My Warrior Luna

Chapter 3 ( Distant Relative )

"Is there anyone here?" My gaze drifted towards the terrace and then further towards the cars and the edge of the forest.

"Are you talking to yourself?" Brook's voice rang out behind me, making me flinch.

"I can guarantee you that your doorbell announced a visitor." I looked over my shoulder at Brook, who was towel-drying her short hair.

"You weren't expecting guests, were you?" A familiar female voice sounded on the other side of the door.

I turned to look at the place where there had been nothing a moment before. My hearing had not deceived me and I knew this voice even in the middle of the night. The owner of the grey eyes stood in front of me, her eyes were shining. Long yellowish hair draped messily down her chest and a wide white-toothed smile shone on her face.

"Hello Madeline, what are you doing here?" Brook raised her eyebrows, looking at the witch with surprised eyes.

"I thought you were coming in just a few days when the tournament starts?" A frown of worry etched itself into my forehead.

"Yes, I was supposed to arrive in just two days. But complicated spells and a few affairs cannot wait that long. I have to take care of the magic ball and a few other important tasks. I need to help my old friend in this crazy tournament." Madeline smiled and winked.

"Come on, I've got more important work for you than spells. You'll help look after Amelia, Sheila, while I'm gone." Brook nodded her head, inviting Madeline inside.

"Babies? No, I don't really know anything about these things." Madeline shook her head but still walked through the threshold without refusing Brook's invitation.

At the sound of the door, Madeline settled on the couch while Brook dug into her make-up box, trying to hide her tired face. I took a seat next to Madeline who was looking at the changing colour pictures on the TV with soft music playing in the background.

"Do you have three participants who will try their hand at the tournament yet?" Madeline's grey gaze lingered on my face.

"Quin's taking care of that, but I think we have plenty of volunteers." I shrugged, and the corner of my lips turned up.

"Did you bring your three main participants who will be trying their hand?" Brook's inquisitive voice rang softly in the living room.

"Yeah, I left them with Sawyer, since Lucian's going to be out on business. Well, at least that's what Issac said before he referred me to you." Madeline glanced over her shoulder at Brook.

"How's it going running the college?" Brook inquisitive look never left Madeline's face.

It was hard to imagine how much responsibility fell on this witch's shoulders. Lessons, order, discipline, training, lectures and a million other little jobs I don't even know about. Madeline is young, but or a student listening to her? Are there older witches who doubt her strength and honour? Question after question went round and round in my head. The room went silent for a moment. Madeline's face was etched with a few deep lines but soon, her eyes grew bright. She must have been carefully considering something, perhaps recent events, students or lectures. I can only speculate until she reveals how she is actually doing.

"The beginning was a bit of a struggle, but there is nothing a little magic can't handle." Madeline smiled broadly, her cheeks took on a pale pink tinge. Though she does the most incredible things with her magic, Madeline is a shy girl. For some reason, she reminds me very much of Hellen, just as pure, sensitive and straight-forward.

"Are you sure you don't have a problem looking after people almost the same age as us?" Brook raised an eyebrow as she looked through the mirror in her hands.

"I have a few older witches who help me with all the pranks, jokes and strange characters, but as the days go by, we all get along fine. Of course, I'm sometimes greeted with a joke like a bubble-ridden ceiling or a flooded toilet, but it's all just trivial problems." Madeline shrugged her shoulders, then smiled broadly.

"A bubble-ridden floor? I'm convinced there was something in the student's joke pocket that really put you out of your patience. Nah, what is it?" The corner of my lips lifted, and the inquisitive look never left Madeline's face.

"Yes, there was also vomit bomb thrown into the meeting room at the same time as all the head witches were chatting away. I confess I giggled in the corner even though I had to do a long and tedious search for the culprit afterwards." Madeline's grey gaze drifted towards the window for a moment, her eyes seemed to sparkle.

"s**t, I guess cleaning up after that wasn't one of the pleasant ones?" A few lines of disgust etched themselves into Brook's forehead.

