Chapter 20

SWYN

I wake to the warmth of soft fur against my skin. My eyes flicker open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings—a spacious room, low lighting streaming through the curtains, and...dogs?

Three large dogs curled up around me. One rests its head on my legs, another pressed against my side, and the third sprawled across my feet. My heart races as I sit up, trying to make sense of where I am.

This isn't my bed.

My head spins for a moment, but I push through it. Panic swells in my chest as I shuffle back, gently nudging one of the dogs to give me some space.

I must have fallen asleep somewhere, but how the hell did I end up surrounded by these... dogs?

Just as I'm about to scramble out of bed, the dogs begin to shift. My heart leaps into my throat as I watch, wide-eyed, as fur recedes, bones crack and reshape, and the three large creatures lying next to me morph into... men.

Kel, Sol, and Ri.

"Naked men," I whisper, horror and embarrassment flooding my brain at once. I pull the sheets up to cover myself, even though I'm fully clothed.

"What the actual—" I start, unable to find the words.

Kel, the first to fully shift, rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "We can explain."

"I'm sure you can," I mutter, eyes darting between them, all of them stark naked, standing by the bed as if this is perfectly normal. "But clothes would be a good place to start."

Ri is already moving, grabbing a pair of trousers from a nearby chair and slipping them on. "We didn't want to leave you alone," he says gruffly, as if that explains everything.

"You fell asleep on the couch," Kel adds, pulling on a T-shirt as casually as if this is a daily occurrence. "So we brought you to bed."

"We stayed close to keep an eye on you," Sol finishes, now half-dressed, his tone much softer. "But it's not like we could all sleep on the bed in our human forms. Not enough room and too uncomfortable."

My mouth opens, then closes. I mean, what do you even say to that? "I... okay," I stammer. "Thank you. I think."

"You looked like you needed it," Kel adds, as if that justifies the whole naked-dog-men situation.

I blink, trying to clear my head. "Right. Um, could I take a shower? I just—need to clear my head."

Sol nods towards the bathroom. "Of course. It's through there. Take your time."

I climb out of bed, careful not to brush against any of them as I make my way to the bathroom. I'm in a long T-shirt that definitely isn't mine, but I'm relieved to discover I still have my underwear on. Still though, which one of them undressed me?

My legs feel unsteady beneath me, but I manage to get inside and close the door before I collapse against it.

What the hell is happening?

I turn the shower on, waiting for the water to heat as I peel off my clothes. The moment the warm spray hits my skin, I let out a deep breath. I close my eyes, letting the water wash over me as I replay the events of yesterday in my mind.

The curse. The Watcher. The guys.

I run my fingers through my hair, shaking off the overwhelming sense of dread that threatens to choke me. The Curse of the Fading Witch. I've been running from it for so long, trying to find some way to break it before my time runs out.

My family needs me to produce an heir before my twenty-second birthday, or the entire Galdur line will die out. Worse, some ancient evil will be unleashed on the world.

No pressure, right?

And now, somehow, I've ended up with these three men—no, not men, shapeshifters—who claim to be my fated mates. Everything's happening so fast, and I can barely keep up.

I rest my forehead against the cool tiles, wishing I could just stay here, hidden in the steam and heat of the shower, where nothing can reach me.

But I can't. I have to keep going. I have to break this curse.

After what feels like forever, I turn off the water, dry myself, and wrap up in one of the soft towels hanging by the sink. When I emerge from the bathroom, fully dressed again, thanks to someone sneaking my freshly laundered clothes in while I was distracted, the scent of breakfast hits me.

Kel is standing by the stove, flipping pancakes like it's the most natural thing in the world. The sight of it almost makes me laugh.

"You made breakfast?"

Kel grins over his shoulder. "Seemed like you could use a proper meal after everything."

I sit down at the table where Ri and Sol are already tucking in. Plates are set out, a ridiculous amount of food spread across the table—eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, you name it. It's all a bit surreal.

