Fallen Love
Chapter 16

Chris.

Nick had gone to pick up Lisa from college, and I was alone with Emmett, so I took the opportunity to call him into my office. The door closed, I took my seat and my Beta did the same. Where exactly do I start? Matters of the heart aren’t really my thing, but I have to make an effort here, because this concerns two members of my pack, bound together by an invincible bond. Emmett looks at me, not suspecting what our discussion is going to lead to. Honestly, I’d have preferred Esra to be here, she’d handle this case better than I would, but as Alpha it’s my duty.

– Chris?

– Chris, what is it?

– Is there something you want to tell me?

– I’ve got a question, you answer me yes or no.

He frowns, wondering what he’s going to have to answer. With a bit of luck Esra will be here soon, she didn’t tell me the time but it’s nearly four o’clock, so I have a little hope that gives me the strength to go. I pluck up my courage and throw myself into uncharted territory.

– Are you Lisa’s soul mate?

It didn’t take him long to react, his eyes widening like saucers. He knows he can’t lie to me, so he slumps back in the chair, sighs and looks me in the eye.

– Yes, Lisa is my soul mate,” he admits.

– Why didn’t you tell me?

– Because I haven’t accepted the link.

– Forget the past, Emmett, it’s blocking you.

Emmett doesn’t answer me, but I’m guessing that since the situation has been going on for five years, why should it change? Lisa’s suicide attempt doesn’t seem to faze him either, so what can I do?

– Have you spoken to Lisa about her suicide attempt?

– It was three years ago, so I don’t know what more I can say.

– Esra told me that she offered to help you.

– What exactly did you talk about?

I can see that he’s avoiding the subject, but at the same time he’s curious to know what our conversation was about.

– You should accept his offer,” I announced, standing up.

F*****g hell! I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to smell Esra since I found out her secret. I step out of my house and see her standing in front of it, smiling shyly at the wolves who were watching her as they passed. As I walk towards her, she nods at me.

– Hi,” she says.

– Hi, … How are your exams going?

– Well, we’ll see.

She doesn’t seem too sure of herself, but I know she’s working hard, so I’m not too worried about her. Her eyes go behind me and Emmett comes to stand beside me.

– Rough night? she asks, her head tilted.

– Your shrink power is boring,” grumbles my Beta.

She shrugs and holds back a laugh. I jump when her snake appears at her feet, and Emmett also has a recoil reflex. It’s OK, I’m not the only one who’s scared of a scary python. The two of them look at each other, then Esra raises her eyes to the sky and then to me.

– Shall we start the barrier?

– Yes, come on, let’s go north.

We set off for the north side of the territory, we don’t say anything but I can hear her footsteps and the snake crawling about, they must be communicating. Tracker is happy to have her by our side without me being negative about her presence, he even congratulated me yesterday after she’d gone home, which is like rewarding me for a good deed. When we get to the boundary, I tell the wolves guarding the territory that a barrier is going to be set up so they have to be careful not to cross it. Esra looks around a bit, then turns to me with a small penknife in her hand.

– So, we both have to put our b***d on the blade, then I’ll put it in the ground and from there the boundary will be created during the formula. OK?

– Yes, I remember, you said that once,” I replied.

Precisely after she used her powers for the first time in front of us. She cuts herself first with a grimace and hands me the mini-knife, which I stick in my hand and then hand back to Esra as my hand closes. She watches my hand heal with a sigh, which makes me laugh. And yeah, witches don’t heal that way.

– Jealous?

– You’ve no idea,” confirms the witch. And a sissy yourself,” she grumbled at her snake.

Emmett and I refrain from retorting, as the reptile must have made a joke. After that, she was going to stick the knife in the ground while reciting her formula, the knife lit up and went from one side to the other to complete the barrier that materialised in front of us, a few seconds before becoming invisible. Once the white light was gone, Esra withdrew the knife and wrapped it in paper to clean the blade, after which the paper caught fire, allowing the wind to scatter the ashes. The witch put the knife back in her pocket.

– Finished.

– Great, thanks.

– You’re welcome, but I’d like to have a look around to make sure everything’s in place.

– If you like.

Esra teleported away with Em while Emmett and I went home, or so we thought. I’d have thought we’d have gone round together but this time she’s the distant one and I can’t blame her. It’s all our fault, my fault.

