~ Ethan ~
I finally reached Peak Mountain. The fog was thick, and it was hard to walk farther. I needed to rest for a while before continuing my journey. So, I sat on a rock, drank the water I had brought, and ate bread.
Strange, I didn’t think of Cathy anymore, but Helena. Maybe the last time, hunger and guilt hit me hard, so I recalled the past repeatedly. Perhaps because I had spent intimate time with Helena or knew where I should go now, I hoped I could meet Ruby soon.
Ruby Miranda, I sighed, recalling her name. I wondered what she would do when I met her. She might curse me more instead of revoking the curse if she still hated me.
No matter what, I should try to see her. I would beg if I had to be. Now, it was not only for me but also for Helena and my pack. I needed to have a pup to be my heir too. Otherwise, the pack’s stability was at stake.
Who would have thought that my past could badly affect me, my mate, and others? Regret always comes later. Some Elders had asked me about the candidate for the next Alpha. I couldn’t mention a name since I still expected my offspring to be one.
When they pushed me hard to give them a name, I gave them Red’s name, and they weren’t satisfied. Being an Alpha is not only about loyalty and strength but also about charisma. They said Red was lacking in charm.
I didn’t tell Red about it since it would hurt him, considering he always respects our Elders. But when I contemplated it, I was fortunate since my parents were royalty. They were born wealthy too. So, I inherited everything from them. In contrast, Red is an orphan who doesn’t know his parents. When he joined the Death Wing Pack twelve years ago, he had difficulty adjusting to the pack because of his old trauma.
It was strange that I was the first werewolf who could be his friend, then we became best friends. So, when Helena told me that Red wanted to separate us, my first reaction was upset and mad. But after being calm, I knew he did it because I was important to him.
Finishing my bread and a bottle of water, I continued my journey to climb Peak Mountain. The strong magic here limited me so that I couldn’t shape-shift into the wolf. Walking in human shape for long travel was exhausting. So, I should take a rest from time to time.
After three hours of walking and climbing, I reached the top of Peak Mountain. I saw a fire in the distance and squinted my eyes. Was that a hut? I ran as fast as possible. It was hot there, and a child was crying in the place.
“Oh, no! Hang on, son!”
I couldn’t only watch and let the child die. So, I opened my backpack, wetted myself with all the mineral water I got and ran into the burning hut. I held my breath and ran as fast as possible. I finally saw the child and hugged him.
“I’m scared, uncle.” He bawled on my chest.
I patted his head. “Don’t worry! We’ll get out of here soon.” I hugged him tightly to my chest, and then I jumped through the window.
The moment I jumped, the hut collapsed to the ground. I rolled on the ground, protecting the child and myself from the fall. My feet were aching; maybe I sprained the ankles, but knowing we were safe was a great reward.
“Where are your parents, son?”
The child shook his head. “I have no one.”
“So, do you live alone here?”
He nodded. “Thank you for saving me, uncle.”
I patted his head. “You are welcome. What’s your name, son?”
“Aaron.” He sat next to me on the ground. “Uncle?”
“Yes, Aaron.”
His face was red. “Uh, I’m hungry. Do you have food?”
I opened my bag, took a loaf of bread, parted it into two, and gave a significant portion to Aaron. He ate it fast, and then he smiled. “Thank you, uncle. Do you have any water?”
I shook my head. “Sorry, son, but I ran out of water. We should find a river somewhere near here.”
“Uncle, why did you help me?”
“Because I couldn’t leave you just like that to die.”
Aaron nodded. Then, unexpectedly, a thick fog surrounded Aaron, and somehow, after it was gone, he was also gone. Instead, an older woman was there, the same woman who tested me before who impersonated herself as a young woman.
“You again!”
“Yes, Ethan, we met again.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “Are you Ruby Miranda?”
“Finally! Yes, I am Ruby Miranda.”
I sat straight. “Why? Another test?”
Ruby smiled a little. “For sure. You have changed a lot, Ethan.”
I took a deep breath. “Yes, I wasn’t the foolish and egoistic young man I used to be.” Then I let out a long sigh. “You must know why I came here. So, though apologizing won’t return Cathy, I want to apologize again.”
“I have forgiven you, believe it or not.”
“Oh, have you?” I stared at her. “Then can you break the curse now?”
Ruby shook her head. “No.”
“Why not? Is there anything you want me to do so that you can end the curse?”
“It’s not how it’s supposed to be.”
“What do you mean?” I frowned, waiting for Ruby’s explanation.
“Once a curse is chanted, we can’t take it back. You must break it yourself.”
I took a deep breath. Disappointment filled my mind right now. “Can you give a clue how I can break the curse?”
“By the true love of a young, powerful witch. If you can find her and both of you love each other, it can break the curse and end it forever.”
“But I have already had my mate. I can’t leave her for someone else, even if her love can break the curse.”
Ruby smiled. “You won’t know the future.” Then she blinked her eyes, and she disappeared in a second.
In a second, I was no longer at Peak Mountain but in Moon City. I would guess that I was dreaming, but my empty backpack, the smoke smell, and a flying scroll from the sky convinced me I truly teleported back to Moon City. Ruby is indeed a powerful witch.
I caught the scroll and read it: “Only true love of a young, powerful witch can break the curse. True love is as mighty as the power of death. It can conquer death and give life.”