81. Not safe.

It had been nearly two months since the day Eve had left the pack. As the days went by, she couldn't deny the longing she felt for Eros. The woman kept having nightmares each night, waking up by her own screams. Anto always kept around Eve, sleeping next to her bedroom door, if he ever slept at all. The Watcher acted like her personal guard dog, while others kept patrolling around the territory. Hundreds surrounded them; at this point, nobody, not even the King, could get near the Queen and her daughter.

"Eve, we have to get some healers here, your nightmares have to go. The princess is growing at an unbelievable speed, but soon it'll stop, and she will grow as humans do." Anto sat next to Eve's bed, holding her hand. For Eve he was more than just a guard or security- he was a friend.

"I still don't understand why it is happening so fast. Ally looks like she's at least three, and it's been less than two months since she was born," the human girl shook her head. She couldn't get her head around how fast everything was happening.

"It's a defense mechanism Lycanthrope youngsters have had for centuries; her development is completely normal for the species," Anto tried to assure Eve that her daughter was growing up as it was supposed to happen. At this point, it was a challenge to prove to his Queen that this was normal.

"Defence mechanism this, defence mechanism that. For once, explain why and how it’s happening. When will it stop?" Eve threw her hands in the air, feeling irritated by Anto hiding so many facts from her.

"Call for the ladies; they're looking after Ally while I have some coffee. Feel free to join me if you want to," Eve added.

Anto snapped his fingers, and all three, mad looking women stood by Ally's bed. Their eyes didn't avert from the child. Despite their crazy looks Eve trusted them. All three were pretty brutal killers, but since they took care of the nurse, who had tried to kidnap her child, Eve knew there was no one else who would take better care of Ally while she was absent. They were women; after all, it was their instinct to protect the child. Eve got out of the bed and headed for the kitchen. Before she could leave the bedroom, one of the crazy-looking Watcher women stopped her. She held a black wool blanket in her hands.

"My Queen, we made this for the princess. We knitted some protection signs and some of our hair in this comforter. May we give it to the sleeping princess?"
Yes, Eve is a human, but that didn't mean that the watcher-woman wasn't nervous in front of her. Eve glanced at Anto, waiting for a logical explanation as to why would women knit their hair into the comforter, which was supposed to be a gift to her daughter.

"It is a tradition. The crazy trio is trying to build a connection with your child. Back in the days, our women did that to ensure the safety of children. Ally will develop a bond with crazies, and whenever she gets into any trouble, the crazies will find her. Call it a weird, weird way to ask to become your daughter's fairy Godmothers, except crazier and with some slaughtering issues. If you accept their offer, you can be sure that those three will storm to Ally's side and probably leave a nasty massacre behind," Anto shrugged his shoulders, the tradition was carried in his species for years, nothing could surprise him anymore.

"Baka, right?" Eve smiled at the woman. The wild-looking Watcher nodded eagerly, shocked yet honoured to know that her Queen knew her name.

"I would be honoured for all three of you to bond with my daughter." Eve wanted to thank the woman and offered her a friendly handshake. Baka handed her the black comforter, making Eve shake her head eagerly.

"No, this comforter is made by you, ladies. It is not my place to put it in my daughter's crib- it is yours. Do the bonding thing right, all of you. Hold the comforter together and give it to your princess as a promise of loyalty and protection. I'll go get myself some coffee, take your time, ladies, and make sure that she's safe," Eve came to a halt, but this time the reason was a hug from Baka. Anto followed her actions, a frown appearing on his face. Anto followed Eve into the tiny kitchen, his gaze never leaving her face. Eve turned around and frowned.

"What's your problem?" she snarled, making the Watcher chuckle in amusement.

"I don't have any," he threw his hands up in surrender, backing away from the grumpy looking human. "It's just weird to see those women grow close to you," he admitted.

"We're basically living under the same roof, what's so weird about that?" Eve wouldn't back off- she barely slept or ate, the time she was spending away from Eros made her heartache. She deserved answers.

"I know, but that's not what I meant. First of all, those crazy-ass harpies always stay oddly close, they never, I repeat, never accepted anyone into their group, let alone an outsider. You are that outsider Eve, yet here you stand- getting attacked by their affection and hugs. For all those years, I thought that crazies could not do anything besides throwing their massacre parties." Anto laughed, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"It doesn't matter- they're sweet and affectionate towards Ally and me. All they do is make sure that we're alright and keep an eye on us. They are here to protect us. Let women be women, I like my little group of crazies. Moreover, I'll gladly join the inner circle if they let me to," Eve smiled, pouring steaming coffee into two cups.

"I guess you're right. I'll have to get used to their new ways, I guess. Anyway, tonight's the full moon, want to sit on the porch and stare at it with me?" Anto scratched the back of his neck nervously, making Eve laugh. Everyone knew that he wasn't quite the gentleman type, nor could he find the rights words at times. But he was her friend, a bloody fantastic friend at that.

"Sure, let's go. While we stare at the moon, you could tell me more about what is happening to Ally and why." Eve handed him the cup and nodded towards the door. The house was quiet; the only sound they could hear was the women- giggling and singing lullabies to the princess.

"They're becoming soft," Anto signed, sitting on the porch.

"Is that bad?"

"No, I wouldn't say it was bad. I'd say it's quite dangerous for those who ever dare to wrong your daughter. When Watcher women build a bond with a child- they become weak near the youngsters, releasing the blood-thirst and rage only when needed. Eve, even though the Watchers were made to serve, there are a lot more and a lot of darker things hidden in our nature. Most of us enjoy slaughter more than breathing, for example, those three crazies- if only you would have seen them back in the days, wow. But enough about that, my head hurts whenever I think about psychos. Ask me questions, I'll be happy to give you answers," Anto moved closer to Eve, throwing his arms around her shoulder. The action wasn't one of attraction, it was a friendly side hug.

