Chapter 18 - Reeyan
Oren’s conference room feels smaller than usual with every seat filled.
I stand at the head of the long table, surrounded by the most powerful shifters in Grayhide territory.
Oren sits at the far end with Ash beside him, her hands folded on the table.
Wyn and Raegan occupy seats to my left, already looking like they know this meeting won’t be pleasant.
Axle and several other senior pack members fill the remaining chairs.
All eyes are on me, waiting for an explanation of why I called an emergency council meeting.
Sera isn’t here. She’s back at my house, exhausted from the emotional toll of visiting Isla and learning the full truth about her pack’s history.
When I suggested she rest instead of facing another interrogation from Grayhide leadership, the relief on her face told me I made the right call.
She needs time to work through everything without being subjected to questions from wolves who don’t understand what she’s going through.
Besides, some of what I need to discuss with the council involves her. Better to have those conversations without her present so I can be completely honest about the challenges we’re facing.
“Thank you all for coming on short notice.” I pull out my notes and spread them across the table. “What I’m about to share has significant implications for regional security and interpack relations.”
“This is about the Llewelyn curse.” Oren doesn’t make it a question. “What you and Sera have been researching.”
I lay out everything we've discovered—Moira Ashwood's revenge plot, how she wove the curse into what the Llewelyn matriarch believed was protective magic, the three-hundred-year timeline of emotional suppression passed from mother to daughter.
I organize the documents so everyone can see the connections, watching comprehension dawn on their faces as they realize the implications.
Silence fills the room.
“An entire pack compromised by magic.” Dorian, the alpha of Ambersky, speaks first. “For three centuries. And they don’t know?”
“They think the emotional distance is natural. Part of their cultural identity rather than supernatural manipulation.” I pull out the documentation from Evangeline showing the spell structure.
“The curse was designed to be self-perpetuating, passed from mother to daughter, deepening with time. The oral histories Isla shared describe it as protection that grows stronger with each generation. Eventually, if left unchecked, Llewelyn women will become completely unable to feel or connect with their wolves.”
When she speaks, Raegan’s voice comes out quiet. “That’s horrifying. Living your whole life unable to love properly. Unable to trust. Thinking something’s wrong with you when really you’re just cursed.”
“It gets worse.” I move to the next set of documents, the ones showing Thornridge surveillance patterns. “I now know without a doubt that Thornridge knows about the curse. Their targeting of Sera wasn’t random. They’ve figured out that she is the only one who can stop them.”
Oren stands and moves to the map I’ve pinned to the wall. His finger traces the marked positions where we’ve detected Thornridge operatives. “They’re positioning for an attack on Llewelyn territory.”
“That’s my assessment. They’ve been conducting systematic surveillance, gathering intelligence about defenses and patrol patterns.
” I join him at the map. “A pack whose members can’t effectively work together because of magical suppression would fall quickly to a coordinated assault.
And once Thornridge controls Llewelyn territory… ”
“They use it as a staging ground for operations against our Amanzite reserves,” Oren finishes the thought. “Attack from the north, where we’re less defended, using conquered territory as a base of operations.”
“Exactly. The strategic implications are significant.” I return to the table. “Which is why we need to address both the immediate threat and the underlying vulnerability.”
“Thornridge has proven they’re willing to use suppressors and other technology we don’t fully understand,” Axle comments from his seat. “Traditional defense strategies might not be enough.”
“We need a unified defense coordination between all three valley packs. Increased patrols along the Llewelyn borders. Shared intelligence about Thornridge movements. Joint response protocols so we can reinforce quickly if they attack.” I list the tactical recommendations I’ve prepared.
“But that only addresses the immediate threat. To truly protect Llewelyn, we need to break the curse before Thornridge can exploit it.”
“Break a three-hundred-year-old binding spell.” Ash’s tone makes it clear she understands how difficult that will be. “How exactly do you propose we do that?”
This is the part I’ve been dreading. The part where I explain what breaking the curse requires and watch them realize what I’m asking.
“According to both the Hysopp archives and Llewelyn oral histories, breaking the curse requires very specific conditions. A woman from the affected bloodline who has developed psychic abilities despite the suppression, bonded to her true mate. The mate bond provides the power needed to channel the counter-spell. The psychic abilities provide the sight to navigate the curse’s structure.
Together, they create a channel strong enough to shatter the binding. ”
“Sera.” Raegan connects the pieces within seconds. “She’s the one the prophecy was talking about. Her visions, the mate bond with you—that’s what breaks it.”
“Yes. She’s likely the first Llewelyn woman in three centuries to develop abilities the curse couldn’t fully suppress.
The mate bond we’ve formed gives her access to power that can break the binding.
” I force myself to continue even though every word feels like an admission of manipulation.
“But it requires her full acceptance of the bond. Complete trust and willing participation. We can’t force this. ”
The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees. Oren’s face goes very still, and I know exactly what he’s thinking about. What happened when Wyn forced Raegan into marriage to keep her safe from Thornridge. How that situation nearly destroyed both of them before they worked through it.
“You’re asking us to support pushing a woman toward accepting a mate bond she didn’t choose.” Oren’s voice stays level, but I hear the edge underneath. “To pressure her into a connection that happened because of circumstances rather than by choice.”
“Sera and I have completed the physical claim,” I begin, wincing at how reductive it sounds, “but full acceptance of the bond requires more than that. I’m not forcing her into anything. All I’m doing is providing information and support while she decides what comes next.”
“Like you provided information about the mate bond from the beginning?” Wyn’s tone isn’t accusatory, just pointed. “Or like you kept it secret, because telling her would have complicated things?”
