Music In Chapter

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

Luna Pov

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

BREAKFAST WAS QUITE THE EVENT SINCE MY MOTHER FAILED TO MAKE PANCAKES.

In the end, my father had to take over the hustle, which irritated her to no end.

Jilly and I calmly ate our pancakes and thanked both of our parents for providing us with this meal.

Mom's curly hair frizzed up at the end, and her coffee-brown eyes darkened.

She was a kickass fighter...street smart because for half of her childhood, that's where she lived, in a grimy alleyway not too far away from the sought-after French Quarter. She was tormented for being a werewitch by the Quarter's finest tyrants, chased after by demons in the late hours of the night. She had carried her trusty pocketknife with her everywhere. All this at the age of seven. But then her parents found her, and everything was ok again. My mother never wanted pity. She always held her head high during whatever rainstorm was over her.

I admired her strength and thought of myself as weak because I honestly don't think I'd survive that. Admittedly, it frustrated me when she was angry she couldn't do little things like cook.

"Jace, I try, and try but- -"

"All you can do is try, моя любовь."

I smiled at my father's words, my love, directed towards my mother in Russian. Many people didn't know this but the Labonair wolves originated in The Motherland a millennium and a half ago. It was assumed that the bloodline traced back to France but that was just common gossip. There were a ton of rumors about my family.

Mom had the opposite reaction, and dad wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her cheek, green eyes bright. "Don't criticize yourself so much, Maddy. You can't do everything."

She laughed as he stuck his face in the crook of her neck. "Everyone is their own critic...and I can't help but want to, boo."

"No one's as amazing as you. Don't you know that?"

"Someone amazing should be able to make something as simple as pancakes," she mumbled, clearly still upset.

"Pancakes are not simple."

Jilly and I quietly talked about our plans while our parents argued over pancakes, while Shadow chewed on a bone under my folded legs.

"Hey, are you still going to go hang out at the zoo?

"Yes, me and an old friend, Dimitri have plans there. Around lunch, we'll probably go to Orangetheory to get a quick workout. Tonight we are just going to go hang at the carnival."

I smiled, twirling around my fork. My sister had few friends, and whenever they came around, she was always in a chipper mood.

"That sounds like an eventful day."

She touched her candy red j-hoop earrings, something I noticed she did when she was unconfident.

"I sorta planned it that way... So, little sis, what are your objectives for the day?"

Slowly I chewed my cut of pancake, before responding. "Today...I will be hanging out with Davina."

My sister nods in approval, the way our mom did. It was a little unnerving.

"Davina's a good kid. I loved that 80s mix she did...who knew old stuff could sound so new! I still have the cd sitting in the glove box of my jeep. Does she still want to DJ? I need to know because I've thought about opening up a club."

I giggled at the thought. If my sister did open up a club, it would be nothing short of wild.

"Yeah, she is joining a program for it this month. We are going to meet up at the Abattoir. And I kinda have an outing with a guy."

My sister choked on her coffee, and I hit her back repeatedly until she held up her hand. "You kinda have a WHAT?"

Right, code because Dad would never let me go out with Thierry.

Not go out, go out...we were just friends, but something told me one side saw things differently.

"He invited me to dinner on the rooftop of the Abattoir via text. How was I supposed to say no?"

Jilian's honey-balmed lips lifted in a smirk. "Ahh, remember when Diego let us smoke weed up there, those were the best times... But what are you wearing? Something sheer, I hope."

I kicked her leg under the table, and she just cackled. "We are just friends, Jilly."

"Oh, please," she rolled her eyes, "it's very hard to stay just friends. Trust me. I've been around."

I moved around my fork, drawing flowers with the sticky maple syrup. Thierry was nowhere near bad looking with his dark hair, blue eyes, and that gray cap he always wore. He had been going through a hard time. His girlfriend Katie was brutally murdered two years ago. I was convinced that he just wanted to talk, but my sister had been around the world three times. Spending her time with men of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Surely her conclusion wasn't entirely wrong.

Jilly picked up my plate and hers, tossing them in the sink, causing a loud clatter which our parents didn't turn to because they were in deep discussion about something.

"Come on, let's pick out your outfit for the day."

I had no choice but to go up the stairs as she was dragging me by my arm.

