THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

Emma checked out her appearance for the umpteenth in the long standing mirror, beside the wardrobe in Ava’s room, before opening her purse and dropping the plain necklace which Queen Zipfarah had given her into it. She didn’t want to forget it. It was too important to her quest tonight.

“Where did you get that?” she heard Ava ask her, and turned around sharply, not fully understanding the identity of the ‘that’ in her friend’s question.

“What…?” she asked, furrowing her eyebrows, even as her gaze shifted to the squirrel subtly, asking too.

But he wasn’t sure either. He also didn’t find it necessary to read Ava’s mind for that since she would definitely explain her point soon if she wanted to get answers. And he wasn’t wrong, at least not this time.

“I meant the necklace…where did you get it from?” Ava asked, squinting her eyes as if they were being blinded by the sun. The necklace was exactly the same as the one her grandfather has, even though this one was coated with pure gold whilst her grandfather’s had been just plain-but the blue orb was still there, reeking of sameness. It was for protection. Why did the redhead have it? How had she come in contact with the very powerful magical item? Her grandfather had told her a brief history of it. And so, seeing it in Emma’s hand, she had an inkling of what it might be for-for which she was absolutely happy, but how had she gotten it? Who had given it to her?Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Emma reasoned with Prescott telepathically for the right response to Ava’s question.

He thought that she should mention that she had seen it along a forest path and had picked it up, hoping to utilise it as one of her accessories since it was beautiful but Emma thought it dumb, beleiving that Ava wouldn’t buy into that lie. The latter was too intelligent to be fooled with such a lame explanation. And so, she decided to tell the truth, despite the squirrel’s disagreement with her decision.

“Well, a witch gave it to me. She explained that it would be useful to Derek’s situation.” she replied, a short smile gracing her lips as she noted the look of shock on Ava’s face. She knew the reason behind the face change.

“Derek’s… situ…how did you know about that? And what situation are you talking about?” Ava asked, pleased that she was right about the necklace being for Derek, but a bit alarmed about the fact that the witch might have told the human about what they really were if she had entrusted her with such a great treasure. Would the human still stay if she knew what Derek was? But she was here right? Her wolf muttered, and she agreed. If the redhead already knew and she was here, then that means that she was staying right? She had to confirm this.

“Ava, I know that you are not human.” Emma started, her smile still in place even as Ava gulped down her saliva.

“You are a werewolf, and so is everyone in this community, well in your pack at least. I know that Derek had been possessed by an evil spirit or beast, whatever. I had dreamt about it, and the witch had confirmed it. And don’t worry, I won’t run away from you guys, if that is what you are worried about. I have come to stay.” She concluded, the smile on her lips elongating the more.

Prescott scoffed in her mind, and she shrugged.

It was better to say the truth and face whatever the consequences it had now, than lying to prolong but in fact multiplying the consequences in the nearest future.

Ava heaved in relief, musing that Derek was lucky that the human wasn’t running away from him, but embracing her destiny even though it meant staying away from her family.

She was happy for him. A happy ending. She thought, standing up from the chair she had been sitting on, Prescott in her arms.

“That’s a relief then. I hope you are not angry with us for keeping this huge secret away from us. Derek had thought it best that way.” She said, and Emma nodded, still smiling.

“So, the witch…where had you met her, and where have you been all these while? We had thought that the evil witch had you in her custody. You know Leonarya?” Ava stated, and Emma shrugged.

“It wasn’t her, Leonarya, I mean. It wasn’t her that had taken me into custody. It was her mother.” she replied, causing Ava to stop in her tracks. They had walked out of her room, and were now in the long passageway.

“Her mother? Who is that?” Ava asked, bewildered. She had never heard of ‘the mother.’

“Queen Zipfarah. Haven’t you heard of her? She had taken me in, before Loenarya had. She had been faster than her daughter, but she had almost paid for it with her life.” Emma replied, chuckling when she saw Ava’s eyes which were now wide as saucers.

“You were with the strongest witch all these while? Damn Emma, you are lucky.” Ava mused, pouting, which caused Emma to laugh out loud. They had picked up their walking again.

“So, tell me about her? How is her castle? Were there elves there?” Ava queried, not minding Emma’s laughter.

“Don’t worry Ava. I will give you the full gist after the party, or perhaps during it, if it gets boring. And if not then, perhaps tomorrow then.” Emma promised, before flinging her hands across Ava’s shoulders, content that she had a good friend.

**

Freya was unable to withhold the huge shy smile that slithered across her lips when her eyes met Aiden’s. He was standing right at the point where they had discussed with the werewolf, Anthony. He seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

“I take it that you are happy to see me.” he drawled in her mind, and she bit her lips, feeling her body respond to the huskiness of his voice.

“Not really.” She responded, smiling the more as she watched his face darken, amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

He looked more regalic and handsome in a suit. She thought, accessing his features. and he was hers, hers alone. The thought caused her insides to clench in anticipation.

And when he walked up to her in long strides, and engulfed her in a hug, she thought that she would faint from the headiness his scent gave her.

“Are you ready to do this?” He whispered into her ears, and she nodded, not even sure of what he had been referring to.

Behind them, Yodah sighed.