Cursed Awakening

By Nicole Noffsinger

An ancient evil has returned and betrayal is everywhere. In the midst of all hell breaking loose, two hearts-one wild and the other one still wounded will stand before hell itself to fight for what's right and for a love forged from a Cursed Awakening.
Ivy Morgan has re-invented herself and is looking forward to the future for the first time, in a very long time. Since fleeing for her life from an overzealous religious cult, she is able to be a modern woman that is gaining her independence; so taking up with a sexy stranger named Nyx is the last thing she needs. Or, is it?
Nyx Wahpeton can’t stop thinking about the young woman he’s met. It couldn’t have come at the worse possible time with the clans meeting and his family wrapped up in a centuries old war that’s nothing short of what horror movies are made from. He’s been a protector of his people and those that reside at the Reservation. There’s betrayal and evil at his front door; but, in his heart he knows Ivy is the one for him. She’s surrounded by secrets that he’s vowed to unlock, as well as her heart. However, can he keep her safe from his own secrets?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denyse Bridger
• Release date: May 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370851881

Book preview

Cursed Awakening

Nikki Noffsinger

Cursed Awakening

Copyright © 2012 Nicole Noffsinger

Online copy provided in Canada

Previously released in eBook

Second Print Edition by Evolutionary Publishing: September 2016

Published by Author May 2017

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-370851881

Chapter One

Miss, you’ll need you to fill out this form and sign here…and here…and this page here. The clerk at the town hall instructed the woman who had come to have her name formally changed.

The woman was in her mid-twenties and couldn’t seem to sign the papers quick enough. She looked simple enough in a pair of jeans and a Hello Kitty t-shirt that seemed a little too tight. Her auburn hair was to the middle of her back and she had on light make-up. The woman had a black leather, Emily the Strange backpack hanging off her shoulder and a pink beaded stud collar around her neck. The clerk did a double take when she had walked in with the papers from McGee’s law office. They just didn’t get too many people that looked like this woman and the clerk hoped that the lady didn’t stick around long around.

The young woman smiled as the clerk notarized and affixed the state stamp on the documents. Officially, Anya Louise Pascal was no more! This made the death of her old life or rather existence null and void! She was now and would forever be known as Ivy Rayne Morgan. Ivy had spent a lot of time with the help of Terrance McGee and Lorna Draven creating a new identity that would launch her into her new life; a life that included freedom! She’d never be able to repay Terrance or Lorna for what they had done for her but they had explained that was their job. The old woman handed her the papers and Ivy clutched them to her chest. In a few days she would be starting college classes at the local community college and her new job at a local diner. Ivy nearly skipped out the doors of the city hall.

Lorna was waiting for Ivy outside leaning against her minivan. Ivy waved the papers as she descended the steps of city hall with a huge smile on her face. Lorna was in her late thirties and tough as they come. Yet, there was something nurturing about her. When Ivy had first met Lorna, she had been afraid of the woman but after about a week, Lorna had become the mother and friend that Ivy never had! Hey girl you ready to go over to Classics? Lorna called to Ivy as she opened the van door for her.

Yeah, and I am officially Ivy Rayne Morgan no more Anya! I can’t believe how easy and quick it was! Ivy replied still riding her wave of excitement.

I told ya girlfriend! We can’t change the past, but we can always improve and direct our own future! Lorna said giving Ivy a wink as she slid in the driver’s seat.

Lorna drove down the street to a salon. Ivy was going to get her hair cut. She was

excited as they went in and started looking through the hair magazines for a new hairstyle. Ivy had long hair for her whole life and felt as if she should be nervous about cutting it, but it symbolized a life that she had no desire to live. A petite blonde woman came over to where they were sitting and ushered Ivy to her chair.

You have really gorgeous hair, you know that! Are you sure you want it cut? the beautician asked as she fingered through Ivy’s waist length hair.

Yes! I am quite sure! I was thinking something to my shoulders and layered perhaps. Ivy replied.

