Polilla Legacy - Archive

Archive of my Sims4 Twitter/BlueSky story

[polillastoryarchive]

Gen 1

> Read here, from the beginning <

✨ Characters' cheat sheet (pack only) Species and politics guide / lore cheat sheet

Prequel: Wolfgang Wilder's writer's blog 💻

🌘 Arc One : The Moth and the Moon

First chapter 🔮 Purple Wings 🔮

Second Chapter 🔥 Red Eyes🔥

Third Chapter 🦴 White Claws 🦴

Spin-off Adelyn Vol1: Playing the fool (🎼)

Spin-off Celene: Rough justice (🎼)

🌗 Arc Two : Flight to the Tower

First chapter 🪶 Flock 🪶 > Amani's journal: against my better judgement (🎼) <

Second chapter 🏍️ Soaring 🏍️

🌖 Arc Three :

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Kaye threw her arms around her oldest daughter’s shoulders.

“Who would have known our first wolf would be so obsessed with teeth?”

Astrid laughed, leaning into her mother’s embrace. “I did. Remember how she bit me the very first time I held her? Bragan never did that!”

Everyone took a seat.

And Wren started speaking.

“Brace yourself, he loves telling that story.” Rory whispered quietly enough for him not to hear.

Isi’s curiosity took over.

First, he checked with his wife: “You want to-?” But she was already shaking her head, the ghost giving her a wink when she looked over at him.

So the wolf started:

“As you probably already know, Kaye dated Rory in their late teens. That was her first introduction to the world of the occult. And when Marven, her best friend, convinced Rory to give her the werewolf cure, she went back to being human. Except she now knew where she belonged.”

He went on for a while, telling the story.

How she’d found out everything she could about vampires with the help of her bestie. Ended up in a crypt one night, faced with Aymerik, who was clearly a human using magic. They fell in love fast. Hard.

But Aymerik’s unsanctioned use of magic took him away.

Wren paused for a few seconds, pointedly looking at Rory:

“K. came to Wolfgang and me, desperate for a way to reach out to Aymerik… Long story short, I helped.”

“Of course you did.” Isi smiled.

“He found his way back to her. But as a temporary ghost.” Rory added and Kaye made a confirmation sound.

Isi couldn’t help thinking of the few minutes she’d spent dead. How she’d seen Jak, back then. Could she have pulled him out?

Aymerik seemed to read her mood and moved the story on: “Thankfully, Rory hung out with some… interesting people at the time.”

Isi felt her partner straighten up.

Something had changed. But there wasn’t time to analyse it as Wren picked back up.

“At the time, Kaye was pregnant with Astrid. And she didn’t want to risk the baby getting hurt in any kind of magic ritual she could do to tie Rik to the living world. So I did it instead.”

Kaye got up, looking ready for the story to be over.

“I’d only known her for a few months. Her ghost husband for even less than that. But I knew it in my soul. It was right.”

Without reason, the space between Rory and Isi grew again.

Yet, the story continued, Kaye whispering: “I almost lost you both that night…”

Wren hummed “Okay kiddos, time for bed!”

Astrid and Bragan each took a sibling away, their ghost dad telling them they’d be right up to kiss them goodnight. Wren twirled Kaye on herself, looking proud as he said:

“Shortly after we managed to tie Rik to this plane, Kaye was finally accepted in the caster ranks. She’s now working liaison.”

Too quickly, Rory was up. “Which is why I took it seriously when you called. What’s up?”

Wren sat next to Isi. “We have so little info so far… All I can say is there’s something about a cult. And I’ve found the trail of one of your wolves.”

Isi opened her mouth but Rory beat her to it: “Can’t be.”

“I was surprised too” Wren pushed, sure of himself.

Isidora was thrown a year in the past. Wondering who could be lying. It felt wrong. So wrong to suspect her best friends. Her family.

Rory’s voice dropped:“Is it him?”

A sigh. “Yeah. His scent’s changed since I last saw your brother but… Jake’s here.”

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“I’m home!” Kaye’s voice was loud and clear above the noise they’d been greeted with when walking into the big house.

Everyone continued what they were doing, mostly unfazed.

“Put your brother down and go be a teenager, Astrid, please.” The man in front of the stove said.

“MOOOM!! Look at me!”

“Don’t you have a phone you should be obsessing over?” From the other side of the room, the ghostly shape of a man stood over a child doing his homework.

Kaye extended her arms to be given the youngest child: “Hand him over, baby.”

Isi felt her heart fill up at the ease with which everything flowed.

The familiarity quickly extended to Rory as the man walked away from the stove, dropping everything he was doing to fist bump her.

“You never visit anymore, too busy fighting crime day-and-night?” he joked before turning to Isi: “And romancing my favourite music composer?”

A thrill went through her.

Being known for her most recent work was simply one of the best feelings in the world.

He extended his arms: “Welcome to the Nickerson household. We’re so happy to have you Isidora. I’m Wren. You already met Kaye. Our ghost husband is Aymerik. The gremlins are Deven, Charlene, Bragan and Astrid.”

“Our youngest, Edith, is upstairs. Already asleep, thankfully.” He finished, a grin on his face.

Rory huffed: “Thought I heard you’d had a fifth one! Didn't you say you were done after Dev?”

“Can’t help it when they’re that cute, pal.” Wren shrugged.

“Do you want me to show you to your bedroom straight away so you can escape the chaos until dinner?” Their host asked, her baby stretching to try to reach Isidora.

“Up to you” Rory threw over her shoulder as she bent down: “You don’t remember me, do you Char?”

Isi’s decision was easily made.

“No need.”

Evening came faster than expected, the younger kids eating first, covering the floors in all sorts of food and fluids.

The family dinner was the perfect end to the day.

Until Isidora made the mistake of asking how a spellcaster, a werewolf and a ghost had ended up with a family like this.

Everyone headed to the sitting room. Bragan pulling Isidora forward, Astrid sighing in the back.

