The Moon Curse;002

Witches....

If Decker had learnt anything over the past two weeks, it was that you should never ever cross them.

Those set of people when provoked were responsible for the highest atrocities on earth.

Because when has it ever been heard that a werewolf doesn't get to control his turn?

He looked around the bush for his pair of trousers and grabbed it. It was already torn and worn out but he needed something to cover up with, as he can't go to their pack naked.

Then the first thing he would get around doing was to have a very long shower, eat some good food then give his cousin Ethan a few punches in the face for landing them all into this mess.

Bastard.

THREE WEEKS AGO

Decker stood at the edge of the clearing, his piercing blue eyes scanning the area as the evening sun bathed the forest in a warm, golden glow. He could feel the soft breeze rustling through his short-cropped brown hair, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The Storm Pack Werewolves' territory was a vast expanse of dense woodlands, with ancient trees towering high above the forest floor, their branches intertwining to create a canopy that filtered the sunlight.

The peace and tranquility of the surroundings were something Decker cherished as the Alpha of the Storm Pack Werewolves. He knew that it was his responsibility to protect the pack and maintain this harmony. His muscular frame, honed by years of physical training and battling rival packs, was a testament to his unwavering dedication.

The laughter and playful banter of his packmates reached his ears as they lounged around the clearing. They were an eclectic mix of individuals, each with their own unique talents and abilities. Decker took pride in the fact that they were more than just a pack – they were a family.

Suddenly, the laughter was interrupted by the boisterous arrival of his cousin, Ethan, and a female pack member, Tessa. Both were intoxicated, their bodies entwined as they stumbled into the clearing. Decker's jaw clenched as he observed their brazen display. The pair's flushed faces and disheveled appearance only served to fuel Decker's irritation.

"What is the meaning of this?" Decker demanded, his voice low and authoritative.

Ethan looked up, a foolish grin plastered across his face. "Just having some fun, cousin," he slurred, his arm draped over Tessa's shoulders.

Decker, Derek's friend, stepped closer to Ethan with a deep frown on his face, "You know how Decker feels about this kind of behavior Ethan. It's not good"

Ethan laughed, his words dripping with arrogance, "Relax Decker. Damn you are just like my Cousin, killjoys. We are just blowing off some steam. Besides it's not like anyone's getting hurt, right?"

"....So what about Amara, man?" one of the packmates asked Ethan, a note of concern in his voice, "I thought you two were serious."

Ethan's laughter echoed through the clearing, drawing the attention of the rest of the pack. "Amara? She's just one of my foolish conquests. You know me, never one to settle down.i don't know why everyone thinks we are serious. We aren't."

Decker's eyes narrowed, anger bubbling under the surface. "Ethan, you need to be more responsible. You can't toy with people's emotions like that. It's not fair to Amara."

Ethan shrugged off Decker's words, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Why should I care about some girl's feelings? I'm just enjoying myself."

A voice, trembling with pain and fury, sliced through the air. "So that's all I am to you? A foolish conquest?"

The pack turned to see Amara standing at the edge of the clearing, her eyes filled with tears. She had heard everything. Her heartbreak was palpable, and Decker's heart squeezed at the obvious pain in her eyes.

"How could you, Ethan?" Amara sobbed, her voice cracking. "I loved you. I thought you loved me too."

Ethan's arrogant facade cracked, but he remained unapologetic. "Amara, you knew what I was like when you got involved with me. Don't act all surprised and hurt now. We were just having some fun sweetheart"

Amara's face contorted with anguish and rage, her voice shaking as she vowed, "You are unbelievable Ethan. You lied to me! I gave you everything and this....? This is how you pay me back? I thought you cared about me Ethan,but you just treated me like a toy?"

The atmosphere in the clearing had shifted dramatically as everyone stepped closer to watch the confrontation unfold.

Decker stepped forward, trying to deescalate the situation, "Amara, I'm so sorry. This is unacceptable behavior, and we will deal with it. I apologize on his behalf,"

Amara totally ignored him and glared at Ethan, "I can't believe I trusted you. But you won't get away with this. I won't let you. You will pay for this"

With those haunting words, she turned and stormed away from the gathering, her sibs echoing through the forest. Dereck watched her go, feeling a knot of guilt and frustration settle in his chest. He exchanged a somber glance with Decker as goosebumps filled his body. This isn't going to be good.

He knew that Amara was a witch. And knowing these people, they won't take this lightly.

And that was how they found themselves in this situation..

**********

The sun had begun to rise, casting a warm golden light through the trees as Decker found his way back to his Pack's makeshift camp.

His body aches from weeks of roaming the forest as a wolf.

As he approached the camp, he noticed a few of his packmates who were already there before him and his heart squeezed painfully at the sight of them.

