Fie Wright's P. O. V

Just a little bit further. It's only over that next clump of trees. I'm sure I can make it that far. I'll just have to ignore the throbbing in my feet, the pain shooting from the tips of my toes to the balls of my feet and then soaring over the expanse of my legs, only coming to a stop at the stitch I've gotten in the side of my torso, flexing and tightening with each passing breath.

I'm a wolf. I'm supposed to be fit. What the hell is going on.

No amount of chiding and getting angry at my wolf for lending me strength makes me come up with a plausible solution nor does it make me believe that the hundredth clump of trees I've passed is where the gate to the realm really is. If I'm being completely honest, I have no idea where I am in this forest and I know for a fact I would've ended up lost if not for the rest of the pack with me. My sense of smell only allowing me to trace myself a mile back, everything in regards to my wolf senses being dulled to a whole new level. It's like I'm being sapped of energy, each action taking more strength than it usually would.

"Malleus." I whisper to my mate walking a few paces in front of me, clutching onto his hand when it swings back. He immediately slows his pace down, a look of realisation passing onto his face when it dawns on him I wasn't in step with the man.

"Would you like me to carry you?" He questions seriously, tightening his grip on my hand before realising it, only to throw his arm over my shoulder and allowing me to lean into him. My face blushes a light pink as I shake my head, already hearing Ezra's nagging that would erupt if I was carried like a wannabe princess while he has to walk like a pauper. I think I'll pass on that.

"No," I say with a shake of my head, "I'm fine." There's a slight pause before I utter out that last word, sweat brimming on my upper lip as the heat gets to me due to the humidity around us. The continuous drizzle of rain manages to quell the waves of heat just a bit but the air is still suffocating to say the least.

"There's this weird feeling here. I feel different. More tired and drained like I've been sick for a week straight. Almost like how I did when I got attacked by my heat. Is this the dark magic surrounding the forest that is making me feel this way?" I question worriedly, hoping it is the magic but then also having paranoia gnawing at me for fear of how powerful this magic could be, especially if it's captured the forest like this and is draining energy out of the living beings dwelling within it.

"Yes it is. Believe it or not but it's finishing slowly. The aura is hazy and magic wavering. I'm sure I can get rid of the remnants when we reach the gate. It'll only take a few seconds if it hasn't been dispelled already." He answers as I nod, leaning deeper into his body and finding comfort in the sparks although the heat from our bodies causing the temperature to rise and not in the good way.

"Exactly how long will it take for us to reach the gate?" Ezra pipes up from behind, him being quieter than usual since he hadn't spoken for the past hour.

"I'd say another forty five minutes to an hour. It depends on how much we pick up pace." Malleus clarifies as I try not to wallow in my own sulky thoughts at the mere idea that we'll have to walk for longer and that too till we reach the gate to the realms, we'll have to walk farther still when we reach my own realm and pass through the other packs to make it back to Fenrir.

Somewhere in our journey to make it to the inconspicuous gate, I manage to find the sheer willpower to carry on, walking faster than I was previously so that we can make it in the forty five minutes that my mate said we could. Leaning against Malleus somehow rejuvenated me and made me motor on as well, regardless of the fact that it was weird to hike through wooded grounds that had it out to get whoever dared venture into the woodland to trip over. Before I know it, Malleus is coming to a halt, followed by me pausing as the rest of the group behind us goes stationary too. Scanning our surroundings, I try to bring my wolf forward so that I can peer through the normal looking trees, wanting to catch sight of the two that fuse together and make an archway, however, being completely concealed unless you don't know what you're looking for.

Just as my eyes latch onto what I think the gate is, a snapping of twigs causes my ears to twitch as my eyes zoom in on where the source of the noise is coming from, body going stiff and ready to attack as I lower myself down just a bit, only to relax as I catch the scent of the person.

