The Cursed Mate

A grey mist slowly crept down the steps of the dungeon, drifting toward the cells. The fog stopped when it reached the cell where Tristan was lying.

“Oh, my young witch, you could have been such a wonderful asset to my plan, but your greediness for power was your demise—such a shame,” a voice said from the mist.

Voices were heard coming from down the hall. “Come on, we need to check on the prisoner.”

The mist started to move over Tristan’s body, and when the fog disappeared, so had he.

Two warriors walked down the hallway to the cells. They were confused and shocked to see the cell empty.

“Maybe the prisoner was moved to another cell?" one warriror said.

“We must tell the Alpha what has happened,” the other replied.

“Wait, the mating ceremony is tonight. Should we wait until after the ceremony for this?”

The other warrior rubbed the back of his neck. “I just hope we don’t get in trouble for making the wrong decision.”

They both turned, left the cells, and returned to prepare for the ceremony.

***

Persephone sat in a dark room alone. She got up, walked to the dresser, and stared at her reflection. She sighed at the shell of a woman staring back at her. She closed her eyes as she tried to perform a simple incantation spell, but nothing happened. She could no longer feel the static of magic running through her core. The coven had stripped her of her magic, and she would be kicked out of her home tomorrow.

Persephone grabbed a small trinket off of the dresser and smashed it against the mirror, causing the mirror to crack and splinter into pieces.

The grey mist seeped through under the opening of her door and floated toward her.

“My dear, what has happened to the woman I adored so much?” the voice said.

Persephone turned to look behind her, and her breath hitched when she saw the mist moving toward her. Persephone started to back away until she found herself against the wall. Fear radiated from her body.

“You could have had what you wanted if you had only been patient with the plan,” the mist said to her.

Persephone's heart raced as she found the nerve to speak out, “Please, help me get my magic back. I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.”

The mist drifted closer and closer until it wrapped itself around her neck. “I no longer have a use for you.”

“Please, I need to find my son.”

The voice chuckled through the mist. “Now, that is something I can help you with.”

Persephone felt her throat tighten as she tried to cough and catch her breath. “Wait,” she coughed again. “Please.”

The mist stopped momentarily and answered, “You asked me to help you find your son. I’m simply fulfilling your wish.”

The realization had struck Persephone as she continued to cough. She reached for her neck to pull away the invisible hand strangling her, but nothing was there. She continued to cough and choke until the life went from her eyes, and she collapsed to the floor.

“Do give my regards to Hades for me,” the mist said with a chuckle. The fog covered the remains and lingered for a moment. When the smoke slowly dissolved, so did Persephone, leaving nothing behind.

***

Ophelia sat dazed as she rocked herself back and forth in the chair she was sitting in. Her mind was in a haze, and she wasn’t listening to a word the men asked of her.

“What did the witch tell you?” the man asked as he slammed his hand down on the table to get any reaction from Ophelia.

Ophelia continued to look away and not answer their questions.

“This is getting us nowhere,” another warrior spoke out.

“Alpha ordered us to question her, and that’s what we’re doing,” the first warrior snarled.

The second warrior closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The mist crept into the room, lingering close to the darker parts so as not to be seen.

Colson walked into the room a few moments later.

The first warrior narrowed his eyes at his partner, who merely shrugged.

Colson walked over to the table and stared at his sister. “Leave us,” he ordered.

The men quickly left the room. Colson pulled out the chair and sat in front of his sister. Ophelia refused to make eye contact with her brother.

“You know I hate having you down here,” he confided.

Ophelia tapped her fingers against the table.

Colson leaned forward. “Did Trystan mention working with someone else?”

Ophelia continued to play with her fingers on the table. She sucked in a breath when she saw the mist shift from across the room.

He pulled his sister’s hand into his, “Please, let me help you.”

Ophelia slowly turned and stared at her brother. Ophelia’s mouth opened slowly as she quietly sang, “I’ll never tell, I’ll never tell, I’ll never tell.”

Colson’s shoulders slumped as he pulled his hand away from Ophelia’s. He pushed the chair away from the table and walked to the door.

The mist swiveled around her, whispered, “That’s my good pet,” and disappeared.

Ophelia smiled as she continued to rock herself in her chair.

He opened the door and ordered the men, “Take my sister to the pack hospital and have them sedate her. She’s still considered a threat to the pack and the other factions. Maintain twenty-four watch on her.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Colson pulled out his phone and checked the time. He needed to leave if he wanted to pick up Gretchen on time. Colson pressed a name from his contacts list and raised the phone to his ear.

“I’m headed to the mating ceremony at the Stonecrest Pack. Ophelia is to be sedated and monitored. If you have any problems, let me know.” Colson closed his phone and put it back into his pocket; he looked back at his sister one last time before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.

***

On the forest’s edge, the grey mist moved quickly down a long path, where a large dark cottage stood at the end. As the smoke progressed, a tall young man emerged from the fog, walking toward the cabin. As he got closer to the front door, it opened for him. He walked in, and the door closed behind him.

“Any news?” he called out.

“Nothing yet, your grace,” an elderly gentleman answered.

The tall man stopped for a moment. “Let me know the moment you hear anything,” he demanded.

The older gentleman bowed. “Yes, your grace.”

The young man walked over and opened the door to a cellar. The room was dark but came to life once he entered. A coffin sat lonely in the center; he walked over and ran his hand over its surface. “Soon, my love. Soon we will be able to bring you back and be together again.”

He kissed the coffin and left the room.