“What’s so funny?” Isi asked as Charlene giggled again.

The toddler had been playing with her chin. “I think your howls are tiny.”

“Really?”

“Yes! And mine are BIG. I’ve got all my fangs now, can you see?”

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They didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when they got to the desert town and the rain started.

“Thought it was supposed to be the sunniest town on the continent?” Isi lifted an eyebrow under Rory’s umbrella.

“They’ll probably say we brought the bad weather with us.” Rory shook her head.

From their first step in town, worry had slowly taken over her expression. Lunch didn’t seem to help either. As the server took their plates away, Isidora squeezed her hand, silent support.

“Thank you.” Rory breathed out.

“For what?” Isi asked, genuinely baffled.

“I just don’t know if I’d deal with all these parameters well, if our situations were reversed.”

Rory kissed the top of her hand. Gentle. As if she was expecting her to pull away any second. Isidora felt her heart ache.

“At least you know what you’re in for this time, not like when I took you to see Marv.”

Isi repressed a shudder at the memory. They’d been separated at the time… She tried to joke.

“And no one can be as scary as Marven, right?”

Rory dropped her head. “Yeah… I’m not actually worried about you being scared, more about-” She stopped talking, a nonchalant mask quickly slipping on as the closest double doors opened. “There she is.”

A beautiful woman, scents of eucalyptus and magic surrounding her, smiled at them.

“Here I am!”

“Long time no see, Oaklow. I see a lot has changed.” The woman said, her voice just a little higher than before.

“You could say that!” Rory answered too fast.

Was she… nervous?

Isi wasn’t used to that. She searched for something to say. “So what’s going on in this town?”

The woman paused, taking her time to examine Isi. She looked perplexed for a few seconds, but didn’t let it last.

“Right on to business! Isidora, right?”

Rory interjected, finally introducing the two women to each other: “Oh, yeah. K, this is my partner, Isi. And this is Kaye. My ex.”

“Not the only ex who called, but the only one who got an answer!” A voice reached them all the way from the bar.

Everyone turned to the redhead who was now flipping Rory off.

“Don’t mind her, she likes strong first impressions.” Kaye commented, looking unimpressed.

“But then, I hear from my bestie Marven that you do too, Isidora?”

The tone wasn’t cheeky, but curious. Testing the waters, it seemed. So she gave Kaye her absolute biggest smile.

“We warmed up to each other eventually. Once she stopped insulting Rory.”

Kaye’s laugh was infectious. “Oh, I like you!”

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The next morning found Isidora floating in the pool as Rory came back from her early jog.

“You found the water.”

“It’s in my veins, cherry.” Isi smiled without opening her eyes. “Just like it’s in yours to keep in shape. Always thought it was a you thing, but it might be universal for wolves!”

After a minute of Rory staring at her in silence, Isi couldn’t help but tease:

“You could get in, you know. I saw another swimsuit in the drawer that’s labelled ‘free for all’…”

Rory didn’t move.

“Or you could get in without one.”

She swirled around, ready to beckon her partner into the water.

“But that would imply me taking off my new favourite shirt?” Rory fake whined.

Isi held her stare for a few seconds.

Now that Rory and Koroosh got along, they also shared a common passion: finding old merch of The Pied Moth and buying it second hand.

“Maybe I could get in with it?” The alpha teased.

Isidora kept her movements slow as she swam to the edge and sat on the side of the pool.

“Do what you want. But if you get in with your sweaty shirt, I’m getting out.” She tried to keep her face serious, knowing very well she wouldn’t pass on an opportunity to swim with her lover.

“I’ll change.”

Isi smiled at the win. “Good.”

Before being on her way to the dresser, Rory demanded: “But you’ll need to remind me to get out in time for my tattoo appointment.”

“Mmmh.” Isi didn’t promise anything, she knew the glowing red eyes would appeal to her and she didn’t mind being a little late.

Rory put her legs in first, giving her wolf time to get used to the water. Isidora asked as they waited:

“So you’ve still not told me where we’re going after? What’s derailed our road trip first?”

“First?” The alpha smirked.

Isi rose to kiss her. “Let’s face it, nothing we ever do is straight forward.”

“We don’t like straight.”

“No we don’t.” Isi laughed as she left Rory’s embrace, swimming away. She could see the glow in Rory’s eyes, knew the wolf was placated now. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

She disappeared in the water, using her scales as they’d been designed: a camouflage device.

Only to reappear right behind her lover and wrap around her.

“I could force you to tell me, you know?”

Rory gave her a small gasp. “How do you intend on doing that, dove? You have some superpower I don’t know about yet?”

Isi beamed. “No, you know all the important things about me.”

The silence that followed was short, but it told Isidora enough. As always, now, she decided not to push.

And when Rory turned to look her in the eye, she reached to bring them back into each other’s arms.

“We’re going to the Ridge.”

“Isn’t that where Maura lives?” Isi asked.

Rory’s ex had called the house a couple of times, but it had been mostly ignored, apart from the time Adelyn had picked up.

“Yes. But it was another friend of mine who called yesterday. About the same issue.”

Isi closed the gap between them. “Then we’ll check it out.”

She felt Rory relax in the kiss.

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As they showered, getting ready for the night, she fell back into the thought spiral she’d been in all day on the road.

There were three words she really wanted to say.

Her partner’s soft gaze didn’t help in keeping them in, either.

So as they reached the bed, Isi murmured: “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course darling.”

Isi tried her best not to overthink it. Didn’t wait.

“There’s something that’s been burning my lips. I really want to tell you. I’m sure you know already. But I’ve been hesitant to say it because…” There, she hesitated. “Well… Because I can tell you’re not going to say it back.”

Rory lowered her head, slowly. Closed her eyes. Her jaw tightened, leaving no doubt.

Isi was right.

And yet, she whispered back: “I still need a little time. But I don’t want you to have to censor yourself.”

