Fallen Love
Chapter 14

Esra.

I take a step back when the she-wolf is about to pounce on me, but a harsh, hoarse voice stops her dead in her tracks.

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

Martin put his hand on my shoulder to put me behind him, next to his wife, then walked over to Chris to look at the newcomer.

– I’m the Alpha of this territory, young lady, Esra is my guest,” Martin proclaimed loud and clear. I’m the authority here and we do as I say, is that clear?

The she-wolf didn’t move, but the Alpha released his aura, making her submit, and she nodded. Once satisfied, he came back to me at the same time as Nick and Emmett returned, with two men they were helping to walk.

– Graham, Grant,” Miranda exclaimed.

I joined the Alpha couple, who were lying down on the grass next to their wolves. Seeing me approach, Nick and Emmett move back towards Chris.

– What the hell is she doing here? Nick’s voice echoes.

I can tell he’s talking about the newcomer. I’m glad he doesn’t seem to like her.

– I’ll explain,” his sister said calmly.

Without dwelling on what was going on back there, I put my hands over Grant’s body and activated my healing power. Not sure where the wound was, I ran my hands along the length of it until the wolf moved and electricity replaced the light. Without understanding, I was propelled a few metres. Stunned, it took me several minutes to come to.

– Esra, can you hear me? Esra!

I growled to show I was conscious, then opened my eyes to see Miranda and Noah. Luna holds out her hand to me and luckily she’s strong enough to get me up in one go. Boy, that other witch really measured out her spell. It’s the first time I’ve been confronted with so much magic. And yet they told me they were of a higher rank.

– What happened? Miranda asks me.

She helps me back over to the unconscious werewolves so that I can take my place again. My knees creak as I kneel down, I hope no-one’s dwelt on them.

– I think I’ve just come up against someone stronger than me,” I giggled.

– You can do it,” Noah encourages me earnestly.

I smile sweetly at him and take a deep breath before turning to Grant and putting my hands back over him. I close my eyes and concentrate on my power as it begins to heal him, and when I feel the electricity return to the healing, I say three words several times in a whisper.

Spezza il Legame.

(Break the link)

I mustn’t let anything distract me from my goal, or I’ll pay dearly. As the witch’s spell confronts mine, the wind begins to swirl around us. At one point my power was blocked, so I repeated my sentence louder. At the same time, I called Em to bite the wolf, which allowed me to finish the healing. I continued with the second man, except this time my phrase wasn’t enough. Unfortunately.

Spezza il legame.

(Break the link)

Lascia che il mio potere scorra nelle tue vene.

(Let my power flow through your veins)

Fammi entrare un attimo.

(Let me enter)

Per combattere i demoni.

(To fight your demons)

Em bit my wrist, b***d ran down the palm of my hand as I linked it with Graham’s bloody one, I repeated my spell again and then it seemed as if the electricity shattered to let my magic work. Once the wind had died down, I finally allowed myself to open my eyes. I had a bit of trouble getting used to it straight away, but Noah’s presence helped me keep my feet on the ground. I’m going to have to get more serious about training myself to counter higher-ranking spells, because that took a lot of concentration and effort. I’m exhausted. After the exams, I’ll know what to do during my holidays, as the spells I strengthened during my three days off were still not powerful enough. The two men opened their eyes, blinking several times to regain consciousness as well. Martin and Miranda helped them to their feet.

– Are you guys all right? asked their Alpha.

– Yeah, a bit limp but I’m fine,” replied Grant.

– Same, a bit smeared but otherwise OK,” said Graham.

The Alpha couple nodded and Miranda took them home. Martin came over to me and held out his hands, it’s a good thing he’s holding me, because my legs wouldn’t hold my weight.

– Esra, not too bad?

– I don’t think so, apart from the fact that I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.

He laughed as he ruffled my hair, a gesture that warmed my heart, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a father who paid attention to me. I smiled back at him, unable to complain about messing up my hair. Looking around, I see that the protective bubble is still active and that he and Chris’s werewolves are stuck on the other side. Knowing full well that this isn’t coming from me or Lisa, I look down at Noah, who’s still at my side, with an innocent little smile.

