Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Chapter 63

BIANCA

My mother.

“Was one of the last to escape. She had you to protect, which made her more cautious than the rest of us.” Vera took a shaky breath. “She vanished into rogue territory with you when you were young. I lost track of her after that. Didn’t know she’d died until I saw you in that grocery store.”

The grief in her voice was raw, and I found myself reaching across the table to squeeze her hand.

“She never told me any of this,” I said quietly. “About the network, about being hunted. She just taught me curse–breaking like it was any other skill, never mentioned it was dangerous.”

“She was trying to protect you. If you didn’t know about the network, you couldn’t be connected to it.” Vera’s fingers tightened on mine. “But Bianca, that protection won’t hold much longer. Because someone in BloodMoon City is using curse magic again, and it’s the same signature as the council member who led the purge fifteen years ago.”

My blood ran cold. “What?”

“I’ve been tracking magical signatures since I arrived here two years ago. Trying to stay low, stay safe, but also watching for signs of the old network’s enemies.” She pulled out another photo, this one recent, showing what looked like curse marks on someone’s skin. “This appeared on a woman last month. Classic punishment curse–causes pain without visible injury, gets worse with time. I recognize the signature. It’s Thorne Lockwood’s work.”

“Thorne Lockwood,” I repeated, the name meaning nothing to me.

“He was an Elder Council member fifteen years ago. The one who led the purge, who personally executed three of our people.” Vera’s voice shook with suppressed rage. “He’s here in BloodMoon City now, working in some kind of government position. And he’s using the same curse techniques he used back then.”

My mind was racing, connecting pieces I didn’t want to fit together. “The curse on Louis. The one I’ve been working to break. Could it be-”

“Show me.”

I pulled out my phone, found the photos I’d taken of the curse marks during Louis’s treatment. Held them where Vera could see.

She went pale. “Oh God. Oh God, Bianca, this is his work. Thorne Lockwood cursed that child.”

The café suddenly felt too small, too exposed. “But why? Louis is five years old. What could he possibly have done to deserve-‘

“It’s not about Louis.” Vera was already gathering her things, her movements sharp with panic. “It’s about his father. Who is Louis’s father?”

“Lucian Rivera. He’s-“I stopped, realizing I didn’t actually know what Rivera did. “He has some kind of government position, I think. Resources. Influence.”

“Influence,” Vera repeated, her eyes wide. “Bianca, listen to me very carefully. If you continue investigating this curse, if you trace it back to Thorne Lockwood, you will become a target. He can’t afford to have his curse work exposed, can’t risk someone connecting him to the old purge. You’ll end up just like your mother–hunted, forced into hiding, or worse.”

“But Louis-”

“Is not your responsibility.” Vera’s voice was urgent, almost desperate. “I know you want to help him. I know you’ve grown attached. But Bianca, your mother gave up everything to keep you safe from these people. Don’t throw that away now.”

She stood, pressing a piece of paper into my hand. “This is everything I know about Thorne Lockwood. His current position, his

Chapter 63

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known associates, the curse signatures I’ve identified. If you insist on being foolish enough to pursue this, at least go in with knowledge. But please, please consider walking away instead.”

“I can’t,” I whispered. “I promised Louis I’d cure him.”

“Then God help you.” Vera’s eyes filled with tears. “Because once Thorne realizes you’re investigating him, once he connects you to Elara’s bloodline, you’ll have a target on your back that no amount of hiding will erase,”

She left through the rear exit, moving fast, and I sat alone at the table with my coffee going cold and information burning in my

hands.

Thorne Lockwood. A council member who’d hunted my mother’s network. Who was still using curse magic in BloodMoon City, apparently with enough power and protection to do so openly.

Who had cursed an innocent five–year–old boy as some kind of message or revenge against his father.

I looked at the paper Vera had given me, scanning the details about Thorne’s current position.

And felt my stomach drop to somewhere around my knees.

*Thorne Lockwood, Chief of Staff to the Alpha King of BloodMoon City.*

Chief of Staff. Which meant he worked directly for the Alpha King. Had access to the highest levels of power in the city. Could make people disappear with a word.

I was investigating someone untouchable.

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