n

n

nThe party continued until the wee hours of the morning, but Adrianna left earlier with Okashi and Niiya. They dropped her off at the cottage at a little past midnight. Adrianna was extremely tired, both physically and mentally, after the day's encounters. She changed and settled in her bed.

nAs she lay there, she couldn't help but think that nothing was easy in her life. She kept thinking of him. Melancholy setting in again, she tossed in her bed. She slept, disturbed by her thoughts, and dreamt of him.

nIn her sleep, she dreamt that someone was wrapping her comfortably in his arms. She felt warm and drifted off into a soundless sleep.

nShe woke up fresh and happy in the morning. She danced the entire way to the bathroom and got dressed. She had put on loud jazz music, much to Ed's chagrin, and kept singing and dancing like a star until she came out for breakfast where she met Ed's glare.

n

"What up with the loud music Adri?

" he asked, serving her a club sandwich and orange juice.

n

"Grandfather, I am feeling energized. We had a lot of fun yesterday at the creek,

" she said, biting a mouthful.

nEd liked it when she was in a joyful mood. He played along and said,

"Don't tell me you want to go there again?

"

nEven though he wanted her to go, he didn't want to show that he was easy.

n

"I will, if I get a chance. Besides, Okashi and Niiya may take me there again!

" she said, pouting her lips.

n

"Okay, okay! Have your breakfast!

" he said, conceding to her demands knowingly.

"But we need to work on your magic Adrianna. It's been a long time since you have worked on it,

" he added.

nAdrianna lowered her head and said,

"Yes Ggrandfather., I wanted to talk to you about something I have discovered I could do.

"

nEd's curiosity increased immediately.

"Now what?

" He thought. He was already struggling trying to teach her how to subdue her existing abilities, and a new one would just be more trouble. How long would she be able to suppress them? He was getting worried about her situation. He wanted to talk to the wizards to enlist their help in protecting her, because her pack wasn't helping her at all. He wondered if it was better to marry her off to the Supreme Aalpha. At least she would be protected that way.

n

"What is it this time Adri?

" he asked as he ran his hands through his grey hair.

n

"Grandfather, I think I can communicate with animals…

" she said, her head still low.

"But I am not sure…

" She hid the fact that she could reach her inner pool and cause catastrophe. Even that needed to be controlled.

nEd raised his eyebrows, knowing that she was hiding something. He would try probing her mind, but he knew that she had already blocked him.

n

"Now, that's new. I have never heard of that!

" He had to have the wizards explain it to him first before he could teach her accordingly. Meanwhile, he had to tell Howard about it.

nEd tapped the dining table with his fingers while looking at her intently.

"When are your holidays starting Adri?

" he asked.

n

"There are no holidays until January…

" she replied.

n

"You know that it will take a few days before you are able to actually refine it, and who knows - it may take months to improve and perfect that skill,

" he said, making her understand what it took to make her magic flawless so that when she used it, she wouldn't feel weak.

n

"Yes Grandfather…

" she said, reading his mind.

n

"Adri, I will be out for a few days starting tomorrow, and you will be all alone. Why don't you go back to your father's place?

" he added.

nAdrianna looked up at him, her mood souring quickly.

"No! I won't!

" she snapped like an angry baby.

nShe remembered there were only a few days left before the waning moon when the Supreme Alpha would come to their place. Her body revolted at the idea of marrying him.

n

"I don't want to leave you alone over here. It is dangerous,

" Ed tried to reason with his rebellious teenage granddaughter.

n

"When are you returning?

" she asked with a frown and a worried expression. She hated when Ed left her to go on long trips. She felt lonely and as though she had been abandoned by the only person who doted on her.

n

"I will be out for about five days…

" he replied, understanding her very well. Ed loved her a lot, but he had his work: keeping the peace between the humans and the other inhabitants of the world.

nHe was on a secret committee that had been formed in order to keep the peace, and he was furious that more and more neotides had been emerging recently. He became scared when Adrianna was attacked by them and had called for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation.

nGoing to her father's place was best for her as she would be at least be under the protection of her pack.

nAdrianna became angry when she heard him. She shook her head, and picking up her bag, she ran out of the cottage, leaving her breakfast behind. While rushing out, she shouted,

"I will not go back over there! I can stay here alone and protect myself! I don't need anyone's protection!

"

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