She had been still getting used to being tied to someone else’s feelings – hers had definitely been enough for the two and a half decades that she’d been around – when a chill ran up her spine. Claudia. The amount of discomfort rolling through from the witch in waves had been enough to get Ana to her feet and then back down on all four.
She followed her nose, her paws padding quietly along the manor’s floor and then down the stairs as she moved after the familiar scent. She hadn’t been hiding their bond, it’d come out amongst the chaos at some point, but she didn’t want to be stopped. She had somewhere to be, she had a witch to find.
Descending slowly, eyes focusing in the darkness at two figures too many near one of the cells and moved towards them - her tail swishing slightly as she laid her eyes on her prize. Ana trotted over toward them, dark eyes quickly having settled on the former wolf keeper in the cell. It had been a wonder that Claudia hadn’t felt worse. With a quick glance at Aija she moved over to seat herself beside them both, knowing that her the mystery surrounding her identity had been revealed by just making herself known.
With her focus on Brigid and the ritual, it took Claudia longer than it should have to recognize Ana’s approach. When the concern and determination began to take over her own concentration, Claudia noticed the patter of paws, the approach of footsteps down the basement stairs. She felt her posture soften as Ana’s wolf form approached, assessing the situation before decidedly seating herself right in the middle of their ritual.
A small smile rested on her face. Ana sensed her discomfort and came to protect her. No ounce of regret or moment of second guessing had crossed her mind since the previous evening, but even if it had, this would have erased it.
She reached over to cup the soft fur of Ana’s head. “I’m okay,” she murmured softly. “Thank you.”
At the same time, her aunt was pushing herself up from the wall, from her seated position to standing. With her forehead marred with deep furrowed lines and her mouth moving over harsh words, Claudia could see the woman’s fury, but didn’t have to listen to it.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Did we forget to tell you? Ana and I took the bond last night. Maybe you and I do have something in common after all, Aunt Brigid. We both fell for a wolf. I guess the difference is, if Ana and I ever have children, I can promise you they will uphold their wolf heritage with honor and pride.”
Her lip curled as she stared at her aunt, the woman giving up her silenced ranting in favor of glaring. Claudia’s hands shook as she debated going on, unleashing the anger that had pent up at this woman’s treatment of her, of the wolves, of Victoria.
She shook her head. “Aija, please start the ritual. She doesn’t deserve any more of our time.”
