6. It's a Curse

Kian’s POV

I’d been staring at River’s phone for half an hour, watching that ridiculous video on repeat. At first, I was furious. Then intrigued. Then furious all over again.

My Luna—barely covered in a mini-skirt, dancing for the world to see.

That pink hair, though. Damn it. I wanted it twisted around my wrist while I had my way with her.

“Are you done staring at my phone, Kian? Can I have it back?” River’s smug tone snapped me out of it.

I threw a pillow at him and shoved the phone back. “Stop watching my mate. Call the best hackers we know and have them delete that video.”

As I downloaded the app, I muttered, “What’s it called again? Oh, right. TikTok.”

River chuckled. “There were two other cute girls in the video, in case you didn’t notice.”

I didn’t. I searched for the clip—it was trending now. Four million views.

“Four million perverts gawking at my woman,” I growled.

River only shrugged. “That’s just her. Have you seen her in her school uniform, Kian? She looks—”

“Don’t.” My fist clenched before I even realized.

He smirked. “Relax. You’re too possessive. Besides, half those views are probably from you.”

“She needs a hard spanking,” I muttered. “She keeps running from me, refusing the bond.”

“She’s not a she-wolf. She has her own throne to worry about,” River reminded me. “Would you give up your crown to be her consort?”

“No,” I admitted. My father had given me five months to find my mate. Time was running out.

Before River could reply, my phone rang. Alpha King.

I answered instantly. “Yes, Dad—”

His roar thundered through the line. “What are you still doing in Verona City? You’re staying in a hotel when you have a penthouse, and worse—you’ve jeopardized our treaty with the witches!”

My stomach dropped. “What are you talking about?”

“I just received a letter from the Witches’ Council. Signed by Alister Silverlake.”

My blood boiled at the name. I hadn’t forgotten his grip on Aminda.

“What does that snake want?”

“He claims werewolves are prowling the city, abducting witches for ‘salacious purposes.’”

I snarled. “Lies. Witches sneak into Moonstone Town themselves for adventure. None of them go unwilling.”

“The Council doesn’t see it that way. You will evacuate every wolf from Verona, or the treaty is void.”

“Fine,” I snapped. “I’ll pull our people back. But I want an audience with both councils. We can’t let them think we’re weak.”

My father’s tone softened, though his warning cut deeper. “Perhaps. But our duty is to protect our people. You, however… What on earth are you still doing there, Kian?”

I swallowed hard. “Dad. I found my mate.”

There was silence. Then, “You said what?!” His voice cracked between disbelief and joy. “Bring her here! Your mother will—”

“She’s a witch,” I cut in.

The line went dead quiet, then a snarl. “Kian, don’t joke.”

“It’s true. She’s everything. And yes, she’s a witch. That changes nothing.”

“You marked her?”

“Yes.”

“You shouldn’t have! Come home now—we’ll talk in person.”

“I won’t leave without my Luna.”

“That woman is not your Luna,” he snapped. “She’s a curse. It hasn’t happened for generations, but it plagued our bloodline for centuries.”

Ice slid down my spine. “What curse?”

He hesitated. “Kian… is your mate a member of the Witch Supreme’s family?”

The air left my lungs. “She’s her niece. The heir.”

“I’m sorry, son,” he said, resigned.

“What do you mean you’re sorry?!”

“I’ll explain when you get here.” And just like that, he hung up.

River had heard everything, his face pale.

“Helicopter. Fifteen minutes,” he said grimly.

I clenched my fists. Curse or not, she was mine. Marked. Mated. Nothing could undo that.

I sent a mind-link for all wolves without official business to evacuate Verona immediately. Those guarding Aminda stayed. She was their Luna, whether she admitted it or not.

“River, where is she now?”

“She drove to a friend’s house, but then—teleported. We’ve lost her.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. My impossible, infuriating woman.

A knock rattled the door. River and I exchanged a look. My heart raced. I yanked it open—

“Aminda,” I breathed.

Silver-blonde hair, violet eyes, short trench coat. My undoing.

“Hi, stud,” she sang, smiling like sin.

I dragged her inside, lips crashing onto hers. She melted against me, and for a moment, nothing else mattered. River’s cough broke us apart.

“This is my Beta, River,” I muttered.

He bowed. “Pleasure to meet you, Luna.”

Her gaze flicked to the bags by the door. “Are you leaving, Kian?” Her pout twisted something deep inside me.

I kissed her softly. “I have business at the pack. But I’ll come back. I promise.”

Her violet eyes darkened with hurt. Recklessness surged through me.

“Come with me,” I blurted. “My father has something to tell me about our bond. You should hear it too.”

To my shock, she said yes.

Now we’re in the helicopter, slicing through the night toward the Alpha King. Toward answers. Toward a curse that will not take her from me.

She’s mine. Forever.