The next morning in Austin's room, Austin yawned and stretched, feeling the soft blanket brush against his skin, and noticed his room was a bit different, it's the same room that he was given in at the mansion.

So it hadn't been a dream.

Well, in the sense that it was a real hallucination he had. Then he rushed out of the room and went to find Jason.

Just then, a lady in red arrived in the hallway. She smiled at Austin and set a pile of something on the top of the dresser, then left. Austin made her way over to see what had been brought in.

The first item was a pair of jeans pants. The next item was a white shirt with a high collar and sleeves out at the shoulders. There was also a red shirt to go with it and some underwear.

Unlike the clothes he had been given yesterday, these seemed like they would fit him properly. He slipped on the new clothes, putting the red shirt under the white shirt, then looked at himself in the mirror. Austin was unfamiliar with the person looking back at him.

This was the first time he had seen himself, without crying to sleep, He didn't look crazy or like a lunatic in these clothes. They made him seem mature and professional, Another knock came from the door and a boy at the age of 17 entered.

"Hey, Austin, my name is Anakin Skywalker." the boy introduced himself.

"Hey, I'm Austin Reese." Austin introduced himself.

"Oh, Good, do you like your new clothes," Anakin said.

He then grabbed Austin's wrist and began dragging him out of the room. "Hey! Where are we going?!" Austin said.

Anakin didn't answer and continued to pull him down the stairs. They didn't stop until they reached the kitchen, and Austin had to catch his breath when they finally came to a halt.

"Hey, Austin." At the kitchen table sat Jason, didn't look up as they came in, instead he was eating with other kids, "How did you sleep, Austin?"

"Ah, Austin. Come eat with us." Anakin said.

"Ok!" Austin said.

Austin did as he was told and took a Eggs Benedict from the food set out before him.

"You are going through a lot of trouble to make me feel welcome", Austin noted.

"Yeah, my dad made someone promise to find you." Jason said.

"Find me?" Austin asked. a knot of confusion forming in his stomach.

Jason nodded. "Yeah, you're important, Austin. Or at least, that's what my dad said."

"It's true, a friend of his discovered you were missing, so he figured out you were at the auction." Anakin said. "So yeah."

Austin's mind whirled with questions, but he didn't know where to begin. He had always been an ordinary teenage boy, living an ordinary life. What could possibly make him so important?

Anakin moved to the stove and began to heat a pot of some sort. Anakin watched as he began to move about the kitchen, preparing some food with the lady in red. Austin leaned over to Jason.

"Who is she? Who are them?" Austin said.

"I had a name, it is Ailsa." She said,

"She's a Neighbor who lives here called Silver Lady. She's a type of faerie, a silkie, that enjoys doing household chores. Cooking, laundry, tending the hearth. She's responsible for your clothing as well." Jason said.

"Oh. Thank you." Austin said.

"You're welcome but I don't do all of it." Ailsa said. "I don't think of myself as a servant so much as a landlady who looks after this house, right, guys."

"Right, totally." Jason said.

"And you guys." Austin said.

"Certainly. You are already familiar with Anakin, who is seventeen years of age. Additionally, allow me to introduce Blazea Seraphina, also seventeen; Luna Storm, sixteen; Rider Shadowstorm, sixteen; Shaina Emberdusk, fifteen; Nyla Duskrunner, fourteen; Howl Moonrise, fourteen; Sara Artemis, thirteen; Graylen Sliversong, twelve; Winter Frostclaw, eleven; Fern Ravenhowl, ten; Willow Sliversong, Graylen's younger sister, who is nine; Vega and Lumiya Duuskwalker, both eight; Jackson, my younger brother, who is seven; Lupin Nightprowler, who is six; and, finally, Aki Spiritually, the youngest at five years of age." Jason introducing everyone.

"Greetings," Blazea uttered.

"Hello," Luna responded.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Rider stated.

"It is wonderful to meet you," Shaina exclaimed.

"Pleased to meet you," Nyla said.

"Hello," Howl greeted.

