Blood Of The Cursed Read online

  “Hey, dad. What are you up to?” I asked casually, trying to feel out my dad’s mood.

  “Hey, sweetheart. You feeling alright, is there anything you need? Also, this is Rhett Jameson. He’s the Iron pack’s alpha. Here to discuss some pack matters with me, before you and I go to the alpha meeting that’s coming up soon.” He said with a twinkle in his eye.

  I rolled my eyes but plastered on a big smile. I crossed my arms, looking between my father and Rhett. Rhett had turned around, leaning his butt against the porch railing with his hands in his pockets. Staring at me with a wolfish grin. He had a black v-neck shirt on. It hugged his figure quite nicely, outlining his muscles. Was that an eight pack of abs that I could see poking out? Of course, it was. He sported a pair of white basketball shorts that came down to just below his knees, showing off his lean but very toned calves. Goodness, he was gorgeous.

  “Yeah, I’m fine dad. I know who Rhett is. We just uh, kinda ran into each other. Literally. At Joe’s Cafe.” I said sheepishly.

  I could feel my cheeks turning red and warm with embarrassment. My dad and Rhett both looked at me with amusement dancing in their eyes.

  “Is that so? How did you run into him?” He asked.

  “I believe the incident was my fault, Barret. I was walking by the cafe, and Scarlett stood up from her table, turned around and we bumped into one another. I was in my own thoughts about the pack issues you and I discussed. I didn’t notice her until she was on the ground, staring up at me.” You could hear the apologetic tone in his voice.

  Why was he not giving the full details? About how I blew up on him, not realizing he was an alpha. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. My dad would throw a fit if he knew what really happened.

  My dad chuckled at the explanation. Turning to Rhett and patting him on his back with a hard thud, laughing.

  “No need to apologize, Rhett. I’ve known you for quite some time, and I know you don’t mean to bring harm to Scarlett. Besides, she’s tough and I’m surprised she didn’t freak out on you for knocking her on her ass. She’s a free spirit, and speaks openly, sometimes without thinking about who she’s talking to.” He said while throwing me a knowing look.

  “I’m sorry dad, to be honest, I did freak out on him. Just a little bit. I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t realize he was an alpha at the time. Things kind of just happened fast. Rhett, I apologize for my behavior and for challenging you.”

  “You challenged him? Scarlett. What am I going to do with you? You’re very fortunate he’s an understanding alpha. You might not have been lucky with any other alpha. You’re twenty-one. You shouldn’t be going around challenging wolves just because you’re a dominant female.” He said matter of factly.

  I shook my head in agreement. That’s all I could do. I shamed my dad in front of his peers. I felt horrible. I let my head hang low, letting my dad know I was sorry. I know I’ll be feeling the wrath later.

  “Barret, it is alright. I found her to be a breath of fresh air, honestly. Not many wolves stand up to alphas these days. I like a little challenge once in a while. Keeps things interesting.” He said while staring right at me. I could feel the heat of his gaze.

  My dad looked at me, and then looked back at Rhett. One eyebrow raised. He smirked and chuckled again.

  “Although, I think it surprised her when she found out I’m telepathic.” He said to my dad smugly, while crossing his arms and sending a wink my way.

  “I’m sure she was surprised. Probably why I could feel her panic and stress while she was speeding home. Scarlett, I know I raised you to be dominant and to be your own wolf, but you need to start being more careful and toning down your anger. It’s going to get you in serious trouble one day. I have more business to discuss with Rhett. We will be in my office. How about you go take a run and then help your mother with cleaning up dinner.”

  My dad looked at me seriously and I knew he wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. Rhett and my dad walked by me and went into the house, closing the sliding glass door behind them.

  I stared off into the woods, trying to pull my thoughts back together. The fresh evening breeze was cool and it brushed against my skin. The sun was hidden behind some cloud cover, the trees were swaying with the wind, their leaves brushing together giving a calming sound. I took off my clothes so they wouldn’t rip and tear while I shifted. I stood there, standing still. I closed my eyes, feeling my surroundings.

