Returning to the matter at hand, I continue. 'I read in this book that curses can be made from relics and placed in bedrooms. So, Nina and I searched her room when you guys knocked and startled us. Nina slipped, I caught her, and we landed on the mattress.'
'But who would want to put a curse on Nina? It makes little sense,' Josie frowns, voicing shared confusion.
'We don’t know. We are trying to do what we can in the meantime to figure out how to break it. No one else knows about this but our parents and Pipsqueak. Mother thinks Nina’s life will be in danger if the pack finds out she is cursed and that it’s affecting me, being the future Alpha,' I confess, revealing the gravity of the situation.
A gasp fills the room, and worried glances are directed at Nina. She straightens herself, reassuring them, 'I’ll be fine as long as we keep this to ourselves, and besides, nothing has changed about me. It hasn’t affected me in any way yet.'
I walk towards the door, stop, and face everyone. 'If anyone notices anything that could be related to the curse, then let me know straight away,' I instruct, emphasizing the importance of the situation.
Everyone nods, and we part ways, dispersing to our rooms for the night.
The morning unfolds with a rare occurrence—I find myself early for breakfast. In a display of affection, my parents share a seat at the table, my mother at her usual spot on my father's lap. My mother smiles warmly at me. Her words, however, bring a sudden realization. ‘The Alphas and their heirs will begin arriving today for your wolf ceremony tomorrow night,’ she announces delightfully.
The wolf ceremony. Tomorrow. The thought sends a ripple of unease through me. On our eighteenth birthdays, at the stroke of midnight, we experience our first involuntary shift and meet our wolves. However, I'm confused by the memory of my early shift.
Glancing at my parents, I voice my concern. ‘Mum, Dad, if I already had my first shift, does that mean I won’t shift at midnight tomorrow, or will I still involuntarily shift? Because I’m not supposed to shift, remember? Last time, it exhausted my body, making me sick with fever,' I remind them.
My parents stare at each other and mind-link each other. Minutes pass before their eyes return to me with a look of worry. ‘We hadn’t thought about the fact you might shift tomorrow night. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do other than have the pack doctor nearby and wait,’ my father conveys.
Flint and Josie enter the dining room, and our parents change the subject, unaware that Josie and Flint know everything now.
‘You might meet your mate as soon as today,’ My mother smiles.
‘Yeah... maybe,’ I say, unenthused.
It should excite me that I can find my mate now, but for some reason, I’m dreading it. I feel disappointed, and I don’t understand why.
Nina enters the room and I can’t help but smile when I see her. She gives me a small smile in return and sits down for breakfast.
My mother looks me over. ‘Surely, you’re not wearing those clothes today when Alphas are coming to see you? They will bring their unmated daughters to present to you! You must look your finest,’ My mother fusses.
Nina, May, Josie, and the boys try to contain their giggles.
‘What’s wrong with these jeans and this shirt?’ I ask her.
‘Goodness, Magnus, let’s find something more presentable in your wardrobe,’ she says and stands from her seat and grabs my arm, dragging me up the stairs.
Sometimes, I wonder how she has so much strength in that small body of hers. I assume being Luna strengthens her more than a regular she-wolf. She rummages through my wardrobe and hands me over suit pants with a white shirt and a maroon tie.
‘Are you serious, Mother? It’s not a ball,’ I protest.
‘No, it’s not a ball. It’s an even bigger event than that, my child. It’s your eighteenth! Your wolf ceremony! Now get changed and get cracker-lacking this instance,’ she orders and hastily leaves my room.
I fall back onto my bed and lie there for ten minutes before getting dressed. I pull my black shoes out from under the bed and put them on. I come back down the stairs, and all eyes are on me.
‘Now, that’s more like it,’ my mother praises with a satisfied smile.
As I glide my fingers through my hair, Nina approaches. Her eyes carry a warmth that makes my heart skip a beat. As she gets closer, our faces hover inches apart. A fleeting thought crosses my mind—Is she about to kiss me in front of everyone? Instead, her delicate hands reach up, adjusting my tie with precision, and she places a gentle hand on my chest. ‘There, that’s better. Now you look perfect for your mate,’ she says, her words carrying both joy for me and a subtle undertone of melancholy. ‘I hope she is everything you dreamed of,’ Nina adds before gracefully walking away.
Amidst the bustling chaos of staff setting up decorations and preparing a banquet for the impending arrival of guests, the house buzzes with anticipation. Alpha Mason, accompanied by his son, Hank, and two daughters, Bethany and Addison, makes their grand entrance.
‘Alpha Ryker, Luna Astrid, it’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other,’ Alpha Mason greets with a warm smile.
‘Alpha Mason, we are glad you could make it for our son’s wolf ceremony,’ Mother responds graciously.
‘We wouldn’t miss it, especially my two daughters. They have been dying to meet your son. Is he around, perchance?’ Alpha Mason inquires, his curiosity heightened, possibly hoping that one of his daughters could be Magnus's destined mate.
I, however, opt for a bit of discretion, positioning myself inconspicuously behind the statue of a giant knight nestled behind the grand staircase, hoping to remain unnoticed.
I’m standing behind the statue of a giant knight behind the staircase, hoping no one sees me.
‘Magnus, there you are,’ Mother smiles, finding me as if she knows this is where I would be.
She leads me forward to greet our newly arrived guests. The two daughters fan their faces and exchange giggles.
‘Oh, so handsome,’ one of them remarks, blushing and giggling again.
‘Magnus, these are my daughters, Bethany and Addison,’ Alpha Mason introduces, breaking my moment of anonymity.
I reluctantly step forward, taking Bethany’s hand first and placing a courteous kiss on its back. I repeat the gesture with Addison. However, my instincts tell me neither of them is my fated mate.
‘Pleasure to meet you both,’ I respond, offering a kind smile.
‘And a pleasure to meet you too,’ Bethany says, adding a curtsy for good measure.
‘Yes, a pleasure,’ Addison echoes her sister’s curtsy.
Alpha Mason then presents his son, Hank, as the future Alpha of the Greystone pack. We make eye contact, exchange a firm handshake, and nod in acknowledgment. The front door swings open as the introductions settle, revealing Nina's entrance.
‘And who is this stunning, beautiful creatuuuure—ough!’ Hank exclaims, yanking his hand from my tight grip. ‘You almost broke my hand?’ He accuses me, glaring.
‘Oh, did I? Please forgive me. Sometimes I forget my strength,’ I retort with a smirk, enjoying the mild disruption of Hank's alpha composure.