A pang echoed in my chest, and I wondered what Hayley would think of all this.

I would have to chat with her later.

·𖥸·

We spent half an hour arguing over what I was wearing. But she agreed to let me settle on a bright striped cami top, jean shorts, and white converse.

On our way downstairs, I noticed that the house was quiet. A note on the marble counter was written in my mother's light script.

Be back at 6' Have finals today, wish me luck

Your father left for pack stuff

DON'T DO ANYTHING RECKLESS

-Love Mom

Jilly snickered at the last part, exclaiming, "Reckless is my middle name. Does she not know me at all?"

I rolled my eyes at her as she skipped through the house.

Karma was her middle name, which meant fate and destiny. It was unique, and I valued the sentiment, but Jilly never did care for things like that. I swear she could be downright goofy at times. Hayley never saw this side- - if she did, maybe she would go easier on her.

I smiled, touching the edge of the pink sticky note. I jumped as if I was being shocked.

My mind was flooded with images of my mother sitting at a desk: head bent down in concentration, curls pulled into a ponytail. Someone in the back, a middle-aged sweaty man in a red polo, was trying to look at her paper.

Premonitions could be helpful even during simple things. I wondered if I should warn her.

Either way, I would be messing with this person's life: a new path would construct, and I was the deciding factor.

Would I?

Could I let this person cheat their way into Calloway?

Choosing the safe option, I unlocked my phone and sent her a be careful text. I didn't expect her to respond. Dad was probably dropping her off this very minute.

"Good luck, Mom," I murmured as Jilly lead the way out the door.

Shadow trailed after me, barking happily.

"How's Daisy?"

Daisy was Jilian's jacked-up, canary yellow jeep our godfather had gifted her. My sister adored her vehicle. When we went on vacations, she was never apart from it for long.

"Well, she's fantastic! And she appreciates you for asking how she's doing. Wanna go for a ride?"

I laughed, grabbing the bar and pulling myself up to the seat. "Sure, Jilly, I was just about to ask."

"Good because I know you're a fast runner and all - - but walking all the way from Prairieville to the French Quarter sounds like torture."

She was right, of course. An hour's drive was much better than a twenty-three-hour walk.

·𖥸·

Soon, I was recalling last night's dream as Jilly droned on about Thierry as we drove to the French Quarter.

"He's got that cute band boy look."

It was true. Especially considering the fact that Thierry carried his trumpet everywhere he went. He declared, 'you never know when inspiration will strike.'

Thierry was quirky in an admirable sort of way.

We were from two different periods in time and still got along.

Sometimes it felt like anything was possible when little things like that happened.

"Yeah, Jilly...he's not really my type."

Jilian turned toward me, eyes narrowed, "I didn't know you had a type."

Shadow barked at a passing car, and I laughed at the driver's startled expression.

"Curly blonde hair, blue-green eyes, soft lips."

My hair flew behind me as she sped up, shaking her head, causing the bun on top of her head to get even messier.

"Sis, those are preferences."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. The point is, Thierry is not for me. Sure he's thoughtful, smells decent, and only touches me with my consent as any gentleman should - -"

I stopped talking when I noticed the shit-eating grin plastered to her face. "Shut up."

Jilian giggled, and I blushed. Oh, why did she have to be right?

"Блядь."

Why couldn't my dream guy just fall from the sky? I was ninety-eight percent sure he wasn't a figment of my imagination. Dad would approve of him before Thierry. Not only was he a vampire, but he was at least seventy years older than me.

Was my love life doomed before it could even commence?

Why did the world have to be a small place where my father knew everyone?

Did the universe hate me? Heck, the Elders hated me and they were practically angels.

"Don't be mad, Luna. Oh, come one, don't look at me like that!" Without hesitation, I turned my head towards the scenery flying before me.

The closer we got to the Quarter, the more buildings started popping up like weeds in my herb garden: as always, when there was a city and a body of water, masses of people existed. It wouldn't be long before we got trapped in traffic.

"Hey, drop me off. I can walk from here."

She rose her arched brows, and Daisy came to a complete stop on the side of the road. Cars flew past, going way over the speed limit. Troopers sat stealthily on the edges of the road, straining to catch as many as they could.

Jully pursed her lips, and Shadow whined.

