Crush

As I step into the room, my heart sinks with disappointment when I realize there’s no wolf waiting for me. The space feels empty, a stark contrast to the warmth I felt when he was near. I take a slow glance around, noticing how the room seems colder, almost lifeless without his presence. The silence presses down on me, amplifying the strange absence I can’t quite shake.

My gaze drifts to the spot where I had originally seen the woman lying down. Something compels me to move toward it. Kneeling, I reach out, my fingertips brushing the floor where her body had been. The moment my skin touches the cold surface, a sharp, stinging sensation shoots through me, like a jolt of electricity.

I pull my hand back in surprise, but the sensation lingers. Dark magic. It was here all along, lurking just beneath the surface. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, but now the scent is unmistakable—a thick, cloying darkness that invades my senses. I close my eyes, focusing on the magic, allowing the vision to unfold before me.

Slowly, the woman reappears, her form shimmering into view. But as she takes shape, my breath catches in my throat. She looks… like me. Exactly like me. Same hair, same face, same body. The only difference is the absence of the runes that mark my own skin. She is a mirror image, but something about her feels wrong. I reach out, my fingers trembling as they make contact with her cold, lifeless form. Her skin is icy to the touch.

She even smells like me.

I take a step back, confusion swirling in my mind. She looks so real, so tangible, and yet she’s not. I know that deep in my bones. She is a creation of dark magic—that much I’m certain of. But why? Why would someone create a clone of me, only to leave her dead in this room?

My thoughts race, questions piling on top of one another with no answers in sight. Who would go to such lengths? And what was their purpose?

Before I can even begin to unravel the mystery, my body jolts, and I open my eyes with a gasp. The vision dissolves, leaving me in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Black Moon pack-house. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to shake off the disorienting blend of dream and reality. The wolf… the dark magic… What does it all mean?

With a sigh, I push the thoughts aside for now. I’ll need to make sense of it later. First, I have to get ready for the day. Jumping into the shower, I let the warm water wash away some of the lingering unease. But no matter how much I try to focus on the present, my mind keeps drifting back to the strange vision and the unsettling presence of dark magic.

After showering, I clap myself into a floral sundress and a pair of flat shoes, choosing something comfortable and airy to help ease the tension I’m still carrying. As I walk into the kitchen, the warm, familiar sounds of conversation greet me. Alpha Nathan leans casually against the bench, talking with Beta Sam, while Daisy stands awfully close to the alpha, her giggles soft and frequent.

“Good morning, Alpha, Beta, and Daisy,” I say, smiling warmly as I catch Daisy’s eye. “It looks like you all had a great sleep.” I give her a discreet wink, knowing full well what that blush creeping up her cheeks means.

Daisy turns bright red, her embarrassment clear, while Alpha Nathan awkwardly shifts his weight from one foot to the other, clearly caught off guard. “Good morning, Queen Lenora,” he stutters, avoiding my gaze. “We did—I mean, I did.” His voice wavers, and I can’t help but laugh inwardly at how flustered he seems.

Beta Sam, however, is quicker to catch on. His eyes narrow as he observes the interaction, and then, as if a lightbulb goes off in his head, his eyebrows shoot up. A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, but he says nothing, simply watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

My other guardians enter the kitchen just then, their faces bright with energy. “Good morning, Queen Lenora!” they chorus in unison, their voices full of cheer.

“Good morning to you all,” I reply with a smile. It’s hard not to feel lighter in their presence.

Claude, ever respectful, turns to Alpha Nathan and offers a grateful nod. “Thank you for allowing us to train with your warriors. It’s been great to practice my water abilities in combat.”

Nathan chuckles warmly, the earlier awkwardness fading. “The pleasure is ours. My wolves really enjoyed the experience of training with ability users. You’re all welcome to stay with us anytime.” His eyes sweep over the group, but I don’t miss the way they linger just a bit longer on Daisy. She’s trying to hide her smile, but the way her eyes sparkle gives her away. It’s rather adorable—like watching a teenager with her first crush.

We gather around the table for breakfast, the atmosphere light and easy. Conversations flow smoothly, with laughter punctuating the air as we share stories and enjoy the moment of peace before the next leg of our journey. It’s a welcome break from the tension that seems to follow us everywhere.

After we finish eating, I stand and thank both the alpha and beta for their hospitality. They’ve been nothing but kind, and I’ll always be grateful for their generosity. With goodbyes given, my guardians and I teleport near the river that surrounds the lycan kingdom. The cool breeze from the water greets us, and I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The next part of our journey awaits.