‘I can’t wait until I can shift,’ May sighs, her eyes tracking the swift movements of Leon and Gianna.
‘You only have a couple more years to wait, and you can cast magic at least in the meantime,’ Nina points out.
‘That’s true. Let’s go practice while they’re having their run,’ May suggests.
The girls exit the car, leaving me alone in the vehicle. Shifting is not an option for me, not without causing unbearable pain, and Nina has made it clear she doesn't want me near her. The sense of isolation intensifies; I feel like an outsider in my own pack. My inner wolf whines and whimpers, sensing my conflicted emotions, but I ignore him.
‘What was the spell to cast water?’ May asks Nina.
‘I think it was aqua something?’ Nina ponders.
‘Yes, that’s right,’ May replies, brandishing her wand. ‘Aqua beads!’ she shouts, but nothing happens. ‘Aqua shoot!’ She tries next, with the same result. Growing impatient, she declares, ‘Aqua burst!’ yet it doesn't give her the desired effect.
I recall the correct incantation, Aqua Bedew, but decide to withhold the information. I watch in quiet amusement as May struggles with the spell.
Leon and Gianna return from their run and shift into their human forms. ‘What are you girls doing?’ Leon asks with concern.
‘Trying to summon and cast water,’ May responds nonchalantly.
‘Girls, I don’t know how I feel about you doing magic. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. You know magic is forbidden. It’s why the very few remaining witches are in hiding. I want you girls to promise me no more magic until we have spoken to Alpha Ryker and Luna Astrid,’ he asserts with a stern expression.
‘Yes, Dad,’ they both groan in reluctant compliance.
As May and Nina reluctantly settle into the car, we embark on the remainder of the day's journey with no further stops until we reach the last town for the day. Leon secures two rooms for the night—one for the girls and another for us. While Leon takes a shower, I find myself flicking through channels on the TV. The girls are giggling and carrying on in their room.
Growing frustrated with the lack of entertainment on the screen, I turn off the TV, kick off my shoes, and settle into bed. I’ll be happy to be home tomorrow, and everything can return to normal. I’ll finish the last few weeks of school and graduate, then Mum and Dad will probably tell me to hurry and find my mate so I can take over and become the Alpha.
I sigh at the thought. If only it were going to be that easy.
The girls have become quiet. They have probably gone to bed. I switch the bedside lamp off and go to sleep.
Upon waking, I promptly take a shower and get dressed. Leon hands me a plate with an egg and lettuce sandwich, 'You need to eat something, Magnus.,' he insists. Not in the mood for an argument, I accept the plate and consume the sandwich.
'Can you knock on the girls' door and tell them to meet us in the car?' Leon says.
With a resigned sigh, I exit our room and knock on their door. Nina opens it, and we exchange silent gazes. 'Your dad wanted me to tell you, girls, we are ready to go,' I inform her somberly.
'Oh, okay,' she replies quietly, avoiding eye contact before closing the door.
Feeling a sense of defeat, I settle into the car's front passenger seat. Leon is already behind the wheel. After enduring an additional twenty minutes of waiting, the girls finally join us, piling into the back seat.
After hours of driving, the Welcome to Shadow Crest sign greets us, signalling our return home. As Leon parks the car, I practically leap out and dash inside the packhouse. My Mother is the first one to see me, and she stops what she is doing and races towards me. I wrap my arms around her petite frame, lifting her off the ground and embracing her tightly.
'Magnus, my baby boy. I missed you so much,' she exclaims, her motherly warmth enveloping me. 'I missed you too, Mum,' I respond, gently wiping away the tears from her face.
Josie and Flint come bounding down the stairs. Josie reaches me first, flying into my chest, and I return the embrace. After her, Flint and I share a hearty hug, the bonds of family and friendship feeling as strong as ever.
As Leon, Nina, May, and Gianna enter the packhouse, Mother turns her attention to Nina. Relief floods her face, and she embraces Nina with genuine joy. 'I'm so glad you're back home,' Mum says, and Nina smiles warmly.
'Nina?' Amelia's voice rings out as she rushes in from the kitchen. The moment she sees Nina, she practically attacks her with a hundred kisses. 'I was so worried,' she confesses, tears streaming down her face.
'Mum, I'm okay now,' Nina reassures her.
As the family reunion unfolds, my father enters the room, and I find myself pulled into a sturdy hug. Gianna stands nearby, looking somewhat out of place.
'Mum, Dad, this is Gianna. She was forced to be a chosen mate in Moss's pack,' I explain.
Both Mother and Amelia gasp in shock.
'Is it okay if she joins our pack?' I ask my parents.
'Of course, it's okay. You poor thing,' my mother says, pulling Gianna into a compassionate hug. My father joins in, offering a kind smile. 'Gianna can stay in our guest house until she finds her mate,' he offers.
'Thank you for letting me stay,' Gianna responds, bowing her head in submission and gratitude for the generous offer.
‘You must all be hungry. Let’s have lunch, and you can tell us everything,’ My mother suggests, her warm smile inviting us to follow.
Leon takes the lead at the table, recounting the events starting from our encounter with Mabel, the witch who guided us to Moss’s pack. 'Magnus was trying to fight his wolf from shifting. They heard his cries of pain, and that’s when May summoned a storm, balls of fire, and fog, saving us all and allowing us to rescue Nina and Gianna,' Leon explains, his laughter tinged with nervousness.
The room erupts in laughter, a chorus of amusement from Dad, Seth, Mia, Josie, and Flint. However, the joy doesn’t touch Amelia, whose face pales, betraying a sudden unease. Dad, wearing a grin, prompts Leon to continue, sensing there's more to the story. ‘Good one, Leon, so continue. Tell us what really happened,’ my father says with a grin.
Leon and I exchange a wary look. Nina, avoiding eye contact, fidgets nervously with her fingers. ‘Well, Alpha… that’s what actually happened,’ Leon insists, sticking to the true fantastical version of the story.