“I can just continue waiting, if that’s better for you?” Isi’s voice faltered.

Rory seemed about to accept, to drown them in kisses like she usually did when Isi got too close to saying it.

Yet she stilled.

Shook her head just so slightly. And waited.

So Isi finally let the words out.

“I love you, Rory Oaklow.”

Instantly, their mouth consumed each other.

The intensity was just ramping up, their limbs tangled, their breaths in sync. Hearts aligned.

When they parted, Isi had only a second to start to feel self-conscious before Rory cupped her cheek.

“You don’t remember, do you? You said it when we were falling, when Padma had us in a dream vision…”

Isi let the laugh of disbelief come out. All this stress, for her to find out she’d already said it?

“Are you sure?”

Rory chuckled, too. “Yeah, I wouldn’t ever forget that. But your foot did touch the forgetting water, so that must be why you did?”

“The Lethe…” Isi remembered their dream.

“It hits different when I’m awake though.” Rory confessed, voice low.

Isi’s eyes found hers. Her tone had an ounce of fear as she asked: “It does?”

“It feels more… full. More honest.” There was a long pause, during which they both simply stared at each other. “And it makes me want to say it back.”

This time, it was Isidora that drowned her in a kiss.

It wasn’t the same as saying it, but it was pretty damn close. And the butterflies in her stomach didn’t need anything more either.

This kiss was just as deep as the previous one, but filled with gratefulness rather than need.

Half laying on Rory, Isi couldn’t help laughing again, as she realised the weight of this matter had left her shoulders.

Rory’s eyes had a little malice in them as she said, slowly: “I just absolutely love it when you laugh, angel.”

The echo to their first time together was clear.

So Isi answered the exact same thing she’d said back then: “I bet you'll like it even more when I moan.”

[polillastoryarchive]

Riding was easy.

Silent, yet loud.

Restricted to the road, while offering the greatest sights.

Both contemplative and freeing.

Night started creeping up on them and Rory stopped in front of a seemingly abandoned mechanic shop, pulled one of the metal doors up to take the bike in and gestured for Isi to take her helmet off.

“We’re stopping here for the night!”

She kissed her, looking so delighted. And Isi paused.

“We’re to sleep here? Maybe we should have taken your truck after all, we could have slept in the back…” She started to ramble.

Rory slid her arms around her. “Not up here, there’s a basement! Perfectly suitable, with a bed and everything.”

“Of course, underground again…”

“Don’t worry, any and all spiders in here have been exterminated. I had someone come in last week to check.” Rory explained as their climbed down the steps.

And, despite the idea Isi had formed in her mind, the basement revealed itself quite hospitable, actually.

“Wow!”

“How do you always end up surprising me, Cherry?” Isi slotted her hand in Rory’s, arm around hers. And the alpha turned to her.

“Well, in this case, my d- Kristopher is the one impressing you because this is part of his auto repair business, which he used as a front for his… other activities.”

“There’s one thing we can say about the wolves, they’re always great at hiding!”

Rory’s phone rang and she apologised, telling Isidora to make herself at home, she’d be right back.

So Isi inspected her surroundings, wondering if there would be anything in the fridge to make some dinner.

Rory came back and, had she owned a tail, it would have been between her legs. She didn’t meet Isi’s eyes as she said:

“So, slight change of plans…”

“Mmmh” Isi waited to hear more to react.

“I can still go to my tattoo appointment tomorrow. But, we have to make a detour before we head up north.”

“Pack matter?”

“Wolves matter.” Rory admitted.

“Here I thought we were supposed to leave work behind during this trip, try to disconnect completely!”

This time, the alpha met her amused gaze. “I promise not to touch a single screwdriver or hammer!”

Isi laughed. “Not the job I was referring to!”

The change in itinerary didn’t bother Isi. She’d made plans to be off from work for far longer than their trip was supposed to take anyhow. She knew all too well how travelling could bring upon some unplanned adventures.

Yet she still took the apology kiss she was given. Happily.

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Jero had stayed to help clean up, clearly taking his new role as interim leader to heart.

“It’s the example it sets, I need to do things right now.” He was saying to Idrina in the conservatory.

“Are you now?” Rin teased, getting closer to him.

“This isn’t going to end well” Isidora said to Nellie.

The blond nodded, turning away.

“Until now, she kept busy. First revenge, then on the renovation. Now she has nothing left to think of and… Jero is a nice target for her wandering mind.” A pause. “Since he’s always had the biggest crush on her.”

Isi turned to her, a smile blooming. “Say more.”

She grabbed the coffee she’d been offered as a thanks for helping to tidy up and let Nellie decide how much gossiping she was going to do.

“I can’t really say any more. Nowadays, I never know if my insights on people are coming from my degree or from the prey in me overthinking things.”

Isi tried to remember the times she’d seen them interact. How he always seemed keen to give Rin everything she asked for, as quickly as possible. But then, he was like that with everyone.

She hopped down her perch. “I think you can trust yourself on that one.”

Nellie nodded, deep in thought.

Then: “Rin and I will finish to clean up ourselves, thanks for your help.”

“No problem! Let me just go say goodbye!” Isi smiled, heading to where her sister was still tormenting Jero.

“Don’t lie, you know you like the idea. We could go up to my bedroom just now.” Her voice was a murmur.

In a quick movement to straighten up, Rin lost her balance. She ended up on the ground, giggling to herself. Jero looked away.

“Your mer’s showing.” Isidora let herself comment, her sister glaring at her. “Anyway, we’re off home, then leaving early in the morning. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

As they left, Isi heard Rin grunt to her housemate: “I’m not doing anything she wouldn’t anyway, this is straight out of 𝘩𝘦𝘳 playbook.”

Nellie hummed. “Which is maybe why it’s concerning to her?”

