The Spellbound Heart

Chapter 13

We returned to my dad's and tried to settle back in but having more things to think about after finding out about Mrs. Ellery, it was hard. Harlou was still absent he'd come out every now and again for runs or just to be included in the conversation about what we should do next. I also started to notice Alex was present less and less, she'd just keep saying she was tired. After about a week I got restless tired of Harlou avoiding certain questions, and worried something was happening to Alex. I decided to focus on the one thing I could possibly find the answer to and that was Alex. I went out into the woods back to the clearing I first saw her in, but I'm not even sure how to talk to her or if it's even possible maybe it's one sided and she comes when she wants. I thought to myself. "You only have to think of me child, and I'll know" she said from behind me. I turned around greeted by that same warm smile. I wish I remembered her as my grandma and not just the moon goddess. "What has you worried?" She asked sensing my concern. "It's Alex, something isn't right with her. Shes become less and less present and sometimes she doesn't even answer me when I call out to her." I said feeling my heart sink at the thought of losing her. "That curse must be stronger than I anticipated..." She paused taking a step toward me she put her hand over my chest. I could feel a warm wave wash over me. "Mhhmm" she nodded her head. "The talisman I made for you was created to suppress curses or certain magic, the stronger the curse the stronger the suppression. But because this is so strong it's taking a toll on her as well." She said concerned. "But you said it suppresses magic" I said trailing off. She chuckled "Where exactly do you think werewolves came from child?" she said tilting her head to one side. "Magic?" I said out loud. "She smiled again. "Harlouson still isn't talking" She asked nodding in the direction of the house. "No He's keeping something from me. I'm not sure I can trust him." I said crossing my arms. "Some secrets are hard enough to bare alone and even heavier when you have to unleash them on those you love, It is not my place to tell his story...I think you should give him time, when he is ready and he feels you are, you have to trust that he will tell you the truth. Until then be patient" she said smiling "And Alex?" I called to her. "She'll be fine, the talisman is just working overtime and its using her energy since she is a source of magic inside of you, it may make her tired but that's all just let her rest." She said taking my hand. "You look just like your mother little one. She'd be honored to call you her child" she said before disappearing. I found solace in her words. I wish he would just talk to me but I have to give him time, I guess. I went back inside and was greeted by an assortment of herbs and spices. "Hey kiddo" my dad said standing in the kitchen door. "Something smells delicious." I said walking into the kitchen. "I'm making stew" he said following behind me over to the stove. "You used to love when I made this stew when you were a small pup. He poured me a bowl and we talked over dinner. The stew tasted familiar, it pained me to have all this missing time but i tried not to let that get the best of me and just enjoy my dad's company. After dinner i helped him clear the kitchen and finish the dishes before i turned in for the night. "Have you seen shalom" I called out as i was leaving the kitchen. "He came down a little before you came home and grabbed a bowl, but then he went back upstairs. I continued up to the room without another word, hoping he was already sleep. I was trying to be patient, but it was hard with everything happening. I opened the door, and he was sitting off to the corner of the room, his bowl was empty, and he was sitting back with his arms over his eyes. startled by the creaking door he looked at me and smiled. "Hi" I said trying not to feel antsy to bombard him with questions. I went over to the dresser to retrieve some pajamas when i felt him come up from behind me wrapping his arms around my waist he gave me a gentle kiss on the neck. "I've missed you" He whispered into my ear. "Me too" I said sighing leaning into his touch. As frustrated as i was being distant from him was eating at me every day. "I'm sorry I've been so hard on you the past few days, i know when you're ready you'll tell me and I'm trying its just-" He cut me off covering my mouth with his planting another gentle kiss on my lips this time. "You don't have to be sorry... none of this is on you, we're sorry" he said pulling away from me but stopping to hold onto my hands. "I'm sorry kitten." Harlou said his deep blue eyes shining showing his presence. "I want to tell you so much but I'm not sure if you're ready." he said sadly. "You wouldn't know unless you try, don't you trust