"Thanks," I say, trying to sound normal, even though my brain is still catching up.

The three of them watch me as I take a few bites, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

Finally, Sol clears his throat. "What's your plan for the day, Swyn?"

I pause, setting my fork down. "I need to head back into town. I need to find more information about how to break the curse."

Ri leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're not going alone."

I blink. "What?"

"You heard him," Kel says, sliding a stack of pancakes onto my plate. "We're coming with you."

My first instinct is to argue, but the look on all of their faces tells me I won't win this one. They're protective, and after everything I told them last night, I can't exactly blame them for wanting to keep an eye on me.

"Alright," I sigh, realising it's pointless to protest. "Let's go together then."

After breakfast, I excuse myself and head back to the room, needing a few moments alone to gather myself before we head into town. The warm shower helped, but there's still so much swirling in my mind.

I close the door behind me and lean against it for a second, taking in the quiet.

This is my life now—cursed, fated to three men who shift into dogs, and possibly being hunted by a man who's supposed to be my Watcher. Not exactly what I imagined when I ran from home.

I change quickly into fresh clothes better suited to exploring town, glancing at myself in the mirror. My reflection looks tired, haunted even. The weight of everything feels heavier than ever, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep carrying it.

But I have to. I have no choice. If I don't find a way to break the curse, it's all over.

A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.

"You ready, Swyn?" Kel's voice calls through the door.

"Yeah, just a minute," I reply, slipping on my shoes. I take one last deep breath before grabbing my jacket and opening the door.

Kel's standing there, grinning that easy-going grin of his, and behind him, Sol and Ri are already heading towards the front door. They've all cleaned up too—looking like perfectly normal guys, though the memory of them shifting in front of me earlier still lingers in the back of my mind.

I can't get over how similar they are, and yet how different. Sure, they're identical, duh, but now that I know there's three of them, I don't know how I didn't spot it sooner.

It's not just their three distinctive scents either. Ri's posture is so much stiffer than his brothers' and I'd swear Sol has maybe half an inch on Kel. Maybe. If I squint. Ri's face is serious like Sol's, but a little more stern, whereas Kel is more open and easy going. He's the quickest to laughter too.

If I had to guess, I'd say Ri's the oldest, Sol's the middle child and Kel's the youngest. But it's just a hunch.

They're all magnificent in their beauty though.

"We're all set. Let's get you into town," Kel says, motioning for me to follow.

We walk outside together, the crisp morning air hitting my face as we step into the small car park. I make a beeline for my car, instinctively heading towards it. But just as I reach for the door, Ri's hand closes over mine, stopping me.

"Your car's not going to make it," he says, his voice firm but calm.

I frown, pulling my hand back. "What do you mean? It's fine. I've driven it here already."

Kel shakes his head. "Not for long. It won't make it all the way into town and unless you fancy walking the rest of the way, I'd suggest you ride with us. We've got the truck ready for you."

Ri leans against the side of their truck, arms crossed, watching me with a smirk. "Yeah, trust us. You're better off riding with us."

I hesitate, glancing at my car. "How do you know my car won't make it?"

Sol looks at me sideways, a knowing glint in his eye. "It was struggling last time you drove it, wasn't it? I bet it broke down more than once."

My mouth falls open slightly, surprised. "How did you know?"

"Magic," Ri says, shrugging like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Spells Hollow doesn't want visitors and it employs every trick in its magical arsenal to keep strangers out."

I can't exactly argue with that. I was lucky to even make it as far as I did. Sighing in resignation, I walk over to their truck. I flush, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Yeah, it did break down. Sol's right. But then again, he was with me…wasn't he?"

"Yeah that was me," Sol admits with a sheepish grin.

"And Ri was the arsehole to you in the lobby that day?"

"Correct again." He grins.

A thought occurs to me. "Are you all identical in your dog-forms too? Will I be able to tell you apart?"

"We're pretty similar." Sol shrugs. "You might be able to, once you spend a bit more time with us."

