"Nothing happened. I just want to dance with you. Will you do me the honors?" Kendrick's voice cut through the music, and surprise flickered in my eyes."Dance?" I questioned, feeling strange about his request.Kendrick extended his hand towards me, his expression earnest. Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor.
Lucas and I were only able to dance to one more song before Kendrick rushed over toward us."It's time to leave," he said with a stern expression. "The jet is ready for us."I exchanged a glance with Lucas, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes before he nodded in understanding. As much as I wanted to stay in Lucas's arms and live in this little bubble between the two of us, I knew I didn't belong here.
The gentle hum of the private jet's engines provided a soothing backdrop as we soared through the night sky, heading back home after the eventful evening at the palace.Kendrick had excused himself to his room, leaving Lucas and me to share the cabin in relative quiet.After we had passed through the portal, I had felt incredibly dizzy, but once I sat down on the jet, the feeling slowly dissipated.Yet, even as the physical discomfort waned, my mind was still reeling.It was hard to describe how I felt. I wasn't even sure if I really felt like myself anymore.There had been so many changes and surprises in the past few weeks. From discovering my true identity as the White Wolf to navigating the complexities of losing my father, managing relationships and politics in the supernatural world, I found myself constantly on edge, never quite sure what to expect next.I didn't have any other choice but to accept everything that was thrown at me, and I was scrambling to learn how to adapt to
We arrived back at our familiar neighborhood late into the following night. Kendrick's abrupt departure had left an uneasy silence lingering in the air, but Lucas and I were too preoccupied with our own thoughts to dwell on it.Once we got off the private jet, Kendrick had taken off to deal with some business issues.Lucas and I's ride back was quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of passing streetlights providing a relaxing backdrop to our contemplations.It felt surreal to be back in the familiar surroundings of our hometown after the whirlwind of events at the Ethereal Palace.As the car rolled through the streets, I found myself gazing out the window, watching the familiar landmarks pass by in a blur of shadows and streetlights.The sight of the quaint houses and bustling streets that I had known my entire life should have brought me comfort, but instead, it only served to deepen the sense of displacement that had taken root within me.It was a strange realizati
Grandma Jo had made some extra muffins this morning, and I thought that they would be the perfect way to distract James, seeing as he was always hungry."You think you can just wave desserts in my face and I'll be happy?" James asked as his eyes studied the bag of muffins. I could see his mouth beginning to water."Is it working?" I asked as Lucas chuckled. James looked as if he was being hypnotized.James seemed to snap out of his trance, his resolve weakening as the aroma of freshly baked muffins wafted toward him. With a defeated sigh, he reached out to grab one."I guess it's better than nothing," he conceded, stealing the bag from my hands."Told you that would work," I whispered in Lucas's ear before I sat down across the two of them.Lucas chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement at my successful bribery tactic."You know him too well," he murmured back, a playful glint in his eyes. "I thought he was supposed to be my best friend."I smiled, feeling a sense of relief that
"Yeah, sorry we didn't tell you anything sooner," I said, shooting a glare at Lucas before James could notice."Hey, don't worry about it," James said in between muffin chews. "I get it. I know what it's like to be in your little love bubble.""Speaking of love," Lucas leaned forward on his elbows, giving James a curious glance. "What's up with you?""What do you mean?" James asked back, feigning ignorance. Either that, or he actually had no idea what Lucas was referring to."How are things going with you and Victoria?" I asked, hoping that this was keeping the conversation light.James's expression shifted, his demeanor becoming more serious as he glanced around the cafeteria, as if making sure nobody was eavesdropping."It's... complicated," he finally admitted, his tone cautious. "Her parents... they're not exactly thrilled about us being together."Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Why not? Is it because of the whole status thing?"James hesitated, his gaze flickering b
A few hours after lunch, school was finally over and I was making my way toward the parking lot where Lucas was already waiting for me. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about the conversation Lucas and I had with James over lunch.I felt so guilty having to lie to him. It felt wrong to keep this from him.I hadn't spoken to Lucas about it yet, but I was frustrated that he had put me in that scenario.As I approached our car, I saw that Lucas was seated in the driver's side. I opened the car and hopped into the passenger seat, slamming the door closed behind me."Hey," Lucas said with a smile, leaning over to try and kiss me.I leaned away from him, dodging the kiss and trying to avoid eye contact.I could see Lucas tense up beside me out of the corner of my eye."What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Why did you just reject my kiss?"There was no doubt an underlying tension between us as I tried ignoring him. I tried to form the words to explain myself, but I coul
