Forbidden Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell Page A

still prevailed.
    “ Tamo, I must say, we’re all very grateful to have you and your pack working with us. We have become very attached to Wenham and will protect it at all costs,” Elijah admits.
    “ This is our motherland, and it is nice to know there are others that want to keep it safe as much as we do,” Tamo replies.
    Elijah has always been very personable but there is something different here. I see a kinship building between these two men like never before. I may not be the only one building life long bonds in Wenham. I enjoy looking around our home and seeing so many friendly faces and not worrying about our secrets coming out, because they know everything and we know everything about them. I can’t help but wonder if this is where we are meant to stay forever, and happiness warms through me, like the sun feeding its energy into the Earth below.
    Starting to get anxious, I decide I can’t stand to wait any longer…I have to see Nathanial. I don’t want to be rude, as it is nice to make new friends and I want to mind my manners. I look at Alexander to inform him of my plan; he agrees that it is a good time as Cato is well involved in conversation with the shape shifters .
    “ Thank you everyone, it has been so nice to meet and get to know all of you. I’m going to excuse myself for the evening. I need to be alone with my thoughts and prepare myself for what is to come,” I announce.
    Upstairs I take a shower, and make myself presentable and a little less disheveled. I promised Nathanial that I’d come by tonight–I have to keep my promise, since my siblings and I will be missing school tomorrow, and possibly the rest of the week. I need to make sure he knows what is happening and that he remains safe; I have to see him. We won’t allow him and Matt up at the meadow again until after the fight, and the same goes for Danika. We are assuming the Cerberus will be drawn to the clearing, because Eliza super charged magical energy around the area to draw them in.
    Stepping out of the shower, I dress and blow dry my hair, and quietly leave for Nathanial’s house. It’s not easy sneaking out of a house full of supernatural beings that have super hearing. I guess I can be grateful for being so light on my feet. I don’t know how to tell Nathanial that tomorrow is the day. I want him to stay as far away from the clearing as possible; I refuse to let him get hurt again. The Cerberus will already be blood thirsty with the mortals that are fighting with us…it will drive them mad, and that may be the hardest part of the fight. I can’t imagine how difficult it will be for him knowing that I’m in the fight and he can’t do a thing to protect me, or help us.
    Climbing through Nathanial’s open bedroom window, I make sure not to make any noise…I don’t want to wake his parents. I hate sneaking around like this; it makes it feel so wrong. Nathanial is sitting in bed, reading a book as he awaits my arrival. Once I get to his side he looks up and smiles, then reaches out his arms. I sit on the edge of the bed and prepare to tell him what happened after he left my house. With a slight pause I nervously begin, “After you left we got some news regarding the Cerberus. They are closing in on the area and may be here as soon as tomorrow night. I want you and Matt to stay close to each other as we planned. Danika will come over tomorrow; she will attend school like usual with you and Matt. After school she will come back here with you. Florence already cleared it with your mom.”
    “ Needless to say I’m not happy about this, but I understand it needs to be done. I promise to stay away until it is clear, and not to go out at night.” I hear the reluctance come out and can tell he’s practiced his response.
    “ I try to understand how this must make you feel, but my biggest concern is keeping you safe. I love you and have waited too long for you. I refuse to lose you now.” I look deep into his eyes, trying to