Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘What happened this morning?’ Yiselda asks.
‘I-I almost drowned in the lake… before sunrise,’
‘You almost died?’ Alec asks.
‘What! Isn’t it the middle of winter right now in Shadow Crest?’ Yiselda asks.
I nod my head, ‘I couldn’t sleep, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Alec and felt so guilty. I wanted the longing for Alec to stop, so I shifted and went for a run and stayed in the icy cold water of the lake for as long as I could. It helped keep my mind off Alec. I was in there too long, and when I tried to swim out of the lake, I couldn’t move my paws. I was too cold. Soon after, I began to sink underwater, and Magnus found me as I blacked out. He took me home and kept me warm in bed until not long before the meeting with Alpha Bennet. He wanted me to stay and rest, but I refused.’
‘How come he didn’t tell me?’ ‘I would have made you remain at home as well,’ adds Yiselda.
‘I imagine he didn’t have time to tell you,’
Yiselda looks at Alec, ‘This is more reason for you to break the bond, Alec. Her life has already been put at risk once, and putting it off will only further risk her life. End it now, or I’ll be sure to punish you,’ she warns.
Alec glares at Yiselda, ‘No,’ he repeats.
‘Luna, this leaves you with no choice. We have to inform Magnus of your second mate,’ she says.
‘Nina, wait before you go. You will come back to see me tomorrow?’ Alec pleads.
I approach the bars and grasp his hand in mine, ‘I’ll come back as soon as possible.’
Yiselda, Reaper and I leave Pandora’s Box and port to Shadow Crest.
The wolf council are still talking to Magnus in the dining room. I take my seat next to Magnus. He takes my hand, kisses it, and resumes his focus on Alpha Bennet.
‘Yiselda, I informed Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton about what I witnessed in Pandora’s Box, confirming its contents.’ So, for the time being, we’ve agreed that witches can live in Shadow Crest.’
‘For the time being?’ Yiselda is confused.
‘Yes, for now,’ he answers as he stands up. ‘We’ll say our goodbyes and stay in touch,’ he says as he walks towards the packhouse’s entrance. Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton are right behind him as he walks out the door.
Ela, Fern, Ria, and Lilac rejoice and hug each other as they learn they will be able to stay in Shadow Crest.
‘With that, I’ll be downstairs concocting some potions!’ Ria says ‘I’ll help,’ says Lilac. ‘Me as well!’ Ella and Fern say. ‘Don’t forget about me,’ May says as she dashes downstairs after them.
‘Well, that’s good news for the girls,’ Yiselda says, smiling.
Reaper flies from my shoulder and lands on the window ledge as Magnus pulls me in for a hug and gives me a strange look, ‘You smell different, like sandalwood and something else I can’t put my finger on,’
I give Yiselda a worrisome look. She nods, indicating to tell him.
‘Magnus, there’s something I need to tell you,’ I say.
‘Sure, what do you want to tell me?’ he smiles.
I look into his mesmerising green eyes. My hands start to tremble, and my eyes water. Magnus can see something isn’t right.
‘What is it, Nina?’
‘Can we go somewhere private? And with Yiselda as well,’ I add.
He looks to Yiselda. She looks away with guilt.
‘Sure, let’s go to our office,’ he gently takes my hand. Sparks tingle up my arm.
Entering the office, he takes his seat, and I take mine next to him. Yiselda sits on the two-seater couch against the wall.
There is an awkward silence while Magnus looks between Yiselda and me.
‘So, which one of you are going to tell me what’s going on?’ he says, breaking the silence.
Yiselda and I exchange glances, and she nods again for me to speak.
‘Do you recall how you noticed this symbol on my wrist and how I told you it appeared when Alec held my wrist?’
‘Yes, you said it slightly burned at first, and you felt a little strange?’ he says.
‘Well, um,’ I say, holding back a sob. I take a deep breath. ‘Alec marked me. I’m his blood flame,’ I say with a trembled voice.
Magnus gives me an odd look and grabs my wrist, saying, ‘I don’t get it? What is a blood flame, and why would he inflict this mark on you?’
‘You know how werewolves mark their soulmates?’ I say. He nods, ‘Well, for vampires, they mark their blood flames,’
There is complete silence as Yiselda and I watch Magnus process it all. You can tell from his face he is trying to understand what I am saying. Suddenly he stiffens, and his face pales.
‘No… no, no, no, no,’ he says abruptly, standing up, his hands tugging at his hair. ‘How? You can’t?’ He struggles to speak and continues to panic. Then he comes to a standstill and anxiously glances down at me, fumbling with my fingers.
‘You had said you felt strange that day. In what way did you feel strange?’ he asks with a hurt look in his eyes. I can see he already knows the answer but is hoping I tell him otherwise.
‘B-because since that day, I feel the mate bond with Alec. I feel a magical sense of overwhelming wholeness as if I could never live without either one of you. My heart and body tell me I’m meant to have both of you. The bond has been pulling me and urging me to go to him as it does with you.’ I explain.
Magnus casts a glance out the window. I can hear his laboured breathing. His hands are gripped so tightly that I can see blood dripping from them.
‘He’s not going to be able to have you, Nina. ‘You are MINE!’ he shouts as he approaches me. He grabs my shoulders with his bleeding hands and pulls me into his chest.
‘We’ll fix it, Nina. You’ll never have to see him again.’
Before I can tell him, it won’t be possible since it will kill me, he smells the sandalwood scent on me and takes a step back, a scared expression on his face.
‘That scent, it’s his, isn’t it?’
I nod but avoid making eye contact. Magnus, on the other hand, slowly lifts my chin to look at him.
‘Nina, please tell me nothing has already happened between you two? Please give me another explanation as to why his scent is all over you!?’
Tears stream down my face onto his fingers as he holds my chin, ‘I-I can’t give you another explanation.’ I cry.
The hurt that appears in Magnus’s eyes is unbearable to watch. I try to look away. But now I see pain and anger in his eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Magnus, he kissed me, and I struggled against the bond to stop the kiss from continuing,’ I confess.
‘Did you like it?’ He frowns.
‘W-what?’