Hearts Betray

Chapter 6- Are you a Man, or a Monster?

Esmeray's POV

As soon as we had arrived back home, Sol took Mom into our small kitchen and sitting room and kept her occupied with a word-search while she baked her famous soul cakes. One thing about our family that I loved more than anything was that even with the world and generations developing, we always remained old-fashioned in all aspects.

Our home was a typical witch hut or cottage, with no technology whatsoever. Yes, we did have running water but everything else remained traditional. The sense of belonging and feelings of safety and love were always present. We always tried to create a homey atmosphere for every resident under that roof. Even Sol's black cat, Phoebe, had heaven on Earth in our house. We always abided by the golden witch rules of; "Do what ye will, but harm none."

As I slowly sank down into the comfortable waves of my layered blankets and stacks of pillows on my bed, I couldn't really prevent my mind from wandering off on me again.

I began analysing the words that Beatrice took a risk for and then jumped back to thinking about Zander, particularly my dislike for him. Why was he so hell bent on having me become his Luna out of all creatures? I wasn't even a werewolf to begin with. I recalled his words yet again and a shiver of disgust and disappointment shook my body slightly. I hated to admit it, but that man made me feel extremely uncomfortable and small, unimportant even, next to him.

A soft knock on my bedroom door drew me out of an unsettling mindset and Sol appeared at my threshold.

"Can I come in and bother my sister for a while?" she asked while quietly laughing.

I smiled and nodded, gesturing with one hand for her to come in. She sat down at the edge of my bed and looked around my room before speaking.

"Mom drifted off to sleep on the couch. I gave her a more comfortable blanket and lit the fire, so she'd be snugger. That woman can be so cute when she's not scary." We both laughed cheerfully at her comment.

"I did mean to talk to you about something else though." She noted, still kindly.

I sat up on my bed to face her, crossing my legs. "About what?" I asked.

"Well, you just seemed kind of.. off, earlier on today. My gut tells me that Zander is the reason, and you know I always take the universe's signs seriously." She mused.

"Did he upset you?"

I smiled weakly at her, mentally shaking off my feelings of fear of that man.

"Sol, you know Zander, he will do anything to get in under our skin. And for some odd reason, he finds it amusing to push me right to the edge out of all people. It's nothing new really, he's just the typical asshat that he always is." I admitted.

Sol looked me over a few times, and without taking her sight off me, continued; "Right, well as long as he didn't say or do anything that truly upset you, or something that doesn't want to leave you alone even now when you're back home, then maybe I won't have a reason to shoot a fireball up his ass. Yet."

I couldn't quite suppress the giggle that escaped me when I pictured Zander being blasted off into space thanks to Sol's fireball.

"One more thing though, if you don't mind me bringing it up." Sol began again.

I nodded and gave her an "Mhm" in reply.

"Why did Zander's Beta come to warn you about him?" She asked cautiously.

Darn Sol for being so observative. Lying to a witch was no easy task either.

"To be brutally honest, I don't know myself. I mean, I appreciated it big time, nevertheless. I don't want to associate with Zander under any circumstance. I think she must've noticed him being a pushy dick towards me. Plus, I think he must've upset her greatly too. She didn't speak fondly of him at all. Or her mate." I confessed.