The night whispered in softer sounds, with cats chasing rats, scattering from tree to tree. A rustle of dried leaves blew as their white BMW jeep, like a ghost, passed the dark curtained night.
It didn't take long till Adrian packed in front of their house. When the roaring engines died, Adrian was the first to step down. Others climbed down after him with chuckles of laughter. It had been a fun-thrilled night at the cinema. The family joked before entering, and Harry gently pulled Jessica aback by the arm. Others turned back at them but she signalled they go in. Opening the front door, Stormie, Adrian and Maria hid by the side of the door, watching them with curious eyes from behind.
"Umm... I just needed a time with you alone. There's something I need to tell you, Jessica, and I need to tell you now because the more I keep it to myself, the more I get uncomfortable holding it up."
"Okay..." She turned to him, interested.
"I haven't done this before so, pardon me. We've known each other for a while now. I haven't been in a relationship because I feel so awkward and wrong but with you, Jessica. Everything feels right. I've been a secret admirer for about five months now and meeting you was a dream come true."
"Secret admirer?" Stormie whispered, trying hard not to laugh.
"Shhhh!" Adrian cut in. "Let's listen."
"Wha...What are you trying to say?" Jessica asked, with a suppressed laugh.
He knelt down with one knee and brought out a small box from his side pocket. He opened it and there was a diamond ring in it. Harry raised his gaze at her happy eyes. It glittered as tears of joy suddenly washed down her eyes. She wiped it off with the heels of her hand, staring back at him, holding back the tears.
"What I'm trying to say is that you are my North, my South, my East and West. You are the sun of my morning and the night to my day. I can't spend one more day without you, Jesse. You are hardworking, intelligent and independent. I love the feeling and the butterflies I get when I see you smiling. And I would love to smile for the rest of my life too. So, I say it's a yes?"
She placed a hand over her eyes to hide the tears, but she couldn't stop herself from the joy welling up inside of her.
"Say yes!" Stormie cut the silence.
"Say, yes! Say yes!! Say yes!!!" Adrian and Maria joined, clapping for her to accept his proposal.
"Yes, Harry. I want to be with you, too." Jessica replied him, wiping off the joyful tears. "I accept your proposal."
With a glad heart, Harry fixed the ring on her middle finger and planted a kiss on her hand. It amazed the kids at how beautiful they were, with smiley faces. Jessica held up to raise on his feet. They leaned close to each other with happy eyes and fulfilled smiles. Harry held her closer than his fingers wiped out the tears from her eyes. About to share a kiss, Jerry came out of the dark with Conan by his side. He pushed him towards the coupled and everyone turned in his direction, flabbergasted.
"You are alive?" the words dropped off Jessica's mouth in total shock. "What... What are you doing here?"
"Grrr!" Stormie's wolf groaned. His presence torments her breathing. Adrian felt the same, but Maria held them back.
Jerry raised a hand, signaling Conan to stop at a distance. He didn't want to get closer, either.
"What are you doing here?!" Jessica snapped. "Are you here again for my kids?!"
"Who is he?" Harry asked, puzzled in the circle and noticing that the joy in Jessica's eyes were lost.
"No... Not that, Jess. I came back to you. It's unfortunate indeed, I lost the manor, but I don't want to lose you too. I still love you, Jess. Forgive me and give me a chance."
"I expected nothing from anyone because I can't expect the person who broke me into pieces to bring all of those pieces and put them back together. You can't do that, and if you can... Why do you choose to do that? You have the power to destroy me and my family. Why would I trust you to come back? You are a terrible memory, Jerry. A bad dream that came to my family. Who knows if you're responsible for my late husband's death? You killed Madam Magdalena and now you think you can destroy the knights, too?"
"I won't, I promise. I'm sorry...but I came back to you to right the wrong." He stuttered the words with sincerity in his eyes.
"I'm sure this is one of your plans, Kelmendi! But it's over between us. As you can see. I have a man now. Love is not about wealth or charms or whatever supernatural power you think you have.
