Alone: My Cursed Fate

Neighbors

*Matteo*

Two months. It has been two months since I last saw Vienna. For nearly the entirety of those two months, I have been in the library trying to find out ways to get her un-cursed. Jensen and Henrik have helped me a lot, but they have had extra after-school training sessions ever since the rogue attack, and at 16, many of our future warriors start training on border patrol if they so choose. I, of course, am also supposed to be at these training sessions.

Yesterday, my dad and I got into a bit of an argument. He feels as though I need to get on with my life for now- return to focusing on school and training. Don't get me wrong, he loves Vienna like a daughter, but he is worried about me and the pack's future. He doesn't realize that Vienna IS the pack's future- future Luna at least. I just know, I can feel it deep in my bones, that Vienna is my fated mate. I can't just sit around like everything is okay when Vienna is out there alone.

Today, I decide to switch up my strategy and see if I can find a witch to get advice from. I know that one of the nearby packs, Pike Stone, has a connection to a coven, so I decide to make a trip out there. Jensen and Henrik gladly join me. Being that they will be my future Beta and Gamma, they are eager to help me foster connections with neighboring packs as well as protect me while I am off pack grounds. My father, of course, thinks that I am simply visiting nearby packs to further strengthen our alliances.

I set up the meeting beforehand and got approval for our visit. We are just loading up the car now and are ready to get going. Jensen is driving today while I sit shotgun. I would drive, but I just can't seem to find my wallet with my human I.D. anywhere. I will have to apply for a new one. Henrik sits in the backseat, quiet and observant as always.

"Well boys, what shall we listen to on the way?', Jensen asks as he pulls out of the packhouse parking garage.

"Eh, I don't care, you can have aux, Jensen." I say.

"You won't be disappointed, gentlemen", Jensen says with a wide smile and a laugh. He starts blasting some classic rock, bobbing his head to the beat with his long blonde hair flying around him. Okay, maybe it was a mistake to give him control.

Within five minutes of the drive, all three of us are laughing and singing loudly to an ACDC song. I know that we are going for a serious matter and not out to have fun, but it does feel really great being out with the boys again. I haven't felt this happy and free since that witch ruined everything.

Pike Stone is about 45 minutes from Diamond Willow with the last 15 minutes being dirt roads that wind through the forest. It is now the middle of October, my favorite time of year, and the leaves are sporting the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows of fall. Unfortunately, it will be an early winter this year. The evening temperatures are already dropping and we are expecting to get the first snow tonight or tomorrow. As the temperatures get colder, I worry more and more every day about Vienna. What is she going to do when the temperatures reach below freezing? Odds are that at least some days, she will be far enough north to experience pretty significant cold temperatures. It won't be as much of a problem once she gets her wolf next August, but until then, the cold could be very dangerous for her.

We soon arrive at the edge of the pack territory, pull over, and step out of the car. Three warriors in wolf form emerge from the dense trees. After introducing ourselves, they mindlink their Alpha to notify him of our arrival. Nodding in approval, they motion for us to follow them, so we hop back in our vehicle and continue down the road. Shortly thereafter, we pull up to the packhouse- a large, log building that is bustling with activity.

Alpha Aronson, a kind but daunting leader, meets us outside and welcomes us in. He leads us to his office and we have a seat.

"It's nice to see you three. To what do I owe the pleasure, boys?"

"Thank you for having us, Alpha Aronson. It is nice to see you again. I assume you have heard what happened to our Beta's daughter?"

"Yes, I have heard. I am sorry, I know you and her are close. Have you heard anything from Vienna?"

"Unfortunately, no, we have not heard anything. That's why we came here today. We were hoping to ask you for help."

"Really? Of course, I am always happy to help your pack. Your father has been a great friend of mine for many years and you guys are one of our strongest allies. I guess I am just not sure how I can help you."

"As you know, Vienna was cursed by a dark witch. We have been researching, extensively, ways to reverse a curse such as this, but we haven't found anything of use to us as of yet. We have heard that you have connections with a witch coven, and we were wondering if you would be willing to help set up a meeting between us and your contacts."

"Ah, I see. Yes, my pack has connections. One of my warriors is mated to a witch, Moira. I think that she would be willing to meet with you. However, I have to warn you, she specializes in potions and healing, not spells, so I don't know how helpful she will be."

"That is quite alright, we appreciate your assistance."

"Happy to help. I will have my daughter bring you over to Moira's house. You remember my daughter, Julia, right? Julia is friends with Moira's daughter."

"Of course I remember Julia. We used to have such fun as kids whenever your family came to visit for summer barbecues. I look forward to seeing her again, it has been awhile."

"Lovely, I will mindlink her."

A few minutes later, Julia knocks softly on the door and enters. She looks so much different than when I last saw her when we were like 12. She has long strawberry blonde hair, and freckles across her cheeks and nose. Her blue eyes shine brightly as she gives me a hug and shakes Jensen and Henrik's hands. She really is quite beautiful, in a cute way, but she doesn't even remotely compare to Vienna.

"Hey, guys! Matteo, it is so good to see you again, it has been so long. I hear that I am bringing you over to Moira's?"

"Yes, if you have the time, that would be wonderful."

"Of course, follow me!", she says cheerfully as she leads us out of the packhouse. "Moira is lovely. I am good friends with her daughter, Margot. Margot turned 17 a few months ago and found out that despite being a hybrid, she doesn't have a wolf. It was quite devastating for her, but she has discovered a love for healing and has an apprenticeship with the pack doctors."

"Maybe she will get a wolf at a later age?", Henrik asks.

"Nobody knows. She doesn't want to get her hopes up though", Julia replies.

We stop in front of a small white house with ivy crawling up the sides, "Well this is it. I will come in and say hi to Moira. When you are done, please join us at the packhouse for dinner, I would love to catch up."

"Thanks, Julia, we would love to", I reply as she leads us inside.