Chapter 12: The Moon Curse

I made my way towards my men wondering to myself if ignoring her was the best thing to do.

I couldn't help it, I was embarrassed of what I almost did last night.

"That was quick. Trouble in paradise?" Viktor asked, cutting through my thought with a voice filled with sarcasm, his sharp gaze already analyzing me.

"Hmm." I grunted in response, unwilling to indulge him.

'What do we do Kai?’ I called out internally, my mind searching for my Lycan. ‘She doesn't seem to remember last night, that's a good thing right?' I asked only to be replied with silence.

I could feel Viktor's questioning gaze lingering over me like a second skin

"You look pale, Dante." His voice held an edge of concern now, his teasing momentarily forgotten.

"I'm fine," I coldly replied. But was I truly fine?

"It's the bond isn't it? It's almost that time again" Viktor whispered as his gaze fell on my tent.

That time again.

The words rang in my ears.

I raised my gaze to my tent where Kira was.

Refusing to claim Kira because she wasn't conscious wasn't the only reason I had to stop last night.

There was something more.

Something dangerous.

And if I'm not careful, there will be disaster.

For years now, during the time of the blood moon Kai and I had always acted hysterically and irrational like we were on fire like the full moon itself became our enemy, and it got worse each time.

My father had said the reason was because Kai and I were different from the rest of the Lycans and in desperate need of our mate, because she alone holds the cure.

He had once told me a story—no, not a story.

It was a warning, plain as day.

And it has to do with me, Kai and my mate.

I needed to be careful, I needed to keep Kai in check for both of our good.

We can't allow the curse of the mate bond to ruin us.

Yes, due to the prophecy, the mate bond is more of a curse to us than a blessing.

It's a good thing we've found our mate after years of searching but what happens next, is dependent on how careful we are and how much self control we possess.

The blood moon was a week away and already I could feel the madness creeping in.

I heaved a deep sigh as I retraced my eyes from my tent.

I stared at Viktor with an expressionless look on my face. "I'm fine, is the carriage ready?"

He quietly nodded before pointing at it "Yes it is."

"And the gifts? What did you do with them?" I spoke calmly as I stared at the Carriage that was meant to accommodate myself and Kira.

"I took care of them, they won't be a disturbance to both of you" Viktor replied with a grin plastered on his face as he walked towards the other men in the clearing.

At that moment, Kira stepped out of the tent.

Kai finally stirred.

Mate.

“Tsk.” I clicked my tongue.

“It takes our mate to bring out a reaction from the silent Kai.” I taunted him.

But truth be told, I wasn’t much better.

I stared at her as she approached us, my heart beating fast against my chest.

She was wearing my clothes that I had placed near her while she was sound asleep this morning. The oversized garment hung loosely on her petite frame, making it look more like a dress, as she slowly walked towards me, her chestnut brown hair complimenting her tan skin and emerald green eyes.

She looked—perfect.

Yes, she was wearing my clothes, a silent claim that she belonged to me—no one else.

"Are you ready for the journey?” I asked, my voice softening unconsciously as I smiled down at her. “Hope you're comfortable?"

Her cheeks became a mix of crimson and rose pink as she nodded, making Kai stir again.

The moment I opened the door to the carriage for Kira to enter, I understood what Viktor had meant when he said he had arranged the gifts so they wouldn't disturb us.

"That sly..."

He had arranged all the gifts on one of the benches, making sure that the other bench would be free enough to accommodate Kira and I.

From the corner of my eyes I saw Viktor flash me a mischievous smile as Kira quietly stared at me then at the empty bench before she entered the carriage.

I sat beside her, while she silently stared out the window as we began our bumpy ride on the dirt filled pathway

Each time the carriage hit a bump I'd hear her quietly yelp. It's obvious she wasn't used to this and she was obviously cold.

"Ou.." she whimpered, trying to stifle the sound.

I didn’t think.

I just reacted.

"Are you okay?" I said as I quickly held her protectively by her waist drawing her closer to me, resisting the temptations her scent was ministering in my head since our journey began.

'Curses. I'm going to teach Viktor a lesson'

"I'm... I'm fine, I… uhm…I didn't get the chance to thank you yesterday" she stammered, speaking in a low voice.

She paused. "Thank you"

Her words caught me off guard.

I quickly removed my arm from her waist, creating distance between us.

"It's no big deal," I muttered, my voice rougher than I intended.

Then I glanced at her again.

"Your injuries… they’ve healed fast." My voice softened slightly. "It’s… amazing.”

'Yet the injury in our heart runs deep, sigh' Kai sarcastically said. ‘And if she's already healed, why does she keep going unconscious?'

"It's all thanks to you." She offered me a sweet little smile that made her emerald eyes glint.

I felt something tighten in my chest.

Her smile… it did things to me.

"Where are we headed to, Your highness?" Kira whispered as she darted her eyes towards the gifts and then back to me.

"A betrothal ceremony" I replied and her face slightly contorted as she slowly nodded her head.

"Ohh" she quietly said before looking back at the window

'Arghh… What is wrong with you? She probably thinks we're the ones getting married to someone else you dimwit.' Kai angry words echoed in my head.

And that’s when it hit me.

She thinks we’re the ones getting married.

Damn it.

"You idiot," Kai groaned. Fix it.

"It's not... it's not for me." I quickly said

"What?" Came her low response as she stared back at me in confusion.

I offered her a warm smile, trying to clarify the misunderstanding. "The gifts, I mean, they're not mine. I'm on my way to a betrothal ceremony so I have to.."

"It's fine, I understand, Your Highness."

Her words knocked the air out of me.

The way she said them… like she had already accepted it.

Like she had already resigned herself to a fate that wasn’t even real.

I immediately fell quiet, unsure of what to say or do.

Kai sighed in frustration.

'You just made everything feel awkward.'