Blessed Curse

Connected

Introducing Mr. Conrad POV

I was pummeling into my flavor of the week, letting all my frustrations out with every thrust. Her moans and screams beckoned me to give it to her harder.

“Yes, f*ck yes baby, harder!” she screamed as I felt her walls tighten around my shaft. “Not yet!” I ordered as her eyes begged me for her release. “NOT YET!” I barked once again. Becka moaned and screamed as she held in her o****m, causing my own c****x to advance quicker.

When the need to explode presented itself, I commanded, “NOW!” and with my command, we both exploded and I felt all of my frustrations leave my body.

I lay on top of Becca, not ready to move just yet. My breath came in hot and heavy. For a werebear, Becka wasn’t half bad. But she wasn’t Naomi. She wasn’t my phoenix. But she’ll do for this week.

“Get dressed and get out.” I ordered as I rose to stand, wrapping my silk sheet around my waist. “I should have taken heed to others' warnings. Here I thought I was special.” Her voice was filled with disgust and slight sadness.

“None of you will ever be enough to stand beside me. Now, don’t make me speak again.” She grabbed her things, and without getting dressed she left.

Fuck! Now I’m irritated again.

**

My powers allowed me to live through medieval times, times where all creatures lived out in the open. What is known as supernatural now, was very normal once upon a time. While witches, werewolves, werebears and such were not treated with kindness or greeted with hospitality, the presence of such creatures was very normal.

I was blessed, yet cursed by my mother with eternal life when I began my warlock training. She once told me that when I was born, a seer had seen greatness in me, so she had a spell and potion made to bless me. A special spell that even if I died, I’d be reborn as you see me today. Age was nothing but a number and I’ll forever remain twenty-one.

I was told that the spell that had made me immortal was blessed by the first phoenix of the sun. Giving a drop of her immortality, gave me eternal life. Her gift also bound our souls forever.

Reminiscing about how I’ve lived my life caused my anxieties to do somersaults. In the late 1800’s, I was one of the highest ranking warlocks. My practice was to heal those who were worthy, help win wars for kings who were righteous. Be the light in dark times.

When rumors of how powerful I was circulated, I was sought by every king and queen and dark witch of the times. I was chased and almost caught in the very early 1900’s.

My fate was to be examined and dissected by anyone who thought they had what it took to figure out my immortality. Being caught would seal my fate for sure. For every time they killed me, I’d be reborn, over and over again until they figured out how.

I knew then, I was done running. I was done living in fear. It was no way for me to live. So I called out to the Gods and Goddesses for help. It was the goddess of Fylgja, Frigg, the Psychic realm, who answered. Her gracefulness and gentle ways entranced me, giving me a sense of relief in every word she spoke.

When I voiced my wishes, she promised me refuge. And a refuge it was. She introduced me to Tobias.

Tobias’s realm was everything one would think of heaven. Yet you were not dead, but very much alive.

No one was above the other. Everyone lived in peace and harmony. While rules were set, for some odd reason, no one even thought of breaking any of them. It was just the way his realm worked. Seamlessly.

The day I arrived on his doorstep, I was greeted with an immense light that had already filled my heart with peace. Tobias welcomed me, and asked for only one thing. My warlock powers. It was only to assure him that I’d never use it against others in his realm. I graciously handed it over, without grief, and he promised to never use them for himself and that it would be returned if I ever wanted to return to earth.

At that time, I was done with it all. Exhaustion from running had squeezed the last of my will to keep going as I was, from me. I gave him everything willingly and, as promised, when I asked for my powers to test a new gardening hack, he’d hand it over with no hesitation.

We built a high level of trust between us. I’ll even go as far as saying that we were best friends. Tobias provided me with better accommodation and entrusted me with his gardens of rich and rare herbs and plants.

Together we gathered many exotic and rare plants, trees and herbs from all over the world. We conjured potions and spells together and many failed to do so. And together we promised to keep them out of anyone’s hands. For greed of power is a b***h and with the spells and potions we whipped up, one could rule the heavens and earth, cities and realms. Nothing and nobody would be able to stand a chance.

It wasn’t until the last hundred or so years that stories of a new phoenix’s return had started circulating. Stirring my curiosity the more I’d hear about her.

In one of my travels to earth, I witnessed the rebirth of a phoenix of the sun. It was one of the most beautiful events to witness. Oddly, she and I had found each other, feeling our connection from the essence that was blessed to me by the original.

