III

The sound of panting escaped my lips as I picked up a stool, climbed on and picked up a book. I jumped down, forgetting to return the stool when I ran past my mother.

“And where do you think you are going young lady?” Mother asked as my steps slowly regressed.

I hid the book behind me and gave mother the most innocent of smiles my little sixteen years old could muster.

“To the woods.” I responded as mother arched a brow, while her twin, my aunt Lucinda stepped in with some books.

“Why?” Mother asked as I shuffled my feet.

“I’m going to visit my friend Rudy. He is expecting me mother.” I replied.

Mother was about to go against it when Aunt Lucinda tapped her shoulders.

“Let Eliza have fun. She’s sixteen and a young woman exploring the big world and unknown to her. It’s not like she’s going into town alone.” Aunt Lucinda said and I nodded quickly.

“But still Eliza is different from her brothers and sisters, she is human meaning she is in more danger. She also has a knack of… attracting trouble.” Mother argued.

“And we will be there to protect her if her life is in danger as we promised Maleficent.” Aunt Lucinda said referring to the great witch queen.

Mother sighed knowing she had a weakness to letting Lucinda’s judgments prevail over her personal desire.

“Very well. Be back before supper or else Eliza…”

“A thousand letters on conjuring a familiar of different kinds. Yes mother, I know. Goodbye mother, Aunt Lucinda.” I greeted with a wave before I opened the back door in the kitchen and ran off.

My family, Willows was a family of powerful witches. I on the other hand was an exception because I was adopted.

My biological mother, a witch, gave me to Lady Maleficent when I was a baby who raised me till I was five years old before I was handed to my mother, Larissa Willows.

No one knows anything about my father from what I have asked so far and my mother whose name is confidential to me as well disappeared and came back a few years with me in her arms before she went missing. They say she did it for my protection which is why I probably don’t resent her at all.

Living with witches is far more exciting than living with humans.

I covered my head with my red hood as I ran fast into the woods; a smile on my face and a book in my arms.

Mother always complained I don’t have any friends because I isolated myself from kids my age even my siblings and had more conversations with the elders.

It wasn’t my fault I was different but I wasn’t letting my difference stop me from my adventures. How I saw things, no one else did and so I saw no need in talking more than when needed to especially with people that have different interest. I also felt more connected with nature than people.

I hopped over the small stones of the stream as I giggled before I ran towards a cool cave that housed my only true friend.

“Rudy!” I called as my voice echoed in the cave.

I was sure he knew I was coming before I even got here but the stubborn creature; he always wanted me inside his cool cave than outside the warm and beautiful sun.

I stepped inside the large cave, bigger and hidden from the sights of men as I walked straight to the large wolf that I called Rudy.

Rudy was by far, the biggest wolf I have ever seen probably at nine feet tall with his red eyes that had a beautiful golden yellow glow once in a while.

How he did that I don’t know but that gave me enough details to say he wasn’t an ordinary creature, probably a creature of magic I just can’t bring myself to study about.

He was my friend so if I wanted to know him, I had to spend time with him a lot.

Rudy rested on his stomach, his head resting on his paws as I stared at him with my hand on my hips.

“It’s rude to ignore someone just because you want things done your way. Do you know how many times I called you?” I asked as I pointed at finger at him, scolding him like how mother would scold my brother Angelo for silencing sounds in his room to ignore her.

Rudy huffed as I glared at him while his tail wagged.

“Giving me an attitude young man? Then I won’t read for you then.” I said as I folded my hand.

He barked and wagged his tail, licking my face as I laughed and petted his fur.

“Okay, Okay. I forgive you. You’re just so cute when you act like a young puppy.” I cooed before I kissed his cold wet nose.

He curled his body around me as I laid in the warmth of his fur before I opened the first chapter of the book.

“It all started on a cold winter night…” I read.

The young witches had played a trick on me and had me go to the woods for the first time alone when I was fourteen on winter to pick a sun drop flower.

It’s the only flower that blooms on winter and it has an incredible kick to potions especially healing potions.

It was late and I was lost and not to mention, a group of animal hunters found me walking back home and wanted to play with me so I fled.

The blizzard only got worst as I ran for my life not caring if I was still being chased or seeing where I was going.

I fell from a little cliff and the snow luckily saved me from a heavily hit but my body was so cold I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t move; there was no one to help me and even if I was able to signal for help, I would be dead before mother would find me.

And that was where he found me…Rudy.

He was surprised when I didn’t show any sign of fear, no hesitation even when he growled. I stared into his eyes that warmed my frozen body as though they were calling me out to help his lonely soul so I did.

I reached out to him and he saved me just as I had saved him.

We built a fun relationship. I called him Rudy because he was rude yet playful like the alpha wolf he was. That is, if he is but I’m sure he was.

He enjoyed listening to the sound of my voice and I enjoyed having him around me. It was almost like we were in love but it couldn’t be possible.

He was a beast, a creature with four paws and another species and I was…human.

“She always loved him even with her passing breath; the end.” I whispered as I closed the book before I sighed.

“I hate the story, it’s just too sad.” I said as he huffed in agreement and I laughed. “Silly wolf.”

I dropped the book as I placed my head on his body before his tail covered me. I patted his fur loving the texture as he breathed softly in happiness.

“You know Rudy; sometimes I wish you could also be human as well. Like uhm… werewolves. Then we could go out sometimes and have fun and hold hands,” I laughed at the thought of holding a faceless Rudy hands. “And kiss like…” Rudy stared at me.

“You know what, forget what I said. It must probably be because I am already of age to marry. Mother is looking for a nice man for me but I just… I always say the weirdest things don’t I?” I asked and Rudy seemed upset.

“Well goodnight boy. See you tomorrow; mother needs me home before supper.” I said as I stood up and dusted my gown.

Rudy clearly didn’t want me to go because he used his tail to block my path and growled as I stared at him.

“I’m sorry Rudy, I have to go. I promise to be here tomorrow very early.” I said and carried his tail out of my way.

I was so close to the exit when I heard something like bones cracking and I slowly turned my back.

I was speechless when I saw Rudy transforming into, into a… man.

He fell on both his knees, naked before he walked up to me with shaky feet like a new born lamb and hugged me.

“Rudy you’re…” He silenced me with a kiss as I closed my eyes wrapping my hands around his neck.

Rudy pulled away as I stared into his beautiful hazel eyes that blindly compelled me. His long hair was messy and fine just like the beard on his face. He was bigger, muscular and smelt like the clean stream close by that gave him an earthly scent.

He was far more handsome than I had ever imagined him as a man. The most handsome man I have ever set my eyes on.

“Adam. Call me Adam… Eliza.” His baritone stole me completely.

“Yes… Adam.”

I gasped as I sat up and panted at the dream I just had.

“Adam.”