No one could understand why Connor wanted to go to the festival yet as we pulled up in the car park, you’d never had guessed the amount of complaining Taylor had managed to come up with in the last week on why we shouldn’t go. She was out of the car quicker than Jay and Adam and the trio disappeared before Cody had turned off the car.

The second I got out, I decided we should have listened to her and glued myself against the side of the car. The sounds of the crowd ahead and the scents of different shifters was too much, and I was on the verge of having a panic attack. Cody got out, and was talking to Connor on the other side of the car. I had no idea what they were saying as the more I panicked, my hearing seemed disappear. The pounding of my heart took over as the only thing I could hear and before I could fall over, Cody had me by the shoulders and was faintly calling my name.

In reality, he was practically screaming it.

“Bianca!”

“What’s wrong with her?” Connor was scared, and I had to close my eyes as the daylight turned into a blinding spotlight.

“I don’t know.”

Relax, breath, I won’t let anything happen to us.

It was my wolf’s voice I heard first, calling me out from the darkness I was falling into and opening my eyes Cody was looking as scared as I felt. Looking around he had sat me in the back of the car, the door open above us I didn’t protest as he hugged me.

“Are you ok? What was that?”

“I can’t do it. I can’t be here.” I muttered, concentrating on my breathing I caught Connors gaze and he tried to smile.

“Why? What’s going on Bianca?”

The screams of children from a ride had me flinching back further into the car and he realized what was going on then.

“The crowds. I didn’t even think that would be an issue. I’m sorry.”

“You’re not the only one.” I muttered.

How can we find her if you’re hiding in here?

‘Shut up.’ I snapped at her, but she had a point.

“Did you want to go?” Cody offered and taking a deep breath I shook my head.

“No I need to do this.”

Good girl.

He extended his hand and helped me out of the car. Before I could freak out again as a car passed us, Connor took my free hand and gave it a squeeze.

“We’re here for you Bianca. If it gets too much, just say and we can come back here ok?”

I hated feeling so weak and out of control, so I only nodded not trusting myself to speak as Cody came up behind me and the pair of them guided me towards the blocked off street. I was scared I’d crush Connors hand as we walked through the entry, the scent of other shifters had my wolf on edge and I looked at them all suspiciously yet none of them even glanced in our direction.

“Connor, did you want to go find the others? I can stay with Bianca.” Cody offered and it was obvious the youngest one in our group was eager to go and see what was on offer.

“No, it’s fine. Maybe later.”

The further we went, the more confident I became.

I thought hunting had been intense, the concentration needed to make sure you didn’t find yourself face to face with an angry bull with deadly antlers was nothing compared to how alert I was now. An hour later we stopped by a food stand and Cody grabbed us all a drink and something to eat. Now I was a little more relaxed, I had a look around properly and down the end of the street I saw the store I had come here for.

Connor found a spot under a tree and I leant against it before sitting.

“Now it’s just us, why did you really want to come here Bianca?”

I didn’t answer, curious to know what he did.

“I was looking back over some of that stuff I gave you, is this the reason?”

The picture of Damon and the woman that had to be taken here was once again in front of me and I snatched it out of his hands.

“No, it is a coincidence.”

“Bianca, I’m trusting you to tell me the truth. If you’ve put us in danger coming here, I deserve to know.”

I hadn’t seen this side of Connor and a part of me felt almost proud at how protective he could be. There was no mistaking the threat in his tone and Cody appeared as I was about to tell him which quickly shut me up.

“Alright, water for the lady, coke for the guys and check out these burgers!”

Considering I’d only been eating home cooked food, the site of the food van burger was tempting and also a little disgusting. The first bite silenced my doubts and the way my stomach churned once I finished it made me regret eating it.

“Cody, can you go see what the lines are like for the rides? I might see if I can get Taylor to go on that dropping thing.” Connor smirked evilly, still half way through his burger while Cody and I had finished.

“Sure, you guys ok?”

I nodded and knew Connor was sending his sibling away for one reason only and the second Cody was out of earshot, he pounced.

