I checked into the hotel with an absent mind. I was blessed with the most beautiful thing in this world. I was going to be a father. Yet I had no clue how to express what I was feeling. Shall I dance with joy or mourn in my misery?

Has anyone seen a person who is rich and poor at the same time? Just one glance at this broken being will answer your question my friend.

I always booked this specific hotel as it was not too far from the Black Forest. I just threw my belongings on the bed and rushed out of the room. I needed to get to my destination. Every second that passed added to my desperation and determination. If I was the reason for the curse, I sure as hell will also be the salvation.

The taxi dropped me off at the run down road. I could see that the driver was a bit anxious to why I needed to get off at this certain place. There was no building or human in sight. If you just glanced across the road, there were green mouldy trees. The dark sky fogged the beauty of the forest. The slow and haunting sound of the crickets was just another way to torture the scared taxi driver. He thought it was best to speed out of there. I started to walk briskly and entered the forest.

Its amazing how change of perspective can make an ugly and horrific thing beautiful.  I found the calm breeze immensely refreshing. The trees just added to the beauty of nature. If it was any other day, I would just love to lie down under one of the trees and doze off. However, this was not a family day out. It was a rescue mission and I will give my 100 percent.

When I made sure I was alone and there was no one in sight, I took off my trousers and turned into my dark wolf form. I clenched my trousers in my mouth and started running.

I couldn't remember the last time I ran this fast. My wolf was howling with urgency. He needed to get to Clarabel as soon as possible. I halted for a minute to analyse the direction I was heading in. No one wants to get lost due to their own clumsiness. My wolf could sense the familiar surroundings which meant that we were in the right place. I urged myself to move forward whilst my wolf howled in anguish. 

As soon as I saw the familiar mountain, a wave of calmness soured through my soul. I shifted back to my human form and put on my trousers so I was decent. I placed my hands on the hard surface of the mountain and started moving them as it they were looking for something. Even though I have been here a couple of times before but still was unsure of the exact place of the lever. 

Finally, my palm hit a soft spot which was an iron lever and I realised it was the entrance. I pulled it and it conveniently moved opening a door in front of me.

I entered the door and it shut behind  me. It was pitch dark and I couldn't see a thing. Good thing I have came here before, so I knew the process.

I knelt, whispering the sentence over and over,

"Escasistra genewa sicoma."

I kept on chanting the enchanted code when slowly the dark room started to lighten up.

"Mr Smith, Clarabel will see you now." A small witch appeared out of no where.

I started following her. There were a lot of pathways carved in the mountain. If a human entered this maze, he will definitely loose his mind due to the fear. The whole aura reflected terror and distress. I was following the midget witch like a blind fool. I knew better to reduce my speed as if I fall back, I knew I will never find her again. Finally she stopped in front of a room. I knew that was my cue, so I knocked on the door. The small witch walked away from me.

"Come in, Smith," I walked in as I heard Clarabel speak.

When I entered the room, there sat the most beautiful and elegant witch Clarabel. Her long raven hair beautiful braided. I spotted the glistening droplets in her eyes. I always pondered who does those eyes remind me of. I could swear on my life, I have seen them somewhere. In short, Clarabel screamed of grace and elegance. 

"Since when do you seek permission, my friend. I actually missed you. You and Sarah have forgotten me totally." She had a smile that could shy away thousand moons.

I moved forward, sat near her feet on the ground and hell, otherwise known as tears, broke loose. She had a concerned look on her face.

"Dear, tell me what's wrong. You are scaring me," she patted my shoulder.

I explained everything to her, even the pregnancy.

"I'm scared Clarabel, he is an animal. He will kill my daughter." I knew Ursala was a demon but I knew that Harry was a devil. Harry was not a werewolf who was familiar with the word,

 "NORMAL"

I knew what my poor daughter will be dealing with and I could see that Clarabel was concerned too.

She got even more worried. I could sense her fear. Clarabel always treated me and Sarah as family and I knew she deeply loved us. 

"Please Clarabel, please tell me that you can fix this." I exhaled in my raspy voice.

She exhaled and spoke, "Smith, this isn't easy. Ursula is a mighty witch and she is 800 years older than me. I can't undo her spell. But I can assist you of some sort."

She paused and closed her eyes. After a moment she continued, "We know that Harry hates everyone but his own race and he hates humans the most. I can put a spell on your daughter which will keep her werewolf signs hidden so she will herself never know that she is a werewolf. Just pretend to the whole world that you have adopted a human child and if by any chance Harry finds out she is in his mate, he will reject her himself. At least I hope so."

It wasn't a proper fix but it's better than nothing. At this point, I was ready to accept anything. I looked up at Clarabel with thankful eyes. She was fidgeting with her fingers as if she needs to say something else.

"Smith, I will need to refresh the spell on every birthday or she will start shedding the effect and can have her first shift." She whispered cautiously.

This was another challenge we faced. It was necessary to get Clarabel close to my daughter on her birthday each year for her to cast the spell again. Strengthening of the spell was the main priority and I was more than willing to take on anything. 

I came back to the States. I stayed away from Sarah for too long. I could sense her uneasiness with the whole idea but there was no other way. Convincing her was the hardest part but being a mother, she had to think what was in the best interests of her daughter.  We went back to Germany to finalise the process. Clarabel suggested that Sarah should give birth here, so no one in our pack suspects that she is our own flesh and blood.

So that was how it went. We had a beautiful daughter and we named her Anastasia. She was beautiful in every way but  her fate.

We brought her back and started raising her. She grew very gracefully. She was an expert at shooting, hunting, aiming with bow and arrow. Basically, she was an amazing warrior. The best thing was she had hidden her reality quite well, even her scent. However, one thing was worrying me, her sense of smell was amazing even better than mine. She used to say that is because I'm raised by werewolves  so I picked up some qualities but I knew better. I always had the lingering fear that this quality of hers can unravel the truth.  She knew who we were and she never had a problem with us. But as time slipped by our fears were getting stronger.

Because her 16th birthday was approaching.

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Dear readers,

Hope you like my update. Please keep sharing and commenting.

Ash