There
he was, sitting in a pool of blood with bites on his legs, arms, and
a horrible belly wound. As they approached him, his fearful eyes met
theirs and with great difficulty, he asked for help.
“What have they done to you?”, Artur asked, getting close to him.
“Just... get me out of here... before they come back…”, the man managed to say.
“You’re one of Archie’s friends…”, Noira says, taking a closer look at him. “You went to Moon’s workplace a few days ago...”
“Guys, we should hurry… Last thing I want right now is to fight someone.”, Ace whines.
With some effort, they managed to put him on his feet and put him on Artur’s back, given he was the strongest one there, physically.
“Ok, let's go.”, Artur fixed his posture and started walking.
Due to the severe pain the man was feeling, he grunted; soon after, they heard howls not far from there.
“They know we're here. We gotta hurry…”, Ace looked at the distance. “It won’t be good if we end up having to use or magic...”
They moved fast, looking to heir back from time to time.
A few minutes later, which seemed like an eternity, they could already see the sign of Barlows, and further ahead, the entrance to Gray’s house.
“Since when does Dafoe use a cane?”, Artur asks, painting.
“How the hell would we know…”
“Yeah, you’re the one who knows him…”, Ace says.
“Guys... They’re here. Ace, be ready.”, Noira muttered.
A loud howl on their left made them stop.
A big brown wolf with green eyes was two blocks away, in the middle of the street, growling at them. Soon, other wolves began to appear around, trapping them. Five in total, angry that they had saved the man. Dafoe watched everything from afar, calm as ever.
“As much as I would love to kick their asses, if I get herself in trouble, she’ll lock me up.”, Noira says. “So, when I say run, we’ll all run toward that old man…”
Noira lifter both arms and swirled a big wind toward the wolves, throwing them far from them.
“Run!”
With some difficulty, Artur ran carrying the man on his back, Ace trying to help by holding him from behind, and Noira behind them, keeping an eye on the wolves, that were now regaining consciousness.
As soon as they stepped on the white marble stairs, Noira turned in time to see the wolves knocking on what seemed to be an invisible wall; Dafoe’s cane touching the floor. After a few whispers she didn't understand, Dafoe signaled the friends to follow him, saying that it wouldn't be good if Gray knew what they had just done.
Once inside the townhouse, Noira left, and Moon fell to floor. Ace helped her, and they got back in following Dafoe, who was walking down the corridor by the stairs, which it led to nowhere but an empty wall.
“What about them?”, Ace asks, pointing to the five wolves outside, growling as they try to enter, unsuccessfully.
“The moment they turn back, they won't remember anything, don't worry. Come on, Let’s take your friend to a safe place.”
Moon looked at the arm thrown over Artur’s shoulder. “He's not our friend.”
“But you all know him.”, Dafoe said quietly as his hands created a door at the empty wall. It looked like an apartment.
“Come on, man, we don't even know his name.”, Ace said.
“You'll know soon enough.”, Dafoe guided them through the apartment to a very simple and rustic room in the far back. After putting the young man to bed, Dafoe appeared with a large box, from which he took several medical items. “You know, Miss Bexley, Mr. McKay, I've been here a long time in Berkshire. Long enough to meet almost every resident here. I've seen the Sutherlands help this town grow… Right, Artur?”
Artur nodded.
“One thing I've learned here is that, inevitably, appearances can be deceiving. You've seen this man before, haven't you?”
“Yes.”, Artur, Ace and Moon replied in unison.
“Where?”
“At Barlows... He always comes in the middle of Archie's group.”, Moon says.
Then Artur. “He’s most likely a beta... I think he fears being considered an enemy to Archie.”
“Archie’s an asshole. All he knows is to beat up anyone who doesn’t follow him.”, Ace says while shuffling through the books of a shelf beside him.
“Why do you think he’s a beta, Artur?”
“Because, unlike Archie, Hunt or most alphas in this town, he doesn't act like an arrogant alpha…”
“Uhm, I see… But the truth, Miss Bexley, is that he is indeed an alpha.”
“Is he?”, Artur questions.
He’s seen that guy several times before around town, but never would’ve imagined that he was an alpha.
“He came here with his aunt who passed away a few years ago. You know, Archie wasn't like that when he was younger... Things... happened. And when things happen, people change. Sometimes, for the better. And, unfortunately, they sometimes change for the worse. This boy could do nothing but stand by who was once his best friend.”