When she chose her human form, she couldn’t have chosen anyone better. A Luna of wolves, Keikilani. Not only was she a beautiful kind soul, she was a fierce woman who fought for everything good in the world. She was a wicked force. From that moment, I devoted my life to protecting her.

To see her earthly vessel being able to wield two species without conflict was beyond impressive. It was enchanting. Her strength was like no other either. Where her wolf lacked, her phoenix picked it up. And vise versa.

Many odd years later, in my absence, her life was threatened. And so she disappeared. Never to be seen again. Stories and sightings of her circulated around the world. But no one could ever show solid proof of her whereabouts.

I sought her out over time but had never come even close to finding her. My link to her would know. I never felt the flutter of emotions that only she could cause again. Then, in the 1920’s, I saw her. I felt her. Keikilani in the flesh, just as she was years prior; just older.

I could see her time was approaching soon and when we locked eyes, we felt our spirit bond solidify. “I’ve searched for you.” Is all she said, and when our hands united, she was engulfed in flames and ashes.

My heart ached as I waited days, weeks, and months for her to be reborn. And nothing. As the days, weeks and months passed, my body and soul felt a shift in the earth's atmosphere. She left without being reborn.

As the years and decades passed, I grew older, much weaker. It was then that I realized losing her was causing me to lose my immortality.

********

Naomi POV

“How are you feeling?” Tobias asks as we walk through the forests surrounding the Wolf King's grounds.

“Hot. Like I'm going to combust.” We both chuckled but I knew Tobias was holding information.

“Are you going to tell me?” His eyes scanned me from head to toe. When he was ready, he pulled me to a grass-covered area. One I swore was just made for us at that moment.

A perfect banyan tree provided a soft canopy of shade. Shading a meadow where butterflies bounced from flower to flower. It looked magical.

“You’re transitioning. Soon you’ll be reborn into your true self. Phoenix has already chosen your vessel as her vessel. But her soul is being reborn. The heat you feel is her flame igniting from the ashes she is reborn from.” He watched me as I pondered on his words.

He pulled me to him and I allowed it willingly. Everything about him felt right. His words were a calm to my storms. His embrace is a shelter from the hurricanes. His presence was a shield from the coldest snow storms.

“Why is it I feel this deep connection to you?” He didn’t answer right off. I could see conflict in his eyes so I didn’t push. We sat there in comfortable silence when he finally spoke.

“When Conrad came to me, he sought refuge from those who sought him for his powers. The rule in my realm is, if you seek refuge, all of your powers are to be handed over. He did, but it wasn’t until many moons later that I noticed Conrad wasn’t aging like everyone else. I questioned him about it and he didn’t hesitate to tell. He was blessed by the first phoenix of the sun with immortality. She gave him a drop of her essence, in turn making him immortal. If he died, he’d be reborn, just like the phoenix.” Tobias stopped talking, giving me time to absorb everything.

“Okay, but what does that have to do with our connection?” He smiled, “I was blessed with the same.”

“What?” I almost barked out. He chuckled at my outburst and went into explanation. “The first phoenix, she was very giving. If she felt you were worthy, she blessed you with a gift.” I nodded, “immortality?”

“Yes. Conrad and I were blessed by the same phoenix. She was old by the time she came around to Conrad. Why or what she saw in him for her to bless him with her gift is beyond me. Anyhow, because of this blessing, our souls are bound through her essence that flows through us.” Again, he just stared at me, waiting for a reply.

Then it hit me, “So, I'm connected to Conrad too?” I couldn’t help the disgust in my tone. “Sadly, yes. How we react to our connection is what sets all those who are bound to you apart.” I cut him off, “hold on, how many people are we talking about here?”

Tobias shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know. It could be a few to several thousand...”

“WHAT THE HELL?!” Tobias laughed again, “will you let me finish,” I nodded, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’ll have hundreds if not thousands pining for me when all I want is Tobias.

He tightened his arms around me, “how we are all bound to you is different. Some will feel a protectiveness over you. Will feel the need to protect you till their death, nothing more. Some will offer simple services and do anything and everything you ask. There may be others who will seek your hand, but you have the last say on that. If you say no, their connection to you will shift into something or somewhere else to serve you. It’s just a connection. You have the right to sever that connection as well.”

I sunk into his embrace and dwelled on all the information. Then I knew what I needed to do, “I choose you Tobias, to be my everything. My mate, my spirit, my blessing. I choose you.”

Tobias closed his eyes and I watched as a tear escaped his eyelids and traveled down his cheek. “I have waited for you for many years. I have only ever chosen you, my love.”

