Blessed Curse

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Lia POV

Uncle Alaric, Naomi and Kahi had returned to the royal castle. Juliette and I had decided to make our way back to Blake and Devon’s place, not a hundred percent ready to deal with the bullsh*t that was gonna be going on there with Naomi’s return. I don’t think this time around I’d be able to hold myself back.

She resisted going back at first, but when uncle Alaric had promised to stand by her and not allow her to be ignored, sugarcoated or mistreated, she finally caved and went.

“Do you think Naomi is okay?” Juliette asks via mind link as we made our way in wolf form towards Blakes. “You saw it that day. Blake and her-they are no longer mates. Do you think he is okay?” She continues with the questions but I have no answers right now.

“We’ll see how he’s doing when we get there. Now how about we shift back.” We do and soon find ourselves on the outskirts of little old Keaau town.

The town was the middle stop between two of the bigger towns; Hilo and Pahoa, on the big island. Here they had a good sized strip mall with a grocery store, some dining in restaurants, a hardware supply store and even a school. The town was always busy, being in the middle of two larger towns.

Commuters stopped here frequently to pick up the last minute items they had forgotten. Or get some fast food, not wanting to cook after the long commutes to or from Pahoa or Hilo.

Juliette and I had stopped at a small mom and pop shop when I overheard a woman asking if the owner knew who the Koa family was. The owner shook his head no, but I could tell he was lying. But why?

The woman went on to ask about ‘odd sightings’ or larger than normal animal sightings. She asked about the whole south-east side of the island. Going as far as to ask if those who lived in the area would know about the Koa family. However, the owner denied knowing anything.

She left and it was Juliette and I’s turn to pay for our items. “Hello dear, will that be all for you?” I smiled, “ Yes. I know this is forward, but what pack do you belong too?” His eyes furrowed but he replied, “ My wife and I are lone wolves. Have been now for quite some years. We were a part of the Hakuma pack, but were rescued. We chose to be lone wolves and enjoy it, Luna.” He bowed in respect and I lay my hand on his, “No need for that. Please.”

His smile was contagious, so we continued our small talk.

“That woman, have you ever seen her before?” I asked, still wondering why she was asking about the Royal family. I sensed she was human. If I had to guess nineteen at most twenty.

“No Lu-“ I cut him off, “please, it’s just Lia. This is my sister Juliette.” He shook both our hands and continued, “nice to meet both of you. I’ve never seen her in these parts before. To ask about the royal family takes some balls for a human. If she’s asking about them, she’s done some research already and by her questions she knows a thing or two.”

I nodded in agreement but still that didn’t answer any of my questions. “May I ask your pack origination?” I quickly responded, “I am the common folk Luna in waiting in the Royal court.” His gasp was loud, drawing the attention of several patrons.

“Please don’t,” I quickly whispered. “But you are royalty. I must. Even as a lone wolf, my respect must always be shown.” I grabbed his hand, “It’s fine-uh-sorry I never got your name.”

“Kaio (ky-oh).” I gave him a small bow and he chuckled. “I always heard about you all. How laid back you all were.” Juliette chuckles, “yeah, we hate titles. We make mistakes just like normal folk. So no need to be formal.”

“So Lia and Juliette are you heading back home?” Kaio asks. “No, my mate and his brother are lone wolves as well. They live a couple minutes down the road. We’re gonna go stay there for a bit before heading back. But if you ever need anything, please, let us know okay. Lone wolves should be respected way more. It takes huge amounts of strength and courage to be one. Much respect to you and your wolf.”

“Thank you Lia. Really.-“ he laughs, “my wife will never believe I met Luna in waiting and her sister.” We all laugh and soon I bid him farewell, not before giving him our contact information.

**

*Knock-knock* No answer. “Blake? Devon? You home?” I call out but still nothing. “You want me to call his cell?” Juliette asks. I nodded, still continuing to knock. It was lunch. These two were early risers. If they’re not home, where the hell are they?

“Can I help you?” I turned and saw a young man, very handsome, calling out to us from across the hall.

“Uh-yeah, do you know where Blake or Devon is? I’m Devon’s ma-girlfriend. This is my sister. Do you know where they went?” He scrunched his nose, almost in disgust, causing my wolf’s hackles to rise.

