Gift from Hecate

"Paddy stared hard at Michael, eager to tell. It was the moment. The sorcerers had killed their only daughter. His wife. He looked at Cassie smothering a veiled curse. The light of creation. Despite all the resentment he had against the girl, the pack's interests took precedence. They faced the threat of extinction. He couldn't believe a damn traitor's cursed half-blood could change that. It was ironic.

-It's a blood curse. Causes magic to focus on the host until it is completely drained. Better than an ICHICHO. Slower and perhaps cruel. It will take a sorcerer's blood to cut through the magic rooted in her blood. It's like a disease that spreads.

Rick stared at him as if he'd been physically hit.

-A sorcerer dies when his magic is completely drained. - He was burning in his hell. With horror refinements. - How about a mixed-race?

Padraic could easily curse William for that. James was insane. Cast that kind of spell on her daughter? Especially on the daughter. He looked at Morgan wondering if the boy was the sorcerer's reason. Naturally the unfortunate would not be pleased to know that his daughter was the alpha female of the pack.

He approached the bed slowly and took her wrist. Accelerated. The mestizo's organism tried to fight the curse in the blood as if it were a disease. He carefully examined her still-low temperature.

- You can choose. – he explained disapprovingly. – Thirst or drained magic? It makes no difference. In the end, is death.

Padraic wondered about the rest of the legends. Light of creation. He scratched his head, still puzzled. She was very thin. Probably before the curse he had barely fed as some young wolves did. It would be possible...

- But what about the blood of a sorcerer? – Rick wanted to know without giving himself up for defeat.

Valerius. His mind summoned Valerius with a thirst for death. The man was a sorcerer. He had been with James when the curse had probably been cast.

-God, Morgan! Are you thinking about Valerius?- Michael complained.- Rick!

-And why not? He's a sorcerer! – Adam was confident.

-Valerius is James' trusted man, Rick. – Vladimir was quick to enumerate the problems of that decision.

Padraic shook his head thoughtfully.

-They are legends, but it doesn't hurt to try. For now, we can just make sure she doesn't do any magic to waste energy.

-It can be James if you prefer. A good dead sorcerer is a dead sorcerer. They are all despicable.

-Let's all rest and enjoy the rest of the night. - Vladimir suggested calmly. In the morning we will decide what will be done.

- A war will start with these people, Richard Morgan. – Padraic spoke simply.

-No more than Jackie when he finds out that Faith is alive. Trust me, old man.

She had woken up hungry.

Was it night? How long had she slept? She looked at the hut in the dim light of the candlelit night and the table with plentiful food on platters. She could devour all those goodies in front of her. Her scent sounded so appetizing—and she was a sweet tooth—that she tasted the applesauce ecstatically.

Only something was different about her taste. Agr – the taste of the apples she so enjoyed was bad. Without further ado, the aroma of the food seemed disgusting. She ran to the basin on the dresser and spat out the food, relieved by the cool breeze coming from the open window. She felt exhausted.

It was night. Again? How long had she slept? She lay back on the bed, wrapped in the covers, and went back to sleep.

It was dawn when Cassie opened her eyes with sunlight bathing her body. She noticed with surprise that warm arms were wrapped around her. Was it Morgan? Had he spent the night with her? A sudden pain twisted her stomach. It looked like she had been punched in the stomach.

-Still, sleeping? - Rick provoked. He ran his hand over her sweaty forehead for a surprising moment. - How long are you going to stay in this bed, my beautiful lazybones?

Cassie wasn't paying attention. It was Morgan.

-The children... Let me go!-She gasped, struggling to free herself.

Rick immediately dropped his arms.

-What...?

She backed away, covering her mouth with her hand again toward the basin. Her stomach churned and burned. The discomfort was enormous. She vomited violently.

- What's the problem? What was there?

He supported her, holding her hair away from her face. Kassuim didn't respond, struggling to breathe again.

-I think the jams weren't good.

He frowned in wonder.

-You mean spoiled?

"What do you mean spoiled?"

The girl moaned. She could at least be alone in this humiliating situation. It was clear that with her luck he was right there beside her.

"Are you okay?" His voice was strained.

-I am fine. It was just discomfort. Go away!

-Do not even think about it! He grunted angrily.

He held her once more. This time Cassie was in a cold sweat. She only vomited liquid while Morgan cursed at his wife's feeble attempts to push him away. After the bout of nausea and vomiting had passed, she rinsed her mouth exhausted. She was cold and sweating. Her husband carried her to bed and sat beside her.

-The sweets weren't spoiled. I ate them myself.- he observed worriedly.

No! It was just print.

"Is it?" she asked airily. "So it was something else I ate.

His warm hand touched her cold, sweaty forehead. She felt terrible. All she wanted was to go back to bed.

"How are you feeling now?" he managed to ask coldly.

She tried to smile.

Show that it was nothing.

It was weird. The malaise, just as it had started, disappeared. It was fine. Nausea had passed quickly. She sighed dejectedly.

-Actually, I'm hungry.

-This is unexpected. – he observed more seriously.

Despite feeling fine after the illness, Rick passed on the sweets she so enjoyed indifferently to her complaints. And also the cakes. And no apples. He provided a lighter meal. Soup and toast. He completely ignored her complaints about the unappealing meal.

Despite her displeasure, she was hungry as she savoured the toast. And sleepy again. Maybe she could sleep all day. But suddenly the stomach contracted again. She went back to vomiting the entire meal.

-That's enough. I'll call a healer.

Which meant rest, horrible teas. God, if Christina was right…she vehemently denied it.

-I am fine. No healers or doctors.