"Nice to meet you, perhaps?" Sara inquired.

"Hello," Graylen said.

"Pleased to meet you," Winter said.

"Hello," Fern said.

"Nice to meet you, perhaps?" Willow inquired.

"Hello, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Vega said.

"Likewise," Lumiya replied.

"Jason spoke to us about you," Jackson informed.

"It is delightful to meet you," Lupin said.

"Arigato," Aki said.

"Hello to all assembled," Austin inquired.

"You're welcome." All said,

"Now that that's out of the way, we are very lucky to find you, Sleigh Beggies are rare." Jason said.

"What is a Sleigh Beggy?" Austin said.

"Well, Sleigh Beggy are kind of like a queen bee, You... or your kind are capable of attracting and binding all manner of things. Specifically, fairies and mysteries." Jason explained as Austin discreetly tried tasting some more of the food.

"They're worker bees that are drawn to you whether the queen bee can see them or not. Even if she or he can't see them? It seems you can see them, but that's not common among your kind." Jason continued. "They bring fortune and misfortune upon the queen bee."

"Misfortune?" Austin asked as he watched as a red salamander-like creature made a nest for itself in the fireplace, and a wooly troll-like dog curled up on her lap and fell asleep. How he wished that they weren't attracted to him like they were. Maybe then it would be easier to pretend that he didn't see them

"Their kindness and favors don't necessarily benefit a human. However, to be loved by them means that you'll never be without assistance. You need their help to do magic, so it's an important trait to have, in your case." Jason added.

Austin eyed him, a spark of hope lit up in his chest. "You mean I can do whatever I want?"

"Ughhhh! Yes, yes you're free to do whenever you want and explore the Mansion and all of the rooms except The West Wing." Ailsa said.

"Why?" Austin said.

"That's where Bruce is, my father, and right now he's recovering from a sickness." Jason said.

"Oh! Ok!" Austin asked. "That is to say, I have the power of choice?"

Jason studied him intently, and Austin wondered if the hope in his voice was too eager. "Yes." He stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. You're one of us now, you are like family to me now, which means that you can depend on me."

"All of us." Jackson informed.

"Yes." Shaina exclaimed.

"You are one of the pack." Lumiya replied.

"Family or pack?" Like 'home', the word was strange and wonderful.

From out of her pocket, Ailsa takes out a gemstone with a hole in the middle attached to a string. She ties it around Austin's neck.

This object known as an adder stone possesses a natural perforation created by the erosion of a river. It is believed to possess protective qualities, Ailsa explained.

"Protection?" Austin inquired with skepticism.

"Each of us possesses one," Blazea clarified.

"Ok!" Austin said.

"Silver One." Alisa said as a silver bird came into the room, with its intelligent, piercing eyes, the Silver One seemed to gaze into Alisa's soul. A sense of connection washed over her, as if the creature recognized her essence and purpose. "I got a message sent by Bruce, make sure you delivered it to her."

With that, the canary took flight and flew out through an open window. "Just sending off a quick note." Alisa said.

Austin regarded her for a moment, before going to the window to watch the bird fly away. It was all so wonderful. How real this all seemed. but then again he was purchased in an auction.

As he continued eating with Jason and the others, once they were done eating their breakfast, Austin surveyed the idyllic scene as they walked, and relished every breath of fresh air.

As Austin left with Jason and the kids had left the mansion together. They began walking along a dusty path.

In the distance, Austin could see a small town. They continued walking until they reached a small wooden platform. There was a small booth with a sign that read 'TICKET' and a pair of tracks that ran parallel to the platform. They didn't have to wait very long before a big hulking machine came barreling down the tracks and stopped at the platform.

"Is that a train?" Austin said.

"Yes. Have you ever ridden on one?" Winter said.

"No. I've never even seen one. At least not one in real life, just pictures." Austin said.

As Jason helped him board the train, and directed him to an empty compartment with Anakin, Blazea, Luna and Rider. Austin watched out the window with unabashed excitement as the train again began moving. He giggled with excitement as she watched the scenery pass by in a blur and the floor bounced and bobbed under his feet as the wheels sped along the tracks.