“Who are you?” I put some authority into my tone. “You are new to the building. I didn’t know the building was taking in any new tenants. So again, who are you?” His eyes deceived him a second too long.

Juliette was at his throat in mere seconds as I swept him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, landing with a deep grunt. “I am not going to ask again.” Juliette tightened her grip around his trachea. After ten seconds, he finally tapped.

“I’m Mark. I’m mark. I was sent to watch Blake and Devon by my master.” His words came out hoarse and labored. “Why?” He rubbed his throat, assessing Juliette and I. “Speak or I’ll kill you where you lay.”

His eyes shifted colors, causing Juliette to stomp on his head. “He’s a fae creature.” Juliette says.

I didn’t know who, what, where, when or how, but this as*hole was going to fess up.

“I am a very impatient person, Mark. Fair warning. So, the questions I am going to ask should be answered because I will not hesitate to kill you. Do you understand?” He was trying to recover from Juliette's pummel to his face, but finally answered, “ Yes.”

“Why were you sent to watch Blake and Devon?” I watched as he schooled his features. “They are the mates of a princess of wolves and a Luna-“ his eyes traveled along the length of my body as he stated the last part, causing me to kick him where the sun didn’t shine.

“I have a lot to go in me. Keep it up, I have no problem beating you hours-days on end.” Mark was now curled over on the floor, holding his now crushed nutts. “Now, why? Reminder, I am very impatient.”

He rolled onto his back after thirty seconds and took in a short breath. “My master wants the princess. Naomi. Says she is payment for a deal. He-he wants you too.” My inner wolf let out a low, sinister growl.

“What are you?” Juliette asked, after a few seconds too long of silence. “I am a common fairy. No magic or gifts other than being able to shift into human form.” Juliette gave me a nod, agreeing that he was telling the truth when voices from downstairs advanced upwards towards us.

“That’s not Devon. I don’t feel him. Take him. Here.” I gave Juliette a key and she looked at me like, ‘really?’ “It’s a master key for the building. You know? Dad guys owns the building. I made a duplicate. Just in case.”

“Next time use the b****y key woman.” She laughs, pulling Mark along. They entered Blake and Devons' apartment and I stood outside it and knocked. “Hey Dev, it’s me, open up.” I called out, trying to act unassuming.

I mind linking Juliette to not open and just stay silent when a large presence figure came and stood behind me. “You know Blake and Devon?” The burly bearded man asks.

In an annoying and high pitch-dense voice, I reply, “Yeah, well in the sheets if you know what I mean. We hooked up at the bar around the corner. I left my favorite jacket here. Thought I could come grab it. You know them?”

He shook his head and eyed me. I took in a big breath to get a reading on him, but nothing came through. He was masking his scent. s**t.

I huffed, “well, if you see him, will you let them know I stopped by. Names Kaylee. With a K.” If ever I thought I could win an Oscar for my performance, I’d say now would be it. I was pulling the dumb bimbo off as if my life depended on it.

“Yeah, will do Kaylee, with a K.” I giggled like a silly needy girl and placed my hand on his chest, “mmm-big and strong. Maybe we can have a drink sometime.” His lips twitched at the thought and he gave me a curt nod.

I skipped down the hall and down the stairs. I knew they’d see me from the apartment across from Blakes, so I kept my role going until I was down the street and around the corner.

(Mind link begin)

Lia-“Juliette, knock Mark out and stay silent. The two guys were with him. They masked their scent, but from what I could feel, they’re not human. If I had to guess, they were werebears.”

Juliette-“s**t. Okay.”

Juliette-“He’s out. Now what?”

Lia-“Tie him up and lock him in the bathroom. We need to find Blake and Devon. Outside of Devon's room there is a fire escape. I’ll meet you there.”

(End mind link)

I shuffle back to the apartment through some alleyways when I spot Juliette jumping down three stories, landing a perfect ten. “Nice.” She dusts herself off and we run out of there, our heads on a swivel.

I pulled my cell out and called Devon. He answers and I cuss him out. “Where the f**k are you two?”

