Early in the morning, Louis reached the western border of Domumley and set foot into the city for the very first time. The sun was rising above the roofs and tinted the houses in a goldish yellow colour. He took a moment to just watch this happening and take everything in. He had never been to a place like this. A place full of human beings in their natural habitat. He was so used to the forest and the village full of small cabins and ... this city was the total opposite. Even asleep, it looked breathtaking.

Reverently, Louis started walking fully into the city. Looking around, he realised the part he was in right now wasn't too crowded or overbuilt with huge houses and other buildings. It was almost a bit deserted, more than he had expected. But he walked past a big library building that sparked his interest. And something called a skating hall. Whatever that was.

The longer he walked the more the city awoke around him. People started leaving their homes and children were walking sleepily around with their parents. All of this made Louis smile to himself. It was so beautifully normal and mundane. But it still made his heart ache in a way too familiar way. This could have been his life.

Shaking that thought away, Louis continued his walk and crossed a bridge, reminding him of his dream about Zayn standing on a stone bridge. He wondered if that bridge actually existed. The bridge he crossed led him to the actual ocean. He has never seen the ocean before. In awe, he walked as close to it as possible without getting himself wet. He breathed in the ocean air and felt the wind in his hair. It made him feel things he couldn't explain. Looking over the endless ocean, Louis wanted to know what was on the other side of it. What country would he find there?! In pack school, he's never learned about that, only werewolf stuff and basic survival bullshit. Here in this world, he would be considered dumb.

Feeling his next breakdown coming up, Louis closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, turning around to get away from here. Like this, he didn't see the person who was walking along the shore and ran them over, making both of them crash to the sand. Embarrassed, Louis jumped up and helped them back up onto their feet. It seemed to be a young blonde-haired woman.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you" Louis apologised shamefully.

"It's fine. I didn't see you either. I was lost in my own head. No harm done, mate" the woman reassured him calmly. Her voice sounded friendly and she had a light accent. It reminded him of Niall, which could mean she might have a Spanish background.

"Me too. I was staring out at the ocean and was distracted. I forgot to look where I'm going. Sorry again" Louis had no idea how to act. This was the first human he ever had contact with. Apart from Zayn, but that was different. Well, not really ...

"No need to be sorry. The ocean can be quite fascinating. That's why I always take a walk along the beach every morning. It's silent and peaceful" the woman smiled comfortingly at him, adjusting her glasses skilfully.

"It really is. I've never seen something so beautiful" Louis glanced back at the ocean.

"You're not from around here, right?" she guessed rightly.

"Is it that obvious?" Louis sighed defeatedly.

"No, it's not. I'm just good at reading people. Most people in this town, or everywhere really, don't look left and right but I do. I watch them. Like, not in a creepy way. I meant, that I like observing people from afar and ... Fuck, that sounds even creepier. I really don't mean it like that" she looked almost panicked. "Sorry. Talking to strangers is not my strength. Normally, I avoid people".

"Don't worry. It's fine. I get what you mean" Louis assured her endeared. "And me too ...?".

"Àmbar. My name is Àmbar" she got the hint.

"Spanish?" Louis grinned winningly.

"Kind of? It's a bit complicated" she laughed freely.

"I know all about that. I'm Louis" Louis introduced himself.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Louis. But um ... you look a bit lost. Were you looking for something or someone? Can I help you in any way?" Àmbar came back to the topic at hand.

"Actually ..." Louis hesitated, not wanting to sound crazy. "This might sound weird but I was wondering if this town has a stone bridge somewhere? Maybe in a park or something?".

"Yes, we do, actually. It's in the park in Upper Ley" Àmbar told him, making him feel less weird.

"Great ... where is that?" Louis scratched his neck awkwardly.

"Come on. I show you" she beckoned him to follow her.

"If you don't murder me" he joked carefreely.

"No promises".