– So, what are you going to do? I asked.

Emmett didn’t answer me but nodded. I’m glad he’s going to accept the help Esra offered him,” she appeared in front of us with Em around her neck.

– Chris.

Ben and Sisi came towards me in a panic. I immediately panicked, what was going on now? At the same moment I heard the sound of an engine and a few minutes later Nick’s Mercedes entered the courtyard. He gets out of the car with his sister, who is stuck on Esra. It’s true that I forgot to tell her he was coming today.

– Alice has disappeared,” Sisi panicked. We’ve looked everywhere.

As soon as she says the word disappeared, we all tense up. Shit, has there been an intrusion? Has someone kidnapped her? Was it the witches? An enemy pack? I don’t know, how long has she been missing exactly?

– Have you been looking for her for a long time? I asked.

– Early afternoon,” replied Ben. Considering what day it is, we just thought she wanted to be alone, but usually we always find her when she decides to wander off.

– Oh yes, that’s right, it’s her birthday,” mutters Nick.

– We have to find her, she must feel so lonely.

– Why do you think that is? asks Esra.

We turn to Esra, who doesn’t quite understand. Luckily she’s here, she’ll be able to help us. I motioned for her to come closer after Em had slipped away, although Ben and Sisi were happy to see her, but there was something more urgent. Several members of the pack start looking for Alice in the territory after hearing that she had disappeared, while others console Sisi, who is crying.

– Alice is ten today and it’s the first birthday she’s spent without her parents, I explain to her.

– Do you have anything of hers,” Esra asked Ben and Sisi.

Ben pulled out a small photo from his pocket and Alice is shown with her parents, all three of them smiling. They died in battle on the same day. We couldn’t save them. Alice was devastated, but fortunately Ben and Sisi were there to take care of their niece. I didn’t think she’d react like that.

– Did Alice say goodbye to them? said the witch, stroking the photo.

– No, they died very quickly.

Esra held the photo close to her and closed her eyes. A strong wind whirled around us and when it disappeared, my soul-sister opened her eyes. It’s been a long time since I’ve called her that.

– I know where she is, who’s coming with me?

She looks at each of us in turn to see who’s volunteering, while we’re simply amazed at how long it took Esra to find her, all of twenty seconds. Of course Lisa offered to go, but Sisi had to go and she took Esra’s hand, smiling gently.

– Above all, don’t let go of my hand and close your eyes, the journey will go more smoothly.

Sisi obeyed and they disappeared. Ben rubbed his hair and stared at the ground while I put my arm over his shoulder and led him home. Nick and Emmett left to warn the pack that we were taking over and that Alice would be here soon. I trust Esra on this one, she always manages.

– Don’t worry Ben, Esra will bring Alice back,” Lisa reassures him.

I bring him a glass of whisky, which he drains in one go. This guy’s got one of those decent ones, it never ceases to amaze me. We sit down in the living room and wait for the girls to come back. Shit, Esra was supposed to be helping Emmett too, poor thing she must be swamped, especially as she’s in the middle of exam period, that can’t be helping her concentration at all.

*

I don’t know how long we’re waiting but it’s starting to get long, I’m losing patience, Lisa’s losing patience too and Ben’s ready to pull his hair out. I’m getting worried but every time I ask Lisa if Esra’s OK, she tells me she’s not, she’s fine. I get up to pour myself a glass of whisky when the girls appear in front of me. I jump and throw myself at Alice, taking her in my arms.

– For f**k’s sake Alice, are you all right?

– Yes, Alpha.

– Where have you been?

– At the amusement park, the last place we went,” she replies sadly.

I don’t say anything, I understand. She knows she should have told us but we would have said no, given all the problems we’re having at the moment, but it was important to her. There was movement towards the front door and Esra came out of the house with Lisa. Ben took my place, giving Alice a big hug, while Sisi sat down, not a fan of teleportation I think. After a quick trip to the kitchen, I handed her a glass of water, which she sipped slowly. As for me, I went outside and was dazzled by lights.

But what were they?

Shooting galleries, merry-go-rounds, chip stands and other things to eat, people dressed up as stuffed animals. Where exactly do all these things come from? I was about to ask when I saw Esra conjure up a little dance floor in front of her. Lisa hopping around with candyfloss in her hand.