Rory just sighed, walking away from it all: “So glad I don’t have to be here to untangle 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 mess…”

Once home, Isi taking her makeup off and Rory fixing the bathtub for the fifth time that month, Isi took her phone off silent. Hopefully, her mother was done trying to call for the day, now that night had fallen.

But, of course, she was proven wrong when her phone started vibrating again.

Isidora let it go to voicemail.

“Are you going to answer that?” Rory asked, looking at her in the mirror.

“No. My mum’s trying to get us to visit, so she can convince us to adopt a child she’s heard of from a colleague.”

“Adop-”

“Yeah. She gets these ideas sometimes… Just gotta ignore her for bit.”

“Are you okay?” Rory asked, her voice gentle, knowing the subject couldn’t be easy for her.

Isi just shrugged.

“Sort of. She sent me pictures.”

“Well that’s fucked.”

“I guess.” She took a breath, trying not to think about it too much. “I’ve not been able to stop looking at that kid though.”

They changed into their pyjamas and settled on the bed, the silence between them heavy…

“I want you to be a mother so badly…” Isidora whispered.

“We’ll get there.” Rory promised. “I’m sure the stars would agree.”

A minute later, they were next to their new telescope, courtesy of Wolfgang.

“Well? What’s the verdict?” Rory joked after a few minutes of Isidora watching the stars in silence.

“I see nothing related to kids… But there’s something about unplanned meetings coming to us soon?”

Rory let out a deep sigh. “I don’t think I should ever make plans anymore, they 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 change.”

They both let out a small laugh, recognising how chaotic their lives had been.

“What’s your mantra again?” Isi asked, turning away from the telescope. “Expect chaos-”

But she was cut off by Rory’s lips on hers.

They would simply never get enough of each other, would they?

Later that night, back in their bed, Isi watched as Rory slowly fell asleep.

“Thanks for not making a big deal out of today” The alpha whispered as she closed her eyes.

“I still do have one thing for you. You can have it tomorrow morning so that it doesn’t count as a birthday present.”

Rory grunted.

Isi’s heart squeezed at the idea of many more years like this, trying to be respectful of Rory’s disdain for her birthday, while still making her feel special and appreciated…

And the next morning, the last bit of Isi’s plan had arrived.

“Why does it smell like petrol?!”

“You know the building won’t survive another fire, dove!” Rory protested, her eyes still covered.

Isi couldn’t hold the laugh in. “Don’t worry, the house will be fine. Remember that dream we shared a while ago, with the bike?”

Rory went completely still. “You did NOT.”

Isi lifted her hand, letting her partner take in the gift in front of them.

“I did.”

For a little longer than expected, Rory didn’t breathe.

Then, when she finally did, she ran her hands onto every single part of the motorbike. Mounted it immediately, looking back at Isi with a smirk:

“I hope you know you’re now my second favourite thing in the world. This 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 has taken the crown.”

“I was never one for crowns!” Isi laughed.

“And just in time for our road trip, too!” Rory sounded like a child on Winterfest morning.

She pulled Isidora into a side hug, while still checking every piece of metal and gear.

“Ready, darling? Say goodbye to Moonwood for now, we’ve got some sights to see.”

“Let’s do it.”

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“Hey, everything okay?” Isi asked, a couple of hours later, walking into Nellie’s bedroom, where Rory had isolated herself for a few minutes.

“Yeah, just trying to understand how you convinced me to do this.”

Isidora’s heart stopped. “If you don’t want to, I’m not forcing you…”

“I just thought-”

Rory turned to her, a soft smile on her face.

“I know angel. Come on, let’s go tell them.”

But Isi didn’t follow. She let her doubts come out:

“Maybe it is a bad idea? It’s definitely not something you would have come up with no your own.”

“Which is exactly why we’re doing it.”

Rory’s voice was a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

“This is why I need you by my side, butterfly. I need a taste of those purple wings you wrote about. The ones that freed you from the expectations that were put on you. I’ve been pinned down for too long.”

Isidora’s heart fluttered.

“Positive?”

“Yes. There are so many things we need to do, just the two of us. Without our misfits in the way. I need out of my comfort zone for a reason other than fighting bad guys. Take me away, baby.”

She captured Isi’s lips in a kiss full of meaning. Of promise. Of need. Of thank yous.

Penny said her goodbyes.

The door hadn’t closed when Ender grabbed his dad’s arm: “Why you looks sad?”

“Because he knows he was rash when he officialised with the vampire.” Marcel answered first.

“That’s not true!” Lou protested.

“You must have known there would be frictions?” Lily asked, empathetic.

“Please, I didn’t think 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬 was the kind to discriminate! I was a bad boyfriend to Celene, I’m not about to disappoint a partner again.”

“Boy, you know I love you like a son, but this is bull-” Marcel started as Nellie tried to distract everyone with ice cream.

“Enough.” Rory called.

Everyone calmed down at once, even Wolfgang who had just came back from the bathroom and looked ready to give everyone a lecture.

Instead, they all turned to Rory and Isidora.

“We’re going on a road trip.” A shiver of curiosity went through the pack. “Just Rory and I. To go see her grandmother.”

“While I’m away” Rory took over, her voice carrying an extra weight “Jero will be the one in charge of any heat of the moment decisions.”

They all nodded, accepting the decision easily. Trusting their alpha’s judgement.

Then the door slammed open again: “Louis. Howell. You little S-H-I-T!”

“I was gonna tell you!” He immediately justified himself.

Ender giggled: “Maa!!!”

Celene smiled at their son before staring Lou down again: “You know she's my ultimate celebrity crush and you MARRIED HER? You are so lucky my wife is the coolest woman in the world or I would have kicked your A-S-S!”

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“So there won’t be any cake then?” Rory asked, still suspicious, as Isidora knocked on the door.

Idrina and Elinor had finally deemed the house ready to be seen.

“Cherry, I promise we’re not celebrating your birthday, this is a housewarming party the girls are throwing as a thank you for your help.”

