1. Claude Phoebe(ManxMan)

•Chapter 25

Years flickered by and we all lived well. Ace and I had yet to get pregnant however we were still healing and still had hope that when it came we would be happy and ready.

I sent spies after Alaric, I had to admit even with the time, I still wanted to know where he was, who he saw, who he cared for. I could not get feel myself be done with him even while Ace seemed to be moving on from the incident, probably for the better.

My headaches had never stopped and while I never could do what I think I did before I wasn't complaining and I had dreams, scarcely but enough to leave an impression. They were always the same, I never woke up knowing what happened in the dream, only the sound of something ancient and strong, roaring softly and the scent of smoke but no source of fire.

The pack was in good shape, still after so long considered to be one of the strongest and largest packs around. Even while others found love all around the world and settled where ever their mates were we still found ways to grow.

My siblings were sixteen when more magic found its way onto our land. The proxy councils warning on the advantage my pack held, still holds because of the number of casters on my lands echoed each time a new face, a new kind of magic made itself known.

I allowed Theodore to judge what would happen to them, the caster council members he knew so well, who appeared as young as my siblings.

They all had their own journeys, their own struggles and found their purpose while I did the same. I held the pack together comforted and assured with Ace by my side.

With the growing magic it became more and more apparent that my siblings would be almost as powerful if not more than. Travis, Danielle and Xavier trained with Theodore and on their own, watching them become powerful, become their own people was a joy I knew our father wished he'd have had the chance to witness.

They were almost seventeen when it began, Danielle's memory deteriorated in the most frightening of ways, she was the heart and soul of our pack no matter what anyone said, the brightness we all often needed and it hurt more when she left us. Going on her own journey to figure out why it was all happening to her, to find out exactly what it was that was happening.(Travis's story begins here.)

Our father, Donovan left soon after that, we never thought much of it, at that point we were used to his coming and going, however he always found his way back. Not this time, I mostly believed it was because he went after our sister, either to watch over her or to convince her that leaving wouldn't do anyone much good.

It was a strain after that, losing our sister to the magic that played tricks on her, took her memory or us, or blocked it, made her believe years had passed or that she was someone else. Having watched that happen to her and then be forced to let her leave on her own took its own twisted tole on us all.

Eventually we tried, all of us to be happy and remember that she was only a distance away, she was alive at least and we should be grateful for that.

Christian found his mate in Xavier and a lot went down in the middle of all of it until eventually our brother decided he too would leave. Both of them tried to keep in touch, only to assure us they were safe and happy, they promised to visit once in a while but they felt their lives needed to grow elsewhere, to be happier without the stain of the pack lands and all they've lost here.

It was a blow of a different kind, I realised later. That so much pain had been attached to this place that it drove them away, by choice. It was almost too much to bare.

I felt arms on me as I let everything sink in, I glanced behind me as Ace laid a gentle kiss on my naked back.

"You okay?"

I sighed and fully turned to him, I laid my hand on his belly which was exposed, the scar was there but it no longer held as much pain for him, for both of us I guess. I smiled at him

"I will be."

Ace watched me and I watched him, he tilted his head and frowned. "You'll see them again, Claude." I blinked feeling my eyes burn. "They just...need some space."

"It's already been so long and all I get are pictures and emails every now and then."

"This place holds a lot of pain for him, don't forget how he blamed himself for your father dying."

I clenched my jaw then and nodded.

"It just hurts that it wasn't enough. All my love and care," I shook my head, "it wasn't enough to bury that."

Ace leaned up and kissed me, lips warm and wet, I held him closer careful not to put too much pressure.

"Theo thought we should have tea at his cabin." I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"That man sure hates being alone." Ace slapped my arm. "Ow!" I laugh holding the place.

"He helped raise you, be nice."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Ace and I got dressed and made our way out the pack house. Everyone was going about their day, greeting us as we passed by hand in hand. We walked through the thicket of trees, talking to ourselves and joking about before we got to the beautiful hand made cabin belonging to Theo and Winston.

Before we even knocked the door flew open and the man stood before us in nothing but his robes and his long white hair flowing down. His stormy grey eyes fixed on Ace and he brought him in for a hug.

"You came! Yasssssssssss!" He cheered like a loser and I rolled my eyes before avoiding his embrace.

"Nope, not when you use 'yes' like that."

"But that's how all the cool kids say it!"

"Nope."

We made our way inside and was met with a group of people, casters really, sipping tea. There was Gabriel who had a kid in his lap playing with some weird looking hand made toy, the kid was probably almost three years old. Then there was Alexander who was fingering the side of his forehead as he stared at the coffee table and then Linus who was furiously typing away on his phone.

"This feels like some kind of ambush."

"Oh don't be silly." Theodore pushed us further into the room and we greeted everyone, I put Ace in my lap and the guy flushed and rolled his eyes.

The casters and I weren't exactly close however we weren't strangers either.

"Need I remind you how the wolf council feels about you all." They rolled their eyes and I grinned.

"We are only having tea, Claude, relax." Alexander waved his hand as he spoke and more tea poured into his cup. I felt a sudden throb in the side of my head and blinked calmly and hoped it would go away soon.

We drank tea and spoke aimlessly about life and love and the world around us. Ace soon found himself out of my lap as I got more intrigued with the gossip surrounding the group on love triangles and magic.

We may not have been that close but times like these which Theo insisted on made it easier to remember why I had no problem with them, they were a part of my pack simply for being close to Theo and my dad and times like these made it so they were a part of the pack all on their own.

Much to the wolf council's doubts and their concern on the advantage I now held. This made it so that I had to keep them updated on the caster's antics in the most relevant of ways ,such as their children if they had any and their associates. They all knew I was reporting to the council and respected their concern, I recalled how Linus was mostly flattered they think he's threatening when everyone else thinks he's a joke.

We stayed laughing and talking and all that jazz for another two hours before we were on our way, I still had statistics on my pack to finish and send over to the council and preparing to reevaluate treaties with surrounding packs.

Ace played with the kids before eating and falling asleep and when I was eventually done I joined him.

This life was simply beautiful.

[A/N]
Written: 30 June 2021