"This is so exciting!" Austin said.

"Yes. I suppose so, but you should sit down so you don't fall when the train stops." Anakin said

Austin did as he was told, but continued looking out the window. "Are you sure you are feeling fine, Austin?" Blazea said.

"Yeah, why?" Austin said.

"Why did you sell yourself?" Blazea said.

"Sell myself." Austin said.

Yes, do you even have family members that are worried about you, like your mom or dad." Luna responded.

"I don't know my father and my mom kicked me out after she completed suicide, and ever since I growing up in an orphanage." Austin said.

"Oh! we're so sorry." Rider said.

The train continued rattling along the tracks, past rivers and towns. It seemed that the farther along they traveled, the more buildings they passed. The ride lasted for quite some time, until the train pulled into a building. "This is our stop." Jason directed him to exit the train. As soon as he set foot on solid ground, Austin stopped dead in his tracks.

There were people. People who were laughing and talking, dressed in normal looking clothes. Children ran past and let out peals of laughter as they played with each other. There were people loudly shouting at their children. There was a couple kissing. A mother cried and hugged her son good-bye as he boarded the train. A newspaper stand sat in the middle of the commotion. A gentle nudge from behind from Jason reminded him to keep walking.

They passed by shops, and cars, and stop lights, and buses. She accidentally bumped into people as they passed, some scowled at her and others apologized. An Imposing observation tower, known as the Space Needle.

"I thought I would introduce you to an acquaintance of ours while we're out and about today." Jason said.

"An acquaintance?" Austin said.

"Yes, she is an old friend of our mom." Jackson said.

"Oh! Ok." Austin said.

They continued walking the streets of Seattle until they came to a small bookstore. The façade of the building was green and nondescript. If they hadn't stopped right in front of the door, Austin probably would have accidentally passed right over it. Anakin turned the knob and held the door open for him and the others. "Some of us come here often. This is where we'll find most of your equipment." passed through the doorway.

The second-hand bookstore was a maze of towering bookshelves, each one packed with volumes of all shapes and sizes. The air was thick with the musty smell of old paper and dust motes danced in the dim light that filtered through the dusty windows. Austin coughed as he followed Anakin, Jason and Jackson towards the back of the store. As he went, he stared in wonder at the seemingly endless array of books. He had never imagined so many could be in one place at a time!

Austin had always loved reading. It was a wonderful escape from reality, a way to lose himself in other worlds and perspectives. He had never understood people who didn't care for reading. To him, it was the greatest pleasure in life.

As Austin and his friends walked through the store, he took note of the different titles that were lined up on the shelves. He saw classics by Shakespeare and Dickens, modern bestsellers by popular authors, and obscure works by unknown writers. There were books on every subject imaginable, from history and science to philosophy and religion.

Austin's eyes were drawn to a series of books by an author named Allison Sunday. There were four books in the series, all with beautiful covers and intriguing titles:

R+J: The new story of love and tragedy
The Damsel and the Dragon
A Wish for You
The Universal Saga

Austin had never heard of Allison Sunday before, but he was immediately drawn to her books. He picked up the first book in the series, R+J, and began to read the back cover. The story was a retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet, but with a modern and genderbend twist . Austin was intrigued and couldn't wait to start reading.

"Hey, come on." Jason said. And then rounded the corner and started calling out to someone. Clara tripped over herself as she continued to follow him, a small stack of tomes accidentally getting knocked over in the process. "Miss McCain."

"Huh?" An unfamiliar voice answered Jason' calls. A door opened, and out stepped a tall woman. She wore a green jumpsuit, and black lace up boots. Goggles with a thick pane of glass shielded her eyes. Her hair was black and pulled into two braids, a small one in the front and a longer one in the back that fell all the way to her waist. "Well, well. This is a surprise, Jason Gery, you and your pack came for a visit. What's the occasion?"

"Hush. You know you're as much of a recluse as we are, Miss McCain." Jason said.

