Daniel raises his head from his books. “Don’t worry, it’s like that since she learned about her pregnancy. She will wake up from her mini-nap in ten minutes or so.”
“Is she okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, it happens to some pregnant women. She feels sleepy suddenly, and within a minute, she’s napping. Don’t worry, she’s fine.”
I nod. Elena is curled up on one corner of the couch, and they covered her with a blanket. Bobo is sitting at the opposite corner, busy with his phone. I make myself some tea and come back, joining Daniel who’s sitting on the carpet, bent over the little table with all his books and a computer. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How did you meet Elena?”
He smiles and takes off his glasses to look at his sleeping friend. “When we were really young, like five or six. The same pack, but we didn’t really fit with the other kids. I would always get mocked by the other boys for being tinier, weaker than them. Elena was an orphan, so she was ostracized, too, but unlike me, she was the one who would come and beat those kids once they were done kicking my ass.” He chuckles at the memory. “She made them cry a lot. She was a real little punk, even picking fights with kids bigger than her.”
“So, she helped you?”
“Oh no, she kicked my ass and called me a weakling a lot of times, too! But after that, she would always come and share her cookie with me or something. She was like that. Even when she lost and got beaten up, Elena would never hold it against them. She moved on and trained harder. So, I trained harder, too.”
“Pfft... You cried whenever I trained you.”
Elena just woke upand is looking at us with a grumpy look.
Daniel sticks his tongue out to her. “That is not how I recall it, mama. And for the record, you were a violent, thick-headed little punk.”
“Not going to deny that...”
I laugh. It’s funny to witness their interactions. They are best friends, but also like brother and sister, bickering non-stop. I suppose Daniel will always be there for her, even if she decides to part ways with Nathaniel...
Here I go thinking about Damian again. He brought more people into my life than I thought I could ever have. Bobo is like a big, protective brother to me. Liam is a bit of a brat, but he still is someone I trust and like having around. Tonia, too, is like an older sister. I never had anyone like those three in my life before.
Elena was right about the downpour. It rained all day, but despite that and everything else, we enjoyed it. Those two basically listen to music from dawn until dusk and even dance around sometimes. They made me cook for lunch, and in the afternoon, I trained a bit with Elena, while Bobo helped Daniel review his notes. We couldn’t do any boxing or shapeshift because of her condition. Still, she did show me some new workout exercises and moves. She also explained to me some meditation techniques to help me interact better with my inner wolf, things I had never tried before. It was like opening a new door, and at the same time, seeing things differently, better.
The training helped me empty my mind for a while. Also, I had no time to be anxious before Liam’s arrival, though it came quickly.
As planned, he showed up around eight, alone. “Hi, Nora. Ready for our little date?”
I smile and grab the coat Elena landed me.
“Yes. Where do you want to go?”
“Since you met with the Sea Moon Wolves, how about the harbor? There is a little café by the docks I used to go toa lot when I was a kid, and the lady there makes mean hot chocolates...”
Liam takes his favorite black bike, and since it’s only the two of us, we arrive quickly at the docks. As we enter the Sea Moon Wolves’ turf, some wolves come, but they recognize us and let us through. As we had fought side by side only a couple of weeks ago, they have no real reason to argue with us. Not today.
Liam finally parks his bike in front of a family restaurant, a large one facing the sea. The building has been built in one of the dock’s warehouses entirely renovated to give it a seventies decoration, with leather seats, neon lights, and a retro feel. Once we enter, a few heads turn, mostly sailors and dockers, but nobody says a thing. I guess the word must have been given, as everyone quickly go back to their meal.
A waitress runs up to us, a plump woman in her fifties. She smiles at Liam and opens her arms.
“Liam, boy! It’s been a while, sweetie! Moon Goddess, you are so grown up already! How old are you now?”
“Eighteen, Nina! How is my favorite waitress? I missed you!”
“Oh, you little sweet-talker...” They quickly hug, and the adorable lady turns to me. “Did you bring a girlfriend this time? Hello, darling!”
“Hi, I’m Nora.”
“She’s my brother’s girlfriend. I stole her for a date,” says Liam with a wink, putting his arm around my shoulders.
Nina laughs and adjusts her red bun before grabbing two menus. “I see, I see, well, come on, I got your favorite table available, sweetie.”
