Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
Maia holds her hand up to silence everyone, ‘Go on, Nina,’ she says in a serious tone.
I nod at her in thanks, ‘They are aware of the danger we currently face. They are aware Thypon is here with us. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to enter to help us, but instead, they have given us hope by summoning what they call the divine sceptre. They want me and only me to use it. I will explain later as to why, but for now, I am to go and retrieve it and then I will go to Emerald Island to retrieve my book of spells and learn the spell to seal Thypon away forever. Alec, Reaper and Vermillion will go with me in case we face dangers along the way. In the meantime, you can stay here and wait till I return or use the star portals and port to other villages and safely reside there and help prepare other villagers to flee to safety if required. Now any questions?’ I say and look at everyone as they all suddenly raise their hands.
‘Okay… Kadva,’ I say.
‘How did you meet Selene if she cannot enter Mysteria?’ he asks.
‘It was while I was asleep in my dream,’ I reply.
They look even more confused now.
‘Nina, we’ve all been through a lot recently, especially you. Did you consider your dream was just a dream and that you hadn’t actually met Selene?’ he says.
‘I know it sounds hard to believe, but I can assure you all it wasn’t a dream,’ I answer.
Lilac raises her hand, ‘But how’d do you know?’ she asks.
This conversation was not going the way I thought it would. I sigh and facepalm my forehead in frustration and then stare at them all.
‘Look, I just know, okay? I feel it here,’ I say, placing my hand on my heart. ‘And I know in my gut it was real,’ I add.
Sir Hugo, all dressed in new shiny armour, taps his fingers on the table. Because he’s wearing gauntlets, it’s quite loud, and everyone stares at him. ‘If Nina’s dream was real, we will know when she returns,’ he says.
‘How?’ Ria asks.
‘Because if the sceptre she dreamt about exists, she will return with it. It will be proof the deities are watching over us and trying to help,’ he answers her.
Queen Maia nods and approaches me. She places her hand delicately on my shoulder and the other on her swelling belly, ‘When will you be leaving?’ she asks.
‘I’m hoping to leave right away if I’m not needed for anything else here?’ I ask her.
She smiles, ‘Go forth, Nina, retrieve the sceptre and your book of spells. We will be praying for your safe return,’ she says.
We hug, and I take Alec’s hand as we part and walk toward Vermillion. Just as I approach him, a villager runs to me and gives me a satchel that has a pouch of water, as well as a large chunk of bread and cheese in a thin wrap.
‘Thank you so much,’ I say to him.
‘May the Gods keep you safe,’ he bows and scurries away before I can reply.
I place the bag over my shoulder and climb onto Vermillion’s back. I feel Alec against my back moments later. I look over my shoulder and smile, ‘Ready to save the world?’ I ask.
‘With you, Nina, I’m ready for anything,’ he smirks and winks at me.
I elbow him.
‘What was that for?’ he scowls, rubbing his rib cage.
‘That was to distract you from your mischievous thoughts,’ I grin back.
He rolls his eyes, and Vermillion’s wings spread out as he lets out a loud screech and flaps his wings, descending into the air.
We fly over small mountains, large fields of flowers and some just fields of grass. Over a small forest. I begin to recognise my surroundings. We aren’t far from where the dragons had attacked us. The lands nearby have been destroyed. The skeletons of the dead are scattered across the once lush and to now barren lands. Reaper flies above me but occasionally perches on my shoulder. I notice Reaper and Alec are mind-linking a lot.
I decide to join in, ‘What are you two troublesome men conspiring?’ I laugh.
‘Nothing, we were just talking about…’ Reaper trails off.
‘The pretty raven of his,’ Alec laughs. ‘I was giving him some advice and pointers on how to swoon her,’ he says.
‘Oh, because you’re an expert?’ I reply teasingly.
He wraps an arm tighter around me, and his other hand glides up my thigh as he gently nips my neck, making me squeak.
‘Well, I got you didn’t I,’ he whispers huskily in my ear.
I blush and slap his hands away. ‘I suppose you might have some good advice for Reaper,’ I laugh.
Vermillion hovers high in the air as I look at the map. There are mountains everywhere up ahead to the East, but there are also mountains to the North and South.
‘If Moon Crest Castle is that way, then Oak paw mountain is to my North over there,’ I point.
Vermilion flies towards the mountain to the North. He flies over the top and circles a few times.
‘This mountain is massive. We might have to start at the base and walk up towards the peak until we find the sceptre. It could take us days, even weeks, to find,’ I grumble.
‘You’re right. The forest covering the mountain is too dense to see the sceptre from up here. We’re going to have to find it by foot,’ he sighs, sounding just as dismal as me.
Vermilion flies to the base of the mountain and lands. The trees and bushes nearby shake from his landing. Alec slides down and then catches me as I slide down next.
‘Let’s spread out a few metres between us to cover more ground,’ I suggest.
Alec nods, and with a flash, he is a few metres away.
‘You too, Vermilion. You come over this side and start looking,’ I say to him. He lets out a whine in protest.
‘We will find it quicker if we work together,’ I assure him.
Vermilion begrudgingly stomps over to my other side and begins to look at the ground and through the bushes. Reaper flies above us, hoping any sunlight will make the sceptre shimmer or shine from it.
It’s almost nightfall, and we have barely covered the tiniest fraction of the mountain. Alec stops in front of me, ‘You won’t be able to see the sceptre in the dark. You also need to eat and rest, and I need to feed as well. Let’s make a fire to keep you warm through the night first,’ he says.
I collect the sticks, and Alec finds a couple of small logs. As soon as we stack them into a pile, I point my finger about to cast the fire spell, but a large gust of flame blows past me and ignites it. I turn and find Vermilion sitting like a dog, staring at the fire.
‘Thanks,’ I laugh.
I sit beside Alec, but he pulls me onto his lap. His fangs protrude, and he instantly bites into my neck, making me yelp. He drinks more than usual, then flings his head back in satisfaction before gazing into my eyes. He kisses my forehead, then my nose and then nuzzles back into my neck, where he slides his tongue across the puncture marks sending wild and pleasurable sensations throughout my body. He then kisses each of them and sits me up to face him. He grins.
‘You were hungry,’ I sate.
‘Famished,’ he smiles but then frowns. ‘You should eat. You will need to keep your strength up,’ he says, reaching his hand over to grab my satchel and passing it to me.
I smile, ‘Thanks, I’m pretty hungry myself, so I’ll eat now, too,’ I say as I slide off his lap and sit beside him. I open the bag, grab the pouch of water, and drink half of it. The bread smells delicious, and it’s very soft. I love the smell of freshly baked bread. I pull the bread in parts, place bits of cheese on top, and chow it all down.
I lay my head on Alec’s lap, and he entwines his hand over mine, and we stare into the crackling fire.
When I open my eyes, it’s morning. Alec caresses the hair from my face as I sit up.