The Beta’s Regret

She looked up at the sky, and the moon was shining brightly.

“Please bless us and forgive Eros if he’s done any wrong too. I spoke in a low voice.

I feel that the happenings around the curse might’ve made him stubborn and arrogant, but he didn’t deserve the fate he was tied to, no matter what

I could only hope this ritual would work, and maybe some answers to my heart questions would be answered.

Questions like, why I got another life? What happened that day at the Elders‘ pack meeting with my hybrid friends?

Why did Lyra. Tom and Alice walk into the hall that day? Why don’t I remember a thing? NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Let us begin‘ Beauty said.

We stared at each other. Eros’s eyes bored into mine as Beauty gathered her ritual supplies.

“Okay, now I want you both to stand in front of each other here,” She said, pointing to a spot just in front of the statue

I nodded and went to stand where she had asked us to. Eros shook his head and followed suit. Beauty brought out another book from her bag and began reading something.

“I just have to make sure I am not doing it wrong” She mumbled.

My gaze flicked to the book in her hand and I noticed it looked very old and worn–out.

Beauty pulled out a white powder and began drawing a circle around us.

After she completed the circle around us, she pulled a small dagger and held it in front of us.

“What! Now I have to cut her or what?” Eros asked but Beauty rolled her eyes at him. He was suddenly too chatty, probably an attempt to disguise his nervousness as a carefree attitude.

Beauty held the dagger under the waterfall and muttered a strange language, while reading through the brown pages. When she was done, she brought it back to us and handed it to Eros.

We nicked ourselves a little- just for it to sting, and subtly there was like a white thin–rope thread that wrapped our joined

wrists.

Quickly it was gone, and I stood there, blinking as Beauty happily collected all her stuff lying around, the candles, and herbs. She had been too nervous earlier, but now there was a certain confidence in her body posture and she was humming to herself as Eros observed his hand.

The small incision I had made with the knife disappeared and there was no sign of the wisp either.

Even I checked my hand, but there was no visible mark of the anchor bond taking effect. “Are you sure it worked?” Eros asked while rolling down his sleeves.

She nodded her head. “Well, the wisp did show up, and I chanted all the spells to the best of my ability. I think it should have

worked.

Her gaze switched to me. “Do you feel anything

yer?

I tried to sense if there were any internal changes in my body or mind, but it came back as nothing.

I shook my head, but she came towards me and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t worry. You should notice the changes in some time. Maybe a few hours.”

Eros decided to jump into the conversation. “What type of changes?”

Beauty turned to look at him. “Can’t say for sure.

dut Linz wrist nerve, the one you cut, connects to the heart. It was t feel your emotions”

the closest substitute I could find to a mate bond so she could

So He asked blankly.

So the next time you throw a fit and rage tries to take hold of you, she should be the first to sense it.

And through the bond, she can also channel her own calmness is we help you keep own calmness into you. That should help you keep your raucous transition at bay.”

“And if it doesnt?” He asked, his eyes narrowing on Beauty.

You don’t have to be so doubting all the time, Eros. It’s like you just want to die and I’m trying so hard not to let you take the jump. She grew irritated all over again.

Eros simply shrugged. “You mean I am being rational, not distrustful or doubtful.”

Beauty shook her head and threw her hands up in the air. “Look, I’m tired. The spell was hard, and I hope it worked. I believe it did. Lets hope for the best?

Eros pushed his hands in his pockets to retrieve his keys. “Let me drop you home.”

But she shook her head. I can’t deal with you right now. She flicked her gaze at me. “He is all yours now.” With that, she turned away and went towards her car, stomping her foot as loudly as she could on the stones amid the muddy path.

“She was just trying to help you. Do you always have to drive those who care about you away?” I asked, but he only gave me a pointed look before marching towards his car

Both went their separate ways, and I stood in front of the statue and the waterfall, shaking my head.

“Goddess, have mercy on me. 1 said and went towards Eros’s car. The sooner I tested out if the bond was working, the better. And it did not take a lot to anger him

I let out a loud breath when I opened the car door and sat beside him. He turned the ignition on. As usual, he drove the car silently. Having nothing to do, I stared at my wrist, caressing the spot where he had nicked me. The wound had healed and there was a faint black scar in its place.

My index finger kept brushing on it as Eros drove the car through the forest before we hit the main road.

I thought Beauty was coming with us, but true to her word, she left for home. I figured she needed some rest. The moonlight fell onto the trees lining the road and followed us all the way home.

Eros parked the car in the garage wordlessly and we both got out. I too began walking in the direction of my room, not knowing what to say to himm

But then a voice called out to Eros “King Eros, are you alright?” Arthur’s voice broke the silence.

Eros gave him a small smile and simply hugged him. Even Arthur was surprised by the act. Eros seldom displayed affection openly.

I only watched with a smile as Eros pulled away.

“Thank you for everything throughout these years.”