Chapter 8: Chapter 8

I felt like my whole world had stopped spinning, and my throat went dry for a moment. I took a step back. My hands were trembling from fear and anxiety building inside my system. My heart throbbed painfully, and I couldn't speak even though I wanted to shriek in terror.

This can't possibly be true. What on earth is what I am seeing? I closed my eyes, pushing away the horrible sight I had seen. I must be hallucinating. I must be tired and probably starving, that's why I saw it. I have been thinking deeply for minutes when someone taps my shoulder, making me scream in fear.

"Natasha, what's wrong?" someone grabbed my hand, and I was shouting for help when I opened my eyes and stopped. Realization soon hit me when I noticed everyone was looking at us, eyeing me suspiciously as if I had just grown five heads. I parted my lips that were quivering and slowly glanced at Ethan, who was gritting his jaw.

"I-I'm sorry…." I looked down, fidgeting my fingers. My ears and cheeks reddened like a tomato from the embarrassment. I probably panicked too much that's why I drew attention. I felt Ethan's hand grab my elbow and went to a different aisle where no one could see us.

He let out a violent breath before placing his hands above his hips.

"I am asking you, Natasha. Why did you scream suddenly?" he sounded impatient, wanting to know why I suddenly went ballistic. I bit my bottom lip. I couldn't find the correct answer to his question. Honestly, I don't know if what I saw is true. I didn't want to freak him out, so I chose another option to say that popped into my head.

"I just thought Allen might be here, and he was following us."

Ethan suddenly went alert. He bent down a little, leveling his face to meet my eyes. He stroked the strands of my hair covering half of my face and put them at the back of my ear. Ethan then stroked my cheeks with his thumb, easing down the tension I was feeling.

"Hey, easy there. If that is what you are feeling, we should hurry up and get back to our place. Anything else that is bothering you?" Ethan dropped his hands down above my hips, his nose brushing slightly to mine. I hope no one notices us right now since I feel like someone is watching closely. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"Let's just hurry up," I muttered. Ethan didn't move for a minute. He was still eyeing me until he sighed in defeat and stood straight.

"Okay then, let's carry on. We will postpone looking for any twins," he exclaimed. His tone of voice was authoritative enough for me to shut up. We continued our groceries, and the same feeling remains. I didn't leave Ethan's side as I remanded his shadow. Ethan was glancing at me from time to time, checking my condition. I grabbed on the hem of his shirt, scared to let go.

What I saw is something was beyond prospects. A deceased mortal can not be seen alive again. I know it was probably my hallucination. Every time I glanced at the end of each aisle we went to, I felt like the person was there standing closely in the sea of crowds watching what our next move was. Even though I know it may not be confirmed. Nevertheless, the hostility did not rest.

"Natasha."

I jumped in surprise when Ethan grabbed my hand and then took it. I didn't say anything when we successfully got out of that place, and we headed back to our house. Ethan turned to his werewolf form so that we could get there quickly. The road is empty, and there's a low chance someone might go to this deserted place. I rested my head on his giant furs and closed my eyes. I know Ethan is worried, and we will discuss this issue after we get home.

Part of me doesn't want to talk about it. Merely, I want to protect his peace. Ethan has been through so much. I don't want to bring another burden to him. Might as well keep this thing a secret.

Ethan ceased from his tracks. I opened my eyes, and that's when I realized we were already back without any trouble. Ethan shrank down and then carried all the groceries in his hands. I turned my back on him and opened the entrance of the house.

"Natasha, stop where you are."

I flinched on my spot, unable to move a muscle. I swallowed the lump in my throat and then slowly looked at Ethan, whose eyes were gleaming perilously. This is what I am talking about. He wouldn't stop asking millions of questions until satisfied with my answers.

"Care to tell me what happened out there? Why are you freaking out? What did you exactly see?" he asked, then brought all down the groceries.

