Chapter 44: Lupus Constellation

Chapter 44: Lupus Constellation
Sydney
“The same reason you didn’t leave, family. My father knew if he tried to run with us, my mother and I would be the targets, not him. So my parents devised a plan, one that saved many in our pack from the curse.” Pearl’s words hit me hard. My dad could have taken us and ran, and I could have run away, but family kept us anchored to the pack.
“What was the plan? How can you avoid a curse?” More than the sting of being held hostage by family obligations, my curiosity about how they avoided the curse was higher.
“My mother being a human, did not have the same obligation to the Alpha as us wolves. I was part of the pack already and had found my mate. She didn’t want to lose her family, plus she was getting older. She did reading after reading about pack members searching for anything for years. She started to piece some things together. Out of all the families in the pack, only 11 had futures of not being corrupted.” Pearl rubbed the back of her neck near her ear.
“Only 11 families? It’s a wonder the pack survived till now.” My heart hurts, and Thora wines at hearing how few families were found. All those lives were destroyed because of the Alpha family’s bad decisions.
“How did the 11 families prevent from being corrupted by the curse?” Si leaned forward, elbows on the table, and hands clasped in front of his mouth.
“They kept a low profile for a long time. They would meet in secret in small groups. Then one day, mother was asked to do a reading for the Beta female because she was pregnant.” Pearl’s eyes sparkle as she looks at me. “She did that reading and finally found the answer she had been looking for so many years; it was you, child.” She took my hand in hers.
“Did she know I would become Alpha!” My mouth dropped.
“Readings are not that clear. She only knew that you were our light, our hope. I was a mother myself; by this time my son and daughter were teens, and I lived in fear every day that they could be caught up in the Alpha Curse. Things were getting worse day by day. Then mama found something in one of her guidebooks.” Pearl’s eyes changed. They looked glassy and distant.
I was hesitant to ask what Pearl’s mother found. I didn’t have to; Beta David did. “What is a guidebook, and what did it tell her? If you don’t mind continuing.” He was gentle in his tone. My heart, on the other hand, was not; it was beating out of my chest. It was full of anxiety.
“As I said, my human mother was from a long line of readers. Generations of my family handwrote the guidebooks to help them understand what they were reading and how to protect themselves from evil, including curses. A great sacrifice must be made to protect anyone from a curse.” I saw the tears well up in Pearl’s eyes. I squeezed her hand.
“A great sacrifice? Like what?” Si’s voice was shaky; neither of us wanted it to be what we were thinking. We glanced at each other and held our breath.
Pearl gave a sad smile. “It’s best if I continue the story. Mother gathered the heads of the families on the edge of the territory at the furthest point. Under the cover of darkness, they made a vow. They vowed to protect you, Alpha Sydney, and their sacrifice would protect their families from the Alpha Curse. They made this vow in blood to Selene and Fenrir. They all went home that night; by morning, they were all dead; their hearts had just stopped. All their descendants had this behind their ear.” Pearl moved her long braids aside, and we saw a small star.
“Their hearts just stopped? A star?” I was genuinely puzzled and perplexed at the meaning and the sacrifice.
“There are 11 families that still carry this star. We don’t know how long or for how many generations this will continue. We call ourselves the Lupus constellation. We continued to meet secretly and never talked about this with outsiders of the Lupus constellation. Both the new Beta and Gamma have stars. We did everything we could to protect you from Reid and support you from the shadows.” Pearl wiped away a few stray tears.
“Why from the shadows? I knew some in the pack secretly pitied my mom and me. Why did no one help when Reid took my mom? Why didn’t anyone try and save my father, the Beta of this pack? I always felt like I was fighting alone. Why didn’t anyone help me!” I was in tears. It didn’t make any sense to me if I was their hope; why wouldn’t you stand beside me? All those years alone.
“Because Reid would have killed you. You’re struggling alone protected you. Reid took pleasure in your suffering. That sick twisted joy kept you alive. We all did what we could when we could. Putting a target on you was the last thing you needed.” Pearl’s voice was pleading. I grit my teeth to stop myself from crying.
Just because I understood the reason didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I just wanted to run away. The pressure of the room made it hard to breathe. I stood up, ready to fight or bolt. Bolting seemed the better option. Holding back my tears and rage, I stepped to the door.
I felt sparks wrap around my wrist. I turned my head, and Silas was standing right behind me. “You’re not alone. I’m always with you.” His soft voice in my head seemed to soothe some of the fury about to boil over.
“Oh, my goodness. The rice. Let’s eat this… What was it called again, Elder Pearl?” Christine’s rice revelation swept away the thick emotions in the room. I can’t tell if she’s oblivious in situations like this or a genius.
“It’s shrimp etouffee, an old family recipe. Those guidebooks have little bits of magic in them like this.” Pearl smiles and winks at me.
“Oh good, the rice is perfect. Silas, help your mother. Grab some bowls and help me get this dished up.” Christine lifted the lid off the etouffee, and its spicy, savory scent filled the kitchen, and the remaining frustration wafted away with the fragrance.
Silas walked over to the cabinet and pulled out bowls. Christine dished portions for everyone while David and Pearl chatted about the etouffee. It’s like that intense conversation never happened, but I still felt the lingering feelings; they were quiet but still there.
Christine brought me my bowl first as the highest-ranking wolf in the room. As she sat it down in front of me, she smiled and, with a comforting motherly voice, said, “Eating something made with love helps heal the soul.” Then she kissed the top of my head.
I took a bite to distract my teary eyes. The etouffee was warm and spicy, but I felt something else warming up in me.