JOSIE’S POV
“Hey Sarah, how are you girl?” I ask my best friend and desk mate as casual as I can.
“Oh-oh…what’s wrong?” her speaker-voice sounds worried. Damn, she knows me to well.
“Well...how? what…? I…urgh…never mind. I swear you have some fortuneteller genes in you.”
“I can read you like a book. Even over the phone. Ha-ha, perk of being around you so many hours per day, per week etc. So, tell me, what’s up?”
“You should come over. Can you call Steph and his brother?”
“You sure you want Zane to come over…?” she asks not sure of my decision.
Zane is Stephen’s older brother, and my ex… we ended up nicely; still things changed in time and our interaction was never the same as before. But whenever we are all gathered, the group energy was as beneficial, and positive as always. Half nerds, half the youth power that everybody in this pack will rely on in the future.
“Yeah, I’m sure, I need smart brains, with useful hands and eyes.”
“Hmm… should I contact Tanja and Marco as well then?”
“You’re so right, they are hybrids actually, maybe they have some useful information.”
“Oookay, not asking you now anymore what is this all about, cause I’m sure I’m going to find out soon enough”
“Exactly. Thanks, hun, see you in 2hours. Study room?”
“You betcha’! Bye!”
And with this, I end up the call. I need to focus.
A shower is a good start. Being emotional right now won’t help, so I better be in scientific mode. Pushing my emotions downhill in record timing, I savor the warmness of the water flowing above my head, trying to wash my worries away.
Nope, not working.
‘That’s a good visual, though. You should try it more often. Maybe the law of attraction will attract us some luck in solving this crap’ Flame says half chuckling of what she said, half tensed because of the weight of the situation.
‘Right now, I’m open to everything, believe me’ Sharing what I feel with my wolf feels like second nature now… I cannot say the same thing about my standing-on-2-feet companions, either being my friends or my family. That is something I’ve learned early on, when people we’re watching me and my progress in everything, almost like, waiting for me to fail and prove that I am not worthy of ruling this pack. I often wondered if they we’re right, that was until Flame woke up. I owe her a lot of the confidence I have now.
‘I’ll always have your back, feisty!’ she tells me with a grin on her cute furry face.
‘Eavesdropping on my thoughts, are you not?’
‘Just because I love you!’ she winks in my head, raising a huge grey paw trying to wave in wolf body language.
I had such a surprise when I first shifted because Flame is a real beauty. She is larger than an average male wolf, with a sparkling silver-gray fur on her head, chest and upper paws, while the rest of her body was covered with black fur with hues of green intwined in it. Many looked at her in awe during our monthly pack runs, while others thought it was an omen, a sign that again…something was not right with me. My first shift took longer than normal, and I was scared that they we’re right. But now that I’m remembering this episode, when Flame woke up, she indeed said with an exhausted huff “Finally!!”. I wonder if it had a deeper meaning or it was just because it took me so long.
‘I’m waiting…’ I linked her while toweling my long wavy dark chocolate-brown and now wet hair.
‘Oh yeah, that. Well, do you remember the sound of broken chains when we completed the shifting?’
‘What sound? No…I remember the extreme pain that I’ve felt, and the dreadful thought that I was going to die. Other than that, no…I don’t remember that sound. What was it??’
‘I realized when you we’re 14 that I was bound not to come to you, and I tried every birthday you had afterwards but I couldn’t get through. It was then when you we’re 19 that I felt a surge of strength and I felt myself powerful enough to get through the binding. I don’t know where it came from, or what happened exactly but it was such a relief that I succeeded in defeating it… I don’t know how long it would have lasted if it hadn’t been for that extra strength that I felt back then. It is still something I don’t have an answer for...it was just a very powerful light that engulfed me and I felt the sheer power traveling through my body. And I was extremely tired afterwards...’
‘We’re you aware of the binding before trying to come to me…?’
‘I don’t know exactly…I sense that I know something about it, and in the meantime, I wasn’t aware of its presence, only then at that moment I felt that I was…restricted somehow to come forward. I try to remember the time before, but...it’s like a haze. I’m sorry, I should have told you about it. Somehow, I didn’t even think of it anymore…’
And just then a thought came to me. ‘Maybe your memories we’re tempered with…and with it, my whole evolution and knowledge of things…that means, that there is also a solution to all of this, and the binding was a safety measure…’ I share with her , a shallow ray of hope slithering in my mind.