Together, they walked along the shore until they had reached a nice-looking area full of small houses on both sides of a street, if Louis was correct. The street wasn't busy, only a few cars were driving here and there. From his spot, Louis couldn't tell where the street was leading but it looked endless.

"If you follow this street until the end you'll come to an intersection. Well, it's more of a crossing. There, you have to head to the left until you'll see a more earthy path and voila, there's the park with your bridge. Sorry, if my description sucks. I'm bad at directions but this is the right way" Àmbar instructed him helpfully.

"Thank you so much. You don't know how important this is to me. Without you, it would have taken me forever to find it" Louis thanked her gratefully.

"It's no big deal. Good luck with whatever you're up to. If you feel like chatting again, you know where to find me, Louis" Àmbar smiled at him in farewell.

"I won't forget it, Àmbar" Louis smiled back at her.

Parting ways, Louis followed the street as instructed. When it wasn't busy a minute ago, it was busy now. The city was fully awake now and people were everywhere. It was so different from his former life but he was loving it. It was full of life and high energy and something he couldn't put his finger on.

At the crossing, he headed left and was met with a beautiful park. Close to it was something that looked like a forest and reminded him of the pack. Trying to push these words away, he walked into the park and focused on finding the bridge. He didn't have to look for long. He followed the tiny river and was met with the weirdly familiar stone bridge out of his dream. He stepped onto it and glanced down at the water, only seeing his broken reflection.

"Louis?".

The voice startled Louis and he flinched while looking up to see Zayn standing in front of the bridge, a confused look on his face." Fuck, you scared me, Zayn".

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ... I was not expecting to see you here" Zayn approached him carefully, his steps hesitant. "What are you doing here?".

The sound of Zayn's voice and the way he pronounced his words remind Louis he must look like shit, bruised and everything. "Um ... that's kind of a long story, to be honest".

"Right now, I have time if you want to talk" Zayn offered him, visibly still a bit restrained and obviously still confused.

Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Louis decided to just get everything off his chest. For some reason, he trusted Zayn. "I just couldn't stay there any longer. It was getting worse every day. My life there has never been easy, as the only human among wolves. My whole life I wondered why they even took me in if they hated humans so much but I never figured it out. Being ignored or bullied your entire life for something you have no control over leaves its marks. Not just those visible scars I have right now. But these too, very often but never as bad as this time. I was only trying to live my life as normal as possible with the only friend I had but that ended in a mess and a lot of pain ... Yesterday was probably the worst day of my life and lines were crossed and I knew it was over. I had to leave, so I did. I'm pretty sure no one noticed it".

"I really cannot even begin to understand and comprehend what you've been through but you should know, from now on, you have me and I will be there for you, Louis" Zayn squeezed his hand. "These scratches and bruises look nasty. It worries me. What happened, Louis?".

"Well, at first, nothing bad. After realising I would be forever alone, me and my best friend, who is an omega, decided to ... you know, lose our virginity together. No big deal, right? Wrong, because of course, the alphas in the pack, a specific group of assholes, noticed and were pissed because I was human and not allowed to even ... they make no sense but always thought they were in the right. The head alpha didn't contradict them either and it ended in bruises" Louis told him what had happened. "Then yesterday, the leader of that group tried yet again to get in my pants, for whatever reason. Of course, I told him to fuck off but he wasn't having it. He tried to force me but he can't use his power on me. I'm human. That's the only good thing about it. But ... things he said made me realise how fucked up they all are. He does it to others in the pack and gets what he wants because they can't resist him. Their nature is not ... they can't disobey an alpha when he uses his alpha voice, which is forbidden to use in that way but they don't care. I couldn't ... I just had to leave. But I'm scared for Luke. I hope he's safe and they leave him alone. I fear for his life".

"Oh, Louis. I'm so sorry. This shouldn't have happened to you" Zayn's whole face showed pure sympathy. "I understand that this made you finally crack and want to leave. I didn't know this pack was so bad".

"Worse" Louis sighed heavily. "Enough about me. Tell me more about you. I wanna know everything".

