CHAPTER 5

　　We see Zak and Pipsqueak stapling fliers to lampposts across town, telling Shadow Crest of our upcoming merger with the Midnight Coven pack.

　　The pack huddles together to read the posts. They are unsure what to make of it. Nina and I approach them in the hopes of reassuring them.

　　'Hello everyone,' Nina says, smiling. They all smile politely.

　　'I want to reassure everyone that joining forces with the Midnight coven is a beneficial move. Extra aid around town would be beneficial, as would magical protection if our community were ever in danger. Witches are not to be feared. Your loving Luna is one, along with her sister May and has never caused us any harm. They are on our side and want to live peacefully amongst us and help keep humans and us safe from any threats to our communities. You are all welcome to join us at midnight tonight if you wish to.’

　　Everyone nods and smiles at each other, and all appear to be more at ease.

　　***

　　It's nearly midnight. Everyone in the packhouse is staring at the circle with the stones at each point of the star.

　　'How does this work? Do you believe they will materialise in the circle, or will a cloud of mist emanate from within and cause them to appear?' May asks.

　　'I suppose we'll find out any minute now,' Nina adds.

　　Yiselda is the first to emerge in a flash, followed by Fern, Ela, Ria, and Lilac, right on the stroke of midnight.

　　Yiselda grins as she notices half of the village staring in wonder.

　　'I assume you consented to join us as one community?' Yiselda inquires.

　　‘Welcome back,’ I say, ‘Yes, we are all thrilled to have you join us. Nina and May are also delighted to join your coven and become your sisters.’ My parents stand amongst the crowd and smile at me.

　　‘Let’s begin the initiation then and have you join our pack.

　　An athame with a black wood handle is brought forward. I take the knife and cut across the palm of Yiselda’s hand and then across my palm. We clasp our hands together.

　　‘I, Alpha Magnus, of the Shadow Crest Pack, with the Moon Goddess as our witness, accept the midnight coven into our pack. Wolf and Witch have merged.’

　　Lightning hits, and thunder roars with the same ferocity as it did the night I accidentally cursed Nina.

　　'The Moon Goddess has blessed us,' I declare aloud.

　　We part hands to find our wounds have all but healed.

　　Everyone cheers and shouts their welcome to the witches of the midnight coven.

　　The little mouse crawls out from Yiselda’s hood and sits on her shoulder.

　　‘I have to ask you, Yiselda, these pets you all have. Is it part of being a witch to have one?’ Nina asks.

　　Yiselda laughs, ‘These are not just pets, my dear. These are our familiars. This mouse is not just a mouse. Nibbler gives me a source of extra power when I need it. I can see through her eyes and hear through her ears at any time. She also helps me with potions and ingredient gathering. She is a unique familiar since she can transform into many animals. Her choice appears to be a mouse in general. I'm guessing it's due to her fondness for cheese,' Yiselda chuckles.

　　‘How would May and I receive a familiar?’

　　'Well, at your and May's initiation into our coven, a portal to Silverfay forest will open. All of the familiars dwell there. You'll trek through the woods until you come across your familiar. You'll know when you've discovered yours, much like a mate bond. You will feel a deep connection and be pulled to each other. When you touch your familiar, your wand and clothes will alter, and the mark of your familiar will appear on your chest.'

　　‘Like a bite mark?’ Nina says with a cringe.

　　‘Not at all. It will be a symbol like a tattoo,’ Yiselda explains.

　　‘Oh, I was worried for a moment there,’ Nina says with relief.

　　‘So was I,’ I add, not liking the notion of anyone else marking my Mate with a bite.

　　‘This is so exciting,’ May exclaims. ‘I wonder what familiar I’ll get?’

　　‘If you want to find out, we can start the ceremony?’ Yiselda smiles.

　　‘Yes, let’s start the ceremony. I’m ready,’ Nina says.

　　The five witches stand in a circle, ‘Nina, May, come forth and join us,’ Yiselda says. Nina and May approach the circle of witches. They all hold hands.

　　‘Once the portal opens, that is when you can let go of our hands and enter Silverfay Forest.’ Yiselda instructs.

　　The rest of the pack and I take a few steps back to give them more space.

　　Yiselda begins the ceremony.

　　'Thy coven sprouts like a seed.

　　Mother Earth, we beseech thee to acknowledge our two new sisters, like branches budding and flowers blossoming

　　add them to our tree.

　　Thy new sisters of Midnight Coven, we welcome thee.’

　　We listen to Yiselda say the words to initiate May and Nina into the coven. The earth trembles as a swirl of dazzling mist encircles them, and grass and flowers bloom about their feet.

　　The mist dissolves, and a spark of light appears inside the circle, becoming increasingly visible with each passing second. It is the entrance to Silverfay forest.

　　Yiselda, Fern, Ela, Ria and Lilac all smile at Nina and May and nod for them to enter Silverfay forest.