He pulled my face to his and took my lips into a deep love-filled kiss. Heat ignited around me and I felt like everything was exactly how it is supposed to be. All the tears, heart aches, bonds broken, chaos that the last month has brought had to happen for this moment to be exactly what it is, PERFECT.

*******

I stood before the door. I once ran too, when I knew I needed a hug or just to have my parents smile at me. I contemplated knocking, but knew that this was something I had to do, so I knocked.

“You may come in,” King Dom announced. I opened the door and at the planning table sat King Dom. “Hey.” His eyes were swollen, his shoulders slumped. But I felt no remorse or sympathy. He had already cast his orders out into the universe. I was here for one thing.

“I came here to forgive you and queen Makana.-“ he went to cut me off but I held my hand up, “I cannot go on in life harboring ill feelings, so I come to you to forgive you for your choices. I want to say I understand, but in all honesty, I don’t. But it’s okay. I don’t need nor do I want an explanation any longer. I am coming to sever any and all ties to you and the Koa family. I thank you all for not killing me when you all clearly could have when my mother did what she did. I wish nothing but a blessing on you all.” I bowed one last time and turned to leave.

“Wait.” I stopped mid step. “I’m sorry. Please. I know you forgive us, but know that I truly am sorry.” Without turning to look at the queen, I spoke, “as I said, you are forgiven.” And I walked out. Never look back at the sounds of sobbing.

**

Group POV

Upon arriving back on the royal grounds, Lia had linked her siblings, cousins and others to meet in regards to Naomi.

Lia met up with Naomi and Tobias and was caught up with everything that transpired. To say Lia was livid was an understatement.

Lia shared with Naomi and Tobias what she found out about the fae creature, Mark, who was watching Devon and Blake. As well as the werebears presence at Blake and Devons' place as well. Tobias didn’t even ruffle one single feather at the mention of werebears.

They both shared their theories and plans for the near and far future and planned accordingly. Promising to keep communication open and assuring that both sides knew what was happening at all given times, they parted ways. Promising to reunite.

Not an hour later, the lot of the next generation had gathered in their childrentime ‘club house.’ Everyone looking ready to voice where they stood in the case of Naomi.

The ‘club house’ was more than just a club house. It was a cabin up in the trees. One large open room, enough to accommodate twenty people.

Multi-colored walls, signifying that the space was for children. Large bean-bags littered the floor space. Drawings of all sorts of great imaginations hung about the walls. Toys from different stages of a child's life filled bins around the room. The place was a time capsule.

In attendance were, Ikaika, Kaleo, Lia, Levi, Oliver, Juliette, Harper, Harley, Pomaika’i and Kaimana. Also joining were Wehi, Naomi’s omega, Mason and Katey, Naomi’s guards, as well as Devon and Blake.

“Where’s Naomi, Kealoha? Kahi?” Oliver asked the others.

Lia was the one to reply, “Kealoha was being summoned by the queen and unable to come. She’s already voiced her opinion on what we’re about to talk about. Kahi went back to Uncle Alaric’s coven. He, too, has given me his decision. Naomi is with Tobias. She’s starting her transition.” Oliver nodded as everyone found a seat.

News of who and what Naomi truly was spread like wild fire. Packs of old and new knew about Naomi. Everyone with their own respect for the situation. Even after being casted out by the King himself, many packs still loved Naomi.

Lia began the meeting after everyone had gathered. “I asked everyone here because at one time or another, you all have been there for Naomi. If you decide to not want to be there for Naomi any longer, you may leave. What is said here will not be a secret, so if you are here to spy, so be it. But if you slander the names of those who choose to back Naomi, I’ll have no quarrel in calling you out to the center of the field. Am I clear?”

No one commented and held their tongues, slight fear tingling down their spines at Lia’s threat.

“So, I’ll begin. I am with Naomi. All those willing to put their voices, time and energy to use in favor of Naomi, say Aye.” Lia stood.

Everyone, including Wehi, Mason and Katey sounded their ‘Aye’s’

“Good. Today we found that a Fae creature had been squatting across the hall from Blake and Devons' apartment. With him, two large werebears were also present. Per the fae creature, Mark, they are watching Blake and Devon because they want Naomi and I. Why me? I’m guessing because I am always with Naomi. Anyhow, I am taking this to the kings and Queen. I just want to know who is willing to protect Naomi if protection is what she’ll need?”

Lia’s speech held a very high level of authority, almost in a commanding the masses type of way. Her voice left little room for argument. And it seems she did it that way for a reason.