"We have a cleaner, of course, her mood immediately soured, it’s her job. None of the students like her but, she's the one who volunteered for the job. Since she lost her magic many years ago, she can't take her place with the other witches for that reason." Madeline's gaze returned to me with the corner of her lips turned up.

It was nice to hear Madeline openly sharing snippets of her complicated life. Although we are separated by distance, and now by the passage of time, nothing seems to have changed. It seems that for a second we can go back one year when we all fought against the bad guys and were so close. The corners of my lips lifted at these thoughts. I so wanted to see the rest of the members Leah, Blake, Eliana, even Jasper again. Even though we are in contact, the distance still gets in the way. Well, yes, technology helps, but you can't feel the warmth of a human being - that's another thing.

"Well girls, I wish you luck." Brook grabbed her handbag from the kitchen cabinet.

"What time do you plan to be back?" I glanced at Brook, who was slowly walking towards the front door.

"Two o'clock. Do you know where the milk is? Diapers? Toys? Clothes?" Brook paused at the door, flexing her fingers and naming the things her little one needed.

"Yeah, don't worry and go." I winked and crossed my legs.

At the knock on the door, I was left with Madeline. For a moment there was silence, but the next second his soft voice was spreading through the living room.

"When are you planning the wedding?" Madeline's gaze went to the small white ring on my hand.

"November. Everyone I care about will get an invitation, don't worry. You're on that list one hundred percent." I smiled broadly.

"You know, I've watched Issac from the sidelines for so long, ever since he came to Hellen. I've always wondered about his strength and the power he carries in his heart. It is good to know that you are finally together without any bad events trying to destroy you both." Madeline's gaze went to my face.

"Thank you, Madeline. Those words really mean a lot to me." I put my hand on her shoulder and my lips formed into a wide smile.

"I hope that one day I too will find someone who will fight for me so relentlessly in every situation in life." The smile disappeared from Madeline's face for a moment.

"I'm sure that wonderful man will be knocking on your college door soon. Although on the other hand, it could be anyone. A vampire, a dragon, a siren or even a human." My voice softened as I looked at Madeline's saddened face.

A silent cry rang out on the second floor, drawing my attention away from Madeline's face. I pushed myself out of the couch and my feet carried me towards the staircase leading to the second floor. My gaze lingered on the bright corridor wall, then on the door that was slightly ajar. As I stepped through the pale pink room, the small baby girl met my eyes, she was cooing in a crib near the window. As soon as Sheila's two big eyes met my face, the screaming stopped instantly.

"Hi baby, don't cry, Aunt Amelia will take care of you." I smiled broadly as I carefully took the baby out of the cot.

After a little roll from side to side, I looked at Sheila finally calming down in my arms. I slowly walked towards the first floor, she was probably hungry. This little miracle seems to really like me. Her plump rosy cheeks matched her brown eyes so well and her small body radiated a warmth that made butterflies fly in my heart. I have never thought of having my own children , I think I am still too young for that, but looking at this little girl in my arms, the smile never left my face. Sheila's eyes are caramel in the daylight and dark as her mother's at dusk.

The last step is under my feet, and then I feel the curious gaze of Madeline squinting right at me. The corner of the witch's lips lifted as a grey glint drifted from my face towards Sheila lying peacefully in my arms.

"Can I help you?" Madeline's gaze returned to my face and there was a note of impatience in her voice.

"There's milk in the fridge, and a bottle near the sink, and a water baby to heat it up, would you mind?" My eyebrow rose as I walked towards the sofa.

After a few minutes, we came to the sofa and Madeline got up from the it. There was a soft noise in the kitchen as she did what I asked. Carefully, I placed Sheila on the soft, large pillow in the middle of the clutch. I scanned the surroundings to make sure that Sheila was comfortable on the pillow, that her head was well-positioned and that her legs were not too high. I sat down next to her, not wanting to let her out of my sight.

Sheila's eyes explored the swaddle, but soon they were back on me. Her little hands and feet were moving restlessly in different directions - she is so cute. The calm face soon changed to a sad expression, and the lips formed into a small 'o' in welcome by letting out a scream.

