Running up a hill, my silhouette is outlined against the moonlit sky. As I reach the summit, I settle onto the dew-kissed grass, gazing at the moon.
‘What's wrong with me? Why do I have strong feelings for Nina when she isn’t my mate?’ I mutter to the night, the moon offering no answers to the complex emotions I'm feeling. I remain in a solemn state under the glow of the moon for hours.
I return to the motel to find Leon frantic with worry. ‘Where have you been?’ he says, taking in my morbid appearance. 'What happened, Magnus? You look worse than Nina does,' he adds with a deep frown.
I don’t answer and walk into our room, kicking my shoes off, pulling my shirt over my head, and tossing it aside. I climb into the closest bed and cover myself, including my face, with the covers, and sleep.
A few hours later, Leon wakes me up.
'I know you've had little sleep, Magnus, but we need to go so we can get through a few towns today,' he urges, his tone a gentle prodding to move forward.
I nod, my expression reflecting the weariness within. A shirt is handed to me, and after a brisk shower and hasty dressing, I head straight to the waiting car. May occupies the front passenger’s seat, which I had hoped to claim. Gianna is in the back seat, Leon at the wheel. However, Nina is noticeably absent. I open the back passenger door, sit beside Gianna, and wait for Nina.
'Is everything okay, Magnus? You seemed a bit upset last night. I noticed Nina was upset, too. Did you two have a fight or something?' May looks over from the front with concern.
I shrug, my shoulders lifting in a dismissive gesture, leaning back in silence, refusing to talk about it.
Nina exits the motel wearing clean track pants and a plain shirt.
‘The motel had a lost and found compartment with lots of clothes. The manager told me to help myself,’ May informs us.
Gianna smiles at May. She’s wearing clean overalls and a shirt that she seems to like a lot. I note Nina slipping into the car on the opposite side. 'Let’s go,' Nina murmurs.
After a few hours of driving, we stop for lunch and a break. Sitting at the table eating, everyone converses except for Nina and me. We sit as far away from each other as possible. It’s evident to everyone something is up between us, but they also decide it’s best not to get involved for now.
‘How much longer until we get to Shadow Crest?’ Gianna asks, keen to get there.
‘At this rate, two more nights. The night before Nina’s wolf ceremony, which the Alpha and Luna are already organising,’ Leon says.
Nina looks even more miserable now that Leon mentioned her wolf ceremony. She abruptly stands up and walks away from the table and towards the car.
‘I guess that’s our cue to get back on the road then,’ May jests.
The silent drive is almost deafening. I can tell May is struggling not to say anything the entire time. Gianna has also picked up on the tension between Nina and me, but instead of saying anything, she holds Nina’s hand in friendship and support.
As night descends, we pull into a motel, its neon sign flickering in the darkness. The receptionist delivers the unwelcome news that only one room remains, equipped with two double beds.
‘Who is going to sleep on the floor?’ May asks, glancing at each of us.
'I'll sleep in the car. You all go in,' I mutter, my voice carrying a low, grumpy undertone.
'Are you sure?' May, sensing something amiss, double-checks, her brows furrowing.
'Yes, I'm sure,' I grumble.
May frowns with concern. 'Magnus, are you alright?'
No, I’m not alright. I want to be by Nina’s side, even if it means sleeping on the floor next to her bed. I’m upset Nina rejected me and that she and I can’t be together because we aren’t fated mates, but I don’t tell May that.
'I'm fine,' I reply, abruptly exiting and returning to the car.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t sleep. My mind filled with restless thoughts of Nina.
As the sun stretches its rays across the horizon, Leon approaches the car with a discerning eye fixed on me. 'You look worse every time I see you, Magnus,' he remarks with a note of concern.
'Are the girls ready to go? I want to get out of here,' I reply, sidestepping any discussion about my state.
'Yeah, I'll tell them to hurry it up,' Leon says, running a hand across his forehead.
I seize the opportunity, claiming the front passenger's seat before anyone else can.
The girls climb in the back, talking to one another as I stare out the front window. I pull the visor in front of me down and slide the panel across, exposing the small mirror. Leon wasn’t wrong when he commented about my appearance. The bags under my eyes have only gotten bigger and darker. I notice May give Nina a look and gesture her head at me. She was hinting for Nina to say something to me. Nina glares at May, shakes her head no, and looks out the side window, avoiding me.
Leon enters the driver’s seat and puts the radio on to break the silence. May sings along to half the songs throughout the day. We stop for petrol, Leon buys snacks for everyone while we’re there, and the girls excuse themselves for the restroom. Leon offers me some snacks, but I decline, my appetite dulled by the lingering ache of Nina's rejection.
We return to the car, and the journey resumes. 'One more night at a motel, and we should arrive at Shadow Crest mid-morning tomorrow,' Leon announces with a smile.
The girls express their excitement. I look forward to seeing Flint, Josie, and my parents. I wonder how Zak and Pipsqueak are going? He is so lucky to have found his mate straight away. I’ve been through dozens of towns searching for Nina with no traces of a mate along the way. I would have smelt her scent if she was in the towns or villages. My inner wolf would have forced me to follow her scent.
'My wolf is aching to get out for a run,' Gianna exclaims.
'Mine too, but I've been trying to hold it off for as long as possible. We can shift and go for a quick run when we reach a more rural area,' Leon suggests, prompting a bright smile from Gianna.
After half an hour of driving, Leon finds a suitable spot by some fields and pulls over. The car engine dies down, and Gianna gazes out the window excitedly and steps out of the car. Leon shifts behind the car, and he dashes through the field. Gianna quickly follows suit, her agile wolf form gracefully keeping pace.