Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
Half of the wolves in our pack decide to stay in Wolfwell. Flint and Josie step forward and approach Magnus, ‘I’m not sure what decision to make,’ Flint frowns.
‘Then let me make it for you,’ Magnus smiles.
Flint nods,
‘Since half the pack is staying in Wolfwell, they will need an Alpha. So you will be their alpha, Flint,’ Magnus says, placing a hand on Flint’s shoulder.
Josie squeals with delight and jumps up and down, ‘Flint! You’re going to be alpha!’ She says.
Ryker and Astrid smile and nod at each other. ‘If that’s the case, perhaps your mother and I will stay in Wolfwell too? With half the pack and the vampires going with you, you will have plenty of protection to keep safe, and we will visit each other frequently,’ Ryker says.
Magnus pulls his parents in for a hug. It’s endearing to watch. Alec walks up behind me, scoops his hands around my waist, pulls my back to his chest, and holds me. I place my hands over his and tilt my head to smile.
Kadva and the coven are still speaking to one another about the options, then they nod their heads in agreeance with their decisions and approach us.
Magnus is now back at my side, not minding that I’m being held in Alec’s arms.
Kadva clears his throat, ‘We have decided we want to stay with you on Emerald Island.’ He smiles. Yiselda, Fern, Ria, Lilac, Ela and May nod and smile with their familiars on their shoulders. I unravel myself from Alec’s arms and hug them all in excitement.
Pipsqueak and Zak decide not to settle just yet but want to travel and explore each town together.
‘Then it is done. So you have all made up your mind then?’ Maia says.
Everyone nods. ‘We will lead you to Wolfwell, which is not far from here,’
‘I’m sorry we interrupted the jousting tournament,’ I frown.
‘Don’t be Nina. We can reschedule for another day,’ Maia smiles reassuringly.
All the werewolves shift into wolf form except for me. Instead, I ride upon Magnus’s back while Maia rides upon Damon’s as she is an elemental sprite and can’t shift. I fill Maia in along the way about growing up in Shadow Crest, my history with Magnus and Alec, and how we arrived here in Mysteria in detail. We arrive between two mountains in a valley with dozens of cottages, small fenced-off paddocks, and many trees.
Damon and all the werewolves shift back into human form. ‘If you ever climb that mountain, you will have the most stunning ocean view,’ he says.
Ryker turns to Astrid, ‘We should view it tonight, what do you think?’ he says.
‘I would like that,’ she beams, clasping her hands together.
A few families in Wolfwell come out of their houses to greet their Queen, Maia and their King, Damon.
‘What is the special occasion that brings royalty to our village?’ A woman smiles and bows.
‘Nadia, all these people fled the human world, returning to their roots here in Mysteria. They need somewhere to live, and we thought this would be ideal for them with so many empty cottages. Although half of them will go to Emerald Island and reside there,’ Maia explains.
There are two little orc children by Nadia’s side, with tiny tusks protruding from under their top lip. They wear nothing but a long brown cloth that wraps around their waists and brown sandals that lace up past their shins. Another child approaches and shyly stands by Nadia’s side. She has dark violet hair and light pink eyes and wears a simple purple dress. The children are incredibly adorable.
‘Nice to meet you all,’ Nadia curtsies. ‘These are my children Krug and Boomer, who are orcs, and this is my other child Quinn. She is a fae,’ Nadia smiles, and beautiful transparent wings fold out and open from Quinn’s back. Everyone awes and marvels at her beautiful wings. A man places his hand on Nadia’s shoulder.
‘We adopted them after the war,’ he smiles.
Two other families join them who also have children they adopted. There are two witches, another orc but female, two male sprites, and three human children the parents naturally bared.
‘Follow me, and I will point out all the empty homes to choose from,’ Nadia smiles. We all follow Nadia, and as she points out which homes are vacant, they are instantly taken up by Flint and his pack members. My parents choose the cottage next to the one Ryker and Astrid chose. It makes sense as they have always been the best of friends.
Only a few empty cottages are left when everyone staying in Wolfwell has chosen their home. Nadia and the other families are thrilled that their village will once again come to life and prosper now that it’s full of life again.
She turns to the other families, ‘Perhaps we can start having markets again?’ She beams.
