Blessed Curse

What if it was...

[[NOTE TO READERS: I WILL BE SHORTENING THE LENGTHS OF MY CHAPTERS TO GIVE YOU ALL A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE.]]

Kahikole POV

I am an obedient child of the Kings and Queen. But my sister Naomi’s words rang true. So had Lia’s. I felt it in my bones. It’s not to say I love one sibling more than the other, but if this happened to Kealoha, no one would be able to stop my father, Dom. He’d burn the world as we know it to the ground.

A sadness so deep resonated in my chest. Kealoha’s eyes watched me and I knew she knew what Lia, Naomi, and my thoughts were and I could tell it angered her to no end.

“Would I have had to wait for answers?” Kealoha shouted at my parents after Lia ran off after Naomi. No one said anything. My three fathers’ eyes cast downward and my mother's tears thickened.

“Answer me! If someone succeeded in hurting me, taking my wolf, would I have been dealt the same hand? No answers weeks after, only to become human more and more as each day passed?” Her aura was flooding the large office. She was pissed.

Ikaika stood to try to calm her but she sent him one look that stopped him in his tracks. Kaleo was smart and stayed where he sat. Keahi tried to walk beside her, but she put her hand up, forming a force field around her to push him away. I could see his hurt expression, but I was with Kealoha on this a hundred percent.

“It’s not like that my child.” Our father, Dom, spoke. A strong gust of wind swirled around everyone, “I don’t think I like that answer. Mainly because it isn’t one. Now, I ask again, or grandma helps me. I am out of here with my sister. Would I have been dealt the same fate?”

My mother's loud sob proved our theory. Our fathers' lack of eye contact spoke loudly. Kealoha’s strength faltered, causing her to stumble and I caught her before she could fall. “Go. Protect our sister and cousin.” I nodded, turned, and walked away.

I tried linking Naomi but it was weird. Think of mind linking like the phone network. It was normally a two-way call, you knew who was calling by caller ID. With linking, it was a specific sound etched into a sound that allowed us to know who was calling. Like a phone call, you’d always hear the ring before they pick up the receiver. But, say if the number was no longer in service, the ID caller would show blank or as unavailable. With it, you’d hear an irritating tone and a voice stating the number you have called has been disconnected.

Well, that is sort of what I am getting right now. When I reach out for her link, it is like it’s unavailable. Usually, if a block is up, we just hit a wall or sometimes we put up a mental note to let the person know we’re busy. But Naomi’s was.....completely unavailable.

I immediately reached out to Lia.

(Mind link)

Kahi-“Lia, where are you guys? I’m taking point on security.

Lia-“Two miles due northeast. Who sent you?”

Kahi-“I sent me. Kealoha-she’s pissed at my parents. She’s raising hell with them right now, but it won't take long before they come to their senses that two high-ranking members are gone. With me, three.”

Lia-“Naomi is fragile right now. From day to day changes, we have dwindled from hour to hour in her becoming human. I’m trying to be supportive, and I am with her on this, but she is being very difficult right now.

Kahi-“Stay with her. She’ll need you. You know her best. I know she thinks we all failed her, but she’s wrong. I won't stand by and wait any longer. Neither will Kealoha. We got your backs. Now tell me the plan. I’ll run ahead and map out a smoother route for her.

Lia does and soon I am trekking through the forest in search of smoother routes, at the same time forging trails to make it easier for Naomi to travel.

Lia-“I've convinced Naomi to bunker down at my parent's beach house for the night. I don’t think they'll even consider checking there. We can bunk out for the night there, and tomorrow come up with a better plan.

Kahi-“Got it. Lucas and Pika want in. Where their brats go, is where they follow. Their words, not mine.

I felt as Lia chuckled through the mind link.

Lia-“As I said, Naomi is fragile right now. Everyone is a traitor and a liar.”

(End mind link)

I understood and cut the link. Juliette had arrived at my location and was awaiting an order.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my eyebrows raised. She looked at me with purpose lacing her eyes, “I promised Naomi to always have her back. Unlike some others, I am true to my word. I am here because I too believe all of this is complete bullshit.”

I couldn’t find any reason why she would lie so I filled her in, “Naomi is...she’s becoming more human by the hour now. Mind linking her is unavailable. If anything happens, link your sister. From here on out, our mission is Naomi’s safety and well-being. If anyone asks, shut them down. Parents included.”

Juliette looked a little conflicted, but she asked to be here and she still had time to go back. “If you don’t want to be here because of the choices I have made, or the rules I set, you can still go back, Juliette. No one will think differently of you. I understand your struggle with all of this. I’m doing this because it’s my sister and she deserves better than what she has been dealt. So again, are you still in?”

“Yes.” She replied and we were on our mission.