“Whoa-what’s happened?” I took in a much needed calming breath and filled him in. “Are you serious? s**t, hold on, let me get Blake. He went in to grab some stuff. We’re at Foodmart.”

“s**t, we were just there on the lower end. Stay there. Both of you. Juliette and I are on our way. Seriously Devon, stay there.” I practically Luna ordered him, afraid that they’d go back to their apartment and come across the dudes there.

“Yeah-okay. We’ll wait for you. By the way, you sound totally hot ordering me around.” He hung up and I couldn’t help the smile that graced my lips. “Douche!” I whispered.

“Where were they?” Juliette asks. “Foodmart. Let’s go.” We took off, back in the direction of the shopping strip.

In five minutes, we were there and seated outside the Grass Shack restaurant. There Blake and Devon sat, awaiting our arrival.

“Hey beautiful, now what’s got your panties up in a bunch?” Devon greeted me, placing a kiss on my temple as I took a seat next to him. I explained what Juliette and I had just witnessed.

“You are both being watched. There was a Fae living across the hall, well squatting across the hall from you all to keep an eye on you for Naomi and me.” Devon growled and Blake looked unphased. I voice my thoughts about having more players now on the field and await a response. When I get one, I couldn't help but feel sadness.

“Well, I have nothing to do with Naomi any longer. So, that solves that.” His words were clipped. There was a slight rudeness that I didn’t like, so I let my authority hit him.

His eyes popped when he realized what he had just said and done and looked away. “Apologize.” Devon growled out. “NOW! Blake.”

Devon’s aura was impressive. His Alpha blood, when he used it, came in so heavy that not even Blake could resist Devons’ command.

“I’m sorry. Look, I know Naomi and I “were” mates, but we aren’t anymore. So anything and everything that has to do with her, is no longer my business.” At that moment I couldn’t help the soreness that spread through my chest.

“And me? You don’t care that they seek me as well? Your best friend? Hmm?” My words came in choked as the pain hit hard.

“Lia-no-s**t, no that’s not what I meant.” He closed his eyes, realizing his mistake. “I am so sorry Lia. I never meant it like that.” I squared my shoulders and stood. “Look, I get it that you are no longer mates. But they are still after her and me, apparently. And I don’t think they know that both of you aren’t mates any more. It’s the only reason why I think they are watching your place.”

He took a minute to think about it, and finally found some semblance of common sense. “So Devon and I aren’t safe? You’re not safe. Naomi isn’t safe. What do we do?”

“We head back to the castle. Form a plan with the kings and queen. Get scouts out to watch those who are watching you. Get guards to get Mark back to the castle so we may squeeze more information out of him.” Devon came up behind me and placed a kiss on the back of my head, “I’m with Lia bros.”

I could see Blake pondering his next move but after a little bit, he caved. “Fine. Let’s go.”

***********

Keahi POV (Kealohalani’s Mate)

I am sitting in what I can only describe as hell. The small space before me is no larger than a standard household broom closet. The stench from within and outside of the room is so horrid that in the first few days of being kept here I had lost my stomach several times.

The small wooden crate is all I have for any comfort. There is no bed, no sort of light but a soft glow peeking in from a small four by four inch square opening in the wall, I'm guessing for ventilation. My toilet is a small hole in the cold concrete floor which I haven’t used in days now, because I haven’t had anything to eat.

I thank the Goddess every day for the water hose bib next to the hole in the floor. While it doesn’t flow a steady stream, the trickles that do come out is enough for me to stay a bit hydrated.

The collar that had become my new accessory pained me in my first few weeks as it drew out all my strength and wolf’s powers. The wolfsbane and silver have done what it is meant to do; weaken and strip a wolf of everything it is. I’d pretty much say I’m human at this point.

Once every few days, or what I think are days, someone stops by the solid concrete, silver-lined door to check my state. He never says anything, just grunts and walks away after each assessment. I’ve tried pleading to at least ask for bread but it fell on deaf ears.

I had no clue that the beloved Queen and King would hold such darkness in them to treat prisoners so harshly.

Yes, my crimes are unforgivable. I ‘rejected’ well, fake rejected their daughter, but this? This sort of imprisonment I would consider to be for murderers, pedophiles, predators of the most evil kinds. Not a rejection.