I don't know what to say to that, but I'm saved from having to answer as Ri cuts in. "You're riding up front with us," Ri says, opening the passenger door for me.

The truck is massive compared to my car. I try to climb in, but it's so ridiculously high. I squeal when strong arms grab my waist and hoist me into the cab.

"Not necessary!" I huff, indignant at being picked up and moved around like a small child.

A sharp slap on my ass has me scrambling forward into the middle seat, rubbing at the tender spot. "Arsehole," I grumble under my breath, trying to ignore the flash of heat coursing through my body.

Ri chuckles, but says nothing and then walks around the truck to the driver's side. Sol climbs in beside me. It's a squeeze. The heat of both their bodies presses against mine, making the small space feel even smaller.

I have to resist the urge to fan myself, but when I swallow, the sound is loud and telling in the quiet of the cab. My cheeks flush.

Kel hops into the back, shutting the door behind him. "Alright, let's get going."

"Seatbelts," Ri grunts. Everyone wordlessly obeys. Guess it's not just me he's an arsehole to then.

He starts the engine, the truck rumbling to life beneath us, and pulls out of the car park with ease. The ride is smooth, nothing like the rattling death trap of my own car, and I can't help but feel a small sense of relief that I'm not the one driving for once.

As we head into town, I glance at Ri, who's focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the wheel.

"So you can just...tell when cars are about to break down?"

He smirks without taking his eyes off the road. "Something like that. I've got a good ear for engines."

Sol nudges me with his shoulder. "It's one of his many talents. He's the mechanic of the pack."

I raise an eyebrow at that. "Mechanic, huh? Handy skill to have."

Ri chuckles. "Keeps us out of trouble, at least."

I lean back against the seat, relaxing a little as we drive. The guys might be shifters with their own mysteries, but at least they're practical. And right now, I need practical.

I need help breaking this curse, and if that means accepting their protection—and their truck—then I'll take it.

But in the back of my mind, there's still the lingering fear that time is running out. If I don't find the answer soon, it won't just be me who's doomed—it'll be the entire Galdur line. And maybe even the world.

We drive towards the deserted town, the surrounding forest growing more familiar as we approach. I glance out the window, trying to focus on what I need to do next, but it's hard with Ri and Sol so close beside me, and Kel's presence hovering just behind.

It's comforting. But overwhelming too.

Ri pulls the truck to a stop on the edge of town, parking just beyond where the main road dissolves into dense trees and winding paths. The forest looms ahead, wild and tangled, the faint smell of pine filling the air as I glance nervously out the window.

"We'll go on foot from here," Ri says, turning the engine off. He unbuckles his seatbelt and looks to Sol. "Go check for any signs of danger before we head in."

Without a word, Sol hops out of the truck. I watch as he disappears into the trees, his figure swallowed by the shadows within seconds. My stomach twists with unease, but I can't help but to marvel at how easily they all seem to navigate this world, like it's second nature to them.

A few minutes later, Sol comes trotting back, not in his human form, but as the shaggy dog I'd seen before. His paws are silent on the forest floor as he emerges from the treeline, and the sight sends a shiver down my spine.

He barks once, a low sound that Ri seems to understand perfectly.

"Clear," Ri says with a nod, opening his door. "Let's move."

We climb out of the truck, Ri helping me down with an ease that makes my knees go weak, and the weight of the woods presses in on me the moment my feet hit the ground.

There's something about these trees that feels different—alive, maybe even aware. It's as if they're watching us, waiting for something to happen.

"Stay close," Ri orders, taking the lead as we begin making our way through the woods. Sol trots beside me, his fur brushing against my leg every now and then, a constant presence that feels strangely reassuring, despite the eerie atmosphere.

Kel walks on my other side, his easy going demeanour doing little to mask the tension rolling off him. "Where have you explored so far in town?" he asks, his tone casual, though I can sense the deeper concern underneath.

