Another day came and went. I did not see Matthias, because besides training he ran up to Austin's pack to attend the funeral for their lost fighters. I was glad that Serge had opted not to attend.

We had our usual Friday night television binge, but Jodi and Tabitha seemed a bit subdued, probably because they had both known the fallen fighters.

Still, we sat on Serge's couch and munched on popcorn and the sense of normalcy was a balm as ever. I was glad that we had begun this ritual even though I had felt so unsure of it at first.

We were now working our way through another series. It was pretty good and it was easier to keep my attention focused than when I first had started hanging out with them.

In spite of Matthias's observations about how I did not like food, he was only partly right. I still had no appetite to motivate me to eat, but gradually I was beginning to be able to actually taste the flavours that I was consuming. Assuming things continued apace, I would be back to enjoying food almost like normal eventually, maybe in a couple of years.

The curse did not like my prediction, so it rushed through me again.

I shivered with terror and I sighed. I was getting so weary. I wanted to be free again. It demonstrated its displeasure by stabbing into the nape of my neck.

I forced my attention back between the television and the funny caustic little comments Tabitha periodically produced.

One episode ended, but before the next began Tabitha spoke. "So, I hear you're engaged?"

I nodded, surprised she had heard and also that she had not brought it up sooner.

"When is it?"

"As soon as we can manage," I said. The curse clawed at my skin again. Had Matthias had figured out a possible date yet? Surely he would tell me when he did.

"Nice. Congratulations."

"We probably wouldn't be doing it so soon but we're hoping it helps with the curse."

"Where did you get the idea?"

"Honestly? I just stumbled upon it and the c-curse reacted so furiously that I realized love might be a way to remove it. I know it sounds silly, but I'm desperate." I even felt the fool for saying it.

"Don't blame you, if I were you, I would try anything," Jodi said with a little shrug.

"Let's see your ring," Tabitha suggested.

I held out my hand.

"Nice."

"It was my mom's," I told her.

"That's really sweet," Tabitha cooed as if she were looking at a shiny new rifle.

"Yeah," I agreed inanely.

She frowned a bit. "Bobby is sure taking his sweet time on that with me."

"Maybe if you come to mine it will give him ideas," I said.

Jodi shrugged. "From what I hear, Matthias has been into Elise forever."

"It wasn't that long. Why, is that what my brother told you?"

Jodi did not let my comment get her off track. "Yes, that's exactly what Sean told me. You were apparently the last to know."

A bit of embarrassment wash out through the curse and I wanted to argue, but she was not far wrong. "He hid what he was feeling and always looked so irritated when people bothered him with match making us, I just assumed, you know?"

"Yeah," she said. She hit the remote and I was glad that the show was started again.

* * * * * * * * *

Once Jodi and Tabitha left, I tried calling Matthias, even though it was late enough that I probably should not. The phone rang several times before it was picked up.

"Hello?" Matthias asked.

I smiled, it was such a nice change to have him be the one to answer the phone. "Hey, Matt."

"Elise. How're you?"

"I'm fine," I assured him.

"Good."

"Hope I didn't wake anyone."

"I don't think you did. I was just eating."

"I just watched TV with Jodi and Tabitha." My tongue stumbled over their names, but I got them out.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked.

I paused. "As good as I can, I think."

"I hope we break the magic off of you, soon," he said.

As long as no one had to die, I agreed wholeheartedly.

"So, I called the pastor today to set up a date."

"Oh?" I said. His words made everything we were going to do feel more real.

I could hear the annoyance in his tone. "He's free, but first we need a marriage licence. I don't see how it's the government's business that I'm going to marry you," he grumbled.

I smiled at his familiar surly attitude. I wished he were there beside me so I could sidetrack him from his complaints.

He continued, "So, once the licence gets here Pastor Jensen will fit us in as soon as possible. Most of his Saturdays are clear. That is, if that's what you still want to."

Every time he seemed unsure it pinged at my heart. "I told you I'm sure, Matt."

"I know."

Yet he did not sound as certain as normal. I supposed he had always hid his insecurities about me under bluster and pretence before I had known what he felt.

"Good, because it's true." I changed the subject. "Do you have to run patrols tonight?"

"Yeah."

After the recent losses I was more concerned about his work than ever, but I also knew I could not keep him from the fight, like the night when he had stayed with me instead of rushing to the borders. I knew it had bothered him that he had not been there to help.

"Stay safe, okay?"

"I will. You know we always retreat if we're in danger of becoming overwhelmed."

"Yeah," I agreed. It still did not make me feel better. Accidents still happened.

"I wrote you another letter," he commented.

I smiled. "Really? You know you don't have to, right?"

"Yeah, I do. But it's getting easier the more I do it, and if it helps..."

"It does."

"Then it's worth it."

"Thanks," I told him, although the word was inadequate to express the swelling in my chest.

"So, I was thinking about after we're..."

"Married?" It was such a strange but pleasing thought.

"Yeah. So, if the curse isn't removed right away, my uncle has a camper we can borrow and put near Serge's house until we figure out something better."

