Fallen Love
Chapter 13

Chris.

Noah’s birthday party was quite a success. Only a few children were present, as the wolves no longer have children because of the witches, and some of Martin’s allies were also there, hence our presence at the event. Lisa carefully went and dropped off Esra’s present, as well as our own – the latest console with several games – thanks to Noah’s mum who had drawn up a list for us to share – to us and to the other guests who didn’t know what to buy. Nick has been keeping a close eye on Lisa for the last few days, which I find rather odd. With his sister’s recent problems, I think he’s trying to make up for it. Emmett is making the rounds around the party, keeping an eye out even if Martin’s sentries are doing their job. When Noah spots Lisa, a big smile appears on his face, but as he looks around, it fades. Did he really want to see Esra? Lisa wanted to talk to him but Martin arrived with a huge cake for his son. Miranda, his mother, followed him with her phone pointed at the stage to film her son’s eighth birthday. Lisa accompanied Noah to the place where Martin had placed the cake, then stepped aside for the photo session. Everyone sang the Happy Birthday To You song and he blew out his candles after making a wish. His eyes crinkled as he looked around before two women came to cut the cake and bring each guest a slice. Noah began to open his presents, most of which he was delighted to see were things he would enjoy – thank you, Mum – but when it came to Esra’s present, which Lisa had wrapped, he looked at the little box, puzzled, as were his parents. Lisa, who had joined us, smiled excitedly at the child’s reaction; he opened the box and took out a necklace to look at it better. I thought it was a bracelet.

– It’s so beautiful!

– Go on, son, put it on,” encouraged Martin.

But as Noah put the necklace on, it lit up, almost blinding us. Several people approached him, not understanding the situation, and unsurprisingly the necklace emitted a shield that made any threatening or inquisitive person stand back.

– What the hell is this? Martin protested.

Miranda had stopped filming with her hand over her mouth, and Lisa was the first to react. She went over to Martin and put her hand on his forearm, smiling to reassure him.

– Don’t worry, Noah’s protected.

– What do you mean, protected? Miranda intervened.

– When Noah disappeared, I didn’t find him first.

The parents looked at her in total surprise, and I stood behind her to offer my support, then confirmed with a look that the wolf of my pack was telling the truth, even though talking about Esra was no longer my favourite subject. Nick passed through her shield with ease, putting his arm around Noah’s shoulders and giving him a huge smile.

– Is that Esra? he asked.

– Yes,” replied Lisa.

She winked at him before turning to Martin and Miranda, who were still lost. Which is understandable.

– Noah was saved by my best friend… A witch,” Lisa explained.

– A witch,” Miranda repeated.

– Yes, Esra gave him a protective necklace to ward off any evil spirits. I have one too.

She showed her wrist and Noah’s parents examined the bracelet from every angle without touching it.

– I want her to come.

We all turned to Noah who had made his wish. He looked at his parents, totally lost, and then the guests started to get agitated. I don’t blame them, the very word magic conjures up images of evil, and today we know a witch whom the boy wants to invite to his birthday party, and that’s not going down too well. But Noah insisted and stood in front of his parents.

– Mum, please, she saved my life.

– What if she attacks us Noah,” she told him to dissuade him.

– Esra only attacks to defend herself, she’s helped our pack on several occasions,” Nick intervened.

Why would a witch help wolves, protect them, and get nothing in return? Some of them will be looking for weapons in case the witch turns up unannounced to kill us all. I’d like to offer my opinion, but I’m in the wrong place when it comes to Esra. In the midst of all the hubbub, Martin is trying to think, but it’s pretty hard given the mess. Parents are trying to hide their children, there’s crying and cries of fear reach my ears, but a loud voice silences everything.

– Send for her,” said Martin.

– Are you sure? I asked at last.

He nodded and Lisa moved forward a little so that everyone was behind her.

– Esra,” Lisa began loudly. You can come, it would give a young man great pleasure… I promise no one will hurt you…

Lisa suddenly stared at a tree, her arms crossed, then a hand appeared and Esra emerged from her hiding place. Her loose hair hid her face, and she looked magnificent in her black dress with red flowers, wearing black knee-high boots. Wait, I know that dress. It’s the one I chose for her when we went to the shop together. I’d have thought she’d have thrown it away, since the dress probably reminds her of me. Since she probably hates me now, throwing it away or burning it would have been the first thing that came to my mind. She kept it and in my opinion, Esra hadn’t planned for us to meet. How the f**k am I going to resist if she turns up as a bomb? Tracker is licking his lips.

