For years people talked about the mysterious disappearance of the Black Wolf and his entire household. He had left in the night. Never to be heard from again. Many speculated what had happened. Some said his past sins had caught up with him and he was burning in Hades. Others said he had fled because the lonliness was to much.

But for those who knew the whole story, knew of the romance and the love that had changed a wolf into an angel. No one heard from the young girl who came to Boscerville in the night and she soon faded from memory. The only testament to what had happened was a letter written by a Duchess to her dear friends Meg and Raoul.

My dear friends Meg and Raoul,

I hope this letter finds you well, and Meg I hope the baby is doing well. I know it has been four years since you have seen me and I apologize for the lateness of this letter. Life seems to have a tendency of getting in the way and I never found the time to write you. Forgive me for that. Perhaps I should begin this letter first by telling you who that man was who took me from your home thought I think perhaps you already know. That was indeed the Black Wolf, but in my time with him I came to know him as Erik, simply Erik. A man for a long time who had to hide his face from the world behind the cold, unrelenting porcelain of his mask.

I stayed in his home for man weeks and in that time came to know him as a gentle man, even with his short temper. My mind constantly told me that I should stay away from him because he was dangerous but my heart would never listen. I fell in love with him. I know this may come as a shock to you and everyone in that little village because you all had believed for the longest time that Erik was a monster. He is not that, I promise you. A monster cannot find it in himself to love a woman and he does, I am blessed to say, loves me. My time with him had at first been anything but unpleasant but when we both were finally free of the chains binding us he showed me love unlike anything I have come across in my life.

We left his manor shortly after we left from your home, which I am sure you know. He took me to Rome and that is where we both have been ever since. It is beautiful here, Meg, I am sure you would love it. There is so many things to see and Erik showed me most of it. He bought a house here and we were married. I had never known that it could be so wonderful belonging to another person this way. He showed me love and life. No one comments his mask here in Italy, a blessing Erik does not take lightly. He is still given stares when he goes anywhere but he is becoming more comfortable with himself and I could ask no more from him.

I do not believe we will ever be able to return to Boscherville because what we went through there will stay with us for a long time. Neither of us want to relive the things that still haunt us in our nightmares. But that does not mean that the two of you are not welcome to come and visit. Erik says you are both welcome and if you so wish we will send a carriage that will take you here without any expense to you. I would love nothing more then to see the two of you again, you were both so kind to me when I needed you and I will always be thankful for that.

If you do decide to come then perhaps you would like to meet my twins, Anjelica and Charles, my son and daughter. Both Erik and I were blessed with these two exactly two years after we left France. They are brilliant children, I do not wish to sound self centered but I love them dearly. They have their fathers dark black hair and gray green eyes and every day I thank God for giving them to us. Erik is an amazing father and every night her rocks the babies to sleep before going to lay down himself.

I hope I see you both soon and I pray that everything is going well for you both. Remember that life is far to short to waste on things we cannot change.

All our love,

Christine and Erik