As panic threatened to overwhelm me, Lucas stepped forward, his expression determined. "What are you thinking?""I didn't think they'd want me back at the palace so soon... I mean I just got back. How am I going to be able to keep up with everything?""Shana, you'll be just fine. Traveling through the portal will save you a lot of time, and if you need anything I'm here," he assured me. His support grounded me, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this"But what about school?" I fretted, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me.Lucas squeezed my hand reassuringly. "You'll be fine, your training will probably only last an hour or two. And I doubt it'll be during school hours." Seeing the uncertainty on my face, Lucas continued, "School's almost over anyway, and then you won't have to worry about it anymore."I nodded, grateful for Lucas's level-headedness in the midst of my turmoil.With a deep breath, I tried to focus on the task at hand. "You're right. I'm freaking out o
TWO MONTHS LATERThe sun cast a warm glow over the royal gardens of the Ethereal Palace as Lucas and I stood across from each other, ready to exchange our vows in front of our closest friends and family.Grandma Jo, Victoria, and James stood by our sides, along with King Alex, Professor Black, and Liam. Alex actually insisted on officiating our wedding which took some convincing. Lucas wasn't too keen on the idea."Imagine being able to tell people that the Alpha King was the one who married you two," Alex had said, wiggling his eyebrows at Lucas. "Doesn't that make for a good story?"Lucas rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, a story we'd have to explain for the rest of our lives. No thanks."I chuckled, patting Alex on the shoulder. "I think it's a fantastic idea, Your Majesty."Alex grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know, isn't it? I do love a good story. Perhaps I'll write a book about it."Lucas shot me a sideways glance, a playful glint in his eye. "I don't know about y
I had the brilliant idea of surprising Lucas will all the new skills I had learned.I'd been so busy study, that I was always too tired when I got home.Showing him the magic I had learned was the best way for me to show him just how much I had grown. With a quick spell and a flick of my wrist, I conjured a portal right in our living room, ready to transport myself back home.As I stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of energy enveloped me, and with a flourish, I emerged in our cozy living room."Lucas?" I called out, unable to contain my excitement.Lucas, who had been engrossed in studying for his upcoming exams, jumped in surprise at the sound of my voice. "Shana? What... How did you... What's going on?"I couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expression. "Surprise!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of me standing there, a portal shimmering behind me. "Shana, that's incredible! How did you do that?""I've been
Studying the ancient text of the White Wolf book became my daily ritual.With each passing day, I delved deeper into its pages, absorbing the knowledge and wisdom it held within.When I had told Lucas that the book was finally unlocked, he was ecstatic, and recommended that Professor Black teach me more.Thanks to Lucas, Professor Black had become somewhat of a teacher, helping me decipher the intricate spells and teachings hidden within its ancient script.Even though he couldn't see the pages himself, I practiced rewriting and retracing everything for him to the best of my ability so that he could help me."Professor Black, I need your help with this passage," I'd say, flipping through the pages of the book as he leaned in to listen attentively. Together, we would dissect the ancient text, discussing its implications and applications in our world.His involvement in my studies caused him to visit the palace much more frequently.Alex quickly recognized the value of having Professor
I stood before the locked White Wolf book, a sense of determination washed over me.This was the moment I had been waiting for—a chance to unlock the secrets hidden within its pages and delve into the mysteries of my life.This book had the ability to tell me more about who I was and what I was meant to do.Suddenly, all the trials and tribulations that I had been through in the past year felt worth it for this moment. I deserved this. I deserved to know who I was.With Alex by my side, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was no ordinary book—it held the key to unlocking my true potential as the chosen White Wolf."Are you ready?" Alex asked, his voice filled with anticipation.I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement."You've got this, Shana," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "You were born for this moment.""Let's do this."With a steady hand, Alex pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. I did the same, allowing a single tear to f
