Chapter 2: Chapter 2

TWO

Why did it feel like waking up from a freaking accident? My whole body felt dead and I knew that I would not be able to walk properly for a few days, the man who had come last night surely liked to dominate more than most. I stood from the bed and grabbed the clothes that were on the ground, slowly wearing them to cover my bruised and abused body.

After I was dressed I combed through my hair with my fingers, bringing it in front enough to cover my bruised neck. I stepped out of the small room, limping until I made it downstairs. Levi was standing near the door giving orders to some men, I looked around and cringed at the state of the club. It was always like this in the morning, bottles, red solo cups, thrown furniture, the occasional vomit and an unconscious body on the floor—maybe two or more when lucky.

I felt bad for the people that had to clean after the drunkards. Levi walked up to me before I could get to him and gave me a sad smile after glancing at my state, I bet anyone could guess that my night was wild. I reciprocated his smile with a sad smile of my own.

“I'll be here by 10, I swear not to be late this time,” I told him.

“I think you should stay at home today, you look like a wreck.” He said while eyeing my neck and then back to my face.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Should I now? I would very much love to do that but I don’t have an option and you know that.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll just make up an excuse or lie...it’s not like Louis will know.” He said but both he and I knew that it was a lie. Louis always knows, it’s like he has someone watching every move of mine.

“You’re supposed to be the smarter one,” I tried to joke with him but the seriousness in his eyes made me want to break down.

“I wish I could help you Willow,” He voiced out, the guilt in his voice made my insides constrict. Even if we were friends in the wrong circumstance, I was glad that I even have a friend. A hot one at that too.

“You are,”

“Bullshit! Last week I couldn’t even stop him from hitting you when he found out that you were late.”

I flinched when I remembered how Louis had hit me the next day in the morning after that woman had her way with me the entire night. Somehow, someone had told him that I came later than ten and he did not waste time to punish me. He hit me until he was satisfied with himself. This is why I believe that he must have people watching me and why I get scared whenever Levi talks to me. Louis could punish him for even sympathizing with me, if only he were not his brother.

“I don’t want you thinking that, if anything it’s only me at fault for even getting myself in such a situation,” I said and stared at the floor for a while before looking back up with a smile. “Let me not hold you up, this place is a mess and you must be a busy werewolf. I have to go home and help my aunt.”

Before Levi could say anymore I sidestepped him and walked to the door, walking out of the building which I would return to later on just to get my body ruined and punished like every other night. I walked down the street with a frown on my face, watching the people around me who could still live normally without any worries. My life would never be normal like that again because I knew that something greater and more dangerous lived with us all. Disguised in plain sight as if they are like humans.

When I finally got home, I opened the door and looked around. As usual, the house was dark and silent, it had been so long since it felt like home. It felt devoid of life despite having two people living in it. I walked to the kitchen, in search of my aunt but she was not there. I sighed and walked down the hallway and knocked on the first door which was her room. Muffled sounds followed after the knock and later the door opened.

Charlotte Doyle, my only relative stepped out looking even more tired than me if that was even possible. Dark circles below her eyes and frizzled hair stood in every place. She worried me with how much she worked and did not sleep.

“Willow? I came at 5 and did not find you in your room. Where were you?” She asked while rubbing her eyes.

“Um... I-I was at my boyfriend’s place.” I lied.

“Really? Louis right?” She asked and I bit on my lower lip before nodding. “I remember that boy he was so well-mannered last time we met,”

Of course, I had also believed that facade—I had even gone as far as to fall for it. He had this way of tricking people with his shy and innocent smile and the way he spoke made him seem like a gentleman but he was the biggest son of a batch that I know. I clenched my hands at my sides as Charlotte spoke well of that bustard.

It was better this way if she thought he was a good boy, she would not worry about me. I did not want to worry her anymore, she already had to make sure that we had a roof over our heads and food. She worked over the clock and had four jobs that even went into the night. I did not want to burden her more with my problems that were a result of my stupidity.

“We won’t have electricity for some time, I don’t have money to pay the bill and it was either water or electricity and I chose water.” She informed me and I nodded understandingly.

Our house was not big, a one-story building with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom. It was good enough. We had managed to keep it and pay for it using the money that my parents left but after two years even that money was slowly finishing. Charlotte and I had to work in order not to end up on the street and our parents’ money was only for emergencies. I worked at a restaurant during the day and Charlotte tackled her multiple jobs. Thankfully she had no idea about how devastating my nights were.

“You can go back to sleep and I’ll prepare breakfast,” I told her because I could tell that she needed to sleep, Thankfully today is Saturday and she only has to work two jobs.

“Okay,” she replied and walked back into her room, closing the door.

