The Alpha's Mate--Cursed Heart

Reflections

Episode Ten—Reflections

Marcus POV:

I remember the sun rising, orange and red hues draping over the clouds above me.  My eyes fell heavy as I finished my project in the workshop.  The rose I had plucked earlier in the wee hours of morning beneath my hand and the portrait of Moriah in front of me, my fingertips laid upon her cheek as I decided to lay my head down for a moment, only to drift off into slumber. 

I don’t know how long I laid there, but my dreams led me on a road I never wanted to leave.  Every inch of Moriah embedded in my heart and mind, which was filled with desire.  My subconscious allowed me moments that I had wished for the previous night…she was in my arms and we were dancing to a slow medley.  She looked up at me with the same want and desire that I held for her.  Captivated by her vision, I leaned my head down to capture the sweetness of her lips.  But before I could reach her, another voice called out to me dissipating my dream.

“Marcus.”

My eyes slowly opened up, breaking the euphoria of my dream, to find Seraphina standing beside me.  As she slowly came into focus, I saw that her delicate face was filled with worry as her soft calming voice continued, “After Saros told me of his conversation with you last night, I had hoped you would be resting comfortably in your bedroom.  Yet, it appears you haven’t slept at all, keeping yourself quite busy throughout the night in fact.”

Dressed in a deep emerald green velvet lined dress that highlighted her flawless ivory skin, Seraphina’s tiny stature would remind someone of a beautiful fairy.  Her long blond hair with small braids perfectly pulled back on the sides to accentuate her diamond shaped face flowed across her shoulders in the light breeze.  One would never think that behind the pure innocence of her appearance was a powerful witch who was the closest thing to family that I had left.

Seraphina had been a part of my world since I was four.  Like Vincent, she was a year older than me and came to live in the castle after my father found her abandoned in the woods early one morning while on patrol with his pack.  During the next few years, Seraphina and I grew incredibly close, like brother and sister, and my father loved her like his own daughter, even though most considered her an outsider because she was a rogue witch, a child with no one to train her properly how to utilize her talent.  They considered her a danger.  But my father felt quite differently…he would always tell me that Seraphina’s purpose in our lives was to bring happiness and joy, despite the curse or anything that fate had in mind.  

And as it turned out, Seraphina grasped her talent with a vengeance, reading everything she could get her hands on with regards to her craft and surprisingly, found the ability to teach herself so well that even the most skilled witches who encountered her found themselves impressed.   Her natural abilities were both powerful and precise.  Part of me hoped that if anyone could save me from the curse, it would be Seraphina.  We had talked about it on many occasions and she would always tell me, “It’s up to us to break generational curses.  When we are told that it runs in the family, we simply tell them that this is where it ends!”

Remembering her actions from last night, I asked in a tired daze, “Are you feeling better this morning?”

Quite curiously, my question seemed to make her a bit nervous as she diverted my gaze, running her hands down the velvet lining, uttering uncomfortably, “Yes.”

As a realization suddenly jolted throughout my being, my senses became clearer on several levels as I whispered out brokenheartedly, “You saw everything beforehand, didn't you?  That’s why you didn’t join me.”

Seraphina parted her lips to speak, only to hesitate and turn towards Moriah’s portrait, refusing to look back in my direction.  Picking up the drawing, I noticed her hands trembling slightly as she finally exhaled out, “She is breathtaking.  Even more so than my vision allowed me to see.”

My throat ran dry with her acknowledgement.  I found myself unable to speak for a moment as anger began to course through my veins.  I reached out to snatch the portrait from her hands as I growled out, “Why didn’t you warn me?  More importantly, why did you abandon me when you knew!”

Seraphina remained calm at my outburst, her sorrowful eyes returning to me, bearing into my soul as she tenderly replied, “I did not abandon you.  I hope in understanding that, you will find it easier to forgive me for my absence last night.  It—It was necessary.”

