AUTHOR'S POV
"There's nothing more I couldn't handle now", Diana doesn't sit, and never softens.
"Look at her, Kristia.", Roman says quietly. " And tell her"., he ordered, sending more of his aura.
Kristia's smile tightens, keeping her hands folded, knuckles pale beneath the aging skin. "Ro...man", she plead bowing her head.
"I said, look at the Luna", his voice dips, something heavier slipping beneath it. And then, Kristia did.
Diana met her eyes as Kristia turns to her. "If there's any chance to save him, I need to know what happened", she whispered, not wanting the silence to stretch anymore. Roman squinted his eyes looking away as his jaw shifts. Something in him aligned, and it's not in a good way.
Kristia inhaled softly, closing her eyes briefly before smiling that rehearsed beam. "I... I was the house maiden for the Lockwoods for a time..", Kristia paused reliving the memoirs that were still bright and clear in her memories. The scent of Karin's plants. The picture frames on the table. The voice of Viktor. "Alpha Viktor had an iron fist. He was abusive, and ill-tempered. While Karin had a heart of gold, she was the most giving and kindest Luna I've ever known. She was his shackles. His leash. And, together, Viktor and Karin were quite a good balance of governance and authority both in the house and in the clan.", Kristia held her wrist, rubbing her old scars that seemed to sting a little. "Viktor had so many fixations. During his younger years, before he became an Alpha, he was often bullied and beaten given the fact that he's too slim and reserved compared to the other wolves. Always enjoying his time alone in his little world. When his Alpha blood awaken, he rose and embraced his power as he started to get back on every wolf who belittled him. No one dared to talk back against the violent Alpha. Even his own son didn't escaped his cruelty. I could only cry when he punish Scott.", Kristia curved her lips down, as those words fracture her composure.
Diana hugged herself, without removing her gaze at Kristia. In disbelief with how perfect Scott hid such abusive past. Roman, despite having all ears to the house maiden, had his eyes on Diana. He was afraid that this story might just only deepen her ties with Scott. Not his actual purpose why he forces Kristia to talk.
"Way back, he was called the luckiest Alpha when he imprinted on the most beautiful Luna. Karin was undeniably stunning inside and out.", Kristia smiled when she remembers Karin. "But for me, he doesn't deserve her", Kristia added, as glum return to her face. "I was there in their bedroom when Viktor told Karin that he made a deal with a nagual. He wanted to be strongest, fastest, greatest Alpha of all wolf clans. Naturally, Karin disagreed that it turned to a heavy argument. However, the deed has been made. There's nothing they can do. All Karin was worried about was, what did the nagual asked for return."
"What a selfish, stupid actual fuck", Roman's intrusive thought escaped his lips as he let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh - only there's no humor in it.
"I remember the arrogance in his smirks. Viktor didn't care for whatever the nagual wanted, for he was too ecstatic on the idea that was set to come true. He was told that on the day of the full moon, his power will emerge at its maximum ability making him what he wished for.", Kristia exhaled sharply as lines on her forehead appeared. She brushed her tight hair tied in a bun with her trembling hand as something dark envelope her. "On the night of the moon bath, we all gathered in the heart of the forest. Scott was left at home for he haven't come of age yet", Kristia's eyes brimmed in fear as she stare blankly ahead. "As the moon shines in the sky, we heard Viktor wail in pain. He scratched his skin as he scream terribly, each were louder from the other sharp intakes… And right before our eyes, his skin tore apart. Ripping like paper. His eyes shone like gold. His fingers and toes all turned to weapons, sharper than daggers. All we can do was watch in fear while Viktor Lockwood turn into a monstrous beast", Kristia's voice trembled, as she close her eyes.
Roman watched how Diana freezes. It wasn't fear that came across her fair face. It was softer. Catching her breath, she didn't recoiled at such horrific change Scott turns to. Instead, she leans in more. Listening carefully, and understanding how much Scott possibly got hurt the first time he changed on the night of the blood moon. How alone he was. And how long it lasted. It was a terrifying change for a man being broken into a new creature he have no idea what is.