Alright, I know just the style that would be perfect for you that would complement your face shape! the beautician said as she took Ivy to a shampoo bowl.

Lorna looked on as the beautician shampooed, conditioned and wrapped a towel around Ivy’s head. Ivy had certainly come a long way from the scared girl that she’d rescued from the Shepherds of the Flock religious group. The Shepherds of the Flock were a cult that was similar to the LDS church that she had fled herself fifteen years ago. It had taken her three years to help Ivy get to where she was today. Ivy had been married to an elder as his seventh wife and it had been hell getting her out! She had first met Ivy in a hospital where she had been taken for not just a miscarriage but also being beaten nearly to death. A nurse, Millie Shugart had called Lorna and she had broken a number of traffic laws getting to the hospital to see Ivy. Lorna shuddered in her seat as she remembered how battered and beaten Ivy had been.

She had been like a frightened child and Lorna had told her of her own life with the LDS church, and had offered Ivy a way out. Ivy had been so distrustful but she took the help that Lorna had offered. Lorna immediately called Terrance McGee and got a police guard at the hospital and filed the necessary paperwork and police report. Ivy had been a child bride and had gotten pregnant but due to a beating by her ‘beloved’ husband, she had miscarried the baby. One of the sister wives had brought her to the hospital and left her there. When the hospital released Ivy, Lorna had taken her in and for a solid year it had been a nightmare! Ivy had terrible nightmares and for the first part of that year, she wouldn’t even talk to the psychologist.

It was like getting a wild and feral animal to trust, and Lorna was amazed she’d been able to salvage Ivy through the layers of abuse. This was her job, her calling and Ivy was a success story. Ivy would have the life she was meant to have, not the one she had been born into. Lorna smiled as she watched Ivy’s face scrunch up as the hair stylist took that first cut off those long locks of hers. ‘Breathe Ivy! Breathe!’ Lorna thought to herself. Lorna knew all too well that first cut had been not just a big step but more like a jump across the Grand Canyon.

Are you okay, hon? You’re not going to cry or anything are you? the beautician said frantically as she noticed that Ivy had an odd look to her face. It was a look that blended well with panic. Ivy wasn’t panicked but it was like some invisible fear that suddenly the world was going to fall apart or she’d be struck down by God for cutting her hair.

It wasn’t until Lorna walked over and bent down to her ear. Ivy, Ivy open your eyes! Lorna urged. Ivy slowly lifted her lids. Lorna smiled, See, the world is still turning and you’re not a crispy critter! No cracking earth or devil to drag you through the floor!

It was true, and she felt stupid for overreacting but for some reason she had to have that verbal assurance that nothing Papa Paul had said was true. The beautician waited until she relaxed again in the chair. Ivy smiled slightly and told the girl to go ahead with the hair cut. Lorna patted her shoulder and returned to her seat in the shop’s lobby. I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to freak out! This is my first haircut! Ivy admitted. The girl smiled and nodded, Well it’s going to be the best first hair cut anyone has ever gotten. The two young women laughed.

In about an hour, the beautician was finished. Ivy looked at her hair that came just past her shoulders. It had layers that had been cut in with a razor and she looked modern, stylish, and pretty instead of looking as if she dropped out of the 1800s. Papa Paul had always told her and the others that for a woman to cut her hair was a sin and abomination in the eyes of God and her husband. A woman who cut her hair, wore make-up and wore the garments of Satan would be subject to the wrath of God. Next to adultery and being barren; the sin of cutting one’s hair was right up there with the seven deadliest.

Anything that caused the displeasure of one’s husband and God was grounds for beatings, seclusion, starvation, and the worst - Purification. In her lifetime, Ivy had watched as her own mother had been whipped and taken out into the wilds to fend for herself with no clothing or even shoes. Her own mother had beaten into Ivy, physically and mentally the duties as to which Ivy would one day carry out. Ivy pushed those thoughts out of her head. Today she was starting her new life officially and the past was not going to play any part in it! She stood as Lorna met her giving her a reassuring look.