– I’d make a meal out of it.

– Please, don’t even start.

Forcing him into silence, he sulks off to his corner, his eyes and mouth wide open. He looks like the wolf in Tex Avery at the moment. I’m ashamed of that wolf, luckily no one sees him drooling. Esra looked up and gave us a shy little smile.

– ESRA!

Noah pulled himself out of his mother’s arms to jump on the witch, who caught him laughing. Martin took a step, but Nick held him back by putting his hand on his shoulder, in case Martin reacted suddenly. Seeing his son near a witch can’t have pleased him.

– I’m so glad you came, I love your present.

Esra lowers herself to Noah’s level when she puts him down, then puts her hand on the boy’s waist.

– The last time I saw you you were on all fours, quite small, and now you look like a giant, you’ve grown a lot since the last time I saw you and you’re very handsome.

– Of course, I’m eight now,” Noah replied proudly.

The witch gave him a big smile as she ruffled his hair, but her smile faded as Martin and Miranda approached them. Esra stood up, not sure what to do. Noah stayed by her side, which seemed to reassure her.

– Lisa told us what you did for our son,” Miranda began.

– Please, no thanks, I help whenever I can.

– He’s our only child, we owe you a debt of gratitude,” whispered Martin, not serenely.

Esra seemed to reflect, then looked at Noah with a small smile. Suddenly she held out her hand to the Alpha of the pack, Martin, and to Luna, Miranda. A few seconds passed before Miranda decided to shake her hand, which delighted Esra.

– Your debt is paid,” she said.

– What’s paid? said a surprised Martin.

– Your gesture means more than anything to me,” she said quietly, watching as her second hand rested on the back of Miranda’s hand, which was in hers. My name is Esra.

Miranda finally gave her a real, unsuspecting smile, then took her turn to introduce herself and her husband. The air seemed to relax around us. Activities resumed and Lisa jumped into Esra’s arms, which surprised Martin and Miranda, as well as everyone else present who had never seen the wolf and the witch together. We too were surprised at first.

– I’m glad to see you,” Lisa sighed.

– I was scared too, you know.

– Yes, I know, but it seems I’ve been getting a bit of a stick lately,” the she-wolf snapped.

My soul-sister couldn’t help smiling mischievously, then Noah grabbed her hand and went to introduce her to his friends, under the protective eye of the parents. I’m not trying to listen to what he’s saying. From the smiles they were exchanging, and the fact that the parents were coming closer to join in the conversation, a few members of the pack were also coming to talk, and everyone seemed to accept the presence of a witch. Nick went to help her, almost sticking to her. They smiled at each other as if they were friends, and when did they start getting on so well? Lisa’s scent was getting closer, so I didn’t bother looking at her until she spoke.

– You should go and talk to her.

– I don’t think so.

– She has a right to know, Chris, about your bond.

So she can use that bond to her advantage and have a pack under her control. That’s out of the question. I know she’d never do that but I can’t help finding fault with her. If I couldn’t find a way around it, I’d have to accept the bond, our bond as soul mates. Yet to see her talking and laughing with werewolves, you wouldn’t think our species were enemies.

– I don’t want her to think that things will change between us.

– You’ve pushed her away so hard it never even crossed her mind.

My eyes crinkle as Nick leads Esra over to the drinks table, one hand behind her back. Since when did those two get so close? She doesn’t push him away either and is comfortable with him, it’s strange. Tracker in my mind grumbles at this scene, which he doesn’t appreciate at all. I try not to show that I’m annoyed, but a growl comes from my throat, causing several people to turn towards me, and Lisa discreetly chuckles.

– Don’t worry, they’re friends, that’s all,” she informs me.

– I didn’t ask for anything.

Lisa pushes past me to join them. I don’t want to accept the fact that Esra is a good witch because then I’d have no excuse. She seems so normal, there’s nothing magical about her everyday life, unless you forget the fact that she’s a python who walks around her house as if she were a cat. When I look at her, I don’t see a witch in the making, yet she has great powers, as she has often proved to us. What would have happened if she hadn’t used her powers in front of me, in front of the pack? I would have died, OK, but would we have gone further in our relationship? When would I have told her my secret? On the one hand, it made things easier for us. She knows our world but unfortunately she’s not from the same species and therefore not from my world.

The hours ticked by and we ate a barbecue, prepared for a regiment. Noah ate proudly next to Esra in the tent, who seemed to be thinking about something as she looked out. We eat in small groups as there isn’t enough room for everyone at once. I turn up next to Martin, who is scanning the party from a distance, watching his son near a witch. He knocks his beer against mine before taking a big gulp.