Mom and Hayley would have interrogated me. Dad would have said no, but Jilly never did.

Instead, she asked, "What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"I might have Marcel take me home if he's not too busy."

Shadow hopped out of the back, giving Jilly a slobbery kiss, before doing so. I laughed at the disgruntled expression on her face.

"Ugh...that sounds great. Call me if anything happens, and don't get over your head."

I sighed, and she smiled back with her teeth, "Have fun."

·𖥸·

In its own right, New Orleans was superb; multicolor beaded necklaces hung around posts, happy drunks lined the sidewalks, and people broke out dancing in the middle of the crowded streets.

Celebrated artists and musicians showcased their skills out in the open.

Jazz poured out of every orifice.

Walking in the city streets was not easy when you were alone. Of course, I had Shadow but I couldn't let him do much than growl and glare threateningly.

Even though my father could be overbearing at times, no one ever attempted to do or say anything with him around.

The staring was innocent enough, and the attempted gropes left me feeling disgusting.

I wasn't fully grown yet. A part of me voiced that I should be used to this.

After all, since the night I came into this world, I had been a target.

A wish, a desire.

Roaming in someone else's thoughts... someone's fantasies...

I would be on someone's kiss, marry, or kills list for the rest of my life.

That didn't seem to bother Jilian, but Hayley and I had yet to come to terms with that fact. The women in our family had dealt with similar ordeals but they had always endured everything thrown their way with fineness.

I aimed to do the same.

The Abbattoir stood tall and proud against the cluster of diminutive eateries around it. Over the course of my life, I had been here quite a few times. Marcel Gerard, the King of the Quarter, was an influential vampire involved deeply in supernatural matters as he has the largest vampire clan on this side of the Mississippi. He was a close family friend and my best friend's adoptive father.

A couple of vampires were vigil in front of the archaic doorway, one with floppy hair noticed me and waved. Josh, I think his name was, he had a crush on Aiden, a werewolf from my pack.

The other did indecent motions with their fingers and tongue.

Shadow tensed, and I scratched behind his ear hoping to smooth him over. My attempt was in vain as he growled seconds later.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as the man continued his antics.

It wasn't that I was afraid I couldn't teach him a lesson.

The last thing I wanted was to start something.

Royalty did not act out in positions where I currently stood.

Instead, I bowed this day politely just as the wolf princess should. If Dad had seen that guy would be ripped to pieces The daydream was satisfying enough to calm me down.

Sometimes I wished I could just go crazy. But as the potential future sovereign of three Great Wolf Nations, I could not afford to do anything of the sort.

"Luna!"

A slim short girl with tanned skin, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks was waving widely. Those neon hightops were impossible to miss under the glare of the sun.

No matter the season or weather, she always wore something as bright as her personality.

Laughing, I ran up to the steps of the large house, giving her a hug I knew she'd appreciate.

The grapefruit essential oil she always rubbed on her skin after her nightly showers smelled especially good when the weather was cooler.

"God, you have gotten so tall! I love your outfit, by the way, it's so cute!"

"I know! I have to look down at you now. And thanks, Vina."

"No problem, babes! You smell amazing, what is that?"

She asked me every time she saw me what perfume I was wearing. Truth be told I wasn't wearing any, but she insisted I smelled like a vanilla dessert in an elegant bistro.

I was always complimented on how good I smelled, even by my parents. It was strange but practically everything about me was.

" That is just me."

·𖥸·

I felt eyes on my back as Davina, Shadow, and I walked through the compound. I wasn't the least bit surprised to see Marcel, Thierry, and Diego in deep discussion.

The treaty with us, the wolves, would be due for signing soon. And there had been trouble with the witches recently.

"Hey, girls, heading upstairs?" The King of the Quarter asked.

"Yes, Marcel, I have some sketches and I new mix I wanted to show Luna."

I smiled at his laugh, it was so contagious. He had this energy about him that was so enthusiastic. My empathetic nature reflected this back.

"Come over here and get a hug, princess."

Giggling I gave him a tight hug, making his bones crack in the process. "Someone's getting strong on me."

My nose scrunches up as I pull away, "I've always been strong."

Marcel yawned, "You don't have to rub it in. We'll catch up later, but for now, go have some fun."