"We didn't know what to call it back then. But it was huge. Fiercer. Rabid. Karin and I drew back slowly as Viktor snarl at us. He didn't even recognized his Luna. Between me and Karin, the monster particularly chased her skipping me who's nearer him. And that was when I realized, that Viktor had only eyes on his Luna. Karin almost didn't made out alive that night, if not for the purple flowers that were stuck on her fur.", her voice thinning, like the memory is pulling the breath out straight out of her lungs.
"Flowers...", whispered Diana as she brought back to mind the flowers that were handed to her that night.
"When the moon waned, Viktor came back to his human form with no memory at all. Karin told him everything about what happened, and so, first thing at sunrise, Viktor went back to the nagual to take the deal back.", Kristia sipped a little water as she wet her lips. "He returned home after two days with more bad news. He was actually cursed by the nagual, Tamara. She turned Alpha Viktor to a slave of the moon, with lust and longing for the blood of the Luna. Unfortunately, the curse didn't ended with him, it is extended to his children and children's children. And that the curse will be sparked once they imprint..", Kristia slowly shifted her gaze at Diana, giving her a piece of the puzzle that she has been yearning for. "Karin feared for her son. The first thing she planned was not to let Scott imprint. Then, she helped Viktor back in his senses for he have started to lose grip from his mind. Bu you know, there's no smoke without fire. The people started to notice. They called him lunatic. The Lockwoods sought after healers to help them. One doctor stood out..".
" Daniel Woodsworth?", Diana murmured. Roman flinched at how Diana is connected with so many strings with the Lockwoods. It was as if their fate was intertwined from the beginning.
"We called him Dr. Dani.", Kristia says. "He comes in secret, preferably at night so that the townspeople won't be suspicious of the Lockwoods. With the help of Dr. Dani, we found out that Viktor is highly sensitive and fearful of silver. Not to mention wolfsbane, the purple flowers. He then called Viktor a lycan", she continues. "At the doctor's visits and treatments, Viktor would breathlessly scream in agony. We could hardly disguise it under Karin's lullaby playing over and over in the cassette radio. Every night sounded more painful than the other. And every full moon, we shackled Viktor so he won't ravage more innocent lives, until Dr. Dani found a... cure", Kristia said as she swallow a lump in her throat.
"What's the cure?", Roman asked, timidly.
Kristia hardened her face and let out a sigh. "It was not the perfect cure. But, Dr. Dani found something that somewhat gave Viktor hope, for him and his only son.", Kristia answered."One night, I overheard Dr. Dani and Viktor having an argument. It was too loud like thunderclap that the two Alphas woke every person in that house. The doctor said, he found a person's blood that could possibly keep the lycan supressed within Viktor. However, the doctor was very hesitant to tell more details of his profound discovery and that he wanted make more tests done. Viktor, on the other hand, was too anxious to find out about it, and that he wanted to try it right away. Around that time, Dr. Dani turned to a villain keeping Viktor's only hope from him.", Kristia added. "Viktor and Karin took risks as they convince Dr. Dani to put his theory to test. And on the night when Viktor was shackled in the cave, Dr. Dani injected him with some blood.. and surprisingly, Viktor didn't changed.", Kristia explained as she lowered down her head.
"Tell me it's not what I think it is", Roman asked as he stare at Diana, who was clenching her fist on the table.
