Fallen Love
Chapter 2

So here’s where I spend most of my days, at the university, studying as best I can and my results are quite satisfactory. I respond to the greetings of several students who are in the same course as me, then continue on my way, waiting for my next class, which is in thirty minutes. I can hear that several students are looking forward to their vacations, which are barely three months away, but first there are the exams. My last year at school, it’ll feel strange not to come here anymore, but a page is being turned and life goes on.

Unexpectedly, a person perched on my back and a cry of surprise came from my mouth. I laughed and the person stood in front of me while I recovered my senses. Picking up my bag, which I dropped on the spot, I point at Lisa as she continues to laugh. Pain in the a*s, she’s testing my non-existent reflexes and having a bit too much fun. I flick her on the forehead, which really upsets her she-wolf. It’s only fair and her she-wolf adores me. Lisa stops laughing, holding her forehead in disgust at being tricked.

– You asked for it,” I defend myself, raising my hands in the air.

She sticks her tongue out at me, then follows me back to my room, after three seconds she slips her arm under mine with a beaming face. My eyes rest for a few seconds on her profile, a blonde with green eyes. She makes an impression on the students, but she has absolutely no interest in humans. She’s got enough on her plate with one a*****e from her pack. Then I look at her bracelet – my bracelet – we’ve known each other for almost three years, yet I can’t help worrying about her.

– How are you these days?

– Things are a bit complicated at home, my Alpha is being challenged more and more often and Emmett is putting my nerves to the test.

– Come to the house tonight, it’ll do you good,” I suggested.

Seeing that it was time for my class, I waited for his reply. His smile before slipping away warms my heart, and I rush back to my lecture hall, taking my place at the front. Pulling out my glasses so I don’t squint at the lecture projected on the wall, the teacher glares at us to squeeze in so he can start his anatomy lecture, which we do in a hurry, believe me. He may be short and fat, but he’s got one of those creepy voices that sounds like Ça le clown, and I hate clowns.

Those two hours of anatomy were split between the she-wolf and the class, so when it was over I quickly collected my things and sped out, not wanting to be late for lunch. Once I’ve got my tray in hand, I look for her with my eyes and go and sit down at the back next to the green plant, from where I can see everyone coming in. Starting my fries, which look delicious, I add a dollop of salt and eat after filling my glass of water from the carafe on the table. Feeling an excited thought in my personal perimeter, my eyes close, hoping I’m wrong about the owner, but no I was quite right. Alas. This power of empathy is the only one I have trouble with, which is normal when I perceive this kind of perverse thought. Fortunately, I have it under control.

– Hello Esra, still looking beautiful I see, exclaims a husky voice with a touch of sensuality in front of me.

I look up at the intruder for a few seconds and sigh, resuming my meal, which is far more pleasant than this sight. Shane O’Grady, the guy thinks he’s the best on earth simply because he’s captain of the rugby team. But, I know this type of character and he disgusts me more than anything else. That’s one thing I don’t like about human beings, those who think they’re above everything and everyone else. Just learning about the existence of werewolves would bring him down a peg or two. But then, it’s forbidden for any magical being to reveal itself to humans, so it would have been nice to see. Ignoring her completely, I continue to eat, praying that Lisa will arrive soon, so I call out to her mentally.

– Are you coming to the game tomorrow? he says, sitting down opposite me.

– No,” I answer quickly.

– It’s a shame, we’re going to blow them away…

– Oh no, I think it’s just the opposite,” another person chuckles.

Recognizing the voice of the third person, I smile at Lisa who moves Shane to take her place. In turn, she begins to eat without calculating, and Shane goes back to his gang sitting further back, annoyed at having been ignored, he, the college idol. Relieved to see the she-wolf, I notice and feel that she’s happy too.

– They’re members of my pack they’re going to face tomorrow,” she informs me.

– Isn’t that cheating?

– It amuses them to make idiots like Shane lose. Plus, it’s a way for them to blow off steam from all the tension in the territory. Will you come this time?

– No, they’re liable to smell me and I don’t want to draw your pack’s attention to me, you know that Lisa.

She seems to be thinking, and I see her feeling sorry for me. I smile, moved by her concern. But we’re going to change the subject because the mood is getting a bit gloomy and I don’t like it. Lisa knows that I don’t go out much, or only with her, but in quiet places without too many people, never at night, and never for very long. But that doesn’t stop Lisa from trying whenever the opportunity arises. I know how to have a good time, but I don’t know how to have fun. I’m afraid it’ll all come to a standstill afterwards, so I’m content with what I’ve already got.

