A Kiss For Your Freedom

- You saw it?

~1 only saw a shadow which moved quickly. Nothing more. I stood looking out the window for a long time but nothing moved so I concluded that it was all in my head. Especially since you were both sleeping which only confirmed my idea. - You should have woken us, I said a little louder than I wanted.

She closes her eyes, sighing. She doesn't like the tone I'm using and I can’t blame her. Everything is my fault. I should hay been more careful, more on my guard. I'm just picking on her when she has absolutely nothing to do with it.

- Sorry. My Wolf is very nervous, if I listened to him, I would have to let him out so that he can chase after him and tear h to pieces.

~ 1 woke up with a start. I don’t know why but I woke up. Next time, I'll Let you know, she said, leaving the kitchen and heading towards the bathroom.

I follow her, trying to hold her back by grabbing her arm, but she quickly frees herself and turns to me before saying,

- I'm going to take a shower. I don't think there's a monster in the bathroom, so I can go alone. You'd better prepare breakfast for the children, they'll be up soon, she adds firmly.

She is angry, angry with me. I'm angry with myself for speaking to her like that, I'm angry with myself for burdening her when she’s not responsible for all of this. The door closes behind her, at the same time as it blocks our connection. I can’ blame her, I deserved this, deserved this reaction she has towards me.

My hand rests on the closed door as I sigh deeply. The sound of water rises. I know her well enough to know that she nee time for herself and that at this precise moment, 'm too much. I walk away with a heavy heart. I don't like it when she shuts herself off from me. I don't like feeling hurt when I promised never to do it again.

She's right, the kids get up before I even get to the kitchen. I have to take care of them, they remain our priority. Emma doesn't come back until a good hour later, taking care to stay away from me. It's very rare between us and not just becau: of our bond but every now and then it happens, every now and then an argument breaks out and then it impacts all thre of us. We didn't need that now. I blame myself for being such an idiot when I know full well that she is more than capable of defending herself.

I make a gesture towards her, try to grab her hand as she passes me, but she slips away and gets dressed to go out. I kno she’s going to see Dorian, and I couldn't stop her. I don't want her to go out, I don't want her to take any chances, but she going to do it anyway and I can only watch as she walks towards the door. As she opens it, I'm about to say something, bu my lips stay open as she turns to me and gives this look that clearly says, “go ahead, try to prevent it She leaves, slamming the door behind her.

Emma's POV

I don't like that tone. I do not like it at all. I understand that he wants to protect us but he doesn't have to act like that. I know he already regrets it, I don't need our connection to know that. I need some space. Need to breathe. This is all starting to get on my nerves.

I take a few steps outside. The snow from last night will hold and even if it is no longer falling for the moment, there is nc doubt that it will return by the end of the afternoon, perhaps even earlier given the color of the sky. My gaze passes over this precise place where I saw the shadow of this Wolf. A long shiver runs through me. He came to my house. So close to children.

A ball of anger rumbles inside me. When I think he could have come after us. When I think I saw her and didn’t trust my instincts. They may all be Wolves but I am a mother and no one will touch my pulpit. I turn my head to see Dorian’s workshop and head there without even hesitation.

I push the door open to find him hard at work. He doesn't even jump. He knows it's me, he feels me without having to tur around. I walk up to him. It's been a long time since I've seen her so focused.

- He blames himself, you know, he said before I even got to him.

- 1 know, I've been your wife long enough to know that.

- Very g00d, he adds. So I don't get involved.

- Thank you, sweetheart, I said, looking at what he was doing.

- Last time you had a gun. Now that that's no longer the case, you need another weapon.

- 1 agree, I said confidently.

So for the first time since I arrived he turns to me and sighs before continuing.

~ 1 would prefer it not come to that, my dear, but just in case, the children come first.

- We agree. No matter what happens, children come first.

He narrows his eyes, he understands the implication, it must work for the three of us although it will kill us in the long ru but if it takes a sacrifice to save the little ones then we will have to do it. I have never met a bounty hunter, yet if I were i his place I would attack the weakest, the children or myself. Especially me, because I would never let him touch them. An if 1 am touched, no matter where they are, the boys will feel it and they will be able to come, for them, to save them.

In close combat, he will never be a match for my Wolves, but thanks to cunning, he could do it, if only I hadn't already see much worse than that, much worse than him. She definitely made the wrong decision, it's not the only one, but it will be the last. That she attacks me is still OK, but that she puts the lives of my children in danger is the last straw, the one that definitely breaks the camel's back.

~ What can you do in terms of weapon? I said, looking into his eyes.

- While searching in the workshop, I found an old dagger that I had taken with me. In a pitiful state, he adds, showing it t me. The handle is completely dead but I can make another one. The blade will need to be sharpened. It takes a bit of wor I'd say it should be ready this afternoon. You will always keep it with you.

- Sorry to tell you that it's a little too big for me to keep on me. With little ones it could be dangerous.

He grimaces and sighs before telling me,

~ I'm so F*+g stupid. I didn't even think about that.

I grab his hand before pulling him to a chair where I have him sit as I settle into his lap.

1 forbid you from saying that kind of thing again, sweetheart. You were afraid, you acted on impulse, thinking of the bes You are a warrior, you already were long before you knew us except that now, you are our warrior. Breathe, I say, placing r hand on his cheek.

He closes his eyes for a short moment and I take the opportunity to quickly place my lips on his.

- Now tell me, what weapon would you recommend to a mother to take down an a*****e Wolf without risking killing her own children?

- Stakes, he replied, opening his eyes. In close combat and even for defense, a well-planted stake can settle scores with anyone. Lightweight, easy to handle, easy to slip into clothes.

“That's why you're the best," I said, kissing him.

“One of the best,” he retorted, putting his arms around me.

- Jason knows perfectly well what I think of him. I love him just as much as you and I would give my life for him.

~ 1 know, it's just that I don't like it when there's tension between you.

“You don't always say that,” I said, smiling. In my memories, each time it happens, the reconciliation is well worth it.

- It's not wrong, but it's not the right time for that. Divided we are weak, together we will always be stronger. And you'll keep the dagger handy anyway. We never know.

“I know,” I said, sighing. I know.

He hugs me, his warmth warms me, contrasts so much with this biting cold. I don't want to get up, I dont want to get awa from him, not yet, not now.

“And if you helped me,” he said softly.

I smile against his neck. That's why I love him, that's why I've always loved him. I stand up and let him guide me. Jason knows I'm safe with him and I want to think about something else for a few minutes.

POV Yohan

I knew that by stopping in this village 1 would find what I needed to go faster. To get to them without wasting time. 1 left t car that I stole a little further away and my scent did the rest, well, that's what I'd like to say because damn, I didn't expe to come across so many traps .

I'm sure it's not Dorian. He's not known for that, so it's the work of his partner, Jason. He's smart, it's true, but he didn’t sense me, in fact none of them did. Well, not exactly. Because even though I had been there for a while already, I was surprised when I saw this human through the window.

I was sure she was going to warn them, that they would show up in a minute, so I walked away but nothing happened. So she said nothing, nothing at all. Surprising this human. When in doubt, I didn't linger but fortunately I had time to see wt I wanted to see.

A single entrance, a single exit and yet several possibilities. I detected five presences inside which means they have two children. I thought there would be more especially for this type of couple. On the one hand it suits me, I don't need to ha several at my mercy to reach their parents. Just one will be enough. Just one or their mother.