Milcah’s p.o.v. I know that Meadow was lying to me, but I didn’t want to put her on the spot. I have no idea who her thoughts involved and calling her out on her lie could have caused a disaster or maybe it could have backfired on me. Magnus wraps an arm around my waist as he guides me to the top of the stairs. It's time to face the music, as they say. I have to tell myself that it will come out eventually and with Magnus by my side, I can handle anything. Somehow, Magnus manages to keep us at the back as we walk downstairs and we are the last to enter the dining room. Every conversation halts and one after the other turns their head in our direction, but Magnus keeps leading me toward our table. Some wonder how Meadow managed to leave the dining room undetected, while others are confused about Magnus walking so close to my side. “Ladies and Gentlemen.” Alpha Lincoln calls out, drawing everyone’s attention to himself. “I am happy to announce that Magnus found his fated Mate in Milcah.” Okay, I had suspected a few murmurs. But the room to remain eerily quiet wasn’t something I had counted on and I let my ability to sense their emotions flow. Everyone seems more shocked and surprised than anything else, but I can’t feel any anger.“They are not used to a public announcement of a High-ranking Shifter finding their fated Mate. Alpha Hank felt that they would eventually figure it out on their own.” Meadow informs me. “Hi, I won’t take up much of your time. Like me, you must be starving.” I say and I hear a few giggles and chuckles coming from the crowd. “It seems that you no longer have to play a guessing game about a High-ranking Shifter finding their fated Mate. Also, skip the Young Luna for the time being. I still have to get used to having a Mate and trying to remember that I am also the future Luna. I guess you get my drift.” I say before I sit next to Magnus. “Nicely done, Milcah. They all seem pleased to know that you will be the future Luna.” Alpha Lincoln says. I enjoy my lunch while listening to the others talk. It is strange to hear that former Alpha Hank didn’t appreciate his Omegas or that he didn’t keep track of his Pack-members and their children. Magnus tells me about his Brother and baby Sister, who are still living in Black Valley Pack and about Madden becoming the Alpha of Black Valley Pack in six months. “It will take place on a Full Moon. This tradition started with the first Alpha, who founded Black Valley Pack. He wanted to honor our Goddess and we have passed over the title on a Full Moon ever since.” Alpha Lincoln explains. I snag a fry from Magnus’ plate, but he doesn’t seem to notice it and I grab another one. Magnus keeps talking and occasionally grabs a fry from his plate until he can no longer find any because I took the last one. “Did you steal my fries, Baby?” Magnus asks and I start looking around me. “What is wrong, Milcah?” I hear Alpha Lincoln ask while I am looking under the table. “I am looking for that fry stealing baby.” I answer as I look behind me and from the corner of my eye, I see Magnus looking at me with the most gullible look on his face. I knew it wasn’t smart to say it and I am ready to jump away from the table the moment Magnus reaches for me. Instead of heading toward the hallway, I cut through the dining room and run past a few tables to head out of the Pack-house. “You can’t outrun me, Baby.” I hear Magnus call out, while others are laughing and I make a beeline for the forest at the back of the Pack-house. I change my mind when I notice that the back door is open and I use the Omega stairwell to get up to the Alpha floor. I use my ability to find Magnus, but it seems I can’t use it on him and I send a thank you up to the Goddess. “Meadow, any idea where that Mate of mine went?” I ask through the mind-link and I hear her giggle in response. “You are safe. He is nowhere near you, Baby.” She answers me and I let myself fall onto the bed while laughing. I grab the pillow that still smells like Magnus and roll onto my side to look out the window. My life has changed rapidly in the past few days, but the most crucial change came last night when I smelled the scent of my fated Mate. Opening that door without knowing who was on the other side was the scariest thing I have ever done. Not only did I know that my Mate was on the other side, I also knew that Mom’s fated Mate was there. “Current and future leadership. Alpha office.” I hear Alpha Lincoln say through the mind-link and after inhaling his scent one more time, I get off the bed to head downstairs. Magnus is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs and I jump into his arms, knowing he will always catch me. “Where were you, Baby?” He asks and I whisper in his ear where I spent the last ten minutes. I get a strange sense from Meadow as we walk into the office. On one side, she feels happy, but on the other, she feels annoyed. “Meadow is happy that the intruder finally answered some questions; she just hates that she didn’t get to pull them out of him.” Magnus states as he sits down in an armchair, while still holding on to me. Everyone looks at us a little funny, except for Mom. I wonder if she will explain it to them or if she wants to keep it a secret. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t tell you everything. The abilities in the Belleron bloodline only manifest if the fated Mates complete their Mate-bond during the Full Moon. Milcah and Magnus share the same ability and if they are granted more than one, they will also share those.” Mom says. “Don’t apologize, Zaphara. You had every right to keep some of it hidden and I am glad it worked out for all involved.” Alpha Lincoln says. “Magnus, care to explain your ability?” Magnus looks at me and I give him a reassuring smile. We don’t need to keep this to ourselves. “If we focus on a person or a group, we can sense how they are feeling. We can also sense Shifters around us and where they are, except for each other.” Magnus says. Meadow gives me a knowing look, understanding why I asked her where Magnus was.