Cursed

Permission

Chelsea

Dax and I stood in the main area of the pack grounds. It was quiet, the moon was high in the sky, and most pack members were safely in bed. Yet we stood there, listening to the howls of rogues that carried through the night. My hand was clasped in Dax's, his warmth brought me comfort.

"They're growing stronger." Dax's voice was quiet. I looked over at his handsome face and squeezed his hand. I could sense his anger through our bond. It coiled and thrashed.

"They pose a greater risk every day, and Cole still does nothing." Dax turned to face me. He had been angry at the alpha for a long time now. It is the reason Dax stands here at night, listening to the threat beyond the borders grow. No matter how often he tries to get Cole to do something, nothing happens.

"I know, baby." I press a kiss to the back of his hand as he turns back. His side profile was highlighted by the moonlight. Dax begins to speak again.

I try to listen to him, but a singular howl causes my blood to freeze. My hand tightens around Dax's. I recognised that howl, my wolf recognised it. The clear cry for help. It could only be one wolf. Scarlett. Dax seems to recognise her too, or at least his wolf does. His dark eyes flash at me. My wolf was already on the surface. Her howl echoed out of me, letting Scarlett know we heard. She pushes us towards the howl only to be stopped by Dax.

"You know the rules. The Alpha must know." My wolf snarled quietly, angry that our useless Alpha had any input in Scarlett's well-being.

Dax led the way, moving so fast I struggled to keep up. We practically ran up the front steps to the Alpha house and barged inside. Cole was sitting on the sofa, Jenna curled around him. She wore only a sheer nightgown, and Cole's hand was cupping one of her breasts. My wolf growled. Our Luna was in danger, and he was brazen enough to fondle the wolf-slut on his lap.

"What the fuck do you want Dax?" Cole dropped his hand to his side, pushing Jenna off him.

Justin appeared behind us, Scarlett's cry for help seemingly caught his attention, too. His eyes were wild and dark, his wolf grappling for control. Justin stepped before me, his body shielding mine as his shoulders lined up with Dax's. The two of them made a united front before their Alpha. In some packs, that would warrant immediate death.

"Did you not hear that, Cole?" Dax stiffened as Justin's deep voice ricocheted off the walls. Cole raised a brow. Jenna stood, her wolf almost in control.

"Where are your manners?" Jenna's voice was scratchy, like chalk on a chalkboard. I shivered. Cole got to his feet, his lack of shirt annoyed me further. I pushed between Justin and Dax.

"Scarlett needs our help." The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Cole stiffened before me.

"You dare say her name in my house." He seethed, his anger evident. But his wolf never showed, his eyes never darkened. I stood tall.
My wolf pushed back, fearing the wrath of her alpha. Although she never submitted.

"Alpha, with all due respect, we are not here to ask permission." Dax had pulled me back, my body pressed between his and Justin's. Cole glanced between his Beta and his Third.

"Cole, baby, you can't seriously consider helping her." Jenna spat that final word like it was poison. My wolf snarled, itching to be in control. I did not allow that, fighting with Jenna would not help anyone. Especially when Cole chose her because she was a warrior. Cole raised his hand, and Jenna snapped her mouth closed.

Cole said nothing. His eyes drifted off to stare at the wall behind us. Dax had told me a few months ago that his wolf barely speaks to him. Cole hasn't shifted in weeks. Dax believed Cole's wolf was angry with him, that his silence was a form of retaliation. I hadn't agreed. A wolf and their human are one, they are in sync. I know I couldn't make a serious decision without my wolf's help. However, with Cole standing before us now, it is clear Dax was right. Always the smartass. Cole's eyes became pitch black, all green drowned out. Instinctively, I bowed my head, the two wolves beside me did the same, and even Jenna had bared her neck.

"Did you come here to defy me?" The gravelly voice of my alpha boomed through the building. I straightened, my hand wrapping around Dax's forearm. My heartbeat increased. I was scared of the wolf before me, but I was more scared of someone hurting Scarlett.

"Alpha, that is not our intention. Scarlett is a member of this pack, and she asked for our help. We owe it to her." Dax spoke for me, keeping me tucked behind him. I didn't want to cower away, not when it came to Scarlett, but defying your Alpha was near impossible.

"You owe Scarlett Michaels nothing. However, I will give you three permissions to find her and assess the situation. Should you need help, call me. Otherwise, I don't want anything to do with her." The dark eyes of my Alpha had faded by the end of the sentence, leaving Cole to add the final remark. His wolf wanted Scarlett safe and well.

I thanked Cole, turning on my heel as quickly as I could and bolting from the Alpha's house. Dax was to my left and Justin to my right as we barrelled through the woodlands, my wolf using Scarlett's scent to track her. The howling of rogues had stopped, and the night air was calm. I smiled up at the moon as I stepped over the pack borders. We are coming for you, Scarlett.