“Necessary?” I emphatically argued, “How was it necessary to cause me this much pain?  If you had warned me, I never would have gone last night!  I never would have met Moriah!”  Hearing her name pass from my lips, I immediately looked down, my eyes locking with hers as her stunning gaze stared back at me from the parchment.  Even I wasn't convinced by my declaration.  Would my life really be any better not to have Moriah in my mind and heart?  To not experience what it truly felt like to love?

Seraphina remained steadfast as she comforted, “Regardless of the unfortunate circumstance, she is your MATE!  Even if I had warned you, fate would not have let you off so easily, Marcus.  If not last night, then your meeting may have been delayed, but in the end, inevitable.  Everything about my vision made it very clear…this was meant to be.  I had to allow it to happen…I could not interfere.  What’s meant to be will always find a way.”

“So, this is the curse’s vengeance on me,” I spitefully seethed, “An impossible one-sided love!”

“The curse’s vengeance is indeed your current torture,” Seraphina reasoned, “But the difference between impossible and possible is simply one’s own acceptance and determination.”

I wondered if she had seen something else as I implored, “Your vision, did it give any indication—”

“I could only see last night,” Seraphina gently interrupted, “Which means the rest has yet to be determined.  But judging by the way you are staring at your portrait of her, you are not yet completely convinced of the impossibility of Moriah returning your affection.”

“Yes,” I sighed, “It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?  Although every word from her tells me otherwise.  In her eyes though…”  I trailed off for a moment, “It gives me the ability to dream of a different outcome.”

Reaching out, Seraphina picked up my project from the center of the table in her hands.  The walnut planks were now fashioned into a large wooden box trimmed with intricate intertwined red roses hand painted on the sides.  Atop the box was a circle of vines and roses with an “M” in the center and sparkling golden edges against the dark brown stain throughout, “And this?”

As I examined every detail of my creation in her hands, I couldn’t help but smile, “A gift that in my search for possibility, I will have Vincent give to her upon their next meeting.  In fact, to complete it, I will need your assistance.”

Seraphina’s eyebrow raised in suspicious confusion, “You are well aware that my artistic ability can only be reflected in magic.  I do not see how I could assist you in any way, other than a love spell, which would not serve either of you well as it will not be true love.  Besides, your gift is perfect the way it is.”

“It is not quite perfect yet,” I reiterated, “but I promise you, with your help, it will be.  No love spells, I promise.”

After a bewildered laugh, Seraphina replied, “Well, if it will help you forgive me, I will be happy to help.”

Swallowing hard, I assured her, “I will always forgive you, Seraphina.  I know that neither of us would hurt the other if it were at all avoidable.  As you said, it is fate’s hand.”

Seraphina’s smile reflected her immense relief, “Thank you for forgiving me so quickly.”  Just as quickly as relief covered her expression, a darkness shaded her eyes as she asked, “But, tell me…Moriah’s illness…in my vision, I saw your interaction in the drawing room, but your voices held no sound.  Did she give you any indication of what the source is?”

“She did,” I reluctantly stated, “but I gave my word to maintain her confidence of the knowledge.  I can tell you that she receives assistance from Alec’s confidant, Lenore.”

“Lenore,” Seraphina repeated with a hint of sarcasm, before inquiring, “And her methods appear to be successful?”

“From what I can tell,” I confirmed, “Yes.” 

“And her wolf?” Seraphina asked, “Does it suffer?”

“There is no wolf,” I exasperated out.

Seraphina was shocked, her eyes wide and her voice hoarse, “What?  Are you sure?”

“There is NO WOLF!” I growled out loudly, just as I had done the previous night, my anger returning in a protective fierce defiance.

Seraphina backed up a few steps, taking in my response with deep concern as she consoled, “I am sorry.  It is obvious that I have trespassed on your confidence with Moriah.”  Her eyes drifted back to the box as she muttered spitefully under her breath, “Lenore!” 

I could see a touch of venom form in Seraphina’s eyes, something that alerted both my wolf and myself. “We have both long known of Lenore’s presence in Alec’s circle, yet I have never seen the bitterness in your appearance and tone when it relates to her until this moment.  Is there something troubling you about her assistance to Moriah?”

