Once he was finally alone, surrounded by the grey concrete of the garage he found a little corner, hidden between two cars close to a pillar. He placed his back on it, asking for a bit of support as his hands covered his mouth, his eyes watering the second he realized no one was around. His chest hurt, aching with the recollection of what happened, the sound of the words that had been spoken, and the noise Nash's cracking jaw made. It was his fault, he couldn't help but blame himself and a sob escaped from his lips, salty tears traveling down his cheeks.
Why would he act like that? Why did he have to go and ruin this image he had of him in his head? Just last night he had touched him so gently, he had spoken words Astor had never heard and made his heart flutter but now he was only showing a face filled with anger, one that he had seen many times before in the people that he hated back home.
The truth was that even though Ren had bought him, even though they had told Astor how the situation would be when he entered their pack he had viewed the strong Alpha as his savior, the one who took him away from this pain of his. He had told him he would end them, help him get his revenge but his words now sounded like lies, why would someone like him help?
"Stop hiding." Ren's voice echoed in the empty garage and Astor's body stiffened. He had come to find him, searching for him. "Come out."
The white-haired werewolf did not move, turning into a saddened statue he stood still, his green eyes moving frantically as he tried to control his crying and his breathing. He didn't want to see him, he didn't want to witness the snowstorm in his eyes and the freeze of his words. The sound of bones breaking from only one hit echoed in his head, making him shiver.
"I won't hurt you. I promise." he said and paused for a second. "Please." he called again, his tone turning softer. Please, he had said, Astor thought and his heart raced by how timid he sounded, it almost didn't match his image.
At the sound of his voice, in the way he pleaded with him to come out Astor almost melted, magically forgetting all of his restrictions, all of his thoughts of before and without realizing it he was walking away from his little hideout, standing a few meters away from Ren.
"You hurt him." Astor stated.
"I had to."
"Why?"
"So things would not get worse." Ren replied, taking a few hasty steps towards him. Astor did not move and that gave him the reassurance he needed to get close, so close he could easily grab him if he tried to escape, so close he could just take his hand in his and never let go.
"Will you give me to that man? Will you do the same to me that Zeth did?" He asked Ren.
"What?"
"You promised me!" The white-haired wolf cried, tears still falling from his green eyes. "You said you would help me get my revenge. You said no one would hurt me. You promised so tell me, will you give me to that disgusting man?"
"I would never give you away." Ren stated, taking another bold step closer, his palms cupping gently Astor's face, erasing the intrusive touch that August had left behind, transferring him his warmth and worry. "I would never hand you out to someone like him, I would never give you to anyone." he stated, his tone decisive but soft as he looked into Astor's eyes with such care. "Now that I have you, now that you are finally here I am not letting you go, even if you get sick of me, even if you end up hating me you will be with me. No one would dare to touch you, no one would dare to hurt you. Even if someone like him asked for you, I would prefer to burn my pack to the ground than give you away."
Such kind words, such sweet sensations as he heard him talk, as he felt him caress his cheek and wipe away his tears. For the first time in his life, someone spoke like that to him, looked at him right in the eyes as if he was someone and not just a freak. How could Astor's heart escape that? How could he remain unwavering to his promises, to that image of his with those orbs of pure gold, with that hair of deep darkness and the smile of the most charming devil, luring him in so slowly, so carefully?
"You don't have to lie. Why would you ever go that far for me?" Astor asked. No one cared about him before and now this man, the one he knew for so little was promising him all he ever wished for, charmed but not an utter fool there was still a little bell in the back of his mind, one that was surely fading, its sound weakening but for now it was enough, allowing him to speak his hazy mind.
"You have no idea what I would do if it meant I would be able…." he began saying his words more passionately than before when he stopped as if someone had placed an invisible hand over his mouth. "Come on, I will take you to the car. It would be best if you return home, Niss and Nash are waiting." he told him and started walking, Astor struggling a bit to catch up with his fast pace.
Again the young werewolf was burning up, every inch of his body on fire, with every piece of his heart asking for more. He looked at his wide back in awe, a blush appearing on his pale cheeks and his eyes widened in realization.
Did he…like Ren? He wondered.