Between Two Worlds

Chapter 4 Pendant

I head downstairs to find Aunt Angie in the kitchen prepping food for the bbq at the packhouse this evening.

“Hey, sweetie.” Aunt Angie smiles at me brightly as I take a seat on one of the kitchen island stools. When I don’t respond, her brow begins to furrow slightly. “what’s wrong?”

I am not sure how to start this conversation so I just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “Is my dad a fairy?”

Aunt Angie momentarily stiffens, but quickly plasters a concerned smile on her face to cover it up. “that is an odd thing to ask. What has made you think this?”

I take a deep breath and start explaining my dream to Aunt Angie. She listens half-attentively as she continues to prep food, but when I get to the part about my muddy feet she stops what she is doing and stares at me with her mouth agape. Aunt Angie is quiet for a long time, seemingly lost in thought. Finally, taking a seat next to me, she begins to speak. “I really don’t know what to tell you, Neve. This dream makes no sense to me. Your father came from the Autumn Realm. Whilst they are powerful beasts, the Autumn Realm werewolves, they are not fairies. The only place fairies existed was in the Winter Realm where they ruled over both werewolves and the fae up until 18 years ago when they just vanished.” She squeezed my hand as she continued to speak. “Sweetie, I know it is tough not really knowing much about your dad, and having no living relatives left from your mum. You will be 18 soon, and the changes that happen when a werewolf comes of age are really overwhelming. And it must be twice as hard facing those changes without your mum and dad. Just know, Uncle Jonty and I love you very much and we are always here for you.”

“Thanks, Aunt Angie.” I pause momentarily before I have to question the one thing she is ignoring. “Ummm, Aunt Angie?”

“Yes?”

“You never mentioned my muddy feet. Why would I wake up with muddy feet?”

Fear momentarily flashes across her face before she responds. “I am not sure, sweetie… How about I ask some of the pack elders for you? They are more knowledgeable about the type of magic that you dreamt about. They may have some answers for you.”

I saw that fear in her eyes. I am not buying it for one second that she doesn’t know what I am talking about. “Thanks, Aunt Angie. I would appreciate that.” I reply with as much fake enthusiasm as I can muster. “I better head upstairs, Fleur is waiting to finish getting ready for the party.”

“You’re welcome!” Aunt Angie replied brightly

Angie’s POV

I hold my breath as I watch Neve leave the kitchen. Waiting until I was sure she was out of earshot, I quickly pulled out my phone and dialled.

The phone picked up after two rings, “Hi, Alpha. It’s Angie. Sorry to bother you as I know you are just as busy as we are getting ready for the boys’ party, but this is important. Nathaniel and Noelle have made contact with Neve.”

I pause as I hear the Alpha inhale sharply. “Does she know anything?”

“No, I am pretty sure I convinced her it was just a dream for now. But you know as well as me if they have made contact with her now it is bad. The closer she gets to her 18th birthday, the more dangerous it will be for her.”

The Alpha agrees that Neve is possibly in danger, but assures me the protection spell surrounding her will stay intact until she comes of age. “Angie, I know you have withheld information from Neve as you want to protect her, but I think it will be in Neve’s best interests if you can somehow, very discreetly, provide her with an extra layer of protection if you know what I mean?”

“Yes, Alpha. I understand.”

Neve POV

Forty-five minutes later, I hear Aunt Angie call Fleur and me downstairs. It is time to go.

“Oh, you both look gorgeous!” She gushes as we walk down the stairs. Fleur is wearing a white sundress that falls to her knees with little yellow daisies printed all over it. I am wearing an amethyst purple romper with a plunging vee neckline and kimono sleeves, my brown hair falls down my back in soft curls. Purple is my favourite colour. “Don’t they look gorgeous, Duke?”

Duke briefly looks up from his phone and grunts in acknowledgement before returning to his scrolling. I roll my eyes at him. He looks quite handsome in his chino cut-offs and white linen button-down with the sleeves loosely rolled to his elbows.

I look at a small jewellery box in Aunt Angie’s hands. She notices me staring and moves towards me, lifting the lid as she walks towards me. Inside the box is a rose gold necklace, with an intricate crystal snowflake pendant hanging off it. In the middle of the crystal is a tiny amethyst. My eyes widen. “It’s beautiful!” I exclaim.

Aunt Angie smiles as she carefully lifts the necklace from the box. “It was your mother’s,” she says softly. I look up at her with my eyes wide, tears beginning to glisten. “When you came to live with us, this was amongst your belongings. I was going to keep it and gift it to you on your 18th birthday, but since our conversation earlier, I thought you wouldn’t mind if I gave it to you a little earlier.”

“Oh, no! Thank you. I love it.” I whisper as Aunt Angie moves behind me to help fasten the necklace around my neck.

“It’s my birthday tomorrow. Why is she getting presents and not me?” Grumbles Duke.

Aunt Angie flashes a warning glare at Duke, indicating he should pipe down before she looks at me and sighs nostalgically. “You look just like her... ok, ready to go?” She asks, smoothing her dress and blinking away tears.

As we head out the door, I quickly admire myself in the hall mirror, placing my hand over the pendant. I feel a slight vibration against my skin as I do that. Huh, that was weird.

“Come on, Neve! We’ll be late.” Barks an impatient Duke.

“Hold your horses you grumpy wolf, I’m coming!” I snap back, forgetting about what just happened with the pendant.