Chapter 17 ∣ Hindsight
-Mavis
The vibration from my phone startles me slightly as I'm leaving my dad's mansion. As I withdraw it, it's Cassius calling, furrowing my brows in confusion. When I answer it, questioning, "Hello?"
"Mavis, I'm calling to check-in and ensure that you received the letter we sent," Cassius' voice hinges slightly as she asks this, my hand tightening on my phone at his words. When I don't respond, he follows up stating, "The full moon is tomorrow."
"I'm aware of that," my voice remains even, despite everything else already sparking chaos inwardly.
Cassius is silent for a moment, though I can hear Titus distantly in the background, "Is she going to be here in time?"
It's adorable that they believe you are at their beck and call.
"Are you—"
"We discussed when I left, that I would return and we'd complete our bond...on the night of a full moon, not in front of the pack," my voice remains even, though as I continue to speak, my demonic features surface. My wings beat hard behind me as my tail sways side to side with agitation.
My voice is slightly harder this time as I note, "Your letter is implying that you two no longer wish to compromise for the sake of our relationship."
"Pack before—"
I know he didn't just in his right mind about to tell me...
...oh, he was.
Cassius is cut off, hearing him argue, "—the fuck y—"
He's cut off again as I hear Titus' voice this time clear on the phone, "Mavis...things have changed. It's not within our power to control what our father wishes, the traditions or our royalty, he'd sooner see no peace between us than accept the fact you—"
"Stop!" I finally shake my head, my demon also coming more forward, not even realizing...my wings lift me into the air, my heart skipping a beat. I don't understand why Chase is so adamant about this stupid, fucking, werewolf traditions when I am not one!
Neither of them says anything, the silence consuming me with each second.
I breathe in and out slowly, choosing my words carefully, my demon falling to the back of my mind as I state, "I will be there shortly. We will talk then."
Titus' voice is slightly uneven as he replies, "Okay. Please, travel safely."
Ending the call, stashing my phone away, my gaze shifts to the horizon. I glance over my shoulder, seeing the power I feel behind the strength of my wings. Now...it's so easy, it feels like second nature as if I've always been able to do this.
As I steady my heart, I focus my mind on that if the location I've been told to meet at. Everything seems to be shifting in and out of focus, the area Scáth and I were in before we were ambushed by rogue Alphas. Clearer, I can see the path, the way easy, especially now that I can fly.
The wind whips my hair back behind me, a grin making its way onto my lips as at how flying feels...so much different than with a blood magic disk. Soaring up high, loop back down and around, it feels like I'm part of the clouds, calling out wildly,
"Waaaaahoooo!"
I feel free.
My heart shines brightly with a new light, my wings catching me as I sail closer to my destination. My hands lift, crossing my arms in front of my chest as I rub my upper arms. The air grows colder, the closer I get to this part of the world. The air in front of my mouth forms into crystals, nearly freezing altogether. Ice forms in my lungs, my heart skipping a beat as I realize that I need to fall away from the sky to continue forward.
I see the entryway to the territory boundary that Alpha King Chase resides within. He claims dominance of this area...not just this area, the werewolves all bow to him, and him alone. They look to him with a sense of leadership, so they don't have to think for themselves.
Already heading down the pessimist path, are we?
I can't help it. Their actions show me the facts, I can't be blamed for how I react to clear lines drawn in the sand.
My wings angle backward as I lower myself to the ground. I don't recognize most of the scouts and sentinels that line my way, though they remember me very well. They form a pathway for me, my demonic features receding as I walk. Reaching the main pack lodge, I stand outside the door on the front porch, breathing in and out calmly.
As I raise my hand to open the door, it opens inwardly before I can grab the knob. I'm nearly knocked off my feet when Titus charged and wraps his arms around me. The air leaves my lungs, his voice near my ear as he says, "We've missed you so much."
I glance away, not even able to raise my arms to hug him back. My heart skips a beat when Cassius comes into view behind Titus, looking over his shoulder. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, staring at me for a moment before he nods, "Our father wishes to speak with you before calling it a night."
Oh...yeah, the full moon is tomorrow night, not tonight. However, it still makes me uneasy as to the conversation I am about to be a part of.
Titus' arms slowly fall away from around me, stepping back and looking me over. His features hold concern, though worry and fear outweigh what should be in its place.
Love.
I nod quietly, Cassius turning on his heels. Glancing at Titus, he nods toward Cassius, and I pass through the threshold of the pack lodge. Looking around while following and keeping up with Cassius is a bit of a challenge. There's so much history, the portraits on the walls, are incredibly old and the frames worn nearly beyond restorative repair. Titus follows behind me, and all I want to do is...
"Who are they?" I stop in my tracks, looking from one person to the next. Tapping my chin, I follow up with, "What did they do to be in a frame?"
Cassius sighs in annoyance and states, "Legacy; history."
"Huh?" I furrow my brows as Cassius turns around to arch a brow at me, "What does that mean?"
Titus clears his throat, touching my shoulder gently and saying, "You've got questions for everything," he chuckles, and I glance at him when he elaborates, "They are our relatives of old, some directly, some distant. They got in the frames for making history during their lifetimes."
My eyes widen as I nod, "Oh! Okay, that makes a lot more sense!"
I shake my head and giggle softly, "I thought they did something bad."
Cassius looks like he's about to say something, yet he holds back, turning back around and heading up a staircase. My footsteps follow gently, Titus picking up the pace once again behind me. We don't stop on the second or third floor, no, we end at the fourth and head down to the door at the end of the hallway.
Cassius halts his steps, raising his hand and knocking on the door. Silence. Though, I recognize Chase's voice as he calls, "You're late."
Wow...
That sure as hell better not be passively directed at us.
Mmhmm, I know what she means, and Cassius wastes no time in entering the room. After he steps inside and moved toward one of the three chairs in front of a desk, I look around in awe. My voice trails off, "Waahoo...what are all these?"
