Eric
Eric couldn’t believe she left just like that. Without hearing him, without giving him a chance to explain. He also couldn’t believe that she was a werewolf. It explained everything, from the lack of her knowledge about basic human things to why she always evaded his questions about her home.
He closed his eyes and saw the terrifying image of the wolf jumping towards him. It was so fresh in his memory. He was sure that he was going to die, and then Bellatrix had showed up. The first time he saw her he almost screamed, asking her to run away. Then, within a blink of an eye, she had shifted.
He remembered the shock that had tore through his body when he saw her jumping up, and then suddenly shift. Her body had started contorting as she got on all fours. Her teeth grew, and her body became covered with a beautiful silver white fur coat. Even in the darkness, he could see how beautiful she was.
Her eyes bright yellow as a wolf, her fur shimmering silver. Her body was strong, muscular yet feminine. The way she had jumped on that monster and torn him apart. The way she clenched her teeth around his neck and ripped his head off. He couldn’t believe any of it. And now she was gone, just like that. Gone because she refused to believe that Antoine was someone evil.
Eric knew though. He knew that Antoine had been lying by the skin of his teeth, and it was about time someone took him down. She was his girl, and no one fucking took her from him. No one.
He got up, despite how badly his arm was hurting. He felt weak from the blood he had lost, but he didn’t care. He was going to push through and keep her safe. At all costs. He was sure that Antoine had something planned, and he wasn’t going to let him hurt Bellatrix. Not while he was alive.
He ran out as quickly as he could. He had no idea where he would find Bellatrix or Antoine, but he was willing to try anything. He tried to call Bellatrix’s phone, but it was turned off. Eric racked his mind for any idea of what to do. He had to protect Bellatrix at all costs.
He remembered that Bellatrix had mentioned a lake that she often went to with Antoine. From what she had said, it apparently meant a lot to him. Eric didn’t believe a word that man said, but it was worth a try. He tried to remember the name of the lake, and it suddenly came to him. He ran out towards the street, googling the address.
He reached the lake exactly twenty minutes later. It was a small secluded spot, and he could see its captivating beauty. A few couples were strolling about, but it was relatively empty. Eric walked around, looking for Antoine. Yet, there seemed to be no sign of him or Bellatrix.
“Antoine?” Eric said. He felt foolish talking to himself, but his gut told him this was where Antoine was. “I know you are here.”
“I see that you are well.” Eric heard a voice behind him and turned to see Antoine.
“I am,” Eric said. “Despite your attempts.”
“Despite my attempts?” Antoine asked, raising an eyebrow. “Whatever could you mean?”
“You sent that thing after me,” Eric said. “That Teil wolf thingy. You sent it because I have discovered your past. I know you are not who you say you are, and I have evidence. I don’t know what game you are playing with Bellatrix, but I won’t let you lay a finger on her.”
“Teil wolf?” Antoine asked, laughing. “My dear friend, have you perhaps lost all your senses? Everyone knows that monsters and werewolves are not real.”
Eric looked Antoine straight in the eye. “I would like to say that Bella is mine. Only mine. But I know she is not a piece of property that she would belong to someone. She can choose who she wants to be with,” Eric said in a calm voice.
He slowly walked towards Antoine and stood face to face in front of him. “But I will protect her. Even if I know she can protect herself. Even if she doesn’t want me to do it. I will protect her. With my life. I will follow her everywhere if I must. But I will protect her and her happiness. Do you understand?”
“You speak a lot considering that you are a powerless human,” Antoine said, smirking.
“I may be powerless, but I am determined. No one will hurt her, and you, sir, plan on hurting her,” Eric said. “Send as many monsters as you want after me. Do what you wish. As long as I am alive, I will be there for her.”
Antoine laughed. It was a manic, cruel laugh. The kind of laugh that would send shivers down the spine of even the bravest warrior. “You dare threaten me?” he snarled. “You are picking a war, my boy, that you cannot possibly win. Leave this town, and perhaps I will spare your life.”
“That’s where you are wrong,” Eric said. “I don’t care about my life.” He smiled as viciously as he could. “I care about Bella.”
Antoine started to laugh once again, but Eric just turned around and walked away. He knew that he had bitten off more than he could chew. He knew he was deep in a war that he knew nothing about, but it was for Bellatrix. That was all that mattered. That was all that had mattered to him for a while now.
Chapter 11
Bellatrix
Bellatrix stood outside the Eiffel tower, watching the tourists walk by. She had been here for a while, observing couples. She felt a mixture of guilt and anger in her heart, and some other emotions that she found hard to understand.
Guilt, because she had left Eric alone when he was injured. Anger, because he had taken the liberty of spying on Antoine. She felt furious that he felt that he owned her enough that he could just interfere in her life choices like that.
What confused her even more was her wolf. It prowled within her body restlessly, making her even more anxious. She didn’t understand the way her wolf had reacted when Eric was being attacked. It didn’t make any sense. The way her wolf had howled in pain, it was as if a part of her had been hurt.
She sighed, observing another couple who were walking arm in arm. They looked so much in love; their eyes glimmered with happiness. She watched as the girl’s face lit up when she looked at her man. This is what Bellatrix had wanted. To fall in love madly, to feel her heart swell with happiness.
It’s why she had refused the mating ritual, despite the council’s protest. The elders had been furious. Not only was she traveling around the world and living with humans; she had also refused to have her mate found for her. She had never liked the idea of her mate being picked for her. She wanted to meet people, fall in love and choose who she wanted to be with.
