Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘I know we haven’t seen Atlanta in over a thousand years, but she wouldn’t do this, would she? As far as I’m aware, she is still locked inside the dark crystal realm. If she had come out, someone would have known about it and would have told me straight away,’
Valkrim places his hand on my shoulder,
‘But what if it was her? The question is, why? What is her intention? Does she want Thypon to continue with his ambition, destroying the innocent lives of the weaker species?’
‘I can’t imagine that Atlanta would resent us so much to the point of releasing Thypon. If only she knew the love we have for her,’ I say, shedding the sparkling tear that runs down my cheek, ‘Mysteria is the only world protected by a veil. If we can’t find his location, we will need to split up and monitor the different worlds that carry life forms and wait for his wrath to begin. Once we know his location, we will continue with the plan to gather and seal him again. In the meantime, I’m going go to Atlanta’s realm and see if she is there.’
The Deities nod in agreement. I take my leave and go straight to the dark crystal realm. The dark crystal dome still covers the domain. I cannot see through it. I knock many times but receive no response. But even if Atlanta is still in there, she would probably not answer. Letting out a heavy sigh, I peer around at the other realms and decide to question them.
So far, everyone claims they haven’t seen Atlanta leave her realm, but a few say that they haven’t seen Aria in a while, which is very unusual.
My next stop is to visit Aria’s realm, which is opposite Atlanta’s.
Aria’s Realm is a blue sphere of wind that sits on a ground made of clouds. I enter the globe to see small whirlwinds of flowers whizzing around. It’s raining white feathers. I raise my hand, take one, and caress it across my cheek. I laugh from the tickle’s soft feel, release the feather back into the air, and watch it float away. Then, approaching the stairs made from clouds, I look around for any sign of Aria. Once I reach the top, I knock many times, and the door opens on its own.
‘Aria?’ I say, poking my head in, and receive no reply. Worried, I enter and search every room of her home. There is no sign of her; it appears she hasn’t been here for days. A bad feeling consumes me.
‘Something is not right. Aria informs everyone of everything and visits many deities each day. She is probably the biggest social butterfly amongst us. It’s not like her to vanish without saying anything.’ I wander outside her home and through her garden one last time and come to a halt when I see an imprint in the shape of a circle on the ground with black crystal. I kneel and touch the mark, immediately sensing Atlanta’s power.
‘Atlanta, my sister, what have you done?’ I say and return to my kingdom without stopping.
I enter my hall and walk across the mosaic tiles of the moon and take my seat in the moon chair. My friends can sense I’m distraught as I stare blankly down at the table in thought, wondering what she has done to Aria and confirming the suspicions she is behind Typhon’s release.
Valkrim, Cerridwen, and Ogrum take their seats silently and wait patiently for me to talk.
‘As I expected, Atlanta either ignored me waiting in her realm, or she isn’t there. After asking the neighbouring realms if anyone had seen Atlanta, they said they hadn’t but found it strange that they hadn’t seen Aria for a few days. They said she had visited them every day for thousands of years, so to vanish without a word has them worried. So, I went straight to Aria’s, there was no sign of her, but I found a sign that Atlanta had been there,’ Everyone gasps and gazes around with worry. ‘There were remnants of her magic, and Aria is now missing,’
‘Why would she use her magic against Aria, though?’ Cerridwen asks.
‘The only logical theory I can think of is because Aria is the only one who knows Atlanta is out. If she had released Thypon, she might not yet want everyone to know. Which means silencing anyone witnesses that know she has left her domain.’ I say,
‘This is not good, not good at all,’ Ogrum says in a glum tone.
Maia
As Kadva and I reach the bottom of the stairs, arm in arm, I immediately notice Magnus isn’t in a pleasant mood. However, he was happy when I spoke to him earlier in the hall. So, something must have happened since then. He stands leaning against a beam with arms crossed and a scowl across his face. Alec gives Magnus an odd look, wondering why he is in such a temperamental mood.
I mind-link Magnus, ‘Is everything okay? You seem a little angry about something?’
‘Why would I be angry, Nina?’ He replies sarcastically, ‘Is there something I should know about?’ He scoffs.
I give him a confused look and realise everyone is watching Magnus and I pull faces at each other through mind-link. I clear my throat and focus on the pack. I can worry about Magnus later.
‘Are we ready to celebrate the midsummer solstice?’ I shout.
