Blessed Curse

Choices

Blake POV

Everyone looked on edge as we gathered around the kitchen island. I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew the conversation ahead would be deep, so I took a seat, hoping everyone would follow my lead, but it seemed no one else would.

Lia let out a loud breath, and took the lead in the conversation that seemed to be on their minds.

“Remember what I said in our mind link?”

I thought back and realized what she was getting at, so I answered, “ Yes. What of it?”

“Blake, I’m trying to put this as kindly as I can, so don’t get all wolfy on me.” I grunt, not liking where this is going, but to satisfy her, I give her words, “fine, okay. I’ll stay calm.” She took another deep breath and began, “If I had to put a number to it, I’d say she’s eighty to ninety percent human by now. Her strengths, her fire magic, her stamina, even her balance are becoming less and less each day, if not completely gone. Blake, I know you love her. But-“ Lia turns to Devon, then back to me, “the mate pull, it’s gone. Right?” She waits for an answer, and when I nod, her eyes pool with moisture. “You have to know how the mate bond works. Do you know how it works?”

I think hard about what I was taught. Which was the basics really. The only negative thing my mother said was, ‘ Don’t you ever reject your mate. I don’t care what or who she is. You’ll regret it. So don’t.’ So with that memory I shake my head no because I really only knew the kindergarten version.

“Okay. We’re skipping the lovey dovey, sparks and awe part. You’ve already witnessed and done that. I’ll give you the short but important details. This part, this part is the important part of your predicament. If, if a wolf is to reject his or her mate, the one who does the rejection slowly dies in pain and agony. The one who was rejected, lives briefly with the pain of the rejection, but may be blessed with a second chance mate.

Your bond is not gone because of a rejection. Nor is it gone because of choice. You need to know that it is a high possibility that you will find a second chance mate. And if you do, stringing Naomi along isn’t fair. I love you, but I won’t allow you to hurt her like that.”

I actually now remember reading about this. And I thought about it the second I realized she was more human than when I last saw her. Any wolf could sense it. But she still chooses me. And I chose her. So where was she to say this?

Yet, I think of how badly Oli and I yearned for her when she was still our Goddess' given mate. The undeniable pull we had towards her, the need to have her near. What if we do find a second chance mate? What then? Do I fight the bond and reject said second chance? I couldn’t disrespect the Goddess like that. Then it dawned on me, “Naomi is the Goddess's granddaughter. Surely she wouldn’t hurt her granddaughter like that? Right?”

“Blake, look, I can’t say what my grandmother will decide, because something was set in place far beyond her time. Fate if you will.” Kahi’s words weren’t encouraging at all.

I feel it. I still love her. Want her. So why are they saying all of this? I know she doesn’t have a wolf. Oli is fine with it. Sad, yes, but like me, he still wants only Naomi.

“Her mark-her mark has disappeared too...” my head shot towards Lia. She pulled her eyes away and I saw tears fall. “Two days ago, it just-“ she sniffled, “it just faded. I watched it fade.” Her tears fell harder as a soft whimper left her lips.

Devon pulled her close. My heart and mind were at war. My heart begged for it not to be true, but my mind wondered if it was true and if it was not, what now?

“Talk to her. No matter what you both choose Blake, you will always be a friend, a brother.” Kahi stood and walked over to me, squeezing my shoulder. “Go be with her. If you want to wait to talk, that’s fine. But for now, go be with her.”

My feet moved on their own accord. “I’ll cook dinner.” Devon said, “I’ll call for you when it’s ready.” I nodded and when I got to my room door, I couldn’t open the door. I stood there, concentrating on my breathing and when I finally pushed the door open, I cried. Her warm summer ocean breeze with fresh coconut oil scent has dulled, causing Oli and I to whimper.

We were losing every bond we had with her.

We had only accepted each other and claimed one another a month ago. And now, at such a young state, our bond is ceasing to exist.

How is it one can be blessed so immensely to only be cursed?

**********

Naomi POV

As the hot water ran down my body, I couldn’t help feeling everything. I let my body ache, the muscle pains, the headaches, the soreness in my toes throb. It hurt yet it was so rejuvenating.

To feel. I heard humans complain about all the pains in the body, the headaches, soreness and all I could do was shrug. I never knew what it felt like so I couldn’t comment. Now, I understand and feel it, it’s humbling. To know how vulnerable your life is, it is very eye-opening.

As I get out of the shower, I wipe the mirror along the sink-lined wall and take in the sight before me. Where was once a beautiful, full of life shewolf, now stood a pale, weak, almost human teenage girl.

I had no mana left. No strength to pull from an inner pool or pocket.