Diego playfully made a phone symbol and mouthed the words call me, resulting in a slap on the back of the head by Marcel.

Ooh I bet that stung.

The vampire with the cap, Thierry only smiled at me before returning to his talk.

My friend's room required conquering the quest of two lavish flights of stairs.

The outcomes were consistent as we ended up stopping at the top, both panting messes.

"I tried to get Marcel to install an elevator over the summer."

Half serious and half joking, I crumpled on the final stair, my legs on fire. I really needed to focus more on my legs when it came to working out.

"What did he say?"

My friend wore a neutral expression as she replied, "Well, we're here, and it's not, so..."

Shadow barked lowly licking me in the face. That was enough to spur me off the step, Davina as well.

He hadn't got her yet, but she had paled.

When Shadow gave kisses, they were serious business.

"Let's just go to your room before my dog kills us with his affection."

"That's not a bad idea - -" Davina squeaked as Shadow jumped up and licked her face.

·𖥸·

Davina's new mix played from the boombox I got her twoChristmasesago. She was calling it, sweet fever. It consisted of rock songs that used crazy and love in their lyrics.

Her room was bright even without the lights on. It reminded me very much of her illuminating personality. We were catching up on our shows, laying under a sea turtle throw blanket, with a bowl of Twizzlers and Shadow between us.

Macgyver was our go-to every time. Explosions, spies, hot guys, it was perfect.

Richard Dean Anderson really knew how to capture the moment.

As Mac dove for cover and gunfire sounded, I couldn't help but nod my head to the music as I peeled another piece of Twizzler off and stuck it in my mouth. She had a gift, that was for sure.

"Ahh, this is really great... I feel like I'm at a concert..."

She giggled and turned her head in my direction, eyes still glued to the tv.

"When I picked these up, Marcel tried to convince me to get the carmel apple. And I told him nothing is as good as the classic strawberry - -"

"Vina, I was talking about your mix!"

"Oh!" She tore herself out of Macgyver and faced me.

Her turquoise eyes meant mine, and the smallest of smiles formed on her lips.

"Thank you, Luna."

As I gave Shadow the rest of my Twizzler, she continued.

"You have no idea how much that means for me to hear that."

"I'll always be honest with you, V."

Waves of delight were emitting from her because of my words. My empathetic sense gave me an edge, because I could sense how I made others feel.

Being a witch was pretty cool at times like these.

·𖥸·

Shadows danced across the walls of Davina's room as the hours passed. Josh came up on his break and hung out with us, he was a nice guy, and the three of us made plans to the carnival tomorrow night. The traffic could be heard even with these thick walls, it was soothing and reminded me of California.

Don't get me wrong, Prairieville and the Quarter were nice enough, but San Francisco felt the most like home.

When half a season of Macgyver was binged we paused it for the next time and tended to the mess, which consisted of folding blankets and cleaning up dog puke.

It turns out my demon dog was not a fan of Twizzlers.

We had now settled on her daybed which was coiled with vines of ivy.

She had just given me her sketch pad and I...

I was in a complete state of shock.

The latest illustration of the man of my dreams hit the nail on the head.

We had been doing things ever since the visions had started. At first, it had been a joke, something to laugh about, but turned meaningful as my visions grew more intricate.

I would use my words, and she would use her hands. Before, it had never been this precise.

And I swear his eyes were looking through me.

"Oh, it's bad, isn't it?"

Wordlessly I shook my head, and she presently cheered up.

"Then it must be pretty damn good."

I clutched the pad tightly, the wide surface stretching over my folded legs. He was right down below me... well, his eyes were.

Sighing, I traced the shape, wondering if those hooded, cerulean blue eyes of his got him everything he wanted.

"Congratulations, you just drew my dream guy's eyes."

Davina jumped up, "Yay!"

But my response was anything but enthusiastic as I lay back, groaning.

What a terrible headache I was getting.

"Luna, what's wrong?"

Looking at the time, I felt sick. I would be heading up to the roof soon to be with Thierry.

I better tell her. It was now or never.

·𖥸·

"Jilly said- -"

Davina and Shadow cut me off. One of them sat on my feet, and the other shushed me.

They made a great team.

"Your sister is cool. Please don't take this the wrong way, but let me ask you this...how do you feel about Thierry?"

