Chapter 7
"I know that something is bothering up but I can't figure out what it is," Scarlet was trying to explain the situation to Cress while prepping for dinner. "We talk a lot and he seems to cheer up but every once in awhile I find him looking pained. I don't know. One minute he's sad and the next he's okay."
Cress was sitting on the counter, listening intently. She was sipping coffee that Scarlet had just finished brewing. "Do you think he's still upset with his appearance?" Cress asked earnestly.
Scarlet sighed, "I don't think so. I mean, maybe deep down it still upsets him but he seems to understand that I still think he's ridiculously handsome."
"Well that's true," Cress replied without hesitation.
Scarlet's head snapped in Cress' direction, "What's true?"
Cress' cheeks turned pink, she realized what she had said. "Uhm, that he's still really handsome."
Scarlet raised an eyebrow at her and Cress elaborated. "I mean, his features are a little…fiercer. But…Well…He's always been handsome. And he pretty much looks the same now, he's just a bit, broader."
Scarlet laughed. "Don't get any ideas, Cress, he's still mine," She said pointing a wooden spoon at her. Cress giggled.
"Okay," Cress continued as Scarlet returned to the food, "Has anything else changed?"
Scarlet shook her head, "I told you about the nightmares right?" Cress nodded and Scarlet told her everything. How they had been really bad at first, how he accidentally hit her, how she spent countless hours reassuring him that it had been okay, and how things had started to get better. "I don't think he's fully forgiven himself and I don't know what I can say that will help."
Cress was staring down at the floor, she looked sullen. "Maybe he's afraid he'll loose control again." Scarlet stopped what she was doing. "He's probably just afraid it will happen again. But I don't know how much longer I can keep having the same conversation, you know?" Scarlet crossed over to Cress. "Are you okay?" She asked.
Tears were welling up in Cress' eyes, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to get teary. This just reminded me of when I shot Thorne."
"Oh Cress, I'm so sorry," Scarlet said.
Cress shook her head, "No it's okay. I think I understand his feelings. Hurting the one person you love, it's not something you get over. Even if it's not permanent damage, it can still be very hard to forgive yourself."
Scarlet hugged her, "Cress you did what you had to. And Thorne's okay."
Cress smiled, "I know. And he feels just as bad about hurting me. Worse actually. He beats himself up a lot too. The most we can do is reassure each other, but we still have bad days. I expect Wolf will always have bad days too. I'm sure he blames himself for a lot of things." Scarlet looked down at her missing pinky. Cress continued, "All you can do is be there for him." Scarlet nodded and they hugged again. "You're right, you're absolutely right."
Suddenly they heard a grunt and something hitting the house. Wolf came through the back door, slamming it behind him.
"Ze'ev?" Scarlet called, "What's wrong?" But Wolf ignored her and continued through the house and out the front door, slamming that one too.
"Where's Thorne?" Cress asked as she jumped down from the counter.
Before either of them could leave the kitchen, Thorne came through the back door holding his stomach. They both ran to meet him, Cress getting there first.
"What happened?" Cress asked, "Are you okay?"
"Fine, fine," Thorne groaned, "He just punched me, that's all."
"What? Why?" Scarlet asked as they both helped him into the kitchen and into a chair.
Thorne shook his head, "Probably something I said."
Scarlet immediately started putting her boots on, determined to go after him. But Cress put a hand on her shoulder stopping her. "Let me go," she said. Scarlet frowned, she knew Wolf was upset and was sure that he needed her.
"Please, Scarlet," Cress continued, "I think I can help him."
Scarlet sighed. She knew Cress was right. She nodded and Cress smiled before running out the front door.
"Why is Cress going?" Thorne asked. Scarlet turned to him, Thorne's face was full of concern. He certainly didn't like the idea of Cress going after the wolf-human hybrid that just knocked the wind out of him. Scarlet sat down feeling helpless.
"She thinks she can talk some sense into him," Scarlet finally answered.
Thorne still looked tense.
"Don't worry," Scarlet said, "Ze'ev wouldn't hurt Cress." Thorne relaxed a little. "What did you say to him anyway?"
"Spades," was all Thorne could say.
"Really Thorne, what did you say to him?" Scarlet wasn't just going to let him off the hook. But Thorne remained silent, avoiding her stare. "Right," Scarlet continued, "He just punched you for no reason?"
"No," Thorne grumbled, "I just don't think I deserved it."
Scarlet rolled her eyes, "I'm sure."