“No,” Seraphina flatly replied, placing the box back on the table before slowly running her fingers along the outline of Moriah’s initial in the center, “Lenore is indeed powerful and is faithful to Alec.  I’m sure she is doing exactly what he has asked of her.”

************

Alec’s POV:

I woke up just as the sun started to rise in the distance. Quickly, I walked over and secured the drapes to drown out the infiltrating light so Lexi would not be stirred from her sleep.  A visit needed to be made…a visit that would be best made during her slumber.  I grabbed my clothes and quietly made my way out of the room, walking down the hallway to a guest room to ready myself. 

After taking great care in making sure I would meet expectations, I took one last look in the mirror. 

“We are beginning to look old, Alec,” I chuckled at myself, pulling at the fine lines forming around my eyes, “And more and more like father.”  In that instant, memories of our last talk sent me into a momentary daze as I started down the stairwell towards the west wing…

“My son,” Father weakly called out, “You now know the truth.  As my time is done, my unfulfilled destiny is now bestowed to you.  You know what must be done…and you know how.  Do not let me down again.”

“After all you have sacrificed,” I promised, “I will make sure our destiny is finally fulfilled.  I wish you had entrusted me with this before today.”

Tears formed around the edges of Father’s eyes, “I was not sure you would understand…the love you have for your mother…”

“First and foremost, I am my father’s son,” I vigorously confirmed, “We are so much more alike than you have ever allowed yourself to believe.”

Swallowing back his emotions from my words, Father was having a hard time catching his breath as he heavily choked out, “Lenore…she is the key.  Use that!  Use her love for you!”

Reaching Lenore’s door, I pushed the memory back into its box, took a deep breath, and softly laid three short knocks upon the heavy wood giving her our secret signal that I was alone.  Within moments, Lenore opened the door wide enough for me to walk inside before closing and locking it behind me.  Before she could turn around, I took her by the waist and in one motion, snapped her around to face me, slamming her against the sturdy frame, and crashed my lips hard upon hers.  In her shock, her lips parted and I took full advantage, my tongue dominating hers as my hands found their way to her breasts, massaging them as my thumbs tweaked her n*****s.   Her willingness to my advances were undeniable as her moans vibrated against my lips and her arms wrapped around my neck tightly. 

What I was doing went against everything I believed and truly sickened me to my core.  But I knew it was necessary to complete the destiny that my father had so carefully and diligently put in motion.  Lenore had been in love with me since we were very young and she was one of the most powerful witches I had ever encountered.  I needed her by my side…and I needed her to believe she owned a part of my heart.  By believing that, she would do anything for me and the power I desired would be mine.

For my amorous façade to be believable, I typically envisioned her as one of my many conquests.  Today, Lenore became Katelyn in my mind.  I was able to make myself believe that every touch, every kiss, every returned affection was her.  I wanted her so badly, I lost myself in that dream.  I went after my desires with a passionate vigor as I released my throbbing erection, ripped the clothes off my vice against the door, and entered her wet core, pounding her so hard that our bodies slammed against one another in sensual pleasure. 

“Oh, Alec!” Lenore rasped out in an impassioned moan, but the moan I heard in my mind had Katelyn’s melodic tone.  It aroused me further causing even more enthusiasm in my domination of desire.  My lips devoured her neck as I pushed aside Lenore's long red hair and made my way down to her breasts.  My lips parted to allow my teeth to bite at her hard protruding n*****s until they were red and throbbing against my tongue. 

The motion of our bodies were in complete unison even under the pressure of our forceful—almost violent—passionate connection.  As Lenore began her intense climax, her insides clinched my shaft so powerfully that I felt my rapture come to a boiling point to join in her satisfaction.  Bringing my gaze back up to her face, however, my imagination still allowed me to continue my dream as I only saw Katelyn’s image in front of me.

Lenore’s body was still pinned under mine against the door as we attempted to catch our breath.  The vision of Katelyn slowly faded as I came down from my ecstasy and my eyes were now focusing on Lenore, whose brown eyes danced happily as her lips curved up in a wide smile of contentment, “So voracious this morning!  I may have to take longer trips more often if your longing for me fruitions into this!”

