Two days had passed since Whitehaven had come under the control of the Crimson Moon Pack.
The town had transformed, embracing the new life brought by its werewolf residents. Streets that once bustled with the ordinary human activity now bore werewolves.
Selene had woven her spells around the perimeter of Whitehaven, creating a protective barrier that made the town nearly impenetrable.
The barrier not only kept intruders out but also shielded the town from the outside world, rendering it invisible to those who did not belong.
She also make the forest around the town and outside of filled with fog.
Only werewolves, and a select few humans deemed allies of the pack, could pass through. She used Aura of the beings which is unique to every individual as a medium to indentify who will enter the town.
Those who ventured at the outscut of the forest that bordered Whitehaven would lose their way, their minds clouded by enchantments that led them astray.
----
Inside this magical enclave, Selene was busy with her new pupil, Jean Grey. Though not a mutant herself, Selene possessed a vast knowledge of mystical arts that she believed could help Jean master her abilities.
They were in one of the training rooms near Logan's house, a place designed for intense practice and focus.
Jean sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed in concentration. Sweat glistened on her forehead as she worked to control the powerful telepathic abilities that had plagued her for so long. Selene watched her with a keen eye, guiding her through the intricacies of mind control.
"Excellent, Jean," Selene praised as she sensed a steady control over Jean's mental energy. "You've nearly perfected your control over mind reading in just two days. That's remarkable progress."
Jean opened her eyes, a smile of relief spreading across her face. "Thank you, Selene. I feel like I finally have some peace in my head. It's been so long since I could just hear my own thoughts without all the noise."
Selene nodded approvingly. "You're a quick learner, Jean. With time and practice, you'll be able to harness even more of your potential."
Jean took a sip of water, still catching her breath. "When do you think Logan and Laura will be back?" she asked, recalling the note Laura had left behind. "They've been gone for a while."
Selene's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Oh, I would give them at least a week. They have… very good stamina to go on for that long."
Jean was mid-sip when Selene's words hit her, causing her to spit out the water, spraying it everywhere. "Cough… Cough…" She choked, her face turning a bright shade of pink. "Pardon?"
Selene repeated herself, her voice laced with amusement. "I said, it might take them about a week to finish their mating activities." She paused, letting the implication settle in. "Logan and Laura, they can be quite... intense. And as Alpha and Luna, their physical endurance is unmatched. They can go on and on...."
Jean's face turned as red as her hair, her thoughts spiraling with the implications. She imagined Logan's powerful form and wondered if she could ever handle such intensity herself. "Oh," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "I see... I just... I didn't realize it was like that."
Selene chuckled, her laughter light and teasing. "Don't worry, Jean. Once you become a werewolf, your physical body will change, adapting to the needs of the pack. You'll find that your stamina and all areas of life will vastly improve," she winked, enjoying Jean's embarrassment.
Jean tried to compose herself, but the color remained high in her cheeks. She decided to shift the conversation to something less… intense. "So, um, tell me more about werewolves," she asked, still a bit flustered but genuinely curious. "What's it like, really? And what changes should I expect if… when I decide to join the pack?"
Selene smiled, recognizing Jean's attempt to steer the conversation. "Being a werewolf is unlike anything you've experienced. Your senses become heightened—you'll see, hear, and smell things in ways you never could as a human. Your strength and speed will be amplified, and you'll heal much faster from injuries."
Jean nodded, intrigued. "But what about… the transformations? Are they painful? How do you control them?"
"The first transformation can be quite overwhelming," Selene admitted. "It's a complete restructuring of your body, after all. But after the initial change, it becomes easier. The pain lessens, and with practice, you can shift between forms at will. As for control, that comes with discipline and understanding of your new instincts. The pack will help you through that—Logan, Laura, and even I will be here to guide you."
Jean leaned forward, captivated by Selene's words. "And what about… the urges? I've heard that werewolves have heightened emotions and desires."
