Chapter 18: Chapter 2
«We have to leave!» Stephanie yelled.
«But mother I told you she's just a girl! Nobody will believe her.» Michael insisted.
«Trust me, that village has never forgotten what happened years ago. Even a single person would be enough, a single rumor about a giant wolf and the hunt would start again. We're no longer safe here.»
«But this is our home… »
«I know son.», his father caressed him. «But it's for our safety.»
Michael ran away and climbed one last time on those trees that had been his friends all his life.
He had grown up there, had stayed out of trouble but had made one mistake, one stupid mistake. It was his fault they had to leave. If he hadn't met that girl, things wouldn't have changed.
While jumping through the trees he saw her entering the forest once again.
He thought that if he asked her to keep his secret, they wouldn't be forced to leave their home.
But before he could jump off he realized she wasn't alone.
«Gerard I told you not to follow me!» Maryanne said without turning to him.
«You can't wander through the woods alone, it's dangerous.»
«You have to leave, or he won't show up.»
Oh no, my mother will kill me, he thought. Maybe she was about to tell his secret.
«Who?»
«A fawn. I bring him food most evenings.»
He was perplexed. She was… trying to protect him?
«You know what the people of the village say. Packs of dangerous werewolves live in the woods. You can't stay here.»
«My mother is right, they haven't forgotten.» Michael whispered.
«This is one of the reasons I don't want to marry you. You're just like my mother. You just tell me what to do, what is best for me. Leave me alone, I can take full responsibility for what will happen to me.»
The temper of that girl struck even more the young Michael who was hiding in the trees.
Gerard snorted. «As you wish. But when you come back you will face your mother, because I will go straight to talk to her.»
«Go ahead.»
The young man clenched his fists and headed for the village.
Michael made sure he had left the woods before showing himself to Maryanne.
«I knew you would come back.» Maryanne said smiling.
«I did it just to thank you, for not saying anything.»
«I just returned the favor. You helped me out of the forest.»
«I have to ask you, please, to keep the secret about who I am.»
«I knew those stories weren't just legends… But you can rest assured, I won't say a word. I promise you... I don't know your name.»
«Michael.»
«You're not French… ?»
«My father is British, it's the name of my grandfather.»
«Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Michael. I think you already know my name. You have excellent hearing, am I right?»
Michael felt he could trust that girl. His mother didn't want him to tell her his secrets, but he was completely fascinated by those green eyes. After all, he was only nineteen, and he knew nothing but the trees of that forest. It was the first time he had met a girl, a woman who wasn't his mother.
«Yes.» he answered.
«Michael!»
«Oh no, it's my mother, you have to leave.»
«Too late.», Stephanie was already there.
Michael had been so distracted by that girl, he hadn't noticed how close his mother was.
«I told you to stay away from the villagers and you're here talking to her?!»
«Mother, I'm sorry. She promised she won't say anything, we can trust her. We don't have to leave our home.»
«I promise.» Maryanne said. «I would never do anything to put you in danger.»
«We can't know.»
«Stephanie, the girl promised it.», Michael's father jumped out of a tree.
«Ash, you can't trust her. She's one of them. That village is a danger to you and our son.»
«Oh my goodness! I know who you are! You are that missing girl... they said that a wolf had torn you apart in the woods.»
Ash approached Stephanie. «Those are just stories. I could never have hurt her. I love her. I feel you care about my son too. This is why I know we can trust you.»
«I don't want anything to happen to both of you. You know they will come looking for you too… » Stephanie said taking her husband's hands.
«Stephanie take a good look at her, look at her eyes. This girl won't betray us, she will keep the secret.»
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone