Mia’s POV:
Growing up in a broken family was not easy. The loneliness and the pain it’s a lot to take in. But over time, I learned to roll with it. Although sometimes I wish my life would be like other families, complete and happy.
Mom works as a nurse. We were doing fine even without my dad, but then she married Jaret Colton. A police officer in our town, life became tragic. He often hurt my mom or me. I told her to divorce him, but mom was afraid of him. He threatened mom to hurt us if she left, and I kept my mouth shut to protect her. My brother Oliver is the only person who keeps us in this miserable life.
“Mia!” Cheska threw a rolled paper on my face.
“What?”
“Gosh! Look at you, lost again. What’s up? Did Jaret beat your mom again?” Cheska came to me and whispered.
“They fought this morning. I’m just worried.”
“You know, if you take a picture of your mom and file a complaint to your lunatic stepdad, he would have been in prison by now.”
“I can’t do that. He’s still Oliver’s dad, and I don’t want him to grow up like me.”
“Look, there are things in this world that you cannot control. I know your brother can sense how bad his father is. He’ll understand.”
The bell rang for our recess. A perfect excuse for me to drop the subject about Jaret. It makes my blood boil, and my guilt is eating me. I know I can do something about our situation. But just like mom, I’m afraid of Jaret too, of what he’ll do. We grab our things and head out to the canteen.
“You’re starving yourself,” Cheska hates it when I buy yogurt and apple for lunch, even though she knows I’m on a tight budget all the time. She grabs a bowl of vegetable salad and chicken for two.
“Cheska, you know you don’t have to pay for my daily lunch. It’s not good for you to spend your money on….”
“Oh, shut up!” she interrupted, “I am privileged to have a rich family, and my parents provide me well. It’s the least I can do for my best friend. You’ll do the same for me if we switch situations.”
Cheska and I have known each other since grade school. I found my best friend when I needed someone my age to comfort me. Since then, we’ve been inseparable. She has a good life. Both of her parents have businesses, and they travel a lot. That makes her very lonely, being left alone and the only child.
We carried our food to the table just in time for Theo to join us. He’s our guy best friend. We grew up together, and as usual, he skipped classes again. Theo, on the other hand, lived with his grandmother and aunt. His parents died in a car crash when he was eight. He’s the brain in the class. So even if he skips classes, he’s still the top student. I don’t know how he does it, but he’s a genius.
“Where on earth did you go again?” I scolded. Because despite being the smart ass, he is addicted to online games and gambling. Most of the time, when he’s not in school, he’s in the casino playing slot machine.
“I was…stumbled into something.”
Cheska and I glared at him knowing the truth.
“Okay, fine. I was in the casino and won $100!” Theo grinned. Proud of himself. He retreated a pouting lips seeing the look on our faces.
“You are going to get yourself in trouble one day,” I shook my head, starting my lunch.
“Yeah, yeah,” Theo went to the buffet table and grabbed his lunch. He always did that to avoid the conversation.
“Mia, my parents are out of town again. Do you mind for a sleepover?”
“I love sleepovers. I’m in!” Theo answered behind me.
“Who says I invited you?” Cheska teases.
“Ouch! Is that how you treat your best friend?”
“Only you,” Cheska teases again, laughing. I laugh and mimic Theo’s pout face retrieving the phone from my pocket. I texted my mom about the sleepover.
Cheska loves a sleepover. Whether her parents are away or not, she always makes an excuse to them for a sleepover which she knows I like very much. It’s one of my escapes from my horrendous life.
She lives in a mansion. Their ten-hectare property was the only residence in the woodland part of Broek Town. She said her parents value their privacy which is why they built the mansion away from the townspeople. They have their cemetery, horse stable, and who knows what else lies in their land. We never get the chance to tour around, not even in their house. It scared the hell out of me.
“I realized we’ve been best friends since we were kids, and yet, I never tour you around,” Cheska announced over dinner.
“No thanks,” I quickly turn down the idea. We might see something we weren’t supposed to see.
