Chapter 10. Cursed

10. Cursed

Everyone was taken aback when they looked at me, or rather, at my eyes.

I looked at my brother again, who had analyzed everything at this point.

"Why do you look so frightened of me, Lance?" I asked, trying to understand the unease in his expression.

"Astrid," he said, frowning.

"Lance," I called him.

"What is happening to you, my love?" He tried to approach me but was held back by a group of people.

"Let me go. She's my sister," Lance cautioned. They didn't stop him any further, allowing him to approach me.

"What's wrong with me, Lance?" I asked.

I knew there was something that everyone else could see, but I couldn't. My entire body was stinging, especially my eyes, as if a volcano were erupting from them.

"She is a witch!"

"She's been cast under a spell!"

"She carries something evil within her!"

"She is cursed!" I could hear people passing judgment on me.

"Astrid, we have to leave from here," Lance said as he shielded me from everyone's gaze and led me away from the scene.

"What happened, Lance? Why does everyone look scared  of me?" I managed to tell him I was on the verge of passing out.

"Do you want me to tell you the truth" he asked.

"Of course I do, and I just want to hear the truth, nothing else," I answered sternly.

"I don't know, Astrid. It wasn't like you were seeing things differently; everything looked normal to you. But I saw it in your eyes—an ever-shifting ombre of colors. They started with red, encircled by orange, and then the orange dissipated into your irises, turning them blue and then purple," Lance explained, still visibly distressed. "I'm scared, but I'm your brother, and I know you would never harm me. Didn't you notice anything different?"

"No, I just felt a burning sensation in my eyes, and that was it." I shook my head as he described what I had experienced.

"Astrid, what happened to you?" He asked once again concerned about me.

"I don't know, Lance; it wasn't like I was seeing things in a different light; everything felt normal except for the rising rage inside me," I moaned. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I asked him again.

"Yes, several nerves in your thoracic outlet popped out, and I could feel a surge of blood coming through it, and those nerves throbbed until we were out of there," he explained.

I was taken aback, and I was horrified at what was happening to me. I could only imagine a terrifying self, scaring everyone around me.

"Astrid, you're shivering," Lance said as he shook my shoulders.

I hadn't realized the physical toll this was taking on me. No matter how much I tried to rationalize it, I couldn't grasp the reality of what had just occurred.

"What if I'm actually under a spell, Lance?" I questioned.

"Hey, nothing of the sort happened, okay?" You're fine, and we'll prove to everyone that you're not under any stupid spell. We don't know what it is, but we'll figure it out. For now, forget about any of these things." Lance grabbed me and rubbed my back, trying to calm me down.

"Thank you, Lance. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there," I murmured as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Astrid, what have I promised you? I will defend you from everything, right? and I will do exactly that. I will kill that Edward for putting you through everything," Lance began to move back, rage visible in his eyes.

"No, Lance, I think they're right; I don't deserve to be a Luna, and I think the moon goddess made a mistake pairing me with him," I said. "I don't want to cause any more havoc in anyone's life."

"But, Astrid, he hurt you, and he deserves to know that he can't get away with humiliating you in front of everyone," Lance argued, clearly displeased with the idea.

"I don't want to change anyone's mind; I'm okay the way I am, and I don't want to sever ties with anyone, and I don't want to bring up this subject again." I shook my head.

He furrowed his brow. "But," he interjected.

"No but. I'm tired, so let's get this over with," I said, smiling.

"You really are something, Astrid," he said as he kissed my forehead and hugged me to his chest.

We arrived home, and Skylar was nowhere to be found. I went to his room and gently knocked on the door.

"Astrid, leave me alone!" he shouted.

That's the thing about Sky: he's the happiest when he's in a good mood, but you don't want to mess with him when he's in a bad one. Furthermore, my brothers are the most protective and understanding. Still, when they are in a bad mood, they end up blaming me for everything, so in situations like these, it is better if I leave them alone, and by the end of the day, they will return to their usual selves, and everything will return to its place.

I went to bed and fell asleep. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, the main door slammed shut with force. I went to open it since I assumed it was locked, but my parents were already inside.

They gazed at me with malice in their eyes. Mom pulled me to the center of the living room, gripping my hair tightly. I winced in pain, but she wouldn't let me go.

"Please, Mom, let me go" I pleaded

"You've brought shame upon us once again. Didn't I tell you to stay in the corner? Why did you have to come out?" Mom scolded.

"It was hurting me, Mom. What else could I do? I dont know what happened to me there," I explained my actions.

"I knew you were trouble, so I didn't want you anywhere near us," Mom ground her teeth.

It was difficult to comprehend that the same mother who gave birth to me believes I am wicked; nevertheless, I am beginning to understand that I am the root of her troubles; otherwise, why would she despise me?

I didn't respond; instead, I just kept my head down, accepting whatever came my way.

"You're useless, Astrid. All you do is burden yourself with your existence," Dad spoke, a rare occurrence. Yet, when he did speak, his words cut deep, intensifying the pain already welling within me.

"starting tomorrow, you're going to come to the pack in the early morning, and I'll make arrangements for you to serve the alpha and his family, though I highly doubt they or anyone else for that matter will accept you under them," Mom said.

I glanced at her for the first time that night, and it was the first time I had dared to look at her. "Mom, I'm already earning money as a waitress," I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

"You can quit that job because, by now, I'm sure everyone in the pack knows what you are. I doubt anyone wants you anymore," Mom sneered.

As venomous as her words were, there was an uncomfortable truth in them. I had no other way to earn a living, so I reluctantly accepted her suggestion.

"Be ready in the morning, I've already spoken with Alpha Brad. You can start working tomorrow," Mom grumbled and walked away.

I was relieved that I had gotten away so quickly.

The next day, no questions were asked, and I was instructed to begin dusting the items. It was time for college, and I needed to ask someone for permission to leave.

I was wandering about looking for someone. I wasn't familiar with the packhouse, so I'm sure I could easily get lost in it.

I was going around when I came across Edward's room and couldn't help but peek inside when I noticed the door was open.  I instantly regretted it as I saw Edward and Charlotte sharing a passionate kiss.

I sighed and exited the room. Approaching Alpha, I asked if I could leave for college, but he told me my work wasn't finished.

"Could I please finish it when I return?" I asked, somewhat icily.

"Do you think you'll have time for that?" He asked.

"I'll manage," I said coldly.

"Okay, but I can't stand laziness, and your parents had asked me to keep you here because no one else would." His remarks didn't bother me because he was a stranger, and only my family had this effect on me.

Every time, I wondered why my mother acted the way she did. Is there something about me that she is aware of but is hiding from me?

I sighed and proceeded to my classes.

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