The real traitor!

Odette's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't pretend you care about this baby! You only think of yourself."

Cole raised his voice. "That's not true! I do care!"

Odette remained unmoved. "You may think you love me now, but once the next pretty girl catches your eye, you will forget all about me and our child."

Cole dropped to his knees, desperation in his voice. "I will change, I swear it. I will do anything, just please come back to me."

Odette's eyes softened slightly, though her voice remained stern. "You are running out of time, Cole. The curse will take effect soon."

Cole looked up in confusion. "What curse? What are you talking about?"

Odette sighed. "I had hoped you truly loved me, but now I see I was wrong. The curse was placed on you the day you first broke my heart. Once the baby is born, you will lose whatever humanity remained within your soul."

Cole grabbed Odette's hands. "There must be a way to break this curse. Tell me what I must do!"

Odette gently pulled her hands away. "It is too late. There is nothing you can do now." She turned and walked away, leaving Cole alone on his knees.

He shouted, "You're lying! There is no curse. You're making it up to manipulate me."

Odette's voice was weary. "I wish I was lying, Cole. But the curse is real. I hoped if you truly loved me, it could be broken."

Cole stepped closer, looming over her. "I don't believe in curses or mates. All I know is I want you, and that baby."

Rose stepped between them. "Back away, Cole. Don't make me use my magic on you."

Cole sneered. "Out of my way, witch. This doesn't concern you." He tried to shove Rose aside, but she stood firm.

Odette pleaded, "Cole, please listen to reason! Violence will only darken your soul further."

Cole ignored her, reaching for Odette again, but Rose acted first. She waved her hands and spoke an incantation.

A wave of magical energy shot from her hands, hitting Cole in the chest and knocking him to the ground unconscious.

Odette touched Rose's arm. "Thank you," she said.

Rose replied gently, "He's not himself. The curse has already begun to take hold. We must find a way to break it before it's too late."

Odette nodded. "You're right. There may still be hope if we can help him see the evil within himself and truly seek redemption."

Rose agreed. "Then we must not give up on him. Let's retreat for now and plan our next move carefully."

The two women walked away, leaving Cole's unconscious form behind as they strategized on how best to help him break the sinister curse before it consumed him utterly.

She said firmly, "We need to leave this cabin; Cole's pack will be back soon, and they'll try to take us by force."

Odette's eyes widened in fear; "Where will we go?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Rose replied, "We need to find a safe place to hide until you give birth." She continued, "And we need to find allies who can help us fight against Cole's pack."

"But who can we turn to?" Odette asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Rose said, her voice low, "I know someone who might be able to help." She paused, then continued, "His name is Elijah, and he's a lone wolf who lives in the forest. He's been at odds with Cole for years, and he might be willing to help us."

Odette looked skeptical. "But how do we find him?" she asked.

Rose replied confidently, "I know the way. But we have to leave now, before Cole and his pack return."

Odette nodded, and the two women quickly gathered their belongings and headed out into the forest. They walked for hours, following Rose's lead, until they finally came to a clearing where a lone wolf was sitting by a campfire.

Rose called out, "Elijah!" and the wolf looked up in surprise.

He stood up and asked, "Rose, what brings you here?"

Rose replied, "We need your help. Cole's pack is after us, and we need a safe place to hide until Odette gives birth."

Elijah looked at Odette, who was heavily pregnant, and his expression softened. "Of course," he said. "You're welcome to stay with me for as long as you need."

Rose breathed a sigh of relief, and Odette looked grateful. "Thank you," she said, tears in her eyes.

Elijah led them to his small cabin in the woods, and they settled in for the night. As they ate a simple meal of stew and bread, they discussed their next steps.

"We need to build alliances," Rose said, her eyes fixed on Elijah. "We can't take on Cole's pack alone."

Elijah nodded in agreement. "I have a few contacts in the neighboring packs," he said. "I'll see what I can do to get them on our side."

Odette looked worried. "But what about the baby?" she inquired.

Rose assured her, "We'll make sure you're safe. And once the baby is born, we'll figure out our next move."

The cave entrance loomed before them, dark and forboding. Rose turned to Odette. "Stay behind me."

Slowly, they made their way into the cave. After a few minutes of walking in the dark, they came upon an illuminated area where a group of werewolves sat around a fire.

An older beta stood as they approached. "Welcome, travelers," he said. "We have been expecting you."

Rose spoke up. "I am Rose, and this is Odette. We have come seeking shelter and allies."

Elijah's eyes fell upon Odette's pregnant belly. "One who carries a child against Cole's will is a friend of ours. Please, rest and share our fire."

Odette said gratefully, "Your kindness means more than you could ever know."

Elijah's expression hardened. "Cole's pack has oppressed and abused my wolves for far too long. We have been preparing to revolt."

Rose explained, "Odette carried Cole's child, but a curse darkened his soul. The babe might break the curse if kept safe."

Elijah vowed passionately, "Then we shall protect this pup with our lives! My pack will fight by your side against Cole and his tyranny."

Odette clasped Elijah's hand. "Your aid gives me hope that Cole can yet be saved from the darkness within."

Elijah smiled kindly. "Where there is life, there is hope," he said. "We shall give Cole a chance at redemption, by force if necessary."

Rose smiled. "With your claws and our magic, perhaps we can break this curse."

Elijah's pack growled its assent.