So, I would have received my wolf at 14 actually…wow. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s true that most of the Alphas receive their wolf early, but in those cases, they also receive enhanced senses and strengths that will only emphasize their important role as a leader. Or I…never received anything… Something is amiss. A lot of things are actually…
Standing in front of my closet, I chose a black long-sleeved top, with high waist skinny jeans, paired with flat black ankle boots, fitted for the chilly autumn weather outside. I accessorized myself with my favorite black rose studs I received from my godmother when I turned 18. Just a small touch of mascara and lip balm and I’m ready to fight crime… I am strong. I am beautiful. I am loved. I love my family and my pack. I will find a solution. I will find my mate. Self-empowerment makes wonders.
I hope.
Looking at myself in the mirror, satisfied with my reflection, I’ve noticed a flash of bright green in my eyes, just for a fraction of a second.
‘How did you do that?’ I ask my wolf.
‘Do what?’
‘Just for a moment my eyes flashed green, a bright green’ I reply very self-aware now…
‘I didn’t notice, but I’ll be more observant. I just felt your self-confidence rising after your little inner-speech’ she said.
Right then I knew that whatever was going on with this so-called curse, it runs deeper than I thought.
JOSIE’S POV Feeling strong, I left the room and just as I approached my father's office, I heard them both whispering. They were sitting on top of an old book I had never seen before, looking for something. When I saw the outline of the book something felt weird. I had the sudden urge to touch it like it was calling me. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that they didn't even notice me standing in front of the door. “Ahem!” They looked up at me, startled like I’ve caught them red-handed. “Gotcha’!” The first emotion I saw on my mother's face was fear, as if she had been caught doing something truly forbidden. In the next second, with my father's hand on her shoulder she relaxed and motioned for me to enter. “What is…this?” I asked trying to mask my need to get close to the book. Things look to be serious, so I dropped the playful note. Just as they were about to answer, they both widened their eyes and rushed out of the office. Probably a mind link. “Come down with
BEATRICE – POV I rush downstairs alongside Lukas, and right before we stepped into the packhouse’s kitchen, we heard screaming and shouting coming from the hallway leading to the maid’s chambers. “Help!!! Someone!! Alpha!! Luna! She’s can’t breathe anymore!! Do something! We cannot touch her!” yelled a panicked Oliver, as soon as we reached Diane’s room, pointing towards Mrs. Clark whose face was slowly turning blue due to the lack of oxygen. Lukas swiftly went to her to help her, but as soon as he touched her arm he was zapped by a black jolt of electricity. “I can’t touch her! What the hell is going on??!” I reach to her, putting my hands on her arms while she was watching me with terror-stricken wide eyes, as if asking for my instant help. “You can touch her….” Lukas murmured… “Quickly Bea, see if she has something in her mouth, try Heimlich!!!” Before I try to de-choke her, I have to see if there’s something on the outside that can be seen and I struggle in a second to peel h
JOSIE POV I’ve never felt so alive. So… ‘Complete?’ Flame added in a owe. ‘Exactly!’ I confirmed while staring at my half-enraged mother, her expression now mixed with fear and surprise. Hearing her saying something about my eyes, I turned to the framed mirror on the wall looking at myself, stunned of my own reflection. Bright lime green eyes were peering back at me, as strands of hair were dancing around me like being blown by the wind, all while a semicircular white silver energy field was emitted from my own hand. I felt good, powerful…confident. Who was she to tell me what to do? I felt myself looking back at my mother, tilting my head to the right, a mischievous grin appearing on my lips. Hmm…I like it, actually...I love it. It should scare me, but this raw feeling of almost omnipotence engulfs my mind and... ‘That’s enough, child!’ a soft, yet stern voice inside my mind ordered, and just like that my shield dropped. A blazing headache started violently, and I had to clutch
