However, it doesn't take long for mischief to rear its head. Flint and Josie are conversing in hushed voices and begin to snicker and nudge each other, their laughter echoing in the room.
Our father doesn't let their amusement go unnoticed.
'Care to share with the table what seems to be so funny?' Alpha Ryker asks with curiosity and mild reprimand.
Josie bites her lip, suppressing a laugh before she answers. ‘We were just talking about how Magnus went for a swim today and got washed away and that it’s probably the cleanest he has ever been,’ Josie says and bursts into laughter along with Zak and May.
Feeling frustrated, I react impulsively by slamming my fork onto the table and crossing my arms in a petulant display of annoyance. My instinct is to glare at Nina, who I know is the source of the embarrassing conversation, but determined, I ignore her. Instead, I stare at the salt and pepper shakers before me, my glare seething.
Alpha Ryker intervenes. 'Kids, that's enough,' he admonishes. 'Eat your dinner, or you can choose to go without food. The choice is yours.'
As we quietly eat, my father converses with Seth and Leon about Vanessa and Alice. They were enemies with my parents and were supposed to remain in Shady Crest permanently, but they took the opportunity and fled during the night I was born. I don’t know much about that night other than it was chaotic, and all the warriors were searching for my mother, who happened to be in labour with me. With no warriors patrolling Shady Crest and Shadow Crest, Vanessa and Alice used the distraction to escape, and with everyone celebrating my birth, no one noticed they were gone until days later.
My father's face looks serious as he discusses the troubling report he received before dinner. 'The emerald pack,' he begins, 'had an unexpected encounter within their territory. Two female rogues were spotted, and a young boy rogue in their midst, cutting through their territory. The emerald pack members who saw them decided to follow them further, keeping a close eye on the trio, only to discover Vanessa and Alice in the company of a substantial group of rogues. They might be consolidating their forces, possibly intending to form an official pack.’
Leon, his brow furrowing with concern, directs a question to my father. 'Shall I dispatch our warriors in pursuit, Alpha Ryker?' He asks.
My mother furrows her brow sympathetically as she speaks to my father. 'Ryker,' she says gently, 'it's been over a decade since Vanessa and Alice fled, and they haven't seemed to have caused any further trouble during that time. Ten years on the run is already quite a punishment,' Astrid says.
In a moment of thought, my father purses his lips. 'Well,' he begins, addressing my mother, 'if they are situated further south and remain unobtrusive, I see no immediate necessity to pursue them,' Alpha Ryker replies to my mother and sweetly kisses the back of her hand.
My mother’s smile lights up the room while Leon and Seth nod in agreement with Alpha Ryker's stance.
The following morning is full of sunshine and no clouds in sight. Zak and I bound outside with delight and enthusiasm. I stride past Nina without so much as a glance, sticking to my decision to ignore her and approach May. Nina's eyebrows knit in confusion from my peripheral vision as May and I have rarely spoken to each other, let alone played together in the past.
'Hey, May,' I say with a friendly smile, 'wanna climb some trees with Zak and me?'
May's eyes light up with joy, her smile genuine. 'Sure,' she responds, her voice reflecting her excitement. 'Okay, let's go,' I say, gesturing for her to follow.
Nina, however, remains rooted to the spot, watching us with a perplexed expression. She runs after us with determination. 'Hey, I want to climb trees too, you know!' She insists.
I stop in my tracks, turning to face her. 'No,' I assert abruptly, my voice firm. 'Only my friends can join.'
Confusion and hurt flash across Nina's face as she steps back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I narrow my gaze at her, my words cutting like a knife. 'You were never my friend,' I growl, then walk away to regroup with the others.
Nina stands there, wounded and sombre, her presence fading into the background as we move farther away. Flint frowns at me and, with concern. 'That's a bit harsh, don't you think, Magnus? You and Nina have been best friends since you were babies.'
I halt in my tracks and fix Flint with a penetrating stare. 'No,' I state firmly, each word laced with bitterness. 'Our parents forced us to be friends. Our mothers organized playdates every day, and if she were truly my best friend, she wouldn't be getting me into trouble every day. Nina no longer exists to me.'
Flint and Josie exchange a sad glance, flinching at my words. Zak, meanwhile, stands there, confused by the unfolding drama. At the same time, May remains by my side with a smile.
Turning to Flint and Josie, I relent slightly. 'Look,' I say with a touch of softness, 'you're welcome to join us as well, just not Nina.'
Flint and Josie hesitate, torn between loyalty and uncertainty, before deciding to follow us. May takes my hand with a beaming smile and leads me toward the towering trees. 'Come on, guys,' she exclaims with enthusiasm, 'let's see who can climb to the top first.'
Flint and Josie approach Nina, delivering their apology. 'We're sorry, Nina,' Flint says, his voice filled with regret, 'but we want to climb trees with them too.'
Nina, struggling to hold back her emotions, mumbles softly, ‘I-it’s fine,’ her gaze drifts to conceal the tear trickling down her cheek.
Zak, May, and I race toward the towering trees with excitement. May and I reach the chosen tree first, a joint venture that shows our developing friendship. Moments later, Flint and Josie arrive, joining us.
I can sense Nina's watchful gaze from a distance. I still, however, choose not to acknowledge her. We grab onto the branches one by one, racing each other to the top of the tree. Determined and focused, I'm the first to reach the tree's highest point. May follows suit, joining me on the uppermost bough. It's a broad branch, substantial enough to allow us to walk along comfortably without needing to balance.