“Tell me what’s going on. Why did you really want to come here?”

“I really want to see the psychic. The only thing I never told you guys is why he wanted to kill me.” So I finally told him the whole truth about that night.

“Shit Bianca! This is on the border of their territory, if they know you’re alive and here – we’re all dead!”

“He’s not here. My wolf has been looking. Let me go see her, alone. No one will know I’m with you guys.”

“And what are you going to do exactly?”

I shrugged, not entirely sure. I was happy winging it.

“For someone so smart, you’re acting stupid.”

“Please Connor, we’re here. Let me do this.” I begged and rolling his eyes he nodded.

“Ten minutes and if you’re not back, I’m telling Cody everything.”

I knew I made him in ally for a reason and we shook on our deal. We found Cody and walked around for a few more minutes, going into the direction of the shop. Outside a stall had been set up with a girl offering to read tarot cards, although judging by how bored she looked I wasn’t sure how accurate her readings would be. There was nothing different about her, she was just human and probably paid to try and lure the real customers inside. Her outfit matched the one the woman had worn in the photo and it was probably just them playing the part.

Looking over, the park at the side of the building had been set up with temporary toilets and I saw my escape from Cody and Connor.

“You guys go ahead, I’m just going to the toilet.”

Connor looked over in that direction and nodded.

“Ok, come on Cody, let’s go see if we can outsmart the carnies!”

“Are you sure you’re ok alone?”

Cody’s concern made me feel guilty for lying, but I could worry about that later.

“I’m fine, it was just nerves this morning. I can go to the toilet without an escort.” I smiled and Connor nodded.

“See, she’s fine. Come on!”

Reluctantly he let Connor lead him away and scanning the crowd for the other three, they were nowhere nearby so I ran over to the store.

No weakness.

I let my wolf take over, instantly feeling more secure and walked through the plastic beads that covered the door. It smelt like a bad mix of herbs and incense, deadly to my sense of smell and I wondered if that had been on purpose. There were a lot of other shifters out there, maybe she did it to weaken us. The sounds of nature that filled the room were clearly artificial and distracting as I tried to hear for voices or anything that made it clear I wasn’t alone in here.

Back room.

The store was dimly lit, candles lit up in odd spots around the room and the walls were lined with books and as I neared the counter the jingle of bells came from the back room as my wolf suggested and sure enough two people emerged. The elderly lady was crying, dabbing her eyes with a tissue and the toxic mix of rose perfume didn’t help with the stench already present.

“Thank you Esmeralda, it was nice to hear from my Tommy!”

“Please Ms Parks, there is no need to thank me. I share my gift to help people!” She comforted the old woman and rather than wearing the same costume as the girl outside, today she was in pants and a more fitted white blouse that hung off her slim build which was dwarfed further by a rich red coat. Her whole look appeared to be more inspired by a pirate captain than a fortune teller and as she saw me the gentle smile disappeared. The fear in her eyes pleased my wolf and I only smirked in return.

I looked idly at a collection of crystals on the counter while the pair finished up and Esmeralda walked Ms Parks to door. I watched her cautiously as she left the building and strained to hear her tell the other girl she was taking a break. Coming back in the main door was closed and locked, setting me on edge as I became trapped.

“Well she-wolf, I was expecting you sooner. I almost wondered if I got it wrong and he did kill you.”

Her voice was like ice, nothing like the soft spoken manner she had addressed her last client with.

“Rather than kill me, how about we make a deal of our own?”

Kill her; was I even capable of that?

Let me do it.

My wolfs anger made her stronger and I was struggling not to shift. While I doubted my own abilities, my wolf was out for blood.

“What kind of deal?”

Surprisingly I spoke as cold as her, the power in my voice felt as she hesitated her approach.

“You want to know the future don’t you. I can tell you what you need to know.”

“Like you told my mate to kill me?”

She laughed, shaking her head and the way the mane of blonde hair moved made me wonder if it wasn’t just her clothing that was part of a costume.