– Well, I can tell you’re not very happy to see them,” he defends himself.

I chuckle slightly, then turn to Em more seriously.

– I’ve got to get past their level, I was nearly swallowed up by the spell.

– Don’t worry, Esra. You’re stronger than you think.

I simply nodded before blowing out my breath to turn towards the wolves outside the shield. At that moment Miranda came back through the bubble as if she wasn’t there. Noah manages to choose who gets in and who doesn’t, not bad for an eight-year-old who’s only been controlling a protective collar for three hours.

– You’re good,” I complimented him.

His eyes narrow, not understanding my words, but I point to his mother with my chin.

– You can control the shield, you’re good, I repeat.

He smiles at me, embarrassed but happy. Miranda hears me and comes over to hug her son and congratulate him. I’m proud to have given him my symbol of protection. Deciding to leave, I turn to Lisa and the others, trying not to look at Chris. I’m not ready, not after what I’ve just learned and seen too.

– She’s not going to attack me? I ask, glaring at the still-transformed she-wolf.

– No,” replies Lisa.

– I don’t believe a word of it,” says Noah.

He’s so perceptive. I love that kid more and more. The she-wolf started to growl at Noah as she moved forward, but Em started to spit, which made her recoil in fear and surprise. That’s right, love, you don’t know my bond yet, you’re in for a treat. Martin looked at me with a furrowed brow, also surprised by my python’s protective reaction to the she-wolf.

– Em’s my totem animal, everyone I love she’ll protect to the death.

– I didn’t know that.

– It must be worse because he’s got your collar,” added Miranda.

I confirmed what I think makes them more than happy. Now that I knew what to expect from the other wolves behind the barrier, I turned to the Alpha couple.

– I won’t be able to make the fence,” said Martin, “so I apologise.

– Yes, I understand Esra, you’ve done enough for today.

– I’ll come tomorrow, but Em will stay here tonight and create a temporary barrier. You can sleep soundly and warn your sentries not to panic.

I go to hug Noah, not being comfortable doing it with adults, but they surprise me by hugging me in turn after thanking me. I don’t know if they’ve noticed that I’ve become tense around them, but they don’t say anything.

– You’re welcome any time, Esra,” says Martin.

– Thank you very much, Esra.

I step back so that Em can teleport me to the house, but something stops me.

– Esra, please let me explain,” Lisa’s voice rings out.

– Why didn’t you tell me?

None of them answer me, not knowing what to tell me, but I can easily guess the reason.

– Is there any other reason?

Still no answer, which makes me laugh nervously, honestly it hurts to be rejected for what I am. Well, I should be used to it by now.

– You wait a few years for me and we’ll get married,” Noah said rather loudly.

I don’t hold back and laugh. He’s so cute, seriously. He’ll break hearts, but he’ll treat women with respect. Martin and Miranda smile, equally amused. I’m sure they know they’re going to get a lot of suitors on their doorstep. Anyway, I digress. It’s with a breath of exhaustion that I’m going to end this mini-discussion.

– Don’t worry, there’s no reason for us to meet again, don’t worry.

With that, I wave to Em and before Nick can say anything, I vanish into thin air, landing in my living room. I sink into my sofa, happy to be able to rest at last. I don’t know what time I’ll wake up, but the sun’s starting to rise and, feeling no more pain, I get up, rubbing my eyes, then take a quick shower before going back to sleep, this time in my own bed.

*

With the sun streaming into my room, I lowered the blind with a flick of my finger and felt around on my bedside table for my phone. I couldn’t find it. OK, we’ll use another method. I concentrate and my mobile appears in my hand. Practical though. I switch it on and see several messages from Lisa that I don’t read. I’ve got a grudge against her and my anger has to subside or we won’t be able to have a conversation.

What’s more, I’m really hungry, when I do a lot of magic it wakes up my stomach, which is screaming for food, but I really don’t feel like making myself something to eat. I’m going to have a Kinder Country, no maybe three, just to settle down. I swear it’s so good, and I get dressed in a white tank top and black leggings, tie my hair up, brush my teeth and teleport myself to Martin’s territory. The people around me are startled, but none of them give me a dirty look. I was in front of the Alpha’s house when I went to knock, but the door opened on Noah before I could raise my arm.

