The Cursed Wolf

LAVINIA'S POV

"I have good news dear, you can finally be able to come to the pack with me." My father revealed and my joy knew no bounds.

"Really?"

"Yes." He confirmed and I grabbed him in a hug, unable to stop myself.

Finally,

I can finally go to my pack for the first time in my life and I'm completely thrilled. For as long as I could remember, I've been locked up in this cottage like a prisoner.

I've only ever known two people in my entire life, my nursemaid, Siri and my father who I'm told is the Alpha of our pack.

I've been kept in this cottage my whole life and I've never been allowed to go outside, I've never been under the sun or felt the wind in my hair or touched the grass.

I shifted since I was fourteen but I've never been able to go for a run because I'm not allowed outside.

Since I could talk, I've always wondered why and I've asked Siri to tell me the reason countless times but she never did. She was always strict with me so I'm a bit scared of her but I still love her very much because she's like a mother to me.

I've also tried to find out from my father why I'm being locked up like I had committed the worst crime but he too refused to tell me.

When I threatened to take my own life if they didn't tell me the truth, they told me that I was being locked up for my own good and that if I was allowed outside, I would be in great danger and this made me both scared and curious.

I asked if I had some kind of disease which would kill me if I went outside but he said no, that my situation was much worse than that. I asked for a further explanation but since then, he's refused to speak more on the matter.

Everytime I try to bring up the topic, he always changes the subject. After trying hard to understand my situation and still failing, I've gradually come to accept it with a heavy heart.

I'll probably grow old and die in this cottage, I'll never be able to experience what it feels like running through the forest, the wind blowing through my fur, I'll never be able to feel the rain on my bare skin, I'll never be able to make friends or even find my mate and lastly, I'll never have kids. I'll die a sad and lonely wolf and all because my father thinks keeping me locked up like this is protecting me.

I know you'll probably ask why I don't just go outside without Siri noticing but believe me, I've tried. The cottage is fortified with some sort of magic or enchantment, anyone can just walk in and out, anyone except me. Each time I try to walk out that door, I become enveloped by excruciating pain and it almost feels like I'm engulfed in fire, the flames blazing at my skin piece by piece.

I can barely stand the pain for two seconds but the shocking thing is when I move away from the door, I'm completely fine and there's not even a bruise on my skin. I've tried a dozen times and with each unsuccessful attempt, my hope gradually faded away. When I turned 15, I decided to completely give up on the idea of ever going outside. I accepted my dark fate and since then, I've been a lot happier.

But the day that I had never thought would come was finally here. My father was standing in front of me today and telling me the best news of my entire life and I really can't quantify my happiness.

"Calm down Lavinia or you're going to strangle me." He said jocularly.

"I can't calm down dad, I'm so happy. I'm 18 years old and this is the first time I get to leave this godforsaken cottage, I feel like I'm gonna explode with joy." I chirped happily.

"Don't say that, this place isn't that bad." He said and I threw him a sarcastic look.

He ruffled my hair a bit and I broke into a huge smile.

"But dad, will I really be able to leave this place? Won't trying to pass through the door hurt me anymore?" I asked, afraid that my dream might not come true.

"Don't worry, that has been taken care of. You can now walk out that door without feeling anything." He assured me.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

I gulped and stood up, ready to test it for myself but my father stopped.

"Lavinia wait, before we leave, I have something very important to share with you." His words instantly stopped me in my tracks. Is it possible that he finally wants to tell me the reason why I've been locked up?

I turned around and walked back to him. "What is it dad?" I asked urgently.

"I know that you're excited about coming with me to meet the pack for the first time but after this, your life is going to change completely." He began slowly but it was obvious that he seemed hesitant to continue.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, curious.

I know that meeting other people for the first time would be very strange and I'd surely feel uncomfortable but I'll get used to it quickly. After all, they're my pack, my own family and I'm their princess. Even after today, I'll still be me, the happy, down to earth but still slightly awkward Lavinia.

"You don't understand dear. I'm not taking you out of this cottage so that you'll come live in the Pack house with me and the rest of the Pack, you're leaving this cottage because you're getting married. You're going to get married to the Prince of the Shadow Stone Pack in a few days." He finally dropped the bombshell and I froze on the spot.

"WHAT?!"