Nadia shows everyone the empty crops and tells them they are welcome to grow food for themselves and sell and trade at future markets. ‘It’s only over an hour’s walk to the ocean if you prefer fishing, but seeing as you can shift into wolves, it wouldn’t take you long to get there,’ she laughs.
Nadia skips through the village to show them the well, ‘It’s seen better days, but it still works. You can collect drinking water from here. Perhaps now, with all these men around, they can help rebuild the well,’ she says and smiles at all the men.
The stones that make up the well are beginning to crumble, and there are several major holes in the stone wall. The rope is deteriorating, and the pail is starting to rust.?
‘We will be sure to help you restore this village,’ Flint says to Nadia.
Nadia claps her hands with excitement and skips away with her children.
‘Nina, you and the rest of your pack members can return with us to Moon Crest Castle and stay the night. We will have a ship ready to take you to Emerald Island tomorrow,’ Maia says.
‘Thank you,’ I say.
Magnus and I hug Flint, Josie, Ryker, Astrid and my parents goodbye while Yiselda creates a star in a circle on the ground and places stones on each peak.
‘When we reach Emerald Island, I will create another one there so that, Maia, you can come to Wolfwell straight away without travelling across the sea by ship,’ Yiselda says.
‘Thanks, Yiselda!’ I say, hugging her.
Reaper and Alec are conversing under a tree while I finish my goodbyes to everyone else.
Magnus shifts, and instead of climbing onto his back, I shift as well. Maia, Damon, Sir Hugo and the rest of her people admire my black wolf with the white star on my forehead. Maia can’t help herself and gives me a cuddle and a pat.
We follow Sir Hugo on his horse and Maia, who rides upon Damon’s back for a few hours until we reach Moon Crest Castle.
The castle was built on high ground with clear views of the surrounding land. There are six?towers with battlements that connect with long thick stone walls. Ornate windows are scattered around the walls in symmetrical patterns. The portcullis opens, allowing us to enter inside the castle walls. A large fish pond with a fountain is in the middle of the courtyard. Through an open stone doorway on the right are lush orchards and vineyards and a garden that supplies vegetables and herbs. Through the large open arched stone doorway, a well-kept garden with fragrant flowers and gorgeous trees on the left. Many people walk through the courtyards carrying baskets of freshly baked bread, fruit, vegetables and herbs. Children laugh and run across the cobblestone paths trying to catch each other. It’s like a little village with workshops, gardens, and stables inside the castle walls.
Next, we approach the grand stairs that lead into the castle itself.
We follow Maia and Damon and enter inside. We enter?a magnificent hall with a large open space for people to dance in the centre and two mahogany tables for dining and socialising. The two tables are so long you could probably sit a hundred people at each. There is another table that faces the two long ones. It’s shorter and would only seat roughly twelve people. There are two thrones chairs at the smaller table where Damon and Maia would sit. On the opposite side of the hall is a massive fireplace. Five chandeliers with candles hang above the tables. The walls are decorated with purple and black banners and beautiful paintings in thick gold frames.
We walk up a plethora of stairs and are shown the chambers we will be residing in for the night. The room Damon and I are given is very cozy. There are two armchairs facing the small fireplace and a large soft bed. Maia looks at Alec and frowns at me, confused.
‘Don’t worry yourself with chambers for me. I don’t sleep,’ Alec says as if reading her mind.
‘Oh! Okay then. I wondered how you three would work that part out, but if you never sleep, that makes things much easier,’ Maia giggles and blushes. ‘I look forward to you all joining us for dinner in the grand hall,’ she smiles before exiting the room. Reaper flies from Alec’s shoulder rests on the stone window sill and stretches his wings.
‘We will see you then,’ I nod.
Maia leaves the room, and Alec sits in the armchair by the fireplace. I walk over to the window where Reaper is and look out at the beautiful view. But, as stunning as it is, I can’t help but feel depressed thinking that Shadow Crest is gone. The place that has always been my home. I let out a heavy sigh.
‘What’s wrong, Nina?’ Alec and Magnus say at the same time. I turn and force a smile at them.
‘It’s nothing either of you needs to worry about,’ I say.
‘Nina, we are your mates. We know you’re not okay,’ Magnus says, placing his hand on my shoulder.
Alec also now stands in front of me with a flash of speed.