“I’ve helped raise Naomi. Watched her grow into the young adult she is today. As I have you, Lia. I’ll put my life on the line for you both. No one will get to you two.” Mason sounded with great devotion.

“Aye. As I promise.” Katey stood beside Mason.

“My sisters are my priority. Where you need me, I’ll be there.” Everyone went silent when Kaleo spoke.

Some even forgot that the two highest ranking ones were even present.

“I have obligations to the kingdom that surpass my involvement with all of this. But, if warriors are needed, all you have to do is ask.” Ikaika’s voice, while reserved, was filled with promise.

Everyone, in their own way, spoke their promise to protect Naomi, when Kealoha walked in.

“Is the meeting over?” Kealoha asked. Lia strode over to Kealoha and gave her a hug. “Everyone is in.” Kealoha nodded and walked to the center of the room.

“May I have everyone’s attention.” Kealoha’s voice wasn’t loud, but it held a superiority in it that commanded attention.

“I thank you all for your dedication to Naomi. But it seems I have a favor to ask of you all, for me.” Everyone’s attention held on to every breath Kealoha breathed.

“Today I was asked to take a chosen mate.-“ The entire room gasped in shock. “They have been chosen for me and I have no say in the matter, unless I relinquish my title. So today, I stand before you all, and I relinquish the title of future queen of the wolves. I will not fold to the likes of hypocrites.”

With Kealoha’s words, everyone's breathing had become labored. Her tie to the wolf race wasn’t a small role. A piece of her spirit lived in every single one in the entire wolf world. And for her to say the words out loud, everyone knew that she had just etched away at the thousands upon thousands of wolves' hearts.

“I, Kealoha Koa, princess of all Wolves, daughter of Makana, Dom, Maika and Alaric, hereby relinquish my title and crown.”

A loud roar shook the forest, but no one in the club house moved a muscle. “I’ve told them that if they force me, I’ll be forced to take drastic action. They called my bluff and had three suiters attend the meeting.” Kealoha stood unfazed, looking over her family.

Pain was evident in everyone's eyes. Especially Ikaika and Kaleo’s. “Sister? What have you done?” Ikaika whispered, pain and sadness lingering in his words.

“It’s time you all knew. Please, take a seat.” Everyone obeyed, even though she no longer held a rank now.

“Keahi didn’t reject me. It was an act. He and I had come to a realization of things and needed to test our theories. And well, that caused Keahi to fake reject me. Low and behold, we were right. You see, to help Naomi, they needed to arrest Keahi because he sort of was a big part of Nahe and Nanea’s plan. Unknowingly, but he was still a part of it. But to go after him, as he was my mate, would hurt me. They couldn’t help one daughter, because it would hurt the other. When Keahi fake rejected me, it proved that part of our theory. But now, there is a lot happening that is not adding up. They arrested Keahi, and they still rejected Naomi. We thought that they’d turn Keahi in to Mr. Conrad, works a deal to mend Naomi and her wolf, but it seems to have change. And now they won’t tell me what happened to Keahi. It’s all not making any sense.”

The room went quiet as everyone’s minds wrapped around what Kealoha had just said. “Does the King, king Dom and the queen know that Keahi’s rejection was a lie?” Mason was the first to speak after a minute of silence.

Kealoha replied, “no. I was going to tell them today, but after their blatant disregard of me, my feelings or my wants, I didn’t see any reason to indulge them any longer. They have an agenda and I don’t know what it is. Whatever it is, it’s tearing this family apart, member by member, and both of them seem to care less.”

“Ikaika, you are always with the king, King Dom. You have any insight into anything?” Lia asked, but to no avail. Ikaika shrugged his shoulders and looked just as lost as everyone else.

“Well then, let’s all sit tight and form a plan.” Lia ordered.

“I’ll be leaving before sunrise with my dad Alaric's men and women. As I can sense, my mind link is still working, so if you all need me, especially you my brothers, as our magic is stronger when we’re together, I'm a link away.” Kealoha announced.

“Okay, Kealoha is taken care of. You’d have to be an i***t to go against uncle Alaric. As for Naomi, she leaves with Tobias sometime in the night-early morning. They'll head to Tobias’s realm to prepare her for her transition. Once she transitions, her phoenix will be reborn and she’ll be weaker then she has ever been. She’ll need the power of the sun to strengthen her, so Tobias will be bringing her back to earth then. That is when everyone will be needed. Can she and I count on you all to protect her?”

Without hesitation and with great love and loyalty, everyone in attendance placed their fists over their hearts and swore, “On our lives we swear.”