Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘Magnus is right. I know… we know that you have gone through a lot recently. You were kidnapped and held captive by the wolf council, and you witnessed your home, Shadow Crest, turn into a war field of death and destruction. We have left all we have known and come into the world of Mysteria for a new life and new beginning. Everything here is all new to us, to you. I’m sure you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, worry and uncertainty. But, it’s okay to talk to us about it, about everything and anything,’ Alec says.
Magnus folds his arms and nods in agreeance with Alec’s words.
My heart warms at how much Magnus and Alec both truly care for me.
‘You’re right. A lot has happened, and I’m saddened that we will never see Shadow Crest again. I’m heartbroken we lost many loved ones. I’m worried about what will happen now. I’m worried about what our future holds for us,’ I say, wiping a rogue tear from my cheek.
Magnus pulls me into his chest and strokes his fingers through my hair to comfort me as I cry. I can feel the warm sparks from Alec’s hand rubbing my back.
‘We are here together. No matter what happens, good or bad, we will conquer it together, Nina,’ Magnus reassures me.
There is a knock at the door. Alec opens it to find Sir Hugo holding folded clothes.
‘Queen Maia thought you might appreciate some fresh clothes.’ Alec takes the clothes.
‘Thank you, Sir Hugo,’ I say over Alec’s shoulder.
‘You’re welcome,’ he mumbles and walks away.
Alec places the clothes on the bed. I pick up a padded cream shirt, a pair of brown trousers, a chainmail shirt and a brown leather armoured vest and belt.
‘These must be for you,’ I say to Magnus.
He takes them from my hands and nods in approval.
Next, I pick up a black linen tunic with silver embroidery along the collar, a pair of black trousers, and a long gambeson coat lined with matching silver embroidery. As I hand them to Alec, I spot a leather baldric falling from the clothes pile. I pick it up and pass it to Alec.
‘These are very fine clothing,’ Alec says.
‘How do I look?’ Magnus asks. I turn around to see he has already changed into his new clothes. ‘I’m getting some Robin Hood vibes from you,’ I giggle. Magnus approaches with a grin and links his arm with mine.
‘Well then, perhaps we shall go on a date to steal from the rich and give to the poor then?’
Alec rolls his eyes at Magnus, but I can’t help but continue to laugh into hysterics. Alec and Magnus smile at me.
‘I’ve never heard you laugh like that before,’ Alec smiles, ‘It’s nice to hear it,’ he says.
‘Hopefully, with our new lives here in Mysteria, it is something we will hear from frequently,’ Magnus grins.
Composing myself after my fit of laughter, I hold the beautiful emerald blue dress against my body. It has stunning gold embroidery along the neckline that meets in the middle and continues halfway down the dress. The embroidery continues around the hem of the dress. The back laces up, and the dress has a built-in corset under the soft fabric.
‘I’ll send May in to help you lace up the dress,’ Magnus says and leaves the room. Alec follows him out. I begin undressing and step into the dress and pull my arms through. May knocks and enters. She wears a dress like mine but burgundy.
‘Wow, May, you look so pretty,’ I say.
She pulls the laces and ties them up nice and firm for me. I spin around.
‘And you look just as pretty,’ May smiles.
May begins brushing my hair and puts it into a long thick French braid.
‘Thank you, May,’ I beam.
‘Anytime,’ she smiles.
She leaves the room, and Alec returns in his new attire. My breath hitches as I take him in.
‘I must say it’s like those clothes were made just for you. You look incredibly handsome, Alec,’
‘Do I not remind you of Robin Hood?’ He raises an eyebrow in question.
‘No, you look like a… King!’ I respond,?
‘On the contrary, I am a King, but I should add how elegant you look, as befits a Queen.’ He winks, making me feel giddy.
Alec links his arm through mine, and we leave the room. As we reach the large set of stairs, he lifts me, and with a flash, we appear at the bottom of the staircase.
‘Figured it would save us an hour walking down those steps.’ He shrugs. I laugh as he lowers me onto my feet.
We enter the hall, holding hands. Everyone is already in here, including Magnus, who stands by the fire holding two goblets of wine. He passes one to me and places a kiss on my cheek.
‘You look like a goddess,’ Magnus smiles.
‘Thank you,’ I reply and sip the wine.
Musicians are playing the flute and the gittern with two ladies who dance gracefully to the music.
Reaper perches himself on the chandelier above King Damon and Queen Maia, who sit in their chairs at the smaller table. Maia catches my attention and waves us over.
‘You must sit at the table here with us,’ Maia says. She looks Alec and Magnus up and down, ‘My, my, do your men scrub up nicely,’ she giggles.
‘Thank you so much for the clothing. They are incredibly elegant,’ I reply and take my seat. Alec and Magnus sit on either side of me. Fern, Ela, Ria and Lilac join in the dancing and drag Kadva along.
Yiselda and May approach and bow. Sabre, May’s Fennec fox, sits between May’s feet.
‘Good evening,’ Yiselda says to all of us.
‘Please, pour yourselves a drink and join us,’ Maia says.
A huge feast is spread out along all the tables. Trays of roasted meat and vegetables, platters of bread and cheeses, and bowls of berries and grapes fill the tables. Sir Hugo, Eric and Troy join us and fill their plates. I swear Sir Hugo already had a whole jug of wine to himself. I smirk as he refills his goblet. The hall is filled with laughter, chatter and music. I feel something run across my feet, so I discreetly look under to see Nibbler eating the remnants of food that have fallen onto the floor. She lets out a strange sound like a hiccup and turns into a small turtle, then hiccups again, transforming into a ferret. I giggle as I watch her run to Yiselda’s feet and climb her leg. Now sitting back up again, I see she has made herself comfortable on the back of Yiselda’s chair. She hiccups again and turns into a seal causing the chair to fall back with Yiselda. I cover my mouth to hold my laugh. Nibbler claps her flippers together and makes short bark that sounds like it’s laughing at Yiselda.
Yiselda, with the help of May, gets herself up off the floor and pulls her wand out. Nibbler scoots away quickly as Yiselda angrily chases her, but to her luck, she hiccups again and turns back into her mouse form, making it hard to catch.
‘May I have this dance?’ Magnus asks with his hand reached out. I take his hand and nod. He pulls me close up against his body, and we waltz.
‘It’s been such a wonderful night, don’t you think?’ I say,
‘Yes, it’s been one to remember, that’s for sure,’ he smiles, ‘Are you looking forward to boarding the ship and going to Emerald Island tomorrow?’
Other couples that have joined the dance floor accidentally bump into us. With so many people now dancing, Magnus leads me outside into the garden.
‘If I was to be honest, I’m partly nervous but also excited about Emerald Island.’
Magnus finds a stone bench, sits down, and pulls me onto his lap. He discreetly plucks a flower from behind us and presents it to me. I accept the daisy and take in the subtle sweet smell. Magnus takes the daisy and places it behind my ear.
‘I’m nervous and excited too,’ he says.