“You’re still scared, Mia?” she laughed mockingly.
“Did you see your house? You have like twenty or more rooms, and the only person who lives here is you, your parents, and some maids! Creepy.”
“Are you thinking I’m a vampire and kill you both?” Cheska uttered sternly while slicing a portion of meat on her plate. Theo and I glance at each other, gulping.
“Really? You should see your faces. I can’t believe you would think that way!”
“We are just kidding, you nuts!” I laugh.
“We got you there!” Theo added.
As Cheska promised, she tours us in their mansion. We started in the gallery. I have never seen so many portraits in my entire life. I felt like I was walking inside a museum, seeing the old pictures of her ancestors. One thing that caught my curiosity is that they all wear black. Her family is fond of that color which is so weird. Even Cheska likes to wear black all the time.
We retired to bed early since I have work tomorrow. Yes, I work part-time at the Moon Hotel as a housekeeper. I support my studies and save for college.
******
“Please, help me, please.”
Midnight. I woke up hearing a voice somewhere in the house. A man’s voice. He was crying, pleading for help. I thought it was just a dream. The voice was gone when I woke up and checked my phone’s time. Cheska was sleeping beside me while Theo was in another bed on the floor. I went to the toilet and peed, but when I went back to bed, I heard the voice again.
I don’t know, but the voice was dragging my feet in his direction. The house was half-lit. Every corner was shady. All I did was follow the voice, and I found myself in a private room upstairs. His voice gets more vigorous. When I checked inside, it looked like a stock room. There were old furniture, clothes, and toys covered with dust and spider webs. I was about to leave when a secret door opened on the wall. Frightened, I stepped back and headed out, but the voice begged me to stay.
“Please, don’t leave! Help me!”
Out of curiosity, I peeked inside the secret room and was shocked to see a blazing notebook on top of a table. I blinked my eyes repeatedly, but it was real. I was ready to leave when I heard the voice again, pleading to take the notebook. I looked around. I was alone, obviously, so I took it, and the light disappeared.
The voice stops, and everything becomes quiet. I decided to check the notebook. I saw the date and the initials on the first page, DM 1970. When I turned to the next page, the word cursed startled me, but my curiosity deepened.
I was cursed. A witch accused me of killing her son.
“A curse?” I uttered and continued reading. Making myself comfortable in the corner of the room.
I was the Alpha King. I ruled my people with honor. But just like other men, I was lost. For years I searched for my mate. Without any luck, I spoon around with girls. I dated many and had sex. A werewolf’s heart is bound to his mate only and, upon death, shall separate them.
Every Moonshower, all werewolves found their mate but me. What’s the use of being a king without his queen? I waited for years until I found my Laura, my mate. We fell in love instantly. Her smell is like wildflowers in the forest, sweet and fresh. I could wake up on her morning breath forever, like the morning mist, cold but enlivening. Her beauty is like the moon above, alluring but mysterious. I could never forget her face, her name that was carved in my heart.
We were happy and in love. But she died. She was hexed by a witch named Vera. The witch I helped and welcomed into my pack. For months, she stayed with us, and my people began to trust her. I showed her nothing but kindness.
I prisoned her and decided to exile her with her son. But on the day of their exile, I was tricked. I woke up with her son’s dead body beside me. I couldn’t remember anything. I explained. Instead, she has gone mad and cursed me. Since then, I have been stuck in this notebook for fifty years. Waiting to be free. I am Davon Maddox.
And with that, the notebook light up, and a man emerges. I was about to scream, but he quickly covered my mouth with his hand.
“Please don’t! You will wake the whole house. The house of witches.”
What is he talking about?
“I will let go of my hand, but please don’t shout. I won’t hurt you. If the witch finds out, they will trap me back inside the notebook.”
I nodded. He slowly removed his hand, and I saw this handsome guy I had never seen in my entire life. He was enchanting, and I couldn’t help myself to mesmerize him.
