Page 10

Prue swallowed hard, a tiny shiver running through her. I wanted to believe it was because I was that charming.

Unfortunately, I knew better.

My aura had slipped free without permission, curling around her before I could stop it. I should've been horrified that I'd just used magic on the woman I was trying to convince not to run screaming in the opposite direction.

Instead, all I could think was that my alpha had already decided she belonged under our protection. He wanted this little witch safe and didn’t flinch at the magical release we’d just witnessed.

She didn’t trust me yet. I was sent by the magistrate to observe and possibly help her. For them it was to keep her in line, for both of us it was hopefully a way to find a cure. Or at least a way to give them a normal life.

For her. For my brother who would be moving to town any day. For all of the people sent here and forced to live their lives as prisoners.

Afraid to use too much of my magic to calm her, I forced back my influence so I wasn't overwhelming her. I watched as her pulse slowed and her breathing returned back to normal.

"You don’t make me nervous. My curse does,” she clarified. “It hurts people if I’m not careful. Hell, I barely know what it does. Sometimes, it’s a magical burst, other days, things just go wrong like luck isn’t on my side. Plus, you saw the chickens." The words fell unconsciously from her lips in a single burst before she slammed a hand over her mouth.

I let out a little chuckle and held out a hand towards her. Prue would learn that I could be her safe pace and my words weren’t empty promises. She eyed me cautiously, her omega wanting her to give in, but her mind reluctant.

Something I hope eased with time.

"If something happens to you, then it's on you," she warned as she finally slipped her hand into mine.

"You already hiccuped a chicken onto my head. What’s the worst you can do?" I asked as I led her back towards the pizza place.

She didn’t bother to answer, just gave me a side eye. I knew damn well it could get worse. Yet, I had no intention of turning away now. My alpha purred softly next to her. It was low enough to soothe but not draw attention, and I hoped it helped fight off any lingering cursed magic that was hanging around.

We walked quietly for a few minutes before I let my curiosity win.

"Do you usually feel your curse before it strikes?"

The magistrate brought me in to help her, and now that I knew she was mine, I had even more motivation to succeed. From what I could tell this was an extreme case. What I just witnessed looked more like something that was done to her.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around how this sweet and considerate woman could have lived with this awful curse for these past few years. She literally ran out of the town before the effects could cause any destruction on the town. It was, clearly, not intentional. From the sounds of it, the curse didn’t make a lot of sense as it struck from different angles.

I’ve seen far worse outcomes from people who could care less.

"The chickens weren’t my curse, actually. It was a miscalculated spell,” she admitted a bit sheepishly. “I can’t rule out my curse affecting it, but it wasn’t something that happened on its own. The magical bursts feel different. It’s like a hum under my skin and an unnatural magic that takes over. I take it as a warning to move or face accusations. Or worse… someone getting hurt.”

That made so much more sense. I’d never seen a curse quite so nonsensical as randomly hiccuping and making chickens appear. I’d have to ask more about that spell later. For now, this was more pressing.

"Does that happen often?" I questioned.

"Depends on the day, really," Prue answered honestly. It didn’t even take my aura anymore to reassure her I wasn’t here to hurt her. That she could trust me with her words.

"Let's go back and get you some food," I offered gently as I pulled off my dress shirt and handed it to her. "Put this on. It's going to be a little big, but it’s clean. Maybe just tie it up or something."

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked bluntly. I was a little taken aback by her words.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I countered stopping her in her tracks.

"You’re not like us. Our families and friends cut us off and never looked back. We’re isolated here with the magistrate looking over us. Most of the outside world thinks we’re beneath them.” The pain and honesty in her voice made my blood boil. “Don’t get me wrong. This town is home for me now. It’s also isolated and we have only half of the rights we deserve.”

"Well, you're in luck. You have the best curse expert on the case. Once we reverse this, do you think you'll stay here?" I asked.

She considered my question, even though I could tell she was more than a little skeptical about my abilities. I couldn't blame her. Most curses weren’t thought to be reversible.

I disagreed. My life’s work proved my theory correct. I’d cured more than one curse and kept my brother’s at bay for years.

"I haven't thought about it. Even though I’ve been trying to break the curse, a part of me was afraid to think about it too hard. That and I've been too busy with the shop," she explained as we started walking again.