"The course of true love never did run smoothly."

-William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Catia's POV

"…They fall in deep love only once, and live for their love. Their love is analogous to that of Romeo and Juliet: they'd die for each other. They know each other's face like the sailor knows the sea."

As I told Linda the legends of some native tribe, I felt us being watched. I think MichaelAngelo and Amadora sensed it too because they both bristled at the same time.

I locked eyes with Amadora, she nodded to continue normally, as if though we were ignorant of the eyes watching us outside. MichaelAngelo continued lovingly cooing her in Italian, she seemed to purr, but both their eyes were on alert.

"Oi, Linda, please go check if the…the…um…" I was trying to come up with an excuse for her to go away, so I could check out what it was watching us from out. She only continued looking up at me, blinking expectantly, before I finally said," Just go say hi to your mamma." She got off my lap, giving me a bewildered look before just shrugging and running off to Maria and Teival's bedroom (which, by the way, ended up being a bad idea. My fault of course, I should've told her to knock first)

I stood immediately as soon as she left. "What are they?" I mouthed to MichaelAngelo, pretending I was helping Amadora with cooking. He glanced around, as if observing our home's state, "Lupi. Enormi lupi." (Wolves. Huge wolves.)

I remembered wolves saving Franco and me from the vampire-thingey, and vaguely recalled their number and color. I remembered, especially, the sandy-colored wolf with intelligent dark eyes.

"Mi occuperò con loro." I said softly (I'll deal with them). MichaelAngelo moved to come with me but I stopped him and added," Me stesso." (By myself) Amadora and MichaelAngelo both nodded, but MichaelAngelo growled, "Stai attento, ragazza. Noi vi verrà a guardare." (Be careful, girl. We'll watch you) He clasped my neck, squeezing it gently, as was his way of showing affection. Amadora nodded to me, "Aller, fille."

I went out the back door, my heart beating fast for some reason, despite me knowing that if I can take on vampires or werewolves, I could easily take on enormous wolves.

Calm down, Catia, I told myself in my head, then going on to comfort myself by chanting 'Who's afraid of The Big Bad Wolf'.

The nine of them faced me, their dark big eyes gleaming like a cat's in the dark. They were mostly hidden in the shadows, but I could see them; my cat-eyes helped. I looked at them as if though I weren't afraid.

Ever since I could remember, I loved talking to animals. They always seemed to understand me. No, I'm not like Voldemort (I mean, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named) who can speak an entire different language to communicate with snakes. No, I guess it's because it was always in my fate to become what I am.

When I decided to open my mouth to speak, the wolf I'd thought to be sandy-colored (turns out he's silver, my vision was terribly blurred when I first saw him) stepped up, looking at me cautiously, as if thinking I'd run.

I was startled and dazzled. It was beautiful. Enormous, strong, slightly frightening, but beautiful. I reached my hand out; he touched his head to it, letting out a breath through his big wet nose. I kept my eyes on the others, the biggest black one was growling softly.

"I'm going to need you to leave," I heard myself saying. The silver wolf opened his eyes and stared at me but didn't step away. "My family is worrying." I explained, gazing at his beautiful dark eyes. I felt pretty stupid talking to him as if though he was a person, but his eyes were so smart and beautiful.

I snapped myself out of it. They can't be normal, I thought to myself. Perhaps they were cursed humans, condemned to spend their lives as wolves. I then thought of that one native tribe with the legends famous among us werecats.

"We'll meet again, lobo." I smiled, backing away. He stayed where he was, watching me with his big eyes, as if memorizing my face. I smiled in an assuring manner, then sprinted back home. Just as I reached the door, I turned, but they were gone.

"Vamos nos encontrar com novamente, lobo." (We'll meet again, wolf.) I vowed, "Vou descobrir o que você está." (I'll find out what you are)