The criticism lands exactly where he intended.
I deserve it. “I made mistakes. I should have told her about the bond immediately instead of waiting until circumstances forced the conversation. But what’s done is done, and now we need to focus on breaking the curse before Thornridge makes their move. ”
Raegan stands and walks to the window, staring out at the desert landscape beyond the pack hall. When she speaks, her voice carries the weight of someone who’s lived through exactly this situation.
“Force doesn’t work with mate bonds. Trust me on that one.
” She glances at Wyn, and something passes between them.
“You can manipulate circumstances, coerce someone into sharing your space, or even complete the physical claim. But real acceptance—the kind required for magic this powerful—only comes when someone chooses freely. Without pressure. Without feeling like they have no other option.”
“Which is why I’m not forcing anything.” I spread my arms out and add, “Sera knows what breaking the curse requires. She knows the mate bond is the key to channeling enough power. The choice of whether to proceed is entirely hers to make.”
Oren returns to his seat at the head of the table. He’s silent for a long moment, clearly weighing the political and ethical implications of this entire situation.
“We need to coordinate defenses immediately. We can’t wait for Sera to decide.
” Oren turns to face the full council. “Axle, work with Llewelyn’s border patrols.
Share our intelligence about Thornridge movements and establish joint response protocols.
I want clear communication channels and reinforcement plans in place within forty-eight hours. ”
“Understood.” Axle makes notes on his tablet.
“Wyn, coordinate with Ambersky leadership. We need all three packs ready to respond if Thornridge attacks any of our territories. This isn’t just a Llewelyn problem; if they fall, we’re all vulnerable.”
The orders come rapid-fire, each council member receiving specific assignments and deadlines.
I watch the machine of pack leadership move into action and try not to think too hard about what I’m asking Sera to do.
About the weight I’m placing on her shoulders by making her pack’s survival dependent on her choices.
“What about the curse-breaking attempt?” Ash asks when Oren pauses. “What support do we provide there?”
“Security during the ritual. The Hysopp witches will need a safe location to work, and Sera will be vulnerable while channeling that much power.” Oren looks at me.
“Medical personnel standing by in case something goes wrong. Whatever resources the coven needs—supplies, space, protection. But Reeyan is right about one thing. The choice has to be Sera’s.
We can offer support, but we can’t push.
The magic won’t work if she’s acting under pressure rather than genuine acceptance. ”
“There’s one more thing,” I force myself to say, even though every instinct screams to keep this information to myself.
“Breaking the curse requires more than just the mate bond existing. According to the documentation Evangeline provided, it requires a formal mating ceremony. A wedding recognized by all the packs, making the bond official in both magical and social terms.”
The words land like stones thrown into still water. I watch Oren’s face darken as he understands exactly what I’m saying.
“You’re telling me this woman who barely knows you, who’s dealing with learning her entire identity is built on a curse, who’s being targeted by an enemy pack—you’re saying she needs to marry you for this to work?”
“Yes. The formal ceremony provides the magical structure required to channel enough power through the bond. Without it, the connection isn’t strong enough to break a curse this old and this deeply embedded in the bloodline.”
“That’s awfully convenient.” Axle’s voice drips with sarcasm. “The solution to this problem just happens to require exactly what benefits you personally. Marriage to your mate.”
“It’s not convenient,” I snap in his direction. “You think I’m happy about this? About asking a woman I’ve known for barely a week to marry me so we can attempt to break a curse that might kill her in the process? About forcing her to choose between her pack’s freedom and her own autonomy?”
“Then don’t ask.” Raegan turns from the window. “Tell her what’s required and let her decide without any pressure from you or anyone else in this room. If she chooses to go through with it, support her. If she doesn’t, respect that choice and help her find another way to protect her pack.”
“There is no other way. She’s the only Llewelyn woman with psychic abilities. The only one bonded to her mate. Without her attempting this, the curse continues unchallenged for another generation.”
“Then maybe it continues,” Ash speaks quietly but with conviction. “Maybe some things aren’t worth the cost of breaking them.”
She’s right. Maybe asking Sera to risk everything isn’t worth it. Maybe I’m just trying to justify keeping my mate close under the guise of noble intentions and curse-breaking necessity.
Maybe I’m no better than the witch who wove revenge into protection spells.
“The council will support whatever Sera decides.” Oren cuts through my spiraling thoughts with the finality of an alpha’s decree.
“Security during the ritual, if she chooses to attempt it. Defense coordination with Llewelyn, regardless of what she decides to do about the curse. But Reeyan? If you push her toward a choice she’s not ready to make, if you manipulate her using the mate bond or pack politics or anything else, you’ll answer to me personally. Understood?”
I gather my documents, suddenly exhausted by this conversation. “Is there anything else the council needs from me?”
“Just one thing.” Wyn stands, preparing to leave. “When are you planning to tell her about the marriage requirement?”
“Tonight.”
“Good.” He moves toward the door. “Because if she finds out about it from anyone but you, this whole thing falls apart before it even starts. She’ll never trust you again, and without trust, the magic won’t work, anyway.”
The council meeting breaks up with members filing out with their assignments and various levels of concern about what we’re attempting. I remain at the table, staring at the map showing Thornridge positions and trying to figure out how to tell Sera that breaking the curse requires marrying me.
A woman I’ve known for barely a week. Who has every reason not to trust me after I kept the mate bond secret. Who’s already struggling with whether what we have is real or just supernatural coercion dressed up as connection.
And now I have to ask her to marry me to break a curse that might kill her.
Perfect.