me?" I said trying not to sound desperate. "Its not that, of course i do..." He said pausing, and i could tell he was struggling battling whatever reasoning he had to not tell me and the urge to give me the answers I'd been answering for. But seeing the look on his face i couldn't take it anymore. Taking a step towards him i kissed him, he was hesitant at first but eventually gave in with his kisses showing me how much he missed me. I pulled back to look him in the eyes, Seeing them shining their different colors when they're both present. "Its ok" i said. Motioning for the bed. "Im glad its not just me" He laughed i swear your dad put something in that stew I've never been so tired." He said." Love. I thought to myself remembering what my dad told me. We went on like that for a few weeks. My dad cooking and is still kind of keeping some distance. Even though we talked through it the tension from my frustration alone was as thick as molasses. I tried keeping my mind off of it most of the time by helping my dad around the house. We cleaned out a closet full of old stuff including some things of mine my dad kept even after he thought i was gone. A lot of the stuff was a bunch of childish items but its the sentiment that counts. When we were almost done my dad found an old album book in the back of the closet. Flipping through it he started showing me pictures from his childhood. "Here's a picture of me in our junior training class, All the older kids had a ceremony after graduating before they got assigned to patrols and other jobs. They just wanted to make us little kids feel special" He laughed turning the page. "Thats me and your mom when we were just barely adults." he said. "Mom..." Shalom said quietly. His smile now faded and his face frozen on the picture. There was one other woman in the picture a lighter skinned woman standing next to a very large intimidating looking man. Who Shalom kind of looked like. "Thats Daciana, i remember her she was one of the regulars at the bar we frequented." He stated. "And who is that he asked pointing to the man next to her with his arm around her mid-section. "Thats Mathias..." He paused. "Naomis mate." He said hesitantly "What!" i yelled. "This was a long time after that, after Luther we heard she kind of lost it and she left, or he made her leave. I eventually got back in touch with him, and he understood the decision your grandmother made, and he knew Naomi would've done the same given the chance. "He barely looks older than you dad" I said still confused. "We don't age the same kiddo. He said throwing an eye over my shoulder at Shalom. I'm not sure how old he could've been, but he was old enough to be my father at the time." My dad glanced back at the picture before looking back at shalom... realizing he might make matters worse i quietly told my dad we were going to step out. He understood not saying anything. I followed shalom outside not sure exactly what to say. I placed my hand on his back and he flinched. "You see that right? That man...I look just like him" he said clenching his jaw. "Maybe he's a family member of yours?" I suggested trying to sound convincing. "No... Thats got to be my father." He said running a hand through his hair i could see that he was frustrated and confused. I know that look all too well. But there wasn't much i could say that could help. "None of this makes sense, I need to find my mother, She's the only one who'd know anything, its enough she left me, but she left me with all this chaos and confusion, If anyone knows anything its her. He said shifting Taking off into the trees before i could say anything more. With Alex being so drained i couldn't even shift let alone chase after him. I decided on going back inside. Maybe my dad could help. "There's not much i know about him" he said putting away the last empty box. "As i said your grandmother took me and left i didn't meet him till years later at that same bar actually, He was a pretty understanding guy... He was hurt about losing Luther. But" He stopped almost hesitating. "Luther wasn't his son. Naomi had him before she found out Mathias was her mate. So, he was devastated because he all but helped raise the little guy but he wasn't his not biologically." He sat down on the couch next to me. "And his mom" I said hoping to get a little more out of him. "I didn't know much about her she mostly talked to your mom when we visited. We didn't hang out with them all that much.. but they were both nice people." He stood yawning and stretching. "I'm sorry kiddo, I wish I could help... it seems like He's really struggling." He hugged me goodnight and went to bed. I found a snack in the fridge and went upstairs to shower. I smelled like sweat and cobwebs. I showered, washing my hair. Getting out I could hear the bedroom door open and close. When I came out shalom was sitting on the bed waiting for me. I