"Thierry is a nice guy. Who I happen to be really good friends with."

A weight fell onto my shoulders for reasons I could not detect. A pang resounded in my chest. I winced, and she didn't miss it.

"If your only going to appease him, don't go. It wouldn't be fair to him or you."

"I want to go."

To be honest, I did want to go to the roof. But I was terrified of something happening.

Don't get over your head.

That's what Jilly said. And that's exactly what I was doing.

Bitting down on my lip, my dream guy's face flashed before my eyes, and his laugh echoed in my ears, generating what felt like butterflies...that attacked my nervous system...

"I just wish..."

Davina smirked, finishing my sentence. "That your dream guy was the one waiting up on that roof."

I nod, "But what are the odds of that."

She hummed, tilting her head back. "My brain wants to say slim to none. But my witchy sense is telling me you'll meet him."

"I want to trust that witchy sense of yours."

My friend chuckled, "Intuition is a powerful thing, babes."

"Hey, do you mind if Shadow stays here with you while I'm with - -"

"Of course not, don't trip!"

I left my best friend and dog in the room with my head held high.

·𖥸·

The rooftop of the Abattoir was stunning. Tall leafy plants took up the space of corners. A mosquito net with tiny bulb lights in the shape of a dome had been put up. A wooden table had been set up, and a downy pink sheet laid over it. A plate of finger sandwiches lay on top, but Thierry was nowhere to be seen.

Approximately three breaths later, a cold hand touched my shoulder.

I couldn't help but flinch, startled by his sudden proximity.

"Are you alright?"

Turning around to meet Thierry, I smiled playfully, "If my hair is white with fright, just know you are the cause."

He chuckled, pulling his hat off and revealing his cropped brown hair.

"Why don't you sit?"

A sudden breeze ruffled my shoelaces, and Thierry was on the other side of me, his hands on the frame of the chair.

"Thank you," I murmured. I didn't miss the smile that graced his lips after he pushed my chair in. "You are welcome, dear."

I laughed, grabbing one of the two teas by the mini sandwiches. He was quite sweet.

"This looks quite lovely," I spoke in the fanciest voice I could muster. Thierry's nose crinkled as he shook his head, chortling.

He had an interesting laugh, one you wouldn't expect, especially after hearing his low-pitched voice.

"You are something else."

I sipped my tea through the metal straw, smirking, " I am the only one of me. So, thank you for noticing that."

His response came quickly, and after hearing it, I nearly spit out my tea.

"It's impossible to not notice the thing that you are."

My eyes widened. "What kind of thing am I exactly?"

He passed me a sandwich. They did look appetizing with the lettuce and tomato poking between the slices of white bread.

"A delightful one."

I smiled, "Thierry, you are too sweet."

"Ahh, Luna, but there is no such thing."

His blue eyes shined as he took a bite of his sandwich. "Well, I suppose I would rather you be too sweet than rotten."

For the next few passing moments, we ate in silence. New Orleans was never quiet. The cursing and blasting of horns (both vehicle and instrumental), could be heard easily from this high up.

I had nothing to fear from him. I inhaled deeply, Thierry smelled of lavender, which meant he was good. He was safe.

We were friends, he wouldn't take advantage of me...

"How is school going?"

I crossed my leg over my knee, sighing feeling more relaxed, "As good as it can go. I always try my best."

He drank back his tea, I noticed he had forgone the straw. "Good. Have you figured out what you want to be yet?"

"You mean other than a badass werewitch who is an essential element to the Charmed Ones and a future queen to nearly half of the werewolf population on the planet."

Thierry shook his head, smiling, "Other than that... Have you considered doing something more normal?"

I answered him honestly, "I haven't thought about it. And you forget, I am the very opposite of normal, even in a supernatural sense."

He laughed, nudging his foot with mine, our eyes met, and I was the first to look away.

I could not detect if that was intentional or not. Concentrating, I was able to pick up on the emotions emitting from him.

He was content, but I could sense a lingering sadness.

"Do you want to know what I see?" He asked, in a candid tone of voice.

I hummed, leaning in a smidge to show my interest as I sipped on my tea.

"A charming young lady, who is waiting on her chance...to take over the world."

