Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty Five

Flying was peaceful, the angel side of me at least had that going for it. Other than that though I’m not sure what to expect, or even if I should expect anything. It did make me wonder though how I came to be. Like how it was possible, and how did heaven not know about me if I was some kind of prophesied child. You would think they would be keeping an eye open for a child like that just for the simple fact that heaven would want me on their side. But that would also logically mean hell would have me on their radar. Yipee! Yay for me…..Not. 

I rolled my eyes at myself. Maybe I should stop being so cynical, maybe I should just stop thinking so much and just let things fall where they may. It’s not like I have any say in the matter anyway. This was planned out long before me, and I’m sure a time will come when there is another like me again. There is no way heaven and hell would stop fighting forever. I may be the “chosen” one to end the fighting now, but it won’t stay that way forever. Plus, I really didn’t want to see anyone get killed. I’m not a religious person, never really followed anything. I have always been more of a seeing is believing type person. Which also means I judge people based off meeting them. And I’ve never met the gods, nor have I met Lucifer, or Hades or whatever he goes by now. How could I make a decision about something I knew nothing about? And how could I find out without people trying to sway me in their direction?

I don’t know. It all just doesn’t seem as black and white as Uriel was trying to make it out to be. There had to be a grey area. No one is all good or all bad. It’s like ying and yang. There is always a good even in the most evil of people, just like there is bad in the saint like people. No one is one or the other, not completely. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some evil and vile people out there, people whose actions could rival any devils. But even they are kind and loving towards someone. Not that, that condones their behavior in the least. The fact of the matter is I needed to figure things out for myself somehow. And I couldn’t just waltz into heaven or hell asking questions. That would bring a lot of unwanted attention. 

So how could I get the information I needed without endangering mine or my mates lives? Could you summon a god somehow? Not that summoning God and Lucifer into the same room is a good idea, I mean clearly it’s not. But maybe one at a time? In a controlled environment? HA! What’s a controlled environment to a god? Nothing could hold them. Speaking of, did God go by God or Zeus? Or are they two completely different gods? Huh, I never even thought about that. All this time with people talking about God and Zeus, when they could both be one in the same just going by a different name for a different type of religion. I wonder about the other gods, and the fates. Were they like Gods brothers and sisters? His children? I had so many questions now that I was thinking about it. 

Looking behind me I saw Uriel flying at a considerate distance. He was with me, but also giving me time to process things. I also didn’t know if I could ask him. Would he know? Would he even tell me if he did? And on top of all of that, what would he do if I didn’t pick a side, or if I picked Lucifer’s side? He was an angel afterall. I snorted, but so was I. An archangel apparently, and one that is debating whether to side with heaven or hell. Yeah, because that won’t make them smite me where I stand if they knew. Hey, smiting is just Zeus’s lightning bolts, I laughed to myself. Makes sense now that I think about it, not that I’d ever seen any get smitted? Smitten? Smote? Whatever, I didn’t know what word to use.

As I stared ahead of me, Darkridge was coming into view. And of course, the elaborate castle my parents insisted on refurbishing was sticking out like a sore thumb among the cookie cutter homes around it. Not that they were very close, I mean my home had twenty acres of woods that my parents had gated off from the public. Now I know why. Werewolves. Of course, I thought shaking my head. It made sense now why they wanted so much undeveloped land. I wonder what their wolves looked like. A sharp pain twisted at my heart at the thought. I’d never see my parents or their wolves. They’d never see mine. And I’d never get to run with them like I should have been able to when I had my first shift. 

I shrugged to myself. It doesn't matter now so there is no need to dwell on it, all it would do is cause heartache and unnecessary pain. They died, that’s all there is to it. A heavy sigh left me as I easily landed on the front lawn, willing my wings to disappear so not to scare or make anyone nervous. I was already home early with four men, which by itself would put off the staff in the house. Of course none of the guys would be sharing a room with me. I just wasn’t ready to share a room, or a bed with one of them. My mind and heart were still having problems wrapping themselves around having four men in my life anyway. 

“This is your home?” Uriel asked, landing gracefully beside me. 

“Home sweet home.” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Anyway yes, I live here, it is my house. But it is not my home. I have yet to find a place that feels like home. The closest thing I had was just taken from me.” I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. “It doesn’t matter, lets just go inside and wait for the others. I’ll have someone show you to a room.” 

I walked away, quickly making my way into the house. “Natalie, Jonah!” I called, my voice echoing through the empty space. “I’m home.” 

Jonah appeared from around the corner swiftly making his way over to me a bright smile lighting up his face. I had to admit, I missed Natalie and Jonah. They were the only constant in my life. Always there, always smiling and ready to help in any way they can. I know they got paid to be here, but they didn’t get paid to be so loving and caring towards me. It’s just something they did because they truly felt it for me, and I was more than grateful for it. 

“Miss. Nicole!” Jonha beamed pulling me into a tight hug. “What are you doing home so early?” 

