The cool air blew Marie's hair as she walked along the path to visit Beth. She had not seen her since they attempted the ritual for Harold. Sargon told her that Beth checked on her often when she wouldn't wake up. Marie knew bet would be happy to see her. It would be a good idea to visit with her and find out what really happened that night.
A smile formed on Marie's face as she smelled the pastries being baked before she arrived at Beth's house. She could always count on comfort food from her. Every desert held a different type of magic. It was fun to watch her create.
She arrived at the front door and Beth opened it before Marie could reach for the knob. She threw her arms around Marie, squeezing her tightly.
"Don't do that to me again. I thought you would never wake up!!" She said as the two of them embraced.
Beth took Marie's hand and guided her into her home. Marie sat in a chair at the kitchen table as Beth prepared two cups of tea for them.
"How have you been?" Marie asked.
"Worried. You scared me." Beth replied.
"Everything is so unreal right now. I am so confused."
"What's wrong? Why did you leave the castle?"
"I needed to clear my head. I can't do that in the castle, so I came home."
"There is no place like home," Beth said, shrugging her shoulders.
"What about your boy toy? He let you leave?"
"He had no choice. I am not really the kind to be told what to do. He doesn't like it but he knows I will be back. I just need time."
"Time and distance make the heart grow fonder," Beth said with a smile as she took a sip of her tea.
"Let's hope so, or I will be single again," Marie said playfully.
"According to that ring. I beg to differ. Did he give that to you? Are you engaged?" Beth asked eagerly as she gazed at the stone on Marie's finger.
"Uhm, I guess so. I don't know how this all works so I am just going with the flow."
"Marie, you are going to be married to the Alpha! Do you know what that means? You are going to be the queen!" Beth said wide-eyed.
"I never really thought about it. It's not a big deal. Is it?"
"It's a huge deal! You will be running this entire kingdom. People will look to you for advice and guidance. You will never live a simple life again."
Suddenly, Marie didn't feel so good. "That doesn't sound like much fun. It sounds like rules and responsibilities that I am not willing to accept."
"Listen, 'chosen one', you cannot run from your destiny forever. You were born to be a great leader. It will be amazing. You will be an awesome queen! My friend is going to be the queen!" Beth squealed as Marie chuckled.
"Hey, I have been wanting to ask you. What happened that night we tried to cast the spell on Harold? I asked Sargon but he said he doesn't remember much after shifting into his wolf."
"What is the last thing you remember?"
"Well, I remember Harold shifting. Then, Sargon shifted and I was afraid. I had never seen him in his wolf form before. That's the last thing I remember. Everything else is a blur. Something happened that night and I need to figure out what it was."
Beth looked away from Marie remaining quiet for a moment in deep thought. Marie gave her the time she needed. It must have been traumatic for her as well.
"Harold shifted and tried to attack Isabel. Sargon shifted and jumped between them. Isabel didn't want to continue the spell after she was nearly attacked but you begged her to continue. After a while we did."
"Oh my gosh. Is Isabel ok?"
"She is fine. She was just a little shaken up. You know how she feels about their kind."
"I know. I am thankful she tried to help. I feel horrible that she was almost attacked. I need to go see her."
"There is more." Beth continued.
"What else?"
"Well, when we continued the spell, you got really close to Harold. You had cast the same spell you used on the snake in the swap on him. He was frozen but it was still frightening. Those wolves are huge! You put your hands on his heart, then this light came out of you and went into Harold. You both passed out and we stopped the spell."
"I need to find out what that light was. It changed things somehow."
"What do you mean?" Beth asked.
"Apart from the fact that I was asleep for a week, I feel different," Marie said.
Suddenly, Beth reached for Marie's hand as her pupils became dilated. She stared into Marie's eyes silently for a moment. "Oh, my goodness Marie, you lost your power!" Beth said as she abruptly released Marie's hand.
Marie looked at the table with a blank stare. "I have lost everything Beth. I can't even sense what normal humans can sense. I don't even have my intuition. It is all gone. My power is gone." She said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"It is going to be alright. This must be temporary. You exerted a lot of energy that night. It will come back."
"It has been a week, Beth. When have you ever heard of a witch losing her power like this?"
"You are right. I never have. You must be careful. You cannot tell anyone that you have no power. No one can know you are here. You are the chosen. Many witches would love to take advantage of your weakened state. We have to get your magic back somehow." Beth said, with a confused expression.
"I tried everything. I did research. I tried casting spells. I can't do any of it. The strange thing is that the mate bond between Sargon and I has faded. The feelings are still there but the mark is fading more each day."
"Wow. I didn't even know you were mated. How is that possible? You are a witch, and he is a wolf?"
"We are trying to figure it all out. Maybe that's why it is fading. We are not compatible."
"But then you wouldn't have been able to be marked at all. Can he try to renew it?"
"Perhaps. That might not be a bad idea. I am sure he wouldn't mind trying. My priority is my magic though. I need it back fast. Harold won't survive in his condition, and I won't be able to protect myself. Sybil is still out there."
"Maybe we can try reviving your power together. My magic is still as strong as ever. Maybe we can find out what happened."
"It is worth a shot. I will try just about anything to find out what is going on."
"Ok. I will gather a few things and we shall try first thing in the morning. Until then, stay out of sight."