Chapter 106: The True Extent of the Curse
The woman smiled.
Nina was sure of it.
It was small, almost imperceptible, and she would have missed it entirely if she hadn’t been staring at her.
But then, without a word, she lowered her gaze back to Nina’s wrist as though nothing had happened.
Nina blinked. What was going on? The woman had recognized her—she’d seen it plain in her eyes a moment ago.
So why wasn’t she saying anything? Why pretend nothing had happened at all? Questions crashed through Nina’s mind one after another, but no answers came to meet them.
The healer’s fingers remained lightly against her pulse for another moment before she withdrew her hand and turned toward Eloise.
"The Luna is in excellent health, Your Grace. There is nothing wrong with her body. She is more than capable of bearing children."
Nina held her breath.
"However..." the healer continued calmly, "she is not with child."
A quiet breath escaped Nina’s lips. At least there was one piece of good news today.
"What of her auspicious days?" Eloise asked.
"The seventh and eighth of next month, Your Grace."
The healer folded her hands before her.
"If the Alpha and Luna share a bed during those days, the chances of conception will be most favorable."
A pleased smile spread across Eloise’s face. "Excellent."
"I also brought the Luna some potions, to help things along more quickly." The healer glanced at the attendant.
The attendant stepped forward carrying a polished wooden box no larger than both hands, setting it gently on the stool beside Nina before stepping back into place.
"I prepared these myself," the healer said. "They will strengthen the Luna’s body and improve the likelihood of conception."
Nina forced a smile. "Thank you."
She would sooner pour every last drop down the drain than let one touch her lips.
The healer looked at her, and their eyes met once more. There it was again, that same look, quiet and knowing, lasting only a heartbeat before the woman smiled.
"Take one dose every morning and every night," she said softly. "May it grant you what you seek."
Nina’s fingers tightened around the edge of her dress.
What she sought. Why did she say it that way?
The woman rose from the stool and bowed. "If that is all, Your Grace, I shall take my leave."
"You may."
The woman inclined her head once more before turning away, and Nina watched her leave, waiting for something, anything, but the woman did not look back. The doors opened, then closed, and then, silence.
Nina’s gaze drifted to the small wooden box resting beside her. A strange unease settled low in her stomach. The woman had known, she was sure of it. So why had she kept quiet? Was she like Emory, part of the coven, or was there another reason entirely?
"Make sure you share the Alpha’s bed on those days."
Eloise’s voice cut cleanly through her thoughts. Nina looked up.
"On the seventh and eighth. Do you understand?"
Nina forced herself to nod. "Yes... Your Grace."
"I can rest easy now, knowing the Alpha would soon have an heir."
There was a long moment of silence, then Nina looked at the Martriach, "Your Grace..." she started.
"Call me grandmother." Eloise cut in. "Don’t call me by the title—you’ll be bearing my great grandsons soon enough."
Nina blinked. Were grandmother and grandson in sync today?
"Okay," she nodded. A little pause. "Grandmother," she said.
Eloise smiled widely. "Yes?"
"I don’t think having a child right now would be a good idea. Given everything that’s going on... with the curse." Nina said.
The old woman’s smile faltered instantly. Her gaze darkened. "The Alpha has told you."
Nina nodded once. ’’Yes,’’
Silence settled between them. Eloise leaned back into the sofa. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Outside, the wind brushed gently against the windows.
Finally, Eloise sighed.
"Lycans above the age of sixty, too old to shift, and children who have not yet grown their wolf forms yet, not able to shift at all, they would still be here. Who would rule over them?"
Nina’s eyes lowered, her gaze fixing on her hands.
"I will still be here. The children will still be here. Whatever remains of the Vermont pack still needs someone to protect them, someone to lead them. That is why the Alpha must bear an heir."
The full extermination of the entire lycan race. That is the true extent of the curse.
Nina’s face paled instantly as Emory’s words rang in her head.
This... This was what she meant.
If she completed the curse, it would affect everyone, both old and young. Every single one of them... would die.
Nina’s blood ran cold.
No, she did not want that. Her heart clenched painfully. What kind of evil human was she to want every one of them gone? Even innocent children?
She shut her eyes. There should be a way out of this. She didn’t want to kill anyone.
But what would she do? How was she going to stop it?
"Did you hear me?" Eloise asked, snapping Nina from her thoughts.
"I said, the Hunt is almost here. Have you decided what you’re going to do?"
Nina dragged in a breath. She’d nearly forgotten. "I’ll be ready before then."
"Good," Eloise said. "You may return now. Don’t forget to drink the potions the healer prepared for you."
Nina nodded and stood, taking the box in her hands.
"Thank you," she said, and left the Matriarch’s quarters.
The walk back to her room was quiet. The servants lowered their heads as she passed, but she barely acknowledged any of them, her mind still turning over everything Eloise had said.
She pushed open the doors and placed the box on the table.
She needed to be more careful with Rodrigo, so she wouldn’t bear a child.
And as for this—
Her eyes fell on the box of potions. Into the sink, all of it.
She pulled open the lid, but her hands came to an abrupt stop at the envelope sitting on top of it.
Nina froze.
Written across the front of the envelope, in elegant cursive, was her name.
You have been invited to the Three Realms,
Annalise.