Walking into the house, Isidora couldn’t help smiling. She’d seen some of the process, but it was still an impressive change. Thanks to Rory, they’d renovated and added a floor to the house that had belonged to Lux.

Isi expected her sister ecstatic. Instead, Rin was frowning: “I don’t get it.”

The smile didn’t fade as Isi noticed everyone in the pack was now very used to Idrina’s temper, continuing on with their own activities.

Nellie, bless her heart, stayed as calm as possible while explaining again: “They need your ID to check that you’re who you say you are, Rin.”

Rory squeezed Isi’s hand before letting go and finding Ender, who was checking if he was finally taller than the cat. As always, she’d brought the toddler a gift.

“Why wouldn’t I be?!” Rin grunted through her teeth.

Isi knew how to help Nellie: “ID cards are the human equivalent of conch echoes.”

“Oh!” Rin exclaimed. “Why didn’t you just say that? I get it!”

Half of the room let out a chuckle. Wolfgang got up, clearly interested in learning more about how Merfolk proved their identity.

And, through the archway to the conservatory, everyone heard Ade screech: “Come on Jero, we’ll get them!”

Rory headed to the side of the house that used to be the kitchen and now held a natural pool.

“YESSSSS!” Adelyn’s scream of victory echoed in the glass room.

“You know you don’t need an appointment to talk to me.” The alpha said, watching Penny fall from Lou’s shoulders.

In an instant, her former beta was out of the water and letting out a relieved sigh.

“Oh good, I thought a week would be long enough but I-”

“Not you.” Rory snarked, pushing him back in the pool.

Ade came out of the water next. “I know, I was just worried about forgetting! Did you find my note then?”

“I did. Did you also remember to use the fridge you left it on? Have breakfast, all that?”

The young woman simply squeezed her alpha and housemate. “Of course I did. Now, onto the important business: who’s Maura?”

Rory stopped in her steps. “Why?”

“She called the house last night. Said she knew you and you could vouch for her.”

Rory planted her feet on the ground, trying to stay neutral. “Why was she calling?”

“Well, originally, to talk to you, apparently. But then when she heard my name, she asked about buying some of my drinks!”

Adelyn’s excitement was so clear. “Says she owns an occult parlor and wants to try some of my specials for her bars?”

Hands on her shoulders, Rory chose honesty: “I’m not vouching for her. She’s sly. Only looks out for herself. But in a way, that’s a testament of how great you’re doing.”

Meanwhile, the youngest wolf of the pack was watching Isidora struggle to be serious with Jero:

“I’m not joking, you can’t be trying to be the hero here. If you fuck up, she’ll 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 even consider you for Beta. You’ll have to pull every few brain cells you have together.”

Until then, his face had been as serious as ever. He finally cracked a smile.

“My limited brain cannot comprehend why you suddenly 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 me to become Beta, Iz’? If I’m not in the run anymore, you’ll get the job!”

She looked at her hands. “I’d much rather that if it means Rory gets what she needs.”

“And that’s?” Jero asked.

“Healing.” Isi whispered.

Before she could tell Jero once more how important this was, Marcel chimed in:

“I’ll keep an eye on him. I helped Rory become the Alpha she is today, I can help him keep the lunatics in line.”

Something in Isidora settled. “Thank you Marc.”

[polillastoryarchive]

“What would I do without you…” Rory murmured as they walked into the bedroom.

“Plenty!” Isi answered, not caring that the tone hadn’t been one of a question. “Want me to list all your accomplishments? I can!”

Rory sighed, seemingly not interested. This had been a trend, lately. Never in public, only when they were alone. It was hard to find the right words to ask about it.

Silence took over. The alpha snuggled closer, burying her head in Isidora’s shoulder.

Then, finally, in a whisper: “I love the pack. All of them, dearly. But sometimes I just wish it was just the two of us… Then maybe I wouldn’t have as many things to do. Days wouldn’t have to feel so… long.”

Isidora took in the confession. Stroked Rory’s arm for a long time in a slow and steady rhythm. There was something in that last sentence…

Morning found them still entangled.

“Hey you. How are you feeling?”

“Rays of sun are directed straight at your ass, honey. What can I say other than ‘great’?”

Isi chuckled, running a hand through Rory’s hair, before insisting: “Seriously, feel better now that the sun is out?”

“I do. Sleeping also helped.”

She did look less tired.

“I’m glad.” Isidora reached for a kiss. For a few seconds, the world melted away.

Until someone knocked loudly on their window.

“I’m going to kick 𝘩𝘪𝘴 ass!” Isi laughed into the kiss.

Everyone usually made sure to wait until Rory had had a shower and Isi, a coffee, before coming to the house in the morning. Unless it was an emergency.

“So what’s the emergency?” Rory asked as they welcomed Lou and Penny inside.

“Big news!”

Impatient as always, Penny shoved a shiny ring in front of Isi’s face.

“We’re married!”

Isi had to stop time for a minute to take it all in.

The band was beautiful. Decorated with something akin to a butterfly, three simple stones creating its body, the wings a darker gold than Penny’s usual pallet.

Something deep in Isidora contracted and she tried to ignore the twinge of jealousy. That ring looked so perfect.

She released her hold on time, she felt Rory take a step back.

“How?” Isi asked. That felt nicer than ‘why’.

“Last night, Penny found the ring I’d been hiding for-”

Lou paused, ungluing himself from his 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 and turning to his alpha.

“It wasn’t planned, I didn’t think-”

But Rory wasn’t listening anymore. She got a few words out: “Stop. I… Just remembered I need to talk to Nellie.”

Then, she bolted out of the house.

[polillastoryarchive]

The storm was now raging outside and Isi thought that, maybe, Rory had gone to check on Adelyn’s sheep. She could still feel her presence nearby.

After a few false alarms and excessive worrying, Isidora had learned to focus on that bond between them to reason with herself. She got ready for bed.

Yet when she came back to the bedroom again, the alpha was still missing from it. Her heartbeat quickened a little more, starting from an already controlled pace.

𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺… 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.

And she was. At least physically…

Isi found her curled up in a ball, in the most unexpected room in the house: the extra bathroom where they’d set up the laundry machine.

“Hey. What’s wrong Cherry?” No response apart a heavy sigh. There was a pause, Isi wondering if she should just leave her alone.

But even with all the work she’d done on herself to learn to respect others’ boundaries and not overstep, this didn’t feel like a situation she could turn her back on.

“Can I sit with you?”

“Of course.” Rory’s voice was quiet, probably inaudible to a human.

Isi hesitated, unsure about touching her.

The urge to provide some comfort eventually won. She let her hand, then her arm, drape over Rory’s shoulders.

“What triggered it?” She asked, recognising the shaky breaths for what they were.

“The rain. It’s so loud tonight… Every drop landing on the roof. It sounds like…”

Isi realised too late: “Oh!”

“I’m sorry!” She breathed out.

Rory was right. Isi could hear how similar the sound of the rain hitting the metal was to hundreds of spider legs echoing underground.

“It’s not your fault, dove.”

Maybe not, but it hurt all the same. They needed a distraction.

“What did Nellie say we should do?”

“She said I have to think of happy things. Distract myself, if possible.”

Isidora nodded. She knew that already, but it was better to ask than to tell. “So, any good memory coming to mind?”

Rory looked down.

“The first time I saw you. In this very spot…”

“What?” The question was genuine this time.

“Why do you think I rebuilt this building after the fire almost erased it from Moonwood, angel?” Rory’s voice was louder now, on the verge of amusement.

“I don’t know! Something about a house purified with fire seemed like the right choice for you. I didn’t question it!”

Their eyes found each other.

Isi let her head rest on the metal as she studied the smirk on her partner’s lips. The glint in her eyes.

“You did it because it’s where we first met?” She was astonished. “But you were working on it even when we were broken up!”

Rory reached for her hair, the caress gentle. Isi leaned into it.

“I can’t believe it! A first meeting in a motel laundry room, complete with a freakishly intense static shock? That’s what did it for you?”

Isi brushed a thumb to her cheek, hoping the touch would be light enough not to trigger her. It must have been fine because Rory leaned in for a soft kiss.

“You’ll always impress me.” Isi said as she got up.

But she saw Rory hesitate. She reached for her cheek again: “Come on, we can find a more comfortable spot. I’m not leaving you alone.”

[polillastoryarchive]

“Keep an eye on him for me, will you?” Amani asked Isi, half of the pack staying inside.

“Of course.”

“I didn’t even get to ask my question!” Lou was running to get ahead, Jero following after him.

“What was it?”

“Why he delivers pizza?!”

Koroosh laughed at the front of the cohort.

“It helped with finding occults. And I liked it.”

Lou huffed but didn’t question further.

“Now if your alpha’s ready…”

“Please don’t make my heart stop Cherry” Isi asked as Rory cupped her face in her hands.

“I do that anyway.”

The other wolves cheered, ready for a show, making bets.

“It’s twilight so neither of us are at their prime. I don’t have the sun and you don’t have the moon. Shall we agree on a no supernatural powers rule?”

Rory laughed, wholeheartedly.

“Sure.”

And they threw themselves into a sparring match, both of them smiling throughout. And after it was over, too.

A couple of hours later, Lou knocked on the glass panels of the front door.

“Express delivery! I’m late, Penny’s waiting!”

Ender threw himself into Rory’s arms as soon as he saw her.

“Could you also cut his nails again? They grow so fast and he won’t let me do it. Says you’re the only one allowed.”

They had pizza, which Rory craved since Koroosh had mentioned it and settled in front of a movie. Ender was already half asleep anyway so he just listened, sprawled over Rory.

The evening was short and sweet, all three of them snoozing as rain started pouring outside. A thunderstorm was coming.

Isi offered to bring Ender to his bed and let out a relieved sigh when she realised that, although the sound of the rain hitting the roof was louder upstairs, the little boy seemed not to be bothered by it. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Only when she got back downstairs, she couldn’t find Rory.

[polillastoryarchive]

It must have taken some guts to walk into a room filled with ten of your natural enemies. But Koroosh didn’t seem to mind. Amani, on the other hand, wore her worries on her face as the door to Wolfgang’s office closed behind them.

Isi wondered if there was anything she could say to help.

“And then there was Celene, Lavina-” Lou was counting something on his fingers, a few other conversations floating here and there.

Until Rory cleared her throat.

They’d settled in a chair opposite the pack members and now formed a half circle. They all turned their attention to the djinn and demdji.

Koroosh spoke first, looking like he was ready for this step to be over already.

“I heard you all had questions for me?”

A wave of interest passed through the wolves. A few of them craving information, the rest fascinated by the feeling they got, facing a djinn for the first time.

“No question about my magic or my kind allowed. Otherwise, I’m here to clarify and shed light on the shadows in the story you’ve heard.”

A few nods.

Rory kicked off the interrogation: “Are you still chained to this 𝙎𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮?”

“No.”

“Are you afraid of me?” She allowed herself a second question.

“Yes.” He looked straight into her eyes. “Can I return the question?”

Rory smiled, wider than before. Everyone in the room shifted.

“Next question” she called.

Jero didn’t miss a beat: “They let you go, just like that? Didn’t put up a fight?”

Both Amani and Koroosh looked unsettled “Not yet anyway.”

Lily spoke up, her curiosity about the experiments taking over: “What did they want from the occult you were kidnapping?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know.” He admitted guiltily.

“Do you know who’s DNA I have?” Elinor asked, her voice trailing off as if she already regretted it.

“I’m not sure…”

He continued, maybe wanting to give her more: “If I had to make an educated guess, I would say the djinn who was hired by the council to follow me. They caught her last winter. We have no news of her. Not even Paige knows where she is.”

