Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘You know Maia?’ Troy asks, marvelling at how small the world is.
‘Of course, I know, Maia. She is my dear friend. She visits my twin girls and me every few days,’ Vivian explains, smiling.
‘You have twin girls?’ Troy asks, surprised.
‘Yes, Ella and Grace. A friend is minding them,’ she adds.
‘You have a husband then?’ He says, downcast.
‘My husband died in a mining accident a few years ago,’ Vivian explains.
‘I’m sorry. That must have been very difficult. I once had a mate. Unfortunately, she died giving birth to our son,’ Troy says, sympathising with her.
‘I’m so sorry. That must have been awful,’ she says, sympathising with him.
‘I assumed werewolves were beasts. You’re quite charming, Troy,’ she says, clearly impressed with him. Troy straightens in his chair, pleased with himself.
‘Vivian, who was Maia with? Was she ok? Do you know where she is going?’ I ask, pleading for answers.
‘She tried to tell me she had been kidnapped. But I couldn’t help her. She was chained to the horse’s reigns. She drew a crowd. They were in awe of her. The knight said Maia is here to save us. From your kind,’ she says.
‘He told everyone he was escorting her to King Fenris’ castle, where she will lodge during the war,’ Vivian says.
‘I wish there were something I could have done,’ she says, in distress. Troy leans toward her in his chair and places his hand over hers.
‘It’s ok, love. We’ll find her and bring her back home here,’ Troy says, comforting her. She looks at him admirably.
‘What’s the quickest route to West Wallow Castle?’ I ask.
‘Through Shadowguard, then through the outskirts of Garnet Falls. It’s the route most people would take,’ she says, smiling.
Troy and I thank her.
‘It’s getting dark, and we probably should eat to restore our energy. We will set up camp for the night and leave first thing in the morning.’ I say to Troy and Zayden. They nod.
‘You may stay here the night instead. I just need to collect Ella and Grace. They’re just a few houses up. I will be right back,’ Vivian says. We nod and bide our time in her absence.
She returns, holding their hands: they’re adorable, identical twins with blonde curls and blue eyes. They must look like their father as Vivian has brown hair and eyes.
‘Ella, Grace. I’d like you to meet Troy, Damon and Zayden,’ Vivian says, and Ella and Grace curtsy for us in matching dresses.
‘Hello everyone,’ they chime.
‘Well, I’m very pleased to meet the three prettiest ladies in all of Mysteria,’ Troy says. Vivian blushes, and the girls giggle.
‘Zayden here is only a few years older than you girls,’ Vivian says, and the girls run off to their room with Zayden to play. ‘I will cook us some supper, then,’ Vivian says, smiling.
Everyone smiles and nods. Vivian takes some fresh vegetables and begins to chop them up for soup.
‘How do you know Maia?’ Vivian asks me.
‘Mamma when will we see the Forest Princess again? The twins chime.
‘Hopefully soon,’ Vivian says.
‘Maia is my mate,’ I tell Vivian.
‘I asked her if she had someone in mind when she came to see me the other day. I guess she does,’ Vivian says, smiling knowingly.
‘Oh, yes?’ I ask, curious about their conversation.
‘She’s an orphaned girl who lives with a fox. I filled her in on a few things,’ she says, smiling, and I know exactly what she means.
‘I only just met Maia a few days ago,’ I explain.
We sleep through the night and awake just at sunrise. We get ready to leave. Zayden hugs Ella and Grace goodbye in the hallway, grateful to have made new friends, and Troy stands near the door, holding Vivian’s hands.
‘When I return, we’ll get to know one another, my love and-‘ Troy says before Vivian continues.
‘Actually, I’ve decided we’re coming with you to find Maia,’ Vivian says, smiling. I smile at them both and nod.
We follow Vivian to the stables behind her house, where two palominos stand eating hay from an erected wooden box.
I help Ella and Grace onto their horse while Troy hoists Vivian onto hers and thanks him. Once we left Wellmore village, Troy and I shift into our wolf forms. Zayden climbs onto Troy’s back holding our clothes. We all race towards Shadowguard village.
Maia
In Garnet Falls, my reception is just as loud, noisy, and boisterous as it was in Wellmore Village as I sit on the horse, properly this time, in front of Sir Hugo and can see everything. Hundreds of people gather around me, cheering and throwing flower petals at me.
‘Thank you, Princess!’ They shout.
I smile at their misplaced gratitude and avoid making eye contact with them.
They try to hand me gifts of food, flowers, fabrics, trinkets and smelling salts. I ignore all the gifts being passed to me, but Sir Hugo accepts anything of value and packs them in the overfilled saddle sacks behind himself.
‘I’m feeling anxious, it’s too much, and my head spins as people grab at my new dress and generally overwhelm me with their noise and presence. The energy inside me intensifies, and I wince in pain when the iron cuffs burn me. A few onlookers have noticed I’m in pain.
‘Avoid using your powers. You’ll only hurt yourself,’ Sir Hugo says, with a full handle on the reigns.
‘I can’t control it. Please get me away from here,’ I tell him.
Another surge of energy builds in my body before my wrists burn again.
‘Sir Hugo. Please. Leave,’ I beg him.
Sir Hugo’s horse walks backward out of the crowd, turns, and gallops away from the gathering.
Outside Garnet Falls, away from all the people, I’m much calmer, my breathing has slowed, and I’m able to relax and breathe properly. I exhale with relief.
‘Can you tell me what all that was about?’ Sir Hugo asks. His horse is walking at a nice steady pace in the direction of West Wallow Castle.
‘The crowd, all the people. They were grabbing me and pulling my dress. They were so loud. They were thanking me for something I didn’t want to do. Then, my powers came out of nowhere. I couldn’t control it,’ I explain, fatigued.
‘Well, I hope this isn’t an ongoing issue,’ he says.
‘Remove these iron cuffs, and it won’t be an issue,’ I say. Sir Hugo laughs heartily.