Chapter 37: Chapter 37

“Can we go out this time?”

I halted what I was doing when Ethan abruptly opened the door to our room. I nearly had a heart attack because he didn’t knock as I was enjoying my peace here alone. I sighed, set aside the clothes I was folding, and looked at him. His thick fiendish brows were corrugated, nearly in a straight line while pressing together his lips, expecting my reply.

He has been asking me to go out, but these past few days, I have refused since I feel feverish. My body and intellect aren’t in the temperament to go out. I just wanted to remain in the house and just do the chores. I know Ethan has been bored since he stopped his hunting phase, and somehow, he’s controlling his violence. Now, he’s finding a way to ease out his ennui.

“I don’t know, Ethan. I’m-” he abruptly sat down beside me, resting his backhand on my neck. He moved his jaw and then set his menacing eyes on my face.

He clicked his tongue, “But you’re not hot. Are you lying to me?” his voice was abyssal and baleful. I shook my head and smiled weakly at him, caressing his hand.

“I’m just tired, honey. We can go out if you want to.” When he held my hand, I stood up, ready to pack up some things if we drove out far from our home. I look at him to catch him gazing at my side profile. I raised a brow, befuddled why he looked at me like that. He looks intoxicated, but for what?

“Do you need anything? I can get you whatever you want. You want cake?”

What? He abruptly pulled me when he stood up. He caressed my cheeks, tilting his head slightly, and our noses touched. I felt his hands snaking to my back down to my buttocks. He slapped them, then nibbled on them. I chuckled, then thrust his chest a little.

“Come on, let’s prepare our stuff. I’ll go now with you.” I whispered on his lips, then turned away. I felt his eyes watching my every movement closely, but I didn’t mind him. I got used to his hunting looks as if he’s primed to savor his foe.

However, he got out of the room, probably heading to the kitchen or something. I looked around the closet, picking which outfit would I get ready for this day. I have no thought about where Ethan wants to go, but it’s better to bring a few extra dresses for our travel. I tip-toed and was about to choose a cute dress hanging when nausea suddenly struck my system. I halted mid-air, kneading my head and leaning on the divider for support.

I wanted to toss up what we ate this morning. I held on to my temple as I dropped the dress, heading straight to the washroom. I rested my arms on the sink while salivating. I immovably closed my eyes and then felt my head is spinning. I separated my lips a little, holding up. I puke when I felt all of the food spouting its way through my mouth.

“Natasha-” I heard Ethan’s voice outside the room, probably looking where I was. He heard I was in the bathroom, so he went inside and then hurriedly went to my side.

“A-are you okay?” he sounded queasy as he tried to help me. I gestured my head when I was done and then sprinkled my face with water. I inhaled a long breath and looked at him. I can’t peruse what he’s thinking as he caresses my confront with his hands, putting a few strands of my hair behind my ear.

“Do you want to go to the hospital?” he seriously asked. His eye is getting duller while analyzing my face. I shook my head and then grinned.

“I’m fine, just a little sleepy. Let’s go pack our things.” I went past beside him and then went to the closet, continuing what I was doing. I heard him let out a loud moan, holding for something. I looked from my bear and caught him doing the breathing strategy I instructed him whenever he’s frantic. But why? I didn’t say anything since he needs to think clearly about what’s stressing him without anyone’s intercession.

“Okay.” he muttered then helped me.

When we were done packing, we headed outside to the car. He was the one who put all the bags in the back compartment when he suddenly winced. He paused for a minute, then proceeded like nothing happened. However, even if it’s just a matter of seconds, I saw it. I walked up to him and then held his arms.

“Ethan, is there something wrong?” I asked, concerned. He nodded his head and then went on. I didn’t push him again because he might snap this time. I know he’s improving, but he would go amok at times.

He went interior the car, not looking at me. I followed him with my eyes, letting out an incredulity sigh. I went to the car and then opened the entryway. I saw him gazing straight out of nowhere while firmly fussing on the steering wheel. I saw his claws scratching the leathers.

“Ethan…” I called his name. He just turned on the engine and then drove off without saying anything. I watched him for minutes before turning my head against the window, watching the cars pass.

None of us said anything for hours. I wanted to say something, but I needed him to calm down first. I can feel the dark atmosphere that’s surrounding the whole car. I closed my eyes, not minding it. It’s not that I don’t care. It’s because I’m frightened he might throw hands here. I just let myself snooze off.

I woke up when the car ceased. I looked outside, just to see it was night. I looked out just to see the driver’s seat empty. My heartbeat quickened then I hurriedly got out of the car to search for him. I breathed a sigh of alleviation when I saw him slumped on the side of the gas station. I realized he pulled over to fill up the car. Guess I don’t have anything to worry about.

I was about to go inside the car again when something caught my attention. A bunch of lights was drawing nearer this way. I squinted my eyes, trying to see what is it. When they were nigh enough to clearly see what they were, I suddenly froze on my spot even though I was not moving. A group of bikers ceased here at the gas station, pulling next to Ethan’s side, who glanced at them while puffing out his cigarette.

For some unknown reason, I got nervous. I glance at Ethan, pleading for him to look at me. The bikers got off their bikes and removed their protective cap. My lips shuddered when I saw their looks besieged with tattoos, chains, piercings, and different hair colors, completing the rainbow.

“Hey, man! Stop stealing ma’ money!”

“Yo’! who took my cigarette?!”

In other words, they are the sort of people you wouldn’t like to bump with. The two shouting yanked each other, about to throw a fight when someone shoved them away, almost losing their balance. I gasped when he headed towards Ethan, who was minding his own business. Oh god, this is bad. He can’t talk with Ethan. I wanted to meddle, but I was also frightened to go near their spot.

“You’re a smoker. Give me your lighter.” the guy demanded. He got a vast skull tat on his temple. Ethan didn’t say anything. He just gradually looked at the man who was being bossy.

I got out of the car, almost running to their spot. He can’t transform here. His identity must not be found out. I know Ethan doesn’t have a temper to deal with idiots like them.

“What are you looking at?” his voice raised, but Ethan didn’t recoil on his spot. Instead, he turned his body and then towered over the man. But they aren’t frightened of him. They are like seven of them who also confronted Ethan, looking for a fight. I shook my head and then yelled.

“Ethan!”

Because of what I did, they all looked at me. Ethan’s eyes broadened when he saw me approaching them. I ceased in my tracks when one of them went to my spot, yanking me towards him. I protested, trying to pry away from his grasp, but his fingers buried in my skin, making me shriek in pain.

“Look what we have here.” the man who held me sniffed my hair, inhaling my scent. I shivered, crying to let go of me. But he didn’t listen. The seven of them are now circling me as if I’m an entertainment to them.

“P-please let go of me!” I tried to push one of them away, but their leader, who confronted Ethan, grabbed my pulse, giving me that horrifying look.

“Oh, yeah? What will you do about it?” he chuckled, amused to see me suffer, but then they stopped when someone letting out a low snarl spoke behind them.

“Let go of my wife.”