Chapter 17 - Changes

Freya's P.O.V

That blasted curse. It wasn’t supposed to hide this. Oh, Sera please forgive your stupid mother. I thought running out of the packhouse towards the front gate. I had to get to Cindy, she could help me reverse the curse. I knew that Erik was following me but I didn’t care, I had absolutely fucked up.

***Flashback***

Cindy was humming while fixing me a cup of tea, I held my large pregnant stomach while my heart wanted to break. I had always known that Erik’s parents would never approve of me being a Luna. But this? Why? Why would Erik share a bed with another? Knowing full well that I was carrying his child and would feel every touch he shared with her. I felt a single tear fall from my eye, quickly I wiped it away.

“So… Something has happened? I assume that is why you are visiting an old woman”

Cindy turned to me with a half-smile, her hair currently a shade of lavender but kept into a short bob. She placed the teacup down in front of me with a chocolate chip cookie. I tried to smile back at her, she had been the closest thing I had ever had to a mother. My own parents had been killed when I was rather small, unfortunately, I had no memory of them. Cindy was the leader of my parent’s coven, when they were killed she took me under her wing. A few years later Glen’s parents were killed in the same circumstances like mine, Cindy was quick to bring him into our home. Family to me wasn’t reliant on blood, it was more than that.

Cindy cleared her throat waiting for me to speak. I sighed and shook my head.

“It’s too painful to speak about right now, but I need help.”

I took a deep breath as I felt my child kick, I reached out to feel its touch. Cindy was looking at me with her lips pursed.

“Not long left till she gets here it seems”

She took a sip of her own tea before beaming at my stomach, I frowned knowing she had tapped into my child’s mind.

“Cindy please, I don’t want anyone to sneak into her thoughts”

Cindy smirked at me before giggling.

“Ah, that explains a lot.”

I looked at her questioningly,

“Well, you obviously do not feel comfortable looking into her growing mind but she IS going to be a handful”

I frowned as Cindy giggled more, I closed my eyes and breathed deeply letting my own mind melt into my child’s. I felt her, female. Absolutely excited, she knew it was close for her to break into the world. She didn’t have thoughts per se, more like powerful emotions. I felt a tug deeper into her mind before a growl erupted through my mind and a sense of absolute danger washed through me. I pulled myself from her mind quickly before letting my body tremble. I looked at Cindy concerned, she nodded knowing what I had felt.

“I think we both know what needs to be done, we wouldn’t want you to be found before she reaches her adulthood.”

I nodded, vampires could feel a witch’s power whenever it was used. Leftovers from the days they were connected to us by blood. My family was one of the last ones that passed down telepathy, typically it was almost random when witches had children. Yes, my daughter would be half her father but she would still most likely receive my power. I had to hide it. I couldn’t imagine the dangers that could arise if she was to use it before she was ready.

“Let’s do it.”

My voice was different, it was full of confidence. I was slightly surprised, typically I was an absolute pushover.

“That’s my girl, being a mother had strengthened you”

I smiled brightly at Cindy as a name entered my mind.

“Sera? Sera.”

I mumbled before smirking, she had named herself. As was typical of my family line.

“My darling…”

Cindy’s voice was stern, bringing my attention back to the reason I was here.

“This binding of your powers will make you almost human. Are you absolutely sure you want me to do this?”

I nodded quickly without a second thought. I must protect her, Sera.

“Okay.”

Cindy breathed deeply,

“Just know my darling, if the day comes where we need to break this binding I cannot promise your safety. Hiding your combined powers for so long will make almost a magical bomb when it’s lifted.”

I bit my lip, yes. If I ever realized the binding every supernatural being in this continent would feel the release. It was something I would just have to deal with when the time came.

“Please, Cindy. I need to protect her.”

Cindy nodded while sighing mournfully.

“I wish there was another way my sweet, please try and relax as I begin”

I closed my eyes, letting the soft smells of her house wash over me. Always a comfort. I hugged little Sera through my stomach keeping her to the forefront of my mind.

I call on thy ancestors,

Bury the bloodline,

Disallow the power to fester,

No more will it shine.

Hide the power from all,

Until our final call.

Love be thy connection,

For mother and daughter,

Thy binding will be their protection,

No more will the line face slaughter.

So mote it shall be!

I felt the licks of fire start in my veins as I let out a shout of pain, the sensations traveling into my mind. Doors being slammed shut against all minds surrounding me, leaving me cold and alone. I felt Sera toss violently in my stomach, regret-filled my heart for a moment knowing she too was feeling the pain.

***End of Flashback***

“Freya hold up!”

I could hear Erik calling but I would not stop, my stupidity had caused this. Our daughter might die because of me. I pushed my body harder, wanting to get to Cindy as soon as possible, I had to make this right. Sera’s birthday was tomorrow and it was already afternoon. I heard large paws breaking fallen sticks on the forest floor. Looking to my right I saw Erik’s wolf Kaelb running beside me. My heart fluttered at his form, his fur a pure silver that reflected against the sunlight like diamonds. I forced myself to look away. I couldn’t let myself feel the remains of the mate bond. I would not allow him to hurt me again.

As we approached Cindy’s home I saw her waiting for me, a sad smile plastered on her face. She had already seen my thoughts as I had approached. She knew what we needed to do.

“Freya… I’m sorry…”

I pulled her into me for a hug, how could she have known this was what would happen? I did not blame her.

“Thank you my sweet… but I should have known”

I held her tighter, repeating in my mind that she was not to blame before she pulled away looking at Erik.

“You.”

Her voice was of hatred. She knew everything that he had done to me and more. Having had to live so close to his pack lands I could only imagine what she had been privy to. Erik looked at her wide-eyed and fearful. Cindy’s reputation for her craft kept her safe. She was a powerful and dangerous woman to cross. I tried to hide my smirk at his obvious concern.

“I will punish you later, right now we have more pressing matters”

Erik’s face contorted like a boy that knew he was about to get a stern talking to but did not respond. He glanced at me with questioning eyes.

“It’s my fault.”

I replied to him simply before heading inside. I knew exactly what we needed to do. I just hoped it wasn’t too late for Sera. I heard Cindy explaining everything to Erik, I could feel his shock, horror, and regret. I sighed before laying down on Cindy’s floor pillow, trying to center myself and prepare for the pain that was to come.

Once more I call on the ancestors,

Uncover the bloodline,

Allow the power to fester,

Make the power shine.

No more will the power hide from all,

This is our final call.

Love be thy connection,

For mother and daughter,

Thy binding no longer a protection

Let thy power flow as water.

So mote it shall be!

The breaking of the bind happened quickly, the pain was immense. I could not focus on any of my surroundings as I felt the cold fire begin to lick up my veins again before every single door that had been closed was opened. The pain of thousands of voices filled me like a flood, it was all too much. I knew I was screaming but I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t focus on any of the voices. I could feel myself losing consciousness as my body fought to remain strong. The last thought I had was of Sera, I hoped she was not experiencing this pain with me as I gladly accepted the blackness.