Loud shouts sounded inside the gym as Kai gave the younger players instructions. The wind rushed through Jaxon’s hair as he ran across the floor. The smell of sweat hit his nose as two visages appeared in front of him. Two players came towards him with determined looks on their faces. An effort worth commending but Jaxon could smell the fear on them.

With a ferocious roar, he tackled them to the ground. They groaned as he helped them up.

“Better luck next time, newbies.”

Jaxon brushed himself off and turned when he felt a slap on the shoulder.

“Go easy on the lads, they might break a bone,” Aeron said and nodded at the two boys limping away.

“Remember last year's game against the girls of Elan Academy?”

“Vividly.”

“Yeah, if we don’t want a repeat of last year's game then we will need to push some weights around here.”

They both watched as the ball was sent flying by a kick from Haley and saw Hadrien run to catch it in the air.

“Nice, Hadrien. A few more jumps and you might grow a few inches,” Aeron shouted and turned to face Jaxon. “Not that it will he-“

Aeron groaned and stared at the ball which had hit the back of his head. Jaxon held back a snort as he saw Haley high five Hadrien in the background.

“No bloody respect for the captain,” Aeron grumbled as he scratched his aching head.

“Mon ma pauvre, need your girlfriend to kiss your pain away,” Hadrien teased as he and Haley walked closer. He nodded to a girl standing by the stands, sighing while watching them.

“Wait, that creepy girl who has been stalking us is your girlfriend?” Jaxon exclaimed and noticed that the girl squealed and hid behind a banner when they looked over at her.

“Yeah, apparently,” Aeron muttered.

“When did that happen?”

“Last semester, you know, during that party were you apparently used dark magic. You should have invited me. It would have been better than what I experienced!”

“He got himself ridiculously drunk from Spirit Nectar and woke up the next day in bed with a squirrel shifter who claimed that they became a couple last night,” Hadrien said and nodded towards Aeron who waved and the little redhead who squealed again and hid.

“Squirrel?”

“Shut your trap, but yeah. That pretty much sums up my night. The next week I met her parents and since then I had to spend the rest of my time with her every day,” muttered Aeron.

“Then why did you not break it off with her?” Jaxon asked.

“It was her first time and I didn’t want to seem like an ass.”

“You are an ass.”

“Thank you, that helped.”

“It wasn't supposed to be of help, you twat.”

Haley grinned at them.” Don’t worry, he seems to be adjusting well. Even sings in the shower and read those ridiculous articles on how to be a better boyfriend in those girly magazines.”

They all turned towards Aeron who looked awkwardly back at them. “I want to make her happy, okay.”

Suddenly a ball swished past Jaxon’s face, only missing it with an inch. Jaxon turned to a grinning face he sincerely had hoped to never see again.

“Rowe,” Jaxon growled and Mark Rowe snorted at him while his goons tried to look bigger than they actually were.

“Heard your brother got beaten like the bitch he is.”

“Fuck you, Mark!” said Jaxon with a growl and both Hadrien and Haley followed suit forming their own little pack. Aeron just sighed and tried to break them up.

“Cute, are you going to bend over like a Delta as well?” Mark grinned. A red-haired, tiny boy glared at Mark. Dale apparently did not like him insulting those of his rank.

“No need to glare, ginger. We all know what your one good point is.”

“Unlike you who has no good points,” Haley muttered and Hadrien chuckled while Aeron rolled his eyes.

“Sure, pour gasoline over the fire, Haley…”

“Hey, I hear you are still a druid’s bitch. Got a taste for it last year, aye,” said Mark and his goons chuckled. Okay, the kindergarten insults were over. Jaxon formed a fist and slammed straight into Mark's face without holding back. Mark stumbled and flashed his fangs. Without a care for the spectators he put his claws on full display. So did all of his goons.

“Bad mistake, Price. I will put you on the ground like your bitch brother!”

Jaxon was just about to attack when Mark hurled to the ground when a fist hit his face. This time his jaw cracked with a nasty sound. He laid face down on the hard floor. He tried to get up with a groan but a foot forced his face down onto the floor again.

Kai looked down at him with contempt. “Sorry, I did not hear you. Like what bitch brother?”

The goons winced as they looked at Kai. Veins pulsated on his neck and forehead while he displayed a full set of sharp fangs.

“I let you use the fucking gym to train rugby even though it’s way too bloody cold to be playing outside and you fucking twats dare insult me and my family. Seems like someone needs to be castrated.”

Mark tried to answer but Kai merely pushed his face down onto the floor again. “I don’t fucking care about your reasons. Just run. And don’t stop until I say so or you die!”

Every one of the Marks so-called goons ran with their tails between their legs. Mark did the same with a grunt as he cracked his jaw back in place. Dale gave them all one last glare before running after the guys. Why he is with them when they clearly had no respect for him was beyond Jaxon's comprehension.

“Kai…” Jaxon began but Kai silenced him with a growl.

“Though I appreciate you showing some balls for the family. I would appreciate it more if you weren’t such a fucking twat. Run around the gym with the rest of them, and pray that I will be in a better mood when I get back from my lunch!”

*****

“A spell for turning people to stone, curse them into monsters. A spell to make them tell their deepest desires…” Blake sighed. He looked over at Ahriman who yawned and stretched while giving him a dull gaze. They sat in the Conservatory, underneath the dead World Tree. It’s dead branches still stretched towards the sky and have the Conservatory an eery atmosphere. Since the Druids had abandoned it, the place had been empty and the perfect place to train magic.

