Levi
Goosebumps...
They break out suddenly all over my arms, and I can't pinpoint whose emotions are intruding on my magic, brushing, no, pushing against it...against all of me. But in the wrong way!
This person, these...feelings; they are running so highwire to the point it makes me sick. Darius starts growling and panting inside...He is sensing danger...or something. I can feel it through his senses too, but he doesn't say anything.... he keeps growling, groaning.
Why are you like this? Talk to me Darius, tell me what the fuck are you sensing! – I talk to him but all I get is a long growl and he starts pacing fast inside my mind. I feel my fingertips throb as my claws threaten to show but I ball my hands into fists piercing my palms. Suddenly my forehead starts pounding. The hell Darius!?
If you are not helping, then sure as hell you are not coming out! Not right now! - I growl back at him and he snaps his canines at me. He gives a final push to my now throbbing skull and gets back into pacing, but at least now he sticks to groaning and panting again.
The last thing I want is looking like I can't control my wolf, or my powers, in front of a crowd. Me, their soon to be Alpha...
I sit down besides Mariann, my Beta sits beside Nic as he narrows his eyes on me. I'm sure he feels my emotional turmoil through our link. The only difference this time is that they are not mine, I'm projecting directly to him so he can maybe help pinpoint it for me. He starts running his eyes through the big coffee shop, throughout the windows from all sides, even turns to stare at the door outside.
I try to focus my magic on the people sitting and running through the shop one by one. This is someone, or something, I don't know, who is going through a full panic attack and trying to suppress it. Someone is in a very dire and distressful state, and he is trying to calm down but in a very...wrong way.
What the fuck is this feeling? It's starting to give me shivers...and Its borderline giving me nausea!
The only thing that changed in my very busy daily schedule is running into Mariann and Nic. They were going to run some errands for Dad. They said he needed some things from the W.W.M sortilege shop, and we invited them for something to eat at Big Joe's. We were on our way to grab some sandwiches from the vending machines near the sparring arena- that were probably going to be emptied out by Xan- before we got back to train some new appointed warriors. That's when we met them, and I told them to grab an ice cream before they went on their way. Everything was so NORMAL until we slid into our booth and my magic picks up on it. And it lights up inside of me like some fucking fireworks in a split-second.
And then it starts going all over the place.
I really want to pinpoint whoever the shit is having this reaction so I can STOP THEM. But why can't I? This space feels like it's all smothered by this emotion, a wide thick fog of it that prevents me from seeing, feeling, clearly and pinpointing who the hell is messing with me! It's as if it is trying to block me from exactly knowing who it is. And it's not a witch or warlock's work, this is not magic!
If It's not magic, what the hell is it?
I'm still looking through every corner of this place, trying to discover something, someone, out of place. But fucking NOTHING!
I see some teen witches laughing at something on their phones, but they are not of age to maybe play with anything above their level of sorcery, surely not stupid enough to mess with me. A Valkyrie at the counter, big Joe is ringing her up for a birthday cake. A calm yellow hue surrounds their space, so they are calm! They are out. A swarm of pups with their mother behind us throwing fries at each other. Some Teen wolves are outside discussing about something with their backs to us. I zero in on them to pick up their conversation; They are discussing the Lycan Academy's Next test.
I look beyond my Beta's shoulder, at the front of the coffee shop. In the next seat, some warriors that followed us to have launch at Joe's after the combat classes. The waiter was serving them a mountain of sandwiches. Nothing out of the ordinary... So, what is it??
"What's wrong? Talk to me Levi!" I hear Xan talk, but I don't register anything as my wolf and magic are pushing to the surface in full force again. Darius, the non-understanding fucker, starts pushing at my mind barriers again, and I zap him with a magical burning block to back the fuck up on me a little.
That hurts you fucking jerk! Let me out, LET ME OUT! I can do something about this. Let's just face everyone and DEMAND answers instead of dealing with this pain, WE ARE THE ALPHA! - He starts shouting at me!
Pain? You have no fucking idea what pain is! Try controlling magic in a Hybrid body that is shared with YOU! You have no idea what I'm dealing with right now so shut-up and let's be reasonable! let's solve this in a more logical, CALM, way before taking drastic measures. And we do not DEMAND answers just because we want! - I shout back at him, trying as hell to appear unaffected on the outside. Marrian is right beside me, and after this final inside outburst at my wolf I know she can sense my magic rubbing on her side.
Fucking Mages! Always with "let's reason, let's be logical" shit! well fuck that, I'm in pain, and I need to know WHY THE FUCK I'M IN PAIN! And yes, you CAN DEMAND, you are their Alpha, they MUST obey you! US! - He shouts one last time before I shove him to the side with the barrier I created and he backs up screaming and promising retribution, I zone out to try and concentrate again.
