Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
“Um, I have a school project I need to work on. I’ll be home late for dinner. Tell Mum and Dad not to worry about me.’
I run down the corridor, past Nina and Moss making out, and let out a growl. They stop kissing and watch me continue running.
My wolf wants to come out, pain soars through my body. I stop running and lean on some lockers and fight my wolf to contain itself. Once I’m in full control, I race to the town library. Pipsqueak is waiting out the front.
‘Are y-you okay Magnus? Why are you drenched in sweat?’
I’ll be fine. I had to fight my wolf back.’
“Oh, so the r-rumors you have your wolf are true?’
‘Yes.’
Magnus, I know y-you want to see these books but we will get into s-so much trouble. You should reconsider this.’
‘No, I have to do this, Pipsqueak, I don’t have any other choice.’
‘Why? What has happened?
‘I can’t tell you. Only the high-ranking wolves in the pack know and I’ve been told to not tell anyone else.’
Oh, Okay. I just m-might not be as much help if I don’t know what it is you are trying to find the answer t-to.”
‘For now, let’s just get inside that room.’
Pipsqueak nods and gestures for me to follow her. We enter the library and she leads me to the librarian’s desk.
See the office over there? Inside is another door at the back. It’s locked, and that is where the forbidden books are.’
Where is the key?’
Pipsqueak points at the librarian at her desk, scanning the box of returned books. I can see a ring of keys dangling by her side.
How are we meant to get the keys when she is wearing them?”
Y-you go distract her. I’ll sneak up behind her and take them.’
I nod my head and approach the librarian.
Why hello miss,’ I say, gazing into the librarian’s eyes.
Yes, how can I help you?’
I-I um was wondering if, ah, you fell from heaven?’
“Excuse me?’
Well, heaven called and said they are missing an Angel and I know a sweet angel when I see one.’ I wink.
The librarian twice my age blushes, while Pipsqueak facepalms herself,
Oh, my she giggles.
I continue to flirt with her. Pipsqueak successfully takes the keys and tiptoes into the back office.
I’ll see you around doll face.’ I blow a kiss goodbye to the librarian. She sits down and fans her face as I walk away.
Pipsqueak waves me over into the back of the office. She unlocks the door and we step into the forbidden dark room together. It smells musty and the many cobwebs show no one has been in here for years.
The structure differs from the rest of the library that has plastered white walls, whereas this room has bluestone walls and old wooden beams across the ceiling. There are old rickety wooden bookshelves filled with old books. Some are leather-bound and some have steel clasps and jewels on them. We approach the table carved from stone. There are a few small candles that are half-melted, with some matches nearby. Pipsqueak lights the three candles; we stand side by side and take the old medieval room in.
‘You start with those books and I’ll start with these.’ I point.
‘But I don’t know what I’m looking for.’
‘How to break a curse?’
‘What are you getting m-me into?’ she squeaks. I sigh and decide that I can trust her and it’s best to let her in on the secret.
‘You can’t tell anyone, okay?’
‘O-okay.’
‘It’s Nina, someone has cursed her, but we don’t know what the curse is yet and how it affects her, and the curse it is affecting me by making my shifts unbearably painful.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘Because a witch came over and told us.’
‘A witch? But they haven’t existed in over a hundred years.’
‘Sorry to break it to you, but they do. You can’t tell anyone anything about any of this.’
‘I won’t tell, your secret is safe, but I have to ask if Nina is the one who has a curse, then how is it affecting you and not her?’
‘That’s just another reason we are here. We need to learn anything we can that will help.’
‘Okay, well, we better get reading then.’
I take a book from one end of the bookshelf while Pipsqueak starts at the other end. I unlock the steel clasp and carefully flick through. Each page has a symbol and a description of what each represents and does.
Nothing helpful. I put it back and take the next book. I can’t read it though it appears to be written in Latin.
‘Found anything yet?’ I ask.
‘No, this one seems to be about the history of witches from all the way in Salem. I’ll keep looking.’
Taking another book, the cover reads Spells and Hexes.
I run my fingers along with the words and read out loud.
‘Casting spells or cursing ill-fortune on another comes with the cost of one’s own curse two-fold. Only spells that mean well will have no negative effect on the caster. Please proceed with caution.’
‘What does that mean?’ Pipsqueak asks. I shrug my shoulders and continue to read the book.
‘Spells and hexes can be cast through many sources. Witches are the most popular known to cast spells and hexes. Spells cast in a group with their coven are longer lasting and harder to break. Arcane Mages work the same way as witches.