Wolfgang piped up at that: “Can I have the Keeper’s number?”

Rory let out a low chuckle and a whispered, tone full of irony: “Seki’ll be delighted.”

Isi lifted an eyebrow, but all she got was a small shake of the head. 𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳.

Idrina, who was standing close to Nellie, spoke next: “You seem familiar. Have I threatened you before?”

Koroosh paused for a second.

Then he seemed to remember: “Yes!!! You kicked me to the curb the first time I tried to go after Isidora in Del Sol Valley!”

Tension filled the room again. Rory’s back had straightened. Only Idrina seemed more relaxed.

“Why were you and the blond djinni after me in the first place?”

“Those were my orders. They wanted me to follow you, see if you’d lead me to other occults. I found Amani through you. But I did all I could to ignore her, until they put an end to it.”

Adelyn had put her phone away. Her voice trembled a bit as she asked: “Is Nyon dead?”

“We couldn’t save him.”

“How much did the bite hurt?” Marcel was staring at Amani.

“Enough to let me know I would die from it.” She answered, chin up.

With that, it seemed the interrogation part of the day was over. Everyone started moving, including Rory who stared the djinni down. Isi checked her grip on her time power.

“You.” She pointed at Koroosh. “Fancy a rematch?!”

Isi’s heart stuttered.

“No lethal injuries?” He answered, the corners of his lips twitching up.

“I promise.”

Idrina cackled. “Maybe I can have a turn too!”

Amani rolled her eyes and Isidora tried her best to chill out. They were all friends now, right?!

“I’m not coming to see it.” Amani stated, immediately pulled aside by Wolfgang, who had already found more questions to ask.

“I am.” Isi countered.

Rory turned to her. “You don’t trust me to play nice?”

Lou teased: “No one does. And remember you’re babysitting tonight, you can’t be covered in wounds!”

[polillastoryarchive]

Multiple voice messages and texts had apparently not prepared Isidora and Amani to be in each other’s presence again. Sure, their respective partners had agreed they should meet on their own first, but… how did you strike up a conversation with your estranged best friend when so much had happened?

Isi decided it was her responsibility.

“I’m really sorry we didn’t even try to hear you out last time…” She said, as softly as possible. Then, as Amani simply fiddled with her hair in silence, Isi asked: “Are you okay?”

That got her old friend to turn to her: “You asked that last time, too!”

“Why is that your first question?! You know I was never able to answer that truthfully!” Her tone wasn’t exactly angry, more… frustrated.

Isi tried not to raise her voice as she answered: “Because I know how hard it is to be thrown into this world! I figured maybe you’d want to talk about it…”

“I know you too well to ask how your body feels.”

Amani dropped her head. A minute passed.

“How can you be struggling with it if you grew up aware of all this?”

Isi forced a laugh out. “Well… Denial doesn’t work anymore after you’re admitted into a whole wolf pack.” A disbelieving chuckle answered.

“No, seriously Am. They had me up in the early hours of the morning, 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜? Not even a coffee beforehand?!”

Amani’s eyes were lighter. She teased: “No coffee?! I don’t believe it.”

“Honestly, I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t believe it either, had I not been there to 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵.”

“That’s pretty much how I feel about everything that’s happened to me.”

A confession. Yet Isidora decided to keep the tone light. There’d be plenty of time for deep conversations now that they both existed in this world.

“Hey, at least you got a hot djinni out of it!”

Amani smiled. “He is hot.”

“I noticed. And he can back it up, too? 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 you and all.” Isi chuckled.

“You PERV! I knew you wouldn’t skip that bit!!”

“Am, you 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 me your diary to read, I figured it was safe!”

“Fair, I guess.” Amani laughed.

Isi couldn’t resist hugging her friend. “It’s so good to have you back…”

Amani hummed to agree, before she demanded Isidora’s phone.

“Are you trying to get back at me by reading my dirty texts?”

“No, babes, I’m giving you Zek’s 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 name. He asked me to, as a token of trust.”

“Wow. That’s a big deal, isn’t it?” Isi was surprised.

“Yes. So it’s pronounced: Boo-”

“WAIT!”

“I should try?” Isi asked after removing her hand from Amani’s mouth.

Her friend nodded and she slowly read out the long name.

And without any noise, the djinni appeared. Looking as neutral as one could. Had he been expecting it?

“So he never reacts to these things?” Isi whispered.

“Rarely.”

Walking out of the house, Isi’s heart raced. It always did when she saw Rory, but that day there was an extra reason.

“By the way, Zek’s wearing your old merch on purpose. He’s become quite a fan since he started listening to your music.” Amani made small talk, probably anticipating the meet, too.

“I’m sure you’re the reason he’s wearing it!” Isi countered. He still hadn’t said a word, apart from hello.

Amani didn’t reply. Instead, she focused her attention ahead. “Hi! Rory, right?”

It seemed Isi wasn’t the only one anxious about their partners actually communicating for the first time.

At first, there was no answer. Instead, Rory pulled Isi closer, kissing her cheek. Probably grounding herself, too, considering the extra second she spent still.

“We’ve met a few times.” Amani pushed, frowning a little.

“Yeah, I remember the time I bit you.” Rory smirked, barely turning to her.

Amani was about to reply, most likely with snark, when Zek murmured: “Remember I have my faults too.”

And just like that, somehow, everyone relaxed a little.

Rory still kept an arm around Isi as they led the way inside. “She’s fun, the pack’ll like her.”

Ah, yes.

Next step, meeting the wolves.

[polillastoryarchive]

Walking into his bedroom had me almost giggling in anticipation.

“If you call me cute now, I’m going to just walk out. You’re warned.”

He stayed silent and froze when I appeared in front of him, in nothing but a towel. The way he had taunted me, I now returned. And a knowing smile grew on his face.

The towel was quickly dropped and as I walked around the bed to get to him, he stood.

Slowly, as if I could break any second, he took my hands and lifted them above my head, my shoulders flushed to the wall.

