Fallen Love
Chapter 11

Chris.

Walking up and down, I waited with the boys, staring at the stairs. I’d been out all night running and surveying the territory, several times I’d come across Esra’s snake, we’d stare at each other for a few minutes before she suddenly disappeared, no words, no attacks either. Nick and Emmett joined me at around three or four in the morning, not getting any sleep either. When we got home we made breakfast, but not for the same reasons as yesterday. We’re dreading the arrival of the girls. Maybe Esra left during the night or doesn’t want to come down out of fear. I’m disgusted to know that she’s a witch. Everything was going so well between us that it was too good to be true. Part of me worries about her in spite of everything, she’s my soul mate and my male instinct can’t be reasoned with. Being at odds between my heart and my duty, it’s hard to make a choice. The fact that she didn’t attack us means I can let things drag on about her, and if she’s not a danger, I can take a step back to clarify her case. I can’t wait for my parents to come because I’m lost, they’ll help me to see things more clearly, then I’ll know what I should do.

It was barely eight o’clock when they came downstairs, Lisa holding Esra’s arm and her sports bag, which she set down at the entrance to the kitchen. The she-wolf wanted to lead Esra to the table but she shook her head, still not daring to look at us.

Eat something, Esra, you’re still weak.

No, I’ll be fine, I’m going home,” she said, shaking her head.

I’ll walk you home,” said Lisa, taking her keys.

No sooner had she said this than the snake appeared at the witch’s feet, Lisa’s face contorted as she accepted what was about to happen.

I’m sorry,” began Esra, not daring to look at us. You don’t have to see me any more, I’m just sorry things had to end like this.

Esra hobbled to her bag on a chair and then back to her snake. We don’t say anything but Nick takes a step which makes Esra look up in surprise, seeing her face my eyes unintentionally scan her and I stop myself from taking a step when I see bruises and a bruise on her healing cheek.

Thank you for Lisa, without you I wouldn’t have my little sister.

Esra took a few seconds to reply, still surprised that he was talking to her. But a thin, sad smile came over her lips as she looked at Lisa before turning back to Nick.

You mustn’t blame yourself, Nick, she didn’t want to disappoint you because you’re the most important person to her, so don’t,” Esra insisted. It hurts her to know that you’re sad because of what she did.

Nick nodded and it was Lisa’s turn to approach and give Esra a hug before stepping back.

See you in class? the she-wolf asked cautiously.

Of course you will.

Em stood up, wrapped her arms around Esra and they disappeared in the blink of an eye. Nick went over to his sister, who took refuge in his arms, plunging us into silence. A knock at the door woke us up, Emmett went to open the door and returned with several people, Frank, Isa, then Alice with her uncle and aunt – Ben and Sisi – although the members of the pack come here when they want, I’m surprised to see them at this hour. Seeing us all here, they seem to be looking for something in vain.

What brings you here? I intervene.

We’re looking for Esra,” replies Sisi. We’d like to thank her for yesterday.

My eyes must be speaking for me, as they’re all bowing their heads. Thank her? Yeah, considering everything she’s done, it’s understandable, but I can’t believe it.

I’ll tell her,” Lisa assures me, moving forward.

Isn’t she here? Alice asked.

She’s just left,” announced Nick.

But no one’s left the house,” remarked Isa.

Let’s say she teleported,” continues Nick.

Their faces are epic with surprise. You amaze me, it’s not every day you hear of someone teleporting, quietly. Disappointed, they were about to leave but Alice turned to me.

Is she coming back?

Although she was hoping for a positive answer, I shook my head categorically. Alice wanted to speak again but Ben stopped her and they left after thanking me. I sat down at the table and poured myself a cup of coffee. Putting my hands over my face, I sighed, not knowing what to decide: good witch or bad witch? At last the question no longer arises, as we won’t be seeing her again. Emmett joins me at the table, followed by Nick and Lisa, who isn’t speaking.

Lisa,” murmurs her brother. We’re invited to Noah’s birthday party next weekend. Martin would like to thank the human you saw helping his son, could you find her?

His sister hangs her hand in the air with a bun in it, then raises an eyebrow and smiles.

She won’t be able to come into Martin’s territory,” she said calmly.

Why….Nick thought and then grinned. It was Esra, wasn’t it?

Bingo, Noah’s wolf sent out a call for help and Esra heard it.

Does Noah know Esra’s a witch? asked Emmett.

Lisa nodded, ate her brioche and took a sip of coffee before standing up.

She saved Noah from a horrible death. And therefore so did we, since wolf cub bones can be used to put a curse on someone, and guess who the targets were. We were.

She put her cup in the sink and turned to us, arms folded.

Is that enough proof for you that she’s a nice witch?

Why would you say that? I finally intervene.

In your opinion,” she said, her eyebrows furrowed.

She’s a witch,” I explained.

Yes, I think we’ve all understood that.

We said nothing until she laughed and looked at us in turn.

And to think she stayed because of me… in part

What do you mean? asks her brother.

She was afraid I’d try to kill myself again.

That you’d what? shouted Nick and Emmett.

She gave a sly smile, seeing that she had everyone’s intention. Lisa moved to sit in an armchair in the living room, positioning her back comfortably and crossed her legs, still smiling. Without waiting, we joined her, waiting to hear what would happen next.

Esra’s presence helps me enormously and she knows it, which is why we’re together all the time, why I’m at her place so often.

Why did you try to kill yourself?

That’s the question I didn’t dare ask for fear of bringing back bad memories, but Nick wants to know. We need to know so that we can help him too. Lisa strokes the bracelet, drawing our eyes to it.

As well as protecting me and binding me to Esra, it weakens the link between me and my soul mate.

WHAT? I shouted back.

Wait, what’s this soul-mate business again? I’ve already got my own to deal with, so if I have to deal with Lisa’s soul mate who, through her own fault, tried to kill herself, I’ll chop him up. Oh, it’s all so complicated.

Esra is trying to find a formula to break the link, Lisa continues.

Can’t she do that? Emmett intervenes.

She’s stronger than you think, this bracelet alone helps me enormously, so if she doesn’t succeed, she’ll be able to make it strong enough for me to get on with my life.

We were all silent for a few seconds while Lisa’s words sunk in. So, 1, she wanted to kill herself. 2, because of her soul mate and 3, Esra isn’t a bad witch even if a doubt still lingers in my mind.

Who’s Esra? asked Nick.

You know enough,” said Lisa, rising to her feet.

Without saying anything more, she climbed the stairs and went to her room. The boys and I looked at each other, not really understanding what was going on. We’re werewolves, not wizards or cupids, for f**k’s sake. I’m not in the mood for celebration today, so I’m going to lock myself in my office to get some peace and quiet. After closing the door, I collapse on the sofa and try to clear my head. I’m just starting to fall asleep when my mobile phone vibrates in my pocket and when I see the message I feel like dying.

From Casey: Hey, handsome, I’ll be round to give you a treat soon, get ready ….

Instead of answering, I let my mobile fall to the floor, wanting to disappear from the face of the earth for just one day, and start all over again tomorrow without all the trouble of the weekend. Frankly, one more problem and I’m off to Australia for an all-expenses-paid holiday. Far away from all this shit.