Woo hoo! Look at you girl! Now that is what I call a very attractive hair do! Lorna praised. Ivy blushed slightly at her friend’s assessment. Lorna paid the woman and they both left.

You know I think tonight we can grab a pizza for supper. What do you think Miss Morgan? Lorna asked.

Sure! You know me; I’m always up for pizza! Ivy said with a grin.

Well to the pizza joint it is then! I really love your hair, Ivy! Lorna complimented.

Thanks! I really mean that too! Thanks for everything Lorna! Ivy replied sincerely.

Lorna drove to the local pizza restaurant and they walked in and grabbed a booth by the window. Lorna ordered a pizza with everything and extra cheese. The waitress also took their drink orders. Ivy had become addicted to cherry Coke over the past few years. Lorna often times teased her about it but Ivy hadn’t minded. In her old life she drank only milk or water. Since leaving, she had developed an extreme dislike for milk. She didn’t even eat cereal. Ivy and Lorna chatted about her new job and Ivy couldn’t wait to start. When she got paid, she was going to dedicate a portion of every cent she made to paying Lorna and Terrance back whether they wanted it or not!

While they were sitting there waiting for their pizza two men came in. Normally Ivy didn’t pay much attention to men other than Terrance. Romance was forever shelved on her ‘things not to do’ list. However, there was something about the two men. One was really tall, lean, and muscular. His hair came past his shoulders and was as black as a raven’s wing. She couldn’t see his eyes because he was wearing a pair of sunglasses. He had a slow but confident gait about him as he and the other guy walked over to a table diagonal from where she and Lorna were sitting. The other guy had almost a surfer’s haircut. It was a golden blonde that was longer in the front than the back. He had a pair of shades on as well, but his were not as dark as the other guy’s. He had smooth golden skin and just a breath of a day’s worth of growth on his jaw and chin. They were both built; a little too built! Ivy couldn’t stop looking at them. In all her life she’d never seen two men that were so utterly handsome and gave off a ferocious predator like aura.

Earth to Ivy, hello Ivy; this is mission control here waiting for you to come back to Earth! Lorna teased. Ivy blushed red to her roots and tried to kick Lorna under the table. She missed.

Lorna laughed as she took another drink of her tea. See anything you like? she asked coyly as she inclined her head towards the two men seated across from her.

No. I was just…um ….well I hadn’t seen them around here. Have you? she stammered nervously.

No I haven’t seen them around town either but…I think one of them is interested in you seeing as he’s staring over here. Lorna whispered. Ivy glanced out of the corner of her eye and sure enough the dark headed guy was looking right at her.

Ivy’s heart was picking up a pace that would have given a NASCAR racing car a run for its money. She had never felt attractive to anyone and no one had ever stared at her. Hell, Papa Paul had never looked at her as anything but an object he owned much less a wife. Her palms were getting sweaty. Surely he was just merely looking around and not specifically at her! The waitresses brought the pizza to the table and while the waitress had Lorna’s attention, Ivy got up and walked as quickly as she could to the Ladies Room. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her breathing was reduced to panting.

‘Why am I having a panic attack?’ she fretted to herself. She cracked open the door and looked out into the dining room. She saw the blonde man sitting sipping on what looked like to be a beer. She turned her head and saw Lorna sitting at the table taking a bite from her piece of pizza. Just as she was going to look back at the men’s table right smack dab in front of her was the dark headed Adonis. She jumped as if she had touched a lightning rod. He stepped back and sat his glasses on top of his head. He was smiling but all Ivy could really see was those dark blue eyes with flecks of silver in them framed with long lashes looking at her.

I’m so sorry. Please forgive my rudeness. I didn’t mean to scare you, miss! he said in a voice that had a deep baritone timber to it.

Ivy couldn’t speak hell she couldn’t breathe. Her mind had gone to mush. He stepped closer to her and she could smell the woodsy musky smell of him. It was masculine and sent her senses reeling. He leaned down and looked into her eyes.

