I woke up to the sound of the cabin door being opened. I mumbled a word unrelated to the sunlight hitting my face directly. After spending most of the night awake, I planned to sleep as much as I could, but apparently that wasn’t Clary’s plan to wake me up in a subtle way.
— You need to see this— your voice hurt my head.
With a lot of effort, I managed to open an eye and only saw the silhouette of Kitsune and her blonde hair at the door due to the sun behind her. I fell back on my head against the backpack, muttering from the pain in my back. Clary kicked me in the legs.
Get up, lazy, it’s important.
I felt Isaac’s movement beside me.
— Where the hell is Madison?
She’s gone to get us something to eat.
I needed all the willpower I had inside of me to get up and not punch Clary for waking me up when the sun had just risen. I stretched my arms, listening to my bones crack. I threw the rest of the water left in the bottle on my face to wake up, still struggling to keep my eyes open.
I hope you woke me up for a good reason, fox, or I swear I’ll drown you in that lake.
She rolled her eyes, pulling me hard out of the cabin. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to untangle the tangled wires, when the scene I saw made me paralyze.
— Do you understand the urgency now?
In front of the hut were gathered dozens of wolves, were many, of different colors and sizes, young and old, males and females, a whole pack of wolves. My eyes filled with tears when I realized that this was the lost pack of the Crescents, they had joined me at night and have stayed there ever since, standing guard to protect me from possible dangers.
The male I saw last night was leading the pack. He let out a howl and the others accompanied him, that was a salute to the lost member of the pack, and together the wolves bowed their heads in reverence.
— What does that mean? — Madison appeared among the trees with some bags in her hands, she seemed haunted before so many wolves gathered in one place.
— These are the Crescent wolves, my pack.
Madison widened her eyes, leaving the bags inside the cabin, she stopped next to me.
— I searched for some incantations in my Grimórios all night and I think I found a way to create a communication connection between you and the wolves.
I almost jumped for joy.
Are you being serious?
She seemed proud of herself.
— I just need a few ingredients to perform the spell that can only be done overnight.
Madison took a list out of her pants pocket and handed it to me.
— We can get everyone in town— Isaac said.
I approached the wolf and stopped about a meter from him.
My friend is a witch, and tonight she’s doing a spell that allows me to talk to you. I know I lost communication with the pack when I left, but I’m willing to fight to make it right. Can I count on you?
The wolf turned his head to the rest of the pack, seemed to be in a conversation that would lead to the final decision. After seconds that seem like hours, the male turned to me and shook his head, confirming he would help me. Smiles at him.
I quickly had my coffee next to Isaac, Madison and Clary inside the cabin. The wolves continued outside, and it didn’t look like they would be leaving so soon. It was reassuring to have them close somehow.
— I’m going back to the French Quarter— I told my friends. — Isaac, I need you to stay with Madison and help her with whatever she needs.
Madison choked. The beta stretched her spine and studied my face, squinting.
— Why should I keep the little witch?
I bit a piece of bread.
— Because Hayley ordered it, now be a good dog and obey your lady— Clary did not miss the chance to pin the male.
Isaac rolled his eyes furiously, but dared not return my decision. Maybe the beta and the witch needed a little push to understand each other, since I could smell the somewhat specific odor that both emanated.
Clary kept a funny smile on her face as we approached the car, the fox insisted on driving, even after Isaac almost shouted that she was still going to destroy the vehicle due to her bad sense of direction. Of course, Kitsune just sent the wolf to hell and stole his keys.
— What do we need to find from the list? — Clary asked me getting into the car.
I took the piece of paper out of the jacket pocket and read the ingredients for Kitsune.
— We should be back by nightfall.
— Why?
Kitsune gave me a sly look.
We need to give the lovebirds time to settle down.
I laughed loudly, I knew Clary had noticed the tension between the two.
You know I agree with you?
The fox started the car.
I have a question.
I lifted my phone in the air, searching for signal.
— Which?
Tell me about the Blood Moon.
— Why do you want to know about it? It’s not something nice to hear.