Appearing less haggard than I previously saw him, a now smiling Thaddeus makes his way towards us from the thick cluster of trees, almost as if he's emerging from within the flora around us. "Your Majesty," The man beams as he bows deeply at Malleus and then passes me a smile while repeating the action. I can barely voice my awkwardness and discomfort at the show of respect as he motions towards what I had set my eyes on previously, the two fused trees that I thought could be the gate.

"There seems to be nothing out of the ordinary in regards to the gate but like you ordered, no one has been passing between the two realms. I made sure of it." Thaddeus says confidently as he bows once more, nearly snapping his spine in half at how close to the ground he gets.

"Thank you Thaddeus." Malleus answers with a curt nod of his head, motioning for everyone to stay back as he approaches the realm, caution thrown to the wind as he stretches his arm out and places it against the bark of the tree. I wait with bated breath, expecting something cataclysmic to happen but it seems to be rather anticlimactic as nothing extraordinary occurs. No brilliant flashing of light, no howling in pain from anyone, neither does Malleus show anything come onto his face like recognition or surprise. A breath of relief escapes me as my mate steps back safely, everyone else taking that as a sign to approach the normal looking trees.

"Well whose going to go first?" Erza questions from behind me, standing a bit too close and invading my personal bubble, the closeness not going unnoticed by mate as his fingers twice against the bark of the tree where his hand is still placed. Smiling gently at his antics, I take a step forward and peer into the gaping archway that the trees make, trying to decipher and see if there's even a shimmer in the air, just about seeing a gently swaying from the other side that mirrors exactly that of the opposing forest.

"How about we let Fie go in first, she did last time." Erza gestures to me, completely ignoring the deathly glare that I'm sending his way. When no one says anything to object, I let out a sigh while rolling my eyes, taking a hesitant step towards the gap in the trees.

They're all insufferable pieces of shit, I think with a low grunt just about to put my foot into our own realm but stop, albeit slowly, waiting for my mate to get the hint since he's been oddly quiet as I sacrifice my life for the rest of the inconsiderate pack members. The man seems to know what's good for him and his hopes of having a peaceful life with his mate as a muscled arm wraps around my waist, lifting me off of the ground and back into the confines of his safe chest, tingles erupting over my skin at the contact.

"Can you not fidget around for one second? I'm trying to focus on something." My mate asks gruffly. Raising my eyes from the trees in front of me, I glance over my shoulder at Malleus, a sheepish smile coming onto my face when I realised why he hadn't spoken up before. The hand that was on the tree placed in the same position except this time, his dazzling blue eyes are obscured from my own eager eyes, frown lines over his forehead depicting the concentration he's mustering as he stands behind me stiffly, head lowered and almost touching my shoulder.

Deciding it's best to remain quiet, we all wait for a few moments in complete and utter silence as my mate does whatever it is that he's doing, the concept flying over my head since wolves can't exactly talk to trees nor magic. The most we can do is sense changes in people's aura and feel a persons wolf.

Peering closer at my mate's hand, I bite my lip as I stare on with widened eyes, not entirely sure if I'm seeing things or if the faint glow under his palm is an actuality that I'm having trouble digesting. Gulping, I look behind me and over at Malleus' face, taking in his furrowed brow and look of utmost concentration sketched onto his features. Taking a quick glance at everyone else, I gather that I'm the only one aware of this, the rest watching their surroundings aimlessly as I take in a deep breath. Facts hitting me in the face or more like one fact in particular that places everything into its desired slots.

Magus.

Isn't that another term for sorcerer but in Latin? That's what that mage had called Malleus two days ago. Not to mention the fact that he has a close council of mages and watches over them. Could it be the fact that he has powers akin to those of magic?

Taking a deep breath, I release the grasp I had on my lower lip as I take a long look at my mate once more, deciding to bring it up at a later time when other pressing matters aren't hovering over my head like a dark and stormy cloud.

"Let's go." Malleus says after a further few seconds, stepping back and acting as if he wasn't doing anything suspicious, like using magic for starters that he shouldn't be capable of doing.