I sighed and walked to the bathroom, I looked into the mirror and cringed at my dishevelled appearance. I looked like a cat attacked my neck. I turned on the water, hoping to cleanse my body from the previous night’s events. I quickly took my place under the shower, the warm water cascading down my bare back and releasing the stress in my body. I scrubbed my body and felt better about my skin.

Charlotte was twenty-four with only two years on me but she acted like she was my mother, wanting to take responsibility and take care of me. I loved her for sticking by my side and being one of the reasons why I had not lost hope. She took care of me after my parents died and took on the burden to be my rock but I was stupid. I was stupid enough to believe that I could have a good-looking rich guy, that I could call him mine and he would call me his. I was very stupid and now I have to pay for my stupidity and gullibility.

I turned off the water after I finished and walked to my room. I took out some jeans and a polo neck to cover my neck, luckily I would not look weird because it was indeed a bit chilly today. As promised I prepared breakfast for Charlotte and me and after I ate mine I entered her room and woke her up with the tray of breakfast in my hands.

“Breakfast for my favourite person!” I announced and she groaned as she raised her body from the bed.

Charlotte’s room was more organized than mine and now that I stared at the clothes on the floor I noticed how out of place they were. Everything in here was neatly folded and kept away and I guessed that she was too tired to care about where she placed her clothes after she came back from work.

“Aww I’m so hungry by the way,” she said as she stared at the pancakes.

“Enjoy your breakfast alright? I’ll be on my way to the restaurant now, I’ve got a morning shift.” I told her and she nodded as she started eating.

“Tell your boyfriend to not go more carnivore on your neck next time, I could see all those hickeys even through my dazed state.” She said before her attention went back to the food.

The smile on my face was replaced with a frown and later a broken look. I stood up and left the room before Charlotte could notice my dull mood. I wanted to tell her, to let her know that I had lost my innocence to a beast who then fed me to the likes of him but I could not. I could not bring myself to do that and no matter how many times I wished to do it, I could not because I would be the one to face the consequences.

When I arrived at the restaurant it was busy because it was a Saturday and more people seemed to want to eat out in a restaurant rather than be at home. I got to work quickly, taking orders and serving the customers.

..................

Black was doing push-ups on the green grass that surrounded Nina’s cottage, he loved how the air was clean and there was enough greenery with the forest surrounding the small house. Another bonus was the quietness that the surrounding offered, it was peaceful and perfect for thinking. But he did not need to think, he needed to accept that he probably did not have a mate out there meant for him. Am I destined to be alone? He questioned himself, this question always invaded his mind.

He continued with his push-ups more aggressively to rid his mind of any thought involving a mate. His breathing became heavy and his muscles ached but he kept on. The pain of not having a mate was more than the physical pain he could feel from his workout. He had to forget, it would do him no good thinking about this. If the goddess saw it fit that he should not have a mate then he should accept his fate.

But it was hard, everyone around him was basking in the joy of having a mate. How could he not be hurt when he looked at his cousin with his mate and their child or when he saw his best friend with her mate and child? It hurt, it did but he had to be strong. He was after all one of the best fighters in his pack and he had to live up to that name and showing any broken part would shatter his tough reputation.

“Wesley,” Black could recognise that voice anywhere and when he stood up to look into Nina’s caramel eyes, he could see the worry that clouded them.

“Zaira called...” He could hear the hesitation in her voice, he knew her as he knew himself. “She wants you to join her and the twins.”

Black nodded and was about to continue what he was doing but Nina spoke once more. “It’s okay if you don’t want to go,”

“Why wouldn’t I want to go?” He asked regardless of knowing what Nina meant, she also knew him very well—too well.

“You don’t have to act tough every time, I know that you’re hurting and so does Zaira and she thinks hanging out with you will make you feel better but if it hurts you then you can refuse,” Nina said, her voice said and reassuring.

“Don’t worry yourself too much, Nina.” Black walked closer to her, easily towering over the woman that was more than a parent to him.

“I’m okay and I’ve told you countless times that if you do, you’ll start getting wrinkles.”

“I can’t get wrinkles, you stupid mutt I’m just sixty-three.” Nina defended in Latin with a scowl on her face.

“I’ll meet Zee, don’t worry and besides I love the twins,” Black said with a small smile before he dropped back to the ground and resumed his workout.

Nina looked at him before she shook her head and walked back into her little space. She was very worried about him but he always did this, telling her that he is okay and not to worry. She sighed and walked to the kitchen, staring at one of the boys she had raised. Despite not being his actual mother, she loved and worried about him. Wesley was like her own son.

“These stupid boys, Isaac had also said that he did not want a mate but look at him now clinging to her like a bear.” She muttered frustrated with Black’s attitude.

“I hope Caleb won’t trouble me too,”