Blessed Curse

Coming together

Naomi POV

My anxiety-induced sleep didn’t last long today. My father, Alaric, tended to me. So has Kahi. They never left my side while I slept. “How long have I been out?” The sun was still high up in the sky. “Just an hour. You missed lunch, here.” My dad said as I sat up. “Here, eat this. It’ll help.” Kahi brings over the bowl of what looks like plain water.

He sees my confusion and laughs. “Dad, care to explain,” Kahi says. “It’s water from your Grandmother's realm. Drink it. It’ll nourish everything your body seeks.” I nodded, with absolute trust in my father and drink.

“Whoa! Cool.” I say as I take another sip and then another. My first sip was of my favorite, a creamy beef Luau stew. The second sip was the richest, sweetest poi. The third did me in, a silky smooth haupia and kulolo. A girl could die now and go to heaven.

I finished the bowl and Kahi plops beside me. His tablet in his hand. “Whatcha working on?” I asked, leaning my head on his shoulder. “A strategic plan. Grandfather Drac says I should always be prepared. Always have multiple strategies for the best outcome.” I giggled at his seriousness, and he bumped me a little.

My father told me that my mother was in hysterics after everything that happened. She had left, going with my Grandfather Sai to his world to calm down. I was hurt that all this happened. All this caused my mother so much pain.

Just then I felt a niggling mind link coming in. I hadn’t shifted, but being of the Royal family, I was blessed, just like the rest of my siblings and cousins, with the linking capability.

Lia-“How are you doing?”

Naomi-“How’d you find out?”

Lia-“Never mind that. How are you feeling?”

Naomi-“Like s**t. Like I’ve been lied to too. Like everything around me is fake.”

Lia-“I’m sorry. I didn’t know either if that makes you feel better.”

Naomi-“It doesn’t, but thanks. What are you up to?”

Lia-“I’m heading to Blake's old pack. The Kona Wind pack. Something fishy is going on over there. Gonna check it out. And-we’re going because his mom died this morning.”

My heart fell. Why did this news hit so hard? It was just another wolf. I mean all wolves' lives are worth a moment of silence. But this hit deep.

Naomi-“No. Oh my Goddess. Is he okay?”

Lia-“He’s broken. I tried calling you, linking you to see if you could join us, but then I found out what happened. Again, im sorry.”

Ignoring her way of swindling more information out from me, I changed the subject,

Naomi-“So you’re with Blake? You two hitting it off?”

A low growl, not really audible, but to me it was, left my chest. Huh? I thought to myself, what was that?

Lia-“No, we’re just friends. He’s found his mate. She hasn’t shifted yet, so she doesn’t know. He’s a good guy. Loyal to the bone to her. Plus, I don’t why, he just doesn’t attract me that way. I see him as a friend, a brother. Like even though he’s older than me, I feel like I'm supposed to protect him or be there for him. Who knows? It’s probably your grandmother's doing.”

I laugh, whole heartedly laugh. This was a side of Lia I don’t recall ever seeing or hearing. Lia was a go-getter. What she wants she usually gets. I’ve seen her kiss boys, even though she knew they had just found their mate and leave smirking. She always loved the challenge of that. Seeing if the male species could deny her charm. And most of them failed. Miserably. Horribly. And down right stupidly.

Naomi-“What have you done with my Lia? Don’t get me wrong, I like this Lia, but who are you right now?”

I felt her bashfulness and her laughter.

Lia-“Shut up. I’m serious. With him, I don’t have the desire to take charge and challenge. He’s just cool to hang around. An awesome listener. Dare I say it, a true blown honest man.”

I shook my head and swooned at the way she described Blake. He was a lone wolf, that much I knew. That day I felt it too. He and his wolf had no desire to suppress the other. They lived in harmony. It was strange to witness. Beautiful really.

Lia-“I gott go. I’m going to kill Lucas.”

Naomi-“Why?”

Lia-“He’s intimidating Blake.”

This time an actual growl left my mouth. I heard the leather couch I was sitting on making a noise. Kahi and my father must've turned from their seats at my behavior. I sunk back, willing myself to calm the hell down.

Naomi-“Let him know I feel the same.”

Lia-“Oh I will. Bye.”

