A forceful splash disrupts the silence as someone jumps into the water. Hauling me out just as drowning seems inevitable, Magnus urgently shouts, 'May, Josie, I found her!'
I shift back to my human form and slump over, drained of energy. Magnus pleads, 'Nina, please wake up!' His gentle shaking prompts my eyes to flutter briefly.
Shivering uncontrollably, I muster a murmur, 'Magnus?'
'Yes, Nina, it's me, and you're safe now,' he reassures, his voice a gentle anchor in the disorienting aftermath.
'You're so cold,' he observes as he lifts me, his brow furrowing in concern. Cradled against his chest, he carries me towards the packhouse, his grip providing comfort and protection.
As we approach the packhouse, a concerned crowd gathers with worry. 'Where was she? What happened to her?' Leon asks.
'I found her submerged in the lake. I think she has been in there for some time,' Magnus explains.
'What would make her do something so careless, swimming at ridiculous hours in the lake in the dead of winter?' Leon questions, a note of disbelief in his voice.
'We will worry about why later. My priority is to get Nina warm,' Magnus states.
He enters the house, placing me on our bed. In a swift and tender display of care, he removes his clothes, enfolding me in the warmth of his arms. Like a natural heater, his body radiates a comforting heat that gradually eases the relentless shivering.
Gentle and reassuring, Magnus caresses my face until the weariness claims me, and I fall into a deep sleep.
After lunch, I rouse myself from slumber, finding Magnus steadfastly by my side. His gaze, a mix of concern and care, locks onto my eyes. 'Nina, are you feeling better?' he asks. In response, I offer a subtle nod and hug myself in despair.
Magnus calmly presses, 'Can you tell me why you were in the lake?'
I tremble, and Magnus sees the tears I try to hold back, my eyes revealing the struggle within.
'Nina, please, you have to tell me? Has something happened?' Magnus's concern deepens, evident in the rapid rise of his heartbeat.
'No,' I whisper, negating any physical harm inflicted upon me.
His body instantly relaxes, relief washing over him.
'Okay, do you want to talk about it?' he asks.
Once again, my eyes convey a solemn reluctance to speak. Magnus, respecting my silence, persists with empathy. 'The moment you are ready to tell me and talk about it, you will come straight to me, won't you?' I nod in agreement. He pulls me into a tighter hug, the warmth of his embrace offering a sense of security.
'I love you, Nina,' Magnus says with sincerity.
'And I love you too,' I whisper.
A knock disrupts our moment of intimacy. Zak enters.
'Zak, what is it?' Magnus asks him.
'Alpha Bennet will be here soon,' he urgently informs us.
'Okay, I'll be up and dressed in a moment then,' Magnus responds, and Zak closes the door, leaving us to prepare for the imminent arrival.
As Magnus dons his attire, I sit up, reaching for my clothes. 'What are you doing, Nina? You need to rest,' Magnus protests with visible concern across his face.
'Yiselda and the others will need me at Pandora's Box just in case Alpha Bennet attempts anything,' I remind him.
He frowns with a mixture of worry and reluctance. 'Surely, they can manage without you?'
'As a member of the Midnight Coven, I must be there and assist,' I assert, my body language reflecting a resolve to fulfill my responsibilities.
'I'm just worried about you, Nina. You had hypothermia this morning and almost drowned,' Magnus expresses, his protective instincts surfacing.
Stepping closer to Magnus, I wrap my arms around him, conveying him with reassurance. 'I'm sorry I scared you this morning. I didn't mean for that to happen,' I explain, my voice a mix of apology and sincerity.
He kisses the top of my head, silently acknowledging my words. 'Just swear not to scare me like that again.'
'I promise,' I reply quietly in the earnestness of my gaze and the warmth of our shared embrace.
Descending the staircase with Magnus by my side, the concern of my pack envelops me. Wrapping her arms around me in a reassuring hug, Josie queries, 'Are you all right, Luna?' Her embrace is both comforting and inquisitive.
May, stepping forward, can't contain her curiosity. 'I'm glad you are better now. Why were you in the lake last night?' She asks with a blend of worry and genuine interest evident in her expression.
My mother and father approach me with sad expressions and embrace me. I speak up before they ask the same question as everyone else.
'Thank you, everyone, for all your concern. It means a lot to me. As for what happened, that's a conversation for another day.'
'But...' May begins. Her curiosity is persistent.
'That's final,' I interject firmly, the thuds on the door interrupting our conversation.
Magnus opens the door to reveal the Wolf Council, and a blast of black mist startles them. Everyone instinctively ducks, and Reaper swoops over, landing on my shoulder. His presence draws a disdainful sneer from Alpha Bennet.
'You need to control that thing of yours,' Alpha Bennet admonishes, his gaze fixed on Reaper.
'This thing is a Shadow Raven and my familiar. His name is Reaper,' I retort, the defensive note in my voice echoing the protective bond between us.
Reaper, perched on my shoulder, emanates an eerie confidence.
Yiselda emerges behind the Wolf Council. 'Are you ready, Alpha Bennet?' she asks, startling them even more.
Suppressing a chuckle, we maintain a composed demeanour.
Alpha Bennet scoffs, 'Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton will stay here with the rest of you. Let's go,' he demands.
Exiting the packhouse, I notice Magnus guiding Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton inside, their expressions marked with apprehension. Yiselda motions for Alpha Bennet to follow her towards the portal.
As they approach, Yiselda, her demeanour changing from composed to forceful, seizes Alpha Bennet by his shirt, pushing him into the circle. Their disappearance, accompanied by a subtle swirl of energy, marks the activation of the portal. In turn, we enter the portal and materialize at Pandora's Box.
Alpha Bennet, disoriented by the abrupt change of scenery, voices his confusion. 'Where on earth is this place?'
'Fae Forest,' Yiselda replies, her tone holding a hint of mystery.
'Why have I never heard of Fae Forest before?' Alpha Bennet questions, his scepticism evident.
'Because it's not on any map; it's a hidden location, and for a good reason. Only a few people know of this place,' Yiselda explains.