My ninth week of the curse was busy, between Moramay sending me texts and hanging around the office with Serge. The news of our engagement had spread like wildfire through the territories and while no one confronted me directly I was not oblivious to the stares and considering second glances that were frequently cast in my direction whenever I came into contact with members of any of the Trifecta.

When I was not preoccupied with coping with the increasingly constant scrutiny, my mind wandered to worries and my curse shepherded it there. I had not seen my brother since Dave's funeral and although Moramay answered my questions, it did not satisfy my concerns.

I also had not seen Tabitha since before Bobby had gone missing. I had not known her long, but I liked her and I was worried. She had seemed so happy with him, but I was not going to intrude on her grief.

But at least I saw Jodi when I was at the office with Serge. I did a few menial tasks, but mostly I just hung around like the ghost of Jacob Marley, dragging the chains of my curse as a warning to anyone who would follow in my foolishness.

On Thursday, Serge and I went through the motions of our normal lives and nothing was out of the ordinary. It was not until we were driving home from the office that he broke the silence.

He sounded oddly unsure of himself and that caught my attention.

"I was thinking that we should do something."

"Something?" I repeated.

"Go out somewhere? For supper?"

"Like a date?" I asked, mostly to ensure I had heard him correctly. Serge really did not spend a lot of time doing things that were not related to his role as leader.

"Exactly," he said. "If you want."

"I want," I agreed. I brought my eyes to his face and quickly took in his slightly messy hair and his uncertain expression. I smiled.

"There's not many options around here, or we could go on a... picnic?"

The curse could not stop me from noticing how endearing it was when he was unsure. It was nice to see him feeling something besides solemn or guilty.

"Whatever you decide, please." He liked it when I made decisions, but it was so much easier to just follow him around.

I did see a lot more of his happier side now. Every time we kissed it came out, even if he also seemed a bit frustrated. I could make reasonable guesses about what he was thinking about in those moments.

He never had told me what my father had threatened, I imagined at least some of it lay in that direction. I pictured my father lecturing him and it made me squirm with uncomfortable amusement.

Once we got back to the house, I quickly changed. Excitement bubbled up over my fear and it was a good feeling no matter how I looked at it.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

There were only a few places to eat in the territories, and Serge opted to take me to Kim's back in the territory of my origin although it was a long drive.

He was probably trying to take me somewhere where I would feel comfortable. I sat close to his side while we drove down the road connecting the territories.

We pulled into the parking lot and Serge parked. He helped me out of the truck and I took his hand as we walked inside. A couple of pack members I recognized watched us as we went inside. I imagined what they were thinking, so instead of ignoring them I pasted a smile I hoped looked natural and waved a greeting as we went by.

I could not stop people from thinking what they would, but I could try to manage the perceptions. The door shut behind me.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

Kim's had a homey atmosphere and the food was good, which was how she managed to keep her business afloat with such a small customer base. It was largely a coffee shop with donuts and the like, but there were always a couple of specials for lunch and supper every day so you could also obtain a nice meal.

Since it was the only restaurant in my father's territory, it was a hang out spot for teenagers, a family outing destination, and a date night location for couples alike.

I had been here plenty of times hanging out as a teen and I had eaten here a lot of times with my family, but I had never been here on anything that could be considered a date before.

It was an odd feeling. Everything was very much the same and yet entirely different.

I sat across from Serge at a table for two in the back corner. Kim's husband was manning the shop and I appreciated that the grey haired man was reserved. When he took our orders he did not pester Serge and I with questions, but it seemed he was at least aware of the situation. I supposed it was not surprising. Serge and I were probably the biggest scandal in the Trifecta in anyone's lifetime. I sighed.

"What's wrong?" Serge asked me.

I wondered whether I should tell him what I was thinking about. "Public perception?" I offered.

"Ah," he said. "Is it bothering you?"

I nodded, although maybe I should have lied to spare his feelings.

"Do you want to go home now?" he asked.

"No, of course not. I'm not surprised... I just don't like that people might be thinking bad things about..." I swallowed past the lump that was only half spawned by the curse, "y-you."

"Don't worry, it will blow over in time," he said.

I recognized his tone as the one he used when he lied to reassure me. I smiled at him and reached for his hand across the table. My ring glinted in the light and caught my eye. Things might never be easy, but things could at least be good between us.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

I enjoyed my meal about as much as I ever did, but it did at least feel a bit special, because he had wanted to do something nice for me. I made sure to grasp his hand with my own as we walked towards the exit.