I covered my face with my hands as if pretending to disappear, and then pulled my hands apart with a funny faces. Sheila seemed to take an interest in the pranks I was pulling and instantly calmed down. She looked straight at me with her big sparkling eyes, the corner of her lips turned up to show that the crying phase was over. It is incomparable when such a small baby can raise such strong feelings in the chest.

" Here." Madeline's voice drew my attention away from Sheila for a moment.

I took the bottle of milk from Madeline's hand. A few drops touched my wrist, the best way to see if the milk was too hot for the baby. The next second, the bottle was at Sheila's lips, who was calmly staring at the ceiling.

"Isn't Brook feeding the baby herself?" Madeline's gaze flicked towards Sheila for a moment, then back to me.

"No. Brook's birth was difficult, as far as she let me know. Probably the stress caused her body to refuse to produce milk for the baby. Because of that, she now has to make special milk." A brief answer left my lips.

"Yes, motherhood can probably be a really hard thing." Madeline squatted on the sofa next to me.

Time passed incredibly fast. Sheila, who had drunk all the milk, was looking around calmly and soon showed signs of fatigue. A few moments later, she was sleeping peacefully in my arms, making her way to her cot. My sensitive hearing detected the sound of the door slamming, signalling Brook's return. My feet carried me towards the first floor, so I was not mistaken, and Brook slowly pulled on her coat, her worried gaze fixed on me.

"Don't worry, Amelia's a great aunt. She's a natural, I think Amelia will make a great mum one day." Madeline's quiet voice drifted through the living room, and a grey gaze fell on Brook's face.

"Thank you so much, Amelia. This hour has been like a breath of fresh air." Brook reached out her arms and hugged me.

"Don't be silly, Brook. There is nothing to be thankful for here. You know I'll always be by your side when you need me. Whether it's your daughter or other matters. That's what friends are for, right?" I smiled broadly as I broke free of Brook's embrace.

"Besides, Issac has been patiently waiting outside. Thanks again." Brook smiled broadly as she put her coat on the kitchen chair.

"Madeline, do you need transport?" I walked towards the front door of the house and glanced at Madeline still sitting on the sofa.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind." Madeline smiled as she got off the couch.

"Bye, Brook. See you in a few days." I opened the door wide, and the wind rushed into my face.

"Are you going to the tournament?" Madeline's surprised gaze flicked over her shoulder at Brook hurrying in our direction.

"I'm not sure, but I'd like to be part of it." Brook leaned against the door-knob, looking in Madeline's direction.

"It was good to see you again." Madeleine said goodbye to Brook with a wink.

"I'll see you later." Brook raised her hand in farewell.

A few steps followed and soon I was walking towards Issac's car which was parked in the yard. I opened the door easily, and Madeline took her place in the back seat. Quiet music played in the background, and my gaze drifted to Issac's calm face.

"How did it go?" Issac's dark blue eyes searched my face for an answer.

"Amelia, you must be a mum, your a natural." Madeline's soft voice rang in the car.

"No, it's far too early for that. We need to get married first." I rolled my eyes and smiled broadly.

"Maybe..." Issac raised his eyebrows without taking his gaze off my face.

"Come on, Issac." I rolled my eyes and smiled widely.

The car was silent for a moment as we drove along a forest track towards our next destination. A storm was brewing in my mind and I couldn't get rid of one sentence that Issac had mentioned to me recently. It was about the dinner that was to take place today, something very important. That's why I'm wearing this dress and these uncomfortable high heels. My gaze ran between the green leaves of the tree and the meadows that were passing little by little through the car window. What kind of meeting is this? Why today? Patience is the one thing I'm so damn short of.

"Madeline, you didn't mention we'd have guests." Issac glanced through the mirror towards Madeline in the back seat.

"Guest?" Madeline's embarrassed voice rang in the car.

" Yeah, an important person is waiting for you outside the college. I'll drop you off there, give you a chance to have a look around and meet your representatives who are probably already settled in their cabins." The corner of Issac's lips lifted, and his gaze returned to the road through the windscreen of the car.