"We thought it was someone close to Dr. Dani, as he was very protective of the blood source. Viktor was too vocal about keeping that person with the special blood by his side for him and his son. The nagual doesn't want to break the curse so, the option to live a normal wolf life during the full moon is to keep the Doctor's blood source close.", Kristia gazed at Roman whom she noticed has been looking closely at Diana. "Dr. Dani downturned Viktor's persistence over and over. He didn't liked Viktor's outrageous plan of keeping the blood source like some milking cow. He insisted to make a few more tests without endangering that person's life. He believed that, as the tolerance for blood increases, the need for blood increases too. But Viktor was too impatient. He wanted that person's blood compulsively.", Kristia scoffed, now smiling differently as if annoyed. "He called the physician a hypocrite, and Viktor was called ludicrous for dealing with a Nagual primarily.", Kristia shook her side to side.
"No one wins in a clash between two Alphas, I guess", Diana uttered as Roman exhaled sharply.
"I guess so too..", Kristia replied with a subtle smile.
"There's always one who could outlive the other.", Roman replied softly as he lifted his brows at Diana. She glared at him and shifted her gaze at Kristia.
"Please continue", Diana urged.
"I think, Viktor deserved what he got.", Kristia continued. "Then again, I felt bad for Scott, who was dragged into the curse for his father's madness. Not to forget Karin's beautiful existence, which was put to waste.", Kristia tightened her lips in a fine line.
"Waste? She...", Diana took a quick look at Roman near her.
"On the next full moon, Karin and I shackled Viktor too late as he transform to the monster we both feared. The doctor never arrived with the blood, making Karin blaze in anger.", Kristia started to fidget with the sleeve of her shirt. "As we run for our lives, we bumped into Dr. Dani with his wife and daughter. Karin asked for the blood that we needed for Viktor, yet he refused. We noticed how protective he was towards his wife that night. Suspecting she was the certain person with the special blood, Karin snatched Dr. Dani's wife taking her away.", Kristia furrowed her brows as she reminisce. It seemed like it was only yesterday when she battled for her life against a lycan. "With Viktor on the loose and who's just right after our trail, Karin faced the lycan with Dr. Dani's wife. And in one swift killing spree, Viktor attacked the two Lunas, fatally injuring Dr. Dani's wife, and killing Karin instantly as he tore her into pieces, hungrily consuming every drop of her blood until Viktor came back to his true form.", Kristia's voice cracked as she tried to speak clearly. Diana wiped her tears hearing the very tragic story of her parents and Scott's family, while Roman clenched his jaw trying his best not to rush to Diana and comfort her.
"Hold on", Roman called out. "We are getting off shore. A curse may have its beginning. But, it also has its end. There is always a way to lift a curse... Not like I want to break off Scott's curse", he uttered.
"If you were listening, Alpha, I already gave out how Viktor ended his curse", Kristia left Diana and Roman baffled staring at each other.
"So, what ended it? Doesn't make any sense! He just killed them all", Roman wondered, exhaling deeply as he lean back.
Suddenly, Kristia broke down in heavy tears. It was quiet, weeping. Struggling to keep it all in as she barely look at Diana. Diana and Roman were completely stumped for not really being able decipher the cure in her story. Kristia then held Diana's hands as she utter the most heartbreaking words, "Death of a Luna, Diana. That breaks the curse for Viktor". Kristia said as she stare into Diana's eyes. Roman couldn't even blink. Diana's flesh and blood is Scott's absolute salvation.
"It didn't actually lifted the curse. It is still a temporary resolution", Diana thought. "The curse was too personal, don't you think? Like.. a perfect revenge of someone saying, if she can't have Viktor, no one else will. A brilliant curse that ended up with Viktor killing his Luna. Not only that, it was so extensive that the rest of his Alpha bloodline will get the same fate.", Diana concluded.
"The broken heart's revenge. Once he imprints again, he would just repetitively breaks his heart chasing and killing his Luna.", Roman agreed on the cycle that never ends. "The Nagual, Tamara, was she an ex lover of Viktor's?", Roman asked.
"I am not sure... Only Tamara can speak for that.", Kristia briefly answered, wiping her ugly tears.
"Nagualli keep their heads low. They appear only if it interests them", Roman said as he folded his arms. "So what's with the Lockwoods?".
