"Alright," I say. "Do you know where to find Mr. Runaway?"
"You should check the docks. He is often at–"
We both turn our heads at the same time. Something just creaked on the other side of the barrier, and there’s this strange feeling too. Instinct doesn't lie. Nora and I exchange a glance, but she is mostly glaring at whatever is on the other side in the forest. I can feel it. Someone is staring at us, from the shadows. My skin is crawling, and I feel my fire crackling at my fingertips. We wait a little longer, but they don't reveal themselves. Nora is growling, warning them not to approach. Definitely not a wolf, then.
It lasts a while, but then, that sensation vanishes all at once.
"What was that…?"
"You mean who was that," mutters Nora. "Come on, let's not stay here... I don't like this."
Chapter 12
Why does it have to be her? Moon Goddess, why did you do this to me? I did not ask for this. I was fine with being alone, I was fine with taking care of my family. That's all I ever asked for. For Damian and Nate to be happy. So why now? I can't help but glance up at the moon, a bit annoyed. I wonder if she's really there. Mom used to say the Moon Goddess isn't the moon, she just uses her light to shine on us... I'm still a child, thinking about Mom's words.
“Liam, where are you?”
I ignore my older brother. Nate is worse than a helicopter... I know they are all worried about me, but they don't have to be. I am fine. Perhaps it's because of my eye, they just can't forget anytime they see me. About what I've lost. What would they think if they knew... that I knew?
I wasn't sure, but I always had that hunch. It always felt a bit off whenever I was with her. As if she wasn't letting me in. We were a couple, but... there was always something that never felt quite right, as if she was keeping that distance between us. I would act blind, tell myself she was just into her witch stuff, that she wasn't like us. Or maybe, it was the age difference. She'd joke about that sometimes. Yet, I pretended not to notice. I thought it would go away after some time, or maybe once everything was over, once Syl was done with her life mission... and it was. It did end.
I look around and decide to aim for the docks. I like that place, and I'm a bit hungry. I can drop by and grab a bite... once I've changed. Silver City has changed a lot, the streets always have one or two wolves hanging around. The humans are used to it, but I still get glares. They blame us for keeping that witch... Mara.
I want to kick myself for thinking about her again. My stupid instincts are driving me crazy. I wish I had never seen her, never crossed her eyes, or got a hint of her smell. I don't want this, I don't want to be that guy, slave to his wolf. I've seen Damian and Nate go crazy over it, I always thought I'd be fine without a mate. Moon Goddess, you're really a bitch sometimes.
I jump above a few of the docks' containers to find the one I need. There, I open the blue one to find the bag with my clothes and get changed. It's damn hot and humid around here, I'm sweaty. I brush my hair with my fingers a bit, and they get just as wet. I need a haircut soon... I should ask Nora, Tonia almost fucking chopped my ear off last time.
I grab my bag and get out of here, jumping back down to walk on the docks. There is a light drizzle starting, plus that salty breeze. I like being close to the sea, it helps me calm down. I walk down the docks, only crossing paths with a couple of people. The clouds are dark, it smells like a storm is coming. No one wants to stay around with this kind of weather.
“Liam, where are you?”
I sigh. Nora.
“Come on, don't ignore me.”
“You probably already know where I am, you can sense my aura, can’t you?”
“...True. Sorry, I just didn't know how to reach out to you without... you know, being too awkward.”
I shake my head, even if she can't see it. That's Nora for you. Always trying to care about others' feelings... unlike her cousin.
“If you're worried about what Selena said, I'm good.”
“She gets a bit cranky sometimes…”
“Nora, I'm fine, really. Selena's a kitten compared to Nate, and I know she's just trying to push me a bit.”
I'm not that close to Nate's wife, but I get how she works. Selena is just that kind of person who will take on the bad girl attitude if she needs to, just to make me react. I know she's actually the one who was the closest to Sylviana after me, she just hates to show her pain even more than I do. She probably thinks I need to get angry once and for all or something like that, and she's trying to provoke me on purpose. However, that's how she reacts, but that's not me. I am not one of her pups to be trained, to react to that... I don't deal with the pain with my fists like she does.
“Do you want to come back? You can stay for dinner.”
“I'm good, Nora, I just... want to be alone for tonight.”
“...Alright. I understand.”
Really? I know she probably wants to say something else to try and convince me, but she doesn't. Usually, Nora would try to coerce me by mentioning my nephews or whatever she is making for dinner, but strangely, she gives up easily tonight. I feel our mind-link disconnect as she really leaves me alone.
I take a deep breath, and lift my chin up, letting it rain on my face a bit. It feels so refreshing after these hot days. I don't remember Silver City ever being that hot when I was a kid...