“Look at you. You are a work of art, Amani.” His voice was strained, his breath on my cheek.

Nothing could prepare me for being carried away, with gentleness and need intertwined so deeply, they felt like a cocktail made to make me explode.

To say he worshipped me was an understatement.

And when I got bossy once more, he didn’t resist. Didn’t question.

Only held me when I needed him to and, indeed, made sure to give more than he took.

Maybe it was the best day of his life. It’s definitely mine.

And the best night, too.

[polillastoryarchive]

A chill went through me, the feeling like someone was watching me from behind strong.

And when I turned around, my mother’s face appeared. Ghostly, but without a doubt 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨.

“MOM?!” I gasped and threw myself onto her form, hugging her tight. “Mom!! You’re here! How?!”

“Oh honey bubs, I’ve missed you! Thanks to your… friend, I’m able to touch you, be a little more corporeal. How could I not come through today, here, of all places, when I felt you pulling to me?”

Her voice was strange, but I didn’t care. She was 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. With me. I buried my head in her neck.

“Call on me when you need taken home Amani.” I heard Zek whisper as he walked calmly away, gifting me alone time with my mom.

“Come on, let’s go sit. We’ve got lots to discuss.”

I couldn’t contradict her. Had never been able to anyway. So I followed her to a bench.

She sat me down and started brushing my hair with her fingers, like she used to when I was young.

“This place is beautiful, mom… Is this where you met my father?”

She hummed, a happy sound that sent a shot of nostalgia through my heart.

I missed her. Every day. So I listened without interrupting.

When she stopped, I knew it was time for goodbyes.

“Mom?” I got up to face her. “Why didn’t you stay? Why not fight to survive?”

She looked at our hands. “It was time, bubs. My job was to raise you and you’re all grown now. I knew you could stand on your own.”

She pulled me in for our last hug.

A few days later, by the pool, I tried not to cry as I explained everything to Myla.

“And she never knew?” My new friend asked, on the other hand of the phone.

“Never. It’s only after her death that she realised…”

“Wow. So what are you going to do about the djinn who wants you in his bed?”

“Myla.”

“Please, everything you’ve told me about him so far proves that fact.” She giggled.

I leaned onto the table, thinking about Zek. I wouldn’t lie, the idea did sound nice.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit risky?” I heard myself say. “Paige still hasn’t found anything that would nullify his contract.”

“If only you still had a wish left.” Myla breathed out.

Wait.

“𝐈 𝐝𝐨.”

“Really?!”

“Yes! Can I use it on him?”

“Of course!! Haven’t you read the stories? Wishes can do 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨!”

“Okay, I’ve got to go!”

“Go rub that djinni, girl!”

“Myla!” I choked on a laugh.

“I mean the laaaamp, or whatever!”

It took me mere seconds to hang up on her and run to his door. I was still marvelling at my ability to run when he opened the door. I crashed into him.

“I 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 that you, Boolouakabouloozek, be completely and utterly freed of any and all magical or contractual bonds that have a hold on you.”

He stumbled back, surprise and something deeper making him take a step back. I didn’t let go of my hold on him, pushing him towards the closest wall, letting the door close behind us.

“It’s my last wish. I want you to be free, Zek.” I murmured.

And he stared at me. For so long.

Until, finally, he started moving again and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close and squeezing me tight.

I didn’t mind. It felt good to be his rock the way he’d been mine lately.

His heart was beating so fast, I could feel it underneath his button-up shirt. I waited.

Once his pulse slowed down, he let go of me.

“I was not expecting this when I opened the door Amani.”

“Did it work?”

“It did.”

My heart immediately felt so much lighter.

“Why wouldn’t you tell me this was a solution?!”

He backed me up to the door and I looked away, trying to stay mad at him.

Yet he put a thumb on my chin, lifting my face up to stare right into my eyes.

“Because your wishes shouldn’t be spent on me.” His voice was deep, sure. “I want to be the one keeping an eye on you, making 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 life better. I don’t need you to sacrifice anything for my benefit.”

He closed his eyes, hands reaching my cheeks, his touch so light compared to the tight embrace he’d just given me a minute before.

“I want to give, not take from you Amani.” He whispered.

“Well you know there is one thing you’ve taken…” I lifted 𝘩𝘪𝘴 head up with a finger. “Your usual attire?”

“Oh so you 𝘥𝘪𝘥 like the towel trick! Isn’t that cu-”

I put my palm on his smirk. “If you say the word cute, I swear!”

He pushed away: “Why am I not allowed to call you cute, Amani?”

His tone sent shivers through my body and I had an idea.

“Go to your bedroom, I’ll be there in a second.” I ordered.

I walked in direction to the bathroom, not giving him a moment to think about it or rebel against my bossy tone. But he caught up to me after only a couple of steps.

“Wait. There’s something I’ve been dying to do, but wouldn’t allow myself to even think about until I was free of the contract…”

“But now, there’s space for nothing else in my head.”

He slid a hand onto my waist, pulling me closer, so slowly it was almost hesitant.

“You want to kiss me.” I stated, seeing it in his eyes.

“I do.”

The slightest nod was all I needed to give him.

When our lips touched, it felt like a lifetime of butterflies exploded in my stomach. It was gentle and so full of intent.

It felt like he had, indeed, been thinking of exactly how he wanted this to go. And like I could just melt into it, forget about everything else. He had it handled.

His hands held me up as my knees threatened to buckle. Not because they were weak, anymore. No. Only because of the intensity of the wave of emotion that rushed through me as our lips parted.

“Today’s the best day of my life.” He breathed out, wonder in his voice.

I let myself inhale a couple of times before answering. “It’s about to get better. Go to the bedroom, Zek.”

He obeyed, this time. But once I found myself alone in his bathroom, stealing a towel, I couldn’t help but doubt. Was this too much? Or… well… too little?

“I’m really doing this?”