Dutifully, as usual to maintain the façade, I lowered my lips to hers for a long lingering kiss before replying, “I always miss you when you are not by my side.”

“Not always,” Lenore teased, running her hand through my hair to curve around the back of my head, “What about your other extra-curricular activities?”

I let out an irritated sigh, “Let’s not ruin a wonderful moment with silly insecurities, shall we?  We have gone over this many times.  My dalliances are for specific reasons to achieve our goals.”  To smooth things over as I always did when the subject came up, I tightened my hold on Lenore as I took her lips in mine, making sure to add the hint of passion she loved most—sucking on her bottom lip before parting, “I will always come home…and home is you.”

I hated having to express myself in this way to Lenore.  At least the woman took every falsehood as truth.  Her visions must be blinded by her love for me, for she never doubted my words or “feelings”.

Lenore looked deep into my eyes, “So explain the woman you were dancing with last night.  My vision was unusually fuzzy in detail.”

“Fuzzy?” I curiously inquired, setting her feet back on the ground, grateful for a distraction from her real question, “That is an odd occurrence for you.”

Gently pushing me aside, Lenore walked over to her bed and picked up her robe laying on the end, turning towards me as she wrapped it around her pale thin frame and smiled brightly, “I am not perfect, my love.  It does happen…especially when I am excitedly preoccupied with potion experiments for a certain someone.”

I grabbed my pants from the floor before eagerly walking up and placing my arm around Lenore’s waist, “Excitedly preoccupied?  That sounds promising!  Tell me more!”

Lenore leaned back from me and let out a soft sarcastic laugh, “Not until I get my answer first…the woman?”

“Simply Vincent’s wife, who I innocently danced with as a show of our new alliance,” I brushed off, pulling her back into my embrace, enthusiastically compelling, “Now tell me…have you found the answer to our problem?”

There was a gleam in her eyes as Lenore broke away from me and walked towards the table on the other side of the room to pick up a wine bottle before slowing making her way back towards me, seductively asking, “Do you have any idea how hard it was to travel for four days just to get a look at the rare centuries old dark magic book from an old hag deep within a forest?   She has been hidden so long, everyone thought she was dead and the book gone forever!  Lucky for you, your trackers were finally able to locate her and my mother left me with a large collection of rare belladonna roots that assisted me in swaying her.  She swears this will work.  And if it does…you and I can finally move forward with our plans!”

I took the bottle from her hand and lied, my tone betraying her, “Of course!  But first, let’s see if the old hag was indeed our answer all along!  Looks like it is time to summon Xavier back to the castle!”

***************

Seraphina POV:

After assisting Marcus with his little project, I left him at the cottage and made my way back to the castle.   He was not the only one with a sleepless night and as such, I felt just as exhausted as he did. 

I laid down on my bed and lightly pulled on the chain necklace around my neck to bring my amulet out from beneath my dress and grasped it in my palm.  I needed to go to my calm place and I was in hopes that a special visitor would join me as she had done so many times before. 

Closing my eyes, I felt myself drift off transporting me on my journey back to the small stone cottage deep in the woods.  A smile crossed my face as I looked down the pebble pathway towards the rounded grey stones and dark wooden door surrounded by a trellis of tiny pink roses.  My childhood home…oh how I missed it!

Walking up, I opened the doorway and walked in, immediately directing my attention to the fireplace.  If she was here there would be a…fire!  Excitement flowed through my veins as the kindling flames greeted me. 

A soft familiar voice called out to me, “Hello, my sweet girl!  My beautiful Phina!”

“Mother!” I exclaimed, running over to embrace her, “I didn’t know if you would be here! It is unusual for me to be able to see you two visits in a row!  ”

My mother laughed as she returned my affections, soothing, “After last night’s events, you knew I would be here.  I am always here for guidance, sweet girl…always here when the time is right.  That is the purpose of our amulet.”

