SHADOW
“Agh!” I grunted in frustration.
Zarah was losing her patience with me. I’d been trying to light up a candle for three hours, but it didn’t even smoke or create a spark. I did exactly as she asked, but nothing was happening.
I exhaled, trying to concentrate or swore I had given up.
“Shadow.” She stopped me.
“I can do this.” I closed my eyes again.
“Yes, you can, but your heart and mind are not on the task- they’re everywhere. With your mate, your pack, and those hunters. You’re wasting your energy and my time if you don’t focus. If you want to learn-”
“I want to learn. I need to learn.” I glared at her. “What do you think I’ve been doing for the last couple of hours if not trying my best? But maybe this isn’t for me. Maybe I shouldn’t use my gift.”
She shook her head. Disappointment flashed over her face. “This is why you’re failing because of your desperation to learn quickly. I thought Aira was the hardest I had ever taught, but you’re worse.”
“Ouch. You just hurt my feelings, Zarah.” Aira came out with her beautiful pink dress.
“Go back to the study, Aira. I told you to memorize the incantation.” Zarah narrowed her eyes at Aira before she turned back to me.
“I did. I just came to check her progress, but it looks like it’s nowhere near getting done,” Aira said as if she had already foreseen my future.
I rolled my eyes at Aira. “God, I hate you. I want to squeeze your pretty little neck.”
Aira laughed before she walked away and yelled, “Draw inspiration from your hot alpha mate, Shadow! That will do the trick.”
“Don’t listen to her.” Zarah joined me on the carpeted floor and sat Indian-style. “When I started practicing, lighting a fire took me five days. You can feel the witch’s blood running in your veins. It’s dormant inside you, in your body, deep in your heart, in your soul. All you have to do is wake it up. Draw the power from within. Summon the energy around you. It won’t hurt your wolf, Shadow. It even energizes her because you two are one.”
I blew a huge breath. “I feel it, but maybe I have to choose between being Lycan and a witch.”
“No. Your grandfather did not.” She shook her head. “Do you know how lucky you are to be a royal Lycan, a Luna, and a witch? A powerful hybrid. You have no idea how many women would take your place. They would die for it. You also have a handsome, powerful, wealthy mate and an influential and rich father, but you have to make a name for yourself so people would respect you. Don’t let them brand you as the Lycan King’s daughter or Alpha Califf’s mate. Don’t be just a mate to an alpha or a daughter to Lycan King. Do you understand me?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“How did you completely heal Waylon? It still puzzles me.” There was a deep frown between her brows. “It is why you need to practice and understand the basics. I know I can’t teach you everything, but first, you must learn how to control your gift. Healing is such an amazing gift, but also dangerous.” She looked at my highlights.
“Sorry for being a disappointment.” I let go of a shuddering sigh as I frowned.
“You’re not. You just lack guidance, and I am here now. Don’t give up just yet. Don’t give up on yourself.”
I looked at her, seemingly finding courage. “Then don’t give up on me, Zarah.”
She smiled. “Let’s make your mother and your dad proud. And do this for yourself.”
“Okay.”
“Now breathe deeply, in through your nose, out through your mouth. Relax your shoulders, your body. Gently, close your eyes.”
I did as I was told. My thoughts came and went.
“Acknowledge your senses. Whatever troubles you will attempt to alter your mind. It’s okay. Bring your attention to your breathing. Just let it in. Allow your mind to be free, Shadow. Push all the worries and doubts out of your head. Feel calm and focused. Just feel free and let your mind think infinitely.”
I suddenly became aware of more than physical, of the carpet under my feet, my hands resting on my lap. I could smell the incense burning, feel the cool air around me, taste the thirst in my mouth, hear the rustling of leaves outside, insects fluffing their wings, and the surge of energy in the house.
***
“So, how was your training?”
I pursed my lips and let his question simmer before I took a massive bite of the double burger in my hands. Ignoring the intensity of his gaze on me, I licked my lips and chewed the juicy meat in my mouth.
“Baby.”
“I’m hungry.” I took another bite. Thankfully, Califf let me eat in peace.
“The way to her heart is through her stomach,” Zack remarked.
“I don’t know magic can make you hungry,” Tor said, sitting beside Aira.
“You should ask your mate, man.” Zack dipped his fries into the mayo.
“You have no idea. It doesn’t only make you hungry. It’s time-consuming, energy-draining, and needs a lot of focus. Or you might do something wrong, and the effect could be catastrophic,” Aira explained to her mate.
“I agree,” Califf said, but his focus was on me. “You will be great, baby.”
“I doubt that.” I finally finished my burger. I chugged down half of my soda. Then I went to eat my fries.
“Do you want more?”
I shook my head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
After our break, Aira went back to Zarah while Tor and Zack joined us back to the compound. Califf volunteered to drive while the guys sat pretty at the back.
“So, what did you learn so far?”
I knew he wouldn’t stop insisting until I told him something.
“I meditated.”
“Meditate?” Tor reacted, amused
I shot him a glare through the rearview. “Well, I’m not as good as Aira, who has already practiced for two years. I have a gift, but the High Priestess warned me not to use it until I learn the basics. And meditating is the first.”
When they shut up, including Califf, and the silence in the car was deafening, I cleared my throat. “I miserably failed. Happy?”
My words made them bark out laughing.
“Unbelievable.” I rolled my eyes.
Califf tried to hold his laugh but failed. I joined them instead. Our voices vibrated in the car. No matter how desperate and sad I was, these guys made me laugh at my own failure.
“The Lycan princess, the hybrid, and our Luna failed in meditation. How awesome is that? I can’t wait to tell the guys and see their reactions.” Zack continued laughing with Tor at the back.
“Do that, and I will hang you on the tree.” I slanted him a look to shut him up, but it made him smile. He thought my failure amused him.
“Why did you fail, mate?” Califf wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes.
“I don’t know, Alpha.”
He put his hand on my thigh, squeezing it. “If anything, I’ve learned about you is you overthink everything, my love. You want to carry the burden of the pack. You want to solve the problem by yourself. Sometimes, you forget you have me and the entire pack to back you up.”
“That’s not true.” Of course, I denied what he said.
“No offense, Luna, but Alpha is right,” said Tor. “You were hurt, but you still saved my life. Despite what happened to your family and pack, you healed Elder Waylon without considering the consequences. You even went to the witch to arrange meetings with the head of the witches and search for Lycans. You never asked for help. Then you were about to risk your life to save Zack if the witches did not volunteer to heal him.”
“Well, I couldn’t watch him die without a mate.”
“You’re so selfless. Try to think of what’s best for you once in a while, Shadow.” Zack’s words struck me. Could I ever be selfish?
“Right now, you want to make a shortcut to learn how to control your gift. It’s not going to happen, baby. Focus on your training. Me and the guys will figure out about the hunters. I know you can use your gifts in the future, and it is all worth your efforts and sacrifice.”
“I can’t fail, Califf.”
“You won’t. Trust me.” He took my hand and kissed it. “I know you. You will make me proud.”
His phone suddenly rang, interrupting us.
“Who’s calling you?”
“We’re about to find out.” He picked it up and showed me the caller ID.
“Why is Duke calling your phone? What’s wrong with the pack link? We’re near the compound.”
He answered the call. “Duke, what’s up?”
“We have a situation in the compound. You have a visitor, Cal.”
“Make sure it’s not a pregnant woman.”
He and I shared a look.
Califf glared at me before he replied, “Who?”