Blessed Curse

Shattered

Keahi POV

I’ve never been the religious type. Being the life I’ve lived, I was sure I wasn’t going up. But there was something about this family that just gave you peace and hope. Like the moon Goddess Selene, herself was here, within this family.

There were no words when Kealoha had accepted me as her mate. Everything I knew of life, went out the door. All those things, the thoughts, the wants, I no longer wanted. Here, her, this, this is what my life is now. I’ll never be able to give her the finer things in life, but I’ll cater to her every need and desire with my love and attention. She’s it. The one and only who will right my wrongs. I do not just feel it- I feel it, feel it. Like it’s already true.

I listened as she talked, enjoying the sound of her voice. It was hypnotizing. Like a melody. She spoke like a well-aged woman, which had me questioning her true age. It wasn’t just the way she spoke or the things she spoke of, it was how she carried herself. She demanded respect, without demanding it. It was impressive and had me feeling even more inadequate.

She asked several questions about me that I wasn’t sure this was the right time to share. I gave her answers to appease her for the time, but I could sense her magic reading me. She thought I was lying. I sighed internally. I’ll have to come clean. I should have before her acceptance. My actions were unfair so far and I know it’ll all catch up to me. And soon.

When I went and got myself a drink, King Alaric had pulled me aside. “Tomorrow, eight sharp. Third floor, east wing. Our office. There’s much to be discussed.” His words were clipped. I sensed irritation and anger and knew that what I just thought and dreaded was happening sooner than later. f**k!

“I’m so exhausted.” I hear a girl tell Kealoha. She laughed, and I swear I heard angels sing. “Lia, you’re going to suffer tomorrow at training. How many haupia squares did you eat? Don’t lie, I saw. And that laulau? Girl, Lucas is going to whoop you tomorrow.” They both laughed just as I returned.

Lia eyed me. I could tell she was a warrior. She may not be big and tall, but her physique said it, ‘fear me.’ I gave her a slight bow, feeling nobility radiating off of her. “I’m still trying to get a read on you. I haven’t figured you out yet. I’m keeping my eye on you. f**k with her emotions and we’ll be meeting in the center of the training field. Capiche?”

The balls on her. Holy s**t. I was double her size. Plus, I know I could use a shower and haircut, that gave me an edgier look. A dangerous look. But, she just blatantly disregarded me and threatened me. There was a level of seriousness in her threat that I had to pause to contemplate my answer. “I may not have lived an honest life. But from here on out, for her, and this family, I’ll do better.”

She eyed me as Kealoha gawked at me open-mouthed, “what?” I ask, leaning back from Kealoha’s stare. “You’ve been honest this whole time. My magic has told me so. But that, that was the first promise that you’ve made which wasn’t just a promise, it was an oath.” Did I just do that? I shrug, “And?” She smiled, “you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.” With that Lia and she laughed at their inside joke. Now, I wasn’t sure if I should be worried or happy.

When Ikaika came over, I had to go over the same spiel. Not in the same words, but the same promise. When he left, I got the answer to one of my curious questions. The entire evening I watched, when I wasn’t staring at my mate, the entire family. The fathers, uncles, and grandfather drank. But they sipped on the same cups almost all night. Never refilling. And the kids, Kealoha, her siblings, and cousins, never had anything to drink other than water, juice, or tea this evening.

I made a promise and oath. Not to just Kealoha, but to her family, that I’ll be and do better. And this will be the first change. I placed my drink down, which was my fourth, and never picked it up again. I thought I was going to cave, the addiction forcing me to grab it. But that moment never came. I looked back at the cup and it turned my stomach. Laughing internally, I take my attention back to my mate who just sat there, enjoying watching her family have fun.

Then Ikaika’s voice rang out like a massive bull horn being shouted, ‘ROGUE!’ How the hell did they find me? f**k!

Back Story:

I woke up in a white room. White curtains separated me from a larger room. Am I in a hospital? I went to call someone but I couldn’t. Just to breathe hurt. I leaned back on the bed that I was in and willed myself to calm down.

