Chapter 4: Curse Awakens
1565 Words
Chapter 4: Curse Awakens
(Eden's POV)
I stood in my garden, hands sinking into the damp soil as I planted the last of the herbs. The tranquil silence of the Moonspell Pack brought moments of solace, but it never lasted.
When I rose, brushing off dirt from my fingers, I caught his scent—harsh and unwelcome.
Marcus.
He appeared moments later, his towering frame filling the small garden entryway. His dark eyes glinted with an all-too-familiar arrogance, and his expression screamed that he thought himself superior.
“Eden, it’s time to go,” Marcus said, his tone sharp and commanding. “Alpha Alexander has sent me to retrieve you.”
I straightened, keeping my voice calm and collected. “I already told you. I’m not going back.”
He stalked closer, his posture brimming with irritation. “Don’t act so self-righteous. It doesn’t suit you. Do you even realize how generous Alexander is being? He’s willing to overlook your tantrum—”
“Generous?” I snapped, my chest tightening with fury. “He insulted me. Walked away without hesitation, leaving me humiliated in front of everyone. You call that generosity?”
Marcus scoffed, his cold laugh grating on my nerves. “You owe him everything, Eden. Being his Luna was your best chance at having a meaningful life. Without him, you're nothing but a second-rate healer from a dying pack.”
The blood roared in my ears as my hands curled into fists. Yet, I forced my voice to remain steady, though cutting.
“My life, my choices—none of them are tied to Alexander anymore. I’ve rejected him, and I don’t need anyone telling me otherwise. Not even you.”
“You think you're so important,” Marcus sneered.
I saw the change in his stance. Subtle but unmistakable. He took a step forward.
A shiver of unease crawled up my spine.
“What are you doing, Marcus?”
“Don’t make me do this the hard way,” he murmured, his voice eerily calm as he reached for my arm. “You’re coming with me.”
I jerked back, glaring at him. “Try it, and I swear—”
“Enough!” His patience snapped, and he lunged, hand grabbing my wrist with painful force.
Before I could retaliate or even call for help, the sound of padded footsteps filled the air, followed by a cheerful giggle.
“Eden!” Little Mike’s tiny voice rang out, a beacon of light in the growing darkness of the moment.
I turned my head sharply to the garden’s entrance to see Lucas approaching, carrying Mike on his shoulders.
Lucas strolled in, his calm green eyes narrowing the moment they locked onto Marcus’s grip on me. His powerful Alpha aura surged forward, the air thickening with dominance. Even Mike stopped his giggles, sensing the tension.
“Marcus,” Lucas said simply, but the weight of authority in that single word was enough to make Marcus freeze.
He turned to look at Lucas, briefly letting go of my wrist. “This doesn’t concern you, Amber Alpha.” But even as he spoke, there was hesitation in his voice.
Lucas lowered Mike, gently setting him on the ground. His smile was calm, but his voice carried a quiet threat. “Eden is under my protection. I suggest you remove yourself before things escalate.”
Marcus stiffened, glaring daggers at Lucas, but he didn’t dare challenge the sheer dominance radiating from him.
As Marcus turned on his heel and stormed away, I couldn’t help but throw out one last jab.
“Be careful on the way out, Marcus. Wouldn’t want you to trip on your high horse.”
To my astonishment, as Marcus began descending the garden steps, his foot caught the edge. He stumbled forward, arms flailing before landing unceremoniously in the dirt below.
The sight would’ve been amusing if not for the strange pulse of energy that surged through me at that exact moment.
I froze, staring at my hands as they began to tingle.
The last time I had felt this… was long before I bonded with Alexander. Back in the days when my mother trained me in controlling my prophetic abilities.
It hit me then.
The curse had returned.
Warmth rushed through my chest, an odd mix of fear and satisfaction. I had spent so long denying that side of myself, burying it beneath expectations and my role as the obedient mate.
“I knew I sensed something,” Lucas said softly, watching me carefully.