“Things didn’t work out at college, so I decided to come home.” I smiled. “Jonah, this is Uriel. I have some other friends coming as well. Lance, Mathias and Elias. They will all need rooms to stay in for the foreseeable future. Can you and Natalie please make sure they get comfortable rooms?” 

“Of course.” Jonah smiled. “Master Uriel, if you will come with me.” Jonah said bowing at the waist and motioning for Uriel to follow him. Uriel looked over to me, his eyes both shocked and uncertain. I just gave him a small smile and nodded, silently telling him it was alright.

Uriel seemed uncertain but followed Jonha anyway. As they disappeared upstairs I sighed and made my way to the kitchen. I needed food, I was starving. Flying apparently took a lot out of a person. Who knew? I chuckled to myself. In the kitchen Natalie was already starting food. By the looks of it, my favorite, spaghetti and meatballs. Yum!

“Thank you Natalie.” I smiled. “I am starved.” 

Natalie laughed. “I thought you would be. You never did know how to eat without having to be reminded. A habit you should really get out of.” She scorned pointing a sauce-covered spoon at me. “It’s unhealthy and can harm you.” 

“I know, I’m sorry.” I said looking at my feet. “I just get busy or my mind runs away with me and it just slips through the cracks.” 

“Well.” She snorted. “You need some meat on those bones of yours. But don’t you worry, we will make up for your time away.” She smiled, before turning back to the food. 

I laughed under my breath as I took an apple out of the bowl on the bar before hopping on one of the stools. “I have four guests that will be staying with me. Well more like moving in.”

“Men I presume?” She asked never turning around.

I choked on the bite of apple, coughing to dislodge it from my throat, my eyes bulging at the woman in front of me. 

“How did you know?”

“Your parents warned us before they passed you might bring men home with you one day.” She shrugged. “It was just a matter of when.” 

“You know?” I asked in disbelief. 

“Of course I know.” She scoffed. “I am a werewolf too. Almost everyone in town is. Your father was alpha and told us all to keep it from you.” She sighed before setting her spoon down and turning to me. “I’m sorry dear, a wolf can not go against their alpha’s command. It’s just not possible. But now that you know, we are all free to speak on the matter.”

“Do you know what I am?” 

She nodded sadly. “Yes, unfortunately I do. You, my dear, are a very rare tribrid. I am sorry your life will be so hard. But you will have the pack and your mates with you. The beta of the pack has been in charge until you came of age and obtained your wolf. I will contact him and let him know to set up a pack barbecue to announce your title and so you can shift and show the pack your wolf and status. Your color will prove your status and power. What color is your wolf anyway?” She asked furrowing her brow. 

I looked down to my hands, twining them in front of me nervously. Should I answer right now or wait? Watching Natalie, her green eyes shining with curiosity. It wouldn’t matter anyway, not when I had to shift and show the pack my wolf anyway. 

“White.” I finally answered. 

Natalie froze, her eyes widening at my words. I knew why, and I was stuck between hating it and feeling pride. I didn’t want people to be afraid of me, but I also did want them to respect me all the same. If color showed rank then I ranked above an alpha, though if I was being honest I’d rather be black. Sure, a white wolf was beautiful, enchanting even. But a black wolf looked powerful, capable, beautiful and fierce. White just reminded me of purity and innocence. It almost felt like a weakness to me. 

“That…...That’s impossible.” She finally whispered. 

“I assure you it’s not. I am a white wolf. I am also a master vampire and an archangel.”

This time Natalie gasped, dropping to her knees with her head bowed in both submission and respect. Her behavior shocked me, freezing me to the spot as I just stared down at her. What is she doing? Why is she on her knees? 

“Natalie, what are you doing?” I hissed. “Stand up.” 

Natalie clambered to her feet, her eyes still downcast, never looking me in the eyes. What has gotten into her? Why is she all of a sudden acting like she hasn’t known me my whole life? Like she didn’t help raise me? 

“Natalie? What’s going on? Please stop.” 

“I am sorry ma’am.” She mumbled. “I...I can’t.” 

“What? Why? You’ve known me all my life. Please don’t start treating me any different. I can’t handle that. Just be yourself, treat me like you always have.” I pleaded. 

“Are you sure?” 

I nodded. “Yes. And don’t call me ma’am.” 

Natalie smiled before turning back to the food she was preparing. She didn’t say anything else as she finished cooking in silence. I just sat at the bar holding my head in my hands. This can’t have people treating me so differently. Sure I wanted respect, but I didn’t want worship or fear induced submission. I wasn’t going to hurt anyone. Not unless they deserved it. And then it had to be something extreme for me to hurt or punish them. 

My rules will be simple for the pack. Don’t murder your pack mates, don’t cause chaos or trouble. Don’t turn your back on your people, respect your elders and your superior ranked wolves. Easy, simple and common sense rules really. Nothing that should be too hard for people to follow. I shook my head with a sigh. Please don’t let this be harder than it should be, I prayed making my way to my room. Dinner will be done soon, but right now I need to sleep and calm myself. I needed to be alone, truly alone.