"I'd love to but I have work in a bit. So ... but we can talk afterwards, yeah? Then we can also figure out how to go on from here. I mean, we can find a way for you to stay here" Zayn looked unsure of what to do next.

"Yeah, sure. I'd love that" Louis really hoped he didn't come off as desperate and needy and eager as he felt.

"You wanna come along? It wouldn't be a problem" Zayn suggested hesitantly, his cheeks reddening lightly.

"To work?" Louis checked puzzled. Zayn only nodded, his cheeks turning even redder. "Um ... sure. Yeah, lead the way".

Still the tiniest bit awkward, Zayn led him out of the park, a different way than where he had come from, and through the busy city. All this life was something Louis would probably never get used to. The technology was also something totally new to him. Werewolves didn't need technology but humans had tons of it. Louis couldn't wait to learn all about it and try everything.

Close to the beach but far away from the spot where he had met Àmbar, Zayn pointed at a little shop. It looked older but very nice from the outside. It was a bookstore. A feeling spread through Louis and he felt like he needed to go inside. The place had its own special aura and energy or maybe Louis was really going crazy. Whatever it was, Louis liked it. He felt at ease and oddly safe.

"Dylan? Is it okay if my friend Louis sticks around today? He is new in town and doesn't have somewhere else to go right now. We wanna catch up later and it's really not ...".

"Breathe, Zayn. It's fine. Of course, he can stay" a brunette man behind a shelf-like-looking object spoke up. That had to be Dylan. "And maybe he can even help you get some actual work done".

"I take personal offence to that" Zayn huffed dramatically.

"Get to work, Malik" Dylan waved him off unimpressed.

"He seems nice" Louis commented unsurely.

"He's a pain in the ass. You'll realise that soon enough" Zayn walked to the back of the shop to get ready for work.

"Maybe he just doesn't like you" Louis grinned teasingly.

"Lovely. I can see you two will get along. Great" Zayn rolled his eyes but Louis could see he was being sarcastic.

"Weren't you supposed to work?!".

"You know, I could see you working here" Zayn cleared his throat, blushing all over again.

"Really? Me?" Louis stared at him in shock.

"Of course, you. It's nice work and you look comfortable here. And Dylan is a great boss most of the time. Also, he doesn't care about education and A-levels or other stuff. He cares about the person. I'm just ... it could be an option" Zayn reasoned his idea.

"It could be, yeah".

While Zayn was working, Louis mostly stayed in the back or sat by a window and watched the ocean. It was his new favourite thing to do. The ocean was magnificent. When he wasn't staring at the water Dylan was talking to him. He really was a nice man and seemed to love his work. The shop seemed like his safe place. Something Louis wished he had. Maybe getting a job here wasn't the stupidest idea because he would need one if he intended on actually staying in this city and that had been the plan. He couldn't go back. Ever.

When Zayn was done for the day it was afternoon and they made their way towards Zayn's flat, which was close to the park. Inside, Louis took a look around. Human flats were so different from wolf cabins in the forest. Electricity and technology and heat and showers. Zayn was nice enough to let him use it and get a change of clothes. He has never felt so clean and fresh before. With a cup of tea, they sat down on Zayn's couch and turned on the television. That thing was a miracle to Louis.

"This is all probably a lot to take in" Zayn spoke up.

"It really is. In my village, we don't have all this stuff. They're wolves. They don't need it and Harrison, the pack alpha, wanted no connection to the human cities. So, no electricity or technology or anything really. This television is totally new to me. Or your shower and everything in your kitchen. Or the cars outside. Even the way your houses are built. It's a lot" Louis marvelled wonderstruck.

"How come you know about all these things when you didn't have them?" Zayn hooked curiously.

"My mother figure told me about all this. She made sure that I knew. She educated me as good as possible ...".

"But how did she know?" Zayn was a bit confused.