"You aren't wrong, I am patiently waiting, but I- I can't help but feel insecure."

I bit down on my tongue. Why did I tell him that?

Thierry's laughing caught me off guard, but I couldn't help but join him in confusion.

"You? Insecure?"

I frowned, "What?"

His hand came to rub his chin, something I noticed he did when he was spirited.

"You are incredible. How could you ever doubt yourself?"

Point blank, I stared him in the eyes, "Thanks, but I don't feel incredible. I feel like I will never reach my family's heights. My father has accomplished so much, bringing the entire city together... Do you know that New Orleans is the only place where vampires, witches, and werewolves coexist together? My mom survived hell and back. My sisters separately are forces to be reckoned with. How do I even start, Thierry?"

I began tearing up, and he handed me a handkerchief. The empathy and compassion in his eyes soothed me.

Ever the gentleman.

"First of all, what your father did is nearly impossible. He has this sense of unity, and it's communicable. Your mother is a strong woman who guarded her life at the young age of seven. Jillian and Hayley are powerful, that's for sure, but so are you. What you're missing, Luna, is that you have a piece of them inside you ."

He tilted his head to the side, and the tiny bulb lights shining above us made it look like his eyes were on fire.

"You have your father's integrity and natural talent for being compelling. But your own innovativeness. Madeline's resilience is remarkable, and she has passed that on to you. For some reason, you can't see it. Your sisters are a force to be reckoned with...but the Power of Three would be nothing without you."

I gave him a small smile, "thank you, Thierry. I really needed to hear that."

My bottom lip started quivering again, but I held in the tears, saving them for later.

From behind his back, he pulled out his trumpet and it gleamed under the bright lighting.

"No way. You'd play for me?"

He grinded.

"Of course, I would. Cheering you up is the mission."

·𖥸·

My good friend played his instrument for me until a crowd gathered below the Abattoir, shouting for him to continue.

The gathering of cheerful and obviously drunk individuals had ruined the moment, but we didn't mind as it was getting pretty late anyway.

My father would not be pleased if I turned up at the cabin a quarter to one in the morning.

As I walked down the stairs, I recalled his parting actions that baffled me.

What would my sisters think of what he did? What would Davina think it meant?

Hopefully, I would find out tomorrow as I could still feel Thierry's lips on my cheek, his goodbye seared into me.

The promise of meeting at Rousseau's for the Musicians and Singers Night next week made my stomach churn with excitement. My pipes weren't too bad, in fact, Davina begged me to record my singing for her mixes.

Both Marcel and Shadow were waiting for me when I returned from the rooftop.

I searched for Davina's white fuzzy pink slippers, but they were nowhere to be found, meaning she wasn't at the lower level of the compound.

"Where's Davina?"

"Passed out," the King of the Quarter replied, throwing a ball in the ample living room, which Shadow caught before it could hit the expensive projector screen.

"We watched a lot of Macgyver today."

He chuckled, "Are you two still hung up on him?"

I laughed, "Mac is needed every day."

He shook his head, brown eyes glinting.

"Ready to go? It's midnight."

I nodded, and Marcel walked me out to his truck.

"How was your date with Thierry?"

My mouth popped open in shock, "How do you - -"

He held up a finger as he started his chevy, "Theirry is my right-hand man, has been for seventy years. How could I not know ?"

"And don't worry about what you're going to tell your father, I'll tell him you were discussing the treaty with us."

Flushing red, I had enough sense to turn around in the seat and thank him.

"Oh, it's no problem, Luna."

Fiddling with the fringe of my shorts, I pondered for a moment, "It went well. Thierry is a real sweetheart."

"Did he kiss - -"

Like a child, I plugged my ears with my fingers, "Ugh, we are just friends, Marcel!"

The man took a right turn and held up his hands from the steering wheel. "Ok, ok, just friends. That's cool too."

I removed my fingers from my ears, relieved to hear that he didn't insist that Thierry wanted me in any other way.

A wolf emerged from the edge of the woods, causing me to gasp and Marcel to slam on the breaks.

"Damn!" Marcel exclaimed, wiping his brow.

No reply would have had the chance to slip past my lips as I was too entranced in the scene before me.

The wolf was at least six foot tall, with broad shoulders. Its brawny physique was not concealed by its gold fur that gleamed under the moonlight.

