Fallen Love
Chapter 20

Esra.

The first thing I feel is a weight on my hand, I try to open my eyes but it feels like they’re glued shut, like I need a lot of effort and strength to do so. Inside I feel empty of energy, as if I’m welded to the thing I’m lying on. I turn my hand where there’s something on it and it comes off.

– Esra, can you hear me?

It doesn’t take a genius to recognise my python’s voice. I smile, wanting to nod, but a grimace makes me regret my action. I should have done what she did and spoken in my head, damn it, that hurt.

– Em, I can’t feel my body.

– I know, but you’re still weak, you need to rest.

– What is this place? I can’t get a signal from home.

I waited for an answer, but nothing came. I tried to open my eyes again, but it was no use. I put my ear to the ground, hoping to hear something, a clue that would help me find out where we are, but no, I’ve lost my hearing too. Brilliant.

– Em, I’m moaning.

At least I can speak normally in my head and that makes me feel better.

– We’re in Chris’s house, Nick’s room to be precise.

– Are you kidding?

– Unfortunately not, but don’t worry, there’s a shield in front of the door,” she hastens to tell me.

That’s not true, I’m still in werewolf territory. F**k, I’d rather be dead than here. Bollocks. I can’t even get angry because I can’t move, I’ve got to calm down otherwise it contracts the muscles in my body and it hurts. Without warning Em bit my wrist and I screamed inwardly.

– You could have f*****g warned me.

– I’m sorry, but you’ve been asleep for four days already and you need to eat, you’ve lost so much weight it’s crazy.

Four days? Ah yes, well it’s about time I had something to eat. Slowly my eyelids move and I can open them little by little, which is already a good start. Gradually, I’m starting to feel my limbs, I’m operational, I’m moving a finger, my foot, my head and all without feeling any pain, so I’m continuing my efforts. Once my eyes were open I could breathe, it was hard.

Turning my head I try to get some personal information on Nick and smile when I see photos of Lisa, I guess photos of their parents as Lisa has the same ones. He’s got a wardrobe and shelves. I almost choke on my saliva when I see posters of naked women on his door and wall. My laughter turns into a cough and Nick, what a kid, this one. Just as I was getting over my emotions, the door suddenly opened and Lisa and Nick came in, panicking. They came to my bedside, kneeling side by side in front of me.

– Esra, you gave us quite a scare, you know that,” Lisa said.

– I try to cough to get rid of the cat that’s hoarsening my voice.

– Take your time, there’s no hurry,” says Nick. Are you hungry? Can I get you something?

– Tell him to help me, I want to go downstairs,” I said to Lisa.

Lisa passed on my message, so her brother stood up, took off the blanket and held out his hands to me. I made no comment about the fact that I was wearing other clothes, and at the same time there can’t be much left of what I was wearing four days ago. I move my legs and swing them over the bed as the wolves and Em look on. I hold on to Nick, gripping his hands tightly, and he pulls me towards him. At first it’s a good thing he’s holding me, otherwise I’d end up on the floor, and when I try to stand on one leg it shakes, which I don’t like. My head starts to spin so I close my eyes for a few seconds to regain my composure.

– Are you OK?

– Two seconds,” I sighed.

After more like five minutes, I was able to take a few steps, with Nick’s help of course. We leave the room, I’m very apprehensive about going downstairs and seeing all the people waiting for me to arrive. Taking a deep breath, I move forward and smile at Nick who is patiently waiting for me. He’s an angel, this wolf, ever since I entered his dream last time to talk to him about Lisa, he’s been concerned about me, taking care of me, but there’s nothing ambiguous, I probed his mind to be sure.

But nothing to report, he’s really become a friend I can count on. On this good note, we walk along the corridor and I give a final wave to Em, who’s waiting for a slip-up to turn everything around. I sigh to give myself courage and lean on Nick to go down the stairs, step by step. My legs are throbbing but I grit my teeth and Lisa suddenly grabs onto the banister, cartwheels over it and lands on the floor. A thin smile leaves my lips as she holds out her hand, I let go of the railing and grab her hand.

Nick continues to hold me and I thank him for it because I’m dreaming of sitting down. The first person I see is Emmett, leaning against the wall to the right of the steps. He smiles at me and I smile back. Nick and Lisa drag me into the kitchen, Chris’s parents stare at me and the Alpha looks me up and down. Inwardly I’m relieved, because the bond has been broken, which means I’ve succeeded. And now my witch pride is gloating, just like Em who’s screaming in my head with joy. I thank Nick, who helps me sit down and takes a seat next to me. Chris’s mum brings me a cup of coffee and Lisa brings me some nutella sandwiches.

After thanking them, I took the cup and raised it to take a sip, but I couldn’t understand what was happening, my wrist cramped up and the cup left my hands.

Just as I’m expecting to hear a loud crash, nothing happens. I looked over and saw that Chris had caught the cup in mid-air, just before it hit the ground and without spilling anything. Oh dear, he’s avoided disaster. The Alpha straightens up, puts the mug on the table and resumes his position opposite me. He started staring at my trembling hands, and I hid them out of his sight, trying to calm myself down. Lisa took her place at the table too, bringing breakfast for her brother, who thanked her. The rest of the people took their places and ate in silence.

When no-one was paying any attention to me, I took a slice of toast, ignoring the little tremors that persisted, and ate it. It feels so strange to be chewing, I’ve sort of got out of the habit, but since it’s been four days, it’s normal to feel numb in my jaw, everywhere in fact. After testing the strength of my wrist, which has been holding the mug aloft for the last two minutes, I bring it to my mouth to warm up a bit. A shiver goes through me as the liquid flows into my body. I didn’t bother to look up as Nick pulled my chair closer to his so that we were glued together and he began to grunt slightly.

– Look, she’s still alive,” Casey spat sarcastically.

– Esra’s a powerful witch, you should know that,” taunted Lisa.

I’m glad the she-wolf is coming to my defence by assuring my strength, but this is clearly not the time, as I can’t feel any trace of magic in my body and I’m scared of it at the moment. My God, what witch can say she’s afraid of her own powers? I feel like I’m back in the days when I was locked up and the question of giving up my powers was nagging at the back of my mind, because for me they were the cause of all my misfortunes, which is true, but what witch would do that?

Give up her heritage, the person I am. While I’m thinking about it, I feel a look on my face, actually several. But I immediately lowered my gaze when I met the Alpha’s eyes on me. A shiver of anticipation ran through me, so I touched my arm and felt two small bumps, and for good reason I saw a bite, clearly not the size of Em’s fangs, and I remembered that my bond had explained to me that Nick had tried to make me react by biting me.

I’ve never seen a werewolf bite before, knowing what happens to people who are bitten, but it doesn’t make me feel any different. A hand on my shoulder startled me back into the present moment.

– Are we going to take a step outside? Nick murmurs to me, already on his feet.

I simply nod and he helps me to my feet, Lisa clears away my dishes and comes to stand beside me. She opened the door for us and I g*****d as the sun dazzled me. I’m freezing and my legs don’t seem to want to try it.

– I don’t know if I can do it,” I murmured.

– You’re not on your own,” Lisa encourages me. Get some fresh air, you’re all pale.

– You can have a rest afterwards,” said Nick.

Determined to make an effort, I let them lead me out into the garden and we took a few steps.

– How are you feeling? … but really, Esra.

I smile at Lisa, who isn’t waiting for an answer, just to hear the truth. When we first met I told her what her thoughts wanted me to say, but when she understood my powers and how they worked, she demanded a real answer. As the months went by, I was no longer lying to her. Of course, she told Nick about her episodes as he also demands the truth.

– I’m all numb, not knowing what to do or how to do things.

– You need to regain your strength, after all, one thing at a time.

– But I don’t like being weak like this, the witches all know who I am,” I exclaimed.

Suddenly Nick stopped, raising a finger in the air as if to get permission to speak. He really thinks he’s at school. Lisa and I laugh as we let him have his say.

– Talking of who you are, you should have a chat with Chris’s parents.

– Why would I do that?

– They’ll explain.

I don’t see how my identity concerns them, OK I said my name was Travis, but it’s almost true since Melinda was my second family. If they want to talk, then we’ll talk, I’m not closed. But Em will be part of it, because talking about my real self right now is a bit creepy, since I’m supposed to be dead, just like my parents. In my opinion, a little holiday at Melinda’s at this precise moment seems like a wonderful idea. So I stop, making the brothers stop, each holding one of my arms.

– I think I’ll go and recharge my batteries at Melinda’s.

– Melinda, the witch who took you in? asked the wolf.

– Yes, her house is protected, so I’ll be safe.

– I’d rather go with you, I don’t want to leave you on your own.

I turned to Lisa, excited by her offer. It’s been such a long time since we’ve been alone together. And who better to come than someone related to me. We both need a holiday. Yes, it’s going to be great. Now she has to get permission from her Alpha and Emmett. But the smile she gives me says it all.

Nobody’s going to stop her coming with me.