– Get some bumper cars too,” exclaims Lisa.

– Easy Lisa, it’s too big.

– Too bad.

I approach them and when she sees me Lisa hands me a piece of her candyfloss. Why not, I take it and put it in my mouth. Not bad for magic.

– It’s great, Alice will love it, I say.

– I hope so, she can come, I’ve finished.

To my great surprise, the whole pack shouted the little girl’s name and she ran out of the house, stunned by what she saw. Nick and Emmett couldn’t believe their eyes either, then turned to Esra and whistled in admiration. Alice’s friends come over to wish her a happy birthday with hugs and k****s, and then they all go off to play together. Even the adults and seniors play the games and enjoy the evening to the full.

With the magic barrier in place, I relax and watch everyone enjoying themselves. It’s been a long time since the pack has been so happy, with the children free and safe. Several of them even come up to thank Esra for what she’s doing, which annoys her enormously. Nick arrived with two cotton candies and handed one to Esra, who refused.

– You’re creating an amusement park and you’re not enjoying it?

– I’ve got to stay focused and besides, Chris fancies her more than me.

I look at her surprised while she just smiles amused. I hasten to take this sweet pink delight from Nick’s hands before seeing a small courtyard with a tap, soap and a towel appear in the distance. As soon as it’s done, parents are already taking their children there to be washed up. This chick thinks of everything, it’s crazy.

– You’re so in charge, Esra,” said Lisa, returning with a cuddly toy and a huge smile on her face.

– Thanks, Lisa.

Esra took out the photo Ben had given her and thought about it before turning to me.

– Will you let me do something crazy?

– Worse than this? I say, pointing to the rides.

– Totally.

I don’t know what she’s talking about but we’re off to a good start, let’s get on with it. I give her permission and she moves aside a little, picks up a piece of wood from the ground and draws a circle on the floor, then goes inside. She takes a deep breath, waving her hands along her body, puts the photo in her hands and closes her eyes.

Spirito sentiva la mia chiamata.

(Spirit hears my call)

Che queste persone vengano.

(Let these people come)

Nello spazio e nel tempo.

(In space and time)

Che siano di nuovo reali.

(Let them be real again)

Per vedere la loro bellezza.

(To see their beauty)

The circle lit up and little fireflies came to draw something and silhouettes appeared. Esra opened her eyes when two people from the back stood out very clearly. You can see through them like ghosts, but the details are very clear, the colour of the clothes, the jewellery, the hairstyles.

– I’ll give you the midnight hour, after which you’ll have to leave.

– Thank you very much,” says a familiar voice.

People turn around and I almost fall over when I see Alice’s parents standing in front of me. Seeing us, they step out of the circle, making it all real, and we hug and I almost cry, it’s too much.

– Oh Chris,” exclaimed Tara. Thank you, thank you for taking care of our little girl.

– We all look after her, especially Ben and Sisi.

– We owe it all to them,” says Jo.

You can hear the laughter and cries of joy from the members of the pack as they enjoy themselves, and then it’s time for the cake. Esra conjured up a table with a large cake and several delicacies on it. Nick and I carried the table to the party, then Alice came and stood behind it.

– Are you having a good time? I ask her.

– Oh yes, it’s really great,” she says with a big smile.

– Make a wish before you blow out the candles,” says Nick.

– But they’re not lit.

As soon as she finished her sentence, the candles lit up. Good old Esra. I stepped back to leave Alice in her space, we sang the song and when it was over she blew out all the candles. The smoke evaporated and Alice’s parents walked towards their daughter. The members of the pack who saw them first shouted in surprise, but the most beautiful reaction was that of the little girl. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she rounded the table. She threw herself into her parents’ arms, watched by the whole pack. I was smiling like never before until I overheard a conversation.

– You’ve done well Esra, now they can really say goodbye,” whispered Lisa.

– She’s so young,” said Esra, her voice trembling. Losing your parents is a real ordeal.

– You haven’t said goodbye to them, have you?

Esra shook her head, wiping a tear from her cheek, and inhaled gently. Lisa strokes her back for support and I feel sick, my throat closing at the sight of her like this. I shouldn’t feel like consoling her, but I really do.