– How were your classes?

– Quietly, I’m really looking forward to tonight,” enthuses the she-wolf.

I’m delighted she’s feeling better, we finish our meal and as we’ve got a bit of time before our next respective classes, we decide to take a walk outside. The weather is sublime. Lisa explains to me the problems in her pack with enemy packs, as well as her Alpha’s sleeping around, which makes the pack quite unstable. I can see why her soulmate behaves the way she does, since the Alpha is supposed to set an example, not the other way around. His brother Nick and Emmett, his soulmate, are the Alpha’s Betas, so I can well imagine the trio of womanizers.

– They’d get on really well with Shane,” I grinned.

– You’re not wrong, unfortunately,” confirms Lisa.

We walk on for a while, then she tenses up and looks around in panic, suddenly staring at me wide-eyed.

– What’s going on? What’s going on, Lisa?

– My brother’s here, you’ve got to hide.

What do you mean, her brother’s here? Normally, he comes from time to time to pick her up or take her away after school, but now he’s turning up unannounced, it’s strange. However, I don’t have time to ask myself any more questions about the whys and wherefores. As I turn to leave, I see the wolf coming, his aura the same as Lisa’s, their physical similarities not surprising. Having no choice but to stay, I pray that I’ll scramble quickly enough to face a Beta.

Lisa’s brother Nick approaches us and stares at me for a few seconds before kissing his sister on the cheek. What does he want?

– Nick, what are you doing here? Lisa asks, glancing at me.

– I was worried about you, you weren’t answering my messages.

– I’m fine, but my battery’s dead, don’t worry.

The brother looks at me, not wanting to reveal too much in front of my person, taking this as a good way to leave, I take a step to the side but he holds me back by the arm. What surprises me is that he puts so much strength into it, it almost hurts and I fear he suspects something. Please don’t let him feel my magic, please.

– You are?

– Nick, for God’s sake, let her go, that’s Esra, my best friend,” Lisa panicked.

– Oh, sorry.

He let go of me without waiting and I left without a second thought, shit I hope he doesn’t suspect anything or I’m dead. I’ll check with Lisa tonight, but in the meantime I’ve got class. After three hours in the behavioral psychology room, I go out looking all around but not seeing Lisa, I go home a little surprised not to have heard from her. I hope to hear from her before tonight, otherwise I’ll find a way to contact her. When I get home, I replace the crystal stone that protects my apartment from all kinds of intruders – it’s better than an alarm, and free too. Of course, my second defence system is my four-metre-long python, which roams freely around my home. She arrives and stands up slightly as I put my things on the coat rack.

– I hope Lisa’s okay? she says to me in her head.

Em communicates only by thought, and with me it’s effortless as we’re all one. With other people, she has to concentrate more. In Lisa’s case, she has a connection with her she-wolf, so it’s less tiring for her, and our bracelet links us anyway, creating a powerful bond between us. I hope she’s all right too, but I’m not too worried, Lisa’s a resourceful girl and as long as I don’t get any negative messages for tonight, she’s managing the situation.

– Don’t worry Em, Lisa wouldn’t miss our evening.

– Yeah,” she says thoughtfully. So, are you going to the game?

– You know I’m not,” I sigh.

I leave my shoes in the hallway and put my bag on a chair in the kitchen. Em follows me and climbs up on the table to continue our conversation. She takes up the whole width and the tip of her tail touches the floor. I don’t realize how imposing she is sometimes.

– You should, it would do you good to get out a bit.

– Maybe, but certainly not with other wolves around.

– You’re very good at scrambling and Lisa will protect you, I’m sure.

Heading for my bathroom, I close the subject, even though I know it’s only part of the story. I take a shower to wash off my day and get ready for tonight. Once clean and in my pyjamas, I return to the living room to work on today’s lessons. A little revision and a few worksheets later, I stop when I see the time on my watch. Seventeen thirty, then it’s off to watch The Vampires Diaries.

