Chapter 26: More Than a Heart Could Bear

SEBASTIAN.

Luana’s question made me jump. How could she ask such a thing? And to a human? It was true that people here knew about our existence, but from there, to actually reveal us like that? I must admit that I was curious about Teresa’s answer. Even though I gave Luana that look, she didn’t stop there.

“You see, Miss Bradley, we live in a very dangerous world. If we don’t watch our back, nobody will do it for us. A world of predators in which the strongest survive. I know it may sound a little out of place for you, but always be careful who you make friends with. That could be your enemy. "

“And how can you possibly know that I am not one of the predators?” ouch, Teresa was playing hard to get. I liked that about her. I was discovering her each second, and I had to confess that I liked what I saw.

“Fair enough! How did you like the presentation? Was it to your taste?” Luana assigned questions that had no place in this conversation, but it seemed that Teresa could take care of herself. She didn’t need anyone’s help.

“Well, to be honest, my line of expertise is another. In other words, I am the one who finds the market for what you create. So, you have to be the one that has all the lessons learned so that I can sell you the product. So, you don’t have to worry about me. Worry about your next discovery so I can show it off!”

“Wow, you really know how to support your point of view. I am curious to see how you react to accomplished deeds that do not depend on you and your decisions. "

“Simple. I take them as such and do not try to explain incomprehensible things to me. And to answer your question, it doesn’t matter whether I believe in the existence of werewolves. The question is whether you think I believe they exist. This dangerous world you told me about earlier cannot be protected from such a thing. So, it is not their existence that frightens me, but that not everyone is equal ... understanding and determined to live in peace.”

For some reason, Teresa’s gaze instantly froze and her emerald eyes were not sparkling anymore, but throwing fire darts directly into Luana’s surprised look.

“Ok, then I am done here! Mr. Gallagher, see you tomorrow at work?”

“Of course…”

Luana walked away as if defeated, but something told me that these would not be the last words between the two women. I noticed Teresa was not the type to take steps back. Or to move forward without taking precautions. With Luana, there was a minor exchange of remarks that Teresa won detachedly.

The conference had been over for some time. Only I, Liam, Erik, and Teresa remained. This time it was a normal gathering, but the day will come when I can no longer hide my true identity and then maybe things will either become clearer, more transparent, or tangled so badly that her only fault will be that she got to me.

“Let me take you home, Teresa. After what happened to you, I wouldn’t like to know that you walk the streets alone at night.”

“I can take care of myself, but fine, I will accept!”

“Liam, see you tomorrow! Erik, will you remain a little longer in the village?”

“A few more days, yes. I would like to speak with one of my good friends. He helped me a lot in the past, so it’s my duty to see what he is doing. I think he must be a little old by now!”

“Ok, but before you disappear again, I would like you to stop by my office. We need to talk.”

Being an Original, he would know a lot of things. Especially when I had so many questions to ask. He sensed at my father’s funeral that bad things were about to happen. Some of them already did.

“I will. Miss Bradley. I am afraid I will have to go, so it was a pleasure to meet you."

“Likewise, Mr. Von Hagen.”

“Please, call me Erik. Sebastian’s friends are my friends, too. Anyway, I must go now. See you tomorrow!”

Erik had a lot of answers to so many of my questions. And I needed them badly. After I dropped Teresa home, I went back to my lonely home. I was sure Mother was asleep, but to my big surprise; she was waiting for me in the kitchen.

“Mother, you're supposed to be asleep” I was not worried. I was kind of thinking she would wait for me.

“Oh, my son, it’s been a long time since we’ve spoken. I respect your privacy but you are not alone, you know? If there is something on your mind, I am here, I will listen to you. You just have to open your heart to me as you used to some years back!” Mother mentioned that period on purpose. Besides being a mother, she is a werewolf, and she knew something was happening to me. She could smell it.

“Is it so visible? You know, I tried to keep you away just so you wouldn’t see my suffering, but now I still want to ask you a question” eventually she would find out so I had nothing to lose. On the contrary, it was something that had been bothering me for a few days, making me feel guilty.

“Of course, son, I’m listening to you” I loved her warm voice. I felt the need to hear her words giving me advice. But does she have any advice for my wounded soul?

“Mom, is it such a bad thing to love again?”

My mother’s eyes suddenly became soft and slowly moistened with warm tears. There were tears for her son. Tears that I finally allowed my heart to feel something else other than pain and despair. “After what happened to me three years ago, I don’t wish it, not even to my enemies. It was much more than a heart could bear” Suffering still existed, but now guilt has merged, and this struggle does not allow me to live or breathe.

“Honey, they built the heart to stand up for suffering and then heal. And what better way to heal than by loving again? What I wonder is why it lasted so long? You have to believe that you do not betray Bella’s memory in any way. She will remain forever hidden there in the depths of your soul, her and your unborn son. But I am convinced that she would also say to move on, to let her rest and heal, by giving your heart a chance to love again."

Even though I knew he was right, everything in me was crying. I missed everything we meant to each other. I missed her caress, her kindness, and most of all, I missed that enthusiasm of becoming parents and having a quiet life. But that never happened, and I somehow felt it was my fault. “So, you are not to blame that you followed your heart. And let me tell you something. I had a suspicion for some time now, but I was just waiting for you to tell me. And I am glad for you and for her. Is she someone I know from the pack?”

“Actually, she is a human!” I may have said it too directly, but what was the point of prolonging the agony? Mother was going to understand.

“A human? Oh my God, Bash... this could be very... complicated. Are you sure about that?”

“Positive. At first, I thought it was a fad that would eventually pass. Then things got complicated and now she works in my company. And in addition, you do know her.”

“I do? How is that possible?” Mother muttered curiously. She was obviously worried, but at the same time intrigued.

“Her name is Teresa Bradley, and it is the same girl I rescued from drowning a few weeks back, remember?”

“That Teresa? I remember her. But I can feel something else on you, you know? Like a distress, am I wrong?” I could hide nothing from her. She must have felt Teresa’s scent of fear on my clothes.

“You don’t miss a thing, do you? Well, to not frighten you anymore. Yes, something happened. And I am afraid it will not be the first attempt. But for that, I have to talk to Erik.”

“What happened? Tell me…”

“A hellhound attacked Teresa!”

“WHAT???”