Cursed To The Alpha

Chapter 28

I stare at Janie, who nods at me. This time I take a deep breath and remove my beanie, revealing my ears.

Imogen squeals with delight, ‘That’s the cutest headband I’ve ever seen,’ she says. ‘You have to tell me where you got them. We could wear them to match,’ she adds.

Janie tries to hold in her laugh.

I frown, stand, remove my hoodie, raise my shirt over my tail, and wag it at her.

‘Oh, you got a matching mechanical tail!’ she squeals again.

Annoyed and frustrated, I let out a guttural growl as my teeth form into canines.

Imogen jumps up and hides behind Janie, using her as a shield, ‘Rose is a wolf!’ she shouts, pointing at me.

Janie covers Imogen’s mouth with her hand. ‘No need to yell it for the whole neighbourhood to hear,’ Janie warns her.

‘Well, technically, I’m a werewolf, but I’m having some issues with being unable to fully transform into a werewolf and back into a human. So, I’ve been stuck with these ears and tail, hiding them under this beanie and tying my tail against my back with rope. Maybe you can help us come up with some ideas on getting rid of this curse?’ I say to Imogen.

‘If Janie’s a witch, can’t she cast a spell to remove it?’ Imogen replies.

Janie sighs, ‘I’ve been trying to search for a spell in my book that will revert Rose to human, but so far, there hasn’t been any. We researched on the Internet as well. Werewolves are supposed to be able to transform at will from human to wolf and back. The problem is Rose tried last night, but not only was it too painful, something was interfering and stopping Rose from progressing through to her wolf form. The only other way to change Rose back is by a potion that can’t be made,’ Janie explains.

‘Why can’t it be made?’ Imogen asks.

‘It requires a blossom fox flower that doesn’t exist,’ I chime in.

‘Well, why would someone make a spell potion with an ingredient that doesn’t exist?’ she asks.

‘Your guess is as good as mine, Imogen,’ Janie tells her.

‘I really need to eat some raw meat, you guys. I’m not feeling very good,’ I tell them feeling faint.

‘I think we only have frozen meat,’ Janie tells me.

‘Go to my house. There’s always a roast, steak or some kind of meat waiting to be cooked, sitting in the fridge,’ I tell her.

Janie dashes downstairs, and Imogen runs out to the terrace watching Janie sneak into my house. Moments later, she returns, ‘Lifto Levitatious,’ she says, and a raw chook floats up over the balcony. Imogen grabs it and passes it to me, ‘Eww, are you really going to eat it raw like that?’ she says, with a look of disgust. ‘It’s kind of slimy, too,’ Imogen frowns.

My canines grow and rip into the chook as Janie enters the room. Imogen and Janie cover their faces, discreetly peeking between their fingers as I ferociously devour the entire chook: bones and all.

‘That was the most disgusting yet coolest thing to watch,’ Imogen says.

My mobile phone lights up and beeps. I flip it open to see Brad has sent me a selfie of himself, ‘Can’t wait to see you at the academy tomorrow, but if you can’t wait either, then maybe we could meet tonight?’

I smile and text a reply, ‘In your dreams, Brad. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

My phone beeps with a reply, ‘Oh, I’ll see you in my dreams tonight and in person tomorrow. You can count on that,’ he replies, adding a winking emoji.

I let out a snort of laughter, feeling giddy with anticipation. Janie rushes over to me, snatching my phone from my hand and reading the text with Imogen peeking over her shoulder. They giggle and swoon over his message, unable to contain their excitement.

'You're so lucky, Rose. Brad is so hot,' Imogen exclaims. 'Martha has been trying to court him all year, but he only has eyes for you.'

I can't help but feel a surge of happiness at the thought of Brad choosing me over anyone else.

‘Have you heard from Xander today?’ I ask Janie.

‘Xander, that new sexy yet strange guy at the academy?’ Imogen asks curiously.

‘Yep, Xander and I are together,’ Janie grins at Imogen.

Imogen looks like a stunned deer in headlights as her eyes dart between us. ‘Okay, this is not fair. Maybe you can both help me find a suitable guy at the academy for myself?’ she laughs.

‘Well, see what we can do, but first, let’s focus on making me human again,’ I tell her.

Imogen nods.

‘Xander texted me that he worked a night shift last night and is exhausted and will spend the day resting. He said there’s no reception where he works, so on the nights Xander’s called in, he won’t be able to call or text me,’ Janie tells me.

‘Oh, what does he do?’ I ask.

‘I’m still confused by what he meant, but he said he’s a grave shift worker,’ she says.

The idea of a "grave shift worker" sends shivers down my spine, conjuring up images of eerie cemeteries and haunted grounds. I can't help but wonder what kind of work Xander does that requires him to be out all night and cut off from communication.

‘Maybe he digs graves, or he might be a groundskeeper?’ I suggest.

Janie shrugs.

Mister Kal startles us with a sudden deep meow as he darts between our legs and onto the terrace, chasing away a trio of little blue birds. I let out a surprised yelp and stumble back, clutching onto Janie's arm for support.

'At least it's not just me that Mister Kal doesn't like,' I say to Janie and Imogen, trying to catch my breath.

Janie chuckles and pats Mister Kal, standing proudly on the terrace, watching the birds fly away. 'He's an interesting cat, that's for sure,' she says. ‘He’s been trying to catch those same birds all week, but they keep returning. They must have a nest nearby,’ Janie adds, staring out at the willow tree.

Imogen tucks her hands into her pockets and stares between us, ‘We should do something. Maybe we can hang out at Mossmourn Grove? I know where a big old tree house is that’s been there for decades. My mother said she used to play in it as a kid, and I’ve never known anyone else to find it, and because it’s hidden deep away in the thicket of trees, you could practice some magic?’

‘That sounds like fun. I’ll ask my mother if I can borrow her car,’ Janie smiles and bounces out of the room and down the stairs.