I had next to no sleep that night, my brain would not stop spinning, all different scenarios and horrible ways this could all go wrong. I was cuddled into my mates embrace the only solace I could find, at least I knew I was always safe here.

Epiales was buzzing as well making sleep a distant memory. He was beyond excited to have his own form and not be trapped within mine, I was excited for him and also to be able to not fear the third shift I had developed, I was sure it would leave when he did. I could feel and hear the little murmurs of his soul speaking within itself I couldn't make out the words, but I could feel the excitement it was bringing him.

I watched as the curtains brought subtle light into the room, gracing each inky corner with a light embrace of golden hue. The mages would return very soon, and I was exhausted, I was positive I should not be going into a magical ritual as tired as I was, but I could not help that at this point.

Child, fear not this will be easy with me here I will not let harm come to either of us. Epiales said through our link, comforting me slightly knowing I had him and my mate on my side I hoped nothing bad would happen.

The waiting was almost unbearable not knowing when the mages would return and knowing they were returning with a corpse as well. we still had next to no information on said corpse. We knew it was a trespasser and was covered in magical chains. It was not a shifter like us nor a mage. They were the only two species I had encountered so I was very curious about what this creature was.

I decided there was no reason to stay in bed any longer and would begin the food prep for my family. I wiggled my way out of Thatchers arms, used the restroom and made my way to the kitchen. I was almost finished making pancakes when I heard the distinct patter of little feet and paws. My children stumbled their way into the kitchen wiping their eyes and yawning.

"Breakfast ma?" Zar questioned taking his seat at the table.

"Coming up sweetie," I said placing the last pancake on the plates before giving them to each child. "Today Alpha and I have to look after some things, so you'll be going to nan and pops for the day how does that sound?"

I was greeted with squeals of joy and a very lengthy cackle. The kids loved going there because they were spoiled rotten. Thatchers parents always had something new for them and spent every second bending to their every whim. I would be taking them there after breakfast so we were prepared for when the mages would return.

After breakfast was over and I had cleaned up I got the kids ready and walked them over to my mates' parents. They were overjoyed to see my kids and said they will look after them until I can come get them back. The walk back to the alpha suite, was when the anxiety started to eat away at my insides, my breath was coming out in pants and I could tell I was having somewhat of a mini anxiety attack. I tried to calm my breathing and focus on other things, but I was honestly really scared.

"Baby? You, okay?" Thatcher's voice came from our area, I could tell he was moving towards me and every step he took I felt a little safer, but I was still freaking out pretty badly. "Oh Cas, come here." Thatcher said opening his arms. I walked straight into them.

"Talk to me baby, I'm always here for you."

"I'm not sure what's happening I just got really scared about what's going to happen later today when the mages return." My pants had lessened, and I was breathing more normally but I was still shaking and being crushed by Thatchers arms. The deep pressure stimulation calming me down so I openly welcomed it.

"We can cancel it if it's overwhelming you dear. I won't put you in that situation. This is all up to you." He gently kissed my forehead.

"What if something goes wrong Thatch?" I whispered finally voicing my fears. "I want to do this for Epiales but I'm so scared."

Nothing will go wrong Cas I won't let it. Epiales voice shone through my haze of doubt. I trusted my new friend and I trusted my mate to keep me safe. I just now had to trust the mages and my pack to keep my children safe whilst the ritual would happen and if something goes wrong, I trust them to keep them safe.

Thatcher and I spent the rest of the morning cuddling and whispering sweet nothings. He made me feel safe and loved the entire time and when the beta came up to announce that the mages had return, I was far less anxious than earlier. The anxiety was still simmering away under my skin but a much more controllable level.

"Babe, its time to go are you ready? The mages are expecting us in the forest behind the village."

I took a deep breath and stood up and followed my mate out of the pack house. No one said anything or stared at me so I figured that the pack had little to no idea what was going on at the moment besides a few trusted members. We made our way behind the village, the thick green trees were a scary sight. Beyond them would change my life. It would also change Epiales's life and that thought kept me moving forward.

"Almost there love, would you still like to continue?"

"Yes, its what's for the best for our lives and for his." Thatcher nodded and then we breached the trees. We walked for several quieter minutes before we came to a beautiful clearing, the floor a soft green grass and the surrounding rocks covered in a dark green moss. It was a beautiful magical spot.

"Alpha, we are happy to see that you have arrived, we have the corpse nearby but didn't want to scare you outright. There was a few obstacles with the body, but it is here and safe." Alaric said.

"I am happy to see that you have returned safely, we are incredibly grateful for you going to retrieve the vessel. We are ready for the ritual and I will be remaining by my mates' side the whole time." My mate proclaimed in the small clearing.

The mages agreed and then turned and gathered a long white sheet that was suspended in the air via what I could only assume to be by magic. I know under there was the vessel and that caused goosebumps to spread across my entire body. I hadn't come across a body that wasn't food since I ran from my clan being destroyed.

"Casius if you would come into the inner circle, remove your shirt and lay down please." Maeve and Ciara spoke in time their accent twinging their words with mystery.

I let go of my mates hand and removed my shirt before crossing the barrier of mountain ash and salt. I felt the magic tingling over and beneath my skin. Laying in the soft grass made everything very real.

The twins started drawing runes over the front of my body, "We are going to need Epiales to come out now he will be fronting for the entirety of the ritual to ensure the right soul is moved to the other vessel."

I took a quick look at Thatcher and he sent me a soft smile and a nod. I nodded back, mouthing that I loved him before allowing the chaotic soul to take over.

Epiales POV.

I took the front role of this body and felt the runes begin to burn slightly. The light magic of the runes disagreed with the chaos of dark magic that ran through my veins.

"Make this quick and painless for Cas or I will wreak havoc upon your lives and the rest of your bloodline." I laughed lightly. "That is a promise, don't take it lightly."

"We can stop this ritual right now you bastard don't tempt us." That fake mage Alaric said. He knew I knew he was a fraud, I couldn't wait till I had my own body and I could show everyone just who he was. I smiled at him darkly beginning him to start something with me but unfortunately the meat head that was Cas's mate cut in.

"You will continue the ritual and you will do so now don't make me state this again." The alpha tone seemed to have an affect on the weaker mages I could tell it had no effect on Salem he was too strong of a magic user to keel to such a voice.

The twins continued to draw the runes that were beginning to lighten and glow against the darker skin of Cas. Salem was doing the same thing to the vessel that was still out of my eyesight I was intrigued to see the body I would be getting, not that it would matter I could find a way to change it if need be.

Soon after the mages gathered around myself and the vessel. They were chanting in a long-forgotten language that I knew little about it and could only pick out certain words. The runes were burning more so now.

"We now need to share blood between the bodies and then the final stage of the ritual will begin." Salem's quite voice seemed very loud in the clearing. The twins each grabbed a hand on mine and the vessels, a semi deep cut was made with a ceremonial knife. The chanting became louder and louder, and the runes were now burning so bad I was clenching my teeth. A final rune was drawn on my stomach and then forehead before I screamed as a deep burning sensation spread throughout my body and felt as if I was being torn in too. I could feel the shadows of the forest reaching for me in an attempt to aid me.

I felt myself fall into the shadows of my soul and then everything went black. The last thing I remember was the boneheads' alphas scream for his mate.