Jaxon looked at Hadrien with watchful eyes. Joshua had left his brother at rugby practice a few minutes ago and Jaxon had started to practice with the team while Aeron shouted commands from the background. With Kai gone, Aeron had to step up as the captain and train the new recruits.

Jaxon wasn’t the only one who had turned his gaze towards Hadrien who didn’t look the least bit interested. Dale stood by his group of Betas with a pout that slowly started to turn into a smirk. Jaxon could only assume Dale was pleased with Hadrien’s new status as an alpha. Though from the looks of it, Hadrien was not giving Dale any attention. Hadrien just looked over at the stands with a searching gaze. Jaxon could feel himself shudder. Who was he searching for?

He soon snapped out of it as trouble was brewing. Mark Rowe had bumped into Hadrien who to Jaxon surprise actually stayed on his feet. Even if Hadrien had got a few more muscles since his transformation, he was still tiny compared with Mark. Hadrien’s eyes flashed but he just smirked at Mark who looked annoyed. Jaxon moved closer so he could hear what they said.

Another one entered the argument and Jaxon cursed at the boys while speeding up. John Harley came up from behind Hadrien and had told Mark to piss off. Damn this was not good. Mark grabbed onto Harley’s shirt and within a few heartbeats, he laid on the grass moaning as Harley had hit him square on the nose. Harley growled at Mark and stalked closer to him.

“Hadrien, hold him!” Jaxon shouted and he could see Aeron coming closer as well. Hadrien just shrugged with a bored look and Jaxon cursed again when Harley started to beat Mark senseless.

Harley had anger issues as a human and as a wolf, he was far worse. Mark hit back but he was not as violent as Harley. An arse, yes, but more bark than a bite.

Jaxon was finally there and with a growl, he ripped Harley off Mark. Mark got on his feet with a growl and tried to go after Harley but Hadrien stepped in between. Hadrien’s glowed in amber light and with a grim expression, he headbutted Mark who fell unconscious. Hadrien let him fall to the ground with a bored expression.

“I asked you to stop them!” Jaxon hissed angrily. Why the hell had he intervened now?

“And I did, chéri. I doubt that Mark will get up anytime soon,” Hadrien shrugged before smiling at someone coming towards them. Jaxon frowned and looked closer at the boy who clearly wasn’t supposed to be there. His heart almost stopped as he recognized the little rabbit running towards them.

“Hadrien, are you okay?” Blake panted and stopped in front of Hadrien who smiled at him.

“Oui, no wounds here. But I must confess, I do wonder how you would have been of any help in this situation. You are not really strong enough to handle two rugby players by yourself.”

Blake was clearly embarrassed. Jaxon could hear him muttered that he hadn’t really considered that. Did Blake rush out to help Hadrien? No, that can’t be. Hadrien, on the other hand, had clearly handled the situation so that Blake wouldn’t have been involved.

Jaxon could hear a whine come from his throat as he wanted Blake’s attention and he mind slapped his wolf. He almost fell over though when Blake strictly avoided looking at him. Jaxon could smell… Anger? Hurt? But he hasn’t done anything… Has he?

Hadrien looked from Blake to Jaxon and Jaxon winced when Hadrien met his eyes straight on. That was a challenge between Alphas.

“Hey lads. Behave! We have a guest. Be on your best behavior. Mark? Why are you on the ground? Mark?” Aeron had reached them and his cheerful voiced echoed in the field. Aeron kicked Mark with a frown.

“Let’s go back to practice. Someone get Mark of the field and-“ Aeron grabbed onto Jaxon and forced him to redirect his eyes from Hadrien. “Stop challenging the newbie!”

“But he-“

“No buts!”

“Blake is-“

Aeron looked at Blake before turning to Jaxon again. “I have no idea what you did to the lad but he refuses to look at you and Hadrien is clearly sensing his anger so stop making trouble and go!”

