Approaching the moon tree, I discover Reaper nestled in a deep slumber with his beak tucked beneath a wing. Urgency laces my voice as I call out, 'Reaper, I need you to wake up.'
Reaper stirs, stretching his wings before clicking his beak and casting me an odd look.
'Nina hasn't returned to our room. Do you know where she went? Can you show me where she has gone?' I implore, desperation seeping into my words.
In response, Reaper emits a caw, his eyes searching the surroundings with concern for Nina's absence. With a swift motion, Reaper takes flight, a dark silhouette against the moonlit sky. Reacting instinctively, I shift into my wolf form, racing alongside him, the night air whipping past as we search for Nina.
The night air whistles past as Reaper soars above, his dark wings cutting through the moonlit sky. I watch him with angst and hope, knowing that at least he possesses the advantage of aerial visibility. My mind races with concern for Nina. Has she sustained an injury, confining her until her wolf heals it? Our mind-link also doesn't seem to be working. This has never happened before, leaving me grasping at unanswered questions.
Frustrated by the inability to mind-link with Nina, I shift back to my human form. We're now in town. I enter the library and check the forbidden room to scour for any sign of her presence. My eyes sweep over the books and artifacts, but she remains nowhere to be seen. We next venture toward the lake. I glance at Reaper. 'She was here at some time throughout the night. I can smell her scent,' I inform him with a hint of relief, mingling with my persistent worry.
Drawing nearer to the lake, a peculiar arrangement of rocks catches my eye near the water's edge. Something seems out of place. I move closer and find a note concealed beneath a displaced rock. Raising the note for Reaper to see, he descends, perching on my shoulder. The words on the paper send a chill down my spine.
'Alpha Magnus, if you want your precious Luna returned alive, you are to free the vampire king, and he is to eradicate the human race. Once the humans have been eradicated, that's when your Luna, will be returned. If you both refuse this order, then we will kill her, wipe out your entire pack, and declare you an enemy to all wolf packs. Regards, The Wolf Council.'
Reaper caws in response, his feathers ruffling in agitation, and takes flight in a frenzied manner across the night sky. Stunned, I fall to my knees, the weight of the ultimatum pressing down on me. I raise my eyes to the sky, a silent vow echoing through the vast expanse. 'Nina, I will get you back one way or another. I will bring you back home safe, where you belong. I promise you.'
As the first light of dawn graces the horizon, I shift back to my human form, Reaper gracefully perching on my shoulder. The urgency of the situation rushes me toward the packhouse, the morning sun casting long shadows across the landscape. Upon my arrival, the packhouse is already buzzing with activity. The news of Nina's disappearance spread after May, and Lilac informed everyone.
Storming through the house, I address them all with determination. 'Has anyone been able to mind-link Nina?' I ask, my voice cutting through the anxious murmurs that fill the air.
May shakes her head, her expression reflecting worry and frustration. 'There is nothing,' she replies with disappointment.
I turn my attention to the Coven sisters seated at the table. They can hear the urgency in my voice. 'I need you to take me to Pandora's Box. I need to speak with Alec,' I plead.
Fern raises an eyebrow. 'Why Alec? Wouldn't Yiselda be a better help?' she questions.
I reveal the note, holding it up for all to see. 'The Wolf Council has taken Nina hostage. They left a note for Alec and me.' I disclose the seriousness of the situation.
'What!' May's exclamation echoes through the room, and Ela quickly asks, 'What does it say?'
'I will tell you all the details later. But, for now, I need to speak with Alec so Nina can be returned safe and alive,' I respond, a calculated choice to withhold information that might hinder my chances of gaining access inside Pandora's Box.
Ela nods in understanding. 'All right, we can go now,' she agrees.
The procession of witches and I trail behind Ela as we make our way to the portal. Stepping through it, we materialize outside Pandora's Box. Upon entering the Covenstead, I storm toward the colossal mirror. Before I can reach it, Lilac's hand rests on my back, a gentle but firm gesture halting my steps.
'Alpha Magnus, we need to tell Yiselda first that Nina has been kidnapped and that you need to speak to Alec urgently,' Lilac interjects, her eyes reflecting concern and insistence.
'We'll inform her afterwards,' I assert with a subtle tension in my posture.
Lilac persists, undeterred. 'Sorry, Alpha Magnus, but you must follow me into the kitchen and see Yiselda.'
Annoyed, I clench the note in my hand in frustration. 'Fine!' I growl, acquiescing to Lilac's directive, and trail after her into the kitchen.
May rushes ahead, delivering the unsettling news to Yiselda, who is immersed in her breakfast. 'Yiselda, something terrible has happened!' May exclaims.
Yiselda, startled, stands up, her gaze shifting from May to mine. 'What is it?' she asks with concern.
'Nina, she has been kidnapped by the Wolf Council. They left a note for me and Alec,' I disclose.
'What does it say?' Yiselda presses, her eyes narrowing with apprehension.
'You may read it once I've spoken to Alec,' I reply. 'It's important that I speak with him right away.’
Yiselda studies me intently for a brief moment, her expression unreadable. 'Well, I better take you to him then,' she decides, leading the way out of the kitchen and toward the mirror.
Yiselda conjures a book, transforming into a staircase that ascends. We follow her ascent until we reach the heavy door. Yiselda deftly unlocks it, and my impatience urges me to dash past her, disregarding the eerie Grimghouls and Shadow Reapers along the way. The urgency to reach Alec fuels my every step.
'Alec,' I call out as I approach, my eyes catching the glint of two glowing brown orbs lurking in the shadows of his cell. 'I know you and I are enemies for obvious reasons, but Nina is gone. The Wolf Council has kidnapped her,' I urgently inform him.