LEVI’S POV No. I refuse to let her win. For the first time around, I feel that I have a reason to really defeat her…I’m not alone anymore… Looking around me for the 967th time, give or take, the same bewitched walls surrounded me, the same cups and furniture pieces were staring back at me in mockery. She thought of it all. Even the plates, knives and forks were engrained with magic… the plates won’t break, the knives won’t cut - unless is something I eat, otherwise they bend like a rubber whenever I try to do something else with it. Also, 2 times a day a warm meal just appears on the table, fruit basket is always full and a carafe filled with fresh water is always on disposal. She wants me to be well fed apparently. If she needs be to be physically strong then I will use this to my advantage... All my environment is an endless space and time loop. I see from time to time a crack of lightning on the night sky, but it’s not frequent…it’s odd though, because there is no storm aroun
LEVI’S POV Ever since that episode, I have learned a lot from my newly received friend. Although he’s behaving sometimes like an ass, I appreciate his support. ‘Watch it! I might change my mind’ he intrudes my trail of thoughts without bothering to ask permission. ‘Never. It’s enough that I have to share this weak body with you’ Somebody’s in a mood today. We had another intense training in the afternoon and I wasn’t quite meeting my beasts’ expectations. Despite the fact I’ve grown in strength and skills in the last 2 years under his guidance, it seems that in his vision, it’s not enough for the upcoming combat. Apparently, he misses his own body and unfortunately, I cannot help him with that. Although he was able to reach me, the curse that my pretend mother put on me, extended not only to my wolf, but also to my Lycan. It’s still hard to believe that I have 2 spirit beasts living inside of me… Balthazaar was blocked by the amulet I managed to sneak away from under her nose, ev
JOSIE’S POV I was entranced. Those eyes were staring at me trying to absorb my very essence… Curiosity, sharpness and…lust? I lifted my hand to try and touch the blurry mirror in front of me that didn’t reflect my own image anymore, and as I touched the cold glass, tiny pleasurable sparks erupted from the contact… We locked eyes, and realization hit me. So, it’s true, he really is my mate… Not ever have I heard of mates recognizing each other through a mirror, but I guess there’s a way for every situation. “Can you hear me…?” I mumbled more to myself than for my “dialog” partner. Tilting his head to the right, a small smirk appeared on his deliciously pink plump lips made for… ‘Yeah, girl, you’re right, our mate is burning hot!!’ Flame rudely interrupted my course of dirty thoughts with her own. With that his eyes flashed golden, as if he and his wolf were reacting to my private conversation. In a good way. Strange color though for wolf eyes, but I’m not complaining as long a
JOSIE’S POV “Oh…wow! That is definitely…” “Some weird shit!” Stephen completed Marco’s remark with his own while Marco shifted in his chair, his eyes looking contemplative at the journal I had in front of me. “And I thought I was your best friend all the time, and now I’m finding out you we’re hiding a hunk in your dreams???” After Sarah’s comment I locked eyes with Zane’s who looked deep in thought. I felt my cheeks reddening realizing that while we were together, I did not consider sharing that part with anyone, especially with him, but then I remember back then, it was nothing more than just shadows and a silhouette walking. “Look guys, the ritual for the Alpha transfer will take place the day after tomorrow, and I need to sort this thing out. As mother told me, starting with my 21st birthday I may begin react differently, not exactly sure how, but till then I am still me.” “Not quite. You’re manifesting magic now!” Tanja winked at me. I sense a headache coming. When did all
LEVI’S POV ‘We did it Bal!! We really did it!!’ ‘Yeah kid, we did it…but…for fuck’s sake…stop...calling...me...Bal... need to sleep…’ he grunted his response with a low voice, and I could tell all this experience took a toll on him, wearing his energy off. But we did it!! After what took a night and a day’s worth of meditating, and astral concentrating…we pulled it off! I sat cross-legged in the garden, wrapped in the silvered serenity of moonlight, my thoughts reaching across the spirit realm to touch the essence of my distant mate. I saw my bewitching beautiful mate; this time I really saw her in all her beauty… As I discovered last-night that I was indeed watched whenever I felt that ripple of energy in the air, I couldn’t bear to sleep without trying to connect with her. That presence…that aura…she is powerful, and although I’ve managed today to catch just glimpses of her face…I just know that all of her is just as mesmerizing and dazzling as her eyes, and plump