walked over to him to make sure he was fine when he grabbed my arm pulling me on top of him. He buried his face in my neck inhaling my scent. "Hey you alright" I asked. "A lot better now." He unraveled the towel i had wrapped around my body and planted heavy kisses up and down my neck to my shoulder. He sucked one of my nipples in his mouth causing me to gasp for breath. "Wait my dad-" i tried protesting. "Then you should probably keep quiet" He said standing up to lay me on the bed, never stopping the contact of his lips on my body. He trailed all the way down between my legs devouring me before i could say another word. But it wasn't sensual it was aggressive like he was hungry, and i couldn't fight the urge as he sent me off the cliff leaving my body shaking and jolting from the after shock of a hard orgasm. I tried catching my breath as he plopped down beside me on the bed. "I'm sorry" He said smiling. "I needed to let off some steam" I laughed finally catching my breath. "Anytime" I said standing trying to steady myself my legs felt weak but i forced myself over to my dresser to find pajamas. "We need to talk kitten" Harlou's gruff voice said from behind me. "You've guys have got to start announcing when you switch. Its a bit confusing" I laughed. "I mean it..I'm sorry I've kept you in the dark these past few weeks but feeling the pain shalom felt about his mother and father, i feel like i kind of got a glimpse of how you've been feeling all this time." He said lowering his head. "Just promise me you'll keep an open mind at least" I paused feeling a little nervous now. "I'll do the best that i can. I said trying to sound confident. "Shalom doesn't know much about this, when i was born to him it was like every other new born wolf. I grew with him. when he was just a child i was nothing but a pup.. but i was reborn with all my memories from my past life.." He paused looking at me i could tell i had a confused look on my face because he looked concerned. I sat next to him and placed my hand over his. "I'm very old little kitten, possibly older than the moon goddess..." I coughed choking on some saliva. She did mention him being 'old as magic' but i thought that was a figure of speech. "Does that make you like a sugar daddy?" I said laughing. He tilted his head to the side and chuckeled. "Not quite, But i am still a lot older than most wolves. When you are born you are gifted a wolf by the moon goddess. That wolf grows with you and learns with you...When you die, it is returned to the goddess and goes to the after life, no wolf is ever returned." He said readjusting so he was looking directly at me. "There hasn't been any acceptations up until recently" He said. "Aziyah" I recalled. He nodded his head in agreement. "The goddesses have strict rules to abide by but every once and a while they can bend the rules, in your sisters case she'll be reborn into a human. And since she wasn't born with hers she will be a new born. Unfortunately she wont remember anything, not you, not the time she spent with the both of you." He said apologetically. "What but i thought" I started but he cut me off "Sometimes the goddesses can be very vague. She will still have her mate, Oliver, but she will be new to this world all over again. But fate is a tricky thing and sometimes when you change it, it can alter the outcome of other occurrences." He said taking a deep breath. "What about you?" i asked. "I was born a long time ago. But i wasn't born to any human child fated to be a werewolf. I was created by the demon king." He said pausing. I swallowed hard and tried to hide the shock on my face but i couldn't hide it. I subtly shuffled backward unaware that i was doing it, it was involuntary. "Its ok to be afraid." He said staying where he was. "I'm sorry" i said i shuffled closer to him leaning in and planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Im listening" i told him. He smiled warmly and continued. "A long time ago the demon king was at war with the moon goddess, She had taken away his only child. The child was a tyrant. He would travel through the realms destroying and taking what he pleased. The goddess warned him to tame his child, but he wouldn't listen, he felt it an insult to be told what to do by a goddess. So one day The goddess tempted fate and made it so his son would come looking for a crystal that could make him stronger. But when he came it was a trap, she cast a spell stripping him of his powers thus making him mortal, the son had lived many centuries so when the spell was done he simply turned to dust. Angry with grief the demon king vowed to destroy the goddess and the realm she inhabited. So one day he got to work creating the perfect weapon against them he created me, only i wasn't as friendly as i am now" He smiled solemnly. He created me for tyranny, i think in a way he was trying to gain back the son he lost. So