Instead of growling stupid nonsense can you rein it down? I'm trying to control my magic so the last thing I want to deal with is YOU having a panic attack in front of our pack you idiot! If you are not helping zip it and cut back on the howls– I growl back at Darius when he now starts LITERALLY howling inside my head to vex me. Revenge? Cute.
"Levi? Your eyes..." Marrian touches my arm, and I turn to find her and Nic frowning at me, but I pay them no attention. I know my eyes are glowing right now. If they knew about the whole asshole I'm keeping in check on the inside right now, it would have been more than eyes they would be dealing with. I must deal with this first, explain later. Someone needs help, and I need my controlled self-back!
I turn my head towards the kitchen behind Big Joe and narrow my eyes. I sense people there, four heart beats to be exact. If only I can control my stupid magic now, I can extend it and "see" with my mind who's in there...As if on cue, my magic starts grazing my outside skin, and I can feel Mariann snaping back her hand and holding it to her chest. Who is the fuck messing with me to the point that my magic is turning out of my control?
Without thinking I stand up and walk towards Big Joe, I feel Xander holding my arm and I shake him off quickly as I take big strides towards the counter.
"Levi wait...Alpha STOP!" Xander is using his Beta voice? Can't he sense that someone is one step of frying their insides to black mush?
I'm at the counter and Big Joe looks at me from whatever he was doing at the counter. I take his arm in my hand. I should ask for his permission to search inside his kitchen, right? I know my manners at least. The moment I start opening my mouth to ask his permission, an invisible thread snaps inside me and the fog disappears. With it, my magic settles down like a hum inside my pores. Darius stops from his fit of growls and starts heaving like if he just run fifty laps around the whole border. But no, this feels like he was just released from some torture. He figuratively lays down inside my mind and breathes, quiet and still as ever, only his breathes resonates inside me. I understand now why he was acting like that; I get the pain he was talking about as now I feel it too all through my limbs and muscles.
Asshole! - He heaves and tries to stand up. Now you can relate?! Why couldn't you feel it before Levi, that magic protecting you or some shit?
Everything that I was sensing a second ago just...disappeared in a flash. As if it was there one moment, and next it disappeared into nothingness...and there was just me in that empty space. I was in a trance and now I snapped back...
I look up to find Big Joe looking at me with a panicked expression on his face. My hand gripping his arm so hard I can see the change of color where my fingers connect with his skin, and he was a black man. I let go immediately and take a step back, Xander on my side. He tries to touch me but stops in his tracks when I mind link him to stop. My magic is still dancing on the surface, better not touch me now.
"Are you alright Alpha? Can I help you?" his question trails on as he rubs his arm with a frown towards me. Way to go Levi, I bet he thinks I'm crazy now.
"Joe...sorry didn't mean to hold your arm that hard I..." I try to talk in the calmest voice I can manage after the weird shit I went through just a moment ago.
"I wanted to ask you if you have someone inside who was having a...bad day" His eyes go wide at my exclamation. I can feel Xander's frown deepens beside me. He starts bouncing from one foot to another and looks at Joe. I bet he doesn't understand anything at this point, and he is trying as best as he can to figure out what worked his Alpha up to this point of panic.
"A bad day?" Joe says in a very slow way and tilts his head, he frowns at looks at the both of us in turn.
"whatever do you mean Alpha?" he genuinely asks. I guess my voice is not betraying me, not with everything going on inside of me. Maybe he genuinely thinks I'm on a mission somehow and he needs to answer to me.
"I sensed earlier that someone inside your premises is a bit distressed, maybe sad? Or angry? I don't know exactly myself Joe, but someone is having some degree of a panic attack in this space and needs some help!" The moment I finish my sentence I can see understanding down on Joe as he widens his eyes.
"I was trying to have your permission to go and inspect inside, but I can't sense it that much anymore in here, so maybe someone from your staff was hurt? Can we go check inside please?" I try to get the man moving. Maybe he might find me some answers if...whatever was messing with me, and my wolf, might be inside there.
Big Joe nods twice. I start moving to get to the other side of the counter, but he stops me with his hand, and I arch my brow at him. He puts it down immediately. I know he is an Alpha too, but even if I'm not technically his Alpha YET, he knows better than to deny me if I wanted to do something.
"Uhm...apologies Alpha, but to get in the kitchen now you need to sterilize your cloths and all and it takes time, and I see you are in combat gear today!" He eyes my uniform and I frown at him.
"We are making prep-meals for the newly turned pups at the Awakening center!" he rushes quickly to explain, mostly not to continue offending me.
