CHAPTER 4: THE CURSE

“Everything is clear now; I have seen what is to come. It is her. I hate the fact that I am certain to suffer agony alongside her end.” – Omega Neville.

=== JANET’S POV ===

"Janet, are you feeling better?" Neville’s gentle voice reached my ears.

When I opened my eyes, my four mates were standing before me. I was lying in Neville’s lap.

“You just had a seizure. Your eyes rolled back into your head. Do you feel pain anywhere?” the Omega asked.

I shook my head, suddenly noticing his flushed, red hand where I had been resting. "Did I bite you?"

“I had to make sure you didn't bite your tongue,” Neville replied bashfully.

I took his hand and rubbed the bite mark. "I’m so sorry."

"Can someone tell me what just happened?" Ray called out, his voice laced with a sigh of relief now that I was stable.

“I don’t know. This is the first time it’s ever happened to me.” The tattoo on my wrist was much clearer now than it had been last night. I turned to them. “Where are your tattoos?”

"They’re gone. I think they only reappear when we bond," the Beta explained.

"Meaning, once you mark me, I officially become your mate," I said, tracing the ink on my wrist.

"Seems that way. Want me to give it a try?" Ray smirked mischievously.

I rubbed my temples. "I’m tired."

“Neville will stay here with you. The Alphas and I have things to discuss.” Leo brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear. I was surprised he didn't remind me that I "could only choose one" when mentioning the mate bond.

"I’m not a baby," I snapped back.

"Then stop crying like one," Frank remarked, adjusting the buttons on his shirt cuffs.

"Wait, why do I have to leave? I was going to stay here and complete my challenge!" Ray shouted as he saw the two Alphas heading for the door.

"Fine. See you later, darling!" Ray kissed my forehead and ran off after them.

"He’s definitely going to be the first one eliminated," I muttered.

Bill followed them but didn't leave without a threat. "I have things to take care of, but tonight, you’re going to tell me why you looked like you were possessed by a demon!"

I buried my face in Neville’s chest as he stroked my hair, complaining, "A bunch of arrogant, handsome, attractive bastards."

Neville chuckled, still maintaining his usual timid demeanor.

If I truly had five mates, Neville would be the most disadvantaged due to the overwhelming presence of the other four. I would have to find a way to balance my attention among them all. But fortunately, I wouldn't have any mates at all, because I intended to reject them.

Around 7:00 PM, Bill called me and said I had to go to Petroff Manor for an important Mystic Vale meeting.

Neville and I headed there immediately.

The courtyard of the Petroff estate was already packed. Everyone’s face was etched with anxiety. I clung to Neville’s arm, my eyes searching for the others in my mate group.

Instead, someone even more loathsome appeared.

"Snitching bitch," Eli muttered as he walked past me on a fully healed leg, his voice just loud enough for me to hear.

I didn't understand what was happening until Alpha Leo stood at the entrance to announce, "From today, our pack will have a new law regarding mate marking. If there is no mutual consent, the attacker must forfeit their assets to the victim and will have no right to demand mate duties from them. The full details and other points are listed in the email I sent. You have one hour starting now to cast your votes of approval or rejection. All questions should be submitted with your ballots; Alpha Frank will answer them in thirty minutes. Thank you all for coming to learn about this new legislation."

A notification chimed. I assumed it was the email Leo had mentioned. Indeed, there was a message regarding the pack's new laws and penalties. But there was something else, too...

"Oh my god, this is definitely Ray and Bill’s doing," Neville said, bursting into laughter.

I realized it was a video taken from my home's security camera. The main content was the fight from this morning, but edited to mock Eli—showing him lunging to bite me in the posture of a cockroach.

This time, I laughed. My laughter was loud and unmistakable. Especially when I saw that Leo had included my name in the credits for contributing to the legal improvements.

Damn, my men were talented. I didn't think he could pull this off in a single day right after I suggested it.

Up on the stage, Alpha Emmett was approaching Leo and whispering something in his ear.

“This isn't good,” I muttered. I happened to see Ray running toward us.

“Eli came over here and called Janet a snitch. What did you guys do?” the Omega asked the Alpha Warrior.

“Eli’s been suspended for two weeks,” Ray said proudly, winking at me. "This time he’ll have to stay home with a monitor and won't be able to bother you anymore."

“Wait, did I just hear you laugh? Just wanted you to know the video was my idea, and Bill was the one who made it. So... we win.”

“It was a group effort. Since the group made her laugh out loud, the whole group wins,” Bill said, looking at Neville. "Neville also played a part by providing the surveillance footage from Janet’s front door."

"Nah, we’ll settle that later. I need to use the toilet." I hurriedly dodged the topic.

I went looking for Leo and Frank, thinking they were currently enduring a lecture from Alpha Emmett.

Halfway there, someone covered my mouth and shoved me into a corner. I struggled and kicked the person in the groin.

The man punched me in the stomach, causing my body to double over. Every muscle contracted in burning agony.

"That’s a threat for interfering in things that aren't your business," Alpha Emmett said.

He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, forcing me to face him. "Either shut your mouth and fulfill your duties as a Luna, or I will ruin the miserable life of your Omega mate. You cunning little bitch!"

He let go of me. A wave of terror threatened to claw at my heart. How did he know? Were we that obvious?

Before I could stand up to argue, he was gone. My knees were aching terribly.

My stomach throbbed. I gasped for air, trying to find something to lean on.

I started to feel a creeping sense of anxiety.

Dammit, dammit. He knew about us. He was targeting Neville. Did he know anything about my curse?

Probably not. If he did, with the strength of an Alpha, he would have killed me instead of telling me to obediently become Leo's Luna.