I like to watch films or series where there’s magic, so I can compare fiction and reality. And I have to say, there’s quite a difference, which is quite funny at times. My eyes turned away from the window and saw the sun declining, which made me frown. Lisa still wasn’t there and that didn’t reassure me, so I got up, putting on a cardigan and then my slippers to get ready to teleport to her room, but just before I did the crystals lit up, attracting my attention. My cell phone vibrated and, catching Lisa’s name, I opened her text message.

From the Wolf: I’m at your door 🙂

A smile lit up my face and by the time I got to the door, Em had already shifted a crystal so I could get through. I removed the safety catches on my door and opened it, spreading my arms wide. Lisa came to embrace me, sighing with relief. She entered without waiting, then took off her shoes and gloves as I closed behind her. Em put the crystal back on and we went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. I took the lasagne out of the freezer and put it in the oven. Yeah, me and the kitchen make thirty-four.

– I’m going to eat, see you later,” says Em.

We waved and she disappeared in the blink of an eye. I’m full of rats, mice and even rabbits that cross my python’s path, but don’t forget that Em is a predator who needs fresh meat. During her meals, she reverts to being a reptile like the others and hunts to fill her belly, on which Em fends for herself and I’ve never had to help or prepare anything for her. As she so aptly puts it, each to his own. She usually leaves for a good hour and then reappears, seemingly out of the blue, when I’ve finished eating. Once I’m alone between people on two legs, I pour Lisa a glass of water and she thanks me with a sigh.

– How did it go with your brother? I ask her.

– Yeah, they got a letter saying I was going to be attacked, so Nick came over without asking any questions,” she explains.

– Did he suspect anything about me?

– Oh no, don’t worry, he even thought you were very pretty for a human,” she laughed, putting her hand on his chin.

I laughed too, thinking that I’m far from human. She also told me that her Alpha had closed off his territory so that no one could get in or out, which is why she was late, since she had to trick her way in to join me. I don’t like Lisa being in danger, I’ve become attached to this little monster and losing her is unimaginable. I look at the bracelet I’ve made for her, and it makes me feel better because it protects her from malicious attack, and warns me if I need to intervene. Then Em and Lisa’s wolf – Pixi – are in contact even at a distance, so we’d be warned in any case.

Her Alpha is on edge in the light of events, which I can easily understand. I’d like to help them, I really would, but I can’t afford to reveal myself at the risk of blowing my cover. The supernaturals wouldn’t miss a chance to kill me, and the people who kidnapped me would certainly want me back. They think I’m dead, and that’s fine.

– Are you going to the game? she asks me hopefully.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I look at Lisa, who gives me a small smile. She and Em have got it into their heads to get me out there and become a perfectly normal girl. I’d really like to go out and have fun, but there’s always a little voice telling me to be careful, not to waste the second chance I’ve been given. I find it hard to let myself go, my instincts are too scared to dare cross the line.

– There’ll be your pack Lisa, it’s like throwing myself into the lion’s den.

– Nick didn’t even smell you earlier, so surrounded by hundreds of people, you can be sure none of them will, you’re the best at making yourself invisible.

– Coming from a great tracker, I’m flattered,” I laughed.

Lisa is a very gifted tracker from what she’s told me, she’s very valuable to her pack, not to mention she’s the Beta’s sister. With the lasagne ready, we set the table and sit down to dinner. We talk about classes, putting our worries aside. And I’m not the only one who’s been influenced by her animal side, since Lisa is in art thanks to Pixi, who’s very creative, and their duo produces remarkable and unique things on paper. We laughed about some of the teachers who are really atypical, which made for some unforgettable moments. After dessert, which was an apple pie we’d bought on the way home from college, we sat down on the sofa, at which point Em appeared on my legs, startling Lisa who put her hand over her heart. I laughed as Em stared at me. She did that on purpose.

– Em, do you have to make me squeal like that every time,” said Lisa, still in shock.

– I’m sorry, but it’s so pleasurable to see your face,” laughs Em in our heads.

Continuing to laugh, I stroke the head of my reptile, who settles comfortably on top of me. She looks like a cat, the way she cuddles. She turns to me and I wonder what she’s going to say.

– You’re not that teenager who didn’t believe in magic anymore, you’re a powerful witch who can take on anyone, so you’re going to that game,” she says seriously.

– I know, Em, but I don’t want to ruin everything we’ve built.

– You won’t, I’m sure.

– I’ll think about it, I’ve got until tomorrow to decide,” I say, looking at them.