"Yeah, I know I know, you guys are secret werewolves but I run a business, thank you very much." Miss McCain said.

"And that's why I thought you would be the right person to gather the items she needs." Jason gestured to Austin and the woman shifted his gaze to the blond-red boy, as if just noticing that he was there. He lifted the goggles to reveal eyes like cold brown stone that seemed harsh and piercing.

"Who?" she said.

Jason laid a hand on Austin's shoulder and bent down to his height. "Meet my mate."

"WHAT?!" She almost seemed like she was going to have a heart attack. Was Jason having a mate not good?

"Mate?" Jason glanced over and noticed the smug smirk that had settled itself on Jason' face. He seemed to be proud of himself that he was able to startle the lady.

The lady's gaze flickered between the two of them before she turned around and gestured for them to follow her. They did as they were instructed and she closed the door behind them. This new room seemed to be a workshop of some kind. Wooden tables filled the room, and tools were scattered about everywhere. The lady with braids and Jason were whispering back and forth furiously. When she noticed that they were being watched, the lady smiled at Austin as she started pouring some tea into a cup.

"You can take a seat wherever you like." Austin glanced around, trying to spot a surface that wasn't covered in tools or scraps of strange projects that were still in progress. Most of the sitting spaces were taken up by mannequins in various stages of repair and disassembly. He finally spotted a wobbly stool, and did his best not to fall off of it as it shook with each slight movement he made. "So you're from Minnesota, Austin, aren't you?"

"Yes." The lady offered him the cup and Austin smelled it. It seemed like it would be bitter but thought that it would be impolite to say so. "It smells great."

"Aren't you a sweetheart?" She turned to Jason and scowled at him. "How did you find him, anyway? Did you do something shady?"

Jason shrugged and shook his head. "I followed the proper procedures when I bought him."

"THERE'S NOTHING PROPER ABOUT BUYING A PERSON!" And really it sounded like she broke the rules when he walked up on the stage.

"Yes, I know, but a friend of my father's asked me to, and even though there were times I wanted to escape or take someone with me, I promised my father I would do it his way." Jason said.

"I know I still can't believe it, based on what you told me, a mother abandoning her child at a young age and he doesn't know anything about his father." Miss McCain said.

"Yeah it was a surprise to us too." Jason said.

She turned back to Austin. "Has anyone tried anything funny?" At first, Austin had thought that she was aggressive and harsh, but she really did seem to care if he was ok. Did most people do that? Care for people they didn't know?

"Now wait a moment, Miss McCain. What do you take us for?" Anakin said.

"Nothing? no one did something funny to me." Austin asked.

"But you were sold to a group of strangers, no offense." Miss McCain said.

"Non-taken, we are A peculiar group." Anakin said.

"After he bought me at the auction, he asked me to take a bath, I suppose I would say that was funny." Austin asked.

"No! As long as they didn't make you feel uncomfortable." Miss McCain said.

As Austin felt something brush up against her leg. She looked down to see a green axolotl-esque creature twining itself around his ankles. Looking around, he imagined that he saw a multitude of creatures. A mini two-headed dragon flew above her near the lights, and small creatures sat on the work surfaces. "Well now, Bruce found himself a new kid to take in?"

"What! A new kid, we're not forcing him to stay." Jason said.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Becky McCain. I am a mage, a high school teacher and a magus crafts artificer."

Austin cocked her head at the unfamiliar term. "What are magus crafts?"

"Well, they are tools that are powered using magic." Miss McCain picked up a mechanical hand and studied it. "From processing gemstones, to making knives, I do a little bit of everything."

"Mom!" Austin and the others looked over to the door to see a small girl standing in the doorway. She had short black hair like Angelica, and eyes that were the same shade of brown. She wore leggings and an overly large sweatshirt. She couldn't be anymore than 6 years old. At Austin watching her, the girl seemed to shrink back. "Someone's here?"

"Yes, Kylee." Miss McCain said.

