A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Fiora (POV)

As I continue my stay at Zack's parents' house, wrapping up the remaining tasks while Zack has returned to headquarters, I'm left with a sense of unease. The only confirmed news I have is Miss Ziwa's disappearance, adding to my growing concerns. My suspicions regarding her being a fellow shapeshifter, potentially connected to Zack, seem increasingly plausible. However, my lack of understanding of the intricacies of Zack's world leaves me feeling unsettled and apprehensive. Despite this uncertainty, my decision to remain here was driven by a dual purpose: to deepen my understanding of magic and to offer assistance to Zack in any way I could

Amidst the quiet solitude of the library, I find myself engrossed in the study of magic holders and their diverse powers. It's been a week since I embarked on this journey, three days away from Zack's reassuring presence. The turbulent episodes of bloodshed have subsided, leaving me with relief, yet an unmistakable longing for Zack's company persists.

Diving into the intricacies of magic holders, I uncover a fascinating realm of possibilities. These individuals appear endowed with unique abilities, each bearing significant roles within their respective domains. Whether one's talents are innate or cultivated through rigorous training, the path to mastery is rife with challenges. Yet, the allure of harnessing diverse forms of magic beckons, promising boundless potential for those daring enough to pursue it

As I struggle to master the intricacies of controlling the fire element, I'm met with disappointment at every turn. Despite my best efforts, progress seems elusive. It's becoming increasingly clear that I need professional guidance, and Zack is the best person to provide it.

With this realization weighing heavily on my mind, I decide to return to Zack's side without delay. Knowing that the construction projects at the library can proceed under Zack's parent's supervision gives me the freedom to leave.

As I hurriedly pack my belongings, Mrs. Black's unexpected visit brings a sense of warmth and comfort. Her homemade soup, a favourite of mine, is a small gesture of kindness that touches my heart deeply.

"There was no need for this, Mrs. Black. I..." I began to protest, but she gently interrupted me.

"Honey, it's my pleasure. You've been so good to us," she said warmly, her hands enveloping mine in a comforting gesture.

I drank the soup and resumed packing, with Mrs. Black's help. There wasn't much conversation between us, but her concern was palpable. "Don't worry, Mrs. Black. Miss Ziwa will be alright," I reassured her.

"She's alright, honey, just... she was found unconscious last night and hasn't woken up," she trailed off, concern etched on her face.

"Would you mind if I ask you some questions, Mrs. Black?" I inquired politely.

"Of course, honey. Whatever you want," she replied sweetly.

"you're not Zack's mother?" I asked tentatively, worried I might offend her.

She paused for a moment before answering, "You and Zack didn't have the conversation yet?" she questioned.

"What conversation?" I asked wanting to be completely sure of what was she asking.

"Do you know what Zack is?" she asked, implying something I couldn't quite figure out.

"What do you mean?" I asked, seeking clarification.

"Where are you from?" she asked, her tone now more stern.

"Do you mean if I'm a manipulator, or maybe a magic holder, or shapeshifter?" I replied, sensing that she might have wanted this answer.

Her demeanour relaxed significantly. "So, you understand what Zack is?" she said, sitting on the hem of the bed.

"I don't fully understand, except that he's a shapeshifter, while I'm supposed to be a magic holder," I replied, joining her on the bed.

"Zack isn't just any shapeshifter. He's the leader of the biggest wolf pack in the world, making him a king Alpha. Alphas are the leaders of their respective packs. I hope you're aware of it," she paused to check if I understood.

"I'm kind of aware, not entirely," I replied softly.

"I think Zaco should be filling you in on your curiosities. I, on the other hand, can only tell you that, for the record, we're not his birth parents. But, off the record, we never differentiated between our children and Zack and Ziwa," she said, explaining as best she could.

I nodded in understanding as she questioned me further, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Were you with manipulators before coming here?" she asked.

"Yes, I was," I simply replied.

"Were you treated well?" she asked, her worry evident.