“I never told him to kill you, he decided that. I merely told him the truth – his mate would be the one to kill him on the day they first met.”

Her brown eyes looked me up and down making me growl.

“Clearly you’re still alive so no harm done.”

“No harm done? He killed my family and ruined my life!”

“Did he? Really? What is so ruined about your life? You seem to be doing well for yourself.”

Her attitude and lack of empathy pissed me off further and I wondered just how much she knew. Something about the sly smile she had on her face told me it was a lot more than I did.

“Come she-wolf, let me see your future.”

It was tempting and cautiously I followed her into the back room. Purple velvet lined the walls with a string of fairy lights around the edges and more candles on the shelves against the wall. The ball in the middle of the table reminded me of a snow globe and I took the seat she pointed out, listening as best I could outside the room in-case of anyone else coming in.

“Hand.”

I put my hand as she directed and hovered hers over mine, the surge of electricity that ran up my arm startling me only she didn’t seem to notice as she closed her eyes. As I watched the ball began to swirl, a black mist rising from the center so it turned into something resembling a tornado.

“Look into the center, you don’t have to tell me what you see.”

I did as she said, jumping back as Damon’s face filled the funnel.

“Don’t be scared, nothing in there can hurt you.”

Swallowing I looked again, my wolf growling as she saw him. The man with him was someone I recognized, but I wasn’t sure from where and Damon pulled a gun, shooting him straight in the head. Gasping I moved my hand away, and the tornado disappeared.

“What was that?”

“Something you needed to see from the future. There is more, do you want to hear it?”

“Yes.”

She sat back in the chair, looking calmer than before.

“Thank you for not killing me, I knew you would accept my deal.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.” I warned.

“You won’t. You need me too much, just like he did.” She pointed a red fingernail in the direction of the ball, “Do you know him?”

“No, but he looks familiar.”  I admitted.

“He is from your old pack and once you find him, your true journey will begin.”

Oh she was good, I was hooked.

“True journey?”

“Do you ask yourself why the fates would choose a mate like him for you? I know you do, such a strong she-wolf paired with a monster like that, it makes no sense. Wrong. It makes perfect sense.  I first saw him before he was a pup. He was angry, set on destroying himself. He was a kid, no one that young should be so angry. I saw his future when I touched him and the potential. I warned him of his Fathers attack.” She went quiet, appearing almost sad.

Regret.

My wolf saw it first and I nodded.

“His father saw the potential, but unlike me – he saw the darkness. I should have kept my mouth shut. Ninety years and a fifteen year old wolf shifter fooled me.” Esmeralda shook her head with regret and I wondered just what kind of relationship they had.

“Wait, ninety?” She barely looked thirty.

“I am over a hundred now, perhaps I am starting to get wiser with my age. Shifters are not the only magical beings on this earth Bianca.” She clicked her fingers and behind her another wall of candles lit up as if to prove a point. “The pup managed to survive, because of me. I guess the fates knew it would happen, so they gave him a mate strong enough to do what was needed.”

“How am I supposed to stop him if two strong and older wolves couldn’t? He already tried to kill me and why would I want to?”

“Say the first word that comes to mind when I say, mate.”

“Coward.”

“And that is why you will win. The true why is up to you. Is revenge not enough?”

Revenge? I decided long ago that more killing was not the answer and wondered if she was setting me up for something else. Was she merely acting as puppet master, moving us around how she wanted. She said she had been fooled by Damon once before, was it she who was out for revenge?

She got up and moved the edge of the carpet, lifting a tiny trap door she pulled out a small wooden box and passed it over to me. The lid had the figure of a wolf engraved on the top and as I went to open it, she stopped me.

“I am sorry about your family Bianca, I didn’t want to tell him what I saw next – it was you or me and I quite like being alive.”

“You say something like that, how can I trust you?”

“Trusting me would not be wise. I have learnt my lesson, now it is time for you to learn yours. The future is unpredictable. Every minute that ticks by has the potential to change it all. Listen to your wolf, your instincts will never prove you wrong.”

