Urquia

Chapter 10: Warewolves everywhere

*Andrea POV*

I was ready to take out my knife and charge back at Momma Bear when, out of nowhere, a gigantic black wolf jumped in front of me, facing the bear as if he was protecting us.

I also saw a brown wolf, much smaller than the one in front of me, come out of the bushes. He looked at the black wolf, then at us, as if he was trying to see what we were going to do. I saw Dad pointing his rifle at him, and I stepped in front of him, bent down, and took it from his hands. His eyes were surprised, but he looked at my pleading eyes, then nodded and gave it to me. The kids hurried to Dad, and I whispered to them:

-"Tranquilos, estén quietos, yo me encargo." (Relax, don't move, I'll take care of it.)

The kids nodded seriously, and I could see Dad putting on his "don't mess with me" face, a hand already on the hilt of his hunting knife. The kids already had their own knives out, too. I stood with one hand up, the other one holding the rifle. The smaller wolf looked at me, then back at the black wolf and the bear, then back at me again. I only looked at him, nodding.

If the black wolf started fighting the bear, the brown one might try to attack us, so I only focused on him. I didn't know if they were Nathan's pack or rogues. Hell, even so, they didn't know us, so for them, we might be a threat. After a few minutes passed, I looked past the black wolf and saw the bear retreat. How did I get from one big threat to two deadly threats only standing on my two feet with my hands up?

The huge black wolf turned. It was the same one as yesterday. I bet this majestic beast had been watching us since we got here. His gaze went to the small wolf. They looked like they were communicating somehow. Yep, definitely werewolves. Both of their gazes went back to me, and I slowly put my rifle on my back.

Then the small wolf bowed his head, turned around, and headed to the trees they came from. One gone, one threat left? I don't know. It was strange, but I didn't feel scared of this beast. I didn't feel like it was going to attack us. It's like we have a connection of some sort. His eyes were expecting something.

-"Thank you," I said, smiling.

He took a step forward. I went and stood in front of Dad and the kids again. If it were only me, I'd probably try and pet the huge animal because it looked so fluffy. But I couldn't risk it right now. He took another step towards us, and I took my knife out, showing him my intentions.

-"Now now, I'm really grateful you took care of Momma Bear, but I won't hesitate to kill you if you come near my pups and my dad. I bet you understand. You can go with your friend now," I said, pointing towards the woods where they came from with my chin.

The most weird thing happened. The huge, magnificent black wolf made the most bizarre, funny-looking grin I'd ever seen in my life. My mouth fell open like a cartoon character, and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets. He just nodded at me, exactly as a human would, as if to say "you're welcome." He just turned around and went in the same direction the other wolf went without a care in the world, and I was left there astonished, my curiosity reaching new high levels.

Diana suddenly interrupted the quietness.

-"Mom, can we keep him?!" she asked, all too excited.

-"Ojala," (I wish) I whispered back as I turned to assist Daddy.

We all put our knives back, and I could see Dad thinking seriously about something, probably about these werewolves. He wouldn't talk about it in front of the kids; he didn't know they knew. So we'll talk about it when we get home.

-"You okay, Dad?" I looked at his foot and took his boot off.

-"Pise mal una piedra y me torcí el tobillo," (I took a wrong step and twisted my ankle) he said.

It was swelling already, but he didn't even flinch. I've seen him have worse. I took my emergency kit out and wrapped his foot with a tight bandage. I put the sock and the shoe back on. We all helped him get up.

-"Niños, guíenos de vuelta," (Kids, lead us back) he said. Damian nodded with his cute, serious face.

It took us double the time to get there. Dad didn't complain, but I could see the beads of sweat on his forehead.

-"What happened to you guys?!" Mom yelled at us.

Damian told her what happened. We let Daddy rest his foot while we wrapped everything up and cleaned the area.

Mom and Dad looked at each other. Yep, we have to catch up quickly regarding that issue.

I called Charlie. 'Maybe he's around' I thought.

-"Hey, sweetheart, how you been?"

-"Hi, Charlie. We're doing great. My parents are finally here with us. How are you doing? Where you at?"

-"Well, me and the guys are camping at our usual place. We were going to go to the club later on. You'll be there, right?"

