Ava
I glanced at the clock and realized I was late for lunch. Quickly gathering my things, I hurried out of the office and made my way toward the dining room. As I approached, I heard voices echoing down the hallway halting my steps.
"Lily, I know you're worried, but I'm fine," Caleb said, his tone edged with irritation.
"You say that, but the curse is unpredictable, and NOT broken" Lily replied, her voice filled with concern. "I like Ava. She's strong and smart, and I don't want to see her hurt. You need to be careful, Caleb."
"I care about her too, Lily," Caleb shot back, his frustration evident. "But something's different now. I can't explain it, but I feel... in control. More than ever before."
Lily sighed. "Caleb, you can't just brush this off. The curse doesn't just go away because you feel different. What if it comes back? What if you hurt her?"
"I'm not going to hurt her," Caleb insisted, his voice growing more agitated. "I can handle this. I've never felt this connected, this grounded. It's like she's helping me, even if she doesn't realize it."
Lily's voice softened. "I know you believe that, Caleb. But love can make us blind. Just promise me you'll be careful. Ava deserves to know the risks."
Caleb took a deep breath, his agitation giving way to a quiet resolve. "That's not...." I heard him take in another deep breath "I will. But I need to understand this change first. It's not just about the curse anymore. She's... she's different Lily."
I paused outside the door, my heart racing. I knew I shouldn't be eavesdropping, but the conversation was too important to ignore. I took a deep breath, composed myself, and pushed the door open, pretending not to have heard a thing.
"Sorry I'm late," I said cheerfully, slipping into my seat and forcing a smile. "Got caught up with some paperwork."
Caleb glanced at me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "No problem. We were just chatting."
Lunch proceeded as usual, but my mind was elsewhere. I replayed the conversation I had overheard, piecing together the bits of information. The curse, Caleb's condition, Lily's concern—it all swirled in my head, mingling with the betrayal I had just uncovered in the pack's finances.
Then, Lily's words echoed in my mind: "Love can make us blind." My heart skipped a beat. Did Lily mean that Caleb was in love with me? The idea made my stomach flutter with both excitement and fear. Could Caleb, actually have feelings for me?
After lunch, I excused myself, making the excuse I had some things to finish up on. I walked through the pack grounds, my thoughts racing. Caleb had always been ....protective, but hearing Lily's concern for his well-being made me realize there was so much I didn't know about him. Something was different, he had said. What did that mean? And how did it tie into the curse? And, what did that have to do with me....helping him somehow?
I knew I needed to confront Caleb about what I had heard, but timing was crucial. I decided to focus on what I could control: protecting the pack from any further betrayal.
But the conversation weighed heavily on my mind, and as I walked, I realized it was getting dark but my eyes worked fine in the dark.
I couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in my mind. I knew I needed to confront Caleb, to understand what was really was going on. Gathering my courage, I made my way to Caleb's room. I hesitated for a moment outside his door, then knocked firmly.
The door opened, revealing Caleb, shirtless.....damn he looked delicious, and surprised to see me. "Ava?" he asked, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his eyes.
"Can I come in?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Of course," he replied, stepping aside to let me enter. "Would you like to sit down?"
I shook my head, my mind racing with too many thoughts to settle. "No, thanks," I replied. Caleb nodded and took a seat on his bed, watching me as I began to pace in front of him.
I had intended to confront him about the curse and everything I had overheard, but as I turned and opened my mouth to talk, I noticed he seemed to be in pain. His face was tight, and he moved with a noticeable stiffness. Before I could say anything, he suddenly clutched his chest, a pained expression crossing his face.
"Caleb!" I exclaimed, rushing to his side.
Through gritted teeth, he managed to say, "Ava... there's a... strange-colored bottle... on the shelf... get it."
I quickly found the bottle, filled with a peculiar, swirling liquid. I brought it to him, and he took it with shaking hands. "Help me... drink it," he gasped.
I supported him, tilting the bottle to his lips and helping him drink. The liquid seemed to work quickly, and I watched as the pain began to fade from his face. He took deep breaths, the tension slowly easing from his body.
Once the pain subsided, I couldn't hold back any longer. I resumed pacing for a moment before stopping in front of him. "Is this the curse, Caleb?" I asked, my voice filled with concern and curiosity.
Caleb looked at me, a weary but amused expression on his face. "I should have known you'd figure it out eventually," he said with a small, tired laugh.
"Tell me everything you know," I insisted, my determination clear.
Caleb sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a curse that's been in my family for generations," he began. "It was placed on one of my ancestors by a powerful witch. The curse affects each male in my line differently, but it always brings pain and a loss of control. For me, it feels like my heart is being torn apart. The potion you just gave me helps manage the pain, but it doesn't cure it."
I listened intently, my heart aching for him. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked softly.
"I didn't want to burden you," Caleb admitted. "And... I don't fully understand it myself. I've been trying to figure out how to break it, but it's not easy. The curse is tied to my emotions, my connections. Lately, I've been feeling more in control, and I think... I think it has something to do with you."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Me? How?"
"I don't know exactly," Caleb said, shaking his head. "But being around you, it makes me feel stronger, more grounded. The curse's grip seems to loosen when you're near. It's like you're a calming presence, helping me fight it."
I took a deep breath, processing everything he had said. "Caleb, of course I'll help you, You are my husband after all."
Caleb reached out, taking my hand in his. "Thank you, Ava. Your support means everything to me."
I took a deep breath, still holding Caleb's hand. "Caleb, I need to know more. What exactly is this curse? How does it work?" I asked, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
Caleb sighed, looking down at our joined hands. "The curse was placed on my ancestor by a powerful witch. She was wronged by him, and in her rage, she cursed him and his descendants. The curse manifests differently in each of us, but it's always tied to our emotions and connections. For me, it feels like my heart is being torn apart, and if I dont take that potion, it becomes unbarable pain"
I nodded, absorbing his words. "Is there a cure? Anything that can break it?"
Caleb shook his head, a grim expression on his face. "I've been searching for a cure for years, but I haven't found anything concrete. The curse is designed to be unbreakable. If I don't find a way to break it, my heart will eventually turn to stone. When that happens, I'll fall into a coma and sleep forever."
My heart ached for him, the weight of his words sinking in. I finally took a seat next to him, our hands still clasped. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, the gravity of the situation pressing down on me.
"So, you're saying if we don't find a cure, you'll... you'll be gone," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Caleb nodded, his eyes meeting mine. "Yes. But I don't intend to give up. I've felt more in control lately, and I believe there's hope. I think... I think you might be part of that hope." He reached up cupping my face with his hand staring into me with those pericing blue eyes. I leaned into the warmth of his hand, closing my eyes just a moment. "This feels.....right" he said as I looked at him with determination. "Caleb, we're going to solve this. I don't know how yet, but I'm not going to let you face this alone. We'll find a way to break the curse. I do feel this too... whatever chemistry is here.....just everything is....."
Caleb's eyes softened. "Thank you, and I realize this is a lot, just....please dont run.
I squeezed his hand, a newfound resolve filling me. "We're in this together. . We'll find a way."