by Idella Breen
“Yeah, babe. An official date. So put on something special.” Cait grinned as she dragged Snow into Remus’s house where both of their overnight bags were.
“But I didn’t pack anything nice!”
“I packed you some nice stuff in my bag.”
“You were planning this?”
“Maybe.”
Snow stopped, causing Cait to as well.
“What’s wrong Snow?”
“I- thank you Cait. This means a lot to me.”
“Jeez, I feel like the worst mate ever, if my asking you out on a date has that kind of reaction.”
“No, it’s just, I’m thankful for something so normal.”
Cait kissed her on the cheek and pulled her along. “Gwen already said she wants to help you get ready, so hop into the shower.”
“Gwen is in on this too?”
“Wouldn’t miss it!” The woman in question popped her head out of the room the mates had been sleeping in while staying at Remus’s.
“Gwen! You scared the crap out of me!” Snow said.
“No time for that. I have to work my magic. So hurry up and get in the shower. I’ll need all the time I can get.”
“Hey! I resent that.” Snow sniffed but grabbed a towel from her side of the room and headed for the shower.
“It’s nothing personal, Snow. You’re pretty, but I can make you so much prettier.”
“Whatever!” the brunette called out over her shoulder as she slammed the door. Gwen snickered until she met Cait’s unimpressed gaze.
“What?”
“Try not to pick on her too much.”
“I can have a little bit of fun, can’t I.”
“Only a little bit.”
“You’re both so boring!”
Cait smirked. “We like it that way, thank you very much.”
Gwen huffed. “Whatever.’
***
Snow came out of the shower in nothing but a towel. Cait was sitting on the bed brushing her hair. She turned and smiled at the girl. Snow was about the smile back until Gwen whisked her away to the vanity, where she was plonked down into a chair.
“So Snow, did you decide on where we are going to eat? I don’t know how to dress.”
“Yeah, I want to go to Five Guys.”
“The burger place?”
“Yep.”
Cait frowned. “I offer to take you out anywhere and you choose a burger place. Are you sure you don’t want to go to a nicer restaurant? I’m treating.”
“I’m sure.”
“Can I ask why?”
Snow sighed as Gwen began pulling a brush through her chestnuts locks. “I don’t know. I guess I just want to have a nice relaxing time out with you. I miss spending time with you Cait, but I don’t really feel like dressing up all fancy just to go out. I mean, I want to look nice, but at the same time I just kind of want to be myself, you know? I want us to just be ourselves. No pretending. I just want to be us. So, yeah, Five Guys, because I know how much you like a burger and I like them too. So it just works.”
Cait laughed. “Fair enough. The burger place it is then.”
The redhead stood and walked over to the dresser that they shared, and pulled out her favorite pair of jeans. Snow smiled to herself but was pulled from her musing when Gwen snagged a particularly bad knot.
“Ow!”
“Hold still and it will be over quickly.” Gwen snickered.
“Cait, she’s being mean to me.”
“Gwen, go easy on the human. She’s fragile.”
“I”m not made of glass!”
Gwen smiled. “Good, then you can take a little bit of pain. It will make you stronger.”
Snow frowned and crossed her arms. Somehow, she had the feeling they were ganging up on her. “Well, hurry up then. I’d like to eat dinner sometime today.”
“Yes your royal highness. Grin and bare it.”
Cait chuckled as she pulled her relaxed fit jeans on. She was already wearing an, ‘I am evolution’, shirt and didn’t feel like changing it. Snow said to just be herself and Cait preferred comfort over everything else. So long as it was clean, which it was, that’s all that mattered. Once she was ready, she sat back on the bed and pulled out a book. Might as well kill some time. Gwen was going to work her magic, or at least, however much Snow would let her. The redhead chuckled to herself as she settled into the bed. It smelt like peppermint, Snow’s smell. The woman felt the stress from the day leave her as she relaxed into the bed and began reading.
***
After a lot of fussing and cursing, Snow allowed Gwen to dress her in a relatively tame outfit. It was comfortable but suited her. Because it was summer the girl was dressed in jean shorts and a tight black tank top which was covered with a pinstriped loose vest. Casual but smart is what Gwen called it and Cait agreed. It made the younger girl very cute and almost edible. It was a good thing they were going out to eat. By the time they had ordered and found a seat on the outdoor patio, Cait was starving. After eating half of her burger in three bites she settled down enough to speak again. Snow simply giggled as she munched on her french fries.
“Hungry?”
“You have no idea.”
“Actually, I do. We both skipped breakfast and had that long training session. I know how fast a metabolism you have. I’m surprised you didn’t pass out.”
Cait shrugged. “What can I say, I’m a survivor.”
Snow nodded and took a drink.
“So, Snow, how was school while I was away?”
The brunette shrugged. “Normal, boring.”
“You’re not learning anything interesting?”
Suddenly, the girl perked up. “Yeah, actually, we are. We were covering the werewolf clan disputes. We discussed a little about your clan as well as another one. Have you ever heard of the McCloud Clan?”