"I wasn't expecting any guests." Madeline shrugged, a few lines probably etched in her forehead.

"I'm sure it will be a pleasant surprise for you." Issac turned the wheel to the left.

Issac's hand found mine, and then two of my dark eyes went to Issac's face. I have no idea what he was up to while I was looking after Sheila, but he seemed to be in a much better mood than before. Is it the fault of this event outside? No, he's just happy, happy that after an hour he can finally see my face again. I know what horrible thoughts are going through his mind in those moments when we are apart. Even though we are in the same city, we worry about each other. Of course, it's because of that devilishly strong werewolf bond and the intertwining of our souls with each other. That burning fire in the chest seems to grow stronger and brighter every day.

As the car approached the college, the weather took a strange turn and grey clouds began to gather little by little above us. After a few more minutes, the raindrops began to silently pitter-patter against the car's windscreen, creating poor visibility in front of us. Although it was daytime, the grey clouds instantly made the surroundings look dark and gloomy. As the car slowed down before the pavement my gaze caught sight of a person standing in the rain. Right in front of us, a long black and white cloak reached the ground, their dark black boots glistened with raindrops.

Under a black hood hid long grey hair that stretched out in all directions. Raindrops dripped from the long white beard, and the eyes looked somewhere far away. The dark and serious face, lined with deep wrinkles, screamed of the man's venerable age. A strange scar stretched across the eyebrows of this strange person, starting at the forehead, travelling downwards and ending at the middle of the cheek. In one easy movement, his rough fingers added the pipe and then the grey smoke left his lips.

When the car stopped, the man's dark grey eyes instantly fixed on me. A strange feeling ran through my chest, and a smile shone on the old man's face. My heart seemed to skip a beat at this strange person standing just a short distance away. The door opened quietly and my gaze went to Madeline's surprised face. The man looked towards Madeline, and his eyes shone even more strangely.

"Who is he?" My silent words were directed only at Issac, who was peering through the glass of the car, waiting for Madeline to get out of the car.

"Uncle, Osiris?" There was a note of dismay in Madeline's voice.

"Little one, Madeline." Osiris's low, a muffled voice rang out against the background of raindrops, and then he stretched his arms wide to his sides, inviting a hug.

The door slammed, and the view stayed behind the door. Issac pressed the accelerator, and my gaze went to the mirror. I looked at the two people standing there and then moving away. Questions were in my mind, but I left them there. The most important thing is that Madeline knows this person. Issac trusts her, so I have no reason to hesitate.

"Doesn't that strike you as odd?" My gaze went to Issac's calm face.

"It's Madeline's uncle. I can't say I've met him, but I've heard about him from Madeline. I'm sure this person won't be a problem. Osiris said he would only be here for a few days. He was passing through the country on business, so he decided to visit a relative he had seen so long ago. I don't see anything strange about that." Issac shrugged his shoulders as he slowly turned the wheel to the right.

"I take your word for it, but I still find it strange. Since when does Alpha Issac trust strangers?" My eyebrow rose, and a confused look crossed Issac's face.

"Sawyer will keep an eye on the witches while I'm gone. Feeling better now?" Issac smiled broadly, and his dark blue gaze flicked to me for a moment.

"Yes." The corner of my lips turned up.

The glance went towards the raindrops that were racing machine glass to see who would reach the bottom first. A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a restaurant where I had already been. Here was that long-awaited meeting, but who was there inside? The door slammed, and Issac soon opened the door of the car for me. I got out with a light movement and gave him my hand. His gentle hand slipped down my waist and we picked our way towards the restaurant entrance. My heart was pounding like crazy, not knowing what to expect, and my mind was spinning into an anxious flurry.

After two steps, I was greeted by the comfortable, luxurious atmosphere of the restaurant. Surprisingly, it was quite empty. My gaze immediately went to a familiar face sitting in the far corner of the restaurant - Quin. She had a wide smile on her face and two sparkling eyes that seemed to smile at me. Then I noticed that she was not alone. My gaze went to the girl, it was Ava.