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CHAPTER 8
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A Dark Curse CHAPTER 9 - OCTAVIA
My mother comes to tell me the dire news the next morning. Well, good news for everyone else. Dire for me. She’s standing just inside my doorway, looking more at ease than I’ve ever seen her lately. Her lips pull back in a wolf-like grin, her eyes dancing with relief. Not a single hair is out of place, her makeup flawlessly bright. I look like shit compared to her. “So?” I sigh, yanking a brush through the soft waves just to make them extra bouncy today. Mother shifts slightly, finally picking up my wariness. “They’ve signed the treaty. As of right now, we’re at peace.” She hesitates. “As long as the marriage holds.” “And when am I supposed to be married?” I ask quietly, setting the brush back on the vanity. “Not for a few months. The Pr—Alpha explicitly asked if an engagement would be enough.” Our eyes meet in the mirror. “The Alpha asked that?” Frowning, I turn to face her. “Not Father?” “Alpha Ezra didn’t seem too worried about marrying quickly,” Mother replies. “Your f
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 10 - DOMINIC
The sleek black car glides through the winding roads of the mansion’s grounds, the gravel crunching softly beneath the tires. The towering trees lining the driveway cast dappled shadows on the pavement, their leaves whispering in the gentle breeze. As we move farther away from the estate, I can't help but feel a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. The sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the landscape. The rolling hills stretch out before us, a sea of green that seems to go on forever. In the distance, I can see the faint outline of the city, its buildings a hazy silhouette, shrouded by the forest that surrounds it. As we drive, I steal glances at Ezra, trying to gauge his thoughts. He appears calm and collected, his gaze focused on the passing scenery. But I know my friend well enough to recognize the tension that lies beneath the surface, the subtle signs that betray his true emotions. The car continues to wind its way through the countryside
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 11 - OCTAVIA
I put off telling Tristan that I’ve assured his death just as I have mine for as long as possible. Maybe for too long. A commotion outside my window snags my attention on the second morning…the day we’re supposed to leave. My ears prick at the familiar sound of Tristan’s voice, his fox growling. “Octavia!” I flinch, moving toward the window. Throwing it open, I lean out, catching sight of my best friend trapped behind two of our guards. His face is bright red, green eyes smoldering. Beside him, two bags have been unceremoniously dumped onto the gravel. “When were you going to tell me?” he demands, looking more furious than I’ve ever seen him. “Um…right now?” I bite my lower lip. “How are your bags packed already?” Tristan growls again, shoving the guards off him. They glance at me, only stepping back when I give a slight nod. Snatching up his bags, Tristan disappears inside. I hurry to my bedroom door, waiting. It doesn’t take him long. The door is thrown open, smacking again
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 12 - EZRA
I have just a few hours before my bride-to-be touches down. A few hours until I have to don the mask and play the game. Octavia has no clue what is in store for her here, but I know she isn’t stupid. She knows she’s flying right into danger, right into my hands. I check over the foyer one last time, making sure everything is in order before exiting the new home. I’d had it built a few months ago, not knowing how this would play out but knowing I had to make it work. Because if it didn’t… There’s no use thinking about that. Failing is out of the question. Slipping down the front steps, I ignore the car waiting in the driveway. There’s no need for it. I yank my shirt over my head, tossing it to the side. My pants follow, left behind in the soft grass. Changing is painful. My bones crack, skin stretching over the new form, itching to the point of driving anyone mad. I’m used to it now. My paws hit the dirt and I take off through the trees. The forest is beautiful in the afternoo
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 13 - OCTAVIA
I remain silent for the rest of the trip. Usually, Tristan would be chatting away, refusing to shut up for any amount of time, but I think the heavy weight of what we’d be facing is too heavy even for him. Dominic isn’t much of a talker. He sits like he has a rod shoved up his ass in one of the chairs of the private jet, not even bothering to check if I have everything I need. But, to be fair, with a jet this nice and a private hostess, I guess he assumes I’ll be well taken care of. The plane isn’t large, but expensive enough to leave us some room. Two couches line the sides near the front, with tables and reclining chairs locked down near the back. A curtain separates the hostess’ area from the passenger part, a place that clearly has endless amounts of wine and beer, both of which we all order. Except Dominic, of course. I finish off the beer, tossing it back without a care in the world. I suppose I shouldn’t show up tipsy, but then again, I can’t bring myself to really give a shi
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 14 - OCTAVIA
Stepping into the house feels surreal. The inside is cozy, with ash floors and accents. Forest green rugs have been carefully placed in the hall and open living room to the left. Everything is so bright and open, with floor-to-ceiling windows along the walls. Chandeliers of glass hang above our heads, unlit. I stare, speechless. This is nothing like what I expected. It’s not as large as my home, nor nearly as grand, but it has a certain charm to it. It’s almost like how I would have decorated my own home if I’d had one. Light and open, with hints of nature yet clean and cozy. The hard thud of a bag hitting the floor shakes me from whatever spell the house had put me under. Dominic stands waiting, one brow raised. “He’s waiting for you in the dining room. Whenever you’re ready.” Despite his words, Dominic doesn’t wait. Taking the lead, he heads down the long hall toward the back of the house. Tristan and I exchange sharp looks. Leaning in closer, he drops his voice so low that e
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 15 - EZRA
If I had stayed in that house a moment longer, I would have done something I’d soon regret. Seeing him walk in behind her, like a pet on a leash, had almost been enough for me to lose control. Almost. I’d sensed the bond as soon as they’d walked through the door. It had been unmistakable. The sense of…belonging. The pull. The magnetic feeling that you had found that one person to call home. The only saving grace for Octavia and the little fox she calls a friend was that I hadn’t felt the Mate Bond emanating from her. And, either she was a spectacular actress, or she really hadn’t known her childhood best friend had been in love with her forever. I chalk it up to the latter. Octavia doesn’t seem like the type to be able to control her emotions that well. She is nothing like Elora. Which is both a very good, and very bad, thing. I need to get away. Not even twenty minutes and already she’s forced me out. Her presence is alarmingly heavy, a magnet I can’t resist. And that’s
A Dark Curse CHAPTER 16 - OCTAVIA
Restless, I sleep for about three hours before deciding it’s too strange. This is my room but…not. When I look out the window, it’s not the Georgia trees and gravel drive of my home I see. As kind as it is to at least make an effort to make me feel more comfortable, it only ended up pissing me off in the end. How dare he try to pretend that this is anything more than it is? It doesn’t matter if the Prince turns this entire house into my family home or plants southern trees in a northern forest—it can’t conceal the truth. The more I think about it, the angrier I become. If he thinks I’m just some pampered princess who would accept any act of kindness…well, then he wasn’t the brilliant strategist everyone claims he is. War is one thing. A woman is an entirely different problem. When the knock comes in the morning, I’m already up and dressed. Forgoing my usual comfort clothes, I know I have to make a statement this morning. Red usually is my best color, but today, it makes me look e
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