Jaxon grumbled in defeat and went over the other players who watched the incident with interest. Dale glared at Blake with disgust but turned it to a smile when Hadrien’s gaze turned to him. Blake himself seemed to be unaware by all of this as he secretly looked after Jaxon with agony written on his face.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Blake sighed for the thousand times while Alex smoked beside him. They waited for Leon who had told them he wanted to introduce Blake to the arcane world. Alex had insisted that he go with him after he had heard about the incident by the rugby field.

“Blake?”

“Hm?” Blake mumbled while watching something in a distance.

“What were you doing in the forest?”

Blake started to cough as he snapped out of his trance, “What?”

“The night you were attacked again. What were you doing in the bloody forest?”

“Walking…”

“Smartass, why were you taking a stroll in the dark forest with a wounded leg?”

Blake winced and cleared his throat while avoiding Alex gaze. “I… Needed to clear my head.”

“Why? You were so happy when I left you. Eager even. What happened after I went away?”

“I was… stupid!”

“Obviously, why would you-“ Alex went silent as he saw Blake's hurtful expression. ”This isn’t about the forest, is it? It was clearly dumb to go out into the forest at night alone but you aren’t talking about that. What are you talking about?”

“I…Oh God! I was hurt. He told me…. And I… I just misunderstood… I!”

Alex frowned at his attempt at an explanation.

“You will need to speak a few more words for me to understand that sentence, mate.”

“Jaxon told me he would dance with me and I thought… Then his girlfriend showed and they kissed… He just… ignored me. I felt so stupid.”

Alex was quiet as he listens to Blake’s explanation though Blake was increasingly nervous by Alex’s weird expression. He had never seen that expression before on Alex.

“So the jackass flirted with you, then dumped you. You were hurt. Ran into the forest and almost got eaten by a wolf. Did I get this straight?”

“Well, I didn’t run but-“

“I’m killing the jackass.”

“What?”

“I’m burying him alive. Any suggestions on where?”

“Don’t!” Blake groaned and shook Alex who didn’t seem to change his mind.

“This was my fault! I misunderstood.”

Alex put out the cig and patted Blake on the head. “I’m still burying him alive.”

“Burying who alive?” Leon had just come around the corner and watched them with interest.

“Jaxon Price.”

“Oh, mind doing it away from the Art Guild. I would rather not be a suspect in a murder.”

“Deal!”

Blake groaned and shook his head tiredly. He could only hope that Alex was kidding.

“Why did you want to meet me, Leon? Why here specifically?”

They stood by the far side of the Art Guild and watched over the Conservatory used by the Gardening Department. Alex wasn’t sure why the Art Guild had a Gardening Department but he assumed it was because they were sponsored by the Art Guild.

“Are you going to lift the veil?” Alex asked while smirking. Blake just frowned at him.

“Indeed. Close your eyes, Blake.” Blake did as Leon asked and he could feel Leon’s hand over his eyelids. He muttered some foreign words and Blake could feel his eyes sting. “Open them, and see the world as it truly is.”

Blake did as he was told and started at the Conservatory. It took him a few moments before he registered what was wrong. A giant tree grew out of the Conservatory and its roots spread all over the academy. Even onto the buildings. The Oaktree was big enough to stand over the entire forest. It must be old.

“What… Was the Oak there before?”

“Yes, we have put an enchantment to hide it from ordinary humans.”

“Why?”

“Because of its power. It’s a World tree. Its roots reach the Otherworld and as such it’s a gateway to the Otherworld. There is another one in Elan Academy, guarded by the Fae. This one belongs to the druids of Vale Academy.”

Blake tried to listen in but it was hard as he stared at the giant Oaktree.

“World Tree… Otherworld….Fae…”

“How are you doing there, mate?” Alex asked and patted him on the back.

“Somewhere between awe and terrified.”

“Better than I expected then.”

“Why are you showing this to me now?”