She fixed the rearview mirror.
— I’m curious.
I leaned against the car seat, and sighed softly. Diving into the shadows of my past was not something I liked to do, but it was a few days before the Blood Moon and I needed to prepare for that night.
— The Blood Moon is like a curse to the Pure wolves, we lose control, we turn into bloodthirsty beasts that kill anyone who gets in our way. We are completely dominated by primitive and wild instincts, there is no goodness or mercy.
— And the bond of fellowship is like an anchor?
— Yes, it’s the only way to get control over the bestial form. The beast is like a dark side that lives inside each Labonair, a being thirsty for blood. I just watch as the beast kills everything it finds ahead, I feel the adrenaline of the hunt.
Clary wrinkled her snub nose.
The call brought you and Jackson together from the beginning.
— Our wolves haven’t recognized each other yet.
She snorted through her nose.
— You are soul mates, beings predestined by the moon, anyone can see that.
I fought a smile.
You love him— she said, and I didn’t deny it.
— What I feel for Jack is the strongest, most powerful, most fiery thing I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I believe I’m capable of killing whoever it takes to save him.
Clary whistled as she turned a street.
— You’re really in love with the Supreme Alpha.
MADISON VINCENT
Isaac Hadley’s company made me nervous.
The wolf stood at the door like a statue since Hayley and Clary left for the French Quarter hours ago, leaving me alone with Jack’s beta, which evidently couldn’t stand me. I could feel his alert eyes on me as he watched me finish preparing the incantation to help Hayley’s wolves.
I risked a look in your direction, bad idea. The blue eyes of the wolf were embedded in me, watching me with such intensity that goosebumps went up my arms. The wind shook his brown hair, he let out a deep breath, sticking his fingers into the silky strands of his head when closing his eyes.
I held a breath, I couldn’t deny how handsome and attractive Isaac was. I would never stand a chance with a man like him, Jack’s oldest beta, one of the strongest and bravest wolves in the pack, faithful to the bones of the Alpha.
— How long are you going to stand there, Hadley? I asked taking my eyes off the library in my hands.
He opened his eyes, and leaned against the doorpost.
I’m following my Alphas' orders to take care of you.
I stared at him in anger. Isaac still treated me like a helpless little girl, and I hated the way he kept underestimating me.
I’m not a child to need your protection, you dumb wolf.
Isaac seemed to be annoyed by my words as he quickly entered the hut and slammed the door hard, scaring me with his blast.
— Listen here, witch, I hate this situation as much as you do, so let’s keep control, okay? Believe me, it wasn’t my wish to be locked in here with you either, princess.
I looked away, not wanting Isaac to see the weight his rude words had caused me. On the contrary, I put on my shoes and grabbed my grimoire, passing the wolf and coming out of the hut with a grip on the throat.
— Where are you going, Madison?
Far away from you, I won’t bother you with my presence.
I stopped in place when I came across Hayley’s wolves that continued around the hut, they were scary. But thanks to all the gods, the wolves opened a path between them for me to pass, only waved in gratitude by shooting through the forest aimlessly, just wanted to get away from Isaac.
Madison! I heard the wolf scream at me, but I ignored him as I kept walking.
Just leave me alone.
He growled after me.
— I can’t do it.
I hissed with rage at his insistence.
I release you from your obligation to me, don’t worry, Jack will never know that.
His heavy footsteps still sounded behind me. His approach caused me a stomach upset. I didn’t want him to follow me or maybe he realized what I was trying so hard to hide from him and everyone else.
Madison, stop it, let’s talk.
I let out a bitter laugh, hiding my disappointment and the hurt that grew in my heart.
You made it clear you don’t want to be around me.
— By the moon, witch, can’t you hear me at least?
No, I can’t do that.
Isaac reached me faster than I imagined and stood in front of me, hindering my passage. He was panting and breathing hard.
— Stay away from me, Hadley.
A whisper left his lips.
— Why are you acting like this?
I denied with my head and tried once again to get past him, but Isaac kept blocking my way. He held my arms.