Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘Life is never fair, Josie,’ May says.
Josie and I shift into our wolves, I’ll be able to pick his scent up better this way. The witches all squeal and start patting Josie and me. Next thing you know we are on our backs suckered in with belly rubs until May clears her throat at the witches.
‘Oh, yeah, Magnus, right,’ Ela says.
The Smokey cat hops atop Fern’s shoulder and the two of them run forwards. Everyone has dispersed, going in separate ways. I sprint to the summit of the mountain. He may be staying at one of the camping lodges. I dash in and out of the woods, hoping to get a whiff of his scent, but to no avail. I search every site and shelter and find no trace of him.
I sit and mope, trying to think of where he could be and think of where I would go if I was upset. Then it hits me Shadow Crest Lake, the place where we have shared so many fond memories together. I dash down the hill through the woods until I reach the lake. I pick his scent up straight away and race towards him sitting on the edge of the lake, eyes downcast. My wolf whimpers and I lower myself resting my head on his lap. He looks down at me and I can see he hasn’t slept. Bags have formed under his eyes; his hair is all scruffy and his eyes are puffy from all the tears. I whimper again, telling him I’m sorry.
He lifts me up into his chest as he holds me close, I shift back into human form and place my hand on his cheek. Sparks fly between us. He pushes his face further against my hand taking in the blissful feeling.
‘Although I am feeling so hurt and broken right now, I know none of this is your fault, Nina. We will work through this together.’ We kiss passionately and make love. Returning to the packhouse, we take our time. Before we enter, I come to a halt. ‘I want you to know that Josie, May and the witches all know. I told them this morning,’ I inform him.
‘Good, because the more of us who know, the more of us who can assist us find out how to sever the tie between you two,’ he continues.
We enter the home to find the others discussing where they had looked and searched. ‘You found him, Luna.’ Lilac beams.
‘Thank you all for your concern. As you know, it’s a lot to take in and it took some time to absorb it all,’ Magnus says.
‘Of course, Alpha,’ Lilac says.
Magnus turns to me, ‘Let’s have some lunch then we can go talk privately and see what resolutions we can come up with,’ he says.
Once our lunch is finished, we enter our office and close the door behind us. Magnus sits on the two-seater couch. I sit next to him and he pulls me onto his lap.
Part of me is currently yearning for Alec while the other part of me is happy and content being this close to Magnus.
‘I don’t want you going back to Pandora’s Box,’ he says in a calm manner.
‘But!’ I say, he presses his finger against my lips.
‘Until we figure out how to sever the bond, I can’t have you going there. I can’t have you near him.’
‘Magnus, I think it would be better if Yiselda can join this conversation to give you more insight. It’s not going to be as simple as just not going near him and what if it takes months or even years to figure out how to break the bond?’
‘Then that’s how long it will be until you return to Pandora’s Box,’
‘Magnus, Pandora’s Box is my second home now. There will be times I may have to be there to help Yiselda and the others,’
‘Then they will have to do it without you,’
‘Magnus, please, let’s talk to Yiselda and see what she has to say,’
‘Yiselda isn’t my mate nor does she have any authority over me, Nina. You are not returning to Pandora’s Box and that is final,’ He growls.
I throw myself from his lap, dash to our bedroom, slam the door behind me, and take a seat on the balcony. Reaper takes flight from his moon tree and lands on the railing.
‘I’m guessing things aren’t going so well?’ He mind-links.
‘No, he won’t let me go back to Pandora’s Box until the bond between Alec and me is severed.’
‘What if it’s unbreakable?’ Reaper inquires.
‘Then I’ll have no option but to go against Magnus’ wishes and meet Alec, or I can wait it out and eventually die from being separated from Alec for too long,’
To avoid Magnus, I spend the following few days primarily in the basement concocting potions and practising spells. My mind and body are constantly fighting me to rush to Magnus and be with him, but they are also fighting me to go to Pandora’s Box and be with Alec. From the kiss Alec and I shared, I already feel like I’ve betrayed Magnus. I don’t want to betray him again and defy his desire to see Alec in Pandora’s Box. Every day it becomes worse, but I push past it and concentrate on making potions in the bubbling cauldron.
Ela, Fern, Lilac and Ria have come down many times over the few days to help me but I sent them away every time telling them I needed to be by myself. Another two days pass. Magnus has been trying to talk to me at every opportunity he can get. ‘I’m not ready to talk about it, Magnus,’ I say each time. I let him still hug me and kiss me though because I love him and it brings some comfort to me. Returning to the basement, my body begins to heat up but I ignore it thinking it’s from all the steam and plumes of smoke and continue my work. Reaper has been sitting on his perch I made him, he is the only one I have allowed to stay by my side.
‘You should get some rest, Luna.’ You’ve been working on this for more than five days. You don’t appear to be in good health.’ He mind-links.
I ignore him, but he continues to speak. ‘Perhaps you could change and go for a run, and I’ll fly beside you?’ he asks, hoping.
Sweat beads collect on my face and torso. ‘It’s really hot down here,’ I complain.
‘How about we walk outside for some fresh air?’ I cave and nod. I manage to mutter ‘Skedad’ before slumping to the floor. I’ve suddenly become exceedingly weak and unable to cast a spell. ‘Luna! I’ll get help,’ Reapers says.
‘No, don’t do that. ‘All I want are Magnus and Alec,’ I whimper.
‘I can get Magnus for you,’ he adds as he rushes up the stairs, leaving little time for me to say no.
Reaper caws furiously as feet stampede below. Magnus gets down on his knees at my side and places his hand on my arm. ‘How come she’s so hot?’ Is she sick?’ Magnus asks Reaper, then realises he and Reaper cannot mind-link.
Magnus picks me up and carries me up the stairs while yelling for help. May and Lilac come running over to us. ‘Magnus, what’s the matter with Luna?’ Lilac asks.
‘I’m not sure Reaper came up to me wildly cawing. I followed him down the basement and discovered her on the floor. She is unbearably hot to the touch. I’m struggling to hold her any longer she is burning my skin,’ he says.
‘Take her to her room and place her in a cold bath, I’ll go to Pandora’s Box and bring Yiselda back with me,’ May says.
Magnus can’t remove my clothes as the perspiration and heat are making them stick to my skin. He turns the water on and places me in the bath and holds my head up with one hand and trickles cold water he scoops up onto my face with his free hand.
Magnus lifts me out of the ice-cold bath and puts a towel over me. He rests his palm against my temple. ‘You’re still flaming hot, Nina,’ he exclaims, horrified.
A knock comes from our bedroom door. ‘It’s May, and I’m here with Yiselda,’ she adds.
‘Please send her in quickly,’ Magnus begs, his voice shaking with fear.
Y iselda enters the restroom and stares down at Magnus, who is soaking wet on the floor with me on his lap.
She speaks with a heavy sigh, ‘It’s begun,’ she worries.
‘What has started?’ Magnus asks.
‘Did Luna not warn you that the blood flame will continue to pull her and urge her to Alec and that if she resists it for too long or fights it, there will be implications?’
‘I knew she’d be battling their bond, but she never mentioned any negative effects?’
‘When you resist it or stay away from your blood flame for too long, you physically start to burn.’ It begins as a fever, then your body continues to heat up and you die.’
‘She’s going to die!’ Magnus snarls. ‘Argh,’ he groans as he places me on the tiled floor. He glances down at his scorched hands from holding me.
‘What should we do?’ ‘How can I help her?’ He pleads.
‘The only way to prevent her death is to bring them together,’ says Yiselda.
‘What! ‘There has to be another way,’ he says.