Think Keahi. What do you remember? Then it hit me, the door burst open, a silver cloud. Being hit then lights out. f**k. Those were rogues and humans. Mr. Conrad’s team. f**k they’ve found me.

As quiet as I could, even with every ounce of me screaming to be still, I got up off my bed. The silver had taken its toll. I could barely sense Kupa. I searched for my clothes but found none. I guess it’s all about streaking it. I peak out the curtain and see nurses and staff wondering. Going in and out of curtains. I see an exit when I hear a familiar voice. “Where are you going there?” I whip my head, “Nahe?”

She smiled and swayed like a little girl. “What’s happening? What happened?” I croaked as I spoke. The effects of the silver still burning. She giggled like a little girl, “come sit down silly.” I do as she’s told, unsure of her involvement as I was sure the men who burst through the door of my motel room were Mr. Conrads' men.

“I was watching you.” I glared at her, “fine I stalked you to the hotel. Nanea and I. We slept in the forest out front across the street. When the sun barely broke over the horizon, several black vans surrounded the motel. I called some favors in. When they attacked you, my connections came and negotiated with the men. It was an offer they couldn’t refuse. They dropped you where they were holding you and left. Then I brought you here to a secret wolf clinic.” I watched as she talked. She may be childish at times, but she was scary right now.

Connections? Favors? I mean, what the f**k? What are we in, some kind of mafia movie? “You’re lucky. The witch here is quite skilled at extracting silver from wolves. It doesn’t matter the form. She got ninety’ish percent of the silver out, but you should stay. She’ll need to work on you for a couple more days. Three days for her to constantly work on you took a toll on her energy, so she needs today to rest. But tomorrow she’ll be back at it.”

Gasping, and trying to find some sort of liquid to coat my dried mouth and throat, I heaved. “Here, drink.” Nanea held a cup with a straw to my mouth and the thick creamy concoction was a delight. She brought another cup to my mouth and it was water.

I breathed in a more moist breath and sighed. “Thank you. You don’t even know me but you stuck your neck out for me. I owe you.” Nahe grabbed my hand, placing her lips on my bruised and healing knuckles. “You don’t owe me anything.” I closed my eyes. This is so f****d up.

“We grabbed what you had at the motel. Your phone, the backpack. By the way, what do you do for a living?” Nahe asked. I laughed in a whisper-like manner. “Handyman,” I said and she raised an eyebrow. “So what? Did you skip out on a job? Took the cash without completing the job?” This time I honestly laughed. She was slick.

“I’m sore and tired. Maybe some other time. Mind?” I ask. I was tired. The first night I slept well was only to be awoken in hell. And now I am in the deepest darkest part of Lucifer's realm. Or Nahe and Nanea’s realm.

“Alright. My number is in there. I’ll be back tomorrow. Here.” She says as she passes me a doily. It was quite beautiful. The laced pattern was intricate, forming very fine embroidered flowers. The broader patterns were in such a way that it made it look completely invisible. Then the sweet aroma broke me out of my revere.

*Mate. Mates scent.* I pulled the doily to my nose and sniffed. I was on cloud nine. I don’t even know how long my eyes were closed, but when I finally opened them, a blushing Nahe swayed like a little child getting praised by her parents.

“You like it?” I could only nod. I did because it smelt like my mate. But she, nor Nanea was it. So who did this belong to? “Where’d you get this from? It’s beautiful.” I needed to know. I’ll play the doting friend. “It belonged to my sister. But she discarded it. It’s mine now.”

I nodded and gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Well, keep that with you. For my scent. And we’ll see you tomorrow. Okay?” Another tight-lipped smile and they left.

END OF BACK STORY.....

I was seething. These assholes were putting my mate and everyone she loved in harm's way. No, I wouldn’t take the blame for this. They've left me alone now for months. Nahe said I was in the clear. Why now? And then my eyes shot to Kealoha.

They know. They know she’s my mate. They'll hurt her. To hurt me. Take what is most precious to me. I watched as guards, by the dozens formed a protective barrier, then ushered us closer to the group where the family stood. I felt a hand on my arm and a calming spread over me.