– Am I right to leave them?

– I’d like to say no, but I’d be lying.

– What’s your problem with her? Apart from the fact that she’s a witch?

– She’s my soul mate,” I whispered.

Martin chokes on the beer and spits it out without holding back, luckily I’m on his side. He looks at me as if I’ve announced the return of the dinosaurs, but I don’t go any further. There’s nothing more to say anyway.

– She seems like a nice girl, you should give her a chance.

– I can’t do it.

Miranda came towards us, interrupting our guys’ moment, then turned to her husband.

– Honey, where are the fireworks?

For the second time, Martin spat out his beer and I had the reflex to grab Miranda, saving her from the splash. So I concluded that there would be no fireworks and Luna came to the same conclusion.

– Is there any way of getting some quickly? I asked, ready to help.

– No, no, the shop was holding them for us until one o’clock.

– I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I completely forgot.

Martin watched his son laugh with Esra resting her head on his shoulder.

– I’m such an idiot,” he cursed.

– We’ll do something else, don’t worry,” Miranda tried to calm him down.

But we know that nothing else is planned and that it was important for the boy. Then, seeing him so close to Esra, I had an idea, crazy perhaps but probably feasible. Grabbing my courage, I ventured under the tent towards Esra, who soon saw me coming. Puzzled, she looked at me but I simply motioned for her to follow me, and she silently followed me to Noah’s parents.

– What’s all this about? she asked, not quite so serene.

– Fireworks were planned for Noah but no one went to get them … so … as you’re teleporting, I thought it would be possible to go and get some in a hurry,” I said uncomfortably.

And then, without understanding, she smiled at me. I didn’t say anything funny, though, and she turned to Martin and Miranda, taking off her necklace and flashing her bow, which made them step back.

– You don’t have to go and get them, I’ll do it,” she said excitedly. That is, if I can?

– Er, yes, no problem.

– When are we going to do it? asked Martin.

– Whenever you want, I’m ready.

Esra held up her bow to support her words and the three of us relaxed, realising that the bow would be used for the fireworks. But how? No idea. The Alpha and the Luna went off to warn everyone to stand in front of the house without saying anything more while they got into position. Esra changed the colour of her eyes to emerald green, those of her snake and her necklace became as rigid as an arrow, she placed it correctly on the wire while waiting for the top.

– Thank you for doing this.

I wipe the surprise from her face and see her confused by the fact that I’m talking to her again like before. It’s true that my words to her have been few and far between since the attack.

– I’m happy if my powers can make a child happy, I’m glad they’re being used for good.

– But with what’s happened and now that I know…

To my surprise, she cuts me off.

– You don’t have to justify yourself, you’re protecting your pack, that’s to your credit.

– But from you it wasn’t necessary.

She wanted to speak, but a top broke the calm and Esra reached for the sky, which lit up in a sublime red effect. Her gestures seemed to be writing something in the air, and as I heard the whoops, I looked up to see “Happy Birthday Noah” followed by a blue effect, and the fireworks began, the colours and effects following one another in the dark night. There was no sound of firecrackers, which pleased the children who had covered their ears. After a few minutes contemplating the sky, my eyes returned to Esra, who was using her arrow to create the fireworks in front of her, which were then projected a little higher into the sky for the whole pack. She’s concentrating on what she’s doing and her emerald green eyes are reflected in the lights. Then, when it’s over, she forms four rings of different colours – blue, red, yellow and green – and gives me a look.

– I could use a hand,” she asks me shyly.

I move a little closer, ready to help her, curious as to what she wants to do with my help. She can do anything she wants, and she certainly doesn’t need a simple wolf.

– What do I have to do?

– You’d have to transform so that I can throw your wolf into the sky …. She sees my puzzled look. But don’t worry, you won’t move off the ground,” she tells me in a panic.

That sounds like a weird idea, I’ve never done anything like that before. In the end I wonder if it was a good idea to ask her for help, because then I’d be easy prey if she decided to set a trap for me. But her good deeds and the help she’s given us make me undecided. For Noah’s sake, and given the look on his face as he waits to hear what’s going to happen next, I turn to her and shake my head. Let’s just hope she doesn’t cast a spell that will give me the shits for a week. Going behind a bush I take off my clothes and transform myself, Tracker was waiting for that, he jumped for joy when Esra asked me to transform myself. Unfortunately I can’t always control Tracker’s movements and I’m afraid he’ll let himself go. My transformation takes ten seconds and as I come back to the witch, my wolf hops up and sticks his head against her leg, which startles her.