"She came here sometimes, some wolves do for different reasons. She was allowed to because of me. I needed different supplies than the wolves, mostly clothes and probably glasses but I never got them"Louis let him know unbothered.

"We'll get you some. I promise" Zayn assured him.

"Thanks. Now I wanna know more about you" Louis put his cup down and faced Zayn, sitting cross-legged.

"Well, okay. Um ... I'm not that different from you, actually. I grew up without my parents. They're dead as well" Zayn started to tell him. Immediately, Louis felt sorry for him but kept quiet. "I didn't grow up in this town either. I came here the day I met you".

"Really? Where did you grow up?" Louis asked curiously.

"Counter question. Do you know about guardians?" Zayn asked instead in a nervous voice.

"Jessica, my mother figure, told me the earth has guardians to protect humans and other species. Something like that? That there are more magical creatures than werewolves out here but that's about it. Why?" Louis tried to remember everything he knew.

"Because I am one, since newest" Zayn revealed to him. "I grew up in a magic academy, where people learn to control their powers. I grew up there because I was saved when my family died. I wasn't allowed to leave for my own safety but I never understood why. The people in this town are not dangerous. Many magical people live here. Dylan is one of them. He's a wizard, for example".

"And what are you?" Louis suspected Zayn wasn't human.

"I'm half human, half witch. My mother was a human and my father a witch or something. They got killed and the magic council took me in. Now I became a guardian with four other people. That's my story, Louis" Zayn opened up to him, looking anxious.

"Thank you for telling me, Zayn. I appreciate it" Louis grabbed both of his hands. "I kinda suspected something like this. Unknowingly but still. Something about meeting you felt different and then you appeared in all of my dreams ...".

"What? You had dreams about me as well?" Zayn squeaked surprised. "I've dreamt about you too, Louis".

"Wow, that's a bit weird" Louis laughed to ease the awkwardness.

"Really weird" Zayn laughed along with him. "And it might become even weirder".

"Why?" Louis knitted his eyebrows together in puzzlement.

"After we met I couldn't forget about you. Even back in the academy and that didn't go unnoticed, of course. The woman that practically raised me, her name is Kida, asked me what happened and I told her about you. Weirdly enough, she wasn't surprised. Later, Aurelio spoke to me and wanted to know everything. It was so strange. And then he contacted me today at work" Zayn let him know strained.

"Who's Aurelio and what's going on?" Louis was lost.

Zayn let out a shaky breath. "Aurelio is part of the magic council and he wants to meet you, Louis".

Terrified, Louis found himself following Zayn yet another time. This time, they were walking through what Zayn had explained to him were the Pixie Woods in the middle of the town. Louis didn't even know Pixies existed, let alone lived in a forest among humans just like that. He really still had a lot to learn about this world.

The further they went into the forest, the more Louis felt himself starting to tremble. He had no idea what was coming his way and if this wasn't a weird trap. Maybe he would die in a minute. Maybe he couldn't trust Zayn. Maybe this Aurelio guy was evil.

"Don't be afraid, Louis. Aurelio is no threat" Zayn broke the silence between them. "There is no reason to be scared".

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Louis questioned sceptically. He had learned to never trust anyone.

"I can't tell you that. Looks like you have to find out" Zayn shrugged unfazed. Strangely enough, that settled his nerves down. Zayn wasn't forcefully trying to make Louis trust him and that alone made him oddly trustworthy. Maybe Louis was going mental.

Deciding more words wouldn't make it better, Louis stayed silent after this and simply kept following Zayn. Only a few minutes later, Louis could make out a man in the middle of the woods. He had grey hair and looked like he was around sixty years old, give and take. And to Louis' relief, he didn't look intimidating at all.

"Louis, meet Aurelio Vasquéz".

"Hi" Louis waved shyly at him.

"Hi, Louis. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard quite a lot about you" Aurelio greeted him, winking at Zayn, who only glared at him.

"Do I wanna know what he told you about me?" Louis cocked his eyebrow up sceptically.

