Logan's POV
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I pushed the teacup away getting up from my seat.
"I don't have an appetite, take it away".
I rounded my desk to walk away but stopped briefly as something caught my attention. I stepped towards Astrid to get a better look at it.
She kept moving backwards.
"I'll…I'll just get the cup of…"
I finally saw it, the darkness that was slowly enveloping the crystal on her neck. She tried to walk away but I couldn't let her go.
It was all I could do. I just had to… I quickly held onto the thread that was holding the crystal around her neck. She stopped abruptly and slowly came back to stand in front of me.
"You shall accept whatever the Alpha wants to do…". I repeated her words and my voice trailed tightening my grip on the thread of the pendant.
She used a finger to create space in-between her neck and the thread.
I knew it was hurting her neck but I cared more about getting the pendant off her neck as soon as possible.
I couldn't think of any other way to remove it from her neck since there was nothing to use close by. I did the first thing that came to mind.
I used my hand to cut loose the thread from her neck. Once it was off, she opened her eyes still holding onto her neck.
"N-no". She muttered low as the pendant dangled in front of me.
"P-please". She muttered again but I turned and walked towards the fire stand.
She stumbled towards me as I tossed the pendant into the fire. A puff of purple smoke came out and I turned to her only to find that she was slumping, almost falling to the floorboard.
I rushed over to her, catching her just in time before she landed on the floorboard with a disturbing thud.
•••
I sat in my chair going through the scrolls a guard had submitted earlier. I opened the first scroll and looked over my desk and down at Astrid who was lying on the floorboard.
I didn't want a Russ so I left her there and sent for Hattie.
Astrid was facing upwards with her hands beside her and a little pillow behind her neck.
"When will she wake up?".
Hattie turned to me and sighed.
"I don't know Alpha Logan, this is the first time looking after someone that has been under the spell of the Dark Ultraviolet Dysfusion crystal".
I subtly placed the scroll back on my desk.
"I assume she should get her powers back soon".
"So long as she doesn't put on the Dysfusion crystal any longer, then yes". Hattie agreed with me and turned to look at Astrid, adjusting the floor pillow she was sitting on and the one under Astrid's neck.
"It's a good thing you removed the crystal from her neck immediately you noticed it was almost turning dark completely".
"I need her powers, Hattie, you know that quite well".
Hattie didn't say a word but only nodded thoughtfully.
When one finds a way out of disaster,come hell or high water, he would do whatever it takes to get through the way.
"Her breathing is normal so she might be waking up soon".
I heard Hattie mutter after placing a hand close to Astrid's nose.
She stood to her feet and turned to me.
"I should go get the healing sticks".
I nodded and she walked out of the office. I picked up the scroll I had opened back up and scanned its contents.
"The long-awaited harvesting season has begun and we implore the Alpha's consideration into adding more farmers".
I rubbed my stubble and put the scroll back picking up another one. The second one was thoughtful.
"The school is not in session yet therefore, the children need a caretaker. Someone to look after them when their parents are busy".
This particular scroll was geared towards something. I was pleased someone thought about the children's wellbeing especially after one of them got missing.
I made it a mental note to get to Beta Duncan about this matter and get him to assign someone who can stay with all the children and help them do something during leisure.
"That scroll…". My voice trailed as I stared at the last scroll that was seated comfortably under all the other scrolls.
I picked it up and opened it.
"Such awful writing". I hissed glancing through its contents. "Seen this somewhere". I tried hard to remember as my eyes darted round my desk only to be met with a notebook.
I picked it up and opened it, realising that both writings were the same. I glanced over at Astrid who was still on the floorboard then I looked back into the scroll. The one she had presumably written.
"For the threads of destiny twist and turn and a fire of magic is captivating. But if the flame should be extinguished, then a storm of shadows will bring us the blackest night".
Looking down the scroll, I saw what she'd written in response to the riddle. She underlined the word Meaning.
"Everyone has their fate. But for you, I think the events that stir the course of your life, are not in your favour. There is a huge obstacle in your way and someone in possession of the power of magic can help remove that obstacle…"
I dropped the scroll on the desk thinking deeply. Thinking deeply about how true it was. As I said earlier, come hell or high water, I would overcome that obstacle in whichever way I could.
I picked the scroll back up to finish the uncovered riddle.
"...but if the one who possesses such power of magic is neglected, or not sort for, the obstacle shall not only turn into your biggest nightmare but it shall consume you…"
"The rest is for you to uncover. Search within yourself, within the deepest depths to reveal how you can overcome that obstacle because the flame of magic can only, but assist a little".
I dropped the scroll on my desk and got up. I stared at Astrid for a while with a frown on my face. Who did she think she was? To solve the riddle and tell me what she thought about my life.
I suddenly felt heat within and needed some air. I strolled out of the office in a fit of rage. She'd have to explain better whenever she woke up.
"Assign a caretaker for the children". I told Beta Duncan as we both strutted towards the combat field. He nodded in agreement without a single word.
"The harvest is in session and I will have to go there and supervise them tomorrow".
"I'll go arrange for someone to be with the children during their leisure from tomorrow".
I nodded and Beta Duncan bowed walking away. I stood feeling the chilled air dancing about me. I had thought it was the heat affecting me before but now that I was outside, I still felt unsettled like something was bursting within me.
I walked towards the farming fields the next day with Beta Duncan. As I approached, I could see the farmers harvesting and some of the guards I had dissolved helping out.
Some of them were taking the crops and plants to the barn.
"The harvest seems to be going well". I muttered and Beta Duncan nodded thoughtfully.
"There are a lot of hands on deck so the harvest shouldn't even take more than five days". Beta Duncan said.
"Alpha Logan". The head of the farmers approached me. "We're glad you honoured our invitation to come see how the harvest is going".
"I see that you're doing very well". I uttered and he nodded.
"Yes, we are".
"Good job. You can get back to work".
"Thank you, Alpha Logan". He turned to Beta Duncan too. "Thank you, Beta Duncan". He bowed and walked away as Beta Duncan and I strutted back towards my house.
"What's wrong?".Beta Duncan asked stepping beside me. "You've had this smug look on your face since yesterday night. Did you happen to uncover anything about the riddle?".
I stopped in my tracks abruptly with a hand over my chest. I felt pain there. I suddenly heard the sound of laughter. I turned to find Astrid in the midst of the children.
I suddenly felt the way I felt the previous night. I felt unsettled and I felt like there was going to be an outburst within me.
"No, but don't you think she has a pretty smile?".
My eyes bulged. I knew that wasn't me. I knew I didn't say that. It couldn't be me. But it was my inner voice?
"What's wrong?".
Beta Duncan asked and I held a hand up still staring at Astrid.
"I need rest". I whispered and strutted away to my house then hurried into my office.
I stood placing both hands on my desk as I tried to stabilise my breathing.
What was that? My mind suddenly wanted to do something and I shook my head staring down at my hands on the table. My eyes bulged as I felt an outburst.
"It feels incredible to be out and free at last. The name's Scott, your wolf".