  My wolf was eager to get out and feel the forest floor beneath her paws. I could feel her just underneath my skin. With my eyes still closed, I took a deep breath, and then let it out. I pictured my wolf and letting her out, I took another breath in. And then forced with all my mind, willing my wolf to come out. I could feel my height changing quickly, my back legs bent to the shape of a wolfs, bending forward to land on straight front legs, bones cracking and snapping. My face started to grow into a long snout, I could feel my ears elongating and standing straight up. I could feel my tail shaking behind me. It took a matter of seconds to shift.

  There was literally nothing on this Earth that compared to shifting into a wolf. The freedom you could feel was unlike anything else. You felt powerful and strong. Free and happy. Nothing else existed besides you and your wolf. I shook my white fur coat from my head to my tail. Feeling the breeze run through my fur, I got excited and took off. Bolting off the porch, I ran across my backyard, into the woods. I ran as fast as I could.

  On top of being a healer, I had incredible speed. That was passed down through my father’s bloodline. Dodging trees, I bound left, and then right, nothing getting in my way. I made it to a clearing about a mile through the woods. I trotted into the middle of the clearing, then laid down. Closing my eyes and listening to the sounds of the woods. The wind. I could hear the creatures bustling around on the forest floor. The bugs crawling in the dirt. A wolf’s hearing is incredible. I love it. I let my senses feel everything. It calmed me. Next thing you know, my wolf was drifting off to sleep.

  A twig snapped, bringing me out of my slumber. My ears perked right up hearing another twig snap, something walking heavily over the leaves. I stood up, growling. Whatever it was, was foreign. Not a pack member. Homing in on the noise, I could see a shadow in the woods, coming right towards me. I cautiously walked towards the figure. I saw yellow eyes staring back at me, reaching into my soul. And then I realized who it was. Rhett. He was reading my mind.

  No need to panic, Scarlett. I’m here on behalf of Barret. He needs to speak to you. He had to make a phone call and asked if I could find you. He told me where you’d be and I just followed your scent back here. I don’t mean to intrude on your peace and quiet.

  Rhett said as he slowly trotted over to where I sat in the grass. He made his way over and sat down in front of me. His wolf was huge. He was every bit of seven feet long, from nose to tail. He looked to stand about forty inches tall. He was built very solid. His fur was black and gorgeous, it looked silky to the touch. He was stunning, but also very intimidating. I couldn’t imagine trying to fight him. From the stories I’ve heard, he hasn’t lost a fight yet. When he fights a wolf, he loses himself, he blacks out on his opponent, making him very lethal. He continued to stare at me.

  I looked at him for a few seconds before averting my gaze to the grass.

  You don’t have to be scared of me. I won’t bite, I promise. By the way, your wolf is beautiful. And so is your human form.

  He said those words and my eyes went large. I looked at him again. Not sure what to say. But his words made places below my belly warm.

  Thank you. And I don’t fear you, to be honest. I think your wolf is striking. Both stunning and intimidating. You’re gorgeous, thank you for finding me and spreading the word from my dad. I wonder why he didn’t just use our bond to speak regardless of using the phone.

  I stood up on all fours, gave him one more look, and started to trot past him and back into the woods. My mind kept whirling with the feelings he gives me and the
heat he radiates. I just wanted to rub my cheek all over his and nuzzle his snout. Lick his face, and run with him. Why am I acting like this, what is wrong with me? I must be sick and wolves don’t get sick. Ugh.

  I looked behind me to see if he was there and to my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. I kept looking behind me, listening, nothing. Odd. I turned my sight back around to look in front of me and he was standing there, staring down at me. How did he move so quietly and so insanely fast? I almost had a heart attack. I stumbled back quickly, panting. Scared to death. He was looking at me so intensely that all I could do was lay down with my belly up.