With a sarcastic smile, I replied, "Not by everyone, but overall, I was raised in a very loving, caring, and supportive environment. I couldn't be more glad." I ended with a genuine smile.

Mrs Black's eyes twinkled with warmth, and she reached for my hands, placing them between hers. "You're always welcome here, with or without Zack. I might not be your mother, but I bet you'll never miss her, either," she said, bringing a giggle to my lips.

But soon, the hope-filled moment faded, and with a serious expression, I asked her, "Do you think my parents would still be alive?"

She took a deep breath before replying, "If I had to be completely honest, the chances are slim."

Mrs Black's response pierced my heart, shattering the fragile hope I held onto. I had always wondered why I ended up with humans instead of among my kind. With a heavy heart, I dared to voice my question once more. "What could be the reason I was left with humans and not here with any other relatives?" My voice quivered, and I felt a lump form in my throat as tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

Mrs. Black's touch on my cheeks was gentle, her comforting presence a soothing balm to my troubled heart. "There could be numerous reasons for it," she began, her voice carrying the weight of wisdom and empathy. "The Magic realm has always been a mystery to outsiders, with many secrets hidden away. It could be a conspiracy, a failed spell, forced punishment, infidelity, or any number of other reasons." As she spoke, her hand moved to stroke my head gently, and I found solace in her comforting gesture.

"How will I trust anyone in my realm if I don't know why I ended up like this?" I asked, tears streaming down my cheeks in silent anguish.

A soft giggle escaped Mrs Black's lips, surprising me. "Isn't it interesting?" she mused, her voice tinged with both sadness and wisdom. "We often find ourselves harmed by those we choose to let close to us. We trust them more than we should, believing they won't betray us, even when the world turns its back on us." She sighed heavily, her words carrying the weight of experience. "And, the saga never ends. Everyone faces betrayal in one form or another. Some scars are deeper than others, some wounds more profound. But you know what Fiora, that's the beauty of trust," she concluded, her eyes reflecting the pain of past betrayals. "You continue to trust, not because you're foolish, but because you refuse to let fear dictate your relationships. You understand that, despite the pain, trust is what makes life meaningful."

"But, how did you learn to differentiate between these people?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

"Well, you don't. You'll never learn it. People are extremely crafty; they'll find one way or another to harm you. The only thing you can do is trust your instincts, learn to take responsibility, and believe in yourself that whatever happens, you'll handle it. You'll be alright," she replied, her smile softening the weight of her words.

I bit my lower lip, contemplating whether I should share information about myself with her. "Can I trust you with something?" I asked, sitting up straight across from her.

"Depends, if you want to," she replied, playing with her words.

"I think I'm not a magic holder known by this realm. I might be something very different," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

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Zachary ( POV)

I find myself at the airport, anxiously awaiting Fiora's arrival. Though she insisted she'd be fine alone, I couldn't shake off the worry.

My parents assured me they'd take care of her, but it's been three sleepless days for me. I must look like a complete mess. Meanwhile, our female delta seemed upset with me for leaving Fiora alone in an unfamiliar place.

Confronting her about it didn't yield much response, deepening my suspicions. Now, I'm adamant that Fiora shouldn't reveal her identity to her until she comes clean about what she's hiding

As the fragrance of lilies and jasmine filled the air, a beautiful, albeit tired, face appeared before us. A huge smile spread across my face at the sight of her. Theo expressed concern about her tiredness, noting that she must have been overworked.

"Hello, sweet pea," Theo greeted her warmly.

Her excitement was palpable as she returned the greeting in a cheerful voice, though she restrained herself from hugs. I took her luggage and led the way to the parking area, aware of the attention we were drawing from passersby. While I inwardly sighed at the prospect of becoming the town's latest gossip, I missed her I don't think you should blame me for this it's mate bond, I have immense control over myself It's all mate's bond fault surely

"How's Miss Ziwa? Is she still unconscious?" she inquired as we approached the car.

"Yes, unfortunately. She's still unconscious, but there are no external injuries," I replied.

"Can I see her?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

"I'm afraid not. The area is crowded with magic healers, and you'd need to reveal your identity to be allowed among them," I explained, stowing her luggage in the trunk.

"I'm ready," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Ready for what?" I asked, taken aback by her sudden resolve.

"To face them," she said, her lips pressed together in determination.

"Did my parents put some kind of spell on you?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"No, just gave a reality check," she shrugged nonchalantly as she settled into the car.

I sat in the car, the engine still quiet. "What?" Fiora's voice broke the silence. "Aren't you going to explain what happened in those three days that made you agree to reveal your identity? Because, as far as I remember, you were strongly against it," I stated matter-of-factly.

"I might be a magic holder, one that your world doesn't know about," she began, her eyes earnest as she looked at me. I motioned for her to continue.

"After you left, I delved into the books on magic holders to discover what kind of magic I possess. Fire and wind were the two initiates that matched my current state, but both their holders had specific patterns in which their energies were controlled. I tried them all and realized that I fit into multiple patterns. It's as if I can control my powers through various emotions. And there's no information about where two elements coexist in the same body. Many things are confusing, like healer magic, which utilizes your life's energy to heal someone else, yet their holders were still alive for three to four hundred years. How is that possible? You told me the average lifespan of magic holders was four hundred. So, how are they alive for the end of their lives? And also..." she paused, glancing at me before looking away.

"And also?" I prodded, intrigued to hear more.

"I don't want to burden you or hinder your objectives. I want to be more useful and less destructive," she expressed, her voice hinting at sadness.

I gently turned her head towards me, kissing her forehead tenderly before meeting her eyes with admiration.

"What?" she asked, her cheeks flushing with a blush.

"Nothing, I'm just surprised you're not overreacting to my kisses anymore," Theo remarked with a playful tone.

"Will you stop if I ask you to?" she inquired, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

"If that's what you want, I'll respect it," I replied honestly.

"Then don't. I find comfort in knowing that you're unafraid to express yourself. I cherish this feeling of freedom and authenticity," she explained, a lingering sadness still present in her tone.

"if that's true, can I go beyond kisses?" I suggested playfully

Her eyes sparkled with mischief at my suggestion. I mentally chided myself for underestimating her playful nature. Slowly turning towards me, she replied, "In the car is surely on my fantasy bucket list, but with an actual wolf would be just the cherry on top." Her eyes glinted mischievously as her hands rested on my biceps.

Without a word, I slowly turned towards the steering wheel and started the engine Fiora looked at me for some time she chimed again "What I'm.... ahh... forget it you have a mate, I shouldn't be doing this"

"hmm... that means I can do whatever I want while you restrict yourself... cool, I like it," Theo spoke, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That was a bit unexpected. I thought at least you're the loyal one," she said playfully, a hint of teasing in her tone.

"Ohh, trust me, Julep, I'm," Theo declared proudly, his tone dripping with confidence.

"I highly doubt that," she spoke, her smile widening as she exchanged playful banter with Theo, but beneath it, a flicker of concern danced in her eyes.

"Is something bothering you?" I asked, noticing the subtle shift in her demeanour.

She nodded from left to right and said, "Just worried about what the magic realm would be like, will they take me in or, you know, stuff like that."

"I don't think you should reveal yourself," Theo and I both suggested, our voices softening with concern.

"Why? Weren't you the one who suggested this?" She asked curiously, her gaze now fixed on me, searching for reassurance amidst her apprehension.

"I don't know, you might think I'm overthinking it, but I've always felt that Arnica is hiding something. Her strength is unusually remarkable, far beyond what we know about the magic realm. They've always kept secrets while expecting transparency from us. And while they've never harmed us, caused catastrophic events, or betrayed us, we've surely had differences... Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Perhaps she's just naturally gifted, like a divine blessing or something..." I trailed off, glancing at Fiora. She wore an expression that seemed to mirror my uncertainty, adding to the ambiguity of the situation.