“Oh my God!” I gasped softly in shock. Am I dreaming? Did the guy just come out of the notebook?
“Laura? Oh, Laura!” the guy hugged me tightly. Was he referring to Laura in the story?
“I am not Laura. My name is Mia,” I pushed him away and kept my distance.
“But you look exactly like her!”
“Am I? What a coincidence since I freed you.” The guy was about to hug me again, but I stepped back, “I am not Laura. Do it again, and I’ll scream. Who are you anyway?”
The guy stopped and gazed at me. He has such beautiful eyes.
“Hi, I’m Davon Maddox.”
“Holy shit! You are the curse werewolf guy!”
Mia’s POV:I am freaking out. I can feel my skin trembling in fear. Whatever! What the heck is going on here? How did this guy come out? “Exactly, Lau…I mean Mia, right?” His eyes sparkled in happiness. He caresses my cheek, and I feel a warm feeling, a tingling sensation in my whole being!“Yes. How did this happen? You’re free?!”“I think I am. You freed me!” he hugged me again. This time I let him do that. He’s been alone and trapped for fifty years. Maybe he needed a hug, but it felt so weird. “Thank you so much! How could I ever repay you?”I didn’t realize that I was dazing at him as he pulled back. He was like a God. Perfect in my sight. Aside from his long hair and mustache. I scanned his face and body with my eyes: his broad shoulders and muscular body registered in my mind. I couldn’t see any flaws. In fact, I can gaze at him forever without getting bored. How could such a man like him exist?“Ahh, are you with me?” he snaps his finger on my face.“Yeah. You’re alive!”“Ye
Mia’s POV: I watched Davon go. I know I just met him, but I hope he’ll be fine and find what he’s looking for. However, I doubt if his pack still exists. This place has changed over fifty years. Even if they are still alive, I’m sure they moved somewhere. Ding! My phone beeps. I got a message from my mom. She’ll be home late. Great. I hate going home without her. Jaret will be bossing me again. Just be patient self. One more year, and I’m out of here. I’ll be free from Jaret. I know mom will understand. “Ouch!” A soccer ball hit my arm, and I know exactly who did that intentionally. Nixon Bronx. The famous soccer player in our school. Everyone adores him. A campus crush he is. But not me. I hate him. He makes my life miserable in school. He is such a bully and a dick. So what if he got his good looks? That is not an excuse to bully someone. “Hey, Winnie! Care to pass the ball?” he calls me that. Because he said, I constantly whined during classes, especially about extra payments.
Mia’s POV:I hurried inside the house and locked all the doors. Luckily, Jaret was on the night shift. He waited for me to come home before leaving Oliver.My mind skipped Davon. After clearing the table and tucking Oliver in bed, I went to my room and got ready to sleep when Davon suddenly appeared like dust being dragged near the notebook again.“Davon!”“I can feel the notebook is slowly sucking me in, Mia,” his face gloomed.“So you’re free in the morning and trapped in the evening? Is that how your curse works?”“I have no idea, but this is better than staying in the dark for fifty years,” Davon watched the sun goes down as his body slowly pulverized and sucked inside the notebook.I flipped to the last page and asked Davon if he had found his pack. He didn’t. But he found his land and the tombstone his pack built to commemorate him and Laura. I feel sorry for him. This isn’t the world he used to live in, but I hope I can help him find his pack.I slept with Davon and Nixon, clou
Mia’s POV:There was a long silence between us until we reached his house. I couldn’t help but let out my frustrations and wail. We were on the patio drinking wine while I screamed and cursed my life in the air. Moments later, Theo came and hugged me. Nixon told his family driver to pick him up to join us to cheer me up.“I hate my life.”“Cry it all out. Everything will be fine. One day, you will have the courage to fight Jaret and end your misery,” Theo refilled my glass with wine.“I think it’s about time, Mia,” Nixon took a picture of my neck. Jaret’s hand left a mark around it and on my arm.“Nixon, I can’t. Not with my mom and brother still in that house. He’ll hurt them.”“Then when? When? If he kills you and your mom?” Nixon threw her phone on the table, pissed. He was gritting his teeth angrily.“Trust me, not now. I will when I know it’s safe.”“I sure hope it’s not too late by that time!” Nixon exclaimed, retaliating on the table.I was so baffled by how Nixon cared so much
