Riven's POV
The room erupted in cheers even before I could understand what I had just read.
"Surprise!" the older ones cried nearly in one accord, and their faces flushed with satisfaction.
I was blinking, with the letter in my hand. "Surprise?" I echoed.
Elder Magnus nodded proudly. We wanted your entering into manhood to be memorable. We addressed the Board of Dravenhold Academy itself and bought our own place. You will not be subjected to the usual admission examinations as the other young Alphas. Take it as a reward of your father serving and your mother being loyal to this pack.
The words hit me like a wave. I tried to smile a little, and bowed my head. It is... it is very generous of you. Thank you, Elders. I will strive to make the Silver Crest Pack proud.
They beamed at my answer.
Mother moved out graciously, her Luna presence in the room. "We are truly honored. My son shall not dismay you.
You are going to the Academy before you leave the week, Magnus. Prepare yourself. This is your time, young Alpha."
At the time when the meeting was finally over, I trailed my mother out of the room.
Before we reached my chambers the panic I had been containing myself was pouring out.
"Mother, what are we going to do?" I demanded, walking about the room. "I can't go there! It is all male school--what will you have me do? Go in there and hope that no one sees?
"Riven--"
"No, listen to me!" I cut her off, my voice rising. This is not what we can conceal indefinitely. They'll find out."
My mother shut the door and walked slowly to me, her face set. Enough, she said, and with that quality that always made me quit talking. "Panicking won't help. I know you are scared, and everything will be all right.
"How?" I demanded. "You saw them. They have already informed the whole world that I will be there. I'll reject it. I'll tell them I'm not ready yet."
Her voice hardened. "No. You won't."
I froze. "Why not?"
Due to the fact that you have already made your word, she said simply.
I clenched my fists. "Then what do we do, Mother? Tell me! What shall we do when they know I am not what they think I am?
You will never be found, child, my child, she said to herself. "I have an idea."
I frowned. "What kind of idea?"
Something I should have done years ago, she said to herself. "But you must trust me. For now, rest. I'll be back soon."
She walked away before I could ask anything.
I attempted to lie down, but my thoughts could not be quieted.
I had to go and bathe when I could not stand it any longer.
I wasn't weak. I just wanted to be... myself.
But that wasn't an option. Not in this world.
I took a bath and sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the window. Hours had passed before the door was creaked open again.
It was late. My mother came in, no longer in her royal gown. She had a plain hooded cloak.
"Come with me," she whispered.
I stood quickly. "Where are we going?"
She didn't answer. She simply gestured that I should follow.
In a moment we were out of the palace grounds altogether, and deep into the woods.
"Mother," I whispered. "Where are we going?"
She glanced back at me once. "Somewhere safe."
We continued to walk till the trees parted way to a small clearing. In the centre of this, there was a hut the type which appeared to be on the verge of collapsing with a single strong wind.
"This is it," she said.
I frowned. "A hut?"
She pushed the door and entered with me.
When I entered, I stopped my breath.
It was not at all what I had anticipated. The interior was much bigger than the exterior.
"Mother..." I was about to start, when the surface of the boiling pot started to shake, and a woman gradually emerged out of it. I called my mothrr to me, and cowered behind her.
It is Luna Selene, the woman replied, in a low voice. "It's been a long time."
Mother bent her head down a little. "Mara."
I stared, wide-eyed. "You... came out of a pot."
The woman smiled faintly. "I sure did, Princess Riven."
I stood motionless, with my mouth open ajar. "How--how do you know?"
The witch smiled knowingly. I know everything, see everything, and hear everything, child. Thou mayest hide thyself out of thy people, but not of magic.
I gulp and gazed at my mother. "You told her?"
"Told me?" She cackled. You must have a spell...one that will turn her into a man.
My mother nodded.
The witch smiled, slowly, inquisitively. The conversion of a woman into a man is no easy job... but it is possible. It will not hurt," she said. But it will make it all different.
An air started to move around me, before I could inquire what she meant. My garments disappeared and the witch started chanting in a language that I could not comprehend.
I felt a weird warmth that was not painful, it was simply alien. I was feeling the tingling of my skin and I felt my body moving, reforming itself.
I stood there when the chanting had ceased--gawking at a stranger.
A man.
Me.
The witch brought her hand down, and now her face was solemn. "It is done," she said. But keep this in mind, Riven Blackwood-- magic never comes free.
I swung around to her, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"
The spell will work unless nature itself comes in. Should your body ever bleed, or should you fall into heat.... She stopped and her voice lowered into a whisper. The spell will part-- and your secret will be known.