– Hi mate,” I smiled.

– Esra!

Miranda soon appeared behind him and a smile spread across her face as she invited me in. I entered the kitchen and my tummy rumbled at the sight of all the food on the table, especially the delicious smell. Laughter turned my head at the sight. Noah and his mother laughed at me gently. Miranda motioned for me to take a seat and then went to fetch me some cutlery, resuming her place next to her son and pointing at the table. There’s enough food for a regiment, I don’t know where to start, I want to taste everything. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten home-cooked food, real food, with sauce, gratin and so on. Melinda wasn’t a very good cook, but she brought me what I needed, and complaining was out of the question. I have some memories of my mother’s dishes, but they go back so far that I feel they’re just dreams. Maybe Martin and Miranda know my parents? They look about the same age if my parents were still alive. I’d like to know, but that would mean that the Co’Wayne line didn’t die out with my parents. Melinda has told me many times, no one can know my true identity. And given all the sacrifices she’s made for me, I can’t tell anyone who I really am. One day I’ll be called Co’Wayne and not Travis. The way things have gone, that’s not likely to happen for a long time. Still, I hope my real name will at least be inscribed on my tombstone. Anyway, I think I’ve been hesitating for several minutes before Miranda puts her hand on mine, making me jump. I look into her eyes and see concern.

– Are you all right?

– Yes… yes… sorry, I was quite far away.

– What were you thinking about? Noah asks me.

I smile wistfully. I wish I was his age, that my parents weren’t dead and no one was looking for me. I was happy. Very happy. It’s a shame it didn’t last longer.

– It’s been a very long time since I’ve eaten food like this.

– Why is that? he asks, not realising that it’s difficult for me.

– Noah, you’re prying,” scolds Miranda.

– Because my parents are simply dead,” I reply.

It’s a strange thing to say, I have the impression that it’s not true. A lump of unease formed in my throat and I suddenly lost my appetite. The silence was overwhelming. Hallelujah Martin entered the room. I stood up to greet him and he too took me in his arms, and given the nostalgic moment I had just experienced, a tear escaped my eye. I wiped it away before he pulled away from me with a big smile.

– Well rested?

– Yes, and in good shape to create the barrier,” I smiled.

– Good, have you eaten?

I shook my head, indicating that we could get down to business, but he returned me to the table by the shoulders and made me sit down in my previous place. He in turn sits down after kissing his wife and son.

– Let’s eat and then we’ll go,” he says.

Not wanting to contradict him, my eyes fell on a dish of beef with potatoes sprinkled with parsley. It was my favourite dish, but it was also my father’s; Mum often made it for us. With a lump in my throat, I put a morsel in my mouth and another tear fell. My eyes closed for a few seconds before I tasted a potato. Another drop rolled down my cheek and landed on my hand. I looked up and saw the three wolves staring at me.

– It’s delicious,” I said softly.

Miranda smiles at me but doesn’t say a word. I wipe my tears away with the back of my hand, sniffing as gracefully as I can. As I continued to eat, a small smile appeared on my lips at being able to experience a similar moment from my past.

After that awkward moment that made the meal more than silent. I thanked Miranda and followed Martin into the forest on the edge of his territory, accompanied by his Beta Maxence, whom I hadn’t been able to see yesterday. But he certainly loves Em.

– It’s really the first time I’ve got on well with a snake,” he exclaims with a smile.

– She must really like you too.

Just then, she appeared and crawled towards her new friend, who smiled at her. I’m glad she’s a friend, as she’s the only one linked to the side of good, her colleagues are a rarity when it comes to chatting and apart from me and Lisa, it’s dead calm. I was right to come out of my shell and live like a normal person again, a witch. Seeing Martin ready, I take a small knife out of my pocket and cut myself first. It still f*****g hurts, it stings. I hand the knife to Martin, who cuts himself without a care in the world. However, his hand heals in a matter of seconds, something I’m very jealous of at the moment. With our b***d on the blade, I crouch down to draw a line on the ground at the edge of the territory, then pronounce the formula.