"A man who is truly interested in a woman would find endless reasons to be with her. A man who is just playing around and is confused with his own feelings would find endless excuses to mess around. What am I saying? You're not even human. Just leave us alone, Jerry. I've said enough. Now, go away!"
"Jess-"
"Grrrr!" Stormie intervened.
"Don't dare call me that!" She hissed and Conan gently pulled his wheelchair away. They walked into the dark street while Harry held Jessica softly in a warm hug. "What was that all about?" he asked with worry in his eyes. "Should I spend the night with you? Would he hurt you?"
"He wouldn't dare!" she hissed. "Come on in. Let's go in." Jessica told her children as they entered the building.
Meanwhile, Ashley was watching from her transparent window. Conan pushed him back into her apartment and they sat in the living room thinking of what next to do.
"She doesn't even want to see you. What happens next?"
"I don't know, Ashley," he replied. "But it's going to be bloody bad."
***
Jessica pulled Harry into her room. He had questions, and he needed answers.
"Who is that guy? Was he threatening you? Am I in any trouble? Your children were growling out there... Aren't you worried? No... I need to call the doctor! I need to get the police!"
"Harry." She snapped at him. "Please, calm down." Jessica banged the door close and pulled him to bed.
"I'm a nurse, so if my children are sick, I know what to do. First, that man is a monster. An enemy of this family, so ignore him. I'm sure he wouldn't bother us any longer. Second, I'm good and you're not in any trouble, I promise. He's just trying to ruin our lives and happiness. Let's just forget about Jerry tonight, okay?" she pulled out her dress, exposing only her underwear, but she trapped a while towel over her slim body, almost immediately.
"I'm tired, and I need a shower. Would you join me?"
"Ugh... Darling." Harry gave a ramble of protest in his throat. "You know I can't ever say no to you. But I'm still concerned, though."
Jessica nodded in amazement and stepped into the bathroom. Harry followed.
Marian was about to go into her room when Adrian pulled her into his. She jerked off his arm, but he was stronger, of course.
"Just spend a little time with me tonight." He begged.
"I told you no, already." Her whisper was harsh. Maria thought he understood her reasons. She entered anyway.
"I'm here now. What do you want?" Maria looked at Adrian, then she turned away. He focused his dark eyes on hers, pulling her closer.
Her skin was soft, but her lips were chapped and weathered. As Adrian ran his hand across her cheek, he felt an irregularity. A scar. In his opinion, it made her more beautiful and unique, like a gorgeous butterfly. She was new, yet felt oddly familiar. She fit perfectly into his arms. Her lips seemed moulded to the shape of his and his hands curled around hers so perfectly he felt they had been made for him. Close up, she smelt familiar. Somehow: wine, roses, honey… she reminded him of being lycanthrope. The affliction with the transformation that occurs on the night of a full moon.
Maria tasted like anything amorous. She tasted like tenderness, warmth and intimacy–he imagined holding her running by his side, howling by his side during the next full moon. It would be magical.
"You said until you turn 16." Adrian sounded whiney.
"Yes, that was three days ago. We still have to wait. I need to turn into wolf fully inorder to be your mate. I haven't gone through that process yet."
"How long do we have to wait again?"
"Until the next full moon When I transform. Only then would we be able to spend the night together as mates."
"Okay then." He gently pulled away from her body. "I'd wait till next week... It should be February 16th."
"Yes, Adrian. I'm eager to know what it feels like? My joints and jaws are sore already. I feel prepared." Maria explained worriedly.
"It would be fine. You'd be fine." He held her in a hug and a smile spread on his lips.
"Twaaacck!" Ashley slaps the water in a bowl, where she watches them. "To hell with the both of them! How can Adrian fall so deeply in love with her when he loved me first?"
Petrified, she turned to Jerry, who was sitting right next to her in his wheelchair.
"You've got a plan, right?" She asked him.
"Yes, of course." Jerry exhaled exhaustedly. "What about you?"
"I've got a proposal." A malicious grin spread a cross her lips. "Let's just wait."