Chapter Five

I feel the magic in veins and souls, as I say, the spells in my head. It relaxes me and calms my nerves. I think about the earth, the soil that runs deep beneath the ground, and focus on the environment around me. The light breeze becomes so heavy in my mind.

Nature and elements are a big part of my witchcraft. I connect with nature on a different level than most people. It's mainly in my soul, and I use the earth's energy as my own. 

"Still doing that witchcraft, Rori?" I hear my father's voice. And out of habit, I hide the spell book behind my back.

"Dad, why didn't you knock, what if I would have been undressed or something? 

"I saw Nico, he told me you were awake"

I nod. 

"Why are you here?

"Just going for a run."

"Mom?"

"She's still sleeping."

My mom is a bartender and works a late shift. My dad's club bouncer in the same establishment. It's nice to get to see them live a normal life after they have done their duties in the forest. Dev even plays in a band again, this one a little more mellow at least. 

As my dad opens the mini fridge and drinks orange juice from the container, I watch in annoyance. 

"Sometimes you drive me nuts."

He laughs. "That's my job, right?'"

 "Why is everyone so against magic? It's like healing and praying to a god, it just strengthens my soul."

"Rori, we just don't want you torn between sides." I see the look of concern on his face. I know he's been through a lot in the forest, and he's just trying to protect me. But the forest isn't the same there are no zombies anymore. Well, there hasn't been in a long time. And creatures are not at war. 

"You mean because Mom chose the vampires?"

"She did for a brief moment, you have to stop being so judgmental, that was a harder situation."

"How Dad?"

"She was a vampire."

"And I'm not a witch?"

"Rori, you're choosing to practice magic."

"Because I feel that's who I am, Dad!" I feel the words yell out of my mouth louder than I intended. 

He swallows hard. "I know you believe that."

"And you don't?"

"Maybe you're right, maybe it does have something to do with all the potions, but I'm hoping you feel more connected to being a werewolf because that's who you were meant to be."

I nod. I know my genetics didn't plan to be coded with potions. My very existence didn't plan to be laced with magic. 

"Of course I'm Alpha. I'm a leader. I keep everything in check."

He smiles. 

"But would I be if Ajay had a kid?"

He nods. "I handled just as many problems as Ajay did, and for the ones I wasn't handling, I was counseling him. You don't have to be an alpha to be a leader. Alpha is just a title, this is a team effort."

"I know Dad."

"What's up, Chetan?" 

"Tala," my dad eyes him, as he enters my tent.