'We can skip breakfast. Let's just get to the Midnight pack.'
'Fine... Skedaddle Dash, Skedaddle Dash.'
I keep my eyes closed longer than usual until the blinking stops. Slowly opening my eyes, I'm relieved to find no nausea lingering.
'That's more like it,' I smile, my worry from the night before lifting.
We arrive near the Midnight Packhouse, and I can see it further up the road. It's a bit worse for wear, the paint peeling, and signs of wear and tear evident. As we approach, I notice Nina and I have been holding hands. It's a simple gesture, but a sudden awareness hits both of us. She quickly lets go, her smile fading, and a subtle tension settles between us. I want to ask her what's wrong, but the front door swings open before I can.
'I thought I could smell unfamiliar wolf scents,' Alpha Anslo remarks, standing in the doorway.
'Alpha Anslo, it's been a few years since I've seen you,' I say, trying to break the awkward silence between Nina and me.
'Magnus, is that you? So, after I thought you couldn't grow any bigger here, you are, well, bigger,' he laughs heartily. 'Come inside and join us for breakfast.'
'Breakfast is just what we need,' I reply, forcing a smile.
We take our places at the guest's seats around the table. 'Grab a plate and help yourselves,' Alpha Anslo invites. 'Other than breakfast, what brings you to the Midnight pack?'
'I've been going to each pack hoping to find my mate,' I explain.
'I see. You are welcome to wander around and see if any of my pack members are lucky enough to be mated with you.'
I nod. 'Thank you, Alpha Anslo.'
Nina and I walk through the Midnight pack territory with full stomachs. Nina, however, drifts behind me. Every time I glance at her, I can sense a forced smile on her face. I can't shake the feeling that something is bothering her.
'Stop staring at me already and find your mate, Magnus,' she says abruptly.
'Is something wrong, Nina?' I ask, my concern evident.
'No, why would anything be wrong?' she frowns, avoiding eye contact.
'I just can't help but feel there is something you want to tell me?'
Nina hugs herself and looks down. 'That depends... is there something you want to tell me?' she says, her voice tinged with hope.
I take a step closer to her, 'I-I um...'
'There he is,' a she-wolf yells, interrupting our conversation.
Half a dozen she-wolves rush towards me, and Nina backs away. Her hopeful smile disappears again as they take my hands and pull me towards the houses. Even though I'm being dragged away, I turn my head to watch Nina walking away towards the Packhouse. She doesn't want to come with me to meet the she-wolves. I don't understand why. You'd think she would be keen for me to find my mate so I can break her curse once and for all. But I don't get her sometimes.
After meeting all the available she-wolves, I hadn't felt my mate bond with any of them. They were very disappointed that I wasn't their mate.
I dismally return to the packhouse.
'So, tell me, was any of the ladies your mate?' he asks curiously.
'No,' I sigh, showing my disappointment.
'Well, that's very unfortunate. I wish you luck in the next pack,' Alpha Anslo replies.
'Thanks, we should get going,' I say, glancing at Nina. She appears withdrawn, a subtle distance between us.
We leave the packhouse and step into the woods.
'So, which pack are we going to next?' Nina asks, her voice carrying a trace of unease.
'Let's set up camp for the night. We can worry about the next pack in the morning.'
In silence, we gather sticks together, bundling them up. 'Inferno Flamo,' Nina utters, igniting the fire. She settles on the other side of the flames, avoiding eye contact.
'Nina, I can't help but feel you've been distancing yourself from me. You avoided me and didn't even want to help me find my mate today. I'm starting to think you don't want me to break the curse?'
Nina looks up at me with wide, doe-like eyes, and I see a vulnerability that wasn't there before. Her eyes fill with tears and emotions, deepening my worry.
I swiftly stand and approach Nina. She stands but steps back and sobs, her eyes downcast.
'What's wrong? Please tell me?' I plead in a softer tone.
'I don't want to upset you or worsen the situation,' she admits, and I can hear her internal struggle.
I gently cup her face, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. 'Nina, seeing you upset is worrying me. The only time I am ever truly happy is when you are smiling and when we are together?' I express, my voice filled with sincerity.
'Really?' she asks, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
'Yes, really,' I affirm, wanting her to understand the depth of my feelings.
'It hurts when I see all the she-wolves swoon over you. I know you need to find your mate, but I care about you. I always wished as a child you would be my fated mate,' she confesses, her voice breaking into sobs.
'You wished I was your mate?' I ask, feeling a surge of emotions. Happiness washes over me at her words.
'Yes, it's stupid. I know,' Nina replies, and I can see the vulnerability in her eyes.
I gaze endearingly into her brown eyes and suddenly realize that I don't just love Nina as my best friend, but I am in love with Nina.
I stare into her eyes endearingly. 'Nina, I think we can go back home now,' I smile, my heart pounding.
She gives me a look of confusion. 'But we haven't found your mate yet?'
'We don't need to find her. I have everything I ever dreamed of right in front of me.'
'Magnus, what are you saying?' she trembles in shock.
'Nina, it's you I love. It's you who I want to spend the rest of my life with, even if it means I never shift again and you never have your wolf. We don't need the mate bond to know we love each other. I don't need to feel electricity when we touch, but the warmth of your soft skin. Nina, I want to be with you. I love you,' I confess my feelings to her.
'Magnus,' she sobs. 'I love you too,' she says, and our faces each closer together.
As we kiss with the utmost passion, a crack of lightning strikes a tree nearby, and thunder roars through the sky. Nina wraps her arms around my neck, and I wrap mine around her waist as the kiss intensifies.
Suddenly, Nina flinches back and screams in pain as a bone snaps.
She is shifting.
The curse is broken.