Selene laughed softly. "Yes, that's true. Your emotions will be more intense, your desires stronger. But it's not as uncontrollable as some might think. With training, you'll learn to manage your urges, to channel them productively. And remember, being a werewolf is about balance—embracing your wild side while maintaining your humanity."
Jean considered this, biting her lip thoughtfully. "It sounds like a lot to take in."
"It is," Selene agreed. "But you have a strong spirit, Jean. I see great potential in you. And if you decide to join us fully, you'll have the support of the entire pack. You won't be alone in this."
Jean smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in Selene's words. "Thank you, Selene.... can I ask you something personal?"
Selene raised an eyebrow, her smile widening slightly. "Of course, Jean. Ask away."
Jean hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "You're not a werewolf like the others, are you? I mean, you don't seem… like them. Your abilities are different, and you don't shift like they do."
Selene chuckled softly. "You're very perceptive, Jean. No, I'm not a werewolf. I'm something else entirely—a witch. My powers are rooted in magic, not in the lycanthropy that affects Logan and the others."
"I've been studying and practicing magic for centuries, honing my craft. I specialize in enchantments, illusions, and protective spells, but my knowledge spans many areas."
"That's incredible," Jean said, her mind racing with possibilities.
Soon Selene began to explain how she met Laura and others.
.
.
.
A portal formed, swirling with vibrant hues of yellow, and out stepped Logan and Laura, both wearing satisfied smiles.
Selene, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, arched an eyebrow and smirked. "Back already? I thought you two would need more time, given how…enthusiastic you can be," she said with a playful lilt.
Jean's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she quickly looked away, flustered by Selene's words.
Logan, on the other hand, chuckled and waved a dismissive hand. "We're finsihed early, Selene," he replied, his tone light and carefree. Laura rolled her eyes but grinned, giving Selene a friendly nudge.
"Besides," Logan continued, "we've got work to do. How's the town holding up?"
Selene's demeanor shifted to one of professionalism as she explained her magical enhancements around Whitehaven. "The town is now completely protected. The barrier I set up ensures that only werewolves or those with a specific aura can enter. I've also added enchantments to ward off anyone who might wander too close; it should keep us safe from unwanted attention."
She also explains Jean got hang of her telepathic ability, and Logan praises her for that.
Logan nodded in approval. "Good work. Now, let's get some lunch before returning to training."
After a quick lunch to replenish their energy, the group made their way into the forest.
They chose a perfect spot for testing Jean's phoenix force, once inside the forest, Laura opened mirror dimension.
The world around them shimmered as they stepped through, the familiar surroundings taking on a surreal, distorted quality. Here, they could train without holding back, free from the constraints of reality.
"Alright, Jean," Logan said, turning to her with a serious expression. "Today, we're focusing on accessing the Phoenix Force. It's a part of you, and it's time you learned to control it."
Jean nodded, her determination evident despite the nerves bubbling within her. She had been working hard to hone her telepathy under Selene's guidance, but this was something entirely different—a raw, untamed power that she had barely scratched the surface of.
Selene stepped forward, her hands glowing with a soft blue light. "Remember, Jean, you're not just trying to summon power. You're reaching inside yourself to a place of pure potential. Feel the Phoenix within you, and let it rise."
Jean closed her eyes, taking deep, steady breaths. As she concentrated, her eyes slowly began to glow a deep, fiery red. A faint outline of a phoenix appeared on her back, shimmering like a tattoo made of molten lava.
"Let go, Jean," Logan's voice broke through the crackling of energy. "A phoenix should fly freely in the sky. It's not a bird to be caged in. Trust yourself and your instincts."
Encouraged by Logan's words, Jean took a deep breath and let her guard down. A rush of fiery energy burst forth from her, and the phoenix emblem on her back flared to life. The surrounding forest within the mirror dimension erupted into flames, the ground scorched with the intensity of her power.
Selene and Laura were quick to react, casting protective spells around themselves to shield against the sudden onslaught of heat. Laura, however, used a different spell for Logan, only enhancing his clothes to withstand the flames, leaving him exposed to the raw force of the Phoenix's fire.
