Leon and I avert our eyes, the guilt of upsetting Nina evident in our expressions. ‘I’m sorry, Magnus,’ Leon concedes, his tone softening. ‘I couldn’t imagine my life without Nina,’ he says.
‘I'm sorry too,’ I reply with genuine remorse. ‘I also could never imagine my life without Nina,’ I confess, our mutual understanding settling in. We exchange a slight nod, accepting each other’s apology.
Nina's tears subside, replaced by a warm smile. ‘Thank you, Daddy,’ she whispers to Leon.
We eat in silence for a while and welcome the change of topic.
My mother directs her attention to Zak and Nina. 'Zak, you will have your wolf in a few weeks, then Nina will get hers a few weeks later. Are you both excited?' She asks, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Zak's face lights up with enthusiasm. 'You bet! I can’t wait to meet my wolf and start my search for my lifelong mate!'
Nina, however, wears a more contemplative expression. 'Yeah, I’m excited to meet my wolf and be able to join in on hunts and border patrol duties. I feel nervous and on edge about meeting my mate, though.'
Her mother, Amelia, picks up on Nina's worry. 'Why so nervous about it, sweety?'
Nina hesitates, her gaze flickering momentarily in my direction. 'I don’t know why, Mum,' she whispers, her fingers tracing patterns on the table.
'Not to worry, sweety,' Amelia reassures her, offering a warm smile. 'I’m sure whoever your mate is will think he’s the luckiest wolf in the land.'
Nina manages a forced smile in return, but her eyes show sadness.
The following day, I’m about to head to school. But I find myself standing face to face with Alpha Mason, his expression unusually cheerful.
'Good morning, Alpha Mason,' I greet him with a forced smile.
'Magnus, I was hoping to have a quick private chat with you,' he says, his tone amicable.
'Um, sure,' I respond, knowing what the conversation will be about.
We stroll towards the edge of the woods, away from the prying eyes of the packhouse. Alpha Mason's demeanor shifts and a sly smile graces his features. 'My son Hank came to me with some wonderful news last night that you would highly consider choosing Addison as your future mate and Luna. I had to ask you if you were serious about this?' He questions, his eyes keenly studying my reaction.
With a dry tone, I respond to Alpha Mason's inquiry, 'Yes, Hank came to me with the idea that since I’m to take over as Alpha, I won’t have the luxury of waiting years to find my fated mate. If I do not find my mate by my nineteenth, my pack will become unsettled, and I will have to consider a chosen mate. Although my parents would disapprove of it, I would have to pretend Addison is my fated mate.'
Alpha Mason's eyes narrow, gauging my sincerity. 'So, what you are saying is, if you haven’t found your mate within a year, you will choose Addison as your mate?'
Every fibre of my being screams no, but I restrain myself as I'm treading on a delicate line, trying to gauge my response carefully. 'Yes, Alpha Mason. I wouldn't want to leave my pack unsettled, and if it comes down to it, I would choose Addison as my mate to maintain stability,' I say, a knot forming in my stomach.
His eyes narrow, scrutinizing me. 'That's a responsible decision, Magnus. A wise Alpha prioritizes the well-being of the pack over personal desires. I appreciate your commitment to the future of Shadow Crest.'
Internally, I grimace. 'Thank you, Alpha Mason. I only wish to do what's best for the pack.'
'Very well, Magnus. It is agreed then. One year to find your fated mate, and if your mate isn’t found, then our families will join, with you and Addison as mates,' he affirms, sealing the pact.
Hesitant but having no other choice, I nod.
As I turn away, Josie, Nina, Zak, May, and Flint emerge from the house, their expressions transitioning from casual to furrowed brows as they witness my interaction of shaking hands with Alpha Mason.
'I need to go. My friends are waiting for me,' I say, trying to mask my unease.
'I’ll see you around… future son-in-law,' Alpha Mason chuckles.
An eerie shiver trickles down my spine at realising what I've agreed to. I just hope I can find my fated mate in the meantime and break Nina's curse so the deal with Alpha Mason doesn’t come to fruition.
‘Let’s go,’ I say to my siblings and friends and they follow.
'What was that about?' Flint's question cuts through the uneasy silence.
‘I made a deal with Alpha Mason. It’s not ideal or what I want, but it’s a better deal than Hank’s and gives us more time to get out of it,’ I tell them.
Her eyes reflect concern and sadness, and Nina can't hold back her question. 'What deal, Magnus? Please don’t tell me you agreed to anything you will regret?'
I stop in my tracks, turning to face Nina directly. 'I have one year to find my fated mate. If I don’t, I’m to be Addison’s mate. Which also gives us a year to break your curse. That’s if we ever figure out what it is,' I say begrudgingly. I turn away and kick a rock into the distance.
‘What will Hank say when he finds out you’ve extended the deal?’ Josie asks.
I turn back to the group, meeting their eyes. 'Well, the deal is still on. I’ve just gotten more time out of it. Hank probably expected me to take Addison as my mate within a few days. Of course, he will be annoyed, but he will get over it. He just wanted to get on his father’s good side, and he’s done that with this deal,' I explain, attempting to rationalize the decision.
Nina and I gaze at each other with solemn expressions.