*•CAINE's POV•*
I woke up when a hand came down on my face. Huh? I sleepily moved the hand but the hand just came back.
I moved it again but it came back, smacking me with full force. Shit!
"What the—" Ara's snores filled the room. Instead of waking her up, I watched her while she slept. She looked natural. Not that glowing kinda shit you read in the books. Even though she snores, it's not too loud and she drools a little. She's obviously a rolling kinda sleeper cause her slaps couldn't be her way of saying good morning to me. Despite my mate not living up to the novel expectations, she was clearly made for me. I could see that she'll change me. Take yesterday for example.
Ever since the incident as a child, I have only shifted during my traumatic experience like about five times. First comes confusion, protectiveness, then sadness, denial, and grief, then rage. Anytime some one is around and I shift, I always end up attacking him. I even attacked Rodrick once—well Scar did. The other people were guards on patrol. Since then I never leave my house after 4:30; hence, never leaving my pack. Rodrick has always understood so he never forced me to leave the pack. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm a shitty Beta. Sigh.
Yesterday, when Ara entered my room, I was fighting Scar for control as usual. But when he finally realized Ara was in the room with him, he faltered and Scar took control. Suddenly pushed to the back of his head, he was scared, wondering whether Scar would hurt Ara. He tried talking to Scar but he put up his mental block. To be honest, he had expected Ara to be scared and run away—Scar can look very scary—but her eyes glazed over and then she shifted.
Her wolf is very beautiful. She's brown with black patches on her ears and tail. She's bigger than an average she wolf but I guess that's because her person is bigger than the average girl. She has this fleshy but malnourished vibe that Ara has. For all we know, they might have been big from eating more carbs and less protein. Never judge a book by its cover.
I knew that even though Scar wouldn't have hurt Ara, I was still a bit skeptical. But when Amanda appeared, I knew he wouldn't dare to hurt his mate. Apparently, Amanda is a feisty one because she snarled back when Scar snarled at her. I don't know how long he continued to snarl at Amanda but when the sadness from the memory hit me I cried out in my head. If I were human, I'd probably have been weeping but since it was Scar, he was whimpering. All the emotions were coming back to me as though I saw her body yesterday. Her red hair almost falling off and her left eye missing. The vultures eating at her flesh, leaving her bones bare. It all came back to me as it does everyday for the past 12 years. I mourned for her, the one I was supposed to protect. I sometimes can't believe how I managed with those memories for 12 years. People go through this kind of experience everyday, all their life, but say nothing to anyone. It's the worst feeling ever.
I think the best part about my trauma is the rage. At least I know that I don't have to deal with going over those horrible moments again—well, till the next day. Scar jumped up suddenly, and took off. I knew that we couldn't stay in that room any longer unless we might hurt Ara and Amanda unintentionally. We ran for an hour, carefully not to get close to anything, most importantly, anyone. Finally, when eight o'clock came, it was like a big, wet memory blanket was taken off my body and Scar collapsed on the forest floor, panting.
["Hey buddy."
"I hope I didn't hurt Amanda, or even Ama."
"I don't think so. Let's head back."]
I made my way back home in my wolf form. When I reached home, I was expecting to see Ara standing with her hands on her waist, wondering where the hell I'd been but rather the house was quiet. I almost thought she'd gone back to Rodrick's place when I heard her snores coming from my room. I quickly and quietly made my way to the room, making sure not to wake her up but she woke up when she felt my presence. I have to say, I like it when she's in my clothes. I'm not surprised my shorts fit her though because she has a shapely body.
Caine? Is that you?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah. It's me."
"I told you not to come into my room Ara. I could have hurt you." I scolded her softly, with a hint of sadness in my voice.
"We'll talk about this tomorrow cause I'm really tired now. I'll go to my room now." She crawled off the bed and was making her way to the door. I knew we didn't talk about sleeping arrangements, but I really needed her to be by me tonight so I held her hand, preventing her from going.
"Stay, please." I guided her back to the bed and lay her down. I joined her, plopping down and wrapping my hand around her waist and she placed her head on my chest.
"We will talk about this mister." She mumbled.
"Yes ma'am." I smiled even though she couldn't see it.
"Oh and I also borrowed your clothes." She managed to breathe out, falling asleep again afterwards. I chucked lightly and kissed her forehead, also falling asleep only to be woken up by a sleepy slap.
She slowly roused from her sleep, rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning." She mumbled.
"It's not a good morning because you slapped me awake." I faked hurt, rubbing my cheek.
