Prologue -The Curse

“Mommy please tell me a story before bed.”

I have my best puppy dog eyes as I cling to my mother’s leg, begging for a story before bed. Mommy smiles at me and I know I’ve won.

“Alright Haley, which one?”

“The one about the Blood Red Wolf.”

“That one again? Oh, alright.”

Mommy tucks me under the covers and then cuddles up in bed with me as she begins to tell the story. I have heard this story several times but it’s one of my favorites.

“The blood red wolf is known to bring destruction and misfortune to it’s pack along with being the very reason their mate dies. You see, the blood red wolf is cursed. The last known cursed wolf was a Luna of a wolf pack in Europe. The Alpha was strong and powerful, but not strong enough to have a blood red wolf as a Luna. He died a tragic death and the pack went into chaos without their Alpha. Some went rogue while others fled to join other packs.”

“How did the Alpha die mommy?”

“No one is really sure. But one thing is certain, the blood red wolf was the cause of his demise. There is a legend that one day a blood red wolf will break the curse, saving her mate from that awful fate.”

“Who mommy?”

“No one knows. Hopefully it is soon. The curse is passed down to the first born daughter so this will not only save the blood red wolf’s mate but it’ll save her future children from suffering the same fate.”

“Mommy, do you think I’ll be the blood red wolf to break the curse?”

“What makes you say that?”

“I heard you and daddy.”

Mommy has a sad look on her face. I am not suppose to know that I am a blood red wolf, but I caught mommy and daddy talking about it one night. When I turn eighteen I will shift, revealing my blood red wolf to the world. Mommy sighs and wipes a tear away.

“Yes, dear. You are a blood red wolf. You must keep this a secret no matter what. You can’t tell anyone and keep your birthmark behind your left ear hidden. It’s how we tell who is a blood red wolf.”

“I won’t tell mommy. Does that mean my real mommy was a blood red wolf?”

“Yes, Haley. My sister was a blood red wolf and when she died I took you in as my own.”

“What happened to her?”

“We will save that conversation for when you are older Haley.”

Mommy’s same answer every time I ask her about my real mommy. I wish she would just tell me the truth, but I can tell it’s bad by the pained look in her eye every time I ask.

“You must not even tell your mate should you find him. You must fight the mate bond at all cost if you wish to save him. Do you think you can do that Haley?”

“Yes, mommy.”

Little did I know at the tender age of seven, just how strong the mate bond actually is and the difficulty of fighting against it is near impossible.