The Cursed Lycan

Chapter 12: The Dead Witch's Curse

Chapter 12: The Dead Witch's Curse

"Felicity has been tricking Mason since they were kids?" Sophie cried out.

Constantine nodded, a proud smile on his face, "She's quite the actress. Playing the part of the perfect Luna her entire life."

His smile was then wiped off his face, replaced with a grimace, "There was only the issue that every werewolf and lycan encounters," Constantine spat, "mates. Even though Felicity had always made a good impression on Mason, he was too tied to the idea of Fated Mates, even as a small child. He always wanted to find his own."

When he paused, Sophie felt her heart swell at the fact Mason had been waiting for her, tears again gathering in her eyes, "He waited for me."

"Uh, pathetic," Constantine fake gagged. "Anyway, I was able to have a witch identify who you were using some of Mason's blood. That same witch placed a curse on you, so that when you came of age, you'd become an uncontrollable lycan. The idea was that you'd stay that way and eventually be killed by your own pack members. Instead, the witch was only able to make it occur during the day." Constantine rolled his eyes, "Pathetic. So, I murdered her. Well, that, and I didn't want her selling my secret to the Siegfrieds."

"I've suffered all these years just because you wanted Felicity to be mated to Mason instead of me?" Sophie's voice broke as tears streamed down her face.

"No! I wanted Felicity to rule," Constantine snapped. "And she did too, giving up her own Fated Mate to be with Mason." Sophie gasped at this.

"Unfortunately, it seems that though even Matheus has taken to Felicity, your little Prince is too in love with you. Even though the curse damped your mate bond," Constantine growled, before an easy smile returned his face. "It's a good thing I still have many witches within my army."

"What does that mean? Leave Mason alone!" Sophie bit her lip so hard that it bled, only slightly distracting her from the searing pain at her wrists and neck.

Constantine then stood, stretching, before looking as if he remembered something, "I forgot the best part!" Constantine walked right up to Sophie so he was inches from her strained face, "Once Mason pledges his love to Felicity as his Chosen Mate, on the night of the Blood Moon, your curse will come permanent. You won't get to turn back into little Sophie. Your lycan can easily kill any member of the royal family and you'll be set free to terrorize the Midnight Ball and the royal family."

"Mason will never fall for Felicity!" Sophie bit out.

He backed off and cackled, "Who said he'd be falling for Felicity?" With that final question, Constantine laughed himself out of the cell, slamming the wooden door behind him. Sophie struggled for a bit longer, but eventually gave up. What she wouldn't give for a mindlink. Instead, she hung limply from her restraints and prayed to the Moon Goddess that Mason wouldn't fall for any tricks Constantine would have up his sleeve.

~

Mason was panicking as the night seemed to slip through his fingers. Sophie had now spent half of a day and an entire night in captivity. Jack and Hunter were on edge as well, trying to keep their anxiety down for fear of overloading Mason. They all knew something was wrong with Sophie.

"Mason," Hunter approached him, panting. "You need to eat and to rest. You only slept for a few hours, and you haven't eaten—"

"Neither has she," Mason paced. He looked over his friends, softening, "But you guys head back. Eat, sleep. Get ready for the Midnight Ball. Can't be meeting your Fated Mates exhausted and hungry."

"No, if you stay out, we stay out," Jack answered firmly.

"That's an order," Mason used his alpha voice. Jack and Hunter tried to resist, but eventually caved, turning and heading back to the palace. Mason continued to prowl the forest, using his super speed to move deeper and deeper. Mason eventually expended his magic, collapsing beside a babbling brook. The sun rose, the sky still bright blue and clear. Flowers and grass shifted in the soft but cool breeze. Mason crawled toward the river, still in lycan form, pulling handfuls of water from the river to his mouth.

"Even if you're renouncing the crown, you're still a Prince and my son," Annabelle appeared from the tree line, in her wolf form, a dark brown with light brown patches. Mason tried to get up to greet her, but she ran over when he collapsed again. Mason knew that his mother was accompanied by a dozen warriors, but they hung back to give them some privacy.

"I'm sorry to have disappointed you," Mason said quietly.

Annabelle looked at him, her head to the side, "You haven't. Your father is old and wants to be in control. Still trying to mold you to be him."

"You aren't mad?"

"Goddess, no. Sophie is so lovely, I can see why you fell for her," Annabelle gave Mason a wolfy smile.

"It just feels right, I don't know how to explain it," Mason shook his head. "All I know is that I can't live without her."

"How about you go home? I'll send out warriors to look for places where she might've been kidnapped to," Annabelle promised. Mason went to argue, but all Annabelle needed to do was stare at him.

"Yes, Mom," Mason bowed his head. "And Mom? Thank you."

"I don't want anything to happen to my future daughter-in-law," Annabelle winked. Mason stumbled to his feet, finding his stance and starting to trudge home. Mason gathered enough strength to use his super speed to push most of the way home. When he got in range, Mason released his magic and collapsed again, calling out to some guards for help. They rushed to the Prince, gathering his arms over their shoulders and dragging him into the castle. Everyone frowned as Mason passed, concerned for his well-being. They heaved him to the pack doctor, who chided Mason for expending himself too much. He was settled into a bed where he instantly went unconscious.

Mason awoke an hour later, his entire body straining from exhaustion. Dr. Rasa said Mason should recover quickly, due to his nature, but to keep resting. Mason fell in and out of sleep for the day, knowing he would need to be in tip-top shape to look for Sophie that night. Jack and Hunter visited him in the afternoon when Mason was feeling much better.

"When we heard what had happened to you," Jack shook his head, "I knew we shouldn't have left you."

Mason chuckled, "It's my fault. I think it's good Mom found me. Not sure what would've happened if she hadn't, but I'm okay." Mason sobered, "No news of Sophie."

Jack and Hunter shook their heads.

Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I think I'm going to skip the ball tonight."

"We will too," Hunter said firmly. Mason opened his mouth to argue.

"No. Either we all go to the ball or none of us go," Jack nodded once.

Mason clenched his hands into fists, knowing that his friends would be stronger if they had their mates. And maybe, he would too, if his Fated Mate was—

Mason shook his head. He wouldn't reject his Fated Mate, but he had a feeling she wouldn't arrive anyway. He needed Sophie.

"Let's go. You'll be better equipped to help me if you find your mates," Mason said aloud.

"We still have a few hours before we need to get ready, we'll stay with you," Hunter smiled. The trio reminisced of old times, trying to keep their minds off of Sophie and the nerves of the upcoming night. As night approached, Mason felt his thoughts again shift to Sophie. It had become part of his routine to go to the dungeon and collect her.

"Let me help you," Jack said, seeing Mason's fingers quaking and unable to tie his tie. Mason thanked him. Mason had chosen a crisp black suit, with an emerald-green tie and pocket square to match what Sophie would've worn. Jack had chosen a dark gray suit with burgundy accessories, while Hunter had chosen a navy-blue suit that had gold accents covering the jacket, opting for no tie or pocket square.

"Sophie would be saying that we look handsome," Hunter said with a small smile, clapping a hand on Mason's shoulder. Mason returned the gesture with Hunter and wrapped an arm around Jack's neck.

"Let's go find your mates."