i attacked. every gift the goddesses gave, every life they saved i destroyed. Until the goddess got tired. The demon king thinking he was stronger than the goddess went head-to-head with her, but he was blinded by rage and hurt. She defeated him. She planned to strip him of his mortality the same way she did his son. But she decided on a much crueler fate. She bound him to me. Making him mortal but not quite. Thus was the first werewolf born. The demon king himself reduced to a werewolf; he was angry now more than ever. In the end he wished to join his son in purgatory. But she would not grant him this. He was dead set on finding a way to avenge his son and annihilate the goddess. Until he found his mate, He fell in love with her beauty and nothing else mattered. They went on to have children, thus were the werewolves born. She never wanted to destroy him, she wanted to teach him a lesson. And that she did. Eventually she decided to create more humans to be werewolves. creating an entire population of them over hundreds of centuries. But she just couldn't let me go i guess...So every first-born son of the demon kings blood line has me as their Counterpart." He said sadly. "But how can that be possible wolves cant even shift until their 16, and we don't even hear you until were 13....No" I said my voice cracking. "When the goddess made us this way, she made it so our fate would be to die before our children are to meet their counterpart. Thus, passing me along the bloodline." I couldn't stop the tears from falling i felt like i had a boulder on top of me making it hard for me to breath. I sobbed uncontrollably i wanted to know so bad now i understand why he didn't tell me. Why he didn't want to tell me. "What if we just never have children?" I cried. "We will Eventually" He said assuring me of the inevitable. It is our fate... It has been for centuries. "How didn't shalom know?" I said trying to straighten myself up. "I'm the only one born with these memories...With this knowledge. Shalom is the only one I've told of this.. In all the lives I've lived. I couldn't bring myself to tell them it wouldn't prolong our fate. There's nothing i can do about it. No one can change it. Not even the new moon goddess. She is one of many who have gained the power of the first moon goddess, she was strong and although stubborn. She was very wise. And strong." He said wiping away my tears. "Maybe we-..." I tried to protest. "Its ok. We'll be fine. Harlou said before letting shalom take over. Tears streamed down his face as he came forward. "Im sorry, i didn't want to hurt you. But with everything that's happened you had a right to know." He said wiping his face. "You cant die.... we'll figure something out, There has to be a way maybe the goddess can help. If she can help me she can help you. We cant give up." I began to sob again uncontrollably. I couldn't lose him, its not fair. Shalom held me as i cried stroking my hair. I couldn't calm myself and cried myself to sleep in his arms. A few hours later i was woken up by yelling. It sounded like shalom and my dad were arguing. I rushed to dress myself and ran downstairs to find shalom, my dad, and the goddess standing outside the house. My dad looked very upset and shalom was fuming, "What is going on its the middle of the night?" My dad turned to me fixing his face from a grimace to a sad smile. The goddess was her normal calm self, but she wasn't smiling. "This is her fault! she had to go and say something. Shalom's eyes were different colors showing his and harlous presence. "I've never told anyone! its devastating" Harlou said through gritted teeth. "We cant blame her...If she hadn't said anything, somewhere along the line I would've found out." I said trying to defend the goddess, but I cant say I wasn't equally upset, not from her telling me but the fact that one of the goddesses cursed my mate, and one day ill have to lose him. "Is there anything we can do surely you can fix this" I argued. She shook her head. "I cant change this fate. It is older than me, A magic far more sophisticated. I don't have the experience to battle such a thing." She said trying to show a kind smile. "Screw being the goddess your my grandmother, you can help me! There's got to be something you can do!" I cried feeling once again hopeless. "Im sorry my little dove" She changed her appearance showing a slightly older woman with smile lines and light wrinkles. "My sweet baby, If there was anything i could do id help you. I'd give my last breath to see you happy" She said her tone much different than before. I have an obligation to fulfill my duty as the moon goddess, but id break them all for this. But i simply cant." She said placing a gentle hand on the side of my face. "Mom" My dad said. She changed again back to her goddess appearance. She turned to us giving us all a warm smile before disappearing again.