Cait hummed. “Yeah. The Fallon’s and the McCloud’s were rival clans for a time. They had favorable land and resources while we had strategic positioning and livestock. It was only normal for us to be fighting all the time.”
“When you say fighting, you mean like wars and stuff, like what we will be doing soon?”
Cait chuckled nodded. “Yes, wars and stuff.”
“What was it like? On the battlefield?”
The redhead finished off her burger and moved onto her fries. “Well, battles are brutal. War brings out the worst in a person, but werewolves, especially so. The wolves inside of us are very territorial, and on the battlefield, when the beast comes out, it comes out very pissed off. So, the battles we had with the rival clan were violent and ugly.”
“Did you enjoy them?” Snow whispered.
Cait paused. “Well, I won’t say that I didn’t, Snow. The beast inside of me likes conflict and my warrior upbringing craves the challenge that a fight like that brings. On the battlefield it’s kill or be killed. You have to push yourself to your limits and surpass them or you die in the bloody mud and dirt. It was an honor to die on the battlefield with a sword in your hand, or in your gut, but I never thought of a death like that, as honorable or glorified. To me it always looked like a pathetic end and I never wanted to end up like that. So, I hardened myself and learned as much as I could in my lessons, so that I would never fall to the mud, but would rise above my enemies, and crush them.”
It was quiet for a moment before the brunette spoke. “I don’t hate that about you.”
Cait softly smiled. “Thank you.”
They shared a smile as Snow reached her hand across the table to hold Cait’s tightly. “It makes you strong, so I don’t hate it, and I know you would never hurt me, so I don’t fear it, but I do fear that you aren’t invincible.”
Cait tightened her hold. “No, I’m not. But I’m damn hard to kill and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Snow nodded and gave a small smile. “I know, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying about you Cait.”
“I’ll always protect you Snow.”
“But who will
protect you?”
They paused for a moment, each gripping the other’s hand slightly tighter.
***
Snow skipped along the sidewalk until she came to stand in front of a water fountain in the center of the small park. It was getting dark outside, but since it was summer the sun was taking its time setting. Several skateboarders were rolling around the park doing tricks and laughing. There were some families scattered about, but everyone was in their own world not paying either woman any mind. Snow spun around to face her werewolf. “Got a quarter?”
Cait smiled and pulled her wallet out from her pocket. She dug through the folds of the leather wallet, before producing the coin, and handing it over to the girl.
“Make a wish Cait!” Snow called, out as she flicked the coin. It landed in the water with a soft plop.
Snow spun around again. “What did you wish for?”
The redhead chuckled. “I can’t tell you. It won’t come true if I do.”
“Ahh, come on. Tell me.”
The werewolf shook her head. “It’s a secret.”
Snow pouted. “You’re no fun.”
The woman simply shrugged and held out her hand for the girl to take. Snow grabbed the offered hand and snuggled up against the werewolf. They walked through the park in silence for a while before Snow broke it. “Cait?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you ever miss your parents?”
The woman looked up into the sky before answering. “Sometimes. Why do you ask?”
“Sometimes I see you staring off into space with this look on your face. It always reminded me of the look my mother would get when my dad was away on a long trip. You would just look kind of lost. Do you think of them often?”
“More so lately. I wish you had gotten a chance to meet them. My mother would have loved you. She always wanted a more girly daughter. I was always too much of a tomboy for her. I was always closer to my dad, but I still loved my mother dearly. She had a way about her that could make you smile, even when you were sad.”
“She sounds nice.”
Cait smiled. “She was.”
“What about your dad?”
“Hmm, well he was nice in a different way. I always felt like I was trying to live up to his expectations. I was set to take over the clan, once I came of age, so he was always challenging me. But when I would succeed at something difficult he was quick to praise me. No matter what the rest of the clan would say, both of my parents always stood by me.”
“I wish I could have met them.”
“Me too, Snow. I think they both would have liked you a lot.”
Snow leaned her head on the werewolf’s shoulder as they continued to walk around the park.
“What about your parents? I can’t say that I know them very well yet, but do you miss living with them?”
Snow laughed. “Not really. You’re much easier to live with. You let me do what I want! They were too bossy, like, all the time.”
The redhead chuckled. “They did come off to me as a bit overbearing.”
“More like controlling, but I still love them. It wasn’t their fault. I don’t know what I would do if I had a daughter that was part of a prophecy. I’d probably be overbearing too.”
Cait chuckled and brought their joined hands up to kiss the girl’s knuckles. “I think you’d make a great mom.”
Snow blushed. The werewolf could feel it against her shoulder. “You think so?”
“Of course. You don’t?”
Snow lifted her head and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve always dreamed about having kids, but I’m still kind of young.”
“I don’t think you’re too young. You’ll be twenty this November. I think you’ll know when your ready though.”
The brunette looked up and met the werewolf’s gaze. Electric blue eyes held her’s and Snow felt a warmth bubbling up from deep inside of her. It was like a flutter in her stomach. “Do you ever want to have children, Cait.” The brunette whispered.
The werewolf shrugged. “I’m open to the idea. Honestly, I’ve never given it much thought. Until…”
“Until what?”