That part was true.  The day my mother died and our home destroyed, she had given me the amulet and told me that I was to wear it always in order to carry me back to our home…and to her when I needed her most.  She had told me of my purpose and part of the knowledge that both she and her sister had discovered in a vision they shared shortly before they were taken from this world.  I was but a young child--only five years old--yet she knew I had the foresight and intellect to remember every word she told me…and to follow the path that had been made clear to her in the vision.  Over the years, we had connected many times in our home.  As I grew, she taught me about my craft and helped me understand my powerful talent…a talent that had been revered for generations in my family until I was orphaned and looked down upon as a rogue.  I was the last of our line…and according to Mother, was the most powerful witch of them all.

Powerful or not, what made my journey so difficult was my mother’s refusal to give me all the details at once.  There was so much I didn’t know and I couldn’t understand why everything had to unfold in such a way.  So, I asked the same question I had asked her many times before, even though I already knew her answer, “Mother, why does this all have to be so difficult?  Why didn’t you tell me that Marcus’ mate, the one I have been waiting all these years for, was Alec’s sister?  That Moriah is—” I choked up, unable to complete the rest.

Mother let out a long knowing breath, “As I have told you before, Phina, the plan that fate set in motion cannot be interfered with.  We simply must follow its lead.  Your role—”

“My role is to protect Marcus and when the time is right, all will reveal itself.” I chanted out the rest, having heard it countless times before.

Mother reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing it supportively as she smiled down at me, “It won’t be long now, Phina, I promise.” 

I looked deeply into Mother’s piercing blue eyes.  She had remained untouched in death…still youthful, beautiful, and loving.  Her blond hair cascading across her shoulders as she stood before me in her favorite purple dress outlined with golden leaves on the cuffs and along the hemline.  Her deep piercing blue eyes carried the same constant patience and adoration in them that I remembered fondly from my childhood and her pear shaped face with high cheekbones and thin pink lips that were curled up in her gentle smile.  It made my heart ache that I was only able to see her in my dreams. 

Mother broke into my quiet reflection as she praised, “You did well with your protection spell, my Phina.  I know it was not easy to make your way to Vincent’s castle last night, but by putting up your shield around Marcus and his friends, Lenore was unable to fully see the events unfold.  Your powers are indeed impressive to cloak them from her!”

“But, Moriah,” I replied sorrowfully, “She doesn’t return Marcus’ affections or connection and according to him, there is no wolf!  I thought the reason for them finally coming together was—”

“Fate has put their destiny into motion.  Do not worry about Moriah's wolf,” Mother interjected, “What is meant to be cannot be changed in their path.  Not even by you, no matter how much you care about Marcus and want to protect him.”

“He should not have to suffer this way,” I argued, “Please…I beg you…tell me he will be alright.  Tell me he will not only live, but know the love that he so rightly deserves.”

Mother grazed her hand down my long blond locks before bringing it back up to cup my cheek as she lovingly replied, “Marcus is strong, my Phina.  Stronger than you give him credit for, which is why he was chosen long ago to rescue Moriah from her current path and have her as his chosen mate.  As I have told you before, I cannot tell you certain aspects of what has been set forth as one unwelcomed move could potentially change the outcome.  It will be the defeat of Alec and Lenore, as well as the choices made by both Marcus and Moriah that will determine the end result.  For the sake of all, the end result must be Moriah's survival, no matter the cost.”

I nodded silently, taking in my mother’s beauty and grace for a moment before hoping out loud, “So, this means I will be seeing more of you for at least a little while.”

“I am always with you, sweet girl,” Mother comforted, bringing me in to hug tightly, “Just as I will always be with you.”

I laid my head on her chest, relishing the feel of her arms around me, finally deciding to ask my own burning question that I held within me since I first learned of my mission, “And what of me?  What happens after I have served my purpose?”

“Well,” Mother chuckled, “I have waited many years for you to ask me that.”  Leaning back, her warm smile assured me, “You are so selfless, Phina.  Know that there are still great things ahead of you in this life.  Including love…a love like you have never known!  Just keep yourself open to it, my sweet girl!”