MIA’S POV Nixon called me mate. Additionally, Davon mentioned that word. It was a thing about werewolves like partners or lovers, and I am confused why Nixon calls me that.“You called me mate. What do you mean by that?” I pretended to be curious upon hearing the word. I wanted to know if he knew what it meant and why he said that."Well, a mate is someone that you adore.”“Adore? Are you telling me that….” “Yes, Mia. I adore you,” Nixon interrupted.I don’t know what to answer, but I don’t believe him. Adore? Me? He bullied me all the time, and suddenly he’s being nice and calling me his mate. Did he ever forget that he dropped me off a few meters away from school because he was so afraid to be seen by his friends?“Are you kidding me? Do you think that word is a joke?” I shook my head and walked away.“Mia! Hey,” Nixon blocked my way, “I am not making fun of you. I mean it. I adore you.”Why should I believe a guy who doesn't want his friends to see him hanging out with me? I glare
MIA'S POV I woke up from Jaret's voice bossing my mom and remembered he would stay home in the morning. Mom is going to work now. "Shit!" I jerked off my bed. "Good morning," Davon greeted. He looked so fresh already. I could smell my shower gel all over him. "Davon! You need to go now. I'll meet you outside when I'm done preparing myself," I pushed him near the window. "Why?" his body stiffened, refusing to move. "Because Jaret is back. If he sees you, we're dead. Wait for me in the woods. I'll bring some breakfast. Go!" Davon slowly crawled out the window, staying low. He went to the bushes and continued into the woods. I felt relieved immediately. I went to the door and unlock it when mom suddenly came in. "Mom!" "Jesus, Mia! Don't startle me like that!" Mom was taken aback, seeing me standing by the door, "And why are you still in your pajama?" "Sorry, mom. I woke up late." "Packed your food before I go to work. Jaret is here," mom urged. I followed her dow
MIA'S POV "Work? What do you mean?" "I have decided. I will find a job so I can help you, and I will start tomorrow." I see the determination in Davon's eyes. "Hey, let's have a deal. Study first. Please read all the books in the library about humans and everything in our world. Only then will I help you find a job? How's that?" Davon thought of it. "Deal," he propose a handshake to seal our deal. That was how they do it in his pack. ******* It's been our daily routine. Davon got up early, bathed, and left before Jaret came home. I made sure I woke up early and packed food for him while he was outside waiting. I felt like a married person. Like what my mom did. Taking care of us. Mom was intrigued why I suddenly became an early bird. I make Jaret an excuse. She knows I don't want to be around him. Every day, Davon checked his grave and went to the library. I gave him all the books he needed to study. He was eager to learn, and because the library was free, he could spend his
MIA’s POV "I~I forgot to call. That's why I came. Sorry," I glared at Davon. "Don't worry. Your friend said he would cover your shift today while you rest. You've been up all night. How's your mom?" "She's fine now. Ah, Mrs. Olsen, could we have breakfast first? My friend is hungry, and I forgot to eat mine hurrying." "Oh, I don't mind. You go ahead. I'll watch the library." "Thank you, Mrs. Olsen." I treat Davon at the fast food. He got the extra-large burger and fries and deserves it today. What he did for me was overwhelming, and I am speechless. It was amazing. "How did you come up with that idea?" "I just thought of it. I got your back, Mia. Now that I am here, I won't let anything bad happen to you." His words mean a lot to me. He melts my heart. It was nice to have someone to watch over you. "Mia? I thought you were on duty. Who's the guy?" “Theo! This is…my….” “Hi, I’m Davon. I’m Mia’s friend,” Davon interrupted, shaking hands with Theo. “Friend? How come