Now I realize how crazy living the life of a wolf is. We had super strength. Even without a wolf, we were tougher than most adult men. Our speed was unmatched by humans at their fastest pace. Our ability to heal in hours or less for smaller injuries, it all was something incredibly fascinating.

The girl staring back at me now is the new me. No strength, no stamina, nothing. Just a weak fifteen-year-old human orphan.

I am not dumb, I’ve kept track of the days and what I lost each passing hour. The first day, I lost all or majority of my speed, mind linking ability and heightened senses. Each skill became much more difficult to hold on to too, as each hour passed. By the second day, my strength and speed were all gone. Then, on the move on the second day, I lost my stamina to keep up and keep going. I need way more rest time than I have ever asked for. And, we were, most of the time, just walking on a back road. Granted it was a dirt road, but still, the path was cleared, yet I still had trouble walking and keeping a good strong pace.

Late on the second day, I also felt the bond completely dissipate. What was a tickle of a feeling went poof-gone. That late evening in the bathroom of the dingy motel we were shacked up in, I saw my vibrant mark fade slowly. I don’t know how long I was in there, but I know it was a while, and when I came out, the somber faces there let me know they heard me crying.

The third day, my newly acquired ability to wield fire had dwindled down to the mere flicker of a flame. My senses all failed me.

Today, the fourth day, I felt what threads of threads were left of my wolf, disappear forever. I was now human. I was now someone who would hinder lives outside.

I have already made my decision. I needed to free them of my burdens. All my life I have heard the word fate, and sometimes the things that happened have been fate. So, I have swallowed it easily and came to the conclusion that this, all of this, is my fate. And I’ll abide by the laws of the universe and go out a fight. If this is what my life was supposed to be, planned far beyond anyone's understanding or planning, I’ll live with it as best as I can.

No more questioning. No more fighting. I’ll take this with all the respect I have. I can only hope that Blake will love me and continue to be the devoted partner he has always been.

***********

Blake POV

Naomi exited the adjoining bathroom and looked completely defeated. She may think she’s fooling everyone, but she isn’t.

The sadness radiates off of her. I thought of this as a weight that someone could measure that was weighing on her shoulders. No, I was wrong. Everything that has happened is suffocating her.

“Hey.” I said, clearing the empty space between us in three strides. Her reply was almost missed as she spoke so softly.

I stroked her cheek with my fingers, causing a tear to fall from her eyes. “I miss it,” she whispered. “The tingles. The spark. I miss it.”

I could feel my emotions about to burst, but right now she needed strength and assurance. And I’ll be that and whatever else she needs.

I scooped her up bridal style, and placed her on my bed. With one arm still holding her, my other arm pulled the comforter back so I could place her under it. She was so cold. I placed her under the comforter, tucking her in. “I’m going to go shower. I’ll be back in a minute. Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

It didn’t take a minute and she fell asleep. My legs grew roots as I couldn’t walk away.

Everything in me trembled. Oli felt it as did I. She was withering away. Being a human right now was the least of my concerns. My wolf Oli and I could sense it. She was dying.

The poison wasn’t only to kill her wolf. It was killing her too.

***********

Ikaika POV

It’s been some days now since my sister Naomi and her entourage left. To say it saddened me was a lie. It tore me apart. Kahi refused to talk to me. Saying as future King, I should always protect the family. Family always comes first. But he has no idea of the responsibilities and limitations I have.

I mind linking both Lia and Juliette, and like Naomi, none of them answered. So the most I knew was they were alive and still not ready to come home.

I spoke with my dad, Alaric, and he was holding up. There was a meeting held between my parents and I don’t think it went well. Because if it did, my father would be back at the castle.

He’s spoken to Kahi though. The only advice he could give me was to be the big brother Kahi needed. His words confused me to no end. I mean, I want to be there for him. I understand where he is coming from. I truly do. But as the future King, I can’t. I must remain neutral. This is all too much.

Kealoha and Keahi’s situation is another dilemma I am unsure of how to approach. Kealoha is my sissy. I feel everything she feels and feeling her pain, it tears me up. She won’t see me. She won't talk to me.

Her mind link has been completely shut off to all of us. I wanted Keahi’s head on a spear. My dad, Dom, says that that notion alone is un-Kingly like that I must put aside my personal feelings and look at the facts and evidence. Like what?

How am I to be a good big brother without going against being a good king? How?

[[Don't come at me. I know it's a short-er chapter than all the rest. I don't know what I was doing, my time line and story line clashed at one point, making my book look really bad. I worked the weekend to fix some of it. But I"ll be posting daily. Just not the weekends. Hope everyone is enjoying. Aloha.]]