Everyone cheers and follows Alec and Magnus’s lead. We all step into the portal one at a time behind the blacksmith’s workshop and appear at Moon Crest Castle, where Sir Hugo and other guards greet us. Like us, the men wore white tunics and trousers, and all the women wore White flowing dresses. Women hum and skip around, men chase the unmated women, and children make a swing from vines, flowers, and a wood plank. A guard helps the children assemble it and ties it to a long thick branch from the willow tree. The children line up and take turns on the swing. The girls have pockets full of petals they toss into the air once they swing high enough. Maia, Damon, Amber and Vivian appear and greet us. Amber hyperventilates with excitement and lines up for a turn on the swing.
‘Isn’t she getting a little old to be playing on swings,’ Violet says to Maia.
Maia covers her lips as she giggles and gazes at Amber, ‘Her body maybe not be that of a child’s, but her mind remains of one, and besides, look how happy it makes her?’
‘I guess so,’ Vivian murmurs, ‘It’s just not very ladylike to be acting as a child,’
‘Lady or not, it shouldn’t matter,’ Maia retorts, ‘Besides, I wouldn’t mind a go either,’ Maia beams.
‘You need not do anything strenuous since we found out the wonderful news,’ Damon smiles.
‘You have good news?’ I ask.
Maia gently places her hand over her stomach, ‘I have found out I am with child,’ she says, and her violet eyes twinkle with joy.
‘Congratulations,’ I say and give her a gentle embrace, ‘How far along are you?’
‘Around ten weeks along,’ she smiles.
‘Looks like you won’t be having any of the fine wine then?’ I say.
‘No, but there will be lots of sweet and savoury food and grape juice. Sir Hugo can have my share of the wine,’ she laughs.
Sir Hugo looks pleased with her words, ‘Anything for my Queen,’ he says and bows.
‘Shall we go and begin the festivities then?’ Maia says to us all.
‘Yes! Let’s go! I’m so excited,’ I say, looping my arm in hers.
Not far from the castle, a Maypole is set up along with long wooden benches and log seats. The men fill their goblets with Meade and bite chunks from herbed bread and cheese while watching the women gather on the grass and thread flowers together. We make the flower garlands and place them on our heads like crowns and then make flower chains to make necklaces and bracelets. A fairy plays the harp while a vampire plays the flute. Once draped in flowers, we join the men. I sit between Alec and Magnus and smile at them both. Magnus still seems annoyed, but not as much as earlier. Alec pours me wine while Magnus fills my plate with an assortment of food. We clap along to the music and enjoy the feast. After a couple of wines, I notice women dance around the maypole with ribbons and join them. We skip to the music around the pole and watch the ribbons twist and turn.
We witness a few werewolves find their mates while a vampire finds their blood flame. Watching how sweet they all are towards each other is endearing. Other male vampires, humans and werewolves playfully ch ase untaken women. Once caught, they frolic around and flirt, whispering the sweetest of words to one another.
As everyone begins dancing, I see Magnus approaching, but Kadva jumps in before him.
‘Luna, I was wondering if I could take this dance with you?’ He says, giving me a look as I see Fern and Lilac shoving each other over as they run towards Kadva. I manage not to laugh and nod, only to receive a glare from Magnus. I shrug my shoulders and mind-link him.
‘Magnus, it’s Kadva. It’s no big deal. You can have the next dance with me.’ He doesn’t reply but storms back to a table and eats more food agitatedly.
Kadva and I begin to dance. Now I’m receiving glares from Fern and Lilac, but they quickly brush their annoyance away as a handsome vampire and werewolf ask them to dance. They vigorously shake their heads yes and dance.
‘It’s been such a fun celebration so far,’ I say, noticing a young guard watching us with curiosity.
‘There are many handsome lads around too,’ Kadva says with a mild blush.
We both laugh, and I hear a growl coming from Magnus.
‘What’s his problem? He has been staring daggers at me ever since I walked down the stairs with you,’
‘I’m not sure, Kadva. Try not to worry too much. I’ll be having the next dance with him and will sort his worry out then,’ I smile.
Kadva playfully pulls me in closer and has his hand on my lower back, and we continue to dance gracefully. Kadva’s eyes keep peering over my shoulder towards the handsome guard.
I notice Alec has been sitting by Magnus’s side and listening intently to his words. Now Alec, as well as Magnus, are glaring at me.
I roll my eyes at their behaviour and ignore them, focusing on Kadva.
Kadva’s eyes are still focused on the guard, and I notice the guard smiling.
‘See someone you fancy?’ I ask.