Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘No,’ they both say together. ‘We aren’t going through unless it’s with you,’ Magnus says. Alec nods at him in agreement.
‘I let go of Yiselda and Kadva’s hands. ‘Quick! Go, it’s already beginning to close!’ I yell. Yiselda and Kadva jump through, then Lilac, May, and Ria with their familiars. Then Ela and Fern with their familiars.
Alec grabs my hand, and Magnus takes the other, and we leap through the portal together, landing on the grass in front of the beautiful young lady with violet eyes.
The gateway has been closed, and we take in our surroundings with wonder.
‘Is this Mysteria?’ I ask, gazing up at the stunning young lady.
‘Yes,’ she giggles sweetly.
‘I notice you’ve brought several companions?’ She gives a kind smile.
‘Be careful, Luna, they might be dangerous,’ the older man with untidy black hair in armour warns.
‘I can smell their wolves, Sir Hugo. At the very least, half of their wolves are human, which implies they are one of us. However, this one a wolf and something else?’ She says, lowering her gaze to mine.
‘You’re a Luna too?’ I ask. She nods.
‘I am Maia, Luna and Queen of Mooncrest, and this is my mate, the King and Alpha of Mooncrest,’
I stand up with Alec and Magnus and shake their hands.
‘We are so happy to meet you, this is Magn us, my mate and Alpha of Shadow Crest, and this is Alec, my blood flame, King of vampires. My name is Nina, Luna of Shadow Crest and Queen of the vampires,’ I say.
Maia squeals, ‘Did you hear that, darling? Another Luna that’s also a queen,’ she says to Alpha Damon. He nods and smiles at us.
Reaper caws in annoyance.
‘Oh, and this is my familiar, Reaper,’
‘Charmed,’ she says to Reaper with a bow.
‘You came through a portal that hasn’t been open for hundreds of years? What has brought you back? We could see a lot of destruction through the portal,’ Alpha Damon says.
‘Humankind found out about supernaturals. They refused to stop killing us until we were all dead because they feared our power. So they destroyed all the packs. Our only option to live was to try and open the portal and come here,’ I frown.
‘You did the right thing by returning to Mysteria, where your origins began. Alpha Damon and I will see that you all have a place here to call home.
A red-headed, freckled lady jumps up behind Maia, ‘What’s going on?’ she asks.
‘Oh, Ember, you’re in for a treat!’ Maia explains.
‘Oh?’ she exclaims. Confusion sets in as she takes in all the unfamiliar faces.
‘This is Nina, Luna of Shadow Crest, Queen of Vampires, half-wolf and half-witch!’ Maia exclaims.
Ember’s expression is a mixture of disbelief and joy as she sprints toward me and wraps her arms around my neck.
‘Another witch, and she’s my age as well!’ She joyfully screams.
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ember. ‘I am not the only witch here,’ I smile. ‘Acquaint yourself with Fern, Lilac, Ela, Ria, and Yiselda!’ I say.
Ember yells in joy and passes out.
Maia laughs, ‘Don’t mind, Ember, she is the oldest witch here. All the other witches are children,’ she explains.
A cute green coloured little boy with tiny tusks approaches us.
‘Hello there,’ I smile, ‘What’s your name?’
‘My name is Drudge, and when I grow up, I want to be a warrior,’ he adds, fist-pumping his chest.
‘Nice to meet you, Drudge; my name is Nina, and judging by the muscles you currently possess, you will be an excellent warrior,’ I grin.
Drudge triumphantly straightens himself and walks away.
Alpha Damon states, ‘Drudge is an Orc.’
‘Orcs! ‘How fantastic,’ I exclaim.
I assist in reawakening Ember, and she sprints up to the witches, shouting, ‘Group hug!’ Ember shouts, encircling them all in a big embrace. They chuckle, and joke at her antics yet appreciate the embrace.
‘How did you meet Alpha King Damon, and why are all the witches here, children?’ I enquire.
‘It’s a long story,’ Maia shrugs. ‘The tale of the Alpha King and me,’ she smiles.
‘I’d be delighted to hear it,’ I respond.
‘Then I will begin the story,’ Maia smiles.
Queen Lydia
Unwelcome and motive-driven, humans force their way into my kingdom, and then my home, and capture my darling husband, King Pyrus. He is a hydrokinetic sprite, a creature among many, with the ability to manipulate water.
Crouching down on an imperial rug on the ground, in a designated safe room behind a false wall, I quietly hide with our violet-eyed, eight-month-old-daughter, Princess Maia. This room is connected to an underground tunnel that leads me away from the castle.
Looking up in the direction of the moon and the stars, I know my husband’s life will not end well. In spite of this, I pray to the Moon Goddess that no harm should come to him, and I shed tears for him, our marriage and our beautiful life together as I quietly flee through the hidden passage toward the forest border. I run as fast as possible, using all my energy while holding Maia.
Leaves and branches whip my face and tear my dress as I hastily rush past them.
Panic rises in my chest because I can hear running and shouting, they’re not far behind me, and they’re gradually getting closer. After all the horror stories about what these humans have done to other sprites, I’m desperate to avoid captivity.
‘Queen Lydia!’ Someone shouts, from behind a tree, not too far from me. I stop in my tracks. Witches I do not know wave at me, motioning for me to go to them.
‘Queen Lydia. Over here! Quickly!’ One yells, her face and body camouflaged by the giant tree she hides behind. I hide behind the tree next to them, and they give me an empathetic smile.
‘I’m Lou. This is my sister Prunella. We’re relieved we have found you, Queen Lydia. I fear we’re the only witches left. The humans have burned everyone we know on stakes in the most horrific, barbaric fashion. We only just escaped, and there are not enough of us left to open the portal and escape to the human world. I fear it’s only a matter of time until we’re captured. The werewolves haven’t had as many casualties as the humans. They’re putting up a good fight against them. They may even be strong enough to defeat them,’ Lou says, hopeful in her voice.
Maia coos from inside her swaddle and sucks her thumb.
‘My dear baby Maia. My princess. They will kill her if they find her,’ I say, falling onto my knees and crying into Maia’s blanket.
Lou and Prunella look at each other with sympathetic glances, and Lou places her hand on my shoulder.
‘We can save Princess Maia, but we have to be quick. The humans are getting closer, and our power is depleting,’ Lou says.