Naomi-“Later chic!”

**********

After the fiasco of my siblings, my father, all three of them, stayed with me. Each taking turns as if they were afraid to leave me alone. All giving off waves of love and affection. I loved it but at the same time loathed it. I felt like it was guilt that motivated them.

“ When's mom returning?” I turned and asked my father, Dom. He smiles, just by me mentioning my mother.

It’s always been like that with all three of my dads. Anytime one of us kids asked for her, brought her name up in a story or conversation, it was like cupid drew back his bow and shot them. Every. Damn. Time. Us kids always had to cover our eyes when they kissed.

“Not sure. Your sister's really hurt her. She doesn’t understand why they are doing what they are doing. I don’t either. Your mother is seeking guidance. Guidance for all of us. Your sisters,-“ He sighed, unable to finish his words.

I could see the world's problems, our problems, slowly revealing the weight they truly had on my father's shoulders. My heart ached for him. I know if this was any other family out there, he’d whisk it away with an order. But this, we, we are his children. I couldn’t imagine the pain he felt when he had to order my sisters to be held in their rooms. Indefinitely.

I scooted over towards him on the lounge chair on our balcony and lay my head on his shoulder. “I love you dad. I am so sorry. I never wanted to cause so much trouble.” Tears easily fell at the realization that I was the cause of my sisters' causing such trouble.

“No. You are not the reason for their behavior. You will not take this on your shoulders.” It was almost an order. Not an Alpha or King order. But a fatherly one. He held me tight. Rocking me until I guess I fell asleep.

********

“Good morning Princess.” I pull my duvet over my head just as my chamber maid-omega pulls the curtain open. “Nooooo Wehi, please. Five more minutes.” I heard her chuckle but continued on in her routine.

Other than Lia, Wehi was my bestie as well. She'll never admit it, thinking herself not adequate enough to take such a title to me, but she knew all my secrets and swore to always keep them. “Luna Lia has called for you. She has just finished training. She says it’s urgent and has to do with Sir Blake.”

My head never shot off the bed so fast. “Why didn’t you lead with that?” I said, jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom. I hear another chuckle from her and when I return to my room she looks at me with a smirk.

“What?” I asked. “I’ve never seen you out of bed so fast.” Her smirk widened a little more. “Didn’t know the mention of a Blake would have you so....jazzed to get out of bed before nine.” I scowl at her jokes while she shyly laughs at me.

She helps me get ready. Today, I had training with my Grandma Sage for an hour. She says she feels a gift stirring in me, so just to be safe she wants to ‘aura’ me. As Lia and I call it. It wasn’t hard really. Just time-consuming and boring.

“Do I have anything else today?” I asked Wehi. She pulls her phone out and scrolls, “No, just call Lia first. She seemed pretty pumped about something.” I nodded as she applied my 'Royal Princess' look to me.

I went to the Royal office and bid everyone good morning. “Good morning Princess.” All three of my dads chimed in. Ikaika chuckles, Kaleo shakes his head and smiles while Kealoha beams at me.

I’ve never seen her so friendly. It was a nice change. “What have you got going on today?” Dad Maika asks. “Just an aura reading with Grandma Sage. That’s it unless you guys got something. Oh-hold-on, Lia was trying to reach me.”

With that, I pull Lia into a mind link.

Naomi-“Where are you? You back, already?”

Lia-“Yeah, you know I can’t skip training. My dad will never forgive me.”

We both laugh,

Naomi-“What did you need to talk to me about?”

Lia-“Hold on, I'm heading your way. Office?”

Naomi-“Yup.”

Not five minutes later, the rest of the g**g enters. All freshly showered and pumped. Oliver and Levi join Kahi at the strategy table. Harper and Harley flock to Kealoha. I swear they are infatuated with her.

Juliette and Price slump down on the chair next to me, Juliete pulls me in for a side hug. “I got you chica. You know that, right?” I nodded and took solace in her camaraderie. “Thank you.”

Lia plopped down on the opposite side of me and lay her head on my shoulder. “So I have this plan but I need your help convincing our dads to help.” I smiled, “tell me the plan first. I don’t want to commit until I know your master plan.” She chuckles, knowing damn well how many times I went in blindly and got stuck.