"For a start, he told me you grew up with werewolves in the Styles' pack. Is that about right?" Aurelio looked like he was holding back an amused grin. Why, Louis didn't know.

"That's true" Louis confirmed neutrally, knowing the scratches and bruises were obviously still visible on himself.

"What would you say if I told you I knew that already before Zayn told me?" Aurelio asked him mysteriously.

"What?!" Zayn and Louis exclaimed at the same time.

"Louis, I've been around for a long time and I've seen many people come and go because I'm part of the magic council. I'm sure Zayn told you about this" Aurelio started to explain.

"Yeah, he did. Why?" Louis nodded confirmingly.

"He told you about our guardians then, right?" Aurelio went on unbothered, so Louis only nodded and waited. "There are different kinds of guardians. We have guardians who are only part human and part something else, like witches or fairies or werewolves or whatever. Like your friend Zayn. But then we also have solely human guardians with totally normal families consisting of only humans and no trace of magic anywhere. Except for one family member who might have been a guardian before or even still is one. Guardians are chosen randomly sometimes. Other times for their strong belief in magic or their already existing connection to something magical. Or because they are magic without knowing it. This is probably confusing but there is not one single way to choose a guardian for our world".

"No offence but why are you telling me this right now and why here? I mean, I love to learn everything about this part of the world but I don't understand what's going on" Louis dared to ask.

"Louis, your mother was a guardian" Aurelio revealed to him calmly.

In shock, Louis blinked at him. "You knew my mother?".

"Yes, since she was nineteen years old. She came to the academy to learn how to control and improve her powers. She was a true ray of sunshine and teaching her was great" Aurelio let him know.

"Wow" Louis breathed out shakily.

"She was part of a group of guardians for a long time before that group got destroyed by an evil sorcerer named Josiah, who is still threatening our world" Aurelio went on in an odd voice.

"I think I read about him in some book. Wasn't he supposed to become one of the most powerful magical beings in the universe?" Louis recognised that name darkly.

"Yes, that was his prophecy when he was born. And he became such, just for a terrible prize. He chose the dark side. He joined forces with the very evil he had sworn to defeat alongside your mother and his friends. He betrayed them and forced them to hide" Aurelio told him more about the past.

"Did he kill my mother?" Louis swallowed heavily, questioning the story he has been told as a kid by the wolves.

"No," Aurelio said simply. Louis was about to reply when Aurelio said something he didn't expect. "She's still alive".

"That's impossible. I was told my parents got killed by a rogue alpha and that's why I ended up with the pack and  ...".

"Louis, breathe" Aurelio tried to calm him down. "Let me explain. Josiah killed your father as revenge for something he is still convinced your mother did, that she didn't. So, your mother went into hiding but not at the academy like everyone else. No, she hid in the human world. With you".

"Wait, stop. This can't be true. Harrison recently told me that my father wanted to kill me" Louis felt his head spinning.

"That was only the guy Harrison thought was your father. He wasn't" Aurelio told him as if it was nothing.

"I'm so confused" Louis felt the need to cry.

"Let's sit down and I'll tell you everything" Aurelio pointed at a bench close by. All three of them sat down and the two boys waited for Aurelio to explain. "The guy Harrison Styles thought was your father was a guy named Travis Black. An ignorant asshole with a wild hatred towards werewolves because his brother once got killed by a rogue alpha. Your mother knew that and that's why she went to him. He has always fancied her and she used that to keep you safe. She knew Josiah would come after her, no matter where she hid. So, she pretended to be in love with Travis. She hoped he would ... I don't even know ... Josiah found her and captured her. Travis went wild. He blamed you. Claimed it was you that Josiah wanted, so he tried to get rid of you. He brought you into the woods and waited for a wolf to show up and kill you. But instead, Bella and Harrison showed up, which was something your mother had been counting on. She knew they wouldn't let it happen. They already had a bad reputation due to that one rogue alpha killing people".