“Well, I guess, until I met you.”
The girl blushed. The flutter was back again. “I don’t mind that.”
Cait pulled Snow closer into her side. “I know babe. I know.”
They continued on the walkway in a comfortable silence.
Chapter 8
Beck introduced the member of his guard as Lee Sho. He was a salamander, but he was a lot shorter than Cait. Lee bowed as he shook both of the girl’s hands.
“It is an honor to meet the both of you. I have heard many stories.”
“I assure you, not all of them are true.” Cait said.
Lee stood back up, a small smile gracing his lips. “True enough. So, how can I help you both? Beck hasn’t told me much.”
The werewolf answered. “We have come to possess some new powers and are in need of some guidance on how to use them.”
“And by use, I assume you mean control?” Lee clarified.
“Yes.” Cait nodded.
“And may I ask what these new powers may be?”
“I can control ice. My power isn’t necessarily new, but I’ve never learned to have full control over it and now it’s become stronger.”
“And I can now control fire.”
“Ah, I see. Very interesting. I believe I may be able to be of some assistance to the both of you. Especially you, Mrs. Fallon.”
“Please, call me Cait.”
“Cait then, I believe I will be able to help you with your flame, as I am used to where such a power comes from. And you, Mrs. Bennett, the principles are very much the same for most sorcerers and I have known a few in my time. None as great as yourself, but they were experienced and taught me much about my own powers. So, shall we begin?”
They both nodded.
“Then follow me. It will be easier if we go someplace less crowded.”
They followed the salamander to a secluded clearing in the woods at the back of Remus’s house. Lee turned around and sat on a patch of grass. He motioned for them to both do the same.
“First, I would like you to tell me about your abilities. The more I know, the better I can help.”
Snow answered first. “Mine are linked to my emotions. They feel like a cold pressure in my chest that builds and builds until it finally bursts free. I’ve never really been able to control it nor call upon it consciously.”
Lee nodded and turned expectantly to Cait.
She shrugged. “I don’t know much about my abilities as I have only had this power for a short while. But I noticed that when I feel strong emotions, like anger, I loose the little control I have, and am able to call upon more power then usual.”
“I see. Well, I will tell you both that your abilities are complete opposites, not just in elements, but also in how they are controlled. Cait, like myself your fire is controlled by passion and rage. When you feel either of those, your flame will grow even stronger, but like any fire with great power, it becomes uncontrollable. Snow, you are the exact opposite. Your powers come from fear and the feeling of powerlessness. They are bottled up due to fear of what they might do. I suspect the ice inside of you is very powerful and could be very dangerous should it be released without care. I am glad to say I know how to help both of you. Cait, what you need is meditation.
My fire comes from the salamander inside of me. It has guided me in learning how to control my abilities. You must meditate to find the source of your power, and to tame the flame inside of you, you must first tame your emotions. Passion fuels the flames so indifference will smother it. Learn to feel without feeling and you will master your flame.”
Lee stood. “Snow, follow me. We will leave Cait to meditate.”
Snow hesitated, but the werewolf smiled at her, and motioned for her to follow the salamander. Lee led her further into the woods until it became dense. He then turned around.
> “In order for you to gain control of your ice, you must learn to let go.”
“Let go?”
“You try to hold onto it too tightly, to keep it under wraps for fear of what you’re capable of, but that only results in it exploding the top off, and doing its damage. You must let go of your fear of yourself.”
“I’m not scared of myself.”
“You do not fear what you see in the mirror. What you fear is deeper than that. You fear your potential. Have you been protected your whole life, Mrs. Bennett? Have you ever fought your own fight? Do you really know what you’re capable of? I will show you that now.”
Suddenly, Lee jumped up and ran into the forest. He disappeared into the trees. Snow was too shocked at first to realize what just happened, but when she did, the panic settled in her gut. She didn’t know the way out of the forest. The brunette had blindly followed the crazy Asian man like a fool and now she was lost.
“Lee!” Only the wind answered her.
“Lee, this isn’t funny. Where are you?” Again, there was no answer.
Snow looked around the forest but every direction looked the same. She moved to walk to her left when something whizzed by her head and thunked into the tree next to her face. The brunette felt something wet trailing down her face and reached her hand up, pulling her fingers back, they were coated in blood. Her blood. Looking up she saw that a metal star was embedded into the tree where her head had been only moments before. Snow stepped back. Another metal star whizzed by, but this time it cut into her arm before thunking into the tree behind her.
Snow felt the icy hand of fear grip in her belly and found that she couldn’t move. She was frozen stiff. Was that Lee that was throwing those things at her? Was he trying to kill her? What was going on?
A whispered, “Move,” had Snow ducking, just barely evading two more stars as they dug into the tree behind her. She took off into the trees, running as fast as she could. It didn’t matter what direction she was going in. She had to get away from that crazy man that was trying to kill her. Snow jumped over a fallen log and hid behind it. The brunette panted with the exertion from the short run. Her stamina had been increasing with all the training she had been doing, but her heart was beating from fear, as well as the run.