They looked so disheveled, face tired, their hair unkempt and skin all dirty.

Things weren't supposed to be like this.

"Decker! You are back!" Esther, one of the youngest in the pack, cried when she saw him get a weary voice but still filled with relief.

The others murmured, giving him tired smiles.

The joy of their reunion however was tainted by the weariness in their eyes and the duet and grime that covered them.

He looked around, his heart heavy as he took in the sight of his pack.

But he noticed that some of them haven't come home yet.

"Where's Lydia? Has anyone seen her?" He asked. Lydia was the eldest in the pack and he couldn't imagine how hard this must be for her.

A somber expression crossed Esther's face, "No Decker. We haven't seen her since that night. But I'm sure she will be here soon,"

He nodded.

"Everyone should go wash up. I'll look for something to eat.".

……..

By the time the sun went down, they were all refreshed in and out. The ladies had cooked up a delicious feast and they had all devoured it.

Hours later, they gathered around a campfire sharing stories with each other.

But as they all laughed, Decker's attention was at their situation and how they could get out of it.

The rustling of leaves suddenly caught his attention, and he tensed as a figure stumbled out of the shadows.

It was Ethan, his clothes torn and his face smeared with dirt and blood. The pack immediately fell silent, their gazes fixed on the battered man who had returned to them.

Decker's relief at seeing Ethan alive was quickly replaced by anger. He stormed toward him, his fists clenched at his sides. "Where the hell have you been, Ethan?" Decker growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

Ethan looked up at Decker, exhaustion and guilt clouding his eyes. "I'm sorry, Decker. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I–"

But Decker didn't let him finish. With a snarl, he swung his fist and struck Ethan square in the jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Your recklessness caused all of this!" Decker shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "You played with fire, and now we're all paying the price for your stupidity! You knew she was a witch yet it just didn't occur to you that you needed to be considerate and not mess around with witches"

The pack watched in stunned silence as Decker stood over Ethan, his chest heaving with rage. Ethan slowly pushed himself up, wincing as he cradled his bruised jaw. He looked at Decker with a mixture of remorse and defiance.

 "You're right," he admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I messed up. But I'm here now, and I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

Decker glared at him for a moment longer, then let out a long, ragged breath. The anger slowly drained from his face, replaced by exhaustion and the weight of responsibility. He knew that blaming Ethan wouldn't solve anything. They needed to work together to find a way to break the curse and heal their pack.

"Fine," Decker said, finally relenting. "But we need to find Lydia, and we need to figure out how to lift this curse. We've got a long road ahead of us, and we can't afford any more mistakes."

"I'm so sorry about all of this," Ethan grumbled.

"Just pray that we find a solution out of this situation you put us in. And I hope you learn a valuable lesson this time," 

Ethan hung his head low, his fingers fidgeting.

"We need to think of something," he announced facing  the rest of the pack.

"Hey, what about witches?" Lucas hesitated, glancing around at the others to gauge their reactions. "I mean, they're powerful, right? And since one of them placed the curse, which means a witch can lift it too?" 

The pack exchanged uneasy glances, aware of the long-standing animosity between their kind and the witches. Decker rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind racing. After a moment of silence, he let out a slow breath and locked eyes with Lucas.

"I've been watching a witch for the past few days," Decker admitted, his voice low and steady. "Her name is Shirley and she seems to have the skills we need. The problem is, I don't know if we can be able to approach her to help us"

A murmur of surprise rippled through the pack, and a few members exchanged wary looks. The idea of seeking help from a witch was unsettling, to say the least, especially considering their bitter history.

"But there's a problem," Decker continued, his expression growing serious. "As you all know, witches have a deep-seated grudge against us. Convincing Shirley to help us won't be easy. It's going to take some diplomacy and, most likely, a hefty price."

The pack members looked at one another, weighing the risks and the potential rewards of such a dangerous alliance. Finally, a tall, muscular man named Bryce spoke up, his voice firm and resolute. "We don't have much of a choice, Decker. If a witch can help us break the curse, we have to take that chance."

Decker nodded, his jaw set with determination. "You're right, Bryce. It's a risk, but it's one we have to take for the sake of our pack."

"So how do we approach her?" Esther asked, her eyes wide.

Decker thought about that for a few minutes before speaking up.

His wolf had been drawn to the girl, and there was something about her that called to him. He needed to find out what it was.

"I will do that,"

"That's not gonna happen," Dereck said, "Not a chance. What if she recognizes you? And makes things worse?  You could be putting yourself in danger."

"I know that. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. We only have two weeks left to find a solution, and we have to make the most of it. I'll do whatever it takes to convince her. Even if it means going with a fake identity. I will do it"