When Kealoha’s demeanor changed and a whisper of a voice spoke, my hackles stood, “Keahi, my sister....” I sucked in a breath. The head General, Lucas, my-uh brother? Blake and I advanced, heading in the direction of my mate's sister.

We found her laying on the ground, in a pool of he own vomit. She wasn’t responsive. The Queen was there in a lightning movement that made me dizzy. “Clear.” A voice announced in a mind link.

Mind linking is crazy. I’ve never been able to. Do you know? Being a lone wolf all my life.

Then, like a knife to the heart, my heart ached. My mate? I was at her side instantly when a sound so saturated with sadness, echoed in my heart. The howl was so filled with pain, that even I couldn’t help but clutch at my heart.

What’s happening? My mate crumbled to her knees when power so strong burst out from her. All that was in attendance, excluding her family, bared their necks in submission. Her pain radiated out in waves, my knees falling weak for her.

I fell before her and took her into my arms. Blake and his wolf were howling and crying. The Queen and the Kings were in between shifting in pure rage and sadness.

“Mom?” Kealoha cried. “Grandma?” Both the Queen and the head warrior, whom I’ve found whose name was Sage, face saddened. “She’s gone. Her wolf who wasn’t even born to this world yet is gone.” A Series of excruciating howls ripped through the entire Kingdom. I don’t care if you were a thousand miles away, I was sure you could feel and hear the absolute pain.

My mate folded into me, her heart shattered. I held on to her with everything I had. Giving her all the strength that I could.

“Blake,” She pulled away enough to look at him and he sat opposite of where we sat and held onto his....holy s**t! Naomi is his mate. But, wait? Her wolf wasn’t born yet, did she know? I see and feel his pain from him. He knew. My heart was just cracked, shattered.

*******

Blake POV

I held onto Naomi like she was my soul that was trying to escape my body. In truth, she was. When I found her, in a pool of her vomit, I almost died. And, when I reached down to pick her up, a part of me did.

Her wolf. Even though she wasn’t born yet, was gone. Oli, my wolf, didn’t growl, he didn’t whimper. He receded. Receded and didn’t even say a word, only causing me to feel so much more pain.

“Queen, please,” I begged, but her tear-streaked face confirmed that whatever happened, whatever poison was given, was irreversible.

I couldn’t form any words. I couldn’t think. No emotions came to me. I was blank. Completely and utterly empty. All I could do was hold the piece of me as close as I could.

“Son?”----“Blake?” I turn to the voice. It was King Dom. “I need you to let her go so her mother and grandmother can check on her.” I nodded but still held her tight. It was like I heard him, but my body wasn’t registering the request he had made.

“Blake?” I nodded again, this time letting whoever pulled her off of my lap, take her away.

I just lost a part of my soul. The other half of me. My human part, me, I still wanted her and only her. But the pull, the bond. It was gone. That earth-shattering, quake-like charge that we shared, was now just a mere spark.

What felt like days had passed, when tears finally fell. They weren't urgent, no; but they fell. Only now my mind and heart caught up with each other and let the river flow.

I felt a warm hug surround me and the tears that were falling slowly burst. “I’m here Blake. Your best friend is here.” Lia held onto me and I cried like I haven’t cried before. When my mom died, not long ago, the agony was explainable. This, this was darker and deeper than I have ever cried. And with these tears, my anger began to rise.

“Blake, look at me. Calm down. Please.” Lia pulled my focus to her and placed her forehead in mind. “Stay with me.” I sensed her calm and followed it. Letting her guide me to peace. “There you go. We got you. It’ll be okay.” I pulled my arms around Lia and squeezed her, holding her until I couldn’t cry anymore.

Minutes, hours, I don’t know how long it was when we pulled apart. “You okay?” I didn’t answer, because everyone should know that I wasn’t. “I’m sorry, stupid question.” She stood, grabbing my hand to help me stand when another pair of hands gestured to help. I thought it was Devon, but when I looked at the hands, I knew it wasn’t.

