hi honey - we’re in here!” My mom calls and motions to me to open the box. In it is a silver pendant that matches my birthmark but with a small crystal ball on the bottom. It sits on a short intricate chain. I clutch it in my hand shielding it from my dad.

“What are you guys doing in here?” My dad eyes us suspiciously.

“Mom was just lending me some clothes. I didn’t really pack much when I came home last night and I was hoping to see some of my old friends today.” I lie quickly hoping it’s enough.

“We’ll as long as you’re home for dinner! I’m making your favourite - beef ribs and mashed potatoes!”

I smile at him and nod. “Sure thing dad - it’s nice to see you” I give him a big hug, pick up the dress my mom handed to me, and head out of the room.

Guess I’m wearing another dress. I roll my eyes as I change into the silver dress she handed me to corroborate the story. I look at the pendant some more and realize it’s an anklet. I put it on and feel the cool metal on my skin.

I let out a sigh and review what my mom just told me. My head is spinning. Multiple mates? Magic? Curses?

This can’t be real.