“I want to give Blake and his brother a gift. I’ve been to his apartment. Omi, it’s a f*****g shoe closet. No, it’s a f*****g cupboard. They, they’ve been dealt a shitty hand. With everything he’s been through, he’s still a sweet, kind soul. He didn’t let his past harden him.”

I listened intently as she went on, “Can you convince your dad to buy his apartment building? I spoke to my dad, but he said it was a big decision. One that needs to be brought up to the King. As it’s a human town. I want to renovate his entire apartment. Gut it and add square footage. Make it a home for them. Blake is adamant that he’ll remain a lone wolf. As long as his wolf and he live in peace with one another, he’ll remain as is. He’s declined his Alpha blood line...”

I perked up, “What? I thought he was an omega? Did he lie?” I was upset that I had been lied too. My insides churned at the thought that Blake lied to me.

“No, he didn’t lie, Omi, calm down. He didn’t know. His old Alpha stole the position, then had a black witch put a spell on the entire pack. It fogged their memories and took away any knowledge within his walls that Blake and his family ever held the titles.” She explained and I immediately felt relief that he hadn't lied.

I nodded for her to continue, “Blake and his brother, shoot. I didn’t get his name. Anyway, they are true-blooded Alpha-Alphas. As his greatest grandfather, from the first dynasty, or circle, s**t, whatever, he was blessed with the title and rank by your grandmother herself.”

Holy cow, I think I forgot how to breathe.

There are only five families today that are linked to the first blessed Alpha line. We are one of them. While we hold the largest pack of heirs to hold this honor, the others are just as honorable. And Blake and his brother are the last of their blood line.

“He, he doesn’t want the title though.” I didn’t know how to reply to that. I mean, it was his choice, but I wonder if he knew of the importance, he’d change his mind. Most of the ranked members around the world wished they held such a blood line. The power they held was unmatched. And he didn’t want it.

At that moment, I knew that Blake deserved a blessing. I gave Lia a curt nod, and stood.

“Dads? Uncles?” I called out over their gathering circle. “Yes baby?” My dad Alaric asked, still looking at some reports. “I-Lia and I have a friend. We want to bless him.” I went straight to the point. No details. Just stated what I wanted.

“Lia told me. Blake right?” My uncle Noah asked. “Yeah.” He nodded and looked at my dads and Uncle Wayne. “He’s the one Lia's mind linked us about yesterday. The one we authorized to strip Alpha Cohen of his title and rank.” His explanation set a light bulb in everyone's mind as well as growls.

My dads, all three of them, crossed their arms and all stared at me. My father, Dom, broke the staring contest, “Why?” Like me, he didn’t beat around the bush or lolly-gagged.

“Because if you met him, you would all see and feel he’s a good person. I met him once and that one time he proved to me that he was worth a blessing.” My Dad Maika beamed at me. “What are we agreeing too exactly?” Dad Dom asked.

I put my begging, pouty face on, the one that gets them all the time, “Can you buy the apartment building he lives in and we renovate his apartment and bless him with a larger, more suitable one?” I hear a bunch of snickers behind me. All coming from my cousins and brothers, even my sister Kealoha.

“Where is this building?” Dad Dom asks, “Twenty minutes from us, the neighboring town.” I see a light bulb go off in my dad's face and he gives me a sly smile.

Just when I thought I was losing them, I felt someone step beside me, “I’m in.” I turned to see Kealoha standing by me. Giving me a supportive nudge. “Yup, count me in too.” Ikaika says. “Me too.” Kaleo, Oliver, Price, Juliette, Harper, Harley and, finally, Lia chimed in.

Our fathers all swallowed. The look of utter pride and love they had in their eyes at our union to bless someone they hadn’t even met. It was pure and raw. If emotions were a color, the color of the room would illuminate, sunshine yellow. It was so blindingly bright with their love and awe for all of us.

“Okay.” My Dad, Dom says. Not in a business-like matter either. It was like, ‘whatever.’ I laughed. “Dad, I'm serious.” He smiled and next thing you know, his pack contractor entered, a few men in suits and my big brother Deon.