"Well, serves you right. You're in big trouble mister." I grinned sheepishly at her.
"I'm going to freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon." She went back to her room, leaving me wondering about the results of the impending discussion.
*•ARA's POV•*
I woke up this morning, almost forgetting where I was. I saw Caine looking down at me as he lay on his side.
"Good morning." I mumbled, not wanting to blow morning breathe on him.
"It's not a good morning because you slapped me awake." He pouted, rubbing his cheek. At first I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but later it clicked. Oops! Have I ever mentioned that I roll when I sleep? I wanted to apologize but when I remembered what he did yesterday, I decided against it.
"Well, serves you right. You're in big trouble mister." I said in my sternest voice which made him grin sheepishly at me.
"I'm going to freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon." I stood up and walked back to my room, giving him my best imitation at a cold shoulder. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. My brown hair is good in the morning so I packed it up and headed downstairs to make breakfast. I got to work, making French Toast and hot cocoa. I'm not a fan of coffee and I don't know whether Caine is so I brewed a cup, just in case. Few minutes later, I heard Caine's footsteps approaching the kitchen.
"Mmm what smells good?"
"The French toast I guess. Do you drink coffee?"
"Sometimes. Did you make a pot?"
"Oh no! I'm not a coffee fan so I only made a cup for you." I slid the cup to him.
"Thanks."
"After breakfast I'm going over to Cindy's place. What's your plans for today?"
"I thought we were gonna have a discussion?"
"Oh we will! But I need my clothes first."
"Can't we talk first?"
"No. Clothes first." My plan is to stall the conversation so that he can plan his explanation well.
"Come, have food." I served him and served myself. He took a bite of the toast and smiled lazily.
"That's some good toast." I reached over to swipe at the side of his mouth, ignoring the sparks that erupted from the touch.
"Did I have something there?"
"Yeah. You had a little drool." I smirked. Oh I love the way people react to my cooking. He laughed.
"Look who's talking about drool."
"Har har! Next time I will be sure to drool all over your horrible face."
"Are you saying I'm ugly?!!!" He gasped.
"Naa but I ain't saying you pretty either. You're okay." I shrugged nonchalantly. Obviously that's a big fat lie cause Caine is one of the most handsome men I've ever met. His jet black hair—just like Scar's fur—is due for a trip because it keeps falling all over his face which makes him keep running his hand through it. Sometimes I wonder if he's wearing contacts because his eyes and his hair color combination is amazing. And he's not overly muscular but he's in good shape with his 6'2 height. My mate is simply gorgeous but I can't tell him that...yet.
After breakfast, I took my shower and wrapped a towel around my body, walking into the room. I was about to enter the room when a knock at the door interrupted me. I squealed and ran back into the bathroom. Sticking my head out, I called out.
"Yes?"
"Are you ready to go? I have a meeting with Rodrick, Drake, and Darwin."
"Gimme five minutes and I'll be out."
"Okay I'll be out in the living room." I heard his footsteps retreat from my door and I moved behind the door to put on some clothes. Thanks to someone, I don't have any change of undergarments so I disgustedly put on my pair from yesterday. I left my hair down to wind dry.
"Caine?" I called out in the empty living room. I thought he said he was waiting for me here?
"Coming!" Two minutes later, he emerged.
"Shall we?" He extended his elbow to me.
"We shall." I entangled my arm in his his elbow, leading the way. The ride to Rodrick's place was comfortably quiet, each of us in our own thoughts. When we finally arrived I jumped down and ran to the door, barging inside. All heads turned to look at me, making me shy.
"Ara! I heard you're our Beta Female! That's so exciting!" Jessie, the Gamma Female squealed.
"Who would have thought?" Penny or Penelope, the Head warrior, added.
"So how was your night?" Cindy wiggled her eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes at the three ladies.
"I need to change out of this clothes and underwear. Ask me later." I made to move, and they all stood, following me.
"Where are you guys going?" I asked suspiciously.
"We were waiting for you so we could g shopping. Take money from your mate and let's chill." Jessie announced excitedly.
"There's no way I'm gonna take money from Caine. He might be my mate and all but I don't really know him." I shrugged.
"Take a chill pill Ara!" Cindy said dramatically as ever.
"You take a chill pill!" I retorted.
"Sheesh okay. But we're still coming to the room with you." Penny grabbed my hand, pulling me with her. They were all talking about something but I wasn't listening because I was silently reaching out to Caine to save me. I mouthed 'help me' but all he did was send me a toothy grin, blow me a kiss, then disappear to wherever the guys were. That sneaky bastard!