Natalia’s P. O. V

My finger tingled as I focused, pushing the fire to the highest temperature I could reach. I kept going, only letting up when the singular flame from my index finger had turned white and melted a small hole in the block of cast iron before me.

“Incredible work, Natalia.” Miss Asa said as she inspected the newly melted hole, “Your precision has improved so much. You’ve been practicing your Special Ability and it shows.”

I gave her a smile, thanking her.

She was right, in more ways than one. My practice had finally started paying off a few months ago, and I no longer lived in fear of burning my house to the ground. I still had the occasional outbursts, but they were easier for me to control now.

But beyond the practical changes, I could actually see the difference too. Some weeks ago, I’d noticed my mark wasn’t quite the same as how it had been when I’d first gotten it. Its faded edges had thickened and grown by about two inches, and it somehow looked more vibrant. In contrast, the mark near my neck remained the same: unevolved and unused.

I waved Miss Asa and the others left in my Special Abilities group goodbye on my way out. Today was the final day of lessons before exams started next week. For this class, while ungraded, we were undergoing a final review of our progress before focusing on other subjects next week.

The mid-May sun was warm as I crossed the courtyard to meet Jenna.

“Hey,” I greeted, setting my bag down and sitting with her on what had become our spot on the grass, “Where’s Lucy?”

“Hey girl. I think she’s still having her Ability review. How was yours?”

“It was pretty good, I’ve gotten a lot better. How about yours?”

Over time, I’d come to the realisation that Jenna was adept at using her Special Ability, so it was unsurprising when she told me her review went great.

We continued talking, going over potential topics of next week’s exams, as we waited for Lucy. She eventually joined us, sighing about her struggles with the review.

“It wasn’t awful,” She groaned, “but it wasn’t good. I really need to practice more. Thank Rebekah it isn’t graded.”

Jenna placed a hand on her shoulder, “It’s okay, Lucy. You said it yourself, you just need to practice.”

“Yeah, you’re right…”

I was about to offer her my own words of comfort when I noticed Aubrey’s scent getting too close for anything good to happen and my mood soured.

“Oh, Lucy!” She called from behind me with mock sweetness, “How are you? I heard you bombed your review.”

Jenna glared up at her, her jaw clenched, “Leave her alone, Aubrey.”

“I just want to make sure we do better as a species, Jenna. Imagine how shameful it is for a Werewolf spinoff of a Syren to do better than an actual Syren.”

I turned to her, my eyes narrowed, “Want me to show you just how good this Werewolf spinoff has gotten?”

She took a step back, raising her crested hand to her chest, “My mom told me the Princess is starting a program that’ll let some Werewolves relocate to our world. I don’t know what she’s thinking, letting them in, but I’ll have to make sure the violent ones like you never set foot in Syrenlina.”

I smirked, “Oh, you’ll make sure, huh?”

Her brows furrowed, “Yes… I will…”

Jenna, Lucy and Aubrey’s two shadows looked back and forth between us. I let the silence linger, looking at her with the grin of someone that knew something you didn’t. The more uneasy she got, the wider my grin grew,

Eventually, she broke her stare, grumbling as she backed off, “Whatever, Werewolf.”

We waited till she was gone before we broke into giggles.

“Wow, Nat.” Jenn said, wiping a small tear away, “You’ve gotten really good at getting rid of her.”

“Yeah. Thanks for that, I really didn’t need her rubbing my review in, and I don’t know why she’s still so hung up on you being a Werewolf.” Lucy rolled her eyes and turned to Jenna, “What was she saying about the relocation program though? Is that an actual thing?”

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Jenna shrugged, “My mom didn’t mention anything about that. Though she usually avoids telling us about major political things. But since she’s a Countess’ daughter, I wouldn’t be quick to dismiss it, especially if her mom told her.”

“So, it could be true?” I asked.

Jenna nodded, “It most likely is.”

Lucy’s curious eyes came back to me, “Are you gonna come? Imagine how amazing it would be if you moved to Syrenlina.”

It was my turn to shrug and I let my expression to go pensive, “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t know the first thing about living there and besides you guys, I don’t have anyone there.”

