Chapter 68

~Grace~

“Come in,” the voice on the other side of the door called. It had to have been the Lycan Elder, it sounded croaky and coarse.

I had just knocked on the door to his room, and I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt nervously.

I knew this would likely be a hard conversation to have, and with no one to support me… It would be even more difficult.

What would he think of me accusing him? Would he throw me out of the clan?

I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. No matter what happened, I had to try.

I stepped in and took a look around. The room was small and cramped. Stuff spilled over shelves and sat on desks, it all looked like old things, memorabilia.

Quickly, I zoned in on the Elder Lycan, who was resting in a leather armchair. He was a grey-haired, small man, his eyes narrow but large behind thick glasses.

I stood in the doorway, unsure of where to go.

“Miss Grace Windsong, the soon-to-be co-leader of the Black Lycan clan,” he said. When he talked, his neck trembled.

I cleared my throat and gave him a small smile.

“Or is that still the plan…?” He questioned, tilting his head at me.

My smile faded. I couldn’t tell if he was asking an honest question, or if he was trying to get under my skin.

Something about the way he looked at me made my skin crawl.

Or maybe I was just prejudiced against him, since I already suspected him of doing something nefarious.

“Yes, Elder Lycan. I still plan on marrying Alex,” I responded politely, clasping my hands in front of me.

He flashed me a smile and nodded. “I see. Well, what can I do for you? We haven’t had the pleasure of talking before.”

I nodded and shifted my weight. I had to be brave about this, the clan depended on me.

“I… I’m sure you are well aware of the story of the tragedy that happened to the Black Lycan clan a few decades ago,” I began, my voice quieter than I intended.

The Elder Lycan lifted his chin and watched me intently.

“Yes, I was there.”

I nodded.

“W-well, maybe the version I heard may not be the complete truth. I heard that Alex’s father fell in love with a werewolf woman who led the attack against the Lycans.”

“That is true,” he cut in, turning his head to look out of the window.

I pressed my lips together.

“I spoke to her last night. She said she had nothing to do with it, but that I should talk to you instead. I just thought… maybe you knew something…”

“You’d listen to that devil of a woman?” He snapped, eyes ablaze with fury, locked onto mine.

I gasped at his outburst and took a step back.

“Of course you would, you werewolves tend to stick together…” he muttered, settling down into his chair.

I gave an awkward laugh. I wasn’t sure what else to do.

The Elder Lycan obviously was not going to have a conversation about this, but I wouldn’t leave here empty-handed.

I sighed. “I meant no disrespect, Elder Lycan. I just… want to help the clan.”

The Elder Lycan rested his chin on his fist and stayed silent for a long moment. I could hear the clock ticking on the wall.

“It is the Nightshade Pack’s fault that we ended up this way. Liam is the blood relative of the wolf who betrayed us. Her pack no longer exists, but a debt must still be paid.”

I lowered my brows. What was he implying?

“How… What is wrong with the Black Lycan clan? Why have they gotten sick?”

He sighed. “It is a curse. The blood that was shed many years ago never got revenge for their loss. Their loss stains this clan, and without redemption, the rest of the clan will fade away.”

Oh, no.

My heart sank. I hadn’t realized it was so dire. How much time did they have?

If it affected everyone in the clan, that meant Alex and Enzo would die, too…

I swallowed, hard, filled with resolve. I had to fix this.

“How can the curse be broken?”

The Elder Lycan sat up taller. “By the shedding of the blood of those who have wronged our clan.”

I lowered my eyes. I knew now what he meant, but I couldn’t believe that was the only solution.

“T-there were so many wolves who attacked, it’s close to impossible to round up everyone who was involved,” I said, hoping there would be another way.

The Elder Lycan shook his head. “Not all wolves must be killed. There is only one who betrayed our clan.”

I locked eyes with him, and I knew we thought of the same person.

Liam’s mother.

I nodded slowly. I wasn’t sure there was much else I could get out of this conversation.

I turned to leave, but the Elder Lycan spoke up again.

“It is not just her. It is her bloodline that must pay. That is the only way to break the curse.”

My stomach dropped.

He was asking for Liam and his mother to be killed. And his entire family.

That… couldn’t be right.

It just couldn’t.

I nodded, but I could feel my heart beating in my throat.

“T-thank you for your time, Elder Lycan.”

“I hope you can resolve this, soon,” he said. I clenched my jaw.

“I hope so, too,” I replied, and opened the door.

“I hope you don’t end up like the last werewolf who we welcomed into our clan,” I heard him say as I left the room.

My head spun.

I came for answers, and I certainly got some, but…

This wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

In order to save the Black Lycan clan Liam and his family had to be killed?

That couldn’t be the only way. Curses had to have a source, and even if that source was from the dead, there had to be more than one way to break it.

Right?

Ugh. I didn’t have any experience with this sort of stuff.

I needed help… I couldn’t do this on my own.

I couldn’t tell Alex about this, because… Well… I knew he’d take the Elder Lycan at his word and spare no time shedding the blood of Liam’s family.

But I just couldn’t let that happen.

Enzo, too. I trusted him, but…

I knew his clan was more important than me. If it really came down to it, would he hold my secret?

Ugh, what could I do?!

Just then, a person popped into my mind.

A person whose name left a sour taste in my mouth, whose hair shone white in the sun, and who never failed to ruin my life.

Christopher.

I hated to think of asking him for help, but… I knew he had experience with magic.

Hell, he practically put a curse on me!

If I asked him, I knew he would help me. But I also knew that his help wouldn’t come for free.

Especially after I left him on the boat without a word…

But what other choice did I have?