Angel Blackwood(56)

I put a finger to my chin dramatically and say, “If I recall correctly… last time you were the one on the ground, beneath me, possibly close to peeing your pants you were so afraid.”

His eyes turn to slits as he glares at me, but he stands his ground firmly.

“Oh for goodness sake! You two stop that. Angel, come on we have to get you inside before the others get back.” Phoenix grabs my wrist and drags me along. Fabian follows us with a constant frown marring his face.

She guides me towards a tree by the fence behind Noelle’s cottage and makes me climb it. Once all three of us are on the other side, Fabian strides ahead of us until he is out of sight.

Phoenix turns to me and smiles. “Don’t mind him, he’s just protective of his momma. I’m glad you came tonight, I didn’t think you would after what happened last time.” She looks down at her hands, it seems to be a habit of hers.

“Don’t apologise, you were protecting your people. I would have done the same if someone was hurting someone in my pack,” I say, reassuring her.

What I’ve said is the truth. Since I’ve been bonded to the pack, I feel this strong allegiance and protectiveness over each and everyone of my pack mates. She smiles at me and grabs my hand to pull me along. She’s a small thing, barely reaching my shoulder, but what strikes me the most is her ethereal beauty.

“You held your own with Fabian. How did you learn to fight like that? It’s a wolf thing isn’t it?” She rambles on, clearly liking the sound of her own voice. I laugh to myself and she turns and looks at me with a shy smile.

“Sorry, everyone tells me I talk too much.”

“I don’t mind,” I say, still laughing.

“I train with my father, he taught me most of it, but I guess being a wolf helps too.” I shrug and we continue our way to Noelle’s cottage.

“I wish I could fight like that,” she says, under her breath.

“I could teach you if you like?”

Her wide eyes find mine. “You’d teach me?” She says, smiling. “I’d love that!”

She pulls me down for a hug, but when she moves away her smile vanishes and a frown forms as she works her lip deep in thought.

“I don’t know what the others would think? A witch getting a wolf to teach her to be stronger? They’ll think I’m weak. I would never hear the end of it from Fabian.”

“I don’t care that you’re a witch and besides, I’m only half-wolf. We don’t have to tell anyone, and to be honest I don’t really have many girl friend’s around here, so I really wouldn’t mind at all.” She smiles at me. “It’ll be our little secret,” I tell her.

She nods to the cottage where we stand. “Come on, she’s waiting.”





“Fabian, I know you think you’re the man of the house, but you really don’t have a say in this.” Noelle’s firm words echo throughout the quiet cottage. The aroma of roast beef and oven potatoes fill the air, and my mouth can’t help but water.

Noelle’s eyes find mine and she smiles. She raises a hand calling me to come closer and I do; besides the food is in her direction too.

She pulls me in for a hug, I don’t expect it at all. I stand stiff for a few seconds before her words whisper into my ear.

“Your mother was practically my sister when we were younger. I don’t care that we’re not blood related, I will cherish and protect you as if you were my niece.” I wrap my arms around her and return her hug.

She pulls away from me and puts her hands on my arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t contact you sooner, I was afraid… I didn’t know what was going on with you or where that magic came from. I knew it was strong, I just didn’t realise it was that strong and powerful. I know you have questions and I will help you as much as you can. I’ll try to teach you ways to control the power. We will figure it out, Angel.”

I let out a deep breath as my words come tumbling out. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what the hell to do. I’m so scared I’ll lose control and hurt someone I don’t mean to.”

She gives me an understanding nod. “Come, I’ll dish you out some food then we can talk.” She leads me to the little table where I sat last time.

“Ma, seriously?” Fabian’s angry voice ruins the peaceful state Noelle just put me in.

“This isn’t a Diner. Don’t you get fed at the dog house you live in?” I roll my eyes at his little jab. I’m getting sick of his wolf-remarks.

“Fabian, you keep talking like that and you’ll be eating at a Diner tonight,” Noelle says, as she turns to carve the roast beef.