SHADOW
A swirling, glimmering blue liquid glass, the size of a small door, appeared before me, like a dark storm or a black hole pulling a dark material that could take me to another dimension. Or worse, I ended up on flowing lava somewhere on the island of Hawaii. Still, I trusted Zarah that I had enough courage to step into it.
When I thought it would hurt or twist bones or spaghettified and take time before I arrived, I was wrong. The moment I stepped in, the same time I was in her living room. And it didn’t hurt.
“Thanks for creating a portal for me. It was weird, like cheating space and time.” I kissed Zarah on her cheek.
“Better than traveling long hours.”
“Yeah. That’s pretty convenient. I still don’t believe this is possible.”
“Let me guess. Alpha Califf doesn’t know about this plan?”
I shook my head. I was suddenly nervous. “I only told him a half of it, that I am meeting you.”
“And he let you go without questions?”
“I think you earn his trust. And as long as I don’t have to travel for hours since roads are unsafe once I pass the territory. He’s good with me coming here alone.”
“Give me your necklace.”
I took it off my neck and gave it to her. “What for?”
She didn’t give me an answer but gripped the pendant tightly and chanted I couldn’t understand, something Latin, maybe. “There. Don’t take it off unless you shift.”
“Why?”
“Don’t ask. You will know it soon. I need payment.” She opened her hand to me.
“What? How much do you want?”
“Just a cent to seal the spell.”
“Okay.” I fished some coins from my crossbody bag. “Here.”
Zarah only picked a fifty-cent. “This is more than enough.” She then tossed it to the glass key bowl and raised her hands, chanting again. Another portal appeared on her door this time, just like that.
“We’re leaving right now?”
“Hurry.” She took my hand, and we were already in the big, well-trimmed field before a luxurious mansion the size of a palace.
“Where are we? Italy?” I looked around, feeling a little dizzy.
“Yes. You’re meeting him here. This is his home.”
“What costs you to create a portal?” I asked when I sensed her drawing a deep breath.
“Energy. After this, I need a good meditation.”
“I appreciate what you’re doing for me, Zarah. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“Just do what you came here for. And I will relay your message to The West Coven. They may not want to sit down with you, but they will watch your actions. They need proof of your intention.”
“Thank you. That’s good enough for me.”
Before I could ask, a man, my age walked in our direction. “Luna Shadow. Priestess Zarah.” I didn’t know Zarah had a title until now.
“Priestess, huh?”
“Your Highness is expecting us,” said Zarah, ignoring my comment.
“Yes. If you could follow me.” He gestured politely.
“Your Highness?” My brows squished together as I asked Zarah.
“Yes. So be careful when you talk to him. He is low-tolerant over misbehavior.”
We entered the expansive entrance. The interior was luxurious, with antique vases, a classical grand piano, and a monumental grand staircase. We passed through the house courtyard to another door. He opened it for us to enter.
I hesitated. I didn’t know what was behind the door or where it could lead us, probably our deaths, but Zarah was already going. I trusted my instinct and followed with caution.
A rich Italian interior came into view. It was an extensive library filled with hardbound books, a classic chandelier hanging at the center, and a massive oak desk. Then, a man with long, shiny black hair tied behind his head was on his back, lighting a candle despite the light from the fluorescence.
“High King, your guests have arrived.” High King? Who was this man?
My heartbeat raced.
“Nothing to be scared about, young one.”
I gasped.
He sounded so familiar, like I could trust him with my life. The timbre of his voice, the depth in his tone, and the softness of his words were a blanket of soft butter to me.
My breathing held in my chest. My jaw dropped as he turned around, confirming my suspicion. “Dad?”
He smiled, but something was off about him. His smile was not the same smile I remembered.
“I’m afraid I’m not your father, Raven, or shall I call you Shadow.”
“Who-” I swallowed hard. “Who are you? Why do you look like my father?”
“Samuel was my twin.”
“Dad had a twin?” I blinked as I asked, still shocked to see the man had the face of my father before me.
“Yes. I was older than him, so I got all the privileges of the eldest. Or is it a curse?” Jeez, cocky much? “But I also have to carry the people’s expectation as the wise one, the better one, and to carry the responsibility of the future Alpha.”
“You’re the Alpha?”
“You sound surprised.” He gestured to the chairs before his desk. “Shadow, Priestess, please take a seat.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Relax. Your wolf is agitated. I know this is a surprise to you, but I am your family.”
I arched a brow. Zarah just warned me not to provoke a Lycan Alpha, yet here I was. “Really? And you let my father die?”
“He went rogue, left his clan for a woman.”
“Dad went rogue? Why?”
“Samuel was the kind of Lycan who was free-spirited. A playboy in this generation. He didn’t follow the rules. He liked to party, got drunk, wasted his father’s money, and did whatever he wanted. He was out of control. Born into a privileged royal family, he took what he wanted until he met your mother. I never believed he was mated to a witch. I thought he was under a spell, but when he left the pack, breaking my father’s heart, maybe he was telling the truth. That it wasn’t witchcraft.”
“So you just let him go. Your twin. When his pack was attacked, you just let him get slaughtered and didn’t avenge his death.”
“I was under order not to intervene.”
“Or you ordered that attack.”
He wasn’t even offended. His stance and voice remained calm. “I would never cause him any harm. I felt his pain when he died. It still lingered in my soul. I loved Samuel despite what he did. He was still a part of me.”
“Did you know he had a daughter?”
“Yes,” he answered quickly.
“And you never come to find me?”
“No, but I watched you from afar.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Shadow,” Zarah gave me another warning. “Show some respect. He’s your Alpha, too.”
“You live your life in the human world. Kent Marks is fond of you. We will apparently have to come to you when you turn twenty-three.”
“What’s with that age?”
“You’ve reached the age good for mating and procreating.”