"Ethan-" a bark stopped me from saying something. We both looked at Bobby, ran down the staircase, and went to our spot. He was happy to see us. Something suddenly stroked my heart at the sight of him. Somehow, all of the heavy feelings inside me were lifted.

"Natasha, I am not done talking to you." Ethan was still persistent, so I closed my eyes and massaged my temples.

"Ethan, I was just scared, okay? Because there were many people out there, most of them were looking at us."

I did recall numerous people glancing in our way. I know it's probably because of Ethan, who stands out even though he changed his looks again, but this is the only option I could tell him.

Ethan didn't buy that. He crossed the gap between us. His eyes were livid. I took a step back, but he quickly grabbed my arms.

"You're lying, Natasha! I can sense it!" he shook my whole body, making me whimper since he accidentally released his claws and slashed my flesh.

"Ethan! Stop it! You're hurting me!" I yelled in remorse, then pushed him with all I got. He suddenly let go of me, breathing in and out while looking at his hands. Bobby then charged toward Ethan, barking at him, trying to protect me from him. I glanced at my shoulders to see the blood gushing down from the claws. I winced when I wanted to touch it.

I need to treat this quickly, or my wounds will get infected. I stood up straight and was about to carry Bobby when I felt Ethan's presence walking closer to my spot.

"N-Natasha, I'm s-sorry-"

"It's okay, Ethan," I muttered, looking down, not wanting to make eye contact with him. I know it was an accident, but I don't understand why I couldn't set my eyes on his face. Probably because I couldn't bear the idea once again hurt me, much worst, he used his other form. If I didn't push, he probably could have killed me by now.

"No, it's not okay. I-"

"Come on, Bobby. Don't be mad at your father. It was just an occurrence. He didn't mean it." I stroked his fur, hugging him gently. Bobby toned down his wrath a little. He looked my way and sniffed on my wounds. I gently pushed him away from it because he might lick it.

"Let's get upstairs, Bobby." I didn't glance at Ethan, calling my name and begging for me to look at him.

"Natasha, please! I didn't mean to! Please look at me! Talk to me!" he was bailing out on the floor. I didn't even bother peeking at him from my shoulder. I left him there, crying and screaming his frustrations out. I know he needs someone to calm him down, but he needs to tone down on his own this time. It doesn't mean I care less…

I was hurt, wounded, and weakened by his actions. I need time for myself. All this trouble we are seeking was messing up his head. I understand Ethan just wants to return to his normal state and get out of the curse in his body to live an everyday life with me, but we can not rush it. Life takes to process, and it's time no matter how impatient someone gets.

When I got to our room, I placed Bobby on the bed and went straight to the bathroom. I opened the shower and turned up the heat. I cleaned the wounds, but I backed away from the sting every time the water touched them. I cursed under my breath. This is getting thwarting. I turned off the shower and then closed my eyes, sinking down on the wet floor.

I rested my head on the wall, clenching hard on my chest, where my heart was throbbing painfully. I just want this painful sensation to stop and the misery of our relationship. I couldn't blame Ethan for this mess since he was just a victim, like me.

I parted my lips when the door suddenly opened. I jerked in my position and then looked at the entrance. Ethan went inside, then stopped right in front of me. I looked at his towering figure and noticed he was removing his shirt. The masculinity and the veins of his arms were popping. I gulped the lump in my throat, then scooped away from him since he sat down beside me, looking sloppy while his eyes were fixed on the ground.

No one between us spoke a word. Ethan was just looking on the ground, half-naked and breathing violently. What is he doing here? I know why he is here, but he should know that I don't want to see him right now.

"Ethan-"

"I'm sorry, Natasha." he cut off my words before looking at me. I thought he would repeat something when he grabbed my hand gently and then eyed my wounds carefully. He gritted his jaw before glancing directly through my soul.

"I won't forgive myself for this, Natasha. Maybe I should just give up on finding the cure and focus myself more on this family," he grumbled.