"You think it's him?" I say to mom over the phone.

"That's what the council is suspecting. But, personally, I don't think it's him," she says.

I feel disappointed. For a second, I thought we had our guy. But if my mother says he might not be the one, then he's not the one. My coven's council will look into the suspected wizard anyway.

"You've anyone else in mind?" I ask.

I hear her heavy sigh. "No one. Sure, we got some disgruntled wizards here and there. But none of them fit the profile of someone who has gone deviant and has a vendetta against werewolves."

I silently think over her comment.

"Cassandra?" mom says, checking if I heard her.

"Mom," I tell her, "What if it is not a wizard?"

"You think it's a witch?"

"No. Let's assume it's still a guy who is behind all this. But what if that guy is not a wizard? What if it's a guy that can just perform some basic spells? Invisibility and mind control of rogues are not that complex to perform."

"Are you talking about Assent of Light?"

"Yes."

Mom silently thinks about what I said at the other end of the line.

Assent of Light is a phenomenon where, meeting certain criteria and circumstances, a witch or a wizard transfer their power to someone who is not born with the ability to conjure magic. There are three instances of this phenomenon in our recorded history. The last one happened two centuries ago.

"Alright," mom says, "With options running out, we should consider all possibilities. Remember the passing of Muriel two years ago?"

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Yes. You think she could've done it?"

"She was recluse and quite frankly, losing it. Someone could've taken advantage of that. And she was also one of the most powerful elders. With her skills, I won't be surprised if she was able to perform Assent of Light even in her state."

I nod again. "Then you should definitely look into it."

"I will. Now, how about things over there? You're not having any problems, right?"

I did not tell mom my last encounter with Leon. She wouldn't like someone ordering me around like that."No. Everything is great here. Although, a part of me really wants those rogues to come soon, so we could get this over with."

"I know. But be patient. I promised them we'll see this through till the end. Be ready for when the rogues appear."

"Okay, I will."

"What's the plan tomorrow?"

I smile. "Nothing yet. A week ago Sabrina said there's a fair in a nearby town. If it's still there, we might go in the evening."

"That's it? What about tonight?"

"Mom, there's nothing much to do here. Every one here just likes to run in four legs in the forest." Mom laughs at that.

"That's bad," she says. "I wish you were here at home. I feel bad I won't be with you tomorrow on your birthday."

"Don't worry, mom. I still have Nara and Jenny here. I'm sure they'll keep me entertained tomorrow."

Mom laughs again. "Okay. Have a good time tomorrow then. But don't cause anyone any trouble."

"We won't."

––––

I spent midnight and early morning answering phone calls from family and friends.

To my surprise, a lavish breakfast was prepared in the main house for my birthday. I suppose Sabrina told everyone it's my birthday today.

And to more surprise, I even got a gift... from Vince – A beautiful bedazzled hair clip.

Although I wish I was home, it's not entirely bad here. But then again, it's not entirely good either.

Leon didn't wish me. He just minds his own business all day. I realize, just like I turn nineteen today, he'll turn twenty one soon. And that sucks the joy out of me for today.

Evening arrives, and Sabrina drives Nara, Jenny, and me to the fair. She takes her job as the local guide seriously. She insisted she'll come along.

I thought the fair would be small and there wouldn't be much to see. I was wrong.

If I've to explain how the fair looks, I would say it's something right out of a movie. The ferry lights, lanterns, stalls, decorations, food – everything is picture-perfect.

Not to mention, it's fricking huge: After two hours, we manage to see only half of it.

We shop here and there. I purchased a lot of stationery. However, I purposely skipped the keychain shops.

I collect keychains. But lately, I'm turning into a hoarder. About two months ago, I promised myself I won't buy a keychain for six months.

That's proving difficult to keep at the fair.

Other than that, I'm letting myself free tonight. I didn't realize how much I needed to get out of the pack and's guesthouse, where I stayed cooped up to avoid him.

Having said that, my birthday luck soon runs out.

"Sabrina." I hear Jack's voice behind us.

Turning around, I see Jack and him, with a few other guys.

"What are you guys doing here?" Sabrina asks him.

"We came to the town to see Solinhull's Alpha. Thought we'd drop by the fair, too."

Our group, now doubled in size, starts to explore the rest of the fair. Luckily, the girls stick together and walk at the front, while the guys stay behind.

I see the colorful stalls, steaming snacks, sparkling jewelry, but can't concentrate on any of them. My thoughts are all on Leon, who's nonchalantly walking behind us with the guys.

The girls stop at a small fancy shop and the boys move to the shooting game just a couple of stalls away.

While trying to peek at Leon, I stumble and come face to face with a beautiful golden wolf.

The yellow stone keychain is dangling over a long stand hanging from the roof. The transparent stone, carved into a wolf, catches and reflects light beautifully. Unconsciously, I touch and stare at it with longing.

I bite my lips. I promised I won't buy a keychain though.

Ugh. Screw my resolution. I'm buying it.

"How much is it?" I ask one of the volunteers at the stall.

"Ten dollars," she says.

I open my wallet and see I don't have enough cash left.

Then I look at my personal ATM – Jenny. She's always the one carrying enough cash on her to go around. Nara and I borrow from her all the time, so much so that the money we owe Jenny could pay a kid's school tuition.

She doesn't notice me and is busy looking at bracelets. I debate again in my mind about purchasing the keychain.

Maybe it's a sign. A sign that I shouldn't give in to the temptation. I'd already managed to not buy one for two months! Let's not break that streak.

––––

Our visit eventually comes to an end and we start climbing into our vehicles to start back home.

"Hold on a second," I tell Sabrina as she inserts her car key.

"What?"

"I need to buy something," I tell her, before turning to Jenny and saying, "Give me ten dollars."

I run to the stall so I won't keep the girls waiting for long.

I need this keychain. And it's my birthday, so exceptions are allowed today.

Panting, I enter the stall and see that the keychain is gone.

"Remember the yellow keychain, the wolf one, I asked you about? I want it," I say to the girl I talked to before.

"I'm sorry. A girl already bought it. That was the last piece."

I return to the car and give back Jenny her cash.

"What happened?" she asks.

"Somebody already bought it. It's gone."

"Should've asked me the cash right away when you wanted it," Jenny says.

I sigh. "Yeah, I should've."

––––

Although tired from walking all evening, I can't fall asleep. I get up from my bed and head down to the rose garden.

I gaze at the roses under the half-moon light.

There's a sense of melancholy I can't shake off.

Is it because it's the first birthday I spent not in my home? Or is it because I'm now a year older? Or is it because I didn't get that keychain?

Something makes me feel sad.

"What are you doing here?" I hear Leon from behind me.

Instantly, I stand up and turn around. "Nothing. I was just sitting. I'm going back now," I tell him fast, and start to walk towards the guesthouse when he says, "Wait."

I turn and face him, while not looking at his eyes, of course.

"I realized I forgot to wish you today. Happy Birthday."

Biting my cheeks, so I won't grin like an idiot, and praying he can't see my blush in the dark, I reply, "Thank you."

"Show me your palm," he says.

I obediently do as he says.

He places the keychain on my hand and says, "Goodnight," before walking back to his house, leaving behind a dumbfounded me.

Once it sinks in, I run back to my room and get on the bed, and cover myself with the bedsheet, with the little wolf tightly clutched in my hand.

I think to myself, this is the best birthday ever!

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And – keychains – does that ring a bell? ;)