Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
The next few days go by quickly. Everyone has settled in nicely. I spent the last few days helping to plant and grow fruit, and with some magic, we were able to make them grow overnight. I spent some time with May and the other witches last night. We swam in the lake, and they told me what potions they had been making that day.
Saskia helps me dress and ties my hair up high. Magnus has already gone downstairs for breakfast. So I ‘Skedaddle Dash’ down the stairs and join Magnus and Alec for breakfast.
‘Today, I want to visit Maia and maybe even pay a visit to Wolfwell. You should both come with me?’ I say.
‘Sure, I’d like to see how my brother and sister are going, and I’m sure our parents would love to see us too,’ Magnus says.
‘I will go to then,’ Alec nods.
We finish our breakfast and enter the courtyard. Children are running around playing, and people make all sorts of items in the workshops. Swords, knives, bows, armoury, candles, shawls and tunics, to name a few. We walk behind the blacksmith’s workshop and enter the portal.
I skip up the stairs of Moon Crest Castle and greet Maia with an embrace.
‘You must tell me how you are all settling in?’ She beams. Her violet eyes are simply gorgeous as they sparkle with delight.
‘It’s been amazing! Everyone is happy, and the island is so peaceful and beautiful,’ I say as Magnus and Alec walk behind us.
‘You should all join us today to watch the orc trials at the arena?’ Maia offers.
‘Aren’t the orcs all still children?’ I inquire.
‘Yes, but they are very hardy creatures. They have been begging King Damon and me all year to allow them an arena to fight. It’s in their blood and nature to put on a show of strength and to see who amongst them is the strongest. The strongest are more likely to become a chief or even the war chief when they are older. It’s how they figure out their rankings amongst each other, and some of them will be teenagers in a couple of years. Once they are eighteen, they can create their clans and become chief. It’s mainly wrestling; all they have to do is have their opponent on the ground for a couple of seconds, and they win the round,’ Maia explains.
‘That doesn’t sound so bad,’ I say.
‘Well, the arena is finally built, and Sir Hugo has been training them almost every day for months. Today is their first day of the orc trials,’
‘Oh, I’m hoping to visit Wolfwell today. Do you think I’ll have time to see my parents?’ I ask.
‘Why don’t you go to Wolfwell now and invite everyone back to watch the orc trials with us?’ She suggests.
‘Great idea,’ I say, grabbing Alec and Magnus’s hand, and I pull them down the stairs and to the portal. We step through, and I race straight to my parents’ house.
‘Mum!’ I say, flinging my arms around her as she opens the door.
‘Nina, I’m so happy you came to visit me. It’s been a few days,’ she frowns.
‘A few days isn’t that long, Mum,’ I reply.
‘Hello, Mother,’ Alec says sweetly to my Mum. Magnus elbows Alec and glares at him. ‘What? We’re practically married to Nina, which makes her mother our mother-in-law,’ Alec points out.
Magnus rolls his eyes at him.
‘You’re just trying to score points with her, so she favours you more as her daughter’s mate than me,’ Magnus argues to Alec.
Alec scoffs, ‘If that’s what you think, then so be it. I don’t need to compete with you for everyone to see I’m the better mate. They already know I am,’ Alec chuckles and slaps Magnus on the back.
‘That’s it. I can’t take your arrogance any longer!’ Magnus says and shifts into his wolf, tackling Alec.
‘Tea?’ My mother offers as we completely ignore Alec and Magnus wrestling each other in the background.
‘Tea sounds wonderful, right about now,’ I reply nonchalantly.
My father returns home and casually steps over Alec and Magnus, who pant with exhaustion on the floor.
My Mother and I have just finished drinking our tea.
‘Nina, is there a reason your mates lay bloody and bruised on my living room floor?’
‘Just ignore them, Dad. They’re just being childish,’ I say.
‘Hmm, speaking of children,’ my mother says, ‘Will we be expecting any grandchildren anytime soon?’ She asks.
My back straightens, and I look over to where Alec and Magnus lay. In a blink of an eye, they have both fled the house. I can see a cloud of dust forming from the speed they exited via the front door, which swings open due to their dramatic exit.?
This time, it’s me rolling my eyes.
‘Mum, Dad, the orc trials begin today. Queen Maia has invited everyone to come along to watch,’
‘Oh, orc trials?’ My mother says, raising an eyebrow.
‘Yeah, they wrestle to see who is the strongest amongst them,’ I explain.
‘I see. I guess we can come along,’ my mother shrugs.
‘I know wrestling isn’t your cup of tea, but you might enjoy it a little?’ I smile.
She nods.
‘I’ll see if the rest of the pack wants to come along,’ I say, standing up and leaving the house.
Everyone who wants to attend meets near the portal.
‘I just have to find Magnus and Alec,’ I say to Flint and Josie.
‘They were heading towards the river over there not long ago,’ Josie says.
‘Thanks,’ I say and ‘Skedaddle Dash’ towards them.
As I approach, I see them both sitting by the river, talking like best buddies.
‘Unbelievable,’ I mutter under my breath.
They both stop talking and see me approach with a not-too-impressed look on my face. I halt in front of Alec and Magnus and cross my arms.
‘Hi, babe,’ Magnus says nervously. The scowl on my face intensifies.
‘My Queen,’ Alec also says nervously. I’m now scowling at Alec.
They give each other a guilty look.
‘Honestly, you two are unbelievable. Do you both know that?’ I huff.
‘Unbelievably handsome,’ Magnus says with a wink. Alec gives him a hi-five.
‘And don’t you encourage his behaviour,’ I say to Alec.