Kill her to keep her quiet.

“I should kill you to ensure your silence about my visit.”

The fear was back in her eyes, she herself had just said the future was unpredictable and clearly she didn’t like where it was going now.

“Perhaps. Wouldn’t you like to know what is in the box?”

I had forgot about it and glanced down at it curiously.

“Wolfs bane.”

My wolf growled, clearly knowing something I didn’t.

“What does it do?”

“There may come a time when you need to be human, walk amongst the wolves without them knowing who or what you are. You will need this in your future, I promise you that.”

That sounded wrong and an alarm bell went off in my head.

“Human? So I couldn’t shift?”

“No matter how you tried. Each leaf will last for twenty four hours and only ever take one at a time otherwise you might find yourself more permanently changed.” She warned.

“Why would I trust you with this then? How do I know that all you just told me isn’t a lie?”

She smiled standing, her victory obvious.

“Because you are going to leave now and unlike your mate, you do not kill for no reason. I will be here, alive, to greet him when he comes tonight for his yearly reading and I will tell him the same thing I do every year.”

“What do you tell him?” I whispered, clutching the box I was scared the wood would splinter.

“That his mate is dead.” 

“You tell him that, every year? Why?”

She left the room and I followed, my wolf eager to hear her response too.

“Because you are not the only one who doesn’t like to be threatened. His charms stopped working on me years ago and I’ve been waiting for you to come and set things right. Curious, where have you been? I was starting to think it was true.”

Lie.

‘As if I would tell her.’ I snapped back.

“Around. He is coming here tonight?”

“Yes she-wolf so you should leave now. You’re not ready to see him yet. Remember the man in your vision.” She pushed the door open and the sounds of the festival returned as if we had been in our own little world. My wolf seemed to accept what she said, retreating only I wasn’t done yet.

Not expecting it, I easily pushed her against the wooden panel of the now open door and my forearm squeezed against her neck.

“If you have lied to me today, about anything - remember I’ve come back from the dead once and I will do so again to get my revenge on you.”

Her struggles were futile and I only pressed harder as her eyes looked like they might bulge from her head. With a growl I stepped back and she held her throat, gasping as Connor came running through the door.

“I- I promise I haven’t.”

“Bianca?” He looked between the pair of us, clearly worried and I held up my hand to silence him.

“I didn’t hear you.”

She looked at Connor and recognition appeared over her face.

“It makes sense now. Good luck Bianca.”

She quickly disappeared into the backroom and Connor grabbed my arm, pulling me outside.

“Ten minutes! It’s been twenty and you totally disappeared!” He growled, but I didn’t care.

“Connor? You found her!”

Cody and Taylor came running over and soon after so did Adam and Jay.

“Sorry, I got offered a free reading and couldn’t refuse. I lost track of time.”

Connor said he was going to tell Cody the truth if I didn’t get back in time and the way they all acted told me he hadn’t.

“A reading? Oh a psychic. Anything interesting?” Taylor piped up, glancing inside.

“Not really.” Yet I looked at Connor who only narrowed his eyes.

“Ok, well I’m glad you’re ok Bianca.” Cody turned and stalked away, leaving us all staring after him.

“If I didn’t know better, I think my dear old cousin has a thing for you.” Taylor piped up and the boys all groaned, following after him. Looking back at me she saw the box. “What’s that?”

“A gift, it’s nothing really.”

I followed after Taylor, not looking back. The rest of the day was spent trying out rides, eating sugary food and by the time the sun started to set, I ignored Esmeraldas warning and made no effort in getting them all to leave. As soon as it was dark the bulk of the crowd headed to the oval a street over and I felt my wolf retreating like she had the night Damon attacked.

He’s here.

I looked around, inching closer to Connor and Cody as we searched for him. Now I could shift, the process complete I wondered if he would be able to tell if I was here. Could a wolf really hide from another?

Wolfs bane.

