Chapter 41: Chapter 41

I raised my hand, about to knock on the door, when I halted mid-air, unable to continue. I have no reason why I stop. I lowered my vision to the ground, staring at my feet. I felt nauseating as I tried to focus my attention, but it kept getting back to the same cycle of painfulness. I closed my eyes and then rested my forehead on the door, listening to the howl on the other side. I know he is letting out his feelings, so he will pretend nothing has happened when he steps out of this door.

Just the thought of it fractured my heart. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying. We endure too much. I know it's hard to accept because we can carry this guilt for the rest of our lives. I heard a loud banging, then something crashed. I wanted to go in and stop him, but I knew he would just push me away. It was followed by a long deafening silence. I stood up straight, waiting for him to go out. I backed away a little from the door when he opened it. He abruptly looked down when his gaze landed on my face.

We didn't say anything for a minute. We just stood there, looking like a lifeless statues staring at each other. I slowly looked down at his chest because I heard his loud throbbing heart. I gulp, then slowly walk towards his way, crossing the distance between us. When I stopped, I touched it, trying to feel it in my palms. He didn't startle in his spot. He just let me. I gulp, then rest my head on his solid chest, listening to his heart as if I enjoy the melodic phrase.

"We can get through this, Ethan. No matter what happens," I look up slowly and then stare lovingly at his eyes. I caressed his cheeks, and he rested them on my palms.

"I'm not going to leave your side," I muttered.

He didn't say anything. He just stared at my face. His eyes' dark circles made him look more chanceful yet alluring to gaze at. He wrapped his arms around the back of my waist and then lowered his head just to kiss me on my temple. I closed my eyes, smiling. I know it's arduous and torture for both of us. We're so scared to start again because of the possibilities of what might happen. The burden we can carry, the struggles, the anxiety… it's all hard to manage these all. It's as if it's impossible.

"I'm also here, Natasha."

What's good is he changed, completely changed. Whenever he's demented, he will carry it for himself. Unlike before, he would strangle me, seeing me as his punching bag. I know Ethan is a disaster. I have the opportunity to leave him. However, seeing him before me looking hurt because of what happened, he's willing to change for the better because he realized all of this is his karma. Something snapped inside his head as if he were a different person now.

Whenever something terrible happens, there's always a blessing in return. I sighed when he lifted my face up with his fingers on my chin. When our eyes locked, he was smiling, imploring he was so happy to meet me. He slowly bends his head until our lips touch. He moved his lips passionately, taking his time to taste mine. I closed my eyes, resting my hands on his chest. I couldn't ask for more.

Until I didn't notice it was night already. Ethan was upstairs, taking a shower after making love for almost five hours. I was exhausted. That's why I stayed here in the living room, naked. The doors were locked, so I wouldn't worry that someone might break-in.

I was busy scrolling through the media, trying to entertain myself. We haven't gone outside ever since the incident. I think Ethan was scared to let me out of this house because what if someone attacked us again. I understand his concern. We stayed here for almost a week straight, not engaging with anyone. I took a bite of my apple while scrolling when something caught my attention. I squint my eyes. My eyes are viciously tapping on the screen.

I sat up straight and then rested my head on the couch. I read the comment section.

"I don't think that's cosplay. It looks so real."

"Wow, the make-up is on point."

"It looks like a half human but handsome."

My body froze, my eyes widened in shock, and my hands were unsteady. I swallowed, trying to compose myself as I looked once more at the phone. Before, I was the picture of Ethan, that had turned into a wolf form, but his features of a human were still noticeable. The man in the convenience store posted it, and now he's going viral for taking an image with someone who looks so unreal. It was said in the caption he met a werewolf. I shook my head and left a comment.

"That looks fake. Who believes in werewolves anyway? They don't exist."

I was glad many people are saying it's fake, and they don't believe it easily. However, some people actually bite it and want to see it. I click the profile of the man who posted it. I was about to send a message to remove the photo when someone called me.

"Natasha."

I shrieked and almost threw away the phone when I turned around just to see Ethan. He's half-naked, only wearing a boxer. He was drying his hair with a towel while drops of water were streaming down his neck.

"E-Ethan…" my voice cracked when I called him, stopping him from what he was doing and slowly glancing at me. His eyes narrowed while raising his brow.

"What is it?" he asked menacingly, then stormed towards my way. I parted my lips, trying to think of something to excuse, when my eyes landed on my phone. I caught Ethan also gaze at it then he snatched it into my hands. He checked my phone, scrolling through it when he stopped. His eyes are moving, reading something. His fangs showed, and his eye color changed.

"Ethan." I stood up, not minding I was bare, then squeezed him. His chest was rising and falling, controlling his temper. I turned him to face me then I held both of his cheeks.

"Relax, no one is going to find out about the truth. I won't let anyone know about you." I told him, which calmed him in a minute. His eyes look down to my breast, then let out a loud sigh. He strolled to the couch and then sat on it. He massages his temple, trying to think of how to deal with this. I slowly sank beside him, leaning on his shoulder.

"So, what now?" I ask, then caress his bicep. He was quiet for a minute when I heard him sigh.

"I couldn't think straight because you're naked," he muttered, making me blush and then cover my private areas. I didn't know it was disarray to him since he saw it already, well, many times.

"S-sorry…"

He didn't say anything as he continued to think of a plan on how to resort to this mess. An idea popped out of nowhere. I cleared my throat, catching his attention.

"Let's try calling the person," I told him and glanced sideways at my phone. I was about to reach it when he blocked me, pushing me a little away from my phone. I wrinkled my eyebrow, confused. He shook his head a little as if trying to warn me about something.

"We can't talk to him through media, Natasha. He might post that you're connected to the wolf in that picture," he argued, making me drop my arms and let out a disappointed sigh.

"Or maybe we can try to locate the man and ask him to take those pictures?" I suggested a bad idea because his eyes narrowed into slits, and his dicey atmosphere lurked.

"Are you out of your mind, Natasha? What if something might happen-" he stopped mid-air as if he realized something. He closed his mouth and then stood up, looking up. My eyebrows almost did a straight line. He turned away, ready to leave, when I stopped him.

"Ethan, are you thinking of-"

"I'll be back," he said, trying to convince me, but I shook my head. My hands were gripping tightly on his arms, securing them.

"Ethan, you could get killed out there if anyone saw you again!" I was frantic. He can't go out there alone! He needs someone beside him! I paused when he caressed my cheeks, then leaned his forehead on mine. He cloaks his veiny hands on my buttocks, pinching and slapping them while embracing me. I don't know what to feel. I just lowered my head. My cheeks were reddening with embarrassment.

"It won't take that long, honey. I promise you."