– Calm the f**k down Tracker, don’t jump on her,” I begged him viciously.

– I’ve been waiting so long to come face to face with her, I’m not going to be denied.

– Tracker,” I warned him.

But this fleabag didn’t listen to me and kept asking Esra to caress him. She timidly placed her hand on our skull, stroking it gently, and Tracker sat down, waiting for her instructions.

– You have to stand in the middle of the circles if possible and when I tell you to, you have to howl, you know how wolves do.

Tracker nodded and set off to the spot indicated, being on the seals of light was hurting his eyes a little so Tracker looked at Esra, which suited him. She replaced her arrow in front of her and us at the same time, putting it towards the ground and then raising it slowly. The four circles rose at the same time, colliding in the sky above us and bursting into thousands of particles before dispersing. There were cries of surprise and just as Tracker wanted to look, a golden circle appeared around us, which surprised and worried me, I admit. I wagged my tail in surprise and saw the replica of the wolf in the sky doing exactly the same thing.

Could it be?

– Go on, Chris,” whispered Esra.

Without waiting I stood up, just like the wolf in the sky, and howled as loud as I could, my howl echoing all around us and being reproduced by the werewolves in front of us. When I finished howling, the wolf in the sky gradually disappeared.

Wow, that was crazy, seeing me in the sky, screaming, moving, I couldn’t understand how she could do it. I was completely blown away by what had just happened. Tracker is just as enchanted as I am, but he doesn’t fail to point out one detail.

– It’s all thanks to our soulmate,” he says proudly.

I turn my head towards Esra and see her leaning against a tree, her hand under her nose. When she notices me looking at her, she turns her back to me and sniffs softly. Intrigued, I went back behind the bush to regain my human form and get dressed. When I came back Esra hadn’t moved, she was shaking her bloody hand. Oh, oh.

– Hey, are you all right?

What a question, she’s bleeding and I ask if she’s all right. I’m such an idiot. But she just nodded, still with her back to me, so I went over to her and looked at her. Esra recoils and I can’t help thinking that I had it coming. Her nose is still bleeding and her hands are shaking. What’s wrong with her?

– Esra, talk to me.

– It’s nothing.

– It doesn’t look like anything.

She slumped back against the tree, exhausted. I went over to her and pulled a lock of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, which surprised her.

– Is there anything I can do?

The witch shook her head, then inhaled and exhaled deeply, her gaze shifting behind me, expressing incomprehension and confusion. I followed her eyes and saw a child moving away from the others, following a fluorescent green butterfly, which was strange. A noise attracts my attention and I see Esra putting an arrow in her bow ready to shoot the child, but I stop her just before she fires. Ah, I knew she’d give herself away at some point. The witch looked at me surprised at my intrusion into her plan.

– What the hell are you doing? Let me shoot.

– There’s no way you’re going to kill him,” I growled.

She gave me a horrified look before turning her attention back to the boy who was starting to enter the forest. Her eyes widened in fright and before I could do anything, she vanished into thin air, followed by a huge noise. I was surprised to see Esra lying on top of the boy, her shield up and running. I then saw some witches trying to pierce the shield with blades. The blue bubble began to fade where the blades pressed.

– LISA,” cried Esra, still lying on top of the child.

Everyone suddenly turned towards the stage and several people screamed at the sight, the parents pushed their children behind them while others transformed to protect them, I could see a woman turn round in panic.

– Trevor? TREVOR,” she called.

– MUMMY,” cried a small voice.

Seeing where the answer was coming from, I mentally kick myself as I see the little boy’s head under Esra, reaching out to his mother, calling for help. Seeing that her son was in danger, she immediately transformed and ran towards the witches, who slowly disintegrated Esra’s shield. Lisa, still in human form, climbs on her mother’s back and says something to her. Nick and Emmett, also transformed, run towards the witches. Lisa’s bracelet activates when she reaches a certain distance, pushing the witches back a few steps. Esra frees the boy from under her, allowing his mother to take him to safety. Martin and Miranda took everyone back to their house, although Noah found it difficult not to interfere. Lisa helped Esra to her feet.

– Are you all right, Esra?

She nodded, wiping b***d from her nose. Again?

– Esra? You’re alive, you snot,” said one of the witches as she approached.