Solo con il nostro sangue unito.

(Only with our united b***d)

Che il branco sia protetto.

(May the pack be protected)

Solo con il nostro sangue legato.

(Only with our b***d attached)

Non può succedere niente.

(Nothing can happen)

At the same moment the end of the line lights up, a line forms and goes all the way round the territory. Slowly I got to my feet and turned towards the two werewolves and Em, who were waiting behind me.

– It’s done,” I say proudly.

– Perfect, Esra, thank you very much,” thanks Martin.

– Let’s have a look around the territory to make sure everything’s fine,” says my bonded friend.

Good idea, I pass the message on to the wolves, who also approve, and then we set off to explore the forest on foot, as I can’t go as fast as them and teleporting isn’t an option. We chatted during the journey, which lasted most of the afternoon, and once everything was in order we returned to the village, where Noah came to see us.

– Are you staying with us, Esra?

– Sorry Noah, but I’m going into my exam week and I’ve got to work for my final year.

– What are you studying?

– Psychology.

He frowns, probably not understanding what I’m studying, so I point to his head.

– I study people’s behaviour.

– Ahhhhh.

We laugh at his reaction and then say goodbye, promising to come back as soon as I’m on holiday. Em and I teleport back to the house, which suddenly feels very empty. I sigh as I look at the empty corner where my television used to be, I haven’t managed to find the time to go and buy another one and then honestly when I had the time the motivation wasn’t there. I hung around in my living room but soon got round to it, stopping in front of my photos and looking at the one of me and Lisa. Why didn’t she tell me? I’m her friend, I wouldn’t have said anything, I’d have kept it a secret like everyone else. I’m doubly concerned because I’ve never betrayed one of her secrets and she won’t tell me the most important one. I can’t believe I told her I didn’t have a soulmate. Anyway, the matter’s settled now that Chris knows I’m a witch, he’s avoided me like the plague. As I said before, not even a troll would want me, let alone an Alpha. Not to mention the fact that now there’s a madam Alpha who’s just arrived and even though I really don’t like it, there’s nothing I can do. It can only end this way. It’s true, a wolf and a witch, it’s like a volcano and ice, they’re incompatible. Chris must have come to this conclusion too, and I hope they’ll be happy all the same, even if my heart doesn’t agree with me. That’s my rational side, my reason talking. What should I do? Leave? Yes, but the link is still there and I don’t know what it might cause. What am I going to do? Ask around? Yes, that’s a good idea, I’ll go to Melinda’s and see if she has any books on soul mates, and if possible information on what happens between different species. But first I’ve got to revise because the exams are here and I’ll have plenty of time to think about my supernatural life afterwards. This was my final year and I intend to do well. I didn’t work so hard not to graduate, I know Melinda would be proud of me and I hope my parents are too. If I manage to find a solution for the link, I’ll go far away, but where? I don’t know yet, but as far away as possible, at least I’m sure they’ll never be able to find me and apart from calling me to teleport, we won’t see each other again. I’ll come if they ask me, because Lisa still has my bracelet and it’s symbolic for us. We’ve been through a lot together, so it’s impossible to cut all ties. Resigned to doing my homework, I bring all my lessons, books and exam dates.

Well, the first one is on behavioural analysis, which is on Tuesday at nine o’clock.

Basically, I just need to know some more complex terms that not everyone knows and that are common in the medical world, to designate a behaviour, a disease, a reaction … it has names, technical terms and that’s what I need to concentrate on first. After looking at my other exams for this week, I made revision sheets and memos for the terms I needed to remember. I’m happy because I’ve only got four days of midterms, which will be busy, but after that I’ll be fine. I’d rather have everything at once and follow it up than have big gaps that would cause me to let go of the good stress. The end of my Sunday and Monday are full, I’m not thinking about magic, werewolves and witches at all. I’ve resumed the life of a normal student who’s about to take her final exams. Of course, I have all the support of my family in this more than human ordeal, but it motivates me to have her close to me.