I broke out of my thoughts when I heard two sets of footsteps advancing closer to my cell. When it stops, I can tell it is right outside my door, so I await my fate. When the door opens I am hit with a sickly smell. Werebears. F*ck!

I bend over and start heaving up bile. I was given no moment to acclimate when I was then picked up like a rag doll and brutally pulled out of my cell and not seconds later thrown into a solid wall. High pressure jets of water shoot at me from three-four different angles, stinging my already fragile skin. The heat from the water burns as I have been held in a cold dark cellar for who knows how long now. The light was blinding so I just held them shut as it felt like someone was shining a flashlight directly into my eyes when they were opened.

“Wash him up. When you’re done, dress him in this, then escort him up to the den.” A strong, unfamiliar man's voice orders.

“Yes sir.” the two men replied and continued their assault on jet-like sprays of hot water. I hear a small thud when another man's voice commands, “Soap up. Can’t have you stinking up the place. Wash well, our master won’t hesitate to kill you if you smell of rotting flesh.”

My mind was boggled. Me? Smell like rotten flesh? Can he not smell himself? He smells like rotting flesh. What the hell?

However, I do as he orders. Catching every nook and cranny. Letting myself enjoy the little things such as bathing.

When I am done, they jet spray me once again and I am dragged to a lit room with a metal bench where clothes were laid out. “Change into that. Be quick.”

Again, I do as he says. Unsure of what to say or make of this situation, so I just played along.

The outfit looked like garb that mistreated slaves would wear, just clean. The shirt was made of what felt like burlap material, the shorts of some sort of rough wool-like material. They gave me flip flops and a pair of socks that, while they didn’t fit well, felt nice.

“If you say anything, try anything, look up at anything, I’ll cut your head off. If you think I’m joking, I promise you, I am not. So if you wish to live, look at your steps and say absolutely nothing unless said to do so. Understand?” The one man, I’ll name Brown, orders.

I nodded and immediately let my eyes fall to my feet. I had to come up with a plan, but this situation wasn’t one to take lightly. These people, werebears, whoever they are, are not joking around. They starved me and had no remorse about doing so. So I had to bide my time. Play along until I can formulate a solid plan.

The two men, Brown and I’ll call the other dude, Grizzly, dragged me up several sets of stairs, taking more turns than I could remember. I started counting my steps, the right turns and left turns but had quickly lost count after several minutes.

By the time we reached what I believe was their entrance to their dungeons, I was out of breath and was out of strength.

“Move!” Brown shouted when my knees buckled. “He’s a weak, pathetic wolf. Pff!” Grizzly spat. With a hard kick to my stomach, Brown knocked every ounce of breath and what remaining strength I had out of me. F*ck they were strong.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” I heard over my groans of pain. “It’s none of your concern princess. Go along your way.” Brown says to what I’m guessing is the werebears princess.

“You will mind how you speak to me.” In an instant, Brown was on his knees, screaming in pain as he was holding his head. “M-my apologies.” He pleaded.

“Now, again, what are you guys doing to this prisoner? Do you feel like ‘real men?’ Beating a helpless, weakened wolf? Big bad bear picking on an almost human man. Pathetic. F*cking weak a*s bitches. Now, this is how this is going to go, you will help him stand and you will help him to be nicely escorted to the den. If I see him mistreated one more time while out of confinement, you both will deal with me.” Holy s**t this chick was badass.

They do exactly as she says. I took the chance to look up and when I did, I was taken back at how beautiful this woman was. She wasn’t my Kealoha, but if this was a year ago, she’d definitely have been on my list of conquered.

“I said eyes down maggot!” Grizzly scolded. So, not to be beaten, I obeyed. “Now move.”

My eyes wandered without being seen from time to time. The scene before me reminded me of being in a cave, but a much more elegant and modern one. It was all well lit. The floors are all carved to perfection with granite and glass to cast a professional sheen. While the walls were solid blue rock, there were large windows that let in tons of natural light, giving the space a warm homey feeling. Even though I knew I was in a cave, I didn’t feel like I was in one.

“Mr. G, your new recruit is ready.” Brown says to an older gentleman. He may look old, but his size says otherwise. These werebears were massive.