Maybe some tea. It might settle her stomach and a grumpy, worried Richard Morgan. Usually, she never had those kinds of discomfort. At least she never had. She sat on the coldest bed. Doing math. Mentally calculating. When was the last time...? Since then she hasn't...

She looked at Richard.

-How long are we in Chabone?

He shrugged, distracted.

- A month and a half. Or more, I think.

Cassie looked at him in disbelief. So long?

- And when the Coral intercepted the ship?. How long were we at sea?

She was starting to do desperate calculations. Oh, sir! That was impossible! Not with that bloody curse of hers. Anything but that. She could accept that she was going to die. Otherwise, they would end the damn spell. But...

- With the storm and you hurt, maybe ten days. - Rick was starting to get impatient. – Can you explain to me what is happening?

There was only silence. She couldn't. She didn't. It was a mistake. He smothered a new groan, hands wrapped around his tight stomach.

It was clear that she'd noticed Adam's borrowed clothes tighter. It hadn't mattered. Her husband kept complaining that she had lost weight. The night she'd tried to dress up in a dress borrowed from Christina, he'd stared at his friend in astonishment. The corset. It was hard to know how women managed to breathe. No wonder the faintings. She had an uncomfortable feeling at that moment.

She bit her lip in distress. It had to be a mistake!

It's just print. Just tired. Only her breasts were firmer, fuller, and aching.

-Do you think you can explain to me what is happening? - Morgan took her cold hands. Maybe she would call Padraic. Maybe he could help.

Cassie shivered as she closed her eyes.

-Cassie, I want to know what's going on? Do you want to drive me crazy with worry?

She tried to swallow under his confused gaze. How was she going to explain that...

I'm not sure. It might just be an impression, but I think I'm pregnant. Again... There is also a blood curse! Wolves don't breed when they transform, do they?

-Nothing. I am well. - She managed to say suffocated. There was no way she was going to explain that her monthly flow was too late. She took a deep breath.

-Same!?

Rick crossed his arms in annoyance, distrust and disbelief. That nausea and constant sleep the last few days. There was the blood curse courtesy of James. Couldn't have been so irresponsible Hell! He hadn't taken any care. He looked at her, noting the more rounded shapes.

"Like the blood curse, you decided not to tell me about?" He was suddenly furious.

"Kids. Babies! Baby, we already have three. The package came complete."

His gaze was glazed over. How could he not see the woman? They were far from Scarlet. They were looking for cursed parts. For years no child had been conceived among wolves. He took a closer look at her body, taking in her wide, rounded hips. Then suddenly;... Saor and the twins...

Kassuim lowered his head. Her reflex was like any woman touching her belly. Excessive sleep. The constant hunger and thirst. The crying spells. She usually didn't cry.

She got up, slipping out of his hands.

-How did you know? I'm very well. It was just crazy...

-What kind of madness?

Not the kind that's going to make me sleepless with a baby on my lap? Changing more diapers? I'm going bankrupt...

She had no experience with pregnancy before, but she remembered her sister-in-law. He's eating and sleeping habits were changed. She took another deep breath, trying this time not to notice her husband's annoying face. Her eyes were watering. She couldn't transform. Wolves didn't do that either. If people found out they would be afraid, the wolves would not accept it.

-You didn't hunt with the wolves. His accusation made her shiver.

He was going to find out. Even if Christina didn't tell anyone.

-I'm not sick. – She said without conviction.

She had also heard that the younger descendants of the pack up to a certain age stayed away from Scarlet to delay the curse from manifesting. As long as they turned into wolves, breeding was impossible. But unexpectedly the situation had changed. Herbs to prevent another pregnancy… Well, they had failed. He was a wolf. Only she was pregnant. How could she be pregnant? It wasn't normal.

-CASSIE!

Maybe with luck, he would get angry and leave. Her stomach churned and churned again with another wave of nausea.

-I'm really fine! Her voice was low.

Cold sweat was starting to break out on his forehead.

- Well, it doesn't look good at all. - Rick screwed up his face. - I'm not... Honey, it's already three...

-I know and...

-You're sick!- he complained angrily, supporting her again.

It was the end. It was humiliating.

-No!

-And would you tell me if something was wrong? You are sick. She didn't hunt. Probably thirsty.

And please tell me your monthly flow isn't late?

She faced him in silence. God, his reaction was going to be the worst possible.

-It's not your problem!

-It's my problem. Curse! – he roared. - Will you explain to me what is happening? Again?

She cringed, feeling like a coward. Wolves simply didn't breed as they took on the shapeshifting. Only she hadn't been with any other man besides a wolf. It was not the time for a pregnancy. It had to be the effects of the curse in her blood. There was no other explanation.

-Let's not fight, okay? - Richard tried to be cordial. - Padraic said there are ways to break such a curse. For now, just try not to do magic.

Break the curse? A chill washed over her. What had Padraic told Philip about that charm? What had he done?

-Philip?-Cassie was startled. - And if he...

-It's a long way off. I can guarantee it." Richard sighed.

-Rick...

-I'll provide sorcerer's blood. I won't let anything happen to you, sweetie. He forced a smile as he hugged her.

At first, she said nothing. Breaking such an ancient spell wasn't easy.

- Do you think it will work?

He nodded with more confidence than he felt.

-Of course, it will work, Cassie."

Rick sighed. The whelks... In front of the gipsy, he scratched his head. Rays. The twins weren't even born yet. Of course, he was worried. There was the plague.

-Vladimir...

-Wanted me to read your future, boy!

-Yes No. Do you want to tell me how I'm going to support you... Gemini. Saor. And see yet another child? Please say that this will be just one...

-Congratulations. You will have a very large family. You were blessed with the girl's blood. And sons. Gift from Hecate and the Ancient Gods. A long and happy life. They will grow old together...