I keep my gaze ahead, stepping over a fallen branch as we continue deeper into the woods. "The woods, mostly. I... I went to the High Priestess's house too."

Kel raises an eyebrow, glancing down at me. "Not exactly the friendliest place to start."

"I didn't exactly have much of a choice," I mutter. "I figured it was likely to be the best place to learn something about the curse."

"And was it?"

I shake my head, frustration bubbling up. "No. I was…scared off by…something or someone." My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag.

"I was hoping to find more answers, but I've found nothing yet. Guess I'm not cut out to be a detective."

Kel hums in thought, his gaze scanning the trees ahead as we walk.

"You've been searching in the right places. But I'm surprised you haven't checked out your family's old home yet."

I frown, confused. "I don't even know where that is."

Kel glances over at Ri, and the two of them exchange a look before Kel speaks again, his voice softer this time.

"The Galdur family's ancestral home is one of the oldest buildings in Spells Hollow. It's practically a landmark."

I blink, surprised. "Wait, it still exists? I thought it might've... I don't know, been abandoned or destroyed over the years."

"It's still standing," Kel says, his voice firm. "Maybe not in the best shape, but it's there."

The weight of this new information presses down on me, adding another layer of confusion and frustration to everything I'm already dealing with.

His words settle heavily in my chest. It makes sense, I suppose. If my family's magic is tied to Spells Hollow, it's no wonder we would have had a residence here.

Kel's voice is softer when he speaks again. "I can show you the house, Swyn. If you're ready."

I hesitate, glancing up at him, then at Ri and dog-Sol, who both seem to be waiting for my answer. There's a part of me that's terrified to see it—this piece of my family's history that's been hidden from me for so long. But there's also a part of me that knows I have to face it if I'm ever going to break this curse.

I nod, taking a deep breath.

"Show me."

Ri leads the way once more, his pace quick and determined. Sol stays close, still in his dog form, his quiet presence grounding me as we move deeper into the trees.

As we step out of the woods, the town square opens up before us. The air feels thick with energy, buzzing against my skin, and I catch my breath as I take in the sight.

Spells Hollow is quiet, almost too quiet, and yet there's something about it that feels more alive than any place I've been. The cobbled square is eerily still, but the looming presence of the ancient buildings around it sends a shiver down my spine.

My eyes flick to Kel, who nods at one of the coven houses. "That's your ancestral home, Swyn. It's one of the original coven houses."

I follow his gaze, and my heart skips a beat when I take it in. It's an old Victorian house, much like the one in my family's stories. White, wooden, and elegant despite the overgrown vines crawling up the sides.

The roof is steeply pitched, and at the very top, a small lighthouse-like tower juts out, casting a shadow over the picket fence below. The windows are dark, but I can almost feel something stirring inside them—memories or maybe even ghosts.

The fence creaks as I push open the gate, the sound startling in the silence. The moment my hand touches the wood, warmth surges through me, familiar and foreign at the same time.

Magic.

Old, ancient magic, like it's woven into every fibre of this place, waiting for me.

I gasp, jerking my hand back. It's like the house recognises me—like it's welcoming me home after all this time. My pulse races, and I glance at Kel and Ri, who are watching me closely. Sol is still in his dog form, but I swear I see a knowing look in his eyes.

"Feel that?" Kel asks softly, stepping beside me. One hand rests gently on the gate, though it doesn't react to him the way it did to me, and he places the other lightly on the small of my back.

It takes immense effort not to lean into his warm touch. "This house belongs to you, Swyn. Your family's magic runs through it. It's been waiting for you."

A chill runs down my spine. I didn't grow up in Spells Hollow, but the stories of my ancestors—of the Galdur line—were passed down to me, though never with this kind of intensity.

This place, this house, holds all the secrets of my bloodline, including the curse that's been haunting me since the day I was born.

Swallowing hard, I take a step forward, my hand brushing the gate again. The warmth tingles through me, soothing and unsettling all at once. It feels like stepping back into a life I never knew I had.