Lunar wolves: The chase (Book 2) - Complete

Chapter 4 - Teenagers ...

Willow

They actually dared to wander around the forest?! It was the boundary between the properties, but still, how dare they? There would be more council witches arriving in the morning, and I was checking the forest for weaknesses.

Now I knew that Glinda’s precious waterfall was definitely a weak point. We could keep an eye out for her there. Maybe make her our first target. She was the weakest of them after all. Standing on the ridge of the waterfall, I watched, concentrating on the movement between the trees, when I saw her.

My wolf sister. Right beside her was that horrible Gareth. I never liked him… he always saw me as an outsider! Turning on my heel, I returned to the castle. It was decided. I would go after Glinda first. I arrive at the castle just in time to greet our guests.

The head of the council and his secretary had been so kind to join us for a day or two as our guests. Radagast decided to take the chance of greeting them by the front door. I showed them inside and had the staff take them to their rooms to rest after their journey.

“You remembered that he was particular about the temperature of his meat?!” Radagast asked in a whispered tone as we followed behind his Grace to his chambers.

“Of course,” I frowned, feeling a little offended.

“And that he is allergic to shellfish?” Radagast whispered again.

“Of course,” I smiled brightly when the Councillor turned around to look at us before he entered his room.

“I do hope you enjoy your stay with us.” Radagast smiled, but I could hear the tension in his words. He was playing a very dangerous game. If the council found out …

“I’m sure I will. Listen to your lovely young lady who made sure everything was according to my needs.” The Councillor gave Radagast a quick nod then smiled at me before taking my hand, and planting a soft kiss on it. “I will see you, at dinner, my dear.” I could see Radagast's anger boil from the corner of my eye.

Giving the Councillor a quick bow, I left the room, trying to get away from there and Radagast as fast as I possibly could with the excuse prepared that I was going to check and double-check that everything was on schedule.

“WILLOW!” Radagast’s voice echoed down the passage seconds later. Damn!! I just thought I was safe rounding the corner of their old room, on my way to the dining room. I turned around slowly, took a deep breath, and opened my eyes to find him standing right there in front of me.

“Yes, Sir.” I tried to smile.

“What was all that about?!” He looked furious as he gripped my upper arm.

“I’m afraid, I don’t know. You will have to ask the old geyser! Now, if you don’t mind. I have to go and check and double-check on everything to…” I started, but he interrupted me before I could finish.

“Don’t lie to me!!” Radagast hissed right in my face.

“I’m not! I’m trying to make sure that everything is perfect for tonight!” I took a step backward, pulling from his grip and feeling his anger radiating off him. I watched as he breathed through his nose like a dragon ready to attack.

He pulled his fingers through his hair, putting one hand on his hip, and I noticed a stain on the left side of his shirt. Trying to take a whiff without him noticing, I realized, he smelled of alcohol… again.

“I’m sorry,” Radagast said calmer this time.

“Yes, you should be. Now let me go so I can make you look like a star, and change out of those clothes! Oh, and take a damn shower!” I shouted over my shoulder, walking in the direction I originally planned on running to when he so gallantly tried to chase me down!

Walking into the kitchen, I checked on the food, which was, of course, perfect as per my instructions. What else would you expect from one of the world’s most well-known chefs?

“What do I see in him?” I asked myself. The words slipped out of my mouth before I could even catch them. I looked up at the staff. “Well? Don’t you have work to do instead of eavesdropping on my private conversation?” I shouted and they all scurried away.

They must all think I’m mad!! From the kitchen, I went to the dining room to see a perfectly laid out dining table. I loved these black plates, with the silver ridges since the first day that I came to the castle. Isobel said that for the life of her she couldn’t understand why anyone would buy such ugly plates.

She couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to eat with them, and had them sent to the charity store. Little did she know that I had them packed away, hoping above hope that one day, I would be able to use them in my home.

Smiling at the thought, I heard the voices of two young servant girls walking down the passage on their way into the dining room.

“Did you see how she walks around here like the Queen of the castle? You would think she is the lady of the house when she is just a staff member like the rest of us.” Hearing this, I quickly made my way around the corner behind one of the huge black velvet curtains framing the roof-to-floor windows.

“You shouldn’t be talking like that. She has cameras all over the castle. I heard that she even had an assistant fired for saying something awful.” The other girl tried to protect her friend.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to be fired. I can barely make ends meet as it is. There is no work around town and with what we get paid here, well let’s just say, if I wasn’t hoping to marry one day, I would probably give in to becoming like her… you know… a lady of the night.” They burst out laughing and were on their way out when I stepped out from behind the curtain.

“Seeing as you aren’t paid enough for your current services, ladies,” I watched both of their faces go pale at the sound of my voice. “And the fact that you decided to slander my good name in such a manner. I have a job for the two of you. One for which you will not get paid extra. I suggest you let your parents or guardians know that you won’t be coming home tonight,” I sneered at them.

I walked past the two of them, my head held high, and turned in the direction of my room as soon as I left the dining room. Not a single tear fell, until I reached the confines of my room, where nobody could see how much their words hurt me.

