On Her Professor’s Bed: Alpha’s Plaything

The Curse

Chapter Twenty

Talon Maverick

“Arguing with your wolf again?” The familiar voice that always managed to calm my nerves echoed in my ears. I turned just in time for her to crash into me. “Brother!”

Vaelora Maed Ashford, my seventeen-year-old younger sister. When I was younger, I used to wonder why the age gap between us was so wide. Mother would always say Vael was conceived when they hadn’t planned for another child. At first, I thought she was too much to handle, but now she was my solace. I had no worries whenever she was around.

“I missed you, brother. Why won’t you let me into your estate?” she whined, adjusting her arms around my neck.

“I was away from the castle on business, and it could’ve been dangerous. I didn’t want to put anyone in danger…”

“What could be dangerous?” Mother joined us, her voice laced with suspicion. “Are you hiding something from us?”

I set Vael down and moved to Mother’s side. “Of course not. I have nothing to hide from you,” I replied with a smile as I resumed walking toward my quarters. “I was just trying to keep Vael at bay. You know how she can be,” I whispered.

“I heard you, Talon Maverick Ashford!” Vael shouted, running off.

She knew Mother would scold her for calling me by my name, but honestly, I didn’t care. She was the one person who didn’t care about titles and saw me for who I truly was, even without the need for an undercover role.

“I heard you ordered the guards to imprison one of the elders. Why, Talon? Do you still think the elders and council were involved in your father’s death?” Mother asked, her voice softer now.

“Everyone except Uncle,” I snapped. “And Mother, you know I don’t like talking about this.”

I’d watched my father, a strong man with so much power and authority, being pulled down by the very people he trusted the most. After extensive investigation, I concluded that the one who killed him was a member of the pack council, but I couldn’t determine which one. Until I find the traitor, every one of them is involved as far as I’m concerned.

The only reason I still kept them in their positions was to keep them close, within my grasp, so I could crush them when the time came.

“Well...” my mother sighed. “I just hope you don’t make the wrong decision.”

Even if I was going to make a wrong decision, no one had the right to call it that. I’d always be right, because I’m the alpha, ruler of all packs. No one dares to defy my word, unless they have a death wish.

“I have things to attend to. I’ll leave now,” my mother stated, patting my shoulder before turning to leave.

I turned to the guard nearby. “Bring me the soothsayer,” I ordered, and he hurried off.

I made my way to my quarters, the guards trailing behind me. Although I didn’t want a Luna, there were compromises I had to make for the future of the kingdom. I needed someone in that position to bear me a son who would take over when I was gone. But I wasn’t about to pick just any woman for such a task. If anything, it had to be my mate—but that was impossible. I would never find my mate.

When I arrived at my quarters, I entered the room, and a few seconds later, the soothsayer followed. I motioned for him to take a seat before me.

“Have you found a way out yet?” I asked. He was the only one who knew about the curse I had been battling for years.

The soothsayer’s face twisted into a grim expression, and I already knew what his answer would be before he spoke.

“I have tried everything, my lord,” he said softly, eyes downcast. “But I haven’t found a solution. There is no cure for this curse that I can see.”

His words hit me like a blow to the chest. No solution? After years of searching, after every ritual, every concoction I’d forced myself to endure, there was still nothing?

I thought the curse was nothing at first, that I’d overcome it with few rituals and concoctions, but it seemed as though the moon goddess had refused to forgive me for the sin I committed. But then, there should be a way, there should be way to appease the gods. That was the only job this damn soothsayer ha, but he still couldn’t do it right?

“Do you mean I’ll have to live with this curse for the rest of my life?”

He hung his head. “I’m unable to say that, my lord!”

My teeth gritted. This damn curse!