***********

Kealoha POV

The eldest sister was supposed to be the protector, the confidant, the enforcer, as well as the one who had their siblings back. I was absent in our early years. And it is today that I am most regretful and kicking myself in the rear for being such a f*****g dumb snobby b***h.

Today, my family seemed to have forgotten that my mother and I had gifts. Most times, everyone tried hard to hide their thoughts around us. Not that we ever invaded our families' privacy on purpose, but today everyone's thoughts are flowing freely with no reservations about trying to disguise it.

Not a single person had anything to say about Naomi's truth. She may not have said it out loud, but her words aimed to ask, why hasn’t anything been done, because we all asked if it was anyone else, would they be served the same neglect?

Though, what hurts the most was everyone realizing the same thing. If it had been me. If I was the one to have been hurt, would I have suffered the same? Everyone knew the answer. No, the world would be at war.

Everyone's mouths may not have said a word, but their thoughts ran free. And I couldn’t help but look at my mother to see if she was hearing the same thoughts and questions. But she didn’t even flinch when the emotions started to flare from everyone.

Anger, confusion, pain, disappointment. These were the most prominent thoughts and emotions circulating. Questions if what Naomi said was valid enough to question the three kings and queen, yet no one did.

When Kahi’s thoughts rang loudly, I knew he was right. Again, I knew, if it was me, there was no doubt that my father, Dom alone, would tear the world to pieces. Angry was an understatement for how I felt. Thinking they’d allow my sister to feel a lot different from what they had always portrayed. To love her. Hurt only tickled the pain that I felt that they’d not push just as hard for Naomi, as if it was me.

When I received silence when I asked for the truth, my anger leveled up. No one in this room could talk me down.

When Kahi left, Juliette left as well. Her thoughts were so torn. She didn’t want to offend her mother most, but she vowed to Naomi to always have her back. I heard when aunt Lexi's mind linked to Juliette, “go, be safe. Protect her.” My heart reached for her instantly.

At that moment, Aunt Lexi felt my intrusion. She didn’t look upset, rather she turned to look at me and gave me one curt nod because we knew she’d do the same for my mother.

When we were able to hold a conversation without our emotions stepping in, the conversations kept going in circles, which in a way is what I was aiming for. Stall so Lia, Kahi, Juliette and Naomi could get as far away as possible. And then we’d work on getting the information my parents failed to get.

The lack of enthusiasm when I asked, “what else can we do?” only pissed me off though. Everyone kept looking at my mother or father, Dom, to answer. I found it odd that everyone kept looking to him as if he was the only one who had a say. No, the three of my fathers are equals. It was a mutual agreement that if anything, my dad, Dom, would be the one to speak on formal affairs. He was Alpha. But now, all three are equals. But they looked to him constantly for answers.

“Dad Maika, I am asking you, don’t look at dad, Dom, I want your answer. What have you all done, thus far to apprehend those responsible for the attempted murder of Omi’s wolf? “ The sharp intake of a breath from everyone as I said the word, ‘murder,’ didn’t go unnoticed. “Do not look so appalled that I used the word, murder. That is what happened, isn’t it? She was a living being. She was always there. Just awaiting her birthday, which was soon. So, again, what have you done to ensure the apprehension of Naomi's wolf’s killer?”

“Kealoha? As your King, I am asking you to stand down. Please do not make me command you.” My anger doubled hearing my father Dom's words. “Go ahead. Lose another daughter.” I threatened. The nerve of him. Why were my questions so hard to answer?

He sighed and turned to my mother. “Kealohalani, please. Lower your powers.” She begged. Everything in me screamed, stop. But my emotions were getting the better of me. I stepped beside Keahi for his help. He didn’t need to be told a word, and surrounded me in a hug from behind.

I took in a much-needed calming breath, “I am going to act like you guys care, mainly for my sanity. But let it be clear, if anyone else harms Naomi, I’ll not hesitate to step in. She didn’t ask for any of this, which to me should have given all of you more of a push to find those two, who you still call daughters, and who ever helped them. Did you use every asset available? Did you send more men out to scour the land? Like you said, mother, this is an island, they can’t get far. Yet, they disappeared?”

She didn’t even answer. She just turned her head away. “Kealoha...” I glared at my father, Alaric. “Out of the three of you, I really expected more from you dad.” He clutched his heart and whimpered.

My father, Maika, for once, looked angry. Not at me. No. His thoughts spoke very clearly of who he was angry with, and it was with my father, Dom. “You both said, you had it under control. You said you both had been working on it. You both said, and I quote Brother, ‘our men will find them, and when they do, we’ll serve them justice.’ was this all a lie?” No one said anything, “I was under the same impression Brother.” Dad Alaric says, confusion clear as day.

My mother sobbed loudly. And within that little moment of weakness, I saw something that had me questioning everything about my mother. All these years, the cuddles, the smiles with Naomi, all of it, was guilt? Not love? She immediately realized she had slipped and shut her thoughts out.

