Cursed

Submission

Scarlett

Detention dragged on painfully as I battled with my thoughts. I had struggled to focus on one situation. But the presence of my wolf in the back of my head was a constant reminder that my life had just flipped. It was so human before. Everything felt right with Sam, but now just thinking of him in that way made my stomach churn. This was only the beginning of the changes coming my way, and I already hated them. 

I paused at the school doors, watching the fog seep in between the cars. Mother's car was parked a few rows back, not yet tangled in fog. I sucked in a deep breath and walked towards her car. My heart hammered as I approached, the news of the day weighing on me. 

It wasn't that my mother would be upset that my wolf had appeared, but the same could not be said for my mate. She hated alpha Cole Black with every fibre of her being, constantly spitting insults at the young alpha throughout my childhood. He had become alpha before he turned fourteen, after both of his parents were killed in the same attack that claimed my father. It had been hard for him to take control at such a young age; he faced my older wolves challenging for his title, but he fairly beat each opponent. He had made his claim to the title very clear and led the pack well, even attending school to educate himself on human affairs. It made him the pride of the pack, a young and powerful alpha who had only just turned eighteen. I had to admit I admired his strength, he didn't let his grief overwhelm him. That was something I was never able to do, mourning my father so deeply. But my mother only saw him as weak, controlling. She needed someone to blame for her mate's death, and the only living son of the previous alpha and luna who had started the rogue war seemed fair. 

I pulled the car door open, sinking into the worn leather seat. Mother turned to face me, but she didn't smile. I swallowed my nerves and kept my eyes locked on hers. It was unlike me to challenge my mother's stares, afraid her wolf would see it as a direct challenge. However, her wolf is the sole reason Scott and I never ended up in the pack orphanage. 

Many wolves go mad after their mate's death. They lose all hope, happiness and desire to live. Some wolves died of a broken heart, they would go to sleep one night and never wake again. Others would take their own lives, the grief was too much to handle. But my mother's wolf had not allowed them to die, no matter what my mother wanted. Her wolf fought to live, to raise her pups. 

"Do you know how disappointed we are in you, Scarlett?" Mothers' voice was thick, her wolf brimming on the edge. I nodded, diverting my gaze to the cup holders. A sigh left mother's lips, and her fingers grasped my chin, forcing me to look at her. 

"I expect better of you, however, you had dealt with the consequences. Now tell me, how was school?" She released my chin and started the car engine, pulling out of the car park. I kept my eyes on the side of her face as she watched the road. 

"A lot happened today." I started, my fingers twisting together in my lap. Mother turned her gaze to me, her eyes so dark they were almost black. It was her wolf who had control, her wolf whom I was speaking to. The car slowed and pulled to the side of the road.

"I can smell the fear on you child. Tell me what happened." Her voice was dark and powerful. I had always loved my mother's wolf, and she had always loved me, but I was still afraid of her. 

"I felt her today, my wolf." I didn't elaborate any further, watching my mother's face.

Her eyes slowly lightened, returning to the dark chocolate colour. The largest smile I had ever seen graced my mother's face as she cupped my cheeks. A light kiss was pressed to my forehead, which caused my wolf to stir. As soon as I felt the movement, my mother's eyes darkened again. She sucked in a sharp breath.

"I can smell her. My child, there is something powerful inside of you." I frowned as concern etched itself onto her face. But she didn't say any more on the topic.

"There is more, mother. My wolf only awoke because I met him," I glanced at her awaiting eyes, "I met my mate." The concern only deepened on her face. 

"Tell me who he is." Her voice had softened, and her eyes lightened again. I nodded, building the courage to utter his name in her presence. 

"Alpha Cole Black." A snarl ripped through my mother's throat. She grasped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. I flinched away, trying to make myself disappear. My wolf stirred again, watching silently through my eyes. The smell of my mother's wolf thickened in the small space. I feared she would lose all control. 

"You know how I feel about him." The sound that left her was dark and predatory. I swallowed, and my hand reached for the door handle of the car. I knew not to run from a wolf, that they would always chase, but I wasn't going to fight my mother. 

Those black eyes flickered to my hand, her brow softening slightly as she saw. But her wolf never left, never allowed my mother to regain control. It was more likely because mother wouldn't be able to handle this news well. 

"My child, I will not hurt you. I understand the bond between you and that..." She trailed off, running her hand down her face. I had only then noticed the length of her nails. They had grown longer and sharpened into deadly points. Her wolf was fighting a full shift. 

"It is not wise for you to continue with this bond. He will only hurt you." My wolf lurched forward, and I felt my own eyes blacken. I gripped the car door handle tighter, this time afraid of my own actions. 

"I understand your distaste for him, but I will not reject my mate. That is not a topic up for discussion again." My voice was not mine. Unlike my mothers, it did not get deep and more animalistic. Instead, it was soft and silky as it floated out of me. 

"Is that clear?" My wolf spoke again, her velvety voice filling the air. Instantly, my mother dipped her head and bared her neck at me. I pushed past my wolf, in shock and horror that she had just made our mother submit to us. My mother glanced up, fear swimming in her chocolate eyes. She didn't speak for the rest of the drive, keeping her gaze from mine. Her wolf had fully submitted to me.