Miss, are you alright? My name is Nyx. May I be so bold to ask your name? he reached as if to touch her and it was then that Ivy responded by jerking herself back. His disappointment was apparent. She cursed under her breath.

I, I’m sorry. Um…my name…my name is Ivy Morgan. She blurted out.

Nyx had never seen a woman that had ever appealed to him the way this one did. Xander had wanted to stop into the pizza place for something to eat. He hated coming into town much less to eat but Xander had been a pain about it so he had relented. He had been really in a crap mood until he had entered the place and caught a strange scent and then seen the body it was coming from.

The young woman was curvy and had a deep auburn hair that he could see himself nuzzling in. She smelled like honeysuckles and cotton. Her skin was fair but not overly pale and the little freckles that decorated her nose and cheeks made her all the more delectable. He had caught her staring at him and the moment he saw those big bright azure eyes, he had been lost! Her eyes were bluer than his and those lips…definitely lips that were meant for kissing! He knew she wanted him, he could

sense it…but he had already scared her so now he’d have to bite back his desire. Unlike wolf swans; human women were more reserved.

Ivy didn’t know what to say. He was looking at her as if he could see through her clothes and right to her soul. Part of her brain was sounding off an alarm; after all she didn’t like to be this close to a man. Even with Terrance she got uncomfortable every time Lorna left the room. However, with this total stranger she couldn’t think of any other place she’d rather be in the whole world! Then before she could speak, Lorna got in between her and Nyx.

Ivy? Ivy honey, are you alright? Lorna asked as she eyed Nyx suspiciously. Ivy looked at her and then back at Nyx. Oh, yeah! Um…Lorna this is Nyx and well um, I didn’t get your last name? she said rapid fire. Nyx pulled his glasses back down over his face as he stuck his hand out to Lorna.

I am Nyx Wahpeton. I didn’t mean to startle your friend. He said as he started to turn away.

Hey, your name sounds Native American. Do you live up on the Res? Lorna asked.

I live close to the Res but not on it. I live with my family outside of it. Again, Ivy I’m very sorry I startled you. Nyx was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Well, it was nice to meet you Nyx. My name is Lorna Draven and why don’t you and your friend join us for some pizza? she asked while giving Ivy a wink. Ivy was dying and was sure she was beet red.

Nyx rubbed his chin and felt as if he was in the hot seat now. Well, let me go and see what my brother would like to do. I’m sure he won’t turn the company of two beautiful women down! he smiled and loped off to his table.

Lorna turned to Ivy, Are you sure you are alright? Oh my God is he hot or what? She tugged Ivy’s arm back to their table. Ivy could have a panic slash anxiety attack later.

Soon, Nyx and his brother were walking over. Lorna and Ivy moved their plates and pizza over and scooted over in their booths. Thank you, ladies for inviting us over. This is my brother Xander. Nyx introduced as he slid in the seat next to Ivy. Ivy’s heart rate was probably breaking the sound barrier by now it was beating so fast. Hello Xander! I am Lorna Draven and this is Ivy Morgan. Lorna introduced cheerfully.

Ivy grabbed her coke and took a good pull on it. She didn’t know what she should be saying. His biceps were huge and she had the biggest desire to reach over and touch his arm but she didn’t dare. Lorna was chatting away with Xander about something. Ivy

was lost the minute Nyx leaned over and nudged her shoulder with his arm and gave her a smile. Do you like living here? he asked trying to get her speaking. He loved the way her voice sounded. It sent electric shivers through his body not to mention he was glad he had worn a long button down shirt because he was almost sure that she would have seen his erection pushing against his pants. That would have been embarrassing.

Ivy took a drink of her cherry Coke and turned to face him. Yeah, I…ah I’ve not been here long but I like it around here. So you live by a real Indian Reservation, what’s that like? She so sucked at small talk.

Nyx took a drink of his beer and was thinking of how he should answer her question. In truth he hated the reservation! If it had not been for his