Logan grinned as the heat touched his skin, his eyes locking onto Jean's. "That's it, Jean! Let it out!" he called over the roar of the flames.
Jean's eyes, now blazing with a fierce red glow, met Logan's. She could feel the power surging through her veins, a wild and exhilarating sensation. "I…I can feel it!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and awe.
With a sudden burst of confidence, Jean channeled more of the Phoenix Force, flames swirling around her like a living entity. Logan moved closer, the fire parting around him as he approached. "You're doing great, Jean. Now, focus it—don't just let it run wild. Direct it."
Jean nodded, her expression one of intense concentration. She raised her hands, the flames coiling around them, and with a deliberate motion, directed a stream of fire toward a nearby boulder. The rock glowed with heat before disintegrating into ash.
As she is about to loose control, "Alright Jean, it's time to stop." Selene asks her, and Jean also began to stop tapping into the force.
As the flames died down, Logan continued to move closer to Jean. His presence seemed to ground her, and the fire began to fade, leaving only a few glowing embers in the air.
He smiled at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Not bad, little Phoenix," he said, his voice low and teasing. "But if you wanted to heat things up, you could have just asked."
Jean blinked, caught off guard by his playful tone. Her cheeks flushed again, this time not from the exertion but from the implication in Logan's words. "I-I wasn't…that's not what I…" she stammered, trying to find her footing in the unexpected flirtation.
Logan laughed softly, stepping even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Relax, Jean. I'm just teasing. But seriously, that was impressive. You've got more control than you think."
Jean managed a small smile, still feeling the heat in her cheeks, though now for an entirely different reason. "Thanks, Logan. I guess I still have a lot to learn."
"You're doing great," Logan assured her, his gaze softening.
Selene watched the exchange with a knowing smile, while Laura just rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Alright, lovebirds, that's enough for today," Selene called out, her tone light.
Logan winked at Jean, who was still trying to recover from the flirty banter, and turned back to Selene and Laura. "Alright, we'll continue tomorrow. Jean's just getting started."
Jean felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the Phoenix Force.
For the first time in a long while, she felt she could be with him without worrying about anything.
Soon, they existed the mirror dimension and went to the house to freshen up and go on with their duties.
------
The forest was quiet, save for the whisper of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground.
In a secluded clearing, Selene moved with purpose, her dark robes billowing around her as she approached a massive bear resting on its haunches near a large oak tree.
The bear, known to the pack as Benjamin, raised its head to meet her gaze. His eyes, usually calm and gentle, now held a spark of determination.
He had been preparing for this moment, and he knew there was no turning back.
Selene stopped a few feet from Benjamin and tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Are you sure about this, Ben?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm. "Logan doesn't know what we're about to do. If he finds out—"
Benjamin gave a low, rumbling growl, cutting her off. His eyes remained steady, unwavering in their resolve. He nodded, a slow, deliberate motion that spoke volumes.
Selene sighed, recognizing the determination in his gaze. She had seen that look before—in Logan, in Laura, and even in herself. "Alright," she conceded softly. "But I need you to brace yourself. This is going to be… painful."
Benjamin grunted in understanding and settled himself more firmly on the ground, his large paws digging into the earth. He was ready for whatever was to come, even if it meant enduring immense pain.
Selene closed her eyes and took a deep breath, grounding herself. Her hands began to move in intricate patterns, fingers weaving through the air as if tracing invisible threads. She whispered ancient words under her breath, her voice barely audible but charged with power.
The air around her crackled with energy, the temperature dropping as a gust of wind swept through the clearing.The sky darkened as if responding to her magic. The leaves on the trees rustled wildly, caught in a sudden whirlwind.
Benjamin's fur bristled in response, his eyes widening as he felt the power building around him.
Selene's chanting grew louder, the words flowing from her lips with an urgency and intensity that echoed through the forest. The very ground beneath them seemed to tremble in response to the spell she was casting.
Selene continued her spell, her voice unwavering even as Benjamin's roars filled the air.