Page 9 of Wolf Revealed

His voice broke through the soft crash of the waves, the gravity in his tone turning my blood to ice. "Kadence...,” he warned Mira.

The mention of her name was like a jolt, throwing Mira and me back into a whirlwind of rumors about an unhinged alpha that lingered outside the realm of Magic Mountain.

"She came to Magic Mountain once, years ago," Ronan continued, his eyes distant as he recalled what happened. "It was during the time after the war when Artemis was injured. She was there to take me back to her pack as a show of power."

As Mira nodded with understanding, Ronan's words echoed in my mind, stirring images of that day.

"She's seen the majesty of Magic Mountain, and now, Kadence wants it for herself," he concluded. His words hung heavily in the air, amplifying the rhythm of the crashing waves.

Mira and I exchanged glances, her eyes reflecting the turmoil I felt. The revelation was a blow, evoking a dread deep within us.

Mira broke the silence, her voice steady despite the unease. "This... this changes everything," she said, the urgency apparent in her tone. "We need to find the others... we need to be ready."

I nodded, my mind abuzz with fear and uncertainty. Our mission's urgency had escalated exponentially. We needed to unite against Kadence, but a nagging worry held me back. "Mira," I began, recalling her past struggles, "your magic... you have control over it now, right?"

Mira met my gaze, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "Yes, Artemis," she reassured, her voice filled with newfound confidence. "I've learned to control it, and I've come to terms with my wolf side too."

Her assurance was a welcome relief. Seeing her so composed amidst the chaos strengthened my resolve.

The words of Mira and Ronan rang in my ears. Their implications were heavy and daunting. The memories were slowly coming back, as were the feelings that were associated with them. I felt a rush of anxiety, fear, and relief. Our journey was finally leading us somewhere, even if that place was dangerous.

I watched Mira, her eyes reflecting the firelight, as she stepped away from us. She stretched out her arms, palms upturned. A light blue aura enveloped her, casting ethereal shadows over the sand. Her eyes closed in concentration, and after a moment, a shimmering portal opened up in front of her.

Mira opened her eyes, a flash of determination hardening her features. She peered into the portal, her gaze scanning for any signs of Luna and Gretel. As seconds turned into minutes, the tension around us grew, a silent acknowledgment of the potential danger that could be revealed.

Suddenly, Mira stiffened. Her eyes widened, the fire reflecting in them as she stared into the portal, her expression turning from calm to alarm. She reached out, her hand hovering over the swirling gateway as if to touch something on the other side.

"What is it, Mira?" I asked the edge in my voice betraying my mounting fear. But she didn't respond immediately, her gaze still fixed on the portal, her hand trembling.

"It's Kadence..." she finally whispered, her voice barely audible over the crash of the waves. Mira’s face was pale, her eyes haunted. She pulled her hand back and closed the portal with a swift downward sweep, the bright blue aura fading into the night. The mention of Kadence's name sent a cold shiver down my spine.

"She's heading toward Magic Mountain," Mira revealed, her words dropping like a stone into a still pond, sending ripples of alarm through me. "We're running out of time. We need to rush to protect Gretel and Luna….now."

The fire was dying down, spitting embers into the night. We all stood there in the decreasing glow—Mira, Ronan, Bastian, and me. As the flames danced in the wind, I saw the resolve painted across their faces, etched by the glow. Mira, her eyes usually bright with cheer, now held a steel-hard determination that glinted even in the weakening light. Ronan, ever the quiet one, had a storm brewing behind his calm exterior, and Bastian stared into the sea, lost in thought.

As I felt the chill of the night against my skin, I clenched my fists, knowing the challenges that awaited us. Four souls, each different but united by a single determination—save the Magic Mountain Legacy.

Chapter Five

Tides of Resentment and Revelations

Artemis

The morning sun was peeking over the horizon as we gathered around Mira. A soft, golden light filtered through the tall pine trees surrounding our campsite near the beach, casting long, dancing shadows on the dewy ground. Ronan and Bastian, both in their human forms, were already up and tending to the campfire, the comforting smell of food cooking adding a sense of homely normalcy to the tense anticipation hanging in the air.

I glanced at Mira, her deep-set eyes holding an otherworldly glow as she prepared to open the portal. Her long fingers moved in the air, weaving an intricate pattern as she muttered under her breath. A shimmering portal sprung to life with a final flourish, revealing Kadence in conversation with Finn, one of her most trusted shifter warriors.

Mira straightened up, taking a moment to catch her breath. She turned to us, her gaze flicking over Ronan and Bastian before finally settling on me.

"Kadence was alone when I last saw her," she began, her voice hinting at unease. "But now... it seems she's not as alone as we thought."

My heart pounded. The stakes were higher than we'd anticipated. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm as I spoke. "We need to learn more about Kadence's plans," I said, looking into Mira's eyes. "More about her...whereabouts. How close is she to Magic Mountain?"

Mira nodded, a silent agreement passing between us. As the men continued to cook breakfast around the fire, their casual conversation filling the air, Mira and I remained focused on the task at hand.

Through the shimmering veil of Mira's portal, we were privy to the conversation between Kadence and Finn. Their voices, clear and distinct, wafted towards us, carrying with them an echo of an age-old resentment.

Kadence's voice rang out first, her tone bitter and strained. "I can't believe he's reunited with her, Finn," she spat out. "With Artemis."

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