Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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32
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I lay in bed with my eyes shut when Damien came in that night, keeping my breathing slow even though my chest wouldn’t calm down.
The second the door clicked open, my stomach dropped, the image of him kissing her flashing straight back into my head, his hand in her hair, the way he pulled her in like it meant something.
I swallowed hard and forced my face to stay relaxed, reminding myself over and over that I wasn’t his, that I was never meant to be here in the first place.
I shifted slightly under the blanket, pressing my fingers into the mattress to stop myself from reacting.
He walked in quietly and shut the door behind him, like nothing had happened. I heard his boots hit the floor, then his jacket landing on the chair.
The bed dipped when he sat down, and I felt him drag a hand through his hair. I kept my eyes closed, barely breathing.
Part of me wanted him to say something, anything, but he didn’t. He just lay down on his side and turned away from me.
I stared into the darkness behind my eyelids, my throat tight, waiting until his breathing evened out before a tear slipped out. I wiped it quickly and curled into myself, gripping the edge of the blanket.
Morning came too fast. Sunlight hit my face and I squinted, pushing myself up slowly.
Damien was already up, pulling his shirt over his shoulders.
I dragged my hand through my hair, wincing at the tangles, my eyes still burning from the night before.
He glanced at me, then looked away like it was nothing.
“Damien,” I said, my voice rough as I sat up straighter, pulling my knees in slightly. “I need to tell you something.”
He frowned a little and dropped into the chair, leaning forward to lace his boots. “What.”
I hesitated for a second, then pushed the words out. “I went to the library yesterday. I found something about the moon goddess, about curses on packs.”
He looked up slowly, one eyebrow lifting. “And?”
I dragged my fingers through my hair again, gripping the strands as I spoke. “It says a human mate disrupts the balance. That the goddess can withdraw her favor. Weak bonds, failed litters, punishment.”
My chest tightened. “I think that’s what this is. I think it’s because of me. Because I’m human, that’s why everything keeps going wrong. The blackouts, the stabbing, the dead pup, all of it.”
11:41 Thu, May 21
Chapter 49
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He leaned back slightly after tying his boot, his expression flat. “Why are you believing stuff like that, even we don’t take all those stories seriously.”
I shook my head quickly, shifting closer on the bed. “After everything we’ve seen here, you expect me to just ignore it? Things don’t just happen for no reason. This…. it makes sense. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m carrying your pup and everything’s built on that.”
He exhaled slowly, rubbing his thumb along the edge of his boot. “Books say a lot of things, it doesn’t make it real. Goddess stories are old, we rely on healers and magic we understand, not curses.”
I reached out and grabbed his arm before I could stop myself, “but what if it is real? The attacks, the deaths, the way things keep happening around me, it fits too well. We need to do something. A sacrifice, something for the goddess, to fix it.”
His eyes dropped to my hand on his arm, then back to my face. “A sacrifice,” he repeated, like he didn’t believe it, “yeah, that’s not happening.”
I let go of him and dragged my hand through my hair again, harder this time. “Please. I can’t just sit here and do nothing while everyone gets hurt because of me.”
He watched me for a moment, his expression unreadable, then let out a quiet breath. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll do it.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “You will?”
He nodded once. “Yeah. If it calms you down.”
Some of the tension in my chest loosened, even if it didn’t fully go away, “okay… thank you.”
I stood up, my legs feeling a little unsteady, and headed toward the door.
His hand caught my wrist before I could leave, “everything okay?”
I turned back to him and forced a small smile, even though it felt wrong on my face, “yeah, everything’s fine.”
I slipped my wrist out of his grip and stepped out, pulling the door shut behind me.
The second it clicked closed, the smile dropped.
I dragged my hand through my hair as I walked down the hall, my chest tightening again. It wasn’t fine, none
of it was.
I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. It was empty.
I grabbed a glass of water and sat at the table, wrapping my hands around it.
My thoughts wouldn’t slow down. The book said sacrifice, but it didn’t specify.
My mind shifted back to the kiss and the fact he didn’t bring it up.
I pressed my lips together and pushed the thought down hard, forcing my shoulders to straighten.
11:41 Thu, May 21 ♫
Chapter 49
The door creaked behind me.
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I flinched a little and turned in my seat. Linda stepped in slowly, one hand resting on her shoulder. She looked better than before, but not fully there yet.
“Sienna? You’re up early.”
I straightened a bit, brushing my hands against my thighs. “Yeah… couldn’t sleep.” My eyes flicked to her shoulder again. “How are you feeling?”
She walked over and sat across from me, lowering herself carefully. “Better, the healer said I’ll be fine in about a week.”
I nodded, watching her settle. “That’s good.”
I let out a small breath and leaned back slightly, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’ve just been thinking… about the goddess and the curse.”
Her eyebrows pulled together straight away. “What curse?”
I leaned forward again, my hands coming to rest on the table. I told her exactly what I told Damien.
She stared at me for a second, then let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “Sienna… we don’t actually believe that.”
“But what if it’s not just stories? The blackouts… everything that’s been happening. It fits too well.”
She shook her head, more certain now. “No. Stuff like that can come from anything. Stress, outside magic, enemies, not a goddess deciding to punish you.”
I nodded, even though the weight in my chest didn’t shift. “Yeah…”
She started to stand, pushing off the table carefully. “I’m going to check on the pups. You coming?”
I shook my head. “In a bit. I just need to sit for a minute.”
She nodded and turned toward the door.
“Linda… wait.”
She paused and looked back at me.
I stood up slowly, my hands fidgeting with the ends of my sleeves. “About before… what happened.” I glanced down, then back up at her. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I wasn’t trying to…” I stopped, dragging a hand through my hair. “I would never do that to you, not on purpose.”
She stayed quiet for a second, just watching me.
Linda exhaled slowly and looked down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “I believe you.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “You do?”
11:41 Thu, May 21♫
Chapter 49
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She gave a small nod. “It was just… a lot. It was scary.” Her shoulders lifted slightly before dropping again. “And
I think I just needed someone to be mad at.”
I stared at her, my chest loosening just a little.
“I’m sorry,” she added quietly.
I shook my head straight away. “You don’t have to apologise.”
She gave a small shrug. “I’ll choose to believe you, that it wasn’t you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
She nodded once, then turned and walked out.
If only I knew what was coming.
e
曲
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11:41 Thu, May 21