Not that there had been much training as none of the spells in the grimoire could actually help him turn the golden acorn to a new World Tree.

“Are there any useful spells in this book?”

“All of them are useful with the right circumstance,” Ahriman shrugged.

“You say so but I wonder how these are of any use. This one seems to be straight from Greek mythology. Turning into a person's husband or wife. Most likely to sleep with them. What is it doing in this grimoire?”

“For fun. I used it plenty of times for amusement. Nothing is more fun than to create chaos by having the wife mistakenly sleep with another man.”

“You are horrible.”

“So is every Greek god then.”

“Precisely.”

Coney jumped closer to then with a humph. “Let the evil creature do his thing. It’s my turn to teach you magic!”

Blake lifted the little rabbit up with sparkling eyes. “Do you know any magic that can help me create a new World Tree?”

Coney slumped in his arms. “No, that is a tad above me…”

Blake put Coney down in disappointment and Coney hastily started to scratch Blake’s leg with his little paws.

“But I do know useful magic! I will teach you the Sight of Moirai,” Coney fussed.

Blake was about to utter his hesitation when he noticed Ahriman’s look which only made him more curious.

“What is the Sight of Moirai?”

“Powerful Astral Magic called Deius Magicum. It allows you to see the threads of fate,” Coney huffed proudly.

“Threads of fate?”

“The future… It allows you the glimpse the future,” Ahriman explained with a peculiar look on his face. He looked both amused and concerned.

“Useful! You will be able to see threats before they even happen,” said Coney like he waited for praise. Blake petted his head and Coney seemed contented with his reward.

“That does seem useful…”

“Of course, much better than anything you find in that pornographic grimoire of yours.”

Blake grimaced at the thought of Ahrimans glamour over the book. He had hoped that Ahriman had changed the pictures but it seems that wasn’t the case.

Coney started to go off on explaining his brilliance when Ahriman leaned in to whisper in Blake’s ear.

“Though Astral Magic, especially Deius Magicum, is useful. Do not tell anyone that you can use it. For that matter, do not show it to anyone. I know that you have a bad track record of keeping secrets but this one is a must.”

“Why?” Blake asked suspiciously.

“Because it’s forbidden for mortals to learn it. Too much power for your kind. If any god ever finds out that Coney has taught you magic only meant for gods. Well,” Ahriman gave a meaningful gaze towards the cheery little rabbit.

“Why would he teach me forbidden magic?”

“Most likely to impress. No other magic could compare to mine, even though he seems too proud to admit it.”

“Then I should not learn it.”

“You can decline and break the little rodent’s heart but I would advise against it. There have been other mortals who have used the Sight of Moirai in secret. Most stole it from the gods. Ever heard of Oracles? Just don’t tell who taught you the Sight of Moirai if you ever are discovered and hope for the best.”

“Still sounds too much of a risk.”

“Maybe, but as the rabbit said. It is useful, you can save a lot of friends and protect them from dangers if you knew when dangers would come. Not to mention that the gift might be able to help locate a suitable location for the seed of the World Tree. Are you really going to give up such an opportunity?”

Blake hesitated as it seemed like too much of an advantage to just throw in the wind… He nodded. He needed this but he made a mental note of not mentioning it to others. Not even Jaxon.

“Okay, when can we start?” Blake asked the little rabbit who looked ecstatic.

“I will need to prepare a few things but I will be back soon!” said Coney and with a poof, he vanished in an array of lights.

“Well, he is eager,” Ahriman muttered.

“Why haven’t you taught me this magic if it is so useful? You don’t seem to be afraid of breaking the rules?”

Ahriman shrugged with an apathetic look on his face,” I saw no reason for it. It’s powerful but would make you a target if it ever was found out. I might be able to survive but I feared for your life. Thought it was better to avoid the temptation but since the little rodent brought it up. I leave it to your good judgment.”

Blake looked with suspicion at Ahriman and a bad feeling hit him. It couldn’t be that Ahriman tricked Coney to teach him the Sight of Moirai so that he himself did not have to be in danger. Now that Blake thought about it…

Yeah, that was surely it.

*****

Elliott groaned as he listened to Kai explain what had happened during Jaxon’s practice. His younger brothers sure know how to create trouble for him. This would surely make Ronan’s day but what currently concerned him was not Ronan but Mark Rowe.

“Mark Rowe sure seems quite confident. He has always been a loose cannon but at least had the wits to try to hide it. What has changed?” said he bitterly.

“My guess is Ronan. With a new Alpha vying for the position of Alpha, Mark is trying to get on Ronan’s good side,” said Kai with a snort at the thought of the tiny little Beta. A grin spread on his face when he remembers earlier today when Mark threw up all over himself after running around the field until he collapsed.

Elliott rolled his eyes,” I fairly sure that tormenting him won’t turn him to our side.”

“No, but it sure makes me feel all fuzzy.”

“Real mature of you.”

“I am younger, you know.”

“Not that young,” Owen intervened in his sons' squabble.”I don’t like that the Betas have started to act up. Kai, keep an eye on them. I want to know if any of them get out of line.”

“Better leave it to Jaxon. It will feel less threating to other Betas if it is solved by one of their own age,” Elliott mused.

“You think that he can handle it?” Kai asked with doubt written all over his face.

“Yes, Jaxon is growing into a fine Alpha. Let him prove himself.”

“Then let’s leave it to Jaxon, but what about me,” Kai shrugged and Elliott smiled at him.

“I have a very special task for you.”

Kai stared at him for a while before pulling out a bottle of whiskey.