LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S/KELLY THOMPSON'S POV
I then hear the thundering of paws behind us, getting closer with each passing second. My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to burst as adrenaline courses through my veins.
"There!" Jason shouts, pointing ahead. Through the thinning fog, I catch a glimpse of what looks like an ancient stone archway, its surface covered in glowing runes.
The scepter's light suddenly intensifies, nearly blinding us as it shoots toward the archway. The runes flare to life, pulsing in sync with the scepter's glow.
"It's a portal!" Elowen yells over the cacophony of howls. "We need to get through it!"
We push ourselves harder, our legs burning with the effort. I risk a glance behind and immediately wish I hadn't. Dark, shadowy forms are gaining on us, their red eyes showing no mercy.
Jason reaches the archway first, diving through without hesitation. Eden follows, the scepter's light trailing behind him like a comet's tail. I'm next, my lungs burning as I leap into the shimmering portal.
For a moment, I'm suspended in a void of swirling colors and deafening silence. Then, I'm falling, tumbling onto hard ground. I scramble to my feet, disoriented, as Elowen bursts through the portal behind me.
"Close it!" she screams, her eyes wide with panic.
Eden thrusts the scepter forward, its beam connecting with the archway. The portal begins to shrink, but not before one of the shadow creatures leaps through, its jaws snapping inches from Elowen's face.
Without thinking, I grab a nearby rock and hurl it at the beast. It connects with a sickening crunch, and the creature yelps, staggering back. Elowen seizes the moment, drawing a silver dagger from her boot and plunging it into the beast's chest. It lets out an unearthly shriek before dissolving into wisps of black smoke.
The portal snaps shut with a thunderous boom, leaving us in sudden, eerie silence. We're all panting, our bodies trembling from the rush of fear and exertion.
"Everyone alright?" Jason asks, his voice hoarse.
We nod, too winded to speak. As the adrenaline fades, I finally take in our surroundings. We're in some sort of cavern, its walls glowing with faint bioluminescent fungi. The air is thick and humid, carrying an earthy scent.
And then, a voice it seems I have heard before echoes throughout the place.
"Look who's here? The travellers from the human world. Well, welcome to the floating castle of Avalon," it says before the eldest member of the Shapeshiters' Council, Lady Arianrhod, appears before us.
The latter's face shimmers in the air, translucent and ethereal. Her silver hair cascades around her ageless features while her eyes gleam with ancient wisdom and a hint of amusement.
"I must admit, your arrival is rather... unconventional," she says, her voice echoing off the cavern walls. "But then again, nothing about you has been conventional, has it?"
Our son Eden surprises Jason and I as he unexpectedly steps forward, gripping the scepter tightly.
"Lady Arianrhod, we seek your help. We want to go back to our world, please make us go." He implores, his voice marked with sadness.
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of why you are here," she interrupts, waving a ghostly hand.
"You want a quick rift through the veil between worlds," she then asserts as her eyes narrow, her ethereal form shimmering.
"But tell me, young one, do you truly understand what you're asking? The veil between worlds is not a simple curtain to be drawn aside at will."
Eden falters, his grip on the scepter loosening slightly. I step forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"My lady," I begin, my voice steadier than I feel, "we've come a long way and faced many dangers. We just want to return home." I hopelessly explain.
The ghostly figure of Arianrhod circles us, her silver hair trailing behind her like mist.
"Home," she muses.
"Such a simple word for such a complex concept. But I wonder, do you even know where your true home lies anymore?"
Jason tenses beside me.
"What do you mean by that, Elder?"
Lady Arianrhod laughs out loud.
"You really thought with all my powers I would never discover your true identities? Your lies are over now. See Elowen, these people you have riskily defended before the council are in fact royals. Did you know that?" She declares shockingly.
Elowen, more than us, plunges in a complete confusion.
"Look, they are not humans but shapeshifters of different kind. They are werewolves. See, the male is Jason Bentley, Alpha King of the South pack while the female is his former wife. She's known as Luna Queen Kelly or Doctor Lorry Springstone after she changed name The couple has recently reconciled for the sake of their longtime ailing kid right here. His name is Eden. Am I right Kelly, Alpha King Jason?" Lady Arianrhod then reveals, her face flickering between Jason and I.
My blood runs cold as Lady Arianrhod's words hang in the air. I feel Elowen's eyes boring into me, a mix of betrayal and disbelief etched across her face. I had told her I was a director of a medical school in England but I never told her about my werewolf nature and my royal status.
Jason's jaw clenches as he takes a protective step closer to Eden, ready to defend him in case of any punitive action by Lady Arianrhod or her guards hidden in the dark corners of the cavern.
"How... how did you know?" I manage to whisper, my voice barely audible.
Lady Arianrhod's ghostly form shimmers, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "The veil between worlds reveals many secrets, my dear. Did you truly believe you could hide your true nature from one who walks between realms?"
Eden, his young face pale and drawn, looks up at me with wide eyes. "Mom, what's going on? What is she going to do to us?" He questions pressingly.
I kneel beside him, my heart aching. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart but don't worry, mom is here." I try to reassure him.