Gretchen smiled as she opened her eyes and saw Colson asleep beside her. She tried to escape his grasp without disturbing him but failed. Colson groaned as he pulled his mate closer to his chest. He liked waking up to her in his arms.

Gretchen’s phone started to ring. Colson growled as he released her from his grip, allowing her to move away. Gretchen pulled her phone out of her purse.

“Morning, Vita,” she said in a relieved tone, glad that it wasn’t her grandmother or uncle who was calling her.

“Good morning, or should I say it’s almost noon? Where are you?” Vita scolded.

Gretchen froze as she heard how late it was. Had she slept in for that long? It was late when the party ended. Colson asked if they could go for a walk and talk more, to which she happily agreed. They ended up in an open area in the forest, where they lay and stared at the stars while they talked. She felt safe as she lay there against Colson; she didn’t want the night to end. Gretchen didn’t mean to fall asleep out there.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I’m on my way to Ruby’s right now,” she promised Vita.

“That’s great; there’s just one problem.”

Gretchen’s brows furrowed as she waited to hear the problem.

“We’ve already left and are on our way to Silver City,” Vita informed her.

Gretchen’s heart ached as she heard that she had missed the opportunity to go with her family to Silver City. She had only heard stories of the place but always had wanted to go, and now she missed her chance.

Colson watched as he saw the look of sadness creep across his mate's face. He swiped the phone from her hand and raised it to his ear.

“Vita, it’s Colson. Where do you plan to stay tonight?”

“Hi Colson, we are staying at the Winter Lodge in Cannington, just outside Whisper Hallow,” Vita answered.

“Perfect! Once Gretchen is packed, I’ll drive her up there so she is with her family.”

Gretchen’s heart fluttered as she smiled happily at Colson.

“Thank you, Colson. Her grandmother and uncle will be relieved and happy to hear this. I’ll text you the address,” Vita confirmed before the call ended.

Colson handed Gretchen back her phone. She grabbed it, wrapped her arms around Colson, and kissed him. Gretchen pulled away quickly and looked down with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” she told him.

Colson pulled her back into him and grabbed her chin to look at him. “I’m not,” he told her, leaning back in and kissing her deeply. Gretchen’s heart raced as she placed her hands against Colson’s chest and returned the kiss.

Colson pulled back as he let a growl out of his chest. He leaned his forehead against hers as he took in deep breaths.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Colson shook his head. “Nothing, nothing is wrong. Just trying to control my wolf and me.”

Gretchen blushed. She could feel herself falling fast for Colson but was afraid it was too good to be true. Weren’t wolves supposed to be possessive, obsessive, and compulsive? Gretchen shook away the negative thoughts and reminded herself of how good he had been.

“Thank you for offering to take me to my family,” Gretchen told him.

Colson smiled as he rubbed her cheek. “I could tell you were upset; it was my fault you missed your ride. So what better way to fix it than to take you there myself.”

Gretchen’s heart fluttered. She could see Colson was trying, which she also needed to do.

“We must get you back to Ruby’s and packed up. I don’t want to be too far behind them. Once I drop you off at Ruby’s, I’ll return to my pack and grab my truck.”

“Are you sure? Once we are down from the forest, I can go by myself to Ruby’s and pack.”

Colson shook his head. “I would feel better if I knew you were safe.”

The tingles started to flutter in Gretchen’s stomach. She needed to calm down; as much as she was enjoying the feeling, she needed to keep a firm hold on her heart in case something changed and Colson showed his true colors.

They had just left the forest when they saw Amanda running past them.

“Amanda,” Gretchen called out.

Amanda skidded to a stop and lifted her brow.“Gretchen, just the witch I need to see. Can I borrow you for just a moment?”

Gretchen smiled; she liked the feeling of being needed. But her smile faded when she looked at Colson, who was waiting for her.

“I would love to, but I missed the caravan this morning, and Colson offered to give me a ride to catch up with them,” she explained.

Amanda nodded. “Completely understand. If I promise it will only be a few minutes, I will get back to Ruby’s and help you pack, please?”

Colson let out a huff but nodded. He leaned over and grabbed Gretchen by the back of her neck before kissing her forehead. “I’ll be back by two to get you,” he ordered.

“I promise to have her ready to go,” Amanda promised as she pulled Gretchen in the direction she had been running.

“Amanda, what do you need my help with?” Gretchen asked as they got to the stairs of the dungeon cells.

Amanda pressed her lips softly together. “This will come out a little strange, but bear with me.”

Gretchen looked at her with caution. “Ok.”

“Deak killed Tristan.”

Gretchen eyes widened at the news; she wasn’t surprised when there was no feeling of sadness or remorse for his death.

“But, before I knew that Deak had killed him, some guards had come down to check on the prisoner and found his cell … empty.”

“Empty?”

“No body, nothing,” Amanda said.

Gretchen thought for a moment, but nothing made sense. “Show me the cell.”

When they got to the cell, Gretchen walked in and held her hands up. She closed her eyes and chanted out a spell to gather the essence of a person or being. She felt the sense of Deak, the guards she could detect from their wolves, Tristan with his magic, but there was one she couldn’t catch or put her finger on.

“There was someone else here, but I can’t get a signature on them. By chance, does Hudson have cameras down here?” Amanda looked around the room and saw nothing particular that stood out as a camera.

Amanda shrugged. “I can ask, but I’ve wasted your time enough for now. We need to get to Ruby’s and get you packed to go.”

“What about this?” Gretchen asked as she waved her hands around the room.

“I promise if I find out there is any footage, I will forward it to you and Vita.”

Gretchen didn’t like leaving this unresolved, but she was on a time limit and didn’t want to upset Colson by being late.