“I-mother?” She let out a wailing cry, “no, that isn’t true.” I shook my head, “Why is there so much guilt?” My father Alaric’s eyes shot to me. “What?” I couldn’t take my eyes off of my mother.

“Kealoha baby, what are you talking about?” Dad Maika asked. I wanted to tell them all of her deepest truths, but just shook my head. "Take it up with her if you want to know.” My mother remained quiet, only a soft sob, visible because of the movement of her shoulder.

“I am slowly losing my faith in you, and all I want to know is what and how things are going with the apprehension of Naomi’s wolf’s killer. How is it so hard to understand where Naomi is coming from? Where am I coming from?” I wasn’t trying to be difficult. No. Answers, it’s all we wanted. To be kept in the loop of information. Yet my mother and father, Dom, the two with some kind of explanation, remained quiet.

Since no one seemed to know anything, I made one last statement, “If I find you’ve sheltered Nahe and Nanea from any form of disciplinary actions, I’ll burn this whole world down. This is not a threat. This is a promise. As you’ve always said, mother, ‘evil has no welcome in our family.”

I spun on my heels and left, my anger singed the fabric-curtains that adorned the windows down the hall.

********

I cried until my tears had run out.

“Hey baby, you okay?” when I turned, Keahi was standing in my doorway, his hands in his pockets, awaiting my permission to enter further.

With a nod, he entered, approaching slowly. “Please, tell me what to do. I don’t know how to help and my heart hurts because you are hurt.” He whispers just as he sits at the edge of my bed.

I scooted over towards him and curled into his lap. Nuzzling into him, letting our bond calm my mind and wolf.

Ema, my wolf, was just as confused as I was. Our minds were both triggered and neither one of us could figure out what to do or how to deal with all of the lies within our own family that seemed so perfect.

“Anything you need, I don’t care what it is, I am always here.” Keahi whispers as he places a delicate kiss on my head. “I’m sorry about earlier.” He laughs but remains quiet. He rocked me, every so often stroking my hair.

“We need to talk.” He finally says after a few minutes of just sitting in the peaceful silence. I sat up, looking up into his eyes. “What is it?” He raised his eyebrows in question. “You didn’t read my thoughts?” I shook my head, “no, I don’t go around reading everyone's minds all day, every day. That is rude.” He laughs and strokes my arm.

“You may read mine at anytime. I have nothing to hide anymore. I want you to know everything. The bad, the horrible and the worst of me. Like I’ve already told you, I haven’t lived the most honest life. I can only imagine how I will be judged now as your mate. And I apologize for adding added stress to you. I wish only the best for you, and I know I am not it. But, I can’t live without you. My wolf and I feel it. We'd surely perish if we were ever to lose you.” He smiled a devilishly handsome smile and I couldn’t help but to lean in and kiss him.

He let me do as I wanted, never going over me to take my control away. He just held me sweetly and followed my lead.

He pulled away soon after, not wanting me to cross that boundary yet. I grunted, causing him to chuckle, “Back to what I started, we have to talk.” I couldn’t help the feeling that this was going to be a deep conversation, so I sunk into him, telling myself over and over that no matter what, I would listen until the end.

“When I met your sisters, it was what feels like so long ago. Anyhow, I was passing through the Puna pack territory when Nahe started to immaturely try to seduce me. I, obviously, declined. But, she and Nanea carried a scent. Your scent. I knew they weren’t attached to the scent, but I knew somehow they came in contact with you at one point in time to carry your scent. So I decided to ‘befriend’ them. Only to get to you. Stop shaking.”

He held me tight.I laughed. I didn’t realize I started shaking. “Sorry. Ema isn’t very understanding when you simply talk about other girls. Let alone them trying to seduce you.”

He chuckled but continued, “I got to a motel that same day, to bunk down for the night and got awakened by a barrage of humans that blasted a series of silver bombs.

I don’t remember anything after that. Until I awoke in a white room. Your sisters were there.” I leaned up to look at him. He nodded, giving me permission to delve into his mind, and when I did, I wasn’t prepared.

I couldn’t help the growls that left my chest at the sight of him with other women. Women, not girls. They were at least in their early twenties, some of them. Making me feel inadequate when I saw how mature they were in the way they satisfied my mate.

I saw him stealing from people, and let a loud gasp out when I saw several times when he took wolves and human lives. The underground dens he had to hide out in were scary and putrid. Going town to town, never staying in one spot. Drugs, alcohol. The women. The crime.

When I opened my eyes, his were filled with dread and fear. “Now you see. I am no good for you. I regret everything I’ve ever done. If you don’t want me, I understand. Just please, don’t reject me. I’ll keep my distance. Just please, I beg, don’t reject me.” I wanted to pull away, but he was being open about himself. He didn’t have to. He could’ve kept all of this to himself, but he trusted me enough to let me in.