Chapter 17

It's now morning I feel so much better. My wounds are barely sore, and I feel restless. My hand is slightly throbbing, but I can tell its healing well. It should be good as new when I shift. I don’t want to sit around and allow myself to be succumbed by self-pity and fear. I get dressed into some skinny jeans and my favorite green blouse. I open my door and go down the stairs. On my way down I passed several wolves who give me uncertain looks. Earning their trust back is going to be difficult. I don’t know how I’m going to show them I’m still the same person no matter who my mate is. Plus, he hasn’t given me any reason not to trust him yet. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. My pack should give him the same courtesy. It’s not his fault his parents made awful decisions. I hear voices down the hall and find Mom and Doctor Freya heading my way.
“Good morning mom, Doctor.” I greet and I earn two bright smiles.
“Hi Athena, how are you feeling? Do you feel any more pain?” Freya asks and looks me over.
“Just a bit sore but much better. How will this go down with Aiden?” I ask
“Well, I’ll be preforming a few tests to confirm if It is a witch’s curse. If it is, I will determine if it is one, I can treat will magic or herbs.” She explains. I nod and look to mom.
“I want to witness this. Will it be alright if Silas joins?” I ask. Knowing if he finds out I am in the presence of someone who can hurt me without him he will probably become angry.
“Are you sure you want to? Maybe it will be best if you leave this to me and Freya.” She says.
“I know. I just want to make sure he is ok, and I want to be the first person who knows what happened to him. He’s my twin.” I say sadly.
She looks at Freya. “Will it make much of a difference if they joined?”
“Not really. If her mate joins, he can watch over her while we are handling him.” They know I won’t take no for an answer. Especially when It comes to my brother.
“Alright, go get your mate. We will wait till you two come.” She says understandably. I smile and give her a hug and go towards Silas’s room.
I approach and actually find him outside his door leaning against the wall. He sees me coming and smiles.
“Good morning, Angel.” He says cheekily.
“Morning.” I giggle. “I actually came to see if you want to join me in Aiden’s examination. After what he did, I imagine you don’t want me near him without you.”
“Sure, lead the way.” He says seriously and we head to Aiden’s room where Mom and Freya wait. Atlas and Celeste are also present.
“Now we all need to remain calm and not get aroused by anything he says. Remember it’s the spell that’s talking. Not him.” Freya looks at each of us for confirmation. We all nod and take a deep breath. Then Silas leans down and whispers into my ear.
“Don’t leave my side while we are in there.” He says and I nod. There is a flutter in my stomach. This is the worst time to be feeling that way. I need to stop feeling and acting like a gushing high school girl.
Freya opens the door and find Aiden sitting on his bed. His eyes are closed, and he is uncontrollably shaking his head. However, when he hears us enter the room his eyes snap open and the look, he gives me, and Silas are murderous.
“What do you want?” He growls and goes to stand up.
“Hi Aiden, I need to do an examination. Would you mind sitting down?” Freya says calmly and slowly approaches.
“What kind of exam?” He asks suspiciously. “Just a physical.” She says.
“I don’t think so.” He growls again. “Get out.” He stands menacingly. Celeste and Atlas move forward cautiously. “Stay back.”
Then they grab both his arms quickly and try to put him in a position he cannot escape.
“Get off me!” He yells and tries to shake them off. Eventually they get him down to the floor with his hands behind his back.
“Open your mind to me, Aiden. It’ll be easier if you don’t fight me.” She suggests and places her hands on both sides of his head. She closes her eyes, and she focuses on her powers. The room begins to shake, and the wind picks up outside. It causes the window to break open and she begins to chant.
When her chants begin Aiden screams in pain. The spell must be resisting. The wind becomes more violent and any glass objects in the room begin to break. Her chanting becomes louder and suddenly it all goes quiet. Everything is still and no one speaks. Freya’s hands are now glowing, and Aiden’s eyes are also glowing. Meaning she has entered his mind and he can’t fight anymore. Giving her full access to his sub conscious.
Then Aiden opens his mouth weakly and barely manages to whisper “Help.” Is this the real Aiden?
“Interesting.” Freya says breathlessly. “This is indeed a witch’s curse. One of a high degree. It attacks the psyche and sub conscious. It alters your memories and causes you to see your closest friends and family as enemies. When you are finally isolated and alone it will influence you to also see your enemies as allies. However, this one is different than any other person I’ve seen with this curse. It must be unique to the witch who casted it.” She says. “The Aiden you know is locked away in the deepest part of his subconscious he is unable to reemerge. Along with his wolf. I can sense his wolf trying to break free of the spell, but it is way too strong for him.” Not even his wolf can break the influence. That is almost hard to believe.
“Why would a witch do this?” I ask horrifyingly. Why would someone do this to my own brother?
“When a witch or anyone that she is working for wants control over a group or pack in this instance, they will go to the top and infest the mind of incoming leaders. Most of the time witches will use this curse for that reason. Usually if a pack wants control over another that’s the method they will use. The last time I heard a pack used that Method was the Lunar pack 20 years ago.” She explains.
“Can you remove it?” Mom asks.
“I cannot, but I think I have a temporary solution.” She says and her eyes stop glowing and she takes her hands off of Aiden. His body goes limp, and he remains unconscious. Atlas and Celeste lift him up and lay him on the bed. Freya then turns and goes into her medicine bag and takes out a few jars of herbs. She combines some in an empty jar and hands it to mom. “This should hold the curse at bay until we find the witch who placed it on him. Have him mix these herbs with water and drink it twice a day. I will make sure you are stocked on them.” She goes over to Aiden and mixes the herbs with water and forces it down his throat.
“Thank you, Freya.” Mom smiles and Freya gives her a supporting squeeze on the shoulder. “All will be well Iris. Once we find that witch you will permanently have your son back.” She grabs her bag, and she shows herself out of the pack house.
An hour went by after Freya confirmed that Aiden’s condition is a witch’s curse. I haven’t left his side since. I hold his hand and wait for his eyes to flutter open. I want to see for my own eyes that Aiden is back. Silas has been leaning on a wall in the corner not taking his eyes off of me. He is aware there may be danger when Aiden awakes and is ready for anything. I haven’t let go of his hand and eventually Silas sighs. He moves from the wall and comes to my side.
“How about we let him rest. He isn’t going anywhere. Let’s go on a walk and clear our heads.” He says and strokes my hair that brings a certain calmness to my nerves.
“I know I just want to make sure its him when he wakes up.” I say stubbornly. I don’t want to leave my brother.
“They will mind-link you when he wakes. It’ll be better to talk to him with a clear mind. Come on, he’ll be fine.” He says.
“Ok.” Defeated, he offers me his hand and we head out of the pack house and into the Forest.