The first time I saw him, I didn’t want to be defenseless, yet my wolf was adamant  I took it. We found a seat on the oval and I kept the box hidden as I opened it, taking half a leaf I decided I may as well try it. At least if anything happened, I’d be close enough to kill the gypsy. That is, if it didn’t kill me.

“What are you doing?”

Connor hadn’t given me a second to breathe since we left the store.

“Disappearing.”

I whispered back, ignoring my nerves the leaf tingled on my tongue before I swallowed it.

Nothing happened, I didn’t feel any different.

“What do you mean you’re disappearing?” Connor paused, looking me up and down before sniffing. “What did you do!”

“He’s here. I’ll tell you more later.”

“What are you to whispering about?” Cody looked over, sniffing too. “You ok Bianca?”

“I need some air, could we go for a walk?”

He nodded and Adam watched us without saying a word.

“You’re different. Are you sure you’re ok?” Cody was confused, that much was obvious and I said nothing as we headed back to the main part of the festival.

“My wolf is hiding.” It wasn’t a total lie. “Cody, he’s here.”

“Who? Your mate?”

I nodded, deciding to let him on part of the secret.

“Shit, how does she does that? I can’t even smell you. It’s like your human!”

“I don’t know.”  Liar.

The fact she was still in my mind was a comfort and clearly it worked if he thought I was human.

“Do you know where he is?” Cody looked around, the bulk of the crowd was gone now and some of the cleaners had started tidying up from the day.

“That psychic store.”

“What if he sees you?” He pulled of his cap and sat it on my head, the world’s quickest disguise “Did you, did you want to see him?”

“Yes.”

I wondered if what Taylor had said was true, the hurt in his eyes obvious as he nodded.

“There is that ferris wheel, we can sit on that and get a look from up high?”

Nodding we headed over, both of us keeping an eye out. Had he already gone inside?

We’d just made it a quarter of the way up when the ride stopped and I looked down on the road, looking over each person who lingered in the street. Behind us the first firework sounded with a giant popping bang, and I jumped not expecting it.

There!

Cody held me, as the fireworks started going off and I almost forgot the reason why we were up there as I met his eyes.

There! You’ll miss it!

Swallowing nervously I looked back down, and I was certain my heart stopped when I saw him. Three others trailed behind Damon and as he walked towards the shop, he stopped. He looked around, before looking up at us and I lowered the cap slightly so he couldn’t see my eyes.

Not much had changed, and my wolf was growling in my mind. Unable to connect to my body, I sat silent and as the wheel kept turning he went inside.

“That was him?”

“Yeah.” A feeling that was completely my own filled my stomach, twisting my gut I clenched my hands on the railing and the flimsy bar bent slightly under the pressure. “I should go down there and kill him.”

“No, you’re better than that.”

“I’m not. I want to rip his throat out, and watch the life leave his eyes and…” I didn’t recognize my voice, my eyes not leaving the building. I could wait for this wolfs bane to wear off, shift again and let my wolf have at him. He was a coward, he was weak. His strength came from his pack not his own abilities.

If I take down the pack, I take down the leader.

“Bianca, you’re better than him. You’re angry, hurt and trust me – revenge isn’t as satisfying as you’d think.”

“How do you I know?”

Cody sighed, sitting back the chair rocked slightly and now I gripped the bar for completely different reasons.

“The ones that killed my family? Jay found me at a bar, I know he told you that. Did he tell you the part where he found me covered in blood and half beaten from the fight they put up? I killed them all, I hunted them down and killed them.”

The darkness in his tone was new,  I knew he had his own secrets but I didn’t know that.

“It felt good when I found them, the first three died easily and the others took a little more effort. To stand there on the line between life and death…” He went quiet. I recognized that distant look, I had my own place I went to when I looked like that.

“It’s after the rush leaves you that regret takes over. You don’t need to go through that Bianca.”

He was wrong. Seeing Damon gave me a thirst that needed to be quenched, so I did what I was becoming so good at.

I lied.

“I’m sorry you went through that, you’re right.”