As I stepped into the grand halls of the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation swirling within me.King Alexander had called me here, promising a surprise, and I couldn't help but wonder what it could be.It wasn't unusual for him to call me to the palace, but what he had said over the phone had me nervous."Liam's going to come pick you up to take you to the palace. I have a huge surprise for you," he had said."I hate surprises," I replied, already starting to chew on my bottom lip."Too bad," Alex said and I could practically see the smile that was on his lips. "See you soon!"As I awaited Liam's arrival, my mind raced with nervousness.Surprises were not my forte, especially when they involved King Alexander.He was a wild card and always seemed to be up to no good.Yet, despite my apprehension and hesitation, there was a flicker of excitement building within me.What could Alex have planned for me that needed to be such a secret?When Liam finally arrived, I couldn
A FEW MONTHS LATERThe warm breeze brushed against my skin as I made my way through the palace gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers blooming all around me.Even though Alex had called the royal gardens overrated, it was my favorite place here.I always found myself walking through the rows and bushes of flowers.It had been a few months since the tumultuous events that had changed the course of our lives, and yet, the memories still felt fresh in my mind.Despite not moving into the palace, I found myself spending more and more time there, drawn by the sense of duty and responsibility that now rested on my shoulders.As King Alexander's right hand, along with Liam, I had taken on a new role within the kingdom, providing support and guidance to the young monarch as he navigated the challenges of ruling a kingdom.The transition hadn't been easy, but together, we had managed to weather the storm, leaning on each other for support as we forged ahead.As White Wolf, I commanded a le
I rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding in my chest as I navigated my way to the room where Lucas and Kendrick were.The sound of my footsteps echoed off the sterile walls, each step bringing me closer to the moment I had been anxiously awaiting.Finally, I reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to find Lucas sitting beside his father's bed.Relief flooded through me as I saw Kendrick. His eyes were closed, but I could tell that he was just asleep and not completely unconscious as the machines beeped steadily."Lucas, I'm here," I said softly, crossing the room to stand beside him. "I got your text. How's he doing?"Lucas looked up at me, a grateful smile spreading across his face as he stood up. "Shana? What are you doing here?""What do you mean?" I asked with a frown. "I had to come as soon as I could once I found out he was awake. Are you okay?""I'm so glad you're here," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. He pulled me into a hug and I sque
LUCAS POV "Graduation is almost here and I want to go to Hawking University to play hockey. It's what I've always wanted," I continued, hoping my father could finally understand things from my point of view.But my father's expression darkened, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features as he shook his head slowly."Lucas, I've spent my life building this company," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I thought I could count on you to carry on the legacy."I couldn't help feeling a surge of guilt wash over me as I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings."I appreciate your confidence in me, father," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "It's been difficult navigating everything since you've been gone, but I feel as though I was able to handle it because of everything you've taught me. But having this experience, I'm not sure if I'm fully ready to commit to such a big responsibility."My father listened as I poured out my heart, his expression unreada
LUCAS POV My phone rang with an unfamiliar number, and my heart skipped a beat as I answered it, the anticipation clawing at the edges of my mind.I had gotten used to answering unknown callers over the past few weeks ever since I took over the business for my father. He got far more calls than I imagined, and many of them were scammers trying to steal information from him.I was already exhausted, ready to go home for the day. I didn't want to deal with any more problems today, and that included talking to a stranger on the phone that just wanted to play games with me."Hello?" I said, my voice tight with apprehension."L-Lucas?" came the hesitant voice on the other end of the line. The voice cleared. "Hello, is this Lucas Busch?""This is he," I replied, ready to give this person a piece of my mind. "Is there something I can help you with?""Yes, I'm your father's doctor and I have some news to share with you."I stilled, hearing the words, hoping that it wasn't a prank.My father