A Kiss For Your Freedom
Chapter 89

- Like Werewolves?

- In a way, except that it's a little different from what you see in the movies. They transform when they want and above all, even if they scratched me, I would not transform. Besides, this has already happened in the past and as you can see, I am still the same. -While still being different.

- We all change over time. It's life that does that, that pushes us to change little by little as the obstacles arise in front of us, as the pitfalls pile up and we learn to get back up. You seem different too you know. Your apartment is magnificent, your living room seems to work very well and from what I can see, I see that there are still no permanent men in your life or he is well hidden.

- You're right, I don't have anyone. After you left, I left my boyfriend to immerse myself in work, to focus on my passion which is bearing fruit. The salon grew, so much so that I had to take on an associate, also a great tattoo artist. Together we're a hit, it's true, but even if everything goes well, I must admit that I often think of you and everything we've experienced together in the past.

- I would be lying to you if I told you that I never think about you, she adds, smiling.

It's strange, despite everything she has just told me, I don't see it any other way than my Emma, my best friend since forever. I already know that she will leave as soon as Jason can leave the hospital, my heart is already sinking, but I couldn't hold her back, no matter what I said to her, no matter what I would, I couldn't push her to stay here, near me.

We finish our drink together, slowly. She doesn't talk about the Wolves again and I don't ask any more questions. Maybe one day I'll see it all with my own eyes, but for now I'm already happy to have seen her and her family again. After a few long minutes, I get up to let him know that I'm going to bed. I know that she wants to be alone with Dorian, that they have to talk and that I am too much in this conversation.

I would look after these children as long as she needs them because after all, friends are also made for that, to support, help, support in difficult times.

POV Emma

She leaves and leaves me in her living room. Dorian quickly comes to join me before settling down next to me. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him as I rest my head on his shoulder.

- So sweetheart, tell me what you learned about her, I said softly.

He slides his free hand into mine,

- She left town as expected. She lives about a hundred kilometers from here. Far enough away that when you go out into the street, you won't recognize it. She also changed her first and last name without being really imaginative, since she mixed those of your parents. - A work? Friends? A family?

- No family, in any case, there is no birth certificate whether under real identity or under his assumed name. For friends, no idea, she is not present on social networks. As far as work is concerned, she mostly lives through placements, investments, in fact, she continued to do what she did best, shady stuff that earns her money.

- I'm not even surprised to tell you everything. Far from there. I suspected she would never have taken an honest job, she must not even know what it is.

-You are definitely right.

-A hundred kilometers you say.

- That's it.

-So we will go tomorrow morning.

- Are you sure?

- More than sure my heart. If I had fallen earlier, if it had taken you just five minutes longer to arrive then this psycho would have attacked our children. He would have killed them and before that, you know as I do that he would surely have used them as a shield in order to have us at his mercy.

- I know.

- Then you should understand why I'm sure I want to do it and why I don't want to wait any longer.

- I understand, you can believe me my dear, I even understand you very well. It's just that I'm afraid you'll be hurt after all this.

- I couldn't suffer any more than if she sent someone again and this time, our children or one of you was mortally wounded.

He hugs me a little closer to him, sighing. He doesn't approve of my decision but he won't go against it. I'll sort this out myself, once and for all. After a few long minutes, we go to bed. One against the other. I missed the warmth of his body so much that I sighed with contentment as I snuggled up against him.

My hands grab his and place them on my heart. Right now, that's all I need. Of this moment which only belongs to the two of us and which makes me forget everything else. I close my eyes, enveloped by his scent, and fall asleep before waking up long before the sun comes out. I gently get out of bed and tiptoe out of the room.

To my greatest surprise, Melissa is also standing, sitting in front of her computer creating a tattoo model on her touch screen.

- You can't sleep, she asks when she sees me.

- Let's just say I need to prepare myself for what's next.

"You need a few things," she said, turning to me.

- To be honest yes, I need a weapon. A loaded gun.

She sighs, closing her eyes before getting up.

- I was sure you were going to end up asking me something like that.

She walks to a tall cupboard which she opens to take out a box which she hands to me.

- These days, you can never be too careful, she adds, sighing.

I open the box to take out a firearm and a magazine. I was sure she had one. Between these hours and her work, we often talked about her safety in the evening and the risks she ran. I smile, touching the metal with my fingertips. I will never again meet a girl as great as her and even if I intend to leave again, I already know I would take a part of her with me.

- Be careful, I doubt your sister doesn't have any weapons.

- Of course she does. She always had them. Don't worry, I'll be careful and above all, I won't be alone.

At the same time, Dorian gets up and comes to join me before kissing me. I close the box quickly to focus on him kissing him back as it should be. Leaving these lips, I see that Melissa is smiling, although she is afraid for me, she knows that with my Wolf, I am safe. We have a light breakfast and leave her house while the sun is just rising. We get in the car and set off in silence. There is nothing more to say, nothing more to add. The dice are rolled and now only the final confrontation separates us from our cherished freedom. I try to stay as calm as possible, I have to keep my mind clear. I must not hesitate, not for a single second.

Dorian's POV

Of course she's ready. I know it. I'm just afraid for her. However, as we move forward, I feel how determined she is, how much she feels nothing but hatred towards her sister, hatred and disgust. Jason is also worried, he perceives us without being able to be with us, without being able to support us.

I take a quick look at Emma before returning my attention to the last few kilometers that separate us from her. She doesn't tremble, she is focused, which only makes her more beautiful. She hasn't said anything since we left, she doesn't need to. I place my hand on his thigh, squeezing it gently. A few more minutes, just a few more minutes and it will all be over. Everything will finally be over.

When we arrive, I pass slowly in front of the address for the first time before continuing to get back better. The area is quite isolated, it seems that even here, she continues to try to hide. It has nothing to do with the luxury she lived in before, however, seeing her car parked in front, I tell myself that she hasn't given up everything.

I ended up stopping the car a little further away. Emma closes her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath before turning to me to kiss me quickly. She gets out of the car first and we approach on foot. An icy wind pushes us at our backs, as if to encourage us to go all the way. Emma pulls her scarf up over her nose, trying to keep some warmth until she arrives in front of the door of this building.

There are three apartments, but only one is occupied. We enter an entrance hall which must have seen better days, immediately, Emma enters the stairwell without the slightest hesitation. If her car is parked in front of her it must be at home and I already suspect that she knows that she will never hear from her bounty hunter again. She must be nervous, perhaps even expecting a response from us. My other half knows it without it stopping him. She continues to move forward and on the top floor, she stops before walking down the corridor to stop in front of the only door on the landing.

She takes a deep breath and rings the doorbell like a visitor would. Her sister is scared, I can even feel it through the door, her heart beating faster as she gets closer. She doesn't even ask our identity, she knows, deep inside, that it can only be us.

Then the door opens and without a single word being spoken, I see Emma's hand rise to fall forcefully on her sister's cheek. Surprised, the latter takes a step back, a single step, but as I taught Emma, it is this simple step that must be taken advantage of. She moves forward, enters his apartment, enters his territory already having a short head start.

- You shouldn't have done that, Emma said in a voice that I had trouble recognizing.

I feel the full force of all these emotions, everything she feels. This hatred, this anger, this disappointment at having dared to believe that the last time had served him as a lesson. Even I am blown away by all this, by this explosion which gushes out like a volcano without counting on going out.

- So I deduce that he failed, replies his sister with a glint of challenge in her eyes.

- Indeed.

Emma's words are sharp as is the new slap she inflicts on him. the little sister has surpassed her elder, and she is going to prove it to her.