Episode 4

After setting a torch on fire, the others magically lit up.

At the back of the cave, there were several rocks, each with a silver piece and a name written above it. A rock in the center indicated who the leader of the clan was, which at that moment happened to be my mother's rock with her name and the silver piece with the element water drawn in the center.

The witches were ruled by the elements of nature. My mother followed tradition, even though in the future we wouldn't have powers like hers. When we turned seventeen, she would give us a pendant according to the element she said governed our birth.

"Louise will turn seventeen soon, her rock is over there," my mother said, proud to see the rock with Louise's name.

"She will only have her awakening at seventeen, which is two months from now. I brought her back to reconnect with our traditions and stories," I replied as I walked over and crouched down at the rock, which was stained red. Benjamin's name was already worn on the rock.

"You know she could be..." I had to interrupt my mother with a gentle clearing of my throat.

"Yes, I know, and I also know that above all, she is my daughter, my blood. She will be loved equally," I responded, standing up and briefly glancing at Sebastian's rock. It pained me to think that my daughter wouldn't be a wolf like us, not even a witch, since the stronger genes were those of the wolf.

"Sebastian was killed by a wolf. It had been years since one appeared in these lands. I thought they had finally forgotten about our family," my mother uttered the words, making me look at her apprehensively. So while my son died due to an accident, my brother-in-law was murdered.

We didn't exchange many words because the sirens of the police car entering the dirt road that led straight to the ranch caught our attention. My mother walked out to descend the trail again, and I followed in silence, only waiting for the exact moment when we would resume that conversation. If there was a loose wolf in town willing to kill Beauchamp, it meant our problems were just beginning.

When the police car stopped, the officer jumped out, looking tired, but I managed to recognize the man standing there holding the passenger door.

"Good evening, Kevin. Where was he caught this time?" It seemed like Kevin's visits were frequent.

"I wish it was a good evening, Agnes, but he was caught vandalizing the church of Santa Maria. The elders want to send him to a desert prison for three months. They only didn't do it out of consideration for George's memory," Kevin spoke, staring fixedly at my mother. For a few minutes, his gaze crossed mine, but he made a point of ignoring my presence. I don't blame him; after all, I chose Calleb, and that must have hurt Kevin's ego.

"Let's go, Juan, straight to your room." It was the first time I heard that name, but when the boy got out of the car, I felt like I was seeing my older brother Esteban for a few minutes. I blinked a few times before realizing how similar they were.

"I appreciate the consideration. Excuse me, I'll go take care of my grandson now," my mother's voice sounded acidic, her gaze firm on the alpha's expression. The pack liked to boast about the consideration they had for my father, but they didn't hesitate to expel him.

The boy got out, cursing and trying to argue with my mother. His gaze turned to me with a certain insolence.

"Who's this one? Doing charity now, Agnes?" Juan uttered the words, and the way he treated my mother made me angry. My mother noticed this because my expression changed, and a growl escaped my lips.

"This is your aunt, Mary Beauchamp. And we've already discussed how you should address me," my mother replied, and Juan just stormed inside, kicking things as he climbed the stairs. Kevin got into the car without saying goodbye and drove off. I crossed my arms and looked at my mother questioningly.

Two years after you left, Esteban showed up with Juan... He said that their mother had died during childbirth, that the boy was eight years old, and he asked for shelter. Esteban is family, so we took in and raised the boy, but he is aloof. He has the same temperament as his father, hates taking orders, and has no control over his transformation. I don't know what else to do with him, he has been expelled from two schools, constantly gets into trouble, and only thinks about himself. We are outcasts from the pack and I am afraid of the final decision of the elders. My mother seemed tired as she spoke about young Juan. I patted her back twice and finally kissed her cheek.

"We are considered impure to live among them, but not enough for them to meddle in our lives... We are our own pack, I deal with Juan," I said, putting my arm around her shoulder and guiding her inside the house. First, I would get my nephew in line, and then reveal the truth to Louise, hoping she wouldn't freak out.