Kylee seemed to overcome her shyness and ran up to her mom. "Look!" In her hands was a small green gemstone that had been carefully crafted into the shape of a tulip. The crystal gleamed brilliantly under the workshop lights. Kylee showed it off proudly, waiting for praise from her mother.

"Sorry, Love. Not now. We'll get to it later, alright." Miss McCain said.

"But mama! You said you were gonna' help me with my training today. You promised everything!" Kylee said.

Kylee bent down and pointed to the door. "That's enough! Play with the kids." Kylee pouted and stuck out her bottom lip in protest before marching angrily out of the room. Miss McCain sighed. "She's not the most well behaved kit. But she's mine."

Austin and watched the short interaction between mother and daughter with riveted interest. He had never had a family before. The scene that had been presented to him seemed to be filled with love and caring, even if it was masked by harsh words and actions. "What are you training her for?"

"She's got mage talent in her, although for better or worse, only time will tell. I'd prefer that she take up a proper job, especially in today's world." Miss McCain said.

Austin had trouble concentrating on the older woman's words as the axolotl-like creature climbed up his legs to rest on his shoulders. "What is mage talent, exactly?"

"What, You guys never explained it to him." Miss McCain said.

"We never thought about it until now." Jason said.

"Yeah our main goal was to find him and get him home." Anakin added.

Miss McCain shook her head in disappointment at the two boys.

"In this world, there is alchemy and magic. You know the difference between them?" Miss McCain explained as Austin delivered a shake of the head. "Well, to put it simply, alchemists practice alchemy and we mages practice magic. Both of us alter reality. Alchemists do so by bending the laws of nature, tweaking you might say. Mages don't manipulate nature's laws," Miss McCain continued as she flicked her wrist and a tongue of blue flame flickered to life in her hand. "We flat out break them. We borrow power from fairies and spirits. With their help, we're able to perform spells, miracles really."

"Wow, that's amazing." Austin said as he continued to watch in stunned silence as another movement of her wrist caused the fire to vanish just as suddenly as it had appeared.

"Yes, if it's amazing but it isn't it never is, it's like having someone else being your arms and legs. It can be difficult to maintain control. If you get ahead of yourself and attempt more than you're capable of, well..." Miss McCain trailed off into silence as she rolled down the thick gloves that covered her wrists up to three fourths of the way to her shoulder.

Austin gasped when she saw several crystals were embedded in Miss McCain's arm. "I made one silly mistake during my training days, this was the result." She pulled her sleeves back up. "Mages have to study just as hard as alchemists. If you don't take it seriously there are consequences. Don't make that mistake."

Austin nodded in understanding. It would make sense that something so amazing would be balanced out with such danger. Even though he knew what he was seeing wasn't real, Austin still would be sure to take caution with magic in the future. As if sensing his distress, the creature on his shoulder crawled into his lap and snuggled up with him. "Do you think that I could learn to use magic?"

Miss McCain chuckled before answering. "Why don't you see for yourself? Jason, call the others and Andy."

"Ok!" Jason said.

The two watched as droplets of water began collecting in the air. They swirled about and grew bigger, creating a floating pond. From the middle of the bubble emerged a small creature with pale purple skin and sea-foam colored hair. It wore a small jacket and its eyes were the same as the aerials that Austin had met at Jason' mansion. "Hey there!" The creature crossed its arms and winked at Austin "So you know I'm loyal to Becky. It's nice to meet ya, but don't get any ideas, ya hear?"

"Austin, meet Andy. They're a Water Spirit and also my familiar. They're a bit mischievous, but hard working." She addressed her familiar. "Well, think you can give him a hand? he's giving magic a go."

"Alrighty!" Andy clapped Their webbed hands as Miss McCain reached into a drawer. She pulled out a small crystal that was the same shade as the one her daughter had been carrying. She held it out to Austin and placed it in her palm. Austin felt the smooth sides of the rock and how cool it was to the touch. It didn't feel particularly extraordinary. Miss McCain directed him to get up from his chair and stand in the middle of the room. "You'll be using that for practice. Now concentrate. Will it take on a shape of your choosing?"

