Cursed By Fate

Carl and Laura arrived at the bridge leading to the bayou. He parked just beside the bridge as they both got down. He picked up a bag pack from the trunk and shut it before they proceeded on foot .

They walked until the reached the tree line. “You know you don’t have to do this right ?” Carl said to Laura, trying to discourage her from following him all the way . The dream he had still played back vividly in his head and he didn’t want to risk it coming to life .

“Wherever you go , I go , that’s the deal.” Laura said reassuringly and locked her fingers in his. As the walked through the forest alot of it had become unfamiliar to Carl, perhaps it was because it had been years since he walked through.

However he was determined not to get lost as he found his way to the first cabin after walking for over ten minutes. It so happened to be Elijah’s home but since he was out training the younger warriors, his pregnant wife was the one who saw them first.

“Who are you ?”she asked defensively as she placed one hand above her belly. Carl let go of Laura’s hand and placed both hands up in an attempt to show her he meant no harm.

“We mean no harm” Laura said as she tried to pacify the she-wolf. “That doesn’t answer my question” Elijah’s wife replied as she bore out her fangs and her eyes changed in color.

“My name is Carl Ramirez, son of the great Alpha Ramirez, I am a member of your pack ” carl replied as he watched the expression on her face change. Her eyes filled with tears as she walked towards them hastily.

“Oh my goodness, it can’t be, after all this time, where have you been ?” Elijah’s wife cried as she knelt before them. But Carl needed not her grovelling. He knew he was from royal decent but he never lived like that. At least not for a very long time.

” Get up . I want you to take me to my mother at once ” he demanded as she raised her head to look at him .

“Forgive me but I cannot do that ” she replied. She went further to explain the current state of the pack under his step brother’s leadership and what had become of his beloved mother.

“I cannot take you to your death my lord , I’m sorry.” Tears filled Carl’s eyes for he blamed himself for leaving in the first place. Laura tried to comfort him but that proved abortive as his grief slowed turned into anger.

“You’re welcome to wait for my Husband” she said as she pointed towards their cabin. Seeing he had no alternative he decided to wait. Elijah’s wife introduced herself as Anne and welcomed them into her home.

She poured both of them a glass of water and asked what else she could offer them as they waited. “You’re pregnant” Jack said as he observed another heartbeat coming from within her belly.

She smiled a little before going ahead to nodd in agreement. She went further to explain how she had lost a child to the hunters a few years back and Laura’s eyes widened as tears filled them.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I’m sorry, are you okay ” Anne asked Confused as to why she was crying. Carl explained how Jack had caused her father to be murdered. “So you’re the daughter of the man who was killed falsely. I’m genuinely sorry for your loss ” Anne said finally understanding why Laura was so emotional.

On the other side of the Bayou, Elijah and Alfred sat down to discuss what had been bothering the Alpha’s spy as it was glaring something was wrong and they had grown closer during the days leading to the impeding battle.

Alfred narrated the horrible memory that tormented him, and how Louis had him massacre innocents all in the name of triggering a reaction with the hunters.

At the end he pleaded with Elijah to go on as if he knew nothing of these plans for any action taken in revolt would ultimately result to their deaths .

*****

Damian carried his father back through the forest making sure to be careful of the arrow still lodged in his chest. He knew it was poisonous as it wasn’t healing and his Father’s breathing became more shallow by the minute.

As soon as the we’re back within their territory he shouted and beckoned the aid of the other pack members. “Get the healers, he’s been poisoned ” Damian yelled as the fear of losing his father was fast becoming a reality before his eyes .

The healers wasted no time before running to their Alpha’s aid . The elderly woman who was in charge gasped as he observed dark veins around his neck and his eyes started to form clouds. “There’s nothing more we can do except make him comfortable.” She said.

Damian was so livid he grabbed her by the neck in anger “How dare you? He has sacrificed most of his life for this pack and you cannot help him at the time he needs it most? You’re going to heal him because your life depends on it.” He threw her back towards where the rest were gathered.

“I understand your anger and it breaks my heart to tell you this too but he is dying and there’s nothing more we can do than to make his passing easier” the old healer replied as she rubbed her hand against her neck.

“It’s alright Damian. ” Alpha Rudolph said faintly. As he weakly made a gesture calling his son closer. Damian pushed the healers aside and knelt down beside his father. Ke brought his ear closer to his father’s Lips so he could hear his last words clearly.

“You’re the Alpha now, lead with your heart and protect your people with everything you have. They will follow you to the ends of the earth, but it is your duty to lead them towards the moon.” Those were the final words as the old wolf groaned in pain and let out his final breath.