The Poisonous Rose

Prologue

      He had a chance to save everyone and he failed. The mortals with their guns and torches stood before them, their cruel faces in sneers. The man in the middle pointed the gun at the alpha. He and the alpha were the only two men left. The rest were women and children. The alpha's daughter, who was not yet old enough to change, stood off the side, visibly shaking.

As the mortal pulled the trigger on the gun, he knew that the alpha was prepared to die. He ran as fast as his four legs would take him, trying desperately to save at least one person. Just as he made it to the alpha, the bullet struck him. The alpha fell to the ground, the blood staining his sleek gray coat.

He ran for the shelter of the trees, knowing that the mortals would only want to kill him. At least they wouldn't harm the women or children. That was some kind of rule with them. He just had to hide long enough until they went away. And then he had to protect the alpha's daughter. She was special. He was the only one still alive who knew how special she was.

The mortals finally did give up on their search for him. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was going, but with a little sniffing he found his way back easily. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the sight in front of him. Dead bodies were everywhere. They'd all turned back into their human forms after they'd been killed. He was appalled to see that even some women had been killed. The alpha's daughter was nowhere to be found.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a figure dart out of a bush and run into the trees. She was bloodied and looked beat up, but he was glad. At least she would be safe. He'd find her eventually.

He turned back to the pack and went to kneel by the alpha. All of the images of the battle came tumbling into his mind's eye. He hadn't saved everyone. He had the chance to and he didn't.

A puff of black smoke appeared in front of him, and a woman with a long black dress with flowy sleeves appeared in front of him. She had jet black hair and brown eyes so dark you almost couldn't see the pupil. He knew exactly who she was. The Dark Witch.

"You let them all die," the witch accused, spatting the words out harshly. "They're all dead and you're the only one still alive besides the alpha's daughter. Yet you let her get away as well. You shall be cursed to live the rest of your days in the abandoned castle, deep in the woods. You can only leave for a short amount of time and you must always come back. If you do not, you will die. You will be tormented with your memories and you will never be set free of your curse unless you can learn to care for people. Enjoy the rest of your life in solitude, Lucas." The witch turned around and the black smoke appeared again and she was gone.

He howled into the night, already feeling the curse start to set in.