Cursed, Mated, Free,

Chapter 3: Meet, Met, Gone.

                                                                    ----  Decker POV ----

Three days, 9 hours and 48 minutes since my beautiful mate was delivered to me, unconscious and in a bloody state, some blood from her wounds and some of strangers. My pack healer believes she will awake soon as her increase in body movement, twitching, and turning suggests she is coming out of her deep sleep. Every now and then small whimpers and almost incoherent words of, "sorry", "stop", "kill me" escaped her lips. The small scar like lines on her shoulder resemble an old curse lineage dating back to old goddess of Calytia. I had my research team search high and low for answers in the old historic library.

I run an impatient hand through my hair, frustrated and confused on how I will handle this situation. Some of my people heard of her arrival and are angry, scared, they want justice for the lives that were lost. But she is my mate, she is mine. How can I punish her? I am desperately hoping it is the curse that control her and not her own free will driving her to this.

The long string of one-night stands and flings are getting old. The needy and desperate women that throw themselves at me are not fit to be my mate, my Luna. I need a strong woman, someone who cares for my pack and not just the title, someone who can be compassionate.

The large hinges on the oak doors leading into the infirmary squeal open as Jackson, my beta walks in, treading lightly not to piss me off when I need to be with my mate. He has not yet found his own mate, accustom to the same lifestyle as me with girls to just pass the time, he finds it hard to understand the instant desire to be near your mate. Whether you know them or not.

"Decker, how is she?"

Expelling a deep sigh, I reply, "She should wake up any minute now, I need to be here when she does. Tell me, what are the findings on the crystal she was holding? Is it connected to her mark somehow?"

"well, that's why I am here actually. The black color in the crystal has resided since we found her. The scholars seem to believe it turns black then fades signaling the start and end of her... ummm..."

"Start and end of what Jackson? Spit it out", growing impatient and restless I stand from my stool to face Jackson.

"The start and end of her murder sprees", Jackson replied in an even, exasperated tone leveling with me.

"Hm," I grunt, "You may leave now thank-you." And with a curt nod Jackson exits the room leaving me alone once again with my mate.

"Fuck" I growl in anger, grabbing the nearest item, my stool, launching it across the room where it hits a wall and clatters to the floor. My assault on the stool did little to help the tension forming in my chest. My moods have been all over the place since my mate came to me. What will I say to her? How the fuck do I ask why she kills people or if some evil force is making her? "Oh hey, do you kill for fun?", seems to be a too forward approach.

                                                                   --------Lillian's POV-----------

Oh god, this bed is so comfy, I never want to leave as far as I am concerned, I think to myself snuggling deeper into the flush blankets and soft pillows. Wait, a bed? I have not slept in a proper bed since as long as I can remember. As a loud echoing clatter sounded in the room, my eyes snapped open and immediately fell on the most handsome man I have ever seen.

This man stood tall with broad shoulders and bulging muscles that seemed to plague his arms. His plain black T-shirt was tight enough to make any women drool at his perfectly sculpted torso. He ran a rigid hand through his hair staring at stool that was tipped on the floor, evidence of the loud noise I just heard. I inhaled deeply and was instantly intoxicated by the sandalwood and soap aroma emanating from him.

My eyes opened wide and unabashedly staring at this gorgeous man, his head turned, and his deep blue eyes locked with mine. "MATE", I whispered barely audibly to myself. Shocked and surprise turned quickly into panic as realization hit, I had no clue where I was. Where am I? How did I get here? Last thing I remember I was in wolf form, Calytias wolf form, standing strong on all fours, her read coat stained with blood staring ahead, watching other wolfs circle around her. Alpha! I heard voices, male voices after my rampage, something about taking me to see someone. Shit. I cannot trust anyone, not even my mate.

Catching my mate off guard, I scramble and kick to get loose of the blankets that cover and twist around my legs. Finally, free of my blankets I race to slip out of bed, and I hear my mate rush out hurried words, "Wait! Your leg...." As my two feet plant on the floor my right leg gives out from under me, not able to take my weight, bringing an annoying awareness to the deep throb in my thigh.

Sprawled on the floor, staring down at my bandaged thigh, sparks of memory form in my mind in which I had no choice but to give into. Fighting, clawing at my opponents, dodging lethal swipes from angered wolfs, I take down three men that threaten me in my rampage when I heard the wisp of an arrow in the air, followed by a whistle like noise as it neared me then implanting straight into my thigh.

Two rough calloused hands distracted me from my flashback, gently cupping my cheeks forcing me to pear into his eyes.

"Are you ok? Please don't run, there's no need. I'm decker, Alpha of the bloodclaw pack", Decker paused, making sure I was still listening before continuing, "Take it easy, your wolf is struggling to heal. My guys found you, unconscious, near the village you... well, will get into that when your feeling better". He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead, "My mate".

I stared blankly at Decker before nodding, making sure he knew I understood. Swiping my tongue over my dry lips I nodded again before speaking, "Lillian, my names Lillian". Decker removed his hands from my face, and I felt oddly empty and cold, but it was only for a split second till he swooped me up and laid me back down.

I had so many questions on my mind, but his strong presence was making it hard to concentrate, I feel so small in comparison. I scanned my environment wary of any points I can sneak away into the night from, the thought of leaving my mate creates a heaviness in my heart, besides, he has not accepted me as his mate and never will. I know he knows what I have done. He could not even speak the sins before, probably too disgusted to acknowledge it.

"Lillian, hmmm. So, you are the daughter of the crescent moon pack then", Decker eyed me up and down warily, not giving much away. "Anyhow, you must be starving. Ill bring up some food and drink".

At the mention of my family, I slip into my protective shell just that little bit more to preserve my emotional charge. Looking inward to myself I observe something is missing. My crystal. Where the hell is it?

"Do you like pancakes? Or I can get toast or...." Cutting off Decker's sentence I face him and half shout like a crazy lady, "WHERES MY CRYSTAL?" "did someone take it?" I search my immediate surroundings but find no evidence its anywhere nearby.

Frown lines appear above Decker's brow and I instantly feel stupid, but no one understands. Guilt creeps into my mind making my stomach churn. Rushing to spew out an apology, I go to open my mouth when Decker turns away quickly and stalks out of the infirmary, slamming the impressive oak doors behind him.