Page 54 of Forced By the Alpha

They carried Tom to their car and back into town, where he would be prepared for burial next to Sienna’s mother. Siennastood hugging herself as we watched the car pull away, and I realized how cold the air had gotten.

“Come on,” I told her gently. “Let’s get you inside.”

She followed me numbly into the cabin and sat in a chair near the stove. I put a few logs inside and lit a match to start it. I grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped her in it as I waited for the heat from the fire to permeate the room.

“Call Dylan,” Sienna said suddenly.

“Right now?” I asked. “Why?”

“To see if the curse was broken for everyone,” she explained.

“That can wait,” I said reassuringly.

“No,” she said, shaking her head emphatically. “I need to know right now. I need to know that his death finished it.”

I nodded, understanding that she was seeking to find purpose in the otherwise senseless loss she was experiencing, and made the call. As soon as Dylan answered, I heard exclamations and loud music coming from the pack in the background.

“Boss!” Dylan’s voice rang out, full of excitement.

“I’m calling to see if you all noticed that the curse has been lifted,” I said.

“We noticed it over an hour ago. We’ve been trying to figure out what happened, but damn, this feels good.”

“Is everyone feeling well? No one still has the curse on them, do they?”

“No, we’re all feeling like ourselves again,” he confirmed. “We haven’t felt hope in years. I can’t believe this is happening. Whatever you guys did—thank you, so much. From all of us.”

A loud cheer forced me to move the phone away from my ear as I heard the entire pack howl in agreement with Dylan’s thanks. The sound of merriment was at odds with the feeling in the room. Sienna and I locked eyes as we listened to the jubilation from the pack, wishing we could join in with their celebration. If they knew what today had cost their luna, they might be reacting differently, but after so many years in the dark, I didn’t have the heart to tell them.

“I need to let you go, Dylan,” I told him.

“When are you two coming home?”

“As soon as we can manage it,” I said. “Thank you for taking care of everyone until we get back.”

Sienna’s eyes welled with tears again as I hung up the phone. I hurried back to her side. She was warm now, which I was thankful for.

“I’m here,” I told her, resting her head on my shoulder as she sniffled.

“Thank you,” she said. “I’m so glad the curse broke. I always knew my dad was a good person, and he proved it today.”

“Without a doubt,” I echoed. “He always loved you, you know.”

“I wish we had more time together, but I’m glad he fought for me when it really mattered.”

“He’ll always be with us. I swear, he will never be forgotten for as long as I draw breath.”

She hugged me tightly to her, as if she were holding on for dear life. I had lost both my parents, but I couldn’t relate to any of what Sienna was going through. Her father had been a positive person in her life, for the most part, and he’d shared an entire lifetime of happy memories with her. My own family hadbeen nothing but abuse and chaos. I wished I had some way of encouraging her, but all I could think to do was be there with her.

“I’m so sorry,” I admitted. “I feel like this is all my fault. If I had only found another way to break the curse, Tom never would have—”

“Don’t do that,” Sienna interrupted. “Don’t think about the could-have-beens and what-ifs. My dad knew what the cost was going to be, and he chose it. This is what needed to happen for him to mend his own mistake.”

“I wish I could believe that,” I said.

“You will someday. Besides,” she added with a sad smile, “didn’t you hear Dad? He’s at peace now, with Mom.”

I tucked her hair behind her ear affectionately and caressed her cheek. This woman, my mate, was the most marvelous person who had ever existed. I was honored now, more than ever, to have her by my side.

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