"Ah..." I understand. Newly turned kids to werewolves are usually very sensitive. Not only their skins, but everything else that recently changed to accommodate their new nature, inside out. Especially their stomachs.
I back out and nod at him. I'm not the kind to force anyone's hand if not necessary.
"Allow me to check myself Alpha!" He backs up from me. "I will check with everyone inside and get back to you right away!"
"Alright!" I see his back retreating through the doors as he goes inside, and I feel Marrian's hand holding mine. I look down at my little sister and find her looking at my hand with fixed eyes. I know what she is doing, she is trying to calm my magic. She has this ability to lock down any out-of-control magic if she concentrates on her touch, so I let her. She closes her eyes and frowns. I frown at her and start feeling both our hands tingling. I can sense Nic on my left bouncing from one foot to another, and Xander behind Mariann looking intently at my face.
Talk to me Levi...what can I do? – He minds links me. I close my eyes and try to feel Mariann's radiant blue hue magic slipping through her fingers.
Nothing for now but later...I will explain everything later- I open my eyes the moment Mariann slips her hand from mine.
"How are you?" She asks with a frown. I master a smile amid my internal turmoil and smooth her little frown with my pinky finger.
"Better, thank you princess!". I know she doesn't believe me when she tilts her head. Her blue eyes dancing all over my face, trying to understand why her big brother's magic was spiling everywhere and we were the only two seeing it at this moment.
"I couldn't do anything..." She keeps staring at my eyes, maybe trying to understand too what is happening.
Those eyes. Mariann's eyes. I think someone had them in a past life before she got them ...someone who saw a lot of things...or so says my Dad.
We all turn toward the kitchen doors when Big Joe emerges. He was scratching his head.
Ah. He didn't find anything I see...
"Alpha Levi, nothing is out of the ordinary inside. The two bakers were bickering over some kitchen stuff, but nothing out of the usual for Marco and Greg. My daughter and my employee are folding recyclables at the back ally, and I found them laughing so...I don't think what you were referring to is inside my bakery!" The more he talked, the more my mood darkens. Then what the hell was happening to me back then?
"Thanks, Big Joe" Xander says in a big voice to snap me from my thoughts.
"Thank you, Joe, and sorry again if I bothered you for no reason!" I extend my hand to shake his. He shakes it in return and smiles at me.
"Maybe they are outside, or they were here and left! But if I see something unusual, I will certainly let you know!" I let go of his hand and he smiles at me.
"Let's do that! Thanks again!" I nod and try to smile back at him, but I'm sure it came out as a lop-sided grin with the state of mind I'm in right now.
"No problem, Alpha Levi. Actually...this shows me how serious and honorable you are to try and help someone in need...and how you can feel it if something is going on inside some folks when the rest of us are just oblivious to their silent cry for help!" He said the last part looking directly in my eyes. Big Joe is trying to convey indirectly that my -Mage/Werewolf- nature doesn't bother him in the least.
"I'm actually proud and looking forward to you being our Alpha, that's for sure!" I try to smile again at the man, his approval makes me calm down a notch. So at least I'm doing the right thing inside this pack as an Alpha. Right? I give him a quick parting nod and take Mariann's hand in mine to go back to our seats. Xan and Nic follow from behind.
"Levi...what's wrong?" Nic says as he sits down opposite me, followed by Xan next to him. Mariann doesn't let go of my hand beneath the table as she looks at her now pot of melted ice cream.
"Nothing Nic, I thought someone was not alright and tried to find him. Or her. Maybe give some help... Maybe it was just a fleeting emotional state for someone, and my magic picked up on it too fast...too much!" I look at Xan. I know he doesn't believe my bluffing for one second, but he keeps quiet.
I told you, later...- I mind link him.
You bet your ass Later because you scared the shit out of me Levi! What the hell was that? I thought you were gonna snap someone's neck. You should have seen the look on your face! Your eyes? They were entirely Gold for fucks sake! I didn't even know if I was talking to you or Darius! - He picks up his phone and pretends like we are not having this conversation. For the sake of my siblings, I guess.
You literally were acting like a crazed person, even "I" could feel your magic burning my hand when I touched you! I couldn't even get through to Darius what the hell? Thank God for the pups raining havoc on the other side of the café, otherwise everyone would have seen you storming towards Joe! You looked like you are gonna break his arm, Levi! - He looks up at me, still frowning, and I arch my eyebrow.
Are you done? Do you need to vent more wifey? Is this what our married life is going to look like once we are officially awakened into our Alpha-Beta roles? Xan, I will let you know, I'm not a big fan of nagging... – I give him a chuckle inside our heads, and he slams his phone on the table. Nic turns to look at him and arches his brow, a silent question of what's wrong before he looks at me. I think he figured out that we were mentally talking.
