‘What are we going to do? I don’t want to leave you, Magnus,’ I tell him, my voice trembling and tears welling up.
'At least until the Wolf Council changes their mind, we can return to the Covenstead? We don't want to see any harm happen to your pack due to our presence,' Ela suggests, her voice heavy with sorrow as she wipes tears from her face.
‘But I can’t leave Magnus; he is my mate, and I can’t leave my pack. They rely on me to help run this pack with Magnus,’ I respond, conveying my loyalty to my mate and responsibility to my pack.
Magnus embraces me, offering comfort through the turmoil. ‘This leaves us with two choices,’ he begins, turning to Yiselda. ‘We have to either take them to Pandora’s Box and show them or fight them to the death. They will bring many packs with them and overtake us. So, the only option without anyone being harmed is to take them to see the vampire king and the other creatures,’ he proposes.
Yiselda, however, vehemently shakes her head. ‘Magnus, one slip up at Pandora’s Box, and then it’s not just your pack in danger but the whole world. It’s a risk I cannot take,’ she declares.
‘It’s a risk we must take, Yiselda. It’s our only option,’ he growls with determination.
The two authoritative figures stand their ground.
Finally, Yiselda lets out a sigh of defeat. ’I will allow one and only one of the Alphas into Pandora’s Box. Alpha Bennet seems to hold the most authority, so it must be him we show. As a precaution, all the witches will accompany us, just in case he tries to do anything stupid while we are there,’ she agrees reluctantly.
‘Done,’ Magnus says, turning his gaze to Leon. ‘Catch up with them and inform them,’ he orders.
‘Wait, I have a quicker way,’ I interject, grabbing a pen and paper. I quickly write a note addressed to Alpha Bennet, explaining Yiselda's agreement to take him into Pandora’s Box tomorrow, accompanied by all the witches as a precaution. I sign my name and status, roll the note, and hand it to Reaper. ‘Give this note to Alpha Bennet immediately,’ I mind-link him. Reaper nods and gracefully flies out of the open window on a mission to deliver the crucial message.
My mind merges with Reapers again. I’m seeing through his eyes as he swiftly catches up and soars above the Wolf Council.
The Wolf Council halts, their eyes widening at the mystifying display as Reaper circles them at a slower pace. Alpha Bennet, the keenest among them, notices the rolled-up parchment clasped in Reaper's talons. In one swift motion, he snatches it, his fingers unfurling the message.
Reaper glides to a nearby tree, perching to observe the unfolding events. Alpha Bennet reads the message aloud, ensuring the other Alphas are privy to its contents.
‘Alpha Bennet, Yiselda has agreed to take you and only you as a precaution into Pandora’s Box tomorrow. Please cease any attack plans, and you will see that the witches truly protect all of us, including you. Nina,
Luna of Shadow Crest.'
A subtle smile plays on Alpha Bennet’s lips as he scrunches the parchment, his gaze shifting to Reaper. 'Tell her I look forward to it,' he declares.
Yiselda, with her regal demeanour, stands and says, 'I shall return tomorrow to take Alpha Bennet to Pandora's Box.'
'We'll accompany you back to Pandora's Box and return here later,' I reply.
A smile graces her lips, echoing the sentiment of Ela, Fern, Ria, and Lilac, who seem pleased by the suggestion. ‘Very well,’ Yiselda nods.
I’m desperate to return to Pandora's Box to see Alec, not just because I can't stop thinking about him but also because I need to know about this mark. I need to know what it means, and without him picking up, I have strange feelings towards him. It just wouldn't be proper, and I’m with Magnus. I love Magnus.
I turn to May with a smile. 'You are coming with us,' I declare, and her enthusiastic response lights up the room.
Before our departure, I share a tender kiss with Magnus.
'Don't keep me waiting too long,' he jests, his smile masking an underlying concern.
'I won't,' I promise, sealing the assurance with another kiss.
Reaper returns and perches on my shoulder. Together, we port through the circle from the basement and reappear outside Pandora’s Box.
May expresses her delight at the ever-sweeping broom as we enter through the front yellow door.
‘Does it ever stop sweeping?’ I ask Yiselda out of curiosity.
Yiselda laughs, ‘No, dear. It doesn’t.’
‘Hmm, very good,’ I reply, intrigued by the broom, and enter the kitchen through the left door.
Yiselda, using her magic, makes everyone a hot cup of tea. The kettle, teaspoons, and teacups float around the room toward the table.
‘I’m going to go to the enchanted garden for a while,’ I smile.
‘Okay, give Star a pat for me,’ Yiselda shouts as I leave the kitchen and walk down the hallway.
I pass through the mirror, stop at the right door, and open it.
‘Reaper, you stay here and keep a lookout. I’ll be back, okay?’
‘Where are you going?’ he mind-links with a hint of concern.
'I'll tell you later, I promise,' I assure him. Reaper hesitates before flying off my shoulder and onto the ground. 'Just be quick, okay?' he mind-links.
'Thanks, Reaper,' I nod and cast a Materialise spell, conjuring a book. Placing it on the ground, I chant, 'Sprouto Spawniate.' The books multiply, forming a staircase. I flick my wand for light and close the door behind me as I ascend the stairs of books until I reach the large black door with the sigils drawn in place. I slowly open the door, careful not to smudge the markings.
The Grimghouls hiss, revealing their pointed teeth as I navigate past them. The haunting moans and wails of the Shadow Reapers echo through the eerie space, their forms shrouded in darkness, leaving only a faint impression of their spectral presence.
A peculiar mixture of trepidation and anticipation envelops me as I follow the glow of my wand deeper across the dungeon.
Alec's husky tone caresses the air, and a hot shiver courses down my spine. His words are filled with subtle amusement. 'I knew you couldn’t stay away from me long,' he says, a mysterious smile on his lips.
Caught off guard, I take a step closer, allowing the dim light of my wand to reveal Alec's face. His eyes, captivating and filled with secrets, meet mine. 'How did you know?' I ask, curious about his awareness.
Alec responds with an endearing smile, his eyes reflecting hidden knowledge. 'That’s a secret I’d like to keep for a while longer, but I’m delighted you’re here. It’s not often I get visitors,' he confesses. 'Mostly, Yiselda pays me a daily visit, ensuring I receive my necessary nourishment. Occasionally, another witch brings it, though they seldom acknowledge me,' he adds, shaking his head.
The revelation of 'daily nourishment' piques my curiosity, and I voice my question hesitantly, 'You mean blood?'
The dim glow accentuates the lines of Alec's face as his gaze meets mine, unflinching. 'You're a werewolf, so it's not like you don't go hunting and slaughtering rabbits and other rodents for your wolf-forms nourishment,'
‘That’s a good point,’ I smile.