“I understand,” Jenna said, “But you should at least consider visiting. I’m sure the school can help you get visit access.”

“I guess I could look into it.”

“You really should.”

With the idea out there, the conversation steered back to our upcoming exams. We exchanged thoughts, fears and groans on them, before deciding to head home.

“Hey Ari! How was school?” Hailey’s voice called from the library as soon as I stepped in.

I slid my shoes off and wandered to the kitchen, leaving my bag in the living room on the way, “It was okay.”

“Huh?”

I raised my voice, “It was okay.”

“Okay, that’s good. I ordered some pizza. There’s some left over if you want it.”

“Yeah, I’ll have it. Thanks Hailey.”

“No problem.”

Using one hand, I opened the fridge and put the pizza in the microwave while I used the other to dial Kirstin’s number.

“Hello Alpha?”

“Hey Kirstin. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” She said to the backdrop of rustling leaves and tools in the soil. She was outside, “Is there something you need?”

“Yeah. I need you to leave the territory.”

She paused, “Okay… how long will I be gone for?”

The microwave beeped, and I reached to open it, “I’d say three weeks, but probably longer.”

She was silent. I could almost see her puzzled, thinking face, then she asked, “Can I ask why? That’s a really long time for me to be away from my duties.”

Despite her depression when she’d arrived, Kirstin had somehow taken up the role of being Timothy’s assistant. Their styles and thoughts opposed each other on many occasions, but they’d managed to turn their differences into teamwork. If the pack ever got big enough for it, she would make an excellent candidate for the role of Gamma.

“I know it’s a while, but we’re inviting them over in three weeks and we need to give your scent time to fade before they arrive. You’re too familiar to them so if they catch so much as a whiff of you, they’ll know something’s up.”

“But…”

“We just need to keep you out of sight till we have them where we want them. I’ll make sure we bring you back when it’s time.”

“Okay, I think I understand.”

“Good.” I said, “Cause you’re gonna be the one to take the evidence to the Royals.”

“I am?”

“You are. You’ll present them with the evidence and help their inquiry and investigation. You need to make sure they don’t take you anywhere near them though. If we time it right, the investigation will take place while they’re distracted with taking our pack down. So I’ll need you to be as detailed and as thorough as possible with your information. Don’t miss a single thing, is that clear?”

“Yes Alpha. When do I leave?”

“How soon can you be packed?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Then you leave tomorrow. Take every shred of evidence with you. If the Palace dismissed you early, I’ll book a flight for you to come to my place in the city.”

“Okay, Alpha. I’ll start packing now.”

“Okay.” With that, I ended the call.

Somewhere during the conversation, Hailey had joined me in the kitchen. Putting my phone in my pocket, I turned to meet her curiously excited gaze as I chewed on my pizza slice.

“You’re planning something.” She stated more than asked.

I smiled into my pizza.

“I’m planning something.” I parroted.

Her smile widened and she clasped her hands together, “Are you finally inviting them?”

“Soon enough. I’ll be sending the invitation later this evening but like I told Kirstin, I need her scent to fully disperse before they arrive. That should take about two or three weeks.”

“So, you’re inviting them to come three weeks from now, instead of immediately?”

I nodded.

“Our finals will be done by then.”

“Exactly. The timing’s perfect and waiting a little longer gives their ego more bruises. By the time they’re on our soil, they’ll be full of hot air and want to do as much damage as possible. And we’ll be ready for them.”

Three weeks later, I was sitting in my office, feeling anything but ready as the scent of our visitors invaded my territory and made my hands hot and my stomach churn.

I’d spent the last twenty-one days burying myself in my exams, resisting the urge to open their response message to the apathetically worded invitation I’d sent. Only last night, after arriving back in my territory, had I read it.

“We’ll be sending two of ours.”

When Timothy had asked if we should prepare our best guest rooms, I’d told him no. I wasn’t going to be giving them the best of anything, so I put them in the fifth and sixth best guest rooms in the main house.

Timothy knocked on my door and I called him in.

He was stone faced, his knuckles white on the knob as he closed the door behind him, “They’re here.”