No-one would know how much the realization of the truth behind their words hurt. I was his mistress after all, even if Isobel was dead.

Glinda

“Dad wants to see you in his study.” Circe swung around the door frame of my room, informing me that I had been summoned to appear in front of my father. Great! Gareth was a tattle-tale and I would never trust him with any secrets ever again! Closing the screen of my computer, I sighed and made my way downstairs.

“Ah, there you are darling. Daddy and I have been looking for you everywhere.” Mom looked worried.

“You can’t have. If you did, you would have found me in my room.” I tried to say it in the best English possible, trying to walk like a proper lady for once, hoping above hope it would grant me favour with mommy at least.

If I could dazzle her right before I was in trouble, I might not be punished that harshly. We walked into dad’s office, and I was right. Gareth was sitting on the edge of his desk, making small talk about some of the warriors and their training… as if that would interest me… why was I here then?!

“Dear darling daughter, please sit.” Oh, brother, when my father started like that! Just kill me! Kill me now!! If he started like that, I was as good as dead. I sent Gareth my best death stare. “Don’t look at him like that. He wasn’t the one who went traipsing around the forest… he was the one keeping you out of your sister’s hands, keeping you safe! What were you thinking?!” My father defended Gareth.

“I was thinking that I was in wolf territory, in wolf form, and I have magic.” There, I said it. Now, what were you going to say about that? I sat up straighter feeling more confident.

“Younger and less experienced than your sister in magic, you know.” My mom hit right back.

“Mommy, that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m a wolf, and she’s not.” I nodded confidently convincing myself that this was the one conversation I was going to win. Come hell or high water. I was not going to give up my freedom because my daft sister decided to betray us!

And that’s what I told them… earning me a warning look from my father that I was very close to the verge of being grounded for life!

“I’m sorry. I know that you both… You three, only worry about my safety, but when am I ever going to learn to protect myself if you are forever keeping me locked inside the house?!” I finally tried pouting. That always worked.

“Glinda, princess, please understand that this is not a question of us not thinking you are capable. This is a matter of the witches playing dirty. There are many of them from the information we received just an hour ago. It seems they have brought in security to protect Radagast.” Gareth looked pained.

“If they bring in security for his protection, what is to stop them from attacking us, my darling girl?” my father added. I sighed seeing their point. It was so unfair! A grown-up threw a tantrum… and I was grounded! If only I was away, I could get rid of Radagast and Willow. Maybe then I could also prove that I was strong enough to take care of myself and wouldn’t have to be hidden in the house like a child all the time!

“Fine. What am I allowed to do then?” I pouted even more.

“You can help your mother around the house a little more, or help the ladies in the packhouse.” Dad looked hopeful and I rolled my eyes.

“Wouldn’t it be unsafe for me to leave the house to go to the packhouse?” I raised one amused eyebrow.

“Glinda!! Don’t be sarcastic!!” Mom looked furious. I sighed again. It was not easy being a teenager… and a wolf at that… stuck indoors all day!!

I slumped my shoulders, lifting my head, looking at the ceiling. If I wanted to get out of there, without being checked all the time… I would have to give in to their demands. And I would have to be able to move freely between here and the packhouse.

“Fine.” I sighed into the air. “May I be dismissed now?” I was about to say, I had tons and tons of nothingness to do, but thought better of it and was relieved when my father let me leave.

Frank

“Do you think she is going to listen?” I asked Gareth. Out of everyone, he knew Glinda the best. Of course, being her mate gave him an advantage above all of us. It also made him want to protect her even more.

“Nope, that was just theatrics to get out of here.” Gareth laughed.

“Surely it wasn’t.” Melissa looked surprised.

“My darling wife, when it comes to our daughters, you have no idea sometimes how much they take after me.” I can’t help but laugh, thinking about the time Circe tried to sneak out of the house when she was Glinda’s age.” I burst out laughing.

Circe was dressed half-naked, on her way to be picked up by friends on the main road, who were going to a party. Unfortunately for her, our border patrol saw the young Circe walking down the road in her neon pink skirt and called me.

I had made it to the main road with time to spare and was waiting for both her and her friends to arrive. The next time she wanted to go to a party, she was prepared. She had all the details ready when Melissa and I asked her about it, and one of our drivers took her there and made sure she was safely returned home.

“I fear Glinda might need more than just one talk to.” I burst out laughing and Melissa gave me her angry look, telling me it was my turn to be in trouble. Gareth very discreetly excused himself, the little bugger, and made a run for it, before Melissa realized he was just as much to blame as I was. If not more! He started it in fact!

“WHAT? The Alpha hiding behind one of his warriors now?!” Melissa asked me, then a smile started forming on her lips and she walked over to where I was sitting behind my desk. She promptly flopped down on my lap, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on my forehead.

“Don’t worry, I’m not angry. I know you are just making sure our daughter is safe. I’m worried about what she might get up to, trying to get out of our grasp.” I pretended to sigh.

“Now you say it! That’s what I’ve been trying to say for the past hour!” She laughed at me. “If I don’t tease you, who is going to, huh?”