Chapter 3: Forbidden Bond

Silvana blinked in shock.

"Werewolves and witches are at war," she said. "I don't understand. Why would you save me?"

Headlights shone through the window in the room.

"Your father is here," Bruce said, his eyes lingering on Silvana's rosy lips for a long second. She felt his warm breath and saw his sharp fangs when he said, "Let me help you to the car."

Silvana was speechless. To be Guardian Witch meant to work against the werewolf families. Her father had trained her to despise werewolves, even taught her spells to kill them, and here she was, draped in the arms of a giant one guiding her through his cozy house and out the front door.

She didn't feel ready to leave. She rubbed the scratches on Bruce's back and asked, "What about you? You're hurt."

"I'll be fine," Bruce said defiantly. Silvana believed him. His touch made her senses go wild, and she had trouble believing that anything could even hurt somebody so powerful. The two exited Bruce's home, stepped down the stairs, and entered the shining beam of the car's headlights. A chill swept through the night, and Silvana was grateful for Bruce's comfy, baggy shirt. She was even more grateful to feel him next to her, their bodies snug and toasty.

Solaris exited the car and hobbled to the front door on his cane. He went to hug Silvana but Bruce stepped between them. He towered over Solaris and said, "Don't mess up her stitches."

Silvana got a thrill from how protective Bruce was being. Her heart was beating fast enough that she thought her heavy breathes might rip open her wounds. Then again, wouldn't that just put her back where she wanted to be, inside Bruce's bed?

Solaris exhaled with bloodshot eyes. He was still in his bathrobe and seemed disheveled. Had he been crying?

Solaris, for what felt like the first time ever, had worry on his face for his daughter. This was all new for Silvana. She was used to being scolded, but not familiar with being considered, and she appreciated every second of it. Bruce was the first man in her life to show her such affection, and she adored him for it.

But she couldn't be having such thoughts!

It was forbidden for witches and werewolves to so much as speak to one another.

"If the last thing I spoke to you," Solaris said, his back straight and addressing Silvana, "Was something so cruel about your inadequacies, I would have been heartbroken."

Solaris dabbed a tear from under his eye. "I'm sorry, Silvana," he said.

Silvana held back sobs. In twenty-one years, this was the first time her father ever apologized to her.

"It's okay, Dad," she said, biting on the inside of her cheek. "I'm just happy that we're all alive."

Bruce let go of Silvana and she stood by herself. He was much taller than her, but he still glanced at her with a sign of respect, as if he was impressed that after all she had been through, she was still standing on her own two feet. Bruce kept an arm on her shoulder while she finished stabilizing herself and regained her footing. She clutched the side of her stomach and breathed quick, small breaths.

"Keep her safe," Bruce said to Solaris, more of a command than a request.

Silvana melted inside, feeling an incredible attraction to Bruce, like she'd rather go back to his bed and spend the night in his strong arms than return to her own house and her own bed, alone. What was coming over her? She couldn't just reject all that she had been taught growing up.

Solaris stepped to Bruce and Silvana feared that the two might get hot-headed and attack the other. There was generations of hatred between witches and werewolves, and Solaris and Bruce glared at each other.

Solaris looked up at Bruce and said, "Understand this, Mr. Winters. We're not friends, nor will we ever be. But whatever happens between our families, I will remember what you've done tonight."

Bruce nodded and told Solaris and Silvana, "It's best you two leave and we never speak of this again."

"Agreed," Solaris said, helping Silvana to the car.

Silvana cleared her throat and chimed in, "I'd like to help Bruce with his wounds. It's the least I can do."

Solaris frowned. He asked Bruce, "Mr. Winters, will you be alright?"

"I will," Bruce said, offering Silvana a final glance, like he was checking her out one last time while he still could.

Bruce shut the front door to his house behind him and Silvana and Solaris closed the doors to their car.

Solaris didn't look away from the road while driving.

All he said the entire trip home was, "You are never allowed, under any circumstance, to see that man again."

But Silvana barely listened. She was too busy memorizing the route to Bruce's house. Even with miles between them, Silvana felt a bonded connection to Bruce, like no matter what, they were meant to be together.