She seemed tense and deeply worried, so I gently squeezed her hand, offering silent support until she calmed down. After a while, she spoke, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I think your hunch is right, Zachary. Arnica and I are different. We possess powers that don't fit any known profile. Should I confront her?" Her eyes, filled with worry, sought reassurance in mine.

"Not now," I replied calmly, trying to ease her concerns. "Let's get you settled at the hostel first. We can discuss it later."

Fiora took a deep breath, her expression softening with gratitude. "Thank you, both of you. I'm grateful to have you by my side. Without your trust and support, I'd still be lost, searching for answers. Thank you for believing in me, even when I was a stranger. And thank you for everything you've done for me."

I pulled the car to the side, turning to face her directly. "Can we spend a night together in return for the favour?" I asked bluntly, without hesitation.

"What?" she gasped, clearly taken aback by my words.

"Can we, or not?" I repeated, my tone devoid of emotion.

"No!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of worry and irritation. "I was just grateful for your help, and I'll do my best to repay you, but not like this."

I smiled faintly, maintaining my composure. "Good. Now you know how I feel. So, don't be grateful again. You would have gotten help anyway, even if it weren't me. Someone else would have assisted you. And you don't have to worry—if someone had mistreated you, you would have charred them."

"Hey,...That was mean," she said, her expression softening.

"It surely was, but it has truth in it" I replied curtly while smirking

We reached Fiora's hostel, and I volunteered to take her luggage to her room, earning some surprised looks from the other residents. Once inside her room, I placed her luggage in its designated spot while she went to fill her water bottles. When she returned, she offered me some water, and I gratefully accepted, taking a seat on an empty chair while she began settling her things.

"Should I arrange for more private accommodation if you're not comfortable here?" I offered, concerned about her well-being.

"I'd love that, but I don't want to be a burden, nor do I want any princess treatment," she replied, focused on changing her bed sheets, which were now covered in dust.

"Fiora, sometimes it's okay to say yes to certain things," I suggested, hoping she understood my intention.

"You've already been so kind to me, without asking for anything in return. That's generous enough for me," Fiora said with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "And let's be real, you're my senior at work. We should have been completely professional, yet here you are in my room. I bet this is your first time in a women's hostel."

Her words struck a chord within me. While I did feel a sense of responsibility towards any employee, Fiora held a special place in my heart as my mate. Instinctively, I felt protective of her, a fierce determination to keep her safe and comfortable.

She continued, her voice tinged with a mixture of appreciation and vulnerability, "Not that I don't like getting pampered by you. It's probably the best I've felt in decades..." Before she could finish her sentence, I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace

"I'm moving you to a more comfortable place," I declared, determination lacing my words.

"Zack, there's no..." Her sentence was cut off as my lips met hers, a gentle peck to silence any protests. Moving closer, I trailed soft kisses along her cheeks and near her ears, whispering, "Protest all you want, and I won't stop."

She remained still, frozen in place, her eyes wide with surprise. Lightly nudging her side, I made eye contact, finding her expression utterly adorable. "Oh, damn, she's cute as hell," Theo chimed in, a mischievous glint in his voice.

With a smirk, I pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, still holding her close. "So, I guess it's a yes from you," I teased, seeking confirmation from her.

She nodded quickly, her cheeks now flushed a deep crimson. "And here I thought you were getting used to my kisses," I remarked, unable to hide my amusement at her embarrassment. I reluctantly let her go.

A playful pout adorned her lips as she retorted, "You know what? Someday, I'll be in your place, and I'll enjoy seeing you get frozen."

"I'll gladly wait for that day," I replied with a soft chuckle, captivated by her adorable expression.

"Leave. Miss Ziwa needs you," she said, her tone serious yet tinged with a hint of shyness. Understanding her concern, I nodded in agreement and left to check on Ziwa, a warm feeling intact from our interaction.

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A/N

Word count:- 3100

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 22nd chapter of my book

I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead

Ok

Thank you

Love you

bye:)

Until next time

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Date:- 06/05/2024