Chapter 45 Fun, Fire and Games

(Martin/Maria POV)

The last time I graced a celebration, I got these scars. Since then, I have avoided all kinds of merry making. I didn't want to remember my painful past.

However, I did promise the daughter of Adella I would make an appearance. I felt she could become my friend and I don't have any more friends to speak of.

I found the living quarters of my former student perched atop a huge oak tree. It smelled of decay, a sign she has immersed herself so deep into the black arts without any remorse. I used my dark eye to spy on her and found she was planning to burn the whole village down to the ground.

I sent a message through the daughter of Adella hoping someone would hear the message. I don't know if I was able to relay the message to anyone. It meant I would have to do something to prevent my former student without her thinking it was me.

I conjured a wild boar for her to prey on as a distraction. She loves her animals plump and juicy. I only hoped it would take her some time to capture the beast before she graces the festival. It will give me enough time to warn the daughter of Adella if I can.

I stand at the herbs shop and notice an expensive car parking in the parking lot. From the back, Hope emerges from the car, dressed in simple attire Adella would certainly disapprove of if she were still alive. Although simple, she was stunningly beautiful. More beautiful than my former student.

I watched as they picked up their friend from the hardware store and walked towards the venue. Many people had stopped to stare at the daughter of Adella. I saw her stop and blush. Certainly a beautiful young woman as herself was accustomed to this type of attention. Yet, she was obviously embarrassed.

I saw her mate and his men rush out of the diner to surprise her. Her mate had a bouquet of roses in his hand. Alpha Alexander Ulrich has grown up to be a handsome young man. Diane must be very proud. I saw Hope's face light up as she hugged her mate. They obviously were very much in love. I give off a sigh. Young love.

Hope also went to hug her mate's men. Adella would never do such a thing. To her, those lower than her were considered servants.

I watched puzzled as the daughter of Adella handed her things to her assistant and paused. Then, I saw it. The green light of Protection. My former student, if she is not here already, will have problems entering the village. I smirk imagining the frustration on her ugly face.

They all go to a long table to the side of the stage and start ordering food. Good. Now is my opportunity to have some time with the daughter of Adella.

I hobble up to her. My walking stick in one hand and a corn dog on the other. I cough to grab her attention. She turns around.

"Sir Martin, you made it." She smiles. Her golden eyes twinkling with happiness. "Come sit with us. Everyone this is Martin. Martin, this is my...husband, Alexander. And these are our close friends, Mark, Kit, Oliver and Alicia. By the way, where's David?"

"David will be here in a bit with your parents and Aunt Cecilia." The man named Oliver replied.

Cecilia! She's here! Cecilia and Diane are together at Dark Moon. My two friends! My luck. I get to see here after all these years! Although it is disappointing Diane would not be making an appearance. I was also hoping to see her as well.

Alexander stands up and offers me a seat at the table. " You are a friend to my Hope?" He asks after I had seated myself.

"I helped Sir Martin cross the street the other day, Alexander. We caused a lot of traffic." Hope laughs.

"Hope here was kind enough to assist an old man like me. She even invited me to the festival."

"I have never seen you before. Are you visiting?" The man named Mark asks.

"Yes, from Canada. I'm staying with a nephew of mine who lives in the area." The ointment spray should be enough to mask my wolf scent and have me pass as human.

"I see. Well, it's nice to meet you Martin. Beer?" Mark offers.

"Oh no. I'll just have an orange juice." Mark nods and orders me an orange juice.

"There's David now." Hope points to the group coming to the table. She gets up and gives her parents a hug. Cecilia? Where is Cecilia?

"Mom, Dad, you remember Sir Martin right?" They nod their head. "David, where is Aunt Cecilia?" Hope asked.

"She said she didn't feel well. She just asked if we could bring her some pie from the diner," Hope's mother answered.

I sigh. I was hoping to see her all these years. At least I know where to find her. She is at Dark Moon territory.

"Ooookay." Hope had a puzzled look on her face. Hope sat back down in her chair.

"So, Martin, how long are you visiting?" Alexander asked me.

"Not long. I'll be leaving next month on the 6th."

"You'll still be here for my birthday. The festival ends on the 4th which is my birthday party. I hope you can attend," he said.

"I'll try. I'm not as youthful as used to be." I laugh. "I just came because I promised Hope. I won't stay long."