-"Nah, actually I asked for this weekend to go camping near the river with my parents. We were staying today too, but my dad sprained his ankle really bad, and now we're heading home. The thing is, we have a cooler full of food, drinks, and beer, so I was wondering, if you were near us, you could take it. My mom's food is to die for. Also, if one of you could help Dad on our way back to our jeep, I would be so grateful!"

-"Sweetie, we were on our way as soon as you said 'food and beer'! We'll be there in 20."

-"Thank you so much, you're a lifesaver!"

We waited for them, and I explained to Dad that they were rogues. Dad narrowed his eyes, but as soon as Charlie came with Hank and Nicolas, I introduced them to my parents, and they bonded immediately.

After a few laughs and them playing with the kids, I hugged the guys goodbye, Cris did too, and Hank took my dad on his back, and we started our way back.

By the time we got home, it was past dinner time. Everyone took a shower and put on pajamas. They ordered pizza and started with the "picking a movie" war while I took a long shower. I heard my phone bing. I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my hair and put a towel robe, wrapping the belt, I got out of my bathroom, I blinked a few times, and a smile formed on my face when I read:

-"Hey, how'd you been?" From BG Nathan.

-"Hey. Good. Why you asking?"

-"Well, as your knight, I wouldn't be doing a good job if I didn't check up on my lady from time to time, would I?"

-"Haha, I'm not a lady, and I can take care of bad dragons by myself, thank you."

-"You're right, you're not a lady."

I narrowed my eyes and chuckled in indignation. Another bing.

-"You're more like a warrior princess."

-"Good save."

-"Well..? what did you do this weekend?"

-"We went camping with my parents but had a good scare and got home earlier. How about you?"

-"I spent the weekend looking over my kingdom, fighting dragons and trolls. You know, the usual."

-"You must be so tired of being the hero. Who's gonna save you?"

-"I don't know. Maybe a warrior princess who can kick ass?"

-"Hahaha, maybe. If I see one, I'll point her to you."

-"Nah, I think I'd rather stick to you instead."

-"You don't know me at all. I'm not that qualified."

-"Why don't you let me be the judge of that? You can defend your case while at dinner?"

I didn't know what to answer. I sat on a chair near my balcony and sighed, looking at my phone. Okay, so he wasn't sent to harm us. I think he's flirting with me, but I haven't flirted with anyone for so long I feel awkward and clumsy and stupid. I put a hand on my burning cheeks. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.

-"¿Quién es?" (Who is it?)

-"Cris." I practically ran to the door and pulled her in to shut it quickly.

I brought her to sit on the chair near my balcony and gave her the phone. I picked at my nails and watched how her face changed from a smile to excitement, and then she squealed and jumped. She noticed my worried face, and with a huff, she dropped herself on the chair again.

-"What are you thinking?" she asked.

-"He doesn't know, Cris. He doesn't know I have a family already. Heck, he thinks my name is Samantha! What if he rejects them? What about "Darth Vader"? What if he wants a relationship? What if he just wants to sleep with me? What if—" I started rambling questions, and she rolled her eyes.

-"Then you get laid, girl, you know it's been a while," she said. I grimaced at that comment and closed my eyes.

It took me a while to realize that that horrible week wasn't the first time my husband had r***d me. When he was drunk, he forced himself on me countless times. And every time he wanted and I didn't, he would persist until I gave in, just so he wouldn't get mad. I used to think it was my marital duty. But looking at it now, my heart shatters. I haven't been with anyone else since him, so I don't know if I can even be that intimate again.

As she saw my darkening face, she spoke again: -"Well, you're not going to get over that by being forever alone. Someday you'll have to take the risk."

She's never treated me like a victim or with pity, and I thank her for that. She has been through a lot too, since she was a kid, so she gets me. She understands what it feels to be helpless, and she understands what it means to fight your own demons. We both shield ourselves with more bravery than we really have.

Suddenly, she took the phone and started writing. When I went to take it back, she lifted a foot to block me. A bing.

-"Oh my God, he responded!" She wrote again.

-"Give it back, Cris, you crazy b***h! I'll kill you!" I took my head towel and started twisting it. She laughed, and another bing.

-"That's it, you're dead," I attacked her, and she started to run, squealing.