Alive? Because she’s supposed to be dead? Esra stared at her for a moment, and the guys went over to the girls in the shield, not understanding either. The other two witches moved forward, then looked at Esra with her head bent. Do they know each other?

– We thought you were dead after you escaped,” said one of them. Apparently not, the master will be delighted to hear that.

– Was it… you… eleven years ago? Esra stammered in surprise.

– No, darling, we’ve just heard about you.

– What’s all this about? asked Lisa.

– Nothing to do with fleabags,” spat one of the witches.

Nick and Emmett growled at the witches, who smiled slyly. One of them conjured up a ball of fire as she looked at them.

– You doggies are not in a strong position against us.

– Neither are you, Esra,” sneered another. We’re higher ranking, you’d better surrender and come back with us.

– I didn’t leave to come back.

– As you wish,” breathed one of the three, annoyed.

The witches tried to pierce the shield, while I quietly transformed and disappeared into the forest, hoping to create a surprise. I don’t know if Esra will be able to fight, as her nose is still bleeding, leaving a small puddle at her feet, not to mention Lisa who is supporting her with an arm around her waist. When I was a hundred metres behind the witches, Esra held out her hand and the other witch’s fireball levitated above her palm, sending it straight at one of the witches, giving me the surprise I needed to act. I jumped out of my hiding place and grabbed one from behind, only for it to recoil from the surprise and drag her behind a tree into the darkness to sink my fangs into her jugular vein. This slits her throat in a matter of seconds, just long enough for her to bleed to death and breathe her last. I advance towards the last witch, who retreats as Nick and Emmett try to surround her. Suddenly she looks at me and then at Esra. What’s wrong with her?

– Who’d have thought you’d be the soul mate of a werewolf,” she laughed mischievously. When the master ser…

She didn’t even get to finish her sentence when Nick lunged at her, but she managed to dodge him and with a flick of her wrist sent him crashing into a tree where a cracking sound was heard. Esra seemed to freeze and did not react to Lisa’s calls. Emmett rushed at the witch in turn, but she was more cunning and grabbed him by the throat to pin him against a tree, Emmett becoming human again as he tried to free himself.

– Emmett,” squeaked Lisa, tears welling up in her eyes.

– You look surprised, Esra,” she said. Didn’t anyone tell you?

Esra reacted and looked at Lisa, who seemed to want to say something to her but changed her mind. Esra struggled out of Lisa’s arm and approached the witch. I took a step forward but was suddenly blocked, unable to move at all, who’s blocking me like that?

– Esra, no,” whispered Lisa.

But she didn’t answer, continuing to advance towards the witch who was still holding Emmett in the air. She’s f*****g revealed our link. No, everything, but not like that. Esra wasn’t supposed to find out this way, I wanted to tell her. When, I don’t know but this mission was meant for me. Nick straightened up a little but couldn’t get up, he just observed the scene still in his animal form. How am I going to cope with her now? I’m just relieved that she knows, but as for the rest, I’m full of rage. Esra stopped beside them, bowing her head.

– Don’t worry, join us and your conscience, your humanity, will fade away.

– Do you really think so? asks Esra.

– Of course, and what’s more, the master will make you his queen, so you can do whatever you like.

We hear laughter, and I can’t believe it when I recognise Esra’s voice, her hand resting on that of the witch holding Emmett. She unhooked him while pushing Emmett towards Lisa with her other hand. Something moved in the grass and Lisa saw her snake crawling slowly out of sight. Esra raised her head and the witch’s face decomposed at the sight of her face. She tries to free her hand, but smoke comes out of my soul-sister’s grip.

– Bloody Co’ family…

– Goodbye,” Esra cut her off.

Then Em popped up behind the witch, who had her neck encircled. She screamed in surprise, and was quickly strangled by the snake as Esra took three steps back, then without warning swung her leg out for a magnificent High Kick, which decapitated the witch and sent her head who knows where. Em fell back to the ground as Esra fell too, the thing that was blocking me disappeared, and I approached the witch as she tried to get up. When she saw me, she stepped back, which made me stop. Em joined her and then she shot her in the leg.

– F**k,” roared Esra.

Em then crawls off towards Nick, and although he’s not reassured, he lets her. Since she’s just done it to his bound, it shouldn’t be dangerous for him either. Nick grimaces under the bite, then turns into a human, recovering quickly. He then joins Lisa and Emmett, who is recovering from his altercation with the witch. I hear a sniff and see Esra struggle to her feet, limping past the three wolves without giving them a glance. She makes her way to Martin’s house and opens the door.

