Page 26 of Cursed Beasts

“I see the anger coming alive in you and you have every right to be upset with them, but I’m asking you to please be the bigger person and help us, please.” He walked over to the bed and sat down at the edge. “They have been cursed for so long that all that sits in them is anger. They need you to break the spell.”

“Mr. Potter, I want to help but—”

“Please, don’t say no,” he begged. “It’s been two hundred years, please. It’s time this feud ends. Your family punished them for a mistake that they didn’t commit.”

“Mr. Potter—”

“Just think about it. I promise they are great men,” he said, grabbing my hands. “Just give them a chance, let them show you who they are.”

“Mr. Potter—”

“Please,” he pleaded again, before he grabbed my tray. “Just call my name if you need me. I’ll hear you from anywhere.”

He vanished with my tray, leaving me in disbelief and a little weirded out that he could do that. Here I was thinking I was finally going to get some answers, but now I was even more confused.

Had they been here for two hundred years?

Who the hell did they piss off to get themselves cursed for that long? I knew after a certain time bigger spells needed something to keep them working, especially for two hundred years.

I got up from my bed and looked out the window, wondering what the hell was going on. My need to know more about the curse that was placed on them was making me want to research it and figure it out, but I also wanted the story. I debated on calling back Mr. Potter, since he had left so quickly; I didn’t think he was going to come back.

A part of me sympathized with him because he seemed to be a part of whatever this was, but he sounded like he genuinely cared for these men, like they were his own sons.

I paced the room, trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Did I want to stay and figure this curse out for them? But even if I found a way to break it, I couldn’t perform the spell. Maybe one of the guys could do it?

No, I needed to get the hell out of here before something happened to me because if what happened earlier were to happen again, I was screwed. I was good to no one dead, and I wanted my fucking freedom. I deserved it.

12

AEON

Everything has been off since she arrived. I had never felt so wound up at a Belladonna’s arrival before. It was usually Zev who was the angry, unpredictable one. I woke up outside, alone again.

Zev’s words came back to haunt me. It had been a few days since we talked but now all I could think of was, what if it’s because I’ve made him wait too long?

Things with Lucien were never supposed to get physical, especially with me being eight years older than him. He was a cute, lanky, dorky kid when I first met him, then his first shift happened. It wasn’t long after that he became a man, looking absolutely delectable.

When he turned eighteen, we finally let him in on our bond that had been planned since before he was born. My bond with Zev was brotherly, but my bond with Lucien was very similar to a mate bond. I wanted him in more ways than just a purely sexual one. The need to protect him, provide for him, and give him pleasure was overwhelming, but we could never be that.

It wasn’t because our pack wasn’t against men being together. We were very fluid with our sexuality, and it wasn’t uncommon to have group bonds with two males or two females. I was promised to a woman to bring two groups of people together and love wasn’t part of that. I would do my duty.

Just thinking about our lives before this damn curse ignited the anger that I always tried to keep at bay. I was usually the more level-headed one out of all of us, but I now felt completely on edge, wanting to lash out at everything.

I got up off the ground, stalking towards the front door, deciding I needed a bath and to blow off some steam. Ever since we tied up the Belladonna, arguing with Lucien every day, and our daily baggage, I just wanted to fuck Lucien senseless, giving us what we both needed.

Once I entered, I climbed to the second floor, making my way to my room. A hot bath was waiting for me, but I would not enjoy the warmth. I needed to get clean to go knock some sense into Lucien and hopefully enjoy a release.

I threw on just a pair of pants—because I needed all the help I could get and he’s always loved my body—I realized I needed to take Lucien something. I walked down to the dining room, seeing food left out for us, and spotted bread pudding in small cups.

“Here is a tray, Master Aeon,” Mr. Potter appeared next to me. “May I suggest this wonderful dish I just learned how to make?”

He lifted a lid off a large plate. The smell was mouthwatering, instantly making me ravenous, and I knew Lucien needed to try this. Mr. Potter helped me put everything on a tray.

“If I may, I can take it up for you,” he offered. I looked at his corporeal form, feeling guilty once again that he had gotten wrapped up in this curse with us.

“It’s ok, I can take it up myself, Mr. Potter,” I said, grabbing the tray.

“I would suggest telling him you have missed him.” He smiled at me before he left.

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