"Awww. That's so nice of you, Sir Martin. I really appreciate it. I'll just save you a seat just in case you change your mind and attend."  Hope gives me a smile.

We all eat and drink and watch the sunset. It was nice to feel included in the group unfortunately, I could not give word to any of them about my former student's plan without being found out. After finishing my corndog, I tell them I should be going. My scent of ointment had been slowly fading away.

As I wobble away, dark clouds of smoke starts to enter the village and into the venue. I look and see the forest near the village in flames.

-----

(Hope POV)

I was happy that most of my favorite people were with us, celebrating the birthday of Alexander. Sad though, my Aunt Cecilia was not with us.

My favorite time of day...sunset. Alexander had his arm around me and our heads were together as we watched the orange-red sky. He kissed me on my forehead and told me he loved me. I looked at him with love in my eyes. "I can see the reflection of the sky in your eyes, love. Reminds me of..." He wiggles his eyebrows.

I laugh. Here we go again with the eyebrows. "You're so cute." I pinch both of his cheeks.

Martin coughs and says he needs to get going. It's late. We all understand. He is an old man after all. I ask him if his nephew will pick him up. He points to man standing in front of the herbs shop. I give him a hug and tell him to take care of himself.

He was hobbling away when huge clouds of black smoke started billowing towards us. We all looked to the forest. It was engulfed in flames. I heard someone scream, "Wild Fire!" And people started to run in panic, screaming.

Our group started to panic as well. My mom and dad started to gather their things. Mark and Alexander were already telling David and Oliver to get the cars ready. Alicia started gathering my things for me. Kit and Henry just stood there not knowing what to do.

I stand up, raise my hands and tell them to calm down.

"Don't panic. Guys, I got this." I snap my fingers. Thunder started to rumble. The dark sky gave off a orange, reddish hue from above and then it started to rain.

"Let's head to the diner." Alexander yells. I assist my mom and dad to the diner with Alicia running behind us. When we get to the diner, we all look at the forest. We all heave a sigh of relief seeing the flames gradually being extinguished by the rain. Then we all looked at each other and started laughing because we were all wet from the rain.

We enter the diner and fill up three  booths. I look at each one to see if we have everyone. Where is Martin?

"Anyone see Martin?" I asked. Everyone shrugged.

"People were busy "panicking"." Oliver said in a girly voice.

"You were the first one. I'll get the car!" David mimicking Oliver.

"Na-ah, Mark was the first one to panic!" Oliver said.

"To tell you the truth, I sobbered up! " Mark says laughing. His phone rings. "Fire under control..." His smile suddenly turns into a frown. He raises his finger to hush us up.

"Should I stop the rain now?" I whisper to Alexander.

"Give it five more minutes, then you can stop it." Alexander gives me a kiss.

"We have a problem. We got some rogues about 100 miles from here due northeast." Mark tells Alexander.

"How many?" Alexander asks.

"About 200 give or take. They're coming in quick."

"Alert Malcolm. They're close to his territory." Mark nods, turns and heads to the back of the diner. "Oliver, David. We need to bring everyone home. We got some rogues coming in fast. Oliver call the mansion alert everyone." Oliver nods and dials his phone.

"Mama Angela, we got some rogues heading this direction. Be ready." Alexander tells Big Mama Angela. She nods.

We suddenly here an ear-shattering wolf howl.

"That's Mark. He's alerting an ally. Let's go. I need to get you to the cars and back to the mansion," Alexanded said.

"You?" I ask him.

"I'm staying here. Some of my warriors are already here."

"I'm staying too then," I tell him.

"No, Hope I need you at the mansion to keep everyone safe. The women and the children of our pack. Your parents and my parents. Amanda and our nephew. The rogues might change direction and head to the territory. I know you can keep them safe. Please." Alexander begs me. We hear a honk. Oliver and David were already parked up front.

"Okay Keep safe. I love you." I tell Alexander as I jumped in the car.

"I love you too. May the Goddess keep you safe." Alexander closes the door and hits the car twice signalling us to go.

Oliver and David high tail it out of the village. I look back and see Alexander and a huge brown wolf running towards the forest with a number of others following them. Oliver senses my worry. "Luna Hope, don't worry. Alpha is one of the best warriors of the Clan of Wolves." I nod knowing this is true. It still didn't make me feel any better.