Wolf Cursed

Chapter 5: Bonds of Blood

Ivy had been unconscious for hours, her breathing was getting really shallow but steady. The Devil card sat on the table, its image of chains and shadowed figures gnawing at his thoughts. He didn’t have time to wait for answers. If Ivy’s connection to the altar meant anything, they were already running out of time.

The sound of a groan broke through his thoughts. He turned sharply to see Ivy stirring, her hand twitching against the blanket.

“Ivy,” Killian said, crossing the room in two strides. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, but then they locked onto his. “We need to go back,” she rasped, her voice hoarse but firm.

Killian frowned. “You just collapsed after… whatever happened back there. You need to rest.”

“Rest?” Ivy pushed herself up, wincing as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Killian, that altar showed me things. It’s not just a curse. It’s a prison. And the thing inside… it’s trying to get out.”

Killian’s jaw tightened. “What thing? What did you see?”

“It called itself the curse,” Ivy said, running a hand through her hair. “But it’s more than that. It’s alive, and it’s tied to you. To your bloodline.”

He stiffened, his fists clenching. “My bloodline?”

Ivy nodded. “The altar… it showed me visions. Your ancestors, bound to that thing in chains of their own making. This curse isn’t just random, Killian. It’s a punishment.”

Killian turned away, his shoulders tense. He’d suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a cold chill through him. “Punishment for what?”

“For betrayal,” Ivy said quietly. “One of your ancestors struck a deal with something ancient. They broke that deal, and now every generation is paying the price.”

Killian’s chest tightened, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“Because they didn’t know,” Ivy said. “That’s how these things work. The knowledge gets buried, and all that’s left is the curse.” She stood, her legs shaky but steadying. “We need to go back. If we don’t stop this now, it’s going to spread. It’s not just your pack at risk anymore.”

Killian turned to face her, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. “Fine. But we do this my way.”

The forest was darker this time, the air thicker, heavier. Every step felt like walking through quicksand, and the silence was suffocating. Killian led the way, his senses on high alert. Ivy followed close behind, her blade at the ready.

“Are you sure about this?” Killian asked, his voice low.

“No,” Ivy admitted. “But we don’t have a choice.”

They reached the clearing faster than before, but the altar’s glow was dimmer, its energy less stable. The symbols carved into its surface flickered like a dying flame. Ivy felt a pang of unease. If the altar was weakening, it meant the thing inside was getting stronger.

“Stay close,” Killian said, his tone sharp. He stepped toward the altar, his movements cautious but deliberate.

Before they could get any closer, the ground trembled. Shadows erupted from the forest, wraiths materializing out of the darkness. Ivy gritted her teeth, her blade flashing as she slashed at the nearest one.

“We don’t have time for this,” Killian growled, tearing through a wraith with his claws. “We need to get to the altar!”

“Then go!” Ivy shouted, spinning to block another attack. “I’ll cover you!”

Killian hesitated for a split second before nodding. He surged forward, his movements a blur as he fought his way to the altar. Ivy held her ground, her blade a constant arc of silver as she kept the wraiths at bay. But they were relentless, their numbers growing with every second.

“Killian, whatever you’re doing, do it faster!” she yelled, her arms burning from the effort.

At the altar, Killian placed his hands on the stone. The glow flared, and the symbols burned brighter. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the clearing, shaking the very ground beneath them.

“What’s happening?” Ivy shouted, her voice barely audible over the noise.

Killian didn’t answer. His eyes were closed, his jaw clenched as he focused all his energy on the altar. The glow enveloped him, and the wraiths suddenly stopped, their forms flickering uncertainly.

“Ivy!” Killian’s voice was strained, his breathing ragged. “It’s… it’s breaking free! You have to help me!”

She didn’t hesitate. Ivy sprinted to the altar, dodging the wraiths as they regained their focus. The moment her hand touched the stone, a surge of energy coursed through her, nearly knocking her off her feet. Visions flooded her mind again—chains breaking, fire consuming the forest, and a figure standing at the center of it all.

“We have to bind it,” she said, her voice shaking. “It’s the only way to stop it.”

“How?” Killian demanded, his voice laced with desperation.

Ivy’s mind raced. The visions were chaotic, but one image stood out: the Devil card. The chains. The figures. It wasn’t just a warning. It was the answer.

“The chains,” she said. “We have to create new ones.”

Killian’s eyes snapped open, glowing with resolve. “What do we need?”

“Your blood,” Ivy said, swallowing hard. “And mine.”

He didn’t hesitate. Drawing a blade from his belt, he sliced his palm, the blood dripping onto the altar. Ivy followed suit, her hand trembling as she cut herself. The moment their blood touched the stone, the symbols blazed brighter than ever, and the roar intensified.

“Hold on,” Killian said, grabbing her hand and placing it on the altar alongside his. The energy surged again, and the world around them seemed to shatter.

When the light faded, they were back in the clearing. The wraiths were gone, and the altar was silent. Ivy staggered back, her legs barely holding her up.

“Is it over?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Killian didn’t answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on the altar, its surface now dark and lifeless. Finally, he turned to her, exhaustion etched into his face.

“For now,” he said. “But it’s not gone. We’ve only delayed it.”

Ivy nodded, too tired to argue. She sank to the ground, her blade slipping from her hand. “Let’s hope it’s enough.”

Killian sat beside her, the weight of their ordeal settling over them like a heavy blanket. The forest was quiet again, but they both knew it was only a matter of time before the curse stirred once more.Killian sat beside her, the weight of their ordeal settling over them like a heavy blanket. The forest was quiet again, but they both knew it was only a matter of time before the curse stirred once more.

And when it did, they’d be ready.