My Beast Of A Mate

Chapter 15: How Do We Undo The Curse Now?

This is the longest chapter yet, do you have a favourite one so far?

Things are getting exciting now!

***

Harper Stewarts

Life is sometimes like a ticking time bomb. 

The people who get diagnosed with a terminal illness are given so many days left to live. Or a clock counting down is the deciding factor between winning or losing an important game. Even people who are not sick have an internal clock of when their time is up.

But Ronin's clock is different. And it has almost run out.

My birthday three months ago back in October passed quickly, followed by November, then December, and now it's January. Nothing seemed to be doing anything. All of the ideas Dr. Grant had written down over the years have been unsuccessful. 

This was the second Christmas I spent with the pack, and Ronin's tenth spent in wolf form. Everyone is trying as hard as they can to make sure his eleventh Christmas is celebrated in human form. 

Not to mention the relentless rogues that know just how valuable Black Diamond pack's energy and time is right now. They would all be in favour of seeing a pack as great as this one fall, allowing someone to conquer it before a new person of power stepped forward. 

There's still time, I chastise myself.  

Roughly one day to be exact. 

Attempting to shrug off these negative thoughts, I push the comforter off me and roll out of bed. We still have until midnight tonight, and I am going to make the most of it. 

Tomorrow, Ronin will be twenty five. The day the curse becomes permanent. 

 My thoughts drift back to a few months ago, while I prep myself for the day. Angela had kindly set up a surprise birthday party for me, even though I said we could keep it on the down low. Although I greatly enjoyed the festivities, I could see that that is when Ronin is most weighed down by this curse. It was a blatant reminder that as a wolf he couldn't talk and laugh with his pack members, enjoy some alcohol in a classic red solo cup, or even just dance to the music. 

After seeing how he put away his happiness in hopes that I would feel happy—even if it was for one day—I owe it to this wolf man who has changed me for the better. Though there have been whispers rippling throughout the pack about the true nature of our relationship, those who are actually close to me have helped quench these worries. It does not come at a surprise that many wonder why the curse has not been lifted yet.

Is she actually the alpha's mate? Do you think she's faking it? Do you think she's a witch? How is a human supposed to lead a pack of wolves? How is a human supposed to carry on a wolf lineage? Is our pack going to fall apart? Did you know she—

I quickly turn on some music to drown out the questions that circulate through the pack and now my head. Softly singing along to Adele's smooth voice, I run a brush through my dark brown hair. Once I'm satisfied that there are no more knots, I stick a toothbrush in my mouth and internally go over what the schedule is today. All day is pretty much spent with Dr. Grant, I'm even exempt from training today. The matter at hand is definitely more pressing.

Deep breath. Just breathe.

Shooting myself an enthusiastic smile in the mirror, I try to keep this mentality with me as I exit the washroom. When I make it downstairs, the serious mood is evident in the air. Everyone is tense and the only sound that could be heard is the clinking of utensils and dishes.