We all stand in a somewhat disjointed line, everyone waiting for the King to make the first move and when he does, I can't help but to watch smugly, an ugly and childish satisfaction shining within me.

"Ezra, go through the gate." Malleus commands, voice nonchalant and breezy like he has all the time in the world.

"W-what?!" The man shrieks, voice cracking slightly as Marcus gives him a non too gentle push. "Do as the King says." His father berates all while I watch in amusement as Ezra stumbles through the entrance and disappears from view.

"Well he hasn't fried up nor can we hear any shrieks of pain, I'd say it's safe to go through." I mutter out loud and to no one in particular. Malleus nods his approval as he latches onto my hand once more, keeping me behind him but still near as he steps through the gap, his body turning invisible except for the hand laced through mine.

That isn't creepy at all.

The crossing doesn't feel uncanny at all and much the same as last time, it's as if passing through a normal clearing, the depiction of what lays out in front of us the same mirage as before with the addition of a peeved looking Ezra.

Taking in a deep breath, I let my senses expand and reach out, a surprised smile making its way onto my face as the change in aura becomes a welcoming sight. The air less heavy and restricting and already the chirping of birds reaching out to us, swaying all around us in a scintillating myriad of music. I'm not entirely sure if this is something to do with the change in realms or if Malleus has something to do with it, especially with the glow coming out of his palm just a few moments ago.

I can already feel our strength getting rejuvenated as my aching bones start to heal up, the pain depleting rapidly and making me feel as good as new. It's nice to know I'm not unfit in this scenario and it really was just the magic zapping out our strength.

Everyone steps out from behind us, pleasant smiles on their faces at nothing turning terribly wrong.

"Be sure to continue keeping an eye on the gate, Thaddeus. Don't let your guard down." Malleus voices out while I glance over my shoulder, turning slightly bug eyed as Thaddeus head dips through the gaping hole in the trees, the rest of him obscured from sight as he bows deeply, nodding his understanding of the command and then retreating back to the other realm.

"I guess we better get going. I want to reach as soon as possible." I mumble to the group, earning a particularly eager nod from Brutus who looks like he's about to burst into his wolf any second now.

"This means we can shift into our wolves right? Cut the journey even shorter?" Ezra asks, excitement lacing his voice, I start to get excited too but that turns into a pout at Malleus' denial of the request.

"There's still a chance something might happen. We need to maintain precautions. We'll be continuing in our current state." My pout merely grows bigger, the thought of reaching my pack causing me to become eager but now sad at the wait I'll have to endure.

"Want me to carry you?" Malleus asks once more to which my face burns a bright red in retaliation, already thinking of the numerous jokes Ezra would throw around at my expense. At this point, I'm left wondering if Malleus wants to carry me for my own benefit or for his.

"I can manage. I just want to get home and see my parents quickly." I say bashfully, all of us starting to make our way into the forest once more. "We'll follow the same shortcut through here and be reaching your pack by nightfall." The words make me feel a bit more at peace though I'm still buzzing with the thought of seeing my parents and my pack once more although I'm sure I'm going to be getting chewed out for the lack of contact over the time I've been in Tenebris.

My mother scolding me in front of my Kingly mate is going to leave a really bad taste in my mouth, I think as I try to hold back the unamused feeling from showing on my face.

We move on in silence once more, everyone wanting to make their way to the Pack as soon as possible especially when it comes to passing through other pack lands, the action causing the hair on my neck to raise since even a mistake of stumbling into another's border can be fatal and end up with your head on a pole. Some Alpha's don't take too kindly to wandering wolves, be it from a pack or not.

The sun starts to set and not too long after, dusk approaches as the stars shine brightly in the sky, lighting up our surrounds as the waning moon makes its presence known in the dark sky above us. My time when it comes to guessing by looking at the sky is nearly always off but if I am too assume correctly, it's nearly eight in the evening and our journey nearing its completion. I don't even manage to finish the thought as the familiar scent of my pack hits me, my feet moving ever faster as I rush towards the invisible boundary line, catching sight of the silhouettes of the members standing out to meet us.