“But it’s not just prophecy anymore,” I murmured, half to myself. “I cursed him.”
---
(Alexander's POV)
I tapped my fingers against the oak desk in my office, growing impatient with every passing second.
Marcus had returned, but he arrived empty-handed—a failure in every definition.
“She refused,” Marcus said stiffly, standing at attention in front of me, his head bowed.
I narrowed my eyes. “Explain.”
Marcus shifted uncomfortably. “She said she won’t return, Alpha. She claims she’s done with you.” His voice dripped with resentment. “Eden acts as if she holds all the power in this bond.”
“She does,” I snapped, my tone sharp as steel. “Have you forgotten? She is my mate. My Luna. Her will, as my equal, is not to be disrespected.”
Marcus flinched but said nothing.
“Do you expect me to replace her?” My voice was low, tinted with quiet anger. “Is that what you’re suggesting, Marcus? That I discard my mate because it’s inconvenient for you to fetch her back?”
His lips quirked slightly, but he quickly masked the expression. “I–I would never suggest such a thing, Alpha…”
I rose from my chair, towering over him, my Alpha power washing over the room. “Challenge me again, Marcus, and you’ll find yourself in a very different position. Do not forget who gave you the rank you hold now.”
Marcus swallowed hard, backing away before bowing deeply. “Understood, Alpha.”
As he left, slamming the door, I let out a frustrated growl.
Eden was slipping further and further away.
And now, I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands.
My muscles tensed as determination solidified my decision. No more waiting. No more sending others to do what I should’ve done from the start.
If she wouldn’t come back to me willingly, I would go to her myself.
---
(Eden's POV)
The voice came just behind me as I unlocked the door to my rented apartment.
“Eden.”
I froze, my hand trembling on the doorknob. That voice was unmistakable—firm yet painfully familiar.
Turning, I found Alexander standing mere feet away, his broad build dominating the narrow hallway. He looked… exhausted. Dark circles lined his sharp eyes, his stubble more prominent than usual.
“Alexander,” I replied coolly, forcing myself to stay calm.
His gaze lingered on me, then dropped to my hand clutching the door. A glint of silver caught his attention as he pulled something from his pocket.
“This,” he began, stepping closer to reveal the diamond necklace in his palm, “is yours. It belongs to you, just like I do.”
Something inside me snapped.
“Give it to Victoria,” I said coldly, my voice unwavering. “She’s the one you always run to, isn’t she?”
He visibly flinched, but he quickly covered it with a deep inhale. “That’s not fair, Eden. She’s—”
“Not my problem,” I cut him off sharply. “Alexander, you can’t keep expecting me to wait, to forgive, to let you humiliate me again and again.”
His face darkened. I saw the brief flicker of pain in his eyes before his jaw tightened. “I didn’t come here to argue. Let me fix this—for us.”
He reached for my arm, but I pulled away, eyes narrowing.
“There is no ‘us,’ Alexander,” I said firmly, each word precise. “Go home. Go back to your pack. I don’t want—or need—your grand gestures.”
Something shifted in his expression, a vulnerability I hadn’t seen before. His hand hovered over his stomach, and his knees buckled slightly, catching me off guard.
“Alexander?”
He gritted his teeth, trying to steady himself, but his strength faltered. His legs gave way, and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach.
My heart pounded as I knelt beside him, trying to keep calm.
“Marcus!” I yelled sharply, and within moments, the Beta rushed in. His eyes darted between us before landing on Alexander sprawled on the floor.
“What did you do to him?” Marcus accused, his voice filled with venom.
I shot him a glare. “I didn’t do anything. He’s been overworking himself—it’s obvious.”
Ignoring Marcus’s scolding, I reached for my phone and dialed emergency services.
“This is serious. Try to help him!” Marcus barked, his tone accusatory.
“I’m not a doctor, Marcus,” I snapped back.
As medical personnel arrived, I held my ground, knowing Alexander wasn’t my responsibility anymore—but part of me still couldn’t suppress the faint ache of concern.
- Writer
