Magnus left the pack territory for a run. Moonlight silvered his fur, and the cold wind cut across his face even in wolf form. The rhythm of his paws on the earth was steady, but his heart felt detached — numb, like a blade wrapped in ice.
Then a voice sliced through the night.
"Hey—can you hear me? Let me out, you evil wolf. It's been five years!" the voice hissed, urgent and raw. "I know you're angry, but Michelle's been avenged, right? Clara is suffering—no one is supporting her except her parents. She's being bullied by the pack. Isn't that enough to calm your raging heart?"
Magnus froze, ears pricked. The voice inside his skull belonged to the human side trapped within him. Levi — or rather, Levi's wolfful remnant — was speaking.
"What do you mean 'enough,' Levi?" Magnus snarled inwardly. "I'm furious. Every breath she takes is a reminder that the one who killed our mate is still alive. How am I supposed to be calm? I won't rest until she's dead."
Levi's reply trembled with something like shame. "I know you're angry. I am too. But please — don't kill her. Don't throw away our chance to find the truth."
"You still have feelings for a vixen like her? How could you? She killed our mate!" Magnus's wolf answered, voice like a low thunder.
A bitter argument unfolded between body and spirit — the beast who wanted blood and the trapped human who begged caution.
"Calm down," Levi pleaded. "Let me explain. I don't— I don't love her. I only think she's suffered enough. Yes, she deserves punishment, but killing her won't bring Michelle back. It will only draw the wrath of her father. He has connections beyond this pack — connections that could crush us. If you kill Clara, we lose our chance to gather evidence about the attack years ago. Please, switch with me. I've been trapped inside for five years; I could only whisper until now. If you'd shift to your wolf form sooner, I might have spoken before, but—"
"You want your body back," Magnus finished coldly. "And if I let you out, you must not stupidly accept Clara's pleading. If you do, I'll come back and make it worse."
"Fine. I understand," Levi said, voice hollow. "I'll continue what you started—make her life hell, but don't kill her."
They swapped.
The shift hit Magnus like a physical blow — the world tilted, pain and relief tangling. He smelled himself and Levi in one confusing, intimate rush. When Levi stumbled up into human shape, the scent of fur and wolf-heat clung to him.
Levi stared, stunned. "You can't be serious. Isn't she dead?"
Magnus — now the wolf in control, voice colder than before — answered, "I know that scent more than my own. It's our mate."
Levi's face lost color. "How… is that possible?" he whispered.
They ran toward the scent. Ahead, a flicker of movement: a portal that was already slamming shut. Through it, the silhouette of a woman — tall, regal, golden hair like a halo in the moonlight — vanished as the doorway sealed.
Levi lunged, but the portal closed before he could reach it.
Magnus padded to the spot and lowered his head, fury and confusion warring in him. "What was that? Is that really our mate?" he asked.
Levi shook his head, unable to answer. "I don't know. I'm as shocked as you."
---
The Vampire Realm — Erin's POV
Eric watched me with a teasing smirk. "Now that you've seen him, are you happy? I think he saw you. Someone tried to enter the portal — I didn't expect him to try."
I smiled despite the flutter in my chest. Levi—no, the man we'd seen—was different from the last memory I had: rougher, more dangerous, and somehow more handsome. In wolf form he'd been terrifyingly beautiful; in human form, he took my breath.
"Thank you, Eric," I said softly.
"No need to thank me, sis," he replied. "You've been begging me for days."
"How do you feel after creating the portal? You must be drained," I asked. The feat had emptied me; every movement felt heavy.
"Yes," I admitted. "Weak. Very weak."
"That's what happens when you open a portal you're not strong enough to hold," Eric said. "Only a quarter of your power has returned. How are your memories? Have you recovered anything?"
"No," I said. "Only fragments. Lately I've been having nightmares — always the same: Levi dying, a man with silver hair killing him. I never see the face, only the hair. It's like watching Daniel die over and over. I wake up shaking."
"I'm sorry," Eric murmured. "Once your memories come back fully, the nightmares should stop."
"I hope so," I whispered. "I have to go. I'm grateful you helped me see him."
"Anytime. You know I'll always help."
I left for training with Aunt Mona — breaking down the little barriers around my power felt easier now, though I still needed guidance. Mona was strict, the only one tough enough to push me further. Dad was too soft.
"Hey, don't forget I'm tough too!" Eric called after me.
"I know," I laughed, and walked on.
---
Northern Witches' Realm — Nicolas & Diana
In the northern part of the witches' realm, Nicolas was ready to depart. He reached for Diana and pulled her into an awkward hug.
"I'm sorry I can't give you what you want," he said. "I hope you forgive me one day."
Diana smiled with a strange calm. "It's fine. The moment you woke up and thought of her, I stopped hoping. I won't pretend you'll ever notice me. Do what you must. Enjoy your trip to the vampire realm. If Erin learns who you are when she regains her memory, you might regret it."
"I'll be in disguise. She won't know it's me," Nicolas replied.
"For how long will you keep that disguise?" Diana snapped. "Whatever you do is your decision." She walked away, leaving Nicolas to wonder if he'd lost a true friend.
He had plans — foolish, hopeful plans — oblivious that someone had been listening from the shadows.
---
The Vampire Realm — Mona
Mona sat outside sipping tea until a familiar bird alit on the arm of her chair. The bird chirped urgently and relayed what it had seen.
"So he's coming back, disguised?" Mona mused, a sly smile spreading over her lips. "Very well. Watch him closely. He must not harm my niece. If he shows any sign… report to me."
The bird flew off, singing its usual tune.
Mona set her cup down and folded her hands. "Nicholas," she whispered into the night, "let the game begin."
---
The portal was sealed. The scent lingered. Someone out there — a mate, a danger, or a truth — had slipped away at the edge of a world that was far larger and far more dangerous than any of them realized.
And for the first time in years, old wounds were about to be reopened.