But its eyes...

Oh, its eyes...made my flesh burn, and a foreign feeling swept over me like a nippy fall breeze. There was a tingling in my chest, closely followed by a warmness that pooled.

My empathetic abilities stretched, reaching the wolf, and soon I was feeling what he was feeling.

The sensation that mirrored my own caused my hands to shake it was so powerful.

His cerulean eyes bore straight into my own, and I found myself unable to perform simple, bodily functions such as breathing.

And then he was gone.

Just like that...

Marcel looked over at me, breathing hard. "Whew! That was a close one, kid. We'll have to let your dad know that a wolf is hanging around the streets..."

He continued speaking, filling the empty silence with his happy thoughts. The foreign feeling of warmth pooling in my chest disappeared, leaving my insides stony.

They were so cold it almost hurt.

The wolf's eyes... so alert and blue ...plagued my mind for the duration of the drive home.

·𖥸·

"Where have you been? It's one in the morning."

It took everything in me not to roll my eyes. Luckily Shadow licked my hand, distracting me from doing the rude act.

I hadn't stood on the hardwood floors for five seconds before my father came at me from the kitchen, using his authoritative tone.

Luckily, I was not alone because my mother came down, and Marcel stood beside me.

"Jace, it's all good! We were discussing the treaty renewal process."

"And you couldn't discuss this with me?" My dad asked with his arms folded over his chest.

I had seen him act this way when Jilly snuck a boy in, but I hadn't done that..at least, not yet...

Marcel's face turned serious, "She's supposed to be planning a party. That's what you told me the other day."

His Adam's apple jumped, and I couldn't blame him for his feelings of stress. When my dad was angry, he was a little scary. My mother, on the other hand, mirrored dad's pose, but her dark eyes were twinkling.

At least she wasn't mad at me.

"I figured it would be important to tell her the time and the place it was going to be so she could do her thing."

My dad circled me once, his nose scrunching in distaste. I know I did not stink.

"Something is off... Who were you around today?"

A quiet moment passed, and I realized that all eyes were on me. Even Shadow seemed to be waiting for my explanation.

"Davina and Josh."

My dad's kaleidoscope gray and green eyes were locked on my own.

I did not blink.

Tearing my eyes away was not an option because that would be considered a sign of weakness.

A lot was riding on me, pulling this unblinking stare off. Marcel could get in trouble for lying (which could destroy his friendship with my parents), and I could basically be put on house arrest.

Thankfully he believed me. I exhaled after he looked away from me to Marcel.

"Josh...he's one of yours."

Marcel nodded wordlessly, and my father opened his mouth, but I cut him off.

"You don't have to worry about anything happening. He's gay, Dad."

He offered up a small smile. I let go of the breath I had been holding as he came up and hugged me.

"I'm sorry for yelling. I was just worried."

Mom came from behind and hugged me just as hard as dad was.

I was sandwiched between my parents, slowly being crushed.

But then they released me.

"Why don't you head upstairs? It's late," my mother suggested, yawing. It would be best not to argue.

Maybe I should do that locator spell tomorrow night. The last thing I needed was dad thinking I was sneaking out!

"Thanks for dropping me off, Marcel!"

I raced up the stairs with Shadow, before I reached my room: I heard his reply.

"It was no problem, kid."

The image of the wolf remained burned into my mind as I got under my embroidered pink comforter.

It would be a restless night.

The ghost of the warm feeling in my chest made its presence known.

I dreamt not of a man that night, but a wolf.

𖥸

Dictionary: моя любовь (Russian for 'my love'). The Motherland (nickname for Russia). Millennium - thousand years. Блядь (Russian for fuck). the Elders - are a powerful group of older whitelighters who advise and govern the forces of good. Their purpose is to preserve the "greater good" by directing their Whitelighters to guide and protect. The Charmed Ones - are a prophesied sisterhood of three witches who descend from the Warren line of witches. They are known as the most powerful witches ever to walk the Earth and are dedicated to protecting the innocent and ridding the world of evil.

A/N: This book is rated mature, there will be death, language, violence, and some sexual content. I just wanted to warn you guys. If you have any questions or scene suggestions/requests just let me know :) I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it 3