"Will they ever hurt my baby? If they're becoming weak and all that- the natural rage and everything keeps piling up somewhere until they will let their instincts go free. It might end in a disaster."

"They won't, that's a thing I know for sure. I'll repeat myself- only the ones who will wrong your daughter will be ones to suffer. Simple." For a while, both of them sat quietly, listening to the sounds of nature. Each time a Watcher passed the house or got near them, Anto and others exchanged silent whispers. Eve assumed that they were updating each other about the safety around the territory and kept quiet, observing the night's sky.

"So, about Ally," Anto spoke up, gaining Eve's attention on the instant.

"Yes?" she bit her lip nervously, afraid of what information the Watcher might have on her daughter. Never, in a million years, would Eve imagine herself in a situation where her child would look and act like a three-year old, just two months after she gave birth. Eve feared the speed in which her precious little princess was growing.
But how couldn't she? No parent would ever want to live longer than their child, and if Ally's growth didn’t slow down, Eve dreaded how fast she might lose her.

"Calm down- what's happening to the princess is normal. Breathe," Anto tried to cheer up Eve, the attempt was unsuccessful.

"Easy for you to say. Walk a mile in my shoes and then calm down as soon as someone tells you to," Eve sneered. She had enough of everyone's secretive nature, enough of being left in the dark.

"I know it's hard, but I promise that everything will make sense if only you listen. Let me talk," Anto scolded her. He kept quiet, wondering if the human would speak up again. Eve's eyes never left his, daring him to say anything wrong. Finally, when Anto felt like Eve wouldn't try to interrupt or cut him off, he spoke.

"Lycanthropes walked the Earth way before werewolves did. They were the first wolf-like shifters in history. As time passed, fewer and fewer were able to survive, mainly because of the low percentage of survivor pups. They started mating humans- that's how hybrids were born, which we know as werewolves today.”

“Back to what your daughter is. The main problem back then were fathers and young males- they had no protective instincts whatsoever. What they did have was extreme jealousy towards everyone who approached or was near to their mates- especially the pups. As soon as the woman gave birth, her centre of the universe switched from the brute men to her cub, leaving the mate in second place. Most males stomped on their children; some ate them or simply tore them apart, as bad as it sounds. Like any other species, they did go through some kind of evolution stage. It didn't affect any of the grown creatures, but it did the children. At least the speed of their development. That's why I said that it's a defence mechanism of hers- she would have had to grow up extremely fast to escape death centuries ago.”

“Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the King would absolutely adore the child you both have, but it doesn't mean that her nature would change because of a loving father. It's how the Moon Goddess made her children, and there is nothing we can do about it. Accept the fact, deal with it, Eve."

"Okay, I understand why it is happening. But the real issue I have is the fear of how fast she will age. I don't want to reach my thirties while my child reaches her nineties. It would be the most insane and heart-breaking experience to go through," Eve sighed.
She could accept many things and live with them as they were, but the information Anto just presented her with was mind blowing. Of course, the past is past, but Eve couldn't understand how the beasts could be so cruel back then. Even though Eros was one of them- the thought of him hurting their child never crossed her mind. Deep down, Eve knew that he would be the most amazing father ever seen.

"It will end soon. I mean the insane growth. Usually, cubs start developing at more human speed after they reached a biological age of four. If I remember correctly, it happens over two, a maximum two and a half months. After that, her body will feel safe enough to break down the defence mechanism. You have nothing to worry about- she's doing great."

"I have a lot of things to worry about. For example, Eros. He has no idea I have given birth or where I am right now. I want to go home, but before that, I must make sure that there is no target on Ally's back. We will go as soon as it's safe to travel. Hopefully soon."

Eve almost started crying. She was angry at herself for trusting Luna, for running away and not trying to get in touch with her mate. All she could do was hope for better days and him not hating her existence.

"It's not safe yet. King's going a little cray-cray," Anto whispered.

"What do you mean?" Eve frowned. She didn't like the way Anto spoke about Eros. Whenever someone tried to bad mouth her mate, Eve jumped in like a harpy, attacking people who were part of the gossip.

"Well, he's going a little crazy. I did some research. He killed the previous Alpha and took the title. The lists of his enemies keep growing, putting Ally and you under greater risk of danger. There is no news on him accepting or rejecting the throne- it remains a mystery. Meanwhile, he is taking over new territories, avoiding ones with only the human population. He's nearing us; we are planning to leave for a while until it's safe to bring both of you back." Anto shifted his body and stood up. He could already tell that Eve didn't like the plan at all.

"Human territories, you say? Alright, since my daughter is about to turn four years old, by some voodoo Lycanthrope magic, I might start working. Don't say anything, listen. You guys can keep watching out for Ally and me, but we could move to human territory. I'll find a job and get her into pre-school with you guys always around. That might be the best thing to do. That way we get more time to see how everything's going. Plus, since we would live in human territory, it shouldn't be too hard to hide who we are. If he's really that close- this is the best thing to do. Just think. We are running away like cowards, hiding in different territories, or being right under his nose- in the only place he won't check. I kind of feel that Eros already checked those territories and won't go back there again." Anto listened to her words, taking in Eve's ideas, and considering them as an option.

"The morning is said to be wiser than evening, so please, have some rest, and then we'll decide what to do."