  I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just...I heard your thoughts about me. And I couldn’t let you walk away just yet. If I’m being honest, there’s something about you too, that intrigues me so. I’ve never felt something like this before, I’m curious. Please, get up.

  He looked down at me, watching every movement I made. I got up quickly. Holding my breath. I couldn’t breathe at all actually. His gaze on me took away my ability to breathe or think for that matter.

  He closed the distance between us, slowly. He bent his neck down to mine and sniffed my scent. He nuzzled my snout with his. Rubbing his head along the side of mine. It felt...good. Really good. His wolf felt comfortable against my wolf. My wolf was very pleased. She kept urging me to rub against the rest of his body. I wanted to, but I couldn’t move. I was in shock. Rhett walked by me, rubbing the length of his body against mine as he walked a circle around me. I could feel goosebumps under my fur. Every inch of my body tingled. My nerve endings felt alive. He came back to stand in front of my wolf. He lifted his head to show his neck. Wolves don’t usually do that, it shows their vulnerable spot. He was showing me that he wanted me to brush against him, under him. Why? I don’t understand.

  I walked up to him, brushing my nose, head, and neck against his throat. I took in his scent. Instead of him smelling foreign now, he smells of oak, fresh rain with a mix of fallen leaves. Those scents flowed through my nose and into my brain, storing that scent. It brought my breath back to me. His scent had seemed to refuel my senses. I heard a grumble escape his throat. Was that of pleasure or am I making him uncomfortable? I backed up and looked up at him questioningly.

  He looked back at me, panting, all of his white teeth showing back at me. Was he smiling?

  You feel amazing against my wolf’s body. Your scent about knocked me on my ass. You smell of vanilla, pine, and roses. That growl that I couldn’t hold back was because of the pleasure you brought me. You put me at peace with everything around me. You’re different.

  Again, I’m shocked to my core. All these feelings and scents, so confusing. I can’t think. I need to get away from him, I need to get home. I’ve never reacted to a male like that before. Why is he so special? There’s something about him.

  I...I...I don’t understand. Why am I so drawn to you? Just being around you stops me from being able to breathe. I have to get home, my dad is going to start wondering where I am. Thank you for coming to get me.

  I said as I painfully drew away from his strong and overpowering presence. I ran as fast as I could away from Rhett. Not looking back to see where he was. I couldn’t chance stopping and running back to him.

  I finally got to the house. Panting and out of breath. My mind still reeling from the encounter that I just had with the stunning alpha mountain man. I hopped onto the porch where my crumpled clothes still lay. I shifted back into human form and slipped my clothes back on. I looked behind me to see if Rhett had followed me back, and to my dismay, he hadn’t. Why am I so disappointed about that? I’ll have to talk to my mother about this. No way can I mention it to my dad. That’d be too weird.

  I walked into the house through the sliding glass door. Walking through the dining room, and through the kitchen, I noticed mom had already cleaned up everything. Shit. I was supposed to help her but ended up taking a nap and getting familiar with an alpha from another territory. I’m going to have to bury that in the deep depths of my mind. My dad would kill me if he found out about Rhett and me in the woods. I walked down the hall to my dad’s office and knocked on the door.

  “Come in, Scarlett.” He said from his desk.

  “You asked for me, dad? Why couldn’t you have asked me through the bond instead of sending Rhett out after me? I’m embarrassed enough around him.” I said sheepishly.

  “I know, that’s part of why I did it. I knew it’d push your buttons. Serves you right for challenging him in the first place. Anyway, we have to talk about the alpha meeting coming up, details that I need to share with you for your safety.” He said seriously.

  And here we go.

  2

  Man. What is up with that female? I can’t take my mind off of her. Her blue eyes drowned me like oceans. I just wanted to wrap my fingers in her long brown hair and force her head back, making her neck vulnerable. I want to bury my face in the crook of her neck and smell her sweet scent. That’s all I want to breathe in right now. I can still smell her. I have the most intense urge to hold her small body to mine. She may be small, but she is definitely fierce. I have a feeling she could give me a run for my money. Thinking back to our stare down when I challenged her, I could have sworn it felt like she could actually have it in her to be an alpha. Damn. I have to watch out for her.