Oh, fuck off! - He stands up and motions for Nic.
"You said you wanted to spare? You want to do it today or should I wait for you to finish your flowery soup?" Nic forgets in an instant his quest to understand the situation and stands up fast.
"Weapons?" Nic says with an expecting smile.
"All in!" Xan starts to the door and Nic slides eagerly from his seat and runs behind my Beta, his sister and Dad's errand forgotten in the face of violent sparing, I guess.
No long Knives- I shout at Nic through our link and he.
Yeah, yeah! - He responds as he rolls his eyes at me. I bet he will use them anyway, but at least he will be careful if he doesn't want me to throw him into a black void pocket portal if he hurts my Beta again. That kid has some unhealthy obsession with knives...I flick his forehead with my magic, and he yelps in surprise. He knows now what will be waiting for him if he hurts my Beta.
And that's for rolling your eyes at me you brat. Count your blessings as I still let you near the combat arena after the last stunt you pulled on that new warrior last month- I arch my eyebrow at him as I mind link him, all but trying not to let Mariann get what's happening between us. She hates when we argue.
"AAAOOOW! Not cool Levi" he rubs his forehead as he gives me one last mean eye and runs after Xan.
"Wait for meeee!" he shouts, and I can hear the teen witches eyeing my brother and giggling.
I also think Xan needs to let some steam off before he faces me again. I can Feel his frustration brushing over my skin now that my magic has settled down. I would be frustrated too. His Alpha's magic and wolf going berserk in front of his eyes; but unfortunately for him it was my responsibility to rein both down without his help.
Xan was a great Beta, and a greater life friend. But I have a sense that if I talk to him right now, He will cancel our training for the newly appointed warriors this afternoon and try to run laps around town just to figure out what have messed with me. That will only spark questions from Pops, and the last thing I want to do now is deal with his overbearing fatherly meddling. Or Goddess forbids disappoint him for not honoring my duties as an Alpha who should be training newly appointed warriors. The last thing I want to show my parents right now is how I'm still trying to get a grip on my magic, AND wolf, when the awakening is happing just next week.
I already feel drained with whatever the hell just happened, and I'm satisfied with the fact that if I can't feel whatever it was anymore, then that's alright. It was here; it is gone now. That's the end of it...for the moment.
I felt Mariann tugging at my hand, and I turn to look at my amazing, beautiful sister. I smile to reassure her that all is fine, and she smiles back at me.
"Ready to go back home? Or do you want to eat something else?" I look at her little bowl of has-been ice cream and grimace "I'm sorry I didn't let you enjoy your ice cream in peace Anny!" She shakes her head fast.
"You are the most important to me. I can eat Ice cream later!"
The best thing our fathers gave me in our amazingly unique chaotic household.
Mariann.
I hug her hard and bask in the feeling of her little arms circling my lower back.
"Do you want to do it the traditional way, or the unconventional way?" I whisper and she giggles.
"Playroom please?" She whispers back and we start laughing. We separate and head to the front door. I think there is a discreet corner around the coffee shop where I can create a small portal for her to go back into her playroom before I go for a long run to shake off the shivers still running up my spine.
She will probably keep quiet about this little happening to our Dads, but I know for sure when that big mouth Nic comes around, he will tell on even before he reaches the house's threshold. I know I can handle Dad when he comes to me with questions, but I need to buy as much time as I can. Our Dad is a great Mage, if not the best Mage in the Lore lands, so I know he can play his tricks on me to detect what went down without me talking. But he respects my boundaries, so he usually resorts to his "let's be great understanding and trusting parents" methods. A part of me knows he does it on purpose to show and educate our other very overbearing father.
I should calm down my powers more and think about all the reasonable answers I can spew to reassure him that everything is fine. That I'm fine. I should talk to Mariann later about keeping it to herself, what she felt about my magic. But right now, I know I could trust this little girl with my privacy. If only the twins could learn something from their wise little sister.
I just need Xan to keep Nic away from home this afternoon, so he doesn't go back blabbing shit about me. Goddess, forbid he finds Pops there too. I will have to mind link Xan after I take care of my little sister and then go for a run in the forest. Another urgent matter that I need to take care of is the scowling sulking wolf inside me. We should have a long discussion and figure out what's wrong with us, especially with the awakening creeping on us fast.
Thank you, asshole, for remembering that I exist! And we are NOT discussing anything else before we talk about the way you treated me you jerk! not cool man! Using your magic against your master Alpha like that! - I told you, sulking! I scoff about the "your master" part and Darius growls again before he goes MIA.
So much shit to deal with, but at least I think I have my next steps figured out for today before I get to the bottom of this.
But one thing for sure...I'm not going back anytime soon to this place.