– It’s all clear,” she tells them.

Little by little, the werewolves came out, keeping their guard up. Without warning, Trevor’s mother took Esra in her arms, startling her and paralysing her. After a few seconds, she stepped back, a little embarrassed.

– Thank you, thank you so much for saving my son,” said the she-wolf.

– You’re welcome”, Esra stammers.

She smiled awkwardly at the she-wolf as Trevor patted her on the leg, and the two women bent down to the height of the child, who couldn’t be more than five years old. I hurried off to get dressed, then returned to the front of the house. There were no wolves left to transform, and many people had gone home. I could see Esra with Noah and Miranda, so I joined my pack with Martin.

– That was a close one,” murmured Nick when he saw me arrive.

– You said it, I can confirm it.

– In any case, it’s good to see a witch on the right side of the fence,” laughed Martin. Her fireworks were great.

– She really blew me away on that one,” added Lisa.

We stopped for a few seconds to look at her and see her smile at Noah who approached Em, hesitating to stroke her head.

– Oh Goddess, I’m going to faint,” Miranda murmured.

Martin burst out laughing and joined his wife and son, putting his hand on Esra’s shoulder as she got to her feet.

– You’ve saved us a lot of trouble tonight. Thank you, Martin.

– I was in the right place,” she said without modesty.

– How did they get into the territory anyway? Miranda asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

It’s true that sentries were posted all around the territory to prevent any intrusion, so if there was one, something must have happened. Martin stared at the ground, his eyes closed, while I joined the small group. I can feel Esra’s gaze on me, but when I look at her she’s already looked away. Is it normal for me to have a lump in my throat? I f*****g hate witches.

– Graham and Grant aren’t answering,” says Martin.

– Go and see,” I say to Nick and Emmett.

They nod and leave in a huff.

– Esra! Do you think it would be possible to make a magic barrier,” asked Miranda.

– No problem, I just need a bit of Martin b***d.

– I’m sure you will,” he smiled.

A motor entered the courtyard and then stopped beside me. That smell. Don’t tell me it’s what I think it is. NO, NO, NO. Casey got out of the car and made the face of a girl who’s overjoyed when she sees me, without paying any attention to the people around us. I knew I shouldn’t have screened her calls.

– My love,” she exclaimed, jumping on top of me.

Without really knowing why, I open my arms for her to take refuge in, and seeing all the eyes on us, I tell myself that it’s time to set things straight. For once, I’m going to use her for something other than sinking into her.

– Don’t you dare do that, human, I forbid it,” whispers Tracker, annoyed.

And yet…

I ignore my wolf’s growl and close my arms around Casey. I glance at Esra to see her face but it’s turned towards Noah, telling him it’s fine. Casey backs away from me a little and then surprises me by kissing me, well honestly I’m not surprised but that she’d do it in front of so many people is. Since I’d asked her not to, we’re not together but my gesture gave her hope, she took the chance. Now I hope I’m right. I can handle Casey, although she’s a diva who loves money and power, she’s very docile when she’s in front of an Alpha, in other words me. I’d have a lot less trouble with her than I would with Esra.

Casey’s a she-wolf.

Esra’s a witch.

I already have Casey under my command in every sense of the word.

And I just exchanged a k**s with the witch.

No, the wiser choice is to go with my own kind. Even if she is my soul mate, there must be something I can do about it.

– I’m glad to see you,” she says enthusiastically.

– Me too,” I reply simply.

Avoiding the gaze of my pack and Martin, I concentrate on Casey, but I don’t like the idea. I’ve been intimate with Casey on more than one occasion, but now I feel disgusted with her. I have to convince myself otherwise, I have to convince everyone.

– Martin, if you don’t mind, I’ll come and do the magic fence tomorrow,” Esra said in a small voice.

I stop myself from turning to her, but Casey doesn’t let that stop her and seems to be analysing Esra’s words. Her eyes turn yellow before she pulls herself away from my arms and moves towards the witch, her fingernails turning into claws as she passes Lisa.

– Casey,” the she-wolf warns her.

But she doesn’t seem to be listening and moves on without stopping. Esra is close to Noah, and when Casey enters their personal space, Noah’s shield goes up, sending Casey flying away. The she-wolf gets up and transforms so I stand in front of her to stop her, which works because she focuses on me.

– She’s on our side, let Casey be.

The she-wolf looks at me puzzled before hesitating to attack. When I see that she’s about to make her move, I growl my order.

– Don’t touch her, Casey, that’s an order.