“It doesn't matter. As I said, we're not friends and-”
“It matters. He will be of great value to you in the future. Your journey, Moon, is just beginning. Berkshire needs you. Kirel Valey too.”
Moon felt a cold going through her spine. Her hands were freezing while she was squeezing the edge of her coat. Fighting not to stutter, Moon said, “How... do you know?”
“I met your parents. Your father was a great man. Your mother was… tough. And your brother... Lovely kid. Gunner, right?”
“You’ve met her family?”, Ace was curious.
“Gray is not the only one keeping an eye on you, Miss Bexley. Even if there’s a lot of mysteries surrounding the Goddess’ choice in uniting you two. There are people who... well, this is no time for that kind of talk. You should go back home, Miss Bexley. Soon, your mate will be back, and he won't like to find out that you got to leave.”, Dafoe said in the same calm tone as he stood up and covered the boy in the bed, keeping the gauze, needle, and thread, as well as the medicine in the box.
•
Moon was blankly staring at the coffee machine, while holding a mug. It’s been two days since she left the house after smelling blood outside the house. Gray hasn’t found out anything yet. And they still haven’t spent more than five minutes together in that house, to Moon’s relief.
“So it’s you.”, a female voice called her attention.
“Excuse me?”, she turned around to face the woman, someone she’s never met before.
“You’re the bitch who’s crashing at my man’s place.”
“Your man?”, Ace asked, suddenly appearing by Moon’s side. “Since when does he have a girlfriend?”, he whispers to his friend.
Moon just shrugged her shoulders.
“Uhm… May I help you with anything? Would you like to order?”
“Yeah.”, the woman nodded as if it was obvious the reason why she was there. “I want you to leave Gray’s place.”
Ace bit both his lips, holding back his laugh. He then proceeded to do something he hated: telepathy.
“I think she’s your rival…”
“Rival in what?”
“Gray’s heart.”
“Oh, fuck you…”
“Come on, let’s have some fun. Be… you. It’ll piss her off.”
“And then I’ll be the one in trouble later, not you.”
“I have your back, don’t worry.”
“So?”, the woman clicked her tongue. “Get away from him.”
“Oh, you’ll have to ask him that.”, Moon answered; it seemed the woman wasn’t satisfied at all with the answer. “I’m just following his orders. That is, going back from work straight to his place…”
Moon could hear in her head Ace laughing hysterically.
“Are you blackmailing him? Did you cast a spell on him, you bitch?”, the blonde woman started to sound higher.
And then, Artur was there, hurriedly coming to his friends’ direction.
“Bailey… What are you doing here?”
“Trying to get of her, what else?”, Bailey turned to Moon. “I’m coming tonight, and I don’t want to see you there.”
“Bailey, right? If you have a problem with me being there, talk to him. I won’t leave until he tells me to.”
Moon was beginning to feel irritated.
“Bailey, please, leave.”, Artur gently touched the woman’s arm. “Trust me, you don’t wanna pick a fight here with her…”
“You’re on her side?”, she looked shocked. “You’re sure trying to get their money, huh?”
“Their money?”, Moon started laughing out loud. “Oh my God! Do you really think I want their money? Bitch, please… It’s clearly you who’s after money.”
“You called her bitch? Yeah, you’ll get in trouble.”, Ace said to Moon.
Artur just watched quietly the discussion between the women.
Bailey’s face reddened with anger, and in a sudden movement, a slap landed on Moon’s face. “You, witches, are the worst type ever to exist. Either you leave on your own accord or I’ll throw you away from Berkshire.”
Moon took deep breaths, trying to control the crescent urge of using her powers. “You should know something about me: I always give back what I get.”, she then equally slapped Bailey. “I’m waiting anxiously to see you trying to get rid of me. Go on.”
“Just wait. The council will throw you out of here…”, Bailey said and stomped her feet out of the cafeteria.
The trio watched as she left.
Artur sighed. “Moon, if it gets to the council, you’re a bit screwed.”
“Why?”, Ace asked. “What is… the council?”
“The town has a council formed with a member of all influential families, you know, the ones who helped my family in rebuilding this place. They’re mostly alphas. And most of them aren’t fond of witches…”
“Great.”, Moon replied.
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