Alpha Knight’s Cursed Mate

NIRVANA We made it to Portland. I didn’t even know how to feel or what to say meeting relatives I’d never met. I always thought that after I learned that my parents died, it was just me and my grandfather.

Knight pressed the doorbell to a two-story suburban house.

“Is this always wet around here?” My question made him smile.

“There are many werewolves in Portland. And your distant relatives are one of them.”

“I’m surprised that you know.”

“Your grandpa told me when he visited California. I forgot to tell you about that.” He rang the doorbell again. This time, I heard footsteps coming to the door.

“It was a difficult time for both of us.”

The door swung open. A man around Knight’s age stood at the door, looking confused as he sniffed the air. He somehow looked friendly and kind. “Can I help you?”

“Dylan Hedrew?”

“Yes. Who’s asking?”

“I know you know her,” said Knight. “Case knows we’re coming here to see you.”

“What’s this all about?” Dylan nodded as he opened the door wide. “Come in.”

I followed Knight as he entered the house. Three more men were inside, putting a bow and baseball bats down. I instantly sensed Knight’s cynicism rising.

“Expecting somebody else?”

“You’re not a werewolf,” he told me, “but you know about us, and his scent is all over you.”

“Yes. I figured that out weeks ago. By the way, I’m Nirvana, and this is my mate, Knight Blackwell. He is my alpha.”

“Alpha Knight, you’re the man who owned the winery.” He acknowledged Knight’s position.

“Yes.”

“Pleasure to meet you, distant cousin Nirvana. These are Kol, Niko, and Phin.”

“Nice to meet you.” I waved at them.

They nodded before they went to the kitchen.

“Have a seat. You traveled far to see me. This must be important.”

I took a seat beside Knight.

“We’re here to know and meet you. I know this is surprising, but it helps her learn the secret of her family.”

“You came to the wrong place. I’m not the right person to teach her that. My parents turned their backs on their family secrets. They live their merry lives in Boston.”

“When you said she’s not a werewolf, you know why she’s not one of us.”

“I know about the curse of our bloodlines. Since my mother gave birth to a boy, I’m an exemption. How to undo it? I have no idea.”

“I know. None of us are.”

“If you know a witch or anyone who knows about the curse, maybe they can help Nirvana.”

“It’s fine. I want to know about Katzius’ descendants.”

He stood up. “Come with me. I will help you however I can.”

Knight and I followed him upstairs, and then a tiny ladder led to the attic.

“I have old photos and journals of my grandmother.” He carried an old box and dropped it on the floor. The dust flew everywhere.

“That’s great. I’d like to see it.”

“Go ahead.” He gestured, and I sat down on the floor.

Knight was about to help me, but Dylan stopped him. “Don’t. Don’t touch it.”

“What’s wrong?” Knight sounded worried.

“Maybe it’s spell-protected, and only our bloodline can touch it. My friend came here and touched a trinket. It set his arm on fire.”

“Nirvana, be careful,” Knight told me urgently.

“I have a fire extinguisher downstairs.”

When Knight narrowed his eyes at him, he added, “Just in case, but you have to try if this is important for you, Nirvana.”

“It is.” I touched the box and instantly felt the vibration tingling against my skin. I looked at them. “It certainly is protected. I can feel it.”

“Feel comfy. I’ll bring some refreshments for both of you.”

“Can you trust your friends down?” Knight asked.

“Yes. We’ve known each other for years and are from the same pack.”

“Why were you with a bow and bats? Are you in trouble?”

“Something is going on around here. Some members of the neighboring pack acted insane, like possessed or something. It’s weird.”

“What about humans?” My question made Knight look at me.

“None that I know of. Just werewolves. Last week, I didn’t know if he was high or something because lately, someone has been selling a powder-like substance, and the effect is like coke and heroin combined, and he just ran into the bus.”

I gasped. Knight and I looked at each other, and my mind quickly went to what my mother had told me.

“You should be very careful. If you can stay at home, that’s better.” I opened the box, and I found a photo album on top.

“Sweetheart, are you okay with being alone here for a while?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Knight and Dylan went downstairs, leaving me with the box I hoped would reveal my family history.

I opened the photo album. According to the date on the photographs, the first few pictures were taken in the nineties. I had never met them before, except for the first person on the left. It was Grandpa Case.

I flipped to another page where a photo was black and white. There was no date, but maybe in the seventies or late sixties based on their outfit.

I gasped as I recognized Ambrose. He didn’t age. He looked the same as last week.

“Oh, my God.” I ran my finger on his image. He was really ancient.From NôvelDrama.Org.

I checked the back page, and a single photograph fell on my lap. I instantly recognized my parents, not the man with curly blond hair. I put it aside.

“Okay. I hope you are what I’m looking for.” I grabbed a journal and unfastened it, but it wouldn’t open. I tried it harder, but the pages wouldn’t budge. Somehow, it is protected. This must be important.

I wasn’t a witch or knew a single spell. I dialed Zarah.

“You made it to Portland?” she answered with a question.

“Yes. Thanks for the help. Dylan told us that something weird is going on here.”

“Focus on your task, Nirvana.”

“Why? Because we don’t have much time?”

“I take it you learned something from your stay in Alaska?”

“Yes. Alpha Frye has collections of ancient books, and Evelyn found something about the spirit.”

“That’s good. Now tell me, why are you calling me?”

“I found a journal in Dylan’s attic. His grandmother owned it, but it won’t open.”

“Try reciting your full name, or maybe it needs to be unlocked by your blood.”

“So I have to cut my finger?” I sighed.

“If the first one won’t work.”

“Shit. Maybe I should keep a bottle of my blood. It may come in handy.” I rolled my eyes.

“Go ahead. Call me back if you learn anything.”

“Bye.” I placed my palm on the journal. “Blakely Nirvana Woodrow Thorne, daughter of Sophie and Ezra Thorne.”

I rolled my eyes when nothing happened until I noticed the pointy edge at the upper right side. I pressed my thumb on it, prickling my skin, and it magically opened effortlessly.

I chuckled at my naivety.

The journal opened on the page about The Dagger- the blood dagger. The size seemed small, around seven to nine inches long. “A blood dagger is to be believed could kill any beings. A dagger made of the strongest metal on earth is soaked by the blood of beings of three kinds. A spell is read while the blood dripping is performed.”

Well damn.

The image seemed to be calling me. I felt the pull to touch it. I ran my fingers through the drawing. It was delicately designed that was capable of being used as a weapon. It had a golden silvery handle and a black blade, but something was carved into it. It was nothing I had ever seen before.

Something was written down on the lower part of the page.

“Chant and conceal.” Now we had another problem-locating the dagger.

Crap.

“Knight, I think I found something.”