"All I have to do is will it?" Austin asked. The gem felt hard and stiff, not at all malleable.

"Yes. You can start simple. Try thinking of your favorite flower."Miss McCain put a comforting hand on her head. "Imagine liquid rock hardening. Your will is the pressure. Apply it to the rock and you form a crystal. Now, picture it happening."

'My favorite flower?' Austin closed his eyes and imagined the rock in his hands growing warmer and melting like he had been told to do. 'Do I have a favorite flower?' She heard Angelia's feet thud on the floor as she backed up, and the clink for rocks colliding together as the crystal began to change shape.

"Well, what about.." Austin imagines a poppy field. In the distance, Austin stands with a young boy.

"Look, Chase. It's a flower garden. How pretty. How pretty, Chase." Austin told Chase

"Austin!" Austin suddenly felt herself pulled back. A hand covered her eyes, and he fell back against someone tall and strong. He recognized the voice as belonging to Jason. In surprise, he dropped the heavy crystal that had grown in his hands. "Teaching him. Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous, Miss McCain?" His voice was laced with concern and vehemence. Austin was glad that he had Jason to lean on, as a wave of exhaustion began to flow through him.

"Jason?" Austin removed his hand from in front of his eyes and gasped as he surveyed the workshop. Crystal roses sprayed out from him in all directions, climbing over every surface they touched. He carefully pried his feet from the crystal's grasp on his shoes. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do this."

"Well, Jason. Do you want to tell me what he is?" A tense silence echoed through the room. An intense match of wills passing between the two mages. Jason said nothing. Miss McCain bent down and picked one of the crystal flowers to examine it. "Magic may be miraculous, but there are still limits."

"He's a Sleigh Beggy.." Jason said.

Miss McCain gasped and Austin wondered if being a Sleigh Beggy was a bad thing, rather than something good as he had previously been led to believe. "That explains it. And why didn't you tell me?"

"The fewer people that know the better." Jason' hand fell on Austin's shoulder. "It's alright. Don't look so worried."

"Andy!" Miss McCain rounded on her familiar. "You could have warned me!"

"Sorry, Becky!" Andy said.

"Be nice. He's a special creature to the fairies and Wesen."

Austin did his best to shake off the tiredness in his bones and walked up to Miss McCain. "I'm sorry that I made such a bad mess. I hadn't meant to. I'll clean it up." Austin bowed his head and waited for the harsh reprimand that was sure to come.

Miss McCain sighed. "Forget about it, lass. No need to apologize. Really, if there's anyone to blame it's him. This useless bonehead here!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Jason.

Jason balked at the accusation. "Useless? Me?"

"Really! Not explaining a single thing to him! That sounds useless to me! Austin, there's a broom and hammer in the back. Do me a favor and grab them for me, will you?"

"Of course." Austin turned around and headed for the hallway. As he was leaving, he couldn't help overhearing Jason' and Miss McCain's comments.

"What's wrong with you, Jason? I know you and your pack have to keep this Secret, but the way that he was using magic was dangerous. I'm surprised he didn't freak out, humans usually freak out Sometimes good sometimes bad, you get what I'm saying here." Miss McCain said.

"I know I know I should have told him about us but..." Jason said.

"I know you should keep things secret in your family but your mother was my best friend and when she told me when she met a werewolf, it was time for me to tell her my second job, when I told her she was calm and understanding, that's what you need to be doing with Austin. " Miss McCain said.

"You're right but how are you going to explain to a guy who you just met that he comes from a family of werewolves? Add that the people that you're hanging out are werewolves too, how can you tell someone that." Jason said.

"Afraid, your mother had that same look in her eyes and when she found out she was afraid finding out the man that she loved was a wolf, but she knew there is no going back to the life that she knew, your mother made her choice, now is up to you to make that choice." Miss McCain said as she slapped him on the arm. "I'm paying you extra for this."

Austin pulled himself away from their conversation. It wasn't nice to eavesdrop, and he ought to help clean up the mess he had made.

Two: meet the werewolves of the great wolf Lodge

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