  I should have gone back and grabbed my clothes. Those shorts were my favorite pair. I’ll have to use that as an excuse to see Scarlett again. I need to find out what has me so drawn to her. One-hundred years. One hundred years on this Earth and she’s the only female that has ever made me feel a damn thing. Maybe we just need to fuck each other? Yeah. That’s probably it. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to get a release. Yup, that’s definitely it. I know she felt it too. I could hear her thoughts. Just as confused as I was. But also just as infatuated. No doubt about it, I will be seeing her again.

  An hour later I was able to make it to my territory which borders the Baraga pack. And right on time to meet me is my loyal as shit, best friend and beta.

  “Hey Rhett, how’d the meeting with Barret go? What did he say about that bat shit crazy, wolf we killed?” Said Finn as he threw down some clothes for me to wear.

  Good thing as a werewolf, it is nothing to be naked in front of others. You become accustomed to seeing lots of people naked. Part of our world, I guess. I shifted to my human form and put on the clothes that Finn brought me. I walked over, bumping the fist he had held out for me. I couldn’t be a luckier alpha if I wanted. I have the most loyal, trustworthy, and hard-working beta that an alpha could hope for. My boy Finn stands around six feet. He’s stocky as hell. Real lean guy, likes to stay in shape, but he doesn’t worry about it too much. He has a natural build unlike most of us who have to work hard for it. All the ladies love him of course. He’s the typical shaggy, blonde hair, blue-eyed surfer guy that they oddly swoon for. He’s wearing his starter cap backward. He’s had that damn ratty thing since we were young. Could use a good wash really. And of course, he’s wearing the same pair of sandals that he’s had for the last three years.

  “You ever going to wear anything other than those sandals, Finn? We live in Michigan and you wear those things year-round. Why don’t you go get a good pair of work boots or sneakers?” I asked curiously.

  “Oh come on man, they aren’t that bad. They’re comfy as hell. Plus they’re my lucky sandals. These fuckers have saved me on multiple occasions.” I chuckled at him.

  “Okay man, whatever floats your boat. Anyway. Barret said he hasn’t seen or heard of any other incidents like the one we had. I showed him the recording I got that one day of that rabid wolf we saw while doing our perimeter check. He asked what we did with it.” I shook my head.

  “I told him we had to put it down because it attacked us, and how we didn’t have a choice. That fucker was twice as strong as you or I and meaner than a pissed off bull. And I have super strength. Barret was just as shocked as we were. Were
wolves don’t get sick or go rabid. There’s just no way. He said he’s going to bring it up to the rest of the state alphas at the meeting and see if they’ve had any incidents with rabid wolves down south.” I told Finn distractedly.

  I’ve never seen anything like that. I’ve seen men and wolves who went crazy because of going rogue, but I’ve never seen a rabid zombie wolf. I hope there’s no more of those things, that’s the last thing we need. I know damn well it’d make anyone sick who got bit by it. That wolf looked absolutely zombified. Matted and bloody fur, patches of skin missing. Missing teeth and eyes that were just void of any life and that’s what made it look like the scariest thing on the planet.

  “Hey Rhett, do you want to get some food at Hank’s Bar with Jackson and me? It’s pool night, remember? And don’t forget it’s also karaoke night. The ladies loooooove karaoke night.” Finn said with excitement.

  “Yeah Finn, I’ll be there. I have to go back to the packhouse and shower first. There’s also something I wanted to talk to you and Jackson about as well. Something happened to me today and for once I’m at a complete loss on what to do. And it’s a very different situation than the rabid wolf. Let me shower, and I’ll meet you at Hank’s. Now, toss me those keys. I’m driving.” I threw Finn a daring look.