“Blake....I-“ He swallowed, then without warning, he pulled me to a standing position and hugged me. “I’m sorry brother. So f*****g sorry.” I closed my eyes and hugged him back. My strength had left me and I just let myself go. Pulling on him, searching for any kind of strength to keep going at this point.

I wasn’t sure how, but like a warm summer's eve, a warmth spread over me. One filled with calm and tranquility. Keahi stepped back, giving me space, and gave me a supportive nod. “Blake?”

I turn my head to Kealoha, dried tears staining her cheeks. “She knew.” Is all she said as tears fell once more.

Ikaika stepped beside her, pulling her into a side hug, and spoke, “She did. She knew all along. She’s just stubborn. Naomi was going to accept you tonight. Even without her wolf. Her, her human part, she chose you.”

I closed my eyes, and my already shattered heart turned into pure refined dust, blowing away in the slightest breeze. My thoughts wanted to think the darkest of things, but my heart wouldn’t let me. Soon the dust started to form some kind of solidity. Naomi, herself, not because of the mate pull, was going to accept me. But wait, was it because she knew that we were fated to be mates? Was that the only reason? That little solid piece of hope that was starting to form, faded.

“I have to go.” I heard a few voices but I couldn’t be here right now. I don’t know what I needed, but I needed to go. Oli came forward as soon as we exited the rear entrance and I receded to the deepest part of my mind, letting Oli take full control.

************

Introducing Kahikole’s POV

I stood like a statue, unwavering by everything that was happening in front of me. I’m not sure if I was just in shock, in denial, or what, but there were no words or emotions that came to me. My sister Naomi, the one I could always go to if I needed someone to talk to, the one who was able to calm me in my darkest times, was hurt. Her wolf......gone.

“Son?” I turned to my father Alaric as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “Dad, I-“ He knew that even though I was calm, a war of emotions was raging to be set free. “Go. Bring the fucker back, alive. You can have your revenge after we question him. He couldn’t have gotten far. Check the cup, it should have his scent. Hunt anyone who smelt like that cup as well. Take Juliette and Oliver if you need.”

That were all the words I needed. I wasn’t looking for permission. I was looking for someone to guide me on what to do. “Those accomplices?” I ask. “Bring them alive. They may hold answers as well. Find them.” I give one hard nod, my mind on point in the mission ahead.

(Mind link)

Kahi-“Oliver, Juliette, let's hunt some rogues.”

Oliver-“Here.”

I turned to see Oliver already beside me. He gives me a hard, serious nod as Juliette joins us, already in her battle gear.

Juliette-“I want their heads.”

Kahi-“Alive. Until done with.”

They both give me a nod and we set off at full speed, in search of the rogue and those responsible for hurting my sister.“This way.” I link the two and we set off in the direction of the grand kitchen. The one used only when major events happen.

The three of us haven’t shifted yet, but our skills in human form have been drilled into us since we were but five years old. My father Alaric would send wolves out into the farthest parts of the territory and instruct us to go hunting. To find the scent he’d lay in front of us.

It trained us on what to look for, what to sniff for. To use our instincts.

Now in our mid-teens, we three were the best there was in this field. Search and rescue. Hunting and capturing. Unless cloaked by a magical spell, you would not escape the three of us.

“He hasn’t left the house,” I say out loud as we sniff out the kitchen. “Over here,” Juliette whispers. The staff had already been asked to gather in the dining hall, where we would head next, but there was something in the kitchen that was....” magic.” I say out following my nose.

Under the sink, behind some detergents and supplies, a small cauldron, still warm sat. A bluish mist permeates the space under the sink. “What is that?” Oliver asks as I needed to take a step back.

“I have to call my grandmother and grandfather Gabrielle.” They nod, and I close the cabinet. The smell coming from the cauldron was pungent, and it smelt exactly like the cup Naomi drank from.

A minute couldn’t have passed by when a portal opened and out stepped my grandfather. “Where is it?” He asks. I point and give him my report of how we found it and what it looked and smelt like. When he opens the cabinet, a white shield bursts off of him. “Step back.” We don’t question, if his magic needed to put a shield up to protect us, I knew, that whatever was in that cauldron wasn’t good.