"Wait, so my mother wanted me to end up with the werewolves?" Louis tried to understand what he was being told.

"Yes, because that was the only place you'd be safe for a while" Aurelio nodded in confirmation.

"God, I have so many questions. Nothing makes sense right now" Louis felt his head aching from all the information.

"It's a lot to take in" Zayn squeezed his hand comfortingly.

"Why was I only safe with them? He wanted my mother and he has her. What am I to him?" Louis hooked puzzled.

"He's scared of what you can become" Aurelio replied simply.

"Me? A powerful sorcerer was scared of me as a baby?" Louis checked incredulously.

"Yes, Louis. He was and still is. Louis, do you not understand? Your mother was a guardian, which makes you ...".

"A guardian" Louis whispered more to himself in realisation.

"Exactly. And not just a simple guardian. You're special and that's what he is afraid of" Aurelio added vaguely.

"Special in which way? I'm nothing" Louis frowned bewildered.

"Your mother wasn't a normal guardian. She was just like Zayn. Only half human. And your father was not from earth. He was a pure-blooded magical being, which makes you only a quarter human, Louis" Aurelio enlightened him slowly.

"Only ... I'm not ... What was the other half?" Louis was lost for words. His parents have been magical and he didn't know.

"Fairy. She's half fairy. That's what gave her different powers from the other guardians. Which gives you special powers. Mixed with your father's abilities, you're a threat to Josiah ...".

"If this was the plan all along, then ... did they know? Harrison and Bella? Did they know who I am?" Louis needed to know.

"It was your mother's plan. I'm not sure the wolves were involved. I don't know either, Louis. There might be a slight chance cause wolves can feel the presence of magic but you were barely two years old when they saved you. Maybe they didn't know" Aurelio sounded unsure and obviously wasn't lying.

"Okay," Louis said absent-mindedly, staring into the void. "Why did you tell me this now? And why are we here?".

"I'm telling you now because it took you until now to leave the pack. You needed to find your way here on your own. And I had other guardians to teach as well. I can't have my eyes everyw ...".

"So, meeting Zayn was fate, yeah?" Louis interrupted him, his mind spinning. "Because he is a guardian as well".

"You've got that right. You're part of the same team. If you choose this life you can meet the other guardians" Aurelio confirmed yet another right conclusion.

"If? So, I can choose against it?" Louis felt so lost.

"I mean, of course, you can. It won't change who you are but you don't have to become a guardian and protect the human world. It's a lot to ask of someone. You can also only learn how to use your powers and that's it. Your choice" Aurelio revealed his options to him in a soothing voice.

"Is that why we're here?" Louis still didn't know why they had to be in a forest for this conversation.

"No and yes. The portal to the academy is here, hidden in the forest and only accessible to magical creatures, before you ask" Aurelio finally told him the real reason why they were here.

"Can I see it?" Louis asked hesitantly, not sure if he meant the academy or the portal.

"Of course".

Standing up, Aurelio went a bit further into the woods. Wordlessly, Zayn and Louis followed him quickly. Only a few moments later, Louis stopped in his tracks and stared at the huge blue portal right in front of him. And if he was correct, a few pixies were flying around it. Maybe they were protecting it.

"Come with me, Louis" Aurelio reached his hand out for him to take, with one leg already inside the portal.

Fear came over him and he was frozen to his spot but then he felt Zayn's hand grabbing his own. "I'm right here with you".

Taking Aurelio's hand and squeezing Zayn's, Louis went through the portal with them. It took them only a second until the other side was showing itself. Opening his eyes, Louis' breath got stuck in his throat. There it was. The huge school-like building out of his dream. He should be shocked that he had dreamt of this place but suddenly everything made sense. His inner fairy had tried to tell him who he was and what his destiny was all along.

"Louis?".

Feeling like this was it, Louis faced Zayn and Aurelio and a smile grew on his face. "I'm definitely gonna stay here".

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Did you see this coming? What is gonna happen next?