“Really? You'll do this?” He smiled a loving smile, “You've spoken like a true Princess. Your conviction in the matter even pulled your siblings and cousins in, without even hesitating. Your instincts have never failed me, my child.” He placed a kiss on my head and walked over to the long conference table and they began to talk about the specifics about retaining the building and getting the job done as quickly as possible.

Lia squealed and ran to me, practically tackling me down. “I have to text him.. See where he’s at and when they’ll be returning.” I nodded with my heart feeling at peace with all that I was able to do for him and his brother.

********

“Naomi, would you mind helping me choose a dress for my sixteenth? Mother said what I chose was beautiful, but too conservative. She said I could meet my mate and, well, I needed to woo him. Whatever that means.” I laughed at my sister Kealoha and nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to.” She smiled sweetly and took me by my hand, whisking me out the office.

“Hold on, I have to check what time I need to be at Grandma Sage’s.” Kealoha lets my hand go and nods. I reach out through mind link and we connect,

Grandma Sage-“Hello my dearest. I have to apologize. I have to reschedule.”

Naomi-“It’s okay grandma. I was just checking too. Kealoha and I were going to go dress scanning. Wanted to make sure it wouldn’t collide with our time. But whenever, let me know. Love you.”

Grandma Sage-“Thank you baby for being so understanding. And you girls go have fun. I’d say shop till you drop, or whatever you young ones say, but that’s hard when the whole second floor east wing is a high end mall for you children. And free.” I felt as she chuckled.

Naomi-“yeah, totally takes the fun out of shopping, that’s for sure. Okay grandma, love you.”

“Okay, grandma had to reschedule. I’m all yours.” Kealoha graciously nods and, without warning, squeals. “I’ve never had someone to-well you know. Confide in. Everyone retracts from me. Like they’re afraid of me or something.”

I pouted and pulled her in, “I’m sorry. I never meant to.” I said, taking blame for my part in her feeling like that. “It’s just, you’ve always been perfect. And I say that respectfully. Seemed that you were always into your books and studies. None of us ever wanted to disturb you.”

She kinda went into her own thoughts then sighed, “youre right. I never gave any of you the time or day of my attention. What a bitch.” I burst out into a stomachache kind of laughter. Kealoha laughed along with me and I couldn’t help but to pull her into a sisterly hug.

“C’mon b***h, lets go.” She reeled back, looking offended that I called her a b***h, causing me to jump to apologize. “Sorry, I meant it in a sarcastic way. It’s what we do. I call Lia a s**t half the time. No offense ever taken.” She looks at me like she’s searching for a lie, which she probably was, as she was gifted like our mother.

When a smile broke over her face, I let out the breath I was holding, afraid I had just ruined the bond I just formed with her. One I always wanted.

“Did you call me?” I hear Lia holler from down the hall and Kealoha and I burst out into a fit of laughter. “Yeah s**t c’mon, we’re going to go help Kealoha find her her birthday gown.” Lia scowls playfully but sways in her decision to join us.

“I’m sorry Lia. I never meant to make you feel inferior. It’s who I’ve always been. Well, at least that’s what I'm told. I was always so poised. Reserved. I didn’t know it was pushing everyone away. I didn’t mean to.”

I’ve never heard Kealoha speak so much, let alone apologize like she’s been.

Lia’s face brightened. Without warning Kealoha, she closed the space between them, pulling her into a hug. I watched their interaction and smiled. We were bonding. Coming together as a unit as we should’ve been from the beginning.

As we entered our endless racks and rows of dresses, chamber maids and omega’s flocked to assist us. However, I wanted to try something. “Okay ladies, everyone, pick a dress,” they all went to leave, “wait im not done. Let's have fun with this. You have five minutes to find a dress. Time starts now!” All ten of us took off in different directions.

“One minute!” I yelled out as I'd found a dress.”Ten....Nine.....One....Times up!” Everyone had a dress in hand. The omegas and chamber maids made a mad dash to the hanging racks to place the dresses on and assist us. But I once again stopped them. “Nope. That’s not what we’re doing.” Kealoha looked at me in question, but Lia knew me well.

“Ladies, if you may, stand here. Five here, five on this side.” They all listen. “Okay, on the count of three, everyone will hand the dress they have in their hands to the person to the right until I say stop. Got it?”

