I sat across from him. Cupping my tea and watching the steam rise and disappear. I raised my eyes to him and watched. He met my eyes and we stared for a while. I breathed in deep and let out a sigh.

“Belle” He said quietly
My eyes quickly went to him

“What” my voice cracked
He was silent for a while, he looked at the window, watching the rain pour, then me.

“What happens if your father doesn’t come ba-“

“He will come back” I barked

“But what if he doesn’t?” he asked firmly
I didn’t answer. I sipped my tea, trying not to answer but the question ringed in my head. What happens if he didn’t? Surly Rave would take me in. I crossed my legs, and then scratched my arm, then I rocked a little on my cushion. I just couldn’t stay still. I shot off the couch and walked to the window. Putting my hands on the window, feeling the cold of the rain on my hands through the glass, I stared out the window and waited. What seemed like aching hours were just a few minutes. Rave came up from behind me, I could feel the heat of his body. I turned around, only inches from his face.

“You know my family will take care of you if he doesn’t-” He trialed off
I lowered my eyes not looking at him. Then nodded, he wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me. I felt the lump come. I breathed slowly trying to keep myself from crying. I eventually got myself calm. We stayed like this in the silence. All the sudden I smelled blood. I lifted my head and looked up at Rave. Then I looked around.

“I smell blood” I say quietly
He looked at me.

“From which direction?”

“I don’t know, it’s not in the castle though”
He lets go of me and I run towards the stairs, he grabs my arm

“What is it?” he says
I pause and stare directly into his eyes,

“I think it’s my father”

“You can’t go out there alone, the demons will kill you.” Rave says

“I have to save my father, he’s my only family left Rave” I say firmly
He lets go of my arm and I run upstairs. I grab my boots and run back down. Rave is waiting for me and we run outside. The rain is pouring and it soaks us by the time we get to the gates. I grab the bars and lift my head. Smelling the air, it’s definitely my father. Now that I’m out and open to the air, I put my thumb on the scanner and it clicks, I push the gate doors open. We both run till we get the forest edge.

“Are you sure?” Rave grabs my wrist

“Yes”
We fold our hands together and stand in front of each other, we put our foreheads together. I close my eyes and breathe in and out slowly. Wolf I think, when I open my eyes and there he is the solid black wolf. His yellow, white eyes gleaming, the rain falling off his fur making little tear drops at the tips. Then there’s me, white as snow, sky blue eyes.

Ready?
I turn my head to the woods,

Yeah
With that I gallop into the woods, with Rave right behind me. The metallic smell of blood is getting stronger and my emotions are starting to build. I know it’s my father, and I know he’s in trouble.