My mother's gaze shifts from me to Nina, and her frown deepens, clearly not buying my blame-shifting tactics.
'Nina is as fresh as a daisy, as usual, Magnus,' my mother retorts with disappointment. 'You are going to be Alpha one day. You need to take responsibility for yourself. It's almost evening, so I suggest you go upstairs and bathe so you're freshened up to join us for dinner.'
I open my mouth to protest, but before I can form a coherent sentence, my mother cuts me off with a stern tone that brooks no argument. 'No 'buts,' Magnus, now!' She points an authoritative finger towards the staircase. My eyes narrow as I glare at Nina, who's desperately trying to suppress a laugh behind her cupped hands.
As I storm towards the staircase, I hear a cry of surprise from behind. Seth slips on the muddy floor and crashes into the wall with a resounding thud. I cringe at the sound of impact.
'Great,' I mutter under my breath, casting a regretful glance over my shoulder as I climb the stairs. 'Knowing my luck, I'll get into trouble for that too.'
Entering my bedroom, I step into my private bathroom. The floor beneath my feet is made up of light grey tiles that are cold and smooth, while the walls have been laid with pristine white tiles accented by a border of elegantly arranged grey flat stone pebbles. The bath is larger than the standard variety, and its silver faucets match the gleaming sinks.
Leaning over the bath's edge, I gently twist the faucet handles, allowing the clear, cool water to flow into the tub. As the sun sets outside, the bathroom is dimmed, with only the gentle silver light of the moon seeping through the window. I flick the light switch on. With a turn of the faucet, the water flow ceases, and I begin the laborious task of shedding my wet clothes. They cling to my body stubbornly, making the process a struggle.
Finally, I manage to peel my soaked shirt over my head, but as I attempt to remove my pants, my foot slips on the sleek bathroom tiles. Gravity claims me, and I land with an undignified thud on my back. Frustration surges through me, and I lie there, staring at the overcast sky beyond the window. My thoughts, simmering with irritation, soon drift to Nina.
‘Damn you, Nina,’ I shout as I address the moon, now glistening in the darkening sky. 'I wish the Moon Goddess herself would curse you, deny you your wolf, and sever your mate bond until I find my fated mate,’ I shout angrily.
Suddenly, in an eerie coincidence, a brilliant bolt of lightning tears through the sky, colliding with the very rooftop of the packhouse. An earth-shaking roar of thunder then reverberates through the atmosphere. Startled, I rise to my feet, my heart racing, struck by the uncanny timing of the storm. For a brief, heart-pounding moment, I find myself wondering if it's a sign from the Moon Goddess herself granting my wish.
I shake my head. 'Nah,' I say, dismissing the very notion.
As I step into the warmth of the bath, I find myself immersed in memories. Each one of Nina. I remember the time we raced across a sun-drenched field, the wind in our hair and laughter in the air. Just as I thought victory was within my grasp, Nina executed a graceful leap, and I found myself plummeting into a hidden, gaping hole in the ground. Nina had, of course, led me to fall into the hole on purpose, leaving me to grumble in the depths of the hidden pit.
My thoughts then drift to last year, my tenth birthday. Standing before my birthday cake, ready to make a wish and blow out the candles, Nina seized the opportunity for a prank. She swiftly and unexpectedly pushed my face into the cake, smearing frosting all over me. The entire room erupted in laughter, with Nina at the forefront, finding the spectacle utterly hilarious while I grappled with the frosting on my face and humiliation. The memory still stings, reminding me how often I felt like a joke.
And who could forget the infamous incident when Nina had sprinkled itchy powder into my clothes? A prank that had me scratching and squirming in agonizing discomfort for the entire day. Nina's gleeful laughter and the raucous amusement of the entire pack still echo in my mind. I had felt like a living, breathing spectacle as if my pain were a source of entertainment for all. Moments like these made me question how I could ever be taken seriously as the future Alpha when my family, and even I, saw myself as little more than a target for Nina's pranks.
Perhaps the only way to be seen as a future Alpha worthy of respect is to distance myself from Nina completely. If I can show my family that I'm committed to the responsibilities that lie ahead, without the distractions of Nina's antics, they might finally begin to take me seriously.
It's a difficult decision. Nina has been my closest friend but also my most relentless tormentor. But now, my path as a future Alpha demands my undivided attention, and I'm determined to prove my worth to my family, no matter the cost.
With my plan firmly in place, I dry off, select fresh attire, and descend the stairs to join the family for dinner.
First, at the table, there's my father, Alpha Ryker, taking his rightful place at the head of the table. But, as usual, my mother's designated chair sits empty beside him. Instead, she sits on my father's lap during every meal. The way they share smiles, feed each other titbits, and share soft laughter makes me smile and hope that I have a meaningful relationship with my fated mate when I find her as they do with each other. I swear, mealtimes are, without a doubt, the highlights of my parent's day.
My brother Flint sits next to my mother's vacant chair, followed by my younger sister Josie. As the next in line for the Alpha position, I take my place beside my father. Our pack house members fill the rest of the table - my father's loyal beta, Seth, his mate Mia, and their son Zak. And, of course, there's Leon, the overseer of our pack warriors, seated with his mate, Amelia, and their two daughters, May and, unavoidably, Nina.
I deliberately ignore Nina, offering a warm smile to May instead, who blushes in response. A polite nod is extended to my brother, sister, and the other members of our pack house. Our meal commences in a comfortable silence, with the clinking of utensils on plates and quiet sips of water filling the room.