We three hunters watch as my grandfather chants some spells and waves his hands around in patterns. A black mist started seeping out of the cauldron, and swear I heard it hissing in resistance to whatever my grandfather was doing to it.

It had to have been ten minutes when my grandmother walked in and stood beside me. “Go, look for the culprits. I’ll stay with your grandfather.” We obey and when I turn to leave my grandfather made one last request, “the one who smells like magic. Bring him to me.” I nod, “yes grandfather.” And we take off on the hunt again.

When we pick up the trail of the rogue, mixed with it was the dark magic. “Juliette, go check the kitchen and waiting staff. This rogue had an accomplice.” She nods and takes off, calling on a couple of extra guards to help her sort them.

“How the f**k didn’t we smell him? He f*****g stinks.” Oliver hisses in disgust. “He may have had a time-limited cloaking spell. A weak witch's spell does that. It has a time limit on how long it lasts and how powerful it is. Seems this one was a wee bit of beginner.” He nods and when we see where the trail led us I stop in my tracks.

“NO!” I take off in vampire speed to where I had already once come tonight. The dungeons. “Kahi, what?” Oliver yells from fifty yards behind me. “The twins. The Rogue-the twins. This can’t be a coincidence.” I was seething. The thoughts of my twin sisters being behind this were absurd. What they did earlier tonight was traitorous. Even though it fell into place and Kealoha accepted him. What if Keahi wasn’t willing to change for her? He’d been dead, but what if just by some odd luck, he would’ve succeeded in k********g Kealoha or whatever else my sisters had up their sleeves?

“f**k!” I yell. Oliver finally caught up to me and saw what I saw. Two empty cells and four knocked-out guards.

(Mind Link)

Kahi-“Dads, Nahe and Nanea are gone. With the rogue. His scent is all over the cell blocks.”

Roars so loud echoed throughout the castle. Shaking the dust from the walls and splintering the beams above. Their powers were seeping into every nook and cranny. I was sure even those thousands of miles away were exposing their necks in submission.

Dad Dom-(Mass-world wide mind link) “Nahe and Nanea, daughters of Queen Makana, King Maika, King Alaric, and I, hereby sever your ties with the royal family. You-you both are........you are now considered traitors and rogues. You will no longer hold the powers of a royal princess. Your aura, your link to the Royal family has ceased the moment you sought harm on your siblings, your family. Anyone who is caught assisting them will face dark and severe consequences. Those who have already affiliated themselves with tonight's attack, will not be given fair treatment. On this, I swear.”

Mom Makana-“Nahe, Nanea, I forfeit and relinquish you of your titles and hereby concur with the King. You are now rogues of the kingdom of wolves and will now be hunted as one. My word law, I, Makana Koa, Royal Queen of Wolves hereby sever my maternal bond with you both.”

(End mind link)

My heart pained at my mother's words. She severed her maternal bond. I mean, I heard of she-wolves giving up their children, but to sever the maternal bond. I’ve never heard of it.

Nahe and Nanea were always the siblings who did their own thing. The mischief they got into we just thought they were going through the early teen phase. This? I am at a loss for words. They tore this family up. Hurt my mother and father. This was unacceptable and unforgivable.

They were gone. And with the rogue's scent lingering on and in their cell, he helped them escape. How did they, how could they? Naomi is our sister. They allowed this rogue into our home, to poison OUR sister. f**k the adoption thing. She is and will always be OUR sister. And they did this with cruel intent. If it was their doing, they will face their ending like any other criminal who sought harm to my family. Death. Even though it will hurt. If they were coerced, I’d like to think they could be rehabilitated. Not forgiven, their doings not forgotten, but at least let justice take its course.

My mind was a cluster f**k of anger, rage, confusion, pain, and vengeance amongst hundreds of other things. So many questions. Then it dawned on me, Keahi? He came here with the help of Nahe and Nanea. He knows why they were here. “Oliver, on me.” With that, I linked Juliette, Ikaika, Levi, and Lia and use my vampire speed to push me forward. I wanted answers. Most of all I wanted blood.