The door swung open and my eyes met Joanna's. I felt a spike of anxiety that was purely my own. I had largely avoided Matthias's family at the funeral, but now his sister was right in front of me.

"H-hello," I managed, with my stiff tongue.

"Hi, Elise," she said. I tried to decide if her tone was more cold than usual towards me. I would not blame her if it was.

"How are you doing?" she asked, putting on a smile that looked sincere.

"I'm good."

She glanced between Serge and I.

"Joanna, this is Serge. Serge, Joanna. She's..." I could not bring myself to add details of her sibling relationship to my friend.

"One of Matthias's sisters," she supplied.

"Nice to meet you," Serge said evenly.

"Yes, you too," she agreed. "And, congratulations."

"Thanks," I managed.

Joanna smiled. "Well, I've got food to pick up. See you around."

"You too," I agreed.

I was relieved when we escaped the building and made it back to Serge's truck. Guilt rushed over me again for hurting Matthias, but there was nothing to be done about that now. He would not welcome my pity, so I tried to push the feelings away.

"Are you okay?" Serge asked.

I nodded. "I just feel guilty and seeing her reminded me of what I did."

Serge did not bother to dissuade me, he just wrapped his arm around me and nodded in return.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

We were almost back home when Serge's phone rang. He routed it through the vehicle speakers. "Hey, what's happening, Dan?" he asked.

As soon as I heard Dan's voice I knew it was serious, because there was not even a hint of the guy who told bad dad jokes. "The patrols have caught another attack, Serge. Northeast quadrant six."

Serge swore and I shuddered. I wanted to be away from Serge even less than before. I hated the reaction of the curse when I was too far away from him. It did not help that I also wanted to be near him not only because he kept the chill at bay, but because of the emotional satisfaction I gained from his presence.

I did not want to let him go and risk himself again.

"I'll be on my way in ten."

Fear gripped me at the thought of him getting hurt, or even worse, dying. I did not want to live without him.

The curse and I were in agreement. It did not want to lose its grip on me and I did not want to lose him. The twin fears multiplied to a horrible level and his absence could only increase the pressure.

Serge accelerated the vehicle and I tried to steal as much of his warmth as possible in the time I had left with him.

There was another call and Serge answered. It was a woman who's voice I recognized from occasionally at the office.

"Serge, Nick's sending backup, but Austin has a breach so no they've got their hands full."

"Understood, thanks Sierra."

"Stay safe."

Her final words rang in my mind as we sped into the shelter parking lot. The truck came to a screeching halt.

He helped me out of the vehicle and paused.

"I'm sorry," he said. The words were familiar, they had almost become our ritual. I made my eyes meet his.

"Be careful," I said.

"I will." He was very quiet. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I repeated and I knew it was true.

We kissed. The kiss was rushed but meaningful and it pushed the curse's nails away from me.

"Serge?" asked a male voice hesitantly.

Serge pulled away. "Mark, help her get inside, please," Serge said.

Without another moment's hesitation, he walked to the trees, dropping his clothing as he went. I glanced over in time to see a grey wolf disappearing between the evergreen trees.

Mark began to lead me towards the building. He smelled like a pack human and the curse confirmed it by allowing me to look at the nondescript man fairly easily. He seemed familiar, perhaps he had been the one to carry me inside the other times.

The moment when Serge got too far away hit me hard and fast. The curse ran along the back of my neck and through every system of my body and I collapsed on the ground. No matter how hard I fought, this part never seemed to get much better, I thought with despairing terror.

Mark scooped me up into his arms like I was a limp rag doll. I could not quite focus on anything but the swaying of his steps as he carried me inside the building.

It took me a minute to realize that we were still on the ground floor and I struggled to comprehend what was happening. When the night air hit my face I dizzily understood that we had gone through the building and out the back door.

"Where are you taking me?" I stammered.

"I won't hurt you," he promised, not faltering as we strode into the forest.

I started to struggle and I tried to scream, but the curse had constricted my throat and movements too much for me to properly fight. I began to shift into my wolf form, but before I got far something sharp pricked the skin on the side of my neck, almost on my invisible bite mark.

I tried to twist out of his grasp harder and he stopped to try to hold me still. Someone else, a man with the wolf magic grabbed onto me. I tried to bite him just before everything faded into the night.

* * *  *  *  *  * * *

Author's Note:

That just happened.

I'm so sorry! The story made me do it.

Thanks for all the reads!!!