"That could work, for the summer," I agreed. "S-Serge said that he would make it work. Maybe... Maybe you could talk to him. You know, if you don't get too upset?"

The curse, which I had barely been feeling flared up and cold panic rushed through me at the idea of Matthias talking to Serge. It was still all too easy to imagine Matthias losing his temper.

He was trying, for me, but... "Just don't fight, please."

"I won't fight with him," he said.

The curse lessened, whether because of his promise or the mere sound of his voice assuring me I did not know.

All I knew was that I could not wait for the day when he was beside me every night. I was certain that I would sleep more securely, even if the magic still afflicted me.

I smiled at him through the phone line, at my friend and my safety and my future.

* * * * * * * * *

I woke up the next morning with my heart drumming, but I felt tentatively optimistic in spite of the magic panic. I still could not remember my dreams, but I never needed the memories to know how they made me feel.

They were mere figments of the magic working against my imagination, so there was nothing truly to fear.

I pushed myself out of bed, pulled on my robe and made myself walk down the hall and towards the kitchen. I found Serge there in his usual spot at the counter.

"Good morning," I said.

Serge repeated my greeting amiably.

It did not smell like he was cooking, so I went to the cupboards and pulled out a bowl and spoon before grabbing the milk and cereal. I sat down in my typical spot and began eating, putting methodic spoonfuls into my mouth.

"Want to go for a run after you're done?" he asked me.

"Yes," I agreed. It sounded nice and it gave me hope that Serge and I could somehow decrease the awkwardness between us and return to our previous state of non-hostile allies.

"Great," he said. He drained his cup and picked up his papers. "I'll meet you outside."

"Sounds good," I agreed. I focused on the task at hand as I listened to him walk down the hall.

I swallowed the last couple of bites and exhaled a shaky breath. I rinsed my dishes and walked out the door.

For once, I transformed and returned to the yard wrapped in my fur before Serge got there. I was surprised when he came out, still human with Denizen on his heels.

Denizen came up to me and nuzzled my face. He seemed even more affectionate while I was in my wolf form. I did not mind, he was a close part of my pack.

He ran around like a pup for a long moment and I joined him. I barked a laugh as I chased him around. Serge came out a moment later, his normal dominant posture slightly unsettling.

He did not do it intentionally, but I could not stop my tail and head from lowering. I could see my behaviour pained him, but I only had so much control over it.

Again, I hoped against hope that my relationship with Matthias would break me from the curse. I wanted that for Serge as much as for myself. I knew he felt the same.

Serge began to lead us through the forest, pacing himself so that Denizen and I could easily keep up. I had seen how fast he could run when he put on speed.

I was faster than Denizen, too, but the difference between us was not so profound.

As far as I could tell, Denizen was entirely unconcerned by such things. He seemed to have other matters on his mind, things like running, eating, helping to rear his pups. I envied his simple life. He might have sensed something was wrong, but he had no concept of the intricacies of the curse.

I wondered briefly if animals could be cursed and then I resolved never to ask such a question around Professor Alexi. If the idea crossed her mind she would surely want to test it, and I certainly did not want some poor animal to potentially suffer as I did.

We dashed around trees, skirting through the forest and along the edges of clearings. I enjoyed my relative peace at the activity, until Serge stopped.

He looked around cautiously and I paused, wondering what was wrong.

He was looking behind us and a familiar scent crossed my nose a moment before the dark grey wolf came into view. Matthias slowed as he approached.

I stared as my friend—my fiancé, approached my leader. I was torn between happiness at seeing Matthias so much earlier than I thought I would see him and nervousness at their interactions. Denizen also had his eyes affixed on the pair attentively, seemingly ready to back up his master if the need arose.

To my relief, neither growled, but neither backed down. Like in their human forms, their wolf forms were both terribly evenly matched. They were both skilled fighters and I could not imagine which one would win if it came down to a fight.

Then, Matthias lowered his head, almost imperceptibly and Serge nodded curtly to acknowledge the reaction. I released the breath I had not even realized I had been holding as I watched them face off.

After their silent accord, Serge began to move again and Matthias fell back beside me and nuzzled my face as we began to follow my leader.

Before too long, we returned to Serge's house and we all went our separate ways to change. When I emerged from the trees wrapped in my bathrobe, I found Matthias leaning on Isaac's truck, fully dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that did not entirely hide his musculature from my eyes.

"I can't believe that Isaac let you use his truck again," I told Matthias.

"He only lets me because he likes you," Matthias told me.

"Well, I am glad your family likes me," I said with a little smile.

"They like you better than they like me," he joked, wrapping his arms around me.

"That's because you growl at them."

He shrugged. "Can't help it, I'm a wolf."

I pulled back from him. I probably looked terrible since I had basically just rolled out of bed and went for a run. "I've got to go get dressed."

Matthias nodded and pulled a bag out of the back and showed me that he had brought his game systems again. I smiled.

"I'll meet you in the house," he promised.