Every single one of them looked super confused, other than Lia and I. “Hello, this was supposed to be fun. I promise. We’re almost done. So ready, you’re going to pass the dress in hand to the right and keep going until I say stop.” They all got it and nodded, giving the “yes’s’ understanding.

“Okay, One, two, three.” I pressed play on my music app and we all swayed to the beat and continued to pass the dresses to the right laughing and having fun. “Okay, okay stop.” I yelled out, letting the music continue.

“Now, whatever dress you have, you have to try on.” The chamber maids and omega’s looked terrified. Two of them even dropped the dresses they held as if they burned them. “Princess, we mustn’t. We-we are not allowed.” One of the omegas shyly stated. I scoffed, “who said?”

No one answered. “Kealoha, my future Queen, what say you?” She swallowed. I could see her scanning through the rule books I know she memorized. When she couldn’t find a rule, she smiled, “You heard your Princess, get to changing.” All the women gasped. Everyone knew Kealoha knew all the rules, laws and regulations in the entire kingdom.

“Chop chop! “ I shouted, ushering a few into some dressing rooms, as Lia did the others. “Damn, I need to excercise.” I yelled out, causing a round of boisterous laughter. “How’s everyone doing?” I shouted out and eight out of ten were ready. When the last two, Kealoha and Wehi, finally said they were finished, I called out, “Everybody step out on three...one, two, three.”

“Bam!” I yelled and jumped out in a satin, stuck to my skin, like a tight, tight glove of a dress. I think it was supposed to be flowy, but not on this thick chick. It was pretty yellow, but on me it just looked like a bursting banana.

It took zero point one second for the entire group to burst out into laughter. I twirled and strutted, posed and sashayed. Causing the crowd to laugh, even louder.

Lia stepped forward in a beautiful gold, bias-cut gown that seemed to make her sexier. Sultry like. She twirled and everyone ooh’ed and aahh’d. She really did look gorgeous.

Kealoha was dressed in a dress that I was sure somehow she had chosen and got back to her. But that was unlikely as everyone else had a different dress.

Kealoha was dressed in a very conservative but elegant satin panel gown. The blue brought her beauty out ten fold. It was as if the pacific ocean hugged her curves. Kealoha, Lia and I were all fifteen. Kealoha was older by six-seven months, but even at our age, we were all curvy. But Kealoha, she was becoming a beautiful woman.

She shied at our silence. We were all in such awe of her and were all just gaping at her. “Sister, I know mama wanted you to be a little more risque, but this is the one. I-I can’t see you in anything else. You’re stunning.” Her blush heightened and, for the first time, it showed.

“I like this one too. Who chose this one?” She asked, looking around the room. “I did my Princess.” An omega stepped forward. She was so cute.

Kealoha closed the distance between them and embraced her. The omega stiffened at the contact and I giggled. We’ve never, EVER treated our omega’s harshly. They had more rights and freedoms than most humans. But as the Royal Family, I know they are bound by the laws set way before our time. I hope one day my mother can get around to that and change them.

“Thank you... sorry what’s your name?” My sister asked the omega. Her name was Kira, I knew it, but I let her answer. “Kira, your highness.” My sister pulled her in for another hug and I sighed.

This was my goal. To unite everyone as a whole. Yes, we all had our place. Ours were always at the top. But these omega’s worked their asses off to support us. Again, it’s who and what they are, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t all be friends.

Now, with the ice broken between the attendees, everyone has fun showing off their dresses. The girls all laughed and spoke freely. Always with full respect, but still spoke with ease.

“Thank you sister.” I turned to Kealoha just as I was stepping out of my dressing room, happy I was free from that suffocating dress. I turned to Lia and she looked just as relieved.

“For what?” Kealoha pulled me into a hug, “for humanizing me.” I scoffed, but she was serious. I nodded and pulled her in for another hug. Letting our silent hugs speak for itself.

“Eeek, yours-our dads kick a*s!” Lia shrieks. “I don’t know how the hell they did it, but the apartment has already quadrupled its size. And Blake and his brother are only now leaving the Kona coast. If they could get that much done in two hours, in the total five left, I have no doubt it’ll be done.” I smiled and couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread throughout me as I thought of Blake.