They nodded to give me time and I felt strange breaking my rules. I’m stumbling into the unknown and my human side isn’t reassured, whereas my witch side is one hundred percent sure. Getting it into my head that tomorrow I’d be going to the match, a touch of excitement took hold of me and I even wanted to choose my outfit now. Realizing that I’m behaving like a teenager, I calm down and decide on tomorrow.

We then spent the evening watching movies until we went to bed, Lisa went to wash up and put on her pyjamas while I packed my bag. Once I’m in bed, I move over so that Lisa can settle down and see her pensive, her gaze fixed on her hands as she fiddles with them. After a glance, I see Em opening his and thinking the same thing as me. Lisa doesn’t know what to do.

– What’s on your mind?

– Emmett wasn’t serene about me sleeping somewhere else tonight, holding back from saying something but not happy at all.

When she spoke with a smile on her face, it made mine appear. She sees a change in her soulmate, the two years of ignorance and estrangement starting to bear fruit it seems. Well, not a moment too soon. I don’t understand why Emmett doesn’t want Lisa, she’s so beautiful, so kind, so intelligent… after all, I don’t know him, but it’s a shame they’re missing out on such a beautiful love story. Especially for werewolves.

– He’ll come around Lisa, I’m sure he won’t be able to resist you for long.

– I hope so, because I know I love him and we could be happy.

– He’s an idiot, that wolf, I’ve already told you,” sighs my python, half asleep.

I turn off the light while we calm our giggles and wait for Em to curl up under the comforter against me with his head resting on my arm. We say goodnight and I fall asleep anticipating tomorrow.

*

Sweating, I wake up from a b***d-curdling nightmare. I get out of bed without waking Lisa and go into the living room, followed by Em, who stands at the window watching the moon and the starry night.

– Do you see what I see, Em? I whispered.

– Yes, the moon is red.

– What do you think?

– I don’t know, but it’s bad enough to wake you up.

We stare pensively at the sky. There are many legends about the red moon, both good and bad. For witches, it’s a harbinger of misfortune for the magical community. If I see it, tragedy will be in my area, and I thought of Lisa. I hope I’m wrong, because my instincts have never betrayed me. I heard footsteps behind me and saw Lisa staring at the moon with her yellow wolf eyes.

– Should I be worried? she asks.

– Everyone has to worry,” I declare.

There was a new silence and, with Em’s agreement, I stared at the red moon, searching my being for the power to make it normal. Erasing the red gives me shivers down my arms and back. Resting my forehead against the cold window pane, I breathed out as I realized what I’d just done. Feeling Lisa’s gaze on me, I turned my head towards her.

– What did you do, Lisa?

– She just signaled that a witch will take care of the threat,” Em replied.

– But you’re crazy,” said Lisa, her eyes round. You’re risking exposing yourself, do you realize that?

Exchanging a smile with Em, I take a seat on the arm of the sofa. Well, I’m smiling, not Em, that would be too weird a snake smiling. There, I’ve done it, I’ve just stepped out of the shadows. Learning that they’ve left a witch behind in Seattle must come as a surprise to the dark side, since no one had come out against them for at least six or seven years. If I’m to believe Melinda.

– Em is right Lisa, I’m a witch and I mustn’t back down in the face of danger.

– By the Moon Goddess, I just wanted you to come to the game, not to become a warrior. If my pack learns of your existence, you know what will happen.

– They won’t,” I reassured her.

She ran a hand through her hair and her cell phone rang. She went into the bedroom to answer it, while Em climbed onto the couch to lean against me.

– Show them all that the Co’Wayne family hasn’t totally disappeared.

– They’re declaring war on us Em, on our territory, I can’t let innocent people die when I can help them, while remaining anonymous of course.

– No one expects to see a Co’Wayne still alive and still on the side of the light.

Lisa came back to us with a sigh, and when she yawned it was time to go back to bed, only I couldn’t sleep. After seven years of silence, here I am.

Co’Wayne is my real surname, to stay hidden I took Melinda’s name, Travis. I had to be sure I’d go unnoticed by anyone. As far as anyone was concerned, the Co’Wayne family died at the same time as my parents, so over the years my existence was forgotten, and that’s fine. Until I come out of hiding, time will tell if I’ve done the right thing. My gaze settles on Em, who’s asleep, and I wrap my arms around her in an attempt to fall asleep.

Whatever happens, I’m not alone, and that’s the most important thing to remember.