Back at Camp Ravenpine…
The next morning, the early sun bathed the camp in gold, but something had changed. Everyone was shocked as they noticed the change from the previous grumpy Grinch.
Damian held the cabin door for the girls when they came out of their cabin.
He helped Sara lift a crate of supplies from the kitchen.
He even smiled, like, actually smiled.
Kira paused mid-step. "Did… did he just open the door for us? And say 'after you ladies'?"
Sara whispered, "I think so. And I think it sounded real."
Alison glanced toward him, narrowing her eyes. "Okay, who replaced him with a doppelgänger"
Damian didn't say much, but he lingered close. When Alison passed by with a stack of plates, he stepped in.
"Let me help."
Alison blinked. "Um… thanks? Are you okay?"
He gave her a half-smile and took half the stack from her arms. "Maybe and maybe not"
Kevin, watching from the side, looked like someone had just told him unicorns were real. He waited for him to put down the stack of plates and pulled him behind the cabin, leaving the girls confused.
"Have they finally gone crazy?" Kira asked
"I truly don't understand anything" Alison shrugged
"Is it me or your silver eyes are very shiny today? And you feel different? What has happened to everyone? You're different, he is different. Who's next?" Sara asked
"I am okay, I don't feel different" Alison denied
Behind the cabin,..
Kevin held Damian and asked. "Okay, talk. Who are you, and what have you done with my grumpy friend?"
"She almost died last night," Damian replied under his breath.
"And? Who first " Kevin asked
"And something clicked. I felt it," he said, voice low. "She's… mine. Alison's mine"
Kevin raised an eyebrow. "You mean mate?"
Damian nodded once.
"You're kidding. No way, Alison"
Damian's eyes drifted toward the campfire area where Alison sat, laughing with Kira. His chest tightened. "Yeah. I'm sure now."
Kevin just shook his head in disbelief. "You, the guy who literally growled at a flower for blooming too loud, has finally found his mate. Your in love."
"I didn't say love," Damian muttered.
"You're on your way," Kevin grinned. "You're doomed, man. I can't wait to see you in love, fluffy and possessive of her"
Later that day, as Damian gathered firewood a voice interrupted him internally.
Lexus (in Damian's mind): "Okay listen. You need to stop scowling like a kicked wolf and actually be nice to her. Compliment her. Maybe brush your hair? You look like an old grumpy man"
Damian: "Stay out of it, Lexus."
Lexus: "Nope. She's my mate too. I deserve love."
Damian: "She's not your mate. She's my mate. You're just my wolf."
Lexus: "Excuse me?! Without me, you're a moody meat stick. I'm the fluffy heart in this body."
Damian: "I swear if you say 'fluffy heart' again.."
Lexus: "FLUFFY. HEART."
Damian (out loud): "Ughhh."
Kevin blinked. "...You good?"
"Just dealing with someone annoying."
"Let me guess, Lexus?" Kevin guessed
"Who else?" Damian groaned
Back in the realm of the supernatural beings. In Arvendale, the kingdom of wolves.
The royal council chamber was in chaos after the councilmen found out about the disappearance of the prince who's their future Alpha.
"The future Alpha has been gone for weeks!" one councilman roared.
"He abandoned his duties!"
"Where is he?!" another demanded.
"I heard our future Alpha is hiding in the human world!" A fat councilman named Freddie announced
"What!! That's an abomination"
King Varkas slammed his hand against the table. "Enough!"
Silence fell.
Queen Selene stood beside him, her hands trembling. "He needs time. But we will bring him back."
A councilman muttered, "The boy risks throwing the kingdom into chaos. How does the girl Betha feel? Isn't she supposed to be the Luna but the Alpha has run away! How absurd" Another fat councilman named Jaka scolded
The King looked around at his council. "My son is still the heir to this kingdom. I will not let him go. We'll find him and bring him home. All your screamings are unnecessary"
Later the Queen and the King in their chamber discussed about their son,
"What if he comes back with his chosen mate? What will we do? He never liked Betha" Queen Selene asked, sadness filled her voice
"I thought about it. If he comes back with his chosen mate by the moon Queen, we will have no choice but to accept what the moon Queen has decided for him and our kingdom. If he comes back without a mate, he has no choice but it be with Betha. Betha is a good girl, very wise and best candidate for a Luna"
"I agree, that's the best decision. Betha is a good girl"
In Betha's layer of planning evil ways, she met the two councilmen Jaka and Freddie.
"My lady we did exactly as we planned, we spread the rumour of the Prince's disappearance and caused chaos in the council room. The King and Queen were shaken when the councilmen were angry " Freddie reported
"Yes my lady, I even mentioned you. I said you must be sad,.. Fear not, we will always support you. You're our only Luna, and if anyone comes your way. We won't accept them, we will make sure everyone rejects her" Jaka assured
"I expect nothing but your loyalty and in the end, when I am the Luna. You will get good positions in the kingdom " Betha promised the greedy fat men
Naomi, Betha's wolf internally spoke."Once you become the Luna Queen dispose of these greedy fat men. They can't be trusted,"
"You know me I don't like to keep old alliances," Betha replied to her wolf, only she could hear Naomi.
"We will rip their heads off"
"Yes we will Naomi, just hold on until I am the Luna Queen" Betha assured her wolf, they were a match made in hell. Both obsessed with power and doing evil deeds.
That night at camp RAVENPINE, cabin 7 had a bonfire and some marshmallows.
"Are you dying?" Kira asked Damian
"Yeah, you were so strange the whole day. Helped with chores which a few days ago you didn't want to do, smiled at us, didn't fight with Ally. What in the world is happening? Kai what's wrong with your friend?" Sara added
Kevin shrugged "I don't know "
Damian smiled and looked at Alison, thinking of how this will go. He was glad and happy that the moon Queen gave him a mate and now he was not going to spend his life with Betha. But how is he going to tell her everything, from he is a wolf, not just a wolf but a prince wolf and soon to be Alpha king. He was happy and confused at the same time,
"I'm the expert here, take it slow. If you rush her, she will get scared and run away from you " Suddenly Lexus spoke inside his head
"When did you become a love guru?" Damian sarcastically asked
"I have loved longer than you so just listen to me and you will be alright or you want to end up with Betha. I hate her wolf, that Naomi " Lexus complained
"I don't like Betha"
"Then listen to Lexus the love doctor, and I am not changing my name." Lexus said
"So cheesy,"
"Shut up! As I said, take it slowly. First get close to her, build your friendship and then love. And you will reveal everything, understand?" Lexus asked
"Whatever! Now leave me alone" Damian complained
"No, I have an idea. Take her to the stream again, she loved it there. I saw her eyes, her beautiful silver eyes " Lexus drooled
"Okay, now leave my head please." Damian begged and Lexus cut the communication
Sara threw a marshmallow at Damian, who spaced out talking to Lexus but his eyes still glued to Alison. Everyone watched him surprised and shocked, even Alison was shocked and uncomfortable from the intense and direct stare he gave her.
"Hey, why are you looking at Ally like that?" Sara asked after she threw a marshmallow
"I just spaced out,"Damian said,
"Oh boy!" Kevin teased and received a glare from Damian