The Curse

Rael’s Pov 

“My queen,” the witch said, her voice shaky. “If the princes don’t get mated in the next four months… they’ll die.”

The room fell silent.

Mother stood up from the seat, her eyes darkened. “Is there no other way?” She asked, her voice low. “Julie, I cannot lose any of them.”

I clenched my fists at her tone. 

“Do something,” mother hissed. “That’s why you’re paid. We let you live freely, even when the council demanded for your head. You’re an abomination—yet I protected you.”

“My queen, I swear,” Julie pleaded. “Unless you can find the one who cursed them, there’s no other way. Only their fated mate can break the curse. If they don’t mate with her by their twenty-fourth birthday, they’ll both die—” 

“—Die?” I cut her off, laughing bitterly. “For fuck’s sake.”

I stepped forward, rage boiling under my skin. “We’ve been coming here for five years. Five damn years, and every time, you give us more riddles and lies.”

She backed away, but I was faster.

I grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

“Give us a real solution, or I’ll kill you right here.”

Her eyes watered with tears. “My prince…please, I’m telling the truth. Only your mate can save you—both. The curse is bound to your blood.”

Her voice was cracking, and she was getting weak.

“Liar!” I shouted in her face.

That’s when Kael pulled me off her.

“Rael! Enough!” he yelled. “You’re choking her!”

I shook him off, my chest heaving. I clenched my jaw so hard I could already taste blood.

“To hell with this,” I muttered, brushing the dust off me. “Kael, mother I’m done with this crab. I need air.”

I stormed out of the room, as my steps were filled with fury.

***

The breeze from the trees hit my face. I was glad I came out because if I had stay back in that room for a second I would’ve done something I would regret. Still furious, all I could think of was smoking.

I removed a stick out of my coat pocket and lit it to smoke, while I leaned against the car, while I stared into the distance. My mind was a mess—so much anger and pressure—and no damn solution.

I heard familiar footsteps.

“What’s that?” Kael’s voice cut through the silence. “Seriously, Rael? Do you have to embarrass us like that?

I turned my head, slowly yet unborthered. “Oh, here we go again…”

“Commer or not, that witch didn’t deserve what you did,” Kael snapped, stepping in front of me. “She was only trying to help our sorry asses! Is it her fault we haven’t found our mate?”

I took a long drag, and blew the smoke in the air. “I’m trying to cool off, I don’t need you blaming me right now.

I still don’t know why you're blaming all this on me, your hands are not clean too Kael. We’re twins, the curse binds us both. So if I'm messed up, you’re too.”

‘“Yh,” Kael added,”but I’m not out here throwing tantrums like a ten year old and choking the one person helping us, just because I’m pissed. I'm actually doing something.”

I scoffed. “Doing something? Please. You think going to different packs, forming alliances for some mystical fated mate is doing something?”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. Because I’m not giving up. I won’t die, Rael. I don’t care how far I have to go—I’ll find her.”

“And then what?” I snapped. “You think some girl’s just going to show up, fall in love with us, and save our sorry asses?”

“I believe in fate,” he said.

I laughed, bitterly. “Fate screwed us the second we were born brother. We went to silvermoon hoping the princess was our mate—where did that get us? We got attacked and a broken alliance. And you still believe in fairy tales?”

Before Kael could reply back, mother’s voice cut through the air. “I’m disappointed in the both of you.”

We both turned to her.

“I will be summoning another she-wolf from another stronge pack,” she said sternly. “Someone noble. And I need you both to be in your best behaviors. I don’t need another pack starting war with us again. Who knows she might be you both mates.”

While you both are busy fighting, time is going and I can’t lose both of you please.

I looked alway, my jaw clenched. My heart was heavy.

“Maybe we’re destined to die, mother,” I muttered. “Who would even want us? No offense… but I suck at the whole love thing. And Kael’s worse. He can’t even talk to a woman without sweating like a damn pup.”

Kael rolled his eyes but said nothing.

“I don’t want a mate,” I continued. “I’m only doing this because of that stupid curse. And even if we survive, only one of us gets to be king. So what’s the damn point?” Curse the day I’ll get to fight Kael for the throne.

I turned away from them both. “I’m done.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mother asked.

“To cool off alone,” I said over my shoulder. “Before I kill someone for real this time.”

I didn’t wait for a reply. I just walked away, leaving them both in silence.

***

Later at night: The Queen’s Bedroom… Crimson pack 

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Enter,” she said.

The door opened, and Martha stepped in, carrying a silver tray with a porcelain cup.

“Your highness, the tea you asked for,” she said gently, setting it on the small table beside her.

“Thank you Martha,” Queen Vivian said, her voice barely audible.

She hesitated before speaking again. “My queen, I’ve already sent word out. The recruitment for more palace maids will begin in two days.”

“Good,” the queen nodded. “You know what to do, I am leaving it in your hand.”

Martha bowed slightly about to leave, but queen Vivian’s voice stops her.

“Do you think my sons will die?” She asked softly.

Martha’s throat tightens. “I don’t know my queen,” she whispered. “But I am sure the moon goddess wouldn’t allow it, my queen, surely the princes will find their mate.

They are strong, my queen. Especially Prince Kael, my queen.

Queen Vivian gave her a tired smile, but before she could speak, a loud crash echoed from outside the halls.

They both froze.

“Do you hear that?” Queen Vivian asked, standing up quickly.

Martha nodded. “Sounds like it’s coming from the courtyard.”

They rushed outside, their hearts pounding. Only to see me.

I was staggering, my shirt unbuttoned and a bottle in my hand, shouting at the guards.

“Why, son?” My mother called, I could feel her heart breaking at the sight of me. But I was a ll ready too far gone. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

I turned to her, my eyes red, and a bitter laugh left my mouth. “I’ll die anyways mother,” I slurred, raising the bottle in my left hand. “So why not drink the pain away, huh?”

At least my past sins is catching up with me.

Rael, Rael, Rael… a familiar voice called out for me. And I turned to face the voice I dread so much.

You… I said with so much hate in my voice.