The smell of Jasmine nearly bringing tears to my eyes as the scent of my Pack floods all around me.

"Fie, it's no surprise you're the first to lose patience." My father barely finishes his sentence as I launch myself into his arms, forgetting the others around us while he pulls me deeper int his embrace. I can already feel myself starting to get emotional, the pang in my chest at my father's familiar hug causing the guilt to rise within me tenfold at the lack of contact I maintained with him.

I can't believe I took my parents for granted for that short while.

"I-is that t-th-," One is the Pack Advisor's standing besides us stutters out, unable to complete his sentence as the rest of the group crosses the boundary line. Smiling sheepishly, I pull back and cross gazes with Alpha Tyrell who sends me a soft grin but the sadness in his eyes deeper than ever. It hardly registers within me why even my father stiffens up as Alpha Tyrell follows the advisor's gaze, everyone dropping to their knees immediately at the sight of the King.

The surprise is clear in the air which takes even me by suspense but one look at the Alpha tells me he didn't bother mentioning to the rest of the Pack that the King of Wolves will be gracing them with his almighty presence.

That should settle well within our rambunctious pack. Very well.

"Alpha Tyrell," Malleus says curtly, his eyes flickering to me before settling on the kneeling Alpha as he announces for everyone to rise.

"Your Majesty. Thank you very much for gracing the Pack with your presence. It is an honour to us all within the Fenrir Pack. Please come so we can make your stay comfortable." I nearly giggle out loud at the way my cousin acts, the awkwardness in his stance visible as he carries himself in an unsure manner, not knowing quite how to talk around royalty.

"Very well. Please do not be on edge everyone. Treat me as one of your own." Malleus informs kindly, the smile growing ever brighter on my face at his words.

"You don't need to tell me twice," Ezra says suavely, throwing his arm cavalierly around my mates shoulder and conveniently ignoring the deathly glare that Malleus throws my cousins way, "Well Uncle," Ezra continues as he pins my father with a smirk while the blood drains out of my face, "Say hello to your future son in law. Fie really outdid herself by mating with the King didn't she?"

The cats out of the bag now.

A collective intake of breaths has my shoulders drooping, eyes flickering from me to a stiff Malleus as I pray for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Of course the man child just couldn't keep his mouth shut for once in his life.

"Fie?" Alpha Tyrell glances at me for confirmation, the most I can do is nodding my head while a choking sound escapes my father.

For a second I think the man is just being dramatic since of course, Ezra's traits have to stem from somewhere in the family, however, as the sounds continue on, my expression of disbelief grows as I realise my father really is choking.

"D-dad?" I ask in alarm, unsure what to do as I start to panic, his face turning redder with each passing moment as he places his hands on his, bending over for support.

I outstretch my hands, ready to catch him at any given moment but not sure what to do other than that. A quick breeze of air flashes passed me, barely registering the fact that Malleus is standing behind my father and thumping him on the back with the flat of his hand, the action not seeming to work and before I know it, Malleus has my father by his abdomen, exerting pressure and performing the Heimlich manoeuvre. A sudden gasp of air releases from my father, whatever that was dislodged in his throat coming free as he drops to the floor on his hand and knees, just managing to wheeze out his thanks to the King.

I guess that's one way for my mate to meet my father.

——————-

AN: My WiFi is so slow and is barely working which I swear is making me so frustrated, I'm about to cry. Okay not really but I sometimes cry over the pettiest things that it makes me embarrassed lmao. Anywhooo, how was that for a chapter, I hope you liked it hehe.

Question: What is the 'silliest' thing you've cried at?

I'm not sure if silly fits but I'm mentally exhausted rn, you get what I mean. I think.

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