“Because you have the potential to use the arcane. To become a witch or a druid if you so choose. I want to offer you that chance now that you know of our world.”

Blake inhales. Breathe. That is what he needs to do. He wanted a new life. A new start. But this wasn’t really what he had in mind.

“Vale academy turned into Hogwarts.”

“I do hope that our survival rate is higher. But yes, we have classes in magic if you are interested. Though I thought we would introduce you to the druids today. Which is why I suggested we meet here.”

Blake could only nod as he was pulled by Alex towards the Conservatory. They entered the greenhouse and Blake looked at a wall of flowers and herbs. Men in long robes handled the garden while an old man, the one that healed him the other day, sat in front of the Oak and seemed to be praying.

A pale boy with short brown hair, grey eyes, and glasses hurried towards them with a smile. He almost stumbled on his robes but succeeded to prevent his fall only to knock over a pot. Several robed boys hurried to clean up the mess while the boy with glasses apologized before he turned towards them.

“Welcome! we weren’t expecting you, Mr. Graycrest. Do you need something?” the boy had a thick Scottish accent and could only be described as adorkable.

“Hamish, I want you to meet a new recruit. I’m introducing him to the Arcane world and thought that meeting the druid would be a good start.”

The boy turned towards Blake and gave him a bright smile.

“I heard about from our Chief Druid. My name is Hamish Macrae. We welcome all who are willing to learn here in our Circle.”

“Within reason.” The old man who healed Blake earlier had come over. He had sharp grey eyes behind bushy eyebrows. His face was covered with wrinkles and even though he was unshaved, he still looked like a gentleman. Kind and wise with a good temperament. That was the impression Blake got from him but the old man seemed almost reluctant to Blake’s presence in the Conservatory.

“I’m the Chief Druid Fingal Keir and the guardian of the World Tree. I hope that you feel better Mr. Oakley.” The old man introduced himself with an Irish accent and bowed his head lightly towards Blake.

“Yes, though the wolf bite was never that bad, to begin with.”

“Aye, that’s the reason why I didn’t heal the bite when you got it. I didn’t see a reason to expose our secret for a bite that would heal naturally. Well, there was no reason not to heal it after you found out about the Arcane and natural world. Did you find the wolf?” Fingal aimed the last question towards Leon who shook his head.

“No, according to Principal Price the wolf got away and there was no clue to its identity.”

“Aye, makes you wonder if our dear principal is hiding something, does it not?”

“I wouldn’t dare speculate and I do trust that the Principal has our safety close to his heart.”

“As long as they are human or shapeshifters at least.” Fingal sounded bitter but shook off that expression fast as he turned towards Hamish.

“Why don’t you show them around the Conservatory, lad. I need to meditate.”

“Aye, Chief.”

Blake watched Fingal go back to the Oak and frowned when he saw him lift his hands to touch the Oak. Hamish must have watched Blake as he answered before the question came out of Blake’s mouth.

“The World Tree is connected to the Otherworld which is filled with magic. The World Tree draws magic from the Otherworld through its roots and then brings it into our world. We druid are not just guardians of the tree we can also absorb its magic. Like the trees can absorb sunlight, so can we absorb the tree’s magic. The presence of the World Tree makes our Druid circle one of the most powerful in the world.”

Blake doesn’t know how but he could feel the power from the tree. It was old, and its roots were deep but there was something else. Something rotting.

“The tree is dying.”

The words left Blake’s mouth before he could stop them. Hamish's eyes went wide before he calmed himself and nodded in agreement.

“Aye, all think must die. The World Tree has stood there for over a thousand years. It’s slowly withering from within. Though it might take a hundred years before it finally dies but gone it will be.”

“Eh, I didn’t know that. No wonder that the druids have been unusual outspoken lately. They are losing their bloody power,” Alex muttered and Blake hushed him, but he couldn’t help but to feel sad. The World Tree was important and it would just feel empty with it gone.