Demi clenched her fists as she shook, trying to teleport farther.

She stood in the gym early in the morning, so far she's only managed a few yards. Her legs weakened and she fell onto her knees. A frustrated growl fell from her lips.

She tried to phase her hand through the nearby wall and winced as it pained her to use her magic.

Demi sniffled loudly as she wiped at her eyes, resting her face against the wall. The noises of the void were echoing quietly, growing back to their normal volume day by day.

But she still wasn't teleporting to her normal capacity. When she went into the void it burned around her neck and the world was blurry.

Demi tried to catch her breath as she laid on her back, closing her eyes tightly.

She felt someone lay heavily next to her. Her eyes opened slowly, turning her head to see her mate.

He lied on his back with his head turned towards her, his black eyes examining her face.

"I don't like waking up without you," he admitted quietly. Demi sighed as they both rest their hands on their stomachs.

"I haven't been able to sleep," it's been two weeks since they'd killed the mad scientist.

"I know baby."

Her lips trembled, hazel eyes welling with tears.

"I don't feel like myself without my magic. And it hurts," she rubbed her chest.

He gripped her hand and kissed her knuckles gently.

He pushed himself onto his side, propping himself on his elbow.

He caressed her face, "I know how important your magic is. But you'll always be Demi, always amazing. Even without it. I'd love you just the same without it."

Demi covered her eyes with her free hand, feeling herself get even more worked up.

"I know," she whimpered with shaky breaths. "I'm just so confused it feels like I'm in a completely different world. I know it'll get better soon, it already is but- I'm just being dramatic," she pouted as she felt her head begin to pound. Crying caused the worst headaches.

"You're not being dramatic, princess. I don't want to hear you say that shit. You'll get better, I know you will. Tell me what you need from me and I'll do it. Anything."

Demi smiled tiredly, feeling her mate nuzzle into her neck.

She laughed quietly, "I just need you, my big strong mate."

"Well that's good considering I'm not going anywhere," he inhaled her earthy scent.

She pulled away to kiss his nose, holding up a heart made by her fingers. "I heart you," she smirked before winding her arms around his neck. She wiped her tear streaks against his shirt.

"I fucking heart you too baby."

She rest her head on top of his, "What if I never get all of my magic back?"

"We take it one day at a time. You're stronger than the average witch," he kissed her sternum.

After a few moments of silence, he cleared his throat as his palms grew sweaty. Demi combed her fingers through his hair, feeling his nervousness.

"I want you to come look at some land with me today."

She looked down at him quickly, "You found an area you liked?"

He nodded slowly. "I think it'd be good for us. It'd take some time to build it worthy of a full pack, but I think it'd be worth it."

Demi felt hope flood her chest, this was a reminder that struggling with her magic wasn't the end of the world. There were other things to focus on and be happy about.

"It'll be so good," she smiled wide. "You're such a good Alpha, gorgeous. Everyone in your pack will be lucky."

"Our pack. Besides, I'll be lucky to get a few wolves accepted," he listened to her heartbeat.

Demi's brows furrowed, "No! Are you kidding me? You're already the talk of the town- except the town is the entire continent. Everyone knows how good you did helping my family. You're growing very popular."

His ears turned a little rosy, shaking his head in disagreement. "We'll see."

They laid there for a few moments. "Do you feel any better?" he glanced up at her.

"You made me feel better. I'm getting there, soon I'll be back to myself."

He hummed and pushed himself to hover over her. His bottom lip trapped between teeth as his hungry eyes roved over her.

"Wanna' sit on my face? Feel even better?" He parted her thighs with his knee as his gaze darkened.

This tore a gleeful laugh from Demi, a wide smile hurting her cheeks. She quickly drew him down into a heavy kiss.

~

"Did you defile the gym?" Elora hopped over to her daughter and son in law.

Demi and Onyx had just been leaving the empty gym when the mother of four found them.

"I'm not answering that," Onyx grunted.

"I'll answer it!" Demi chirped but quickly closed her lips when Onyx shot her a look.

"I heard you guys are going to look at land? Just let me know when you need a portal," she smiled gently but saw Demi visibly deflate.

She huffed a little but soon Onyx was bringing her to get dressed, "Can I dress normal or did you pick somewhere cold?"

He smirked and ran his hands over her arms, "It's a good in between. Should be warm this time of year."

"You tired of the heat here yet? You're delicate skin burning in the sun?" she snickered quietly.

Onyx scoffed and gripped her butt teasingly, "We aren't all built for the sun like you baby." He brushed his thumb over her light brown cheek.

"I know you're jealous of my luscious chocolate skin," she flipped her messy curls over her shoulder.

He hummed in agreement, "Delicious chocolate all for me." He teasingly bit at her neck.

She scratched his scalp and he practically purred. "Okay, I have to get dressed to check out our new home!"

Onyx sat down heavily on the bed, watching her get dressed.

After a half an hour, she looked at herself in the mirror.

Demi wrapped her hair up while pulling strands to frame her face. Onyx brushed his hand over her stomach, pressing kisses to her cheek.

She giggled and grabbed his arms to wrap around her.

"You look so pretty."

"Stop trying to butter me up," she nudged her hips back into him with a smile.

"Never," he growled playfully.

When they got outside, Onyx spoke to Elora about where they were going. They were waiting for his pack to show up.

Demi stood on a step, repeatedly jumping down into the ground from it. She clenched her fists as she was trying to use her magic to float.

"How do you think she's really doing?" Elora asked quietly.

They both glanced at the long haired woman, her feet sparked a little but when she landed she tripped and fell.

Demi landed with an 'oomf' and laughed to herself.

Onyx winced with a furrowed brow. Elora held in her chuckles as her youngest daughter brushed her knees of any dirt on her knee high socks.

Then she begun over again.

"I think... she doesn't feel like herself. I mean... you're family name is linked to how powerful you are. I think she's questioning herself."

Elora nodded in understanding, "But we all know she doesn't need magic to kick someone's ass. Maybe she needs a reminder."

The pack just began filing over, Bear waving his hands theatrically as he told the other four a story. Cash trailed after them as well.

Elora and Onyx looked over at Demi again and saw she was crouched on the ground.

Demi pressed her cheek to the grass, watching the ants march before snorting when she inhaled dirt.

Onyx dragged his hand over his mouth, finding his mate nothing but endearing as she held her finger out for a lady bug.

"I miss my magical creature friends," she pouted to herself. She stared at the lady bug, half expecting it to talk back. Hoping it might talk back.

The bug flew away and her head fell in defeat.

She pouted once again and rest her chin on her folded hands, her back was arched up as she toyed with the grass.

"Baby if you keep your ass in the air I'm going to have to do something about it," Demi squealed and sat up quickly. She whipped over to see her mate with his large arms crossed.

He rose a dark brow at her and nodded towards the portal opening.

She ran her eyes over his fitted black t-shirt, and equally black cargo pants.

Demi smiled innocently, standing up to her full- short height. She sauntered over to her mate, hands clasped behind her.

"Will you do somethin' about it later?" Demi teased while spinning elegantly around his intimidating form.

Onyx bit the inside of his cheek to control his beast before following behind her closely. The other pack members were already through the other side.

They glanced at Demi's mother who was waiting for them.

"You've got two hours! Then I'm opening it back up. Maybe sure you keep an eye out for good resources and anyone that might be inhabiting it already," Elora reminded.

The couple nodded before stepping through.

~~

demi pouts a lot in the chapter lolol

but justifiably so!!

also i think it's cute how in love onyx is and how much he shows it vs when we started the book