That's definitely a conversation I don't want to have. "Sorry I accidentally made you permanently human because I was too tired to double-check my magical grammar" wouldnotgo over well.
I grab a fresh sheet of paper and start drafting the incantation in Latin. Most modern witches prefer their native language for spellwork because they think it provides clearer intent, and maybe that's true sometimes. But for something this complex and ancient, I trust the traditional approach.
Just as I'm getting into the flow of composition, a shout from downstairs interrupts my concentration.
"Regina!" That's Sean's voice, booming through the house like he doesn't realize I can hear him perfectly well without him yelling at top volume. Then again, Sean'salwaysat top volume. "REGINA! COME DOWN!"
"I'm working!" I shout back.
A moment later, footsteps thunder up the stairs to the attic. Micah's tousled head appears first, followed by the rest of him as he climbs into the space. His glasses are slightly askew as usual, giving him a perpetually rumpled look that's more adorable than it has any right to be.
"Sorry to interrupt," he says, surveying the organized chaos around me. "But Killian's insisting. Says it's important."
"Important like actual emergency important, or important like he's bored and wants someone to scratch behind his ear important?" I ask, setting down my pen.
Micah's lips quirk into a smile. "Somewhere in between. He got you something."
I sigh dramatically but start gathering my notes into a semi-organized pile. These wolves and their gifts. It kind of reminds me of when my childhood golden retriever used to "spoil" me by leaving dead birds on my bed.
"Fine. I guess I could use a break anyway. My Latin's rusty."
My phone buzzes again on the stack of books, the screen lighting up with another message. Micah's eyes flick to it, then back to me, something unreadable crossing his expression.
"You've been getting a lot of those," he says carefully.
"Spam," I lie, scooping up the phone and shoving it into my pocket. "Nothing important."
He doesn't look convinced but doesn't press the issue. "Come on. Let's not keep the big bad alpha waiting. He gets cranky when he doesn't get immediate gratification."
I follow Micah down the narrow attic stairs, rolling my shoulders to work out the stiffness from hours of research. My back pops in a way that's both satisfying and concerning.
I'm going to need fucking acupuncture or I'll turn into one of those witches who ends up with a permanent hunch from too many all-nighters spent researching obscure magical phenomena.
The rest of the pack is gathered in the living room, all looking up expectantly when I enter. Killian stands in the center, holding a glossy shopping bag with a tech store logo emblazoned on the side. The manic gleam in his eyes immediately puts me on alert.
"What's going on?" I ask, glancing between them. "Micah said there was something important?"
"There is," Killian says, striding forward to thrust the bag at me. "This is for you."
I take the bag cautiously, as if it might contain something dangerous. For all I know, it does. When I peek inside, I see a sleek box containing the latest smartphone. It's the ridiculously expensive kind that costs more than I used to make in a month back when I had an actual job.
"What is this about?" I ask, confused.
"Your new phone," Killian says with a grin. "It's already set up with all our numbers. And before you ask, yes, it's on our plan, and no, we're not going to let you pay us back."
I stare at the box, then back at Killian, a knot forming in my throat. "I can't accept this."
"You can," Rowan chimes in from his spot on the couch. "Your old phone is compromised. We've all seen how you flinch every time it buzzes."
Sean nods enthusiastically. "We're not blind, Storm. Your ex and his witchy friends are harassing you through that thing. And while I'm pretty sure Killian here would love nothing more than to track down whoever's sending those messages and use their intestines as crime scene tape, we figured a new phone would be less likely to get us all arrested. For now. At least until the bond kicks in."
My face burns with embarrassment. They've noticed. Of course they've noticed. These are wolves with enhanced senses who watch me like I'm the most fascinating thing they've ever seen. Subtlety was never going to work.
"It's just a few texts," I say, trying to sound dismissive. "Nothing I can't handle."
"You shouldn't have to handle it at all," Killian says, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "Those fuckers need to leave you alone. New phone, new number they don't have. Problem solved."
I sigh, stuffing down the uncomfortable roiling in my throat. "I appreciate the thought, but I can't keep accepting things like this from you guys. The clothes, the food, now a phone? It's too much."
