Cursed Mate

The moon was its brightest that night, enough to illuminate the darkness by its beautiful, yet malevolent glow. It was only that time of the year that the moon would show a path to the Mountain of Wisdom—a very rare opportunity for those who were seeking answers to be granted such privilege. The mystical mountain would only show itself on the first full moon of a leap year and that was something that the alpha of one of the largest pack in North America was hoping to grab. That night, he followed the moon’s guidance with such urgency that he didn’t mind the coldness seeping through his limbs and his paws were sore from travelling miles away from his pack house without stopping. The weather was extra chilly that night despite of his thick fur and warm temperature, the coldness still seeped through like tiny shards of spiky glasses, cutting his insides, yet he endured it. He needed answers, and answers he would get. As he was about to lose his breath, an opening appeared from a distance. There was an inviting light coming from the inside of a cave and he knew it was what he was looking for. Without a second thought, he ran toward it and as soon as his paws stepped inside, he immediately felt his strength diminishing from his body and almost as if someone kicked him, he stumbled and his wolf got forcefully hauled off his body, forcing him to shift back from his human form. Indeed, the place was sacred and no magical creatures could enter as what the elders warned beforehand. “Welcome, Alpha of the moon shifter,” said a woman. Her voice was silky and enticing, almost seductive. He shook his head to clear his mind and stood up, his eyes searching, but remained alert. “I seek answers, oracle,” he said, roaming his eyes around, but all he could see was an empty cave with a hearth of fire in the corner. Then, out of nowhere, an enthralling laugh engulfed the cave. “Aren’t you all?” she asked, her voice was like music, coating the noisy chirping of the night insects. He briskly turned around and to his surprise, a very beautiful woman, almost unearthly was seated to an old oak chair near the hearth which wasn’t there a while ago. The myth was indeed true, he thought inwardly. Seeing the striking beauty of the woman in front of him, he almost got seduced if not for his recent mourning and might have been tempted. However, his desire for an answer was much stronger than anything else. He straightened his shoulders, ignoring his nakedness in front of the woman. “I’m—” “I know who you are,” she breathed in his ear, surprising him by her sudden nearness. “And, the answer that you seek comes with a great price, are you prepared for it?” He looked at the woman. She was serenely beautiful with long, raven hair that complemented her pale, yet shiny skin and a pair of charcoal, knowing eyes over her red luscious lips. Everything about her was charming, yet haunting and cunning. Yes, I’m prepared. “Lucinda,” he whispered her name. The smirk from her lips vanished. Seeing her change of expression, he went on. “As the alpha of the Blue moon, you are bound to answer all my questions. I need not remind you of your debt to my ancestors, woman.” Her eyes became violent. “Show your respect, you lowly dog!” Her sensual voice was replaced with seething. He sighed, becoming impatient. “Oracle, I beg your forgiveness for my crudeness, but my urgency knows no bound.” As he said it, he raised a crescent jade and when she saw it, her neck lit up, showing an ancient marking. Her face contorted as if the markings pained her. “Very well,” she said, her eyes fiery. “Voice your queries, Alpha of the Blue moon, as I am bound to answer your every query just as I was bound to comply to your ancestors and to your descendants as long as I live.” “What will be my daughter’s fate?” The oracle smirked. “Are you certain you want to know?” “Yes.” “The answer you seek might not be the answer you would want to hear,” she taunted. The woman was losing his patience, but he knew that she wouldn’t be able to lie as an oracle. “I still want to hear it.” “Alright then.”                                                                        =============