We got off the Ferris Wheel and it was then I caught a familiar scent. Closing my eyes the man who had been the one to put the bag over head came to mind and opening my eyes, he stood on the corner of the building having a cigarette. He didn’t look as big as I remembered, nor as strong and I had to close my eyes as my wolf was fighting for control. She couldn’t have it, the plant stopped her.

It didn’t stop the head ache she was giving me trying.

As we walked past I turned to look at him, and distracted by the phone in his hand he had no idea how he was wasting the last few minutes of his life.

“I need the toilet again, I promise I won’t disappear this time.”

“He’s just in there, I can stay?” Cody offered, looking at the shop nervously.

“It’s fine. He won’t know I’m even here. I have all the closure I need.”

Reluctantly he nodded, and kept going back to the oval where the last few fizzers sparkled up from the ground. Being in human form posed more of a challenge and as I passed him, he whistled – checking me out.

I giggled, turning around shyly and kept walking. Being a predator, he saw a target. I was a weak human girl to him, only unlike last time a few things had changed. I passed the toilets, still hearing his footsteps behind me and certain no one was around stopped to meet him.

“A pretty little thing like you shouldn’t be out here all alone.” He was older than I remembered, closing my eyes I had only seen part of his face and with the moon the only source of light again, he matched it perfectly.

“Why? Is the big bad wolf going to get me?”

“Are you looking for one? I could help with that!”

“Doubt it, you don’t look like a wolf to me.”

And then it all became obvious on how I could kill him. I needed to call out the beast.

“Looks can be deceiving.”

He got closer and the cigarette stench only got stronger. He had enjoyed that night in the forest, it was his grunts I had heard the most with each hit and as my wolf went through her memories, he had been one of the three who had been fighting my Dad. A new anger filled me and all of these feelings were my own, my wolf couldn’t connect and that left little room for doubt in my mind.

He had to die.

“How about you run, and I’ll show just how much of a wolf I can be.” He growled and I gasped, doing as he said. Sure enough the thud of paws came from behind me and I slowed, waiting. The second his steps lessened I turned, the wolf snarling as it leapt towards me.

Ducking, I rolled as he landed and turned to grab at my arm. Without hesitation I poked him in the eye, his yelp muffled from the steady sound of the music still playing from the now finished fireworks. He shook his head before his paw wiped over his eye and he snarled again, turning to find me. I used the distraction to find a thick branch nearby and as he came running over, I swung out, knocking him over.

Just like I had with Taylor, I jumped onto his body and my hands gripped through the fur around his neck. My knee knelt into his ribs, the sensation of them cracking from the pressure had him gasping and wiggling, but I didn’t let go. Just because I couldn’t shift and they couldn’t sense me, I still had her extra strength plus my own.

Kill him.

“You made a mistake not killing me that night.” I growled into his ear, his eyes rolling up to look at me as his fight stopped and he understood my words.

He whined, if he was human he’d be begging and with another growl I snapped his neck.

Getting up I looked at him with disgust before heading back to the toilets and quickly washed my hands, wiping away the dirt on my jeans and fixing my hair. Stepping out of the stall, the group was heading over and seeing me they all visibly relaxed.

“You ok?” Jay asked.

“You said you’d be a sec.” Cody reminded me.

“Sorry, I think it was all the fast food today, my stomach is aching.”

Liar.

I knew she didn't care, her satisfaction was heavy in my mind as my own flowed through me as easily as my blood. It had been to easy, he had been predictable, weak. My wolf got lost in her thoughts, thoughts she didn't want me to know yet and so I left it behind, focusing on everyone as Connor looked at me so answers he wasn't getting.

I wasn't telling them about what just happened. Ever. 

“Come on, let’s get you home then. Who would have thought someone liked Jays cooking?” Cody teased, his family laughing with him while Jay look offended. The joke lasted the whole walk back to the car and I knew then Cody was wrong. The only regret I had was not being able to see Damon’s reaction when they found his pack mate dead.

It was time to make the predator the prey.

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Esmeralda >>>

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So, what do you think of Bianca now, will she regret her revenge like Cody??