"Hmm.. Kristia, what happened to Dr. Dani and his family?", Diana asked as she gulped a heavy lump in her throat.
"His wife, Lava? Va..la? Hmm..", Kristia tried to remember the name the physician called his wife.
"..Alva?", Diana said with a breaking voice. The room shifts as Diana drill down on a different subject. Roman squinted his eyes at Diana as she probe on her family's involvement.
"Ah Yes, Alva! She died.. their daughter went missing. Dr. Dani left the town with Alva's body. I've never heard of him since then.", Kristia said.
"Hi.. his wife.. died? Are.. you sure?", Diana asked in confusion.
"Yes, I'm very certain. I was with her holding her hands until her last breath.", Kristia assured as she look away.
Fear and uncertainty bubbled up. Diana couldn't help but wonder who's the Alva Woodsworth who took care of her. Roman noticed how her heart beat fluttered when the doctor's family was talked about. "..And Viktor?", Roman asked.
"With or without the Lycan, Viktor remained an awful man. After Karin's death, he become more disturbed. Full of hatred and eventually, went completely out of his mind. He never turned into a lycan, yet, he was still the monster who beats his son, and everyone who comes at the door. I left weeks later for I can't bear to stay and get beaten up by Viktor whenever he gets the chance. I wanted to take Scott, but.. the young lad wanted to stay with his father.", Kristia replied.
Diana felt weak to her knees, as she stumble. She held on the table with her eyes getting weary. "I… I will just step out, if you don't mind", Diana said without waiting for a reply.
"Do you really want to save him, Diana?", Kristia asked, halting Diana on her way to the door. "Are you willing to give your life for Scott?".
Roman held his breath staring at Diana's back. Without her giving an answer, he already knew what it was. Diana didn't even turned back, as she continue walking out of the cabin. She didn't even flinched at the sight of the Black Creek clan wolf pack who were eavesdropping at the cabin entrance. Roman stood on his feet, realizing story time is over. "Roman..", Kristia called, as he push the chair away. "Don't let Diana go... It will happen all over again on the next full moon", she said as she exhale shakily.
Roman followed Diana who was walking ahead without mapping the forest. She just followed her rushing legs, not minding the leaves and twigs spatting on her skin. Actually, she was pretty fast for a woman walking on the dirt barefoot. It seemed like she have gotten used to it. She darted forward until she reaches a stream. She was about to cross it when Roman held her arm. "It's not very safe around here. This is the Valley of the Falls. There are many creatures watching nearby", he said.
Roman didn't heard a reply, instead, he heard her cry heavily as tears fall from her eyes. He pulled her close embracing his Luna from her back. "I'm sorry, Diana..", he said. "I'm sorry for being stupid..". However, Diana stood there with her face buried in the palms of her hands. "I'll help you, you got me right here", regardless of what help Diana needed, Roman was certain he'll be right where Diana needs him to be. Besides, the death of the Luna wouldn't be much of a solution for him. "You'll always have me", he whispered.
"He needs my blood", Diana's breath shattered, as she distance herself a little.
"He will kill you, you know it", Roman grunted.
Diana finally looks at Roman, and still doesn't deny her intentions. "I do not care".
Roman's gaze sharpened, at his Luna who's willing to die for Scott."You do not care what it costs you", his voice hollowed out. But then, he refused to be empty handed. He wanted to be his knight in shining armor. "I'll help you, Diana. You don't have to die in the process. I'll give you everything you need… in one condition", he said. Diana didn't want to deal with anyone. Especially Roman. She knew that whatever she intends to do, she won't be needing anyone's help. For she knew, she is strong and raised that way. "I'll save Scott, without you dying. And you'll be my Luna", Roman said as Diana stared at him with her brows knitted. She was about to refuse when suddenly, Roman heard someone approaching. He immediately covered Diana's head as they rush and hid under the bushes. "Stay very still, someone's here", Roman whispered.