Under the canopy of a giant ancient tree, Maggie and Alisa sat side by side. The silver wolf paced around Maggie, occasionally scraping the grass with its paws, showing signs of impatience.
Maggie gently touched the scrape on Alisa’s shoulder. “You must have been very scared at that time. You should have informed me.”
She slightly withdrew her arm as Alisa chuckled, covering the marks with her clothing. “It was late at night.”
“Do you think you would have disturbed me?”
Alisa hesitated for a moment before responding, “Sleep is essential for pregnant women. I received treatment, and the danger is gone.”
“Who once said, no matter what happens, we would notify each other right away?”
“You have a child and a partner now. I didn’t want to alarm and disturb so many people.”
“So, you’re just going to let me miss those important moments in your life? You’re pushing me to the fringes of your life, and in the end, we’ll become sisters buried deep in memories?”
Maggie was visibly upset, and her question left the atmosphere tense.
The silver wolf sensed Maggie’s anger and stood next to her, growling softly with a faint warning towards Alisa. Maggie unceremoniously smacked the wolf’s head. “Get aside!”
The silver wolf drooped its tail and ears, lying behind Maggie. It couldn’t understand why Maggie, who cared so much about Alisa, was arguing with her now.
Alisa observed the interaction between Maggie and the silver wolf. Her emotions swelled, and she lowered her head, saying softly, “What about you, Maggie? How many things have you kept from me?”
Maggie had her fair share of secrets kept from Alisa-her entanglements with Aldrich, the secrets involving Mrs. Jenkins, and even her own background. There were just too many things to explain.
“I… I didn’t mean to keep things from you,” Maggie’s voice softened.
Alisa looked up at the sky. “Perhaps we’re reaching a point of parting.”
“Why?”
“Your fears and surprises are no longer about me. I can’t fit into your life anymore. So, there’s nothing left but to say goodbye.”
Maggie covered Alisa’s hand on the grass with her own. “You’ve always been in my heart. The thing I craved the most when I was suffering from morning sickness was the steak people gifted us during tough times. I wanted to find you, but I had no idea you were in trouble.”
Alisa gently pulled her hand back. “You don’t know how much I’ve done for you, too. I wanted to understand the world of the werewolves, to know what new things you were encountering, to share common interests with you, and to be your sister all along.”
“We’ve kept too many secrets from each other…” Maggie said in a low voice.
Suddenly, the silver wolf thought of something and scrutinized Alisa. “So, does this mean you provoked the rogue that attacked you?”
Alisa’s gaze met the wolf’s, and she quickly looked down. Maggie smacked the wolf’s head again. “What nonsense. Alisa isn’t someone who willingly seeks danger.”
“I don’t know that wolf,” Alisa replied.
The wolf continued to inquire, “Then why did you come out of the hospital, appear in the Moonlit Forest, and get chased by that rogue?”
Alisa retorted, “Did Aldrich tell you to ask me?”
The wolf’s gaze towards Alisa became more menacing. Maggie embraced the wolf’s neck and pulled it back. “Please don’t speak to my sister as if you’re interrogating a criminal!”
Alisa explained, “I was brought here by that rogue.”
The wolf made mumbled sounds because Aldrich was engaging it in a mental struggle, disrupting its ability to speak.
“This woman is definitely lying!”
“But Maggie believes her,” Aldrich reminded the wolf.
“The rogue actively attacked a human and allowed that human to survive, which is impossible! Alisa must have some kind of agreement with that rogue; she’s defaming us wolves!”
“Should I remind you that we’ve already dealt with that rogue, Marvin and I?”
“I shouldn’t have saved her!”
“No evidence, and until you figure out Alisa’s intentions, you can’t tell Maggie any of this.”
The wolf was suppressed in thought by Aldrich, and physically by Maggie. She covered its growling mouth. “Silver wolf, could you please find some berries nearby?”
“You’re not going to distract me!” The wolf broke free from Maggie’s grasp and stood up, shaking its fur. “I won’t let you two be alone!”
Maggie thought the wolf was jealous and patiently explained, “But the babies are hungry.”
“You win, I can’t ignore the pups.”
The wolf looked cautiously at Alisa. “I’ll stay nearby, I won’t go far.”
The moon hung high in the sky, and there were occasional howls around. However, in this area, due to Aldrich’s presence, other wolves wisely avoided them.
Leaving only Maggie and Alisa, they opened up to each other.
“So much has happened during this time, but Alisa, I believe we haven’t changed,” Maggie said.
Alisa sighed, “When you weren’t around and stopped contacting me, I often panicked. I wasn’t used to this kind of life, Maggie. If you want to continue our relationship, I’d like to be closer to you.”
“I never knew you missed me so much.”
“Perhaps it’s because I’ve been a sister for so long; I’m used to hiding my vulnerability.”
Maggie gently embraced Alisa. “Aldrich’s life isn’t peaceful, and for the sake of our babies and the future of my family, I have many responsibilities. Alisa, I just couldn’t bear to get you involved.”
“At least, let me help you as much as possible, have a conversation with you, accompany you on your journeys, or maybe see you every day and understand your feelings.”
“This will need a plan to address.”
“Then let me move into Barrett Manor.”
With a mouthful of berries, the silver wolf approached, hearing Alisa’s words. It couldn’t help but let out a subtle snort in agreement, just as Aldrich did in his thoughts. “So this is Alisa’s goal.”
Aldrich shook his head slightly. “No, this is just the beginning.”
“Don’t let her succeed that easily; it’s hard to accept. Reject her!”
“Maggie would be heartbroken, and besides, we don’t have a valid reason.”
“It seems we’ve saved a snake in the grass.”
“Silver wolf, don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. People are complex. At the very least, believe in her emotions for Maggie.”
Alisa sought an answer from Maggie. “Can we do it?”
If Maggie were indeed the true lady of Barrett Manor, she would surely agree, but she wasn’t. She and Aldrich were only contract partners, and they hadn’t even engaged in a sexual relationship.
Maggie hesitated and looked at the returning silver wolf. “Would you find it difficult?”
The silver wolf put down the berries and tried to conceal its dislike for Alisa. “It’s just a matter of arranging a room.”
“You agreed?” Maggie’s lips curled into a smile.
Alisa also looked at the silver wolf, awaiting its response.
“No, this isn’t a matter of whether I agree or not,” the silver wolf replied, causing Alisa’s heart to hang in mid-air. Its visible anxiety and distress were fully exposed.
Maggie rubbed the wolf’s neck. “When are you going to switch with Aldrich? He’s much better at communication than you.”
The silver wolf’s big tongue licked Maggie’s hand. “I’m much easier to deal with than Aldrich. Maggie, this is entirely up to you. Whatever your decision is, I’ll be it.”
Maggie finally smiled and kissed the wolf’s nose. “Thank you, Silver Wolf!”
She looked at Alisa. “Alisa, I’ll take you back to Barrett Manor.”
“That’s great news! We’ll be able to see each other frequently again,” Alisa exclaimed excitedly.
The silver wolf, frustrated, scraped at the ground. Its suppressed emotions were reaching their peak.