Tall trees loomed overhead, spanish moss clung to their branches and draped like curtains. Everything was quiet and I was alone. A dimly lit house was looming in the distance. I watched as the lights shining through the windows of the old house flickered out and washed everything around it in darkness. I followed the light of the stars and moved slowly toward the house. It felt like it took forever just to reach the front door but once I did, I pushed my way inside. This place felt familiar but I couldn't place why. Once inside the old home, I glanced around allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I could see nothing, the only sound in the room was coming from my left. Something was growling and gnashing its teeth. Fear washed over my body, as there in the darkness, was a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring straight in my direction. A howl pierced through the night.
That's when I awoke with a jolt. I struggled to catch my breath as I sat up in bed and tried to piece together what had just happened. I sighed a sigh of relief when I realized that it had only been a nightmare. The relief I felt was short lived though once I remembered that I had been talking with Raphael before waking up from the apparent nightmare. My head was aching, and I was trying desperately to remember what had happened.
Raphael was here after avoiding me for way too long, he told me about Mona making him choose between me and her…
Suddenly, it clicked. I had lost my temper and the wolf had completely taken over. I started to panic as I reached for my phone. I needed to check on him, make sure everything is okay and that I didn't hurt him or anyone else. I quickly pressed his name on my phone and it started ringing. It rang continuously, so I hung up when after several rings, he didn't pick up. I tried calling again and again but to no avail. My worry was wracking my whole body with fear. So as quick as I could I raced out of my room and into the hallway of the apartment. It was quiet and dark throughout our home and it eerily reminded me of the nightmare that woke me up. I flipped on the hall light and the living room light. It seemed that I was alone. I began to wonder how long I had been out this time as I glanced around at the open space of the living room. The bookcase that normally sat next to the couch was gone as well as the coffee table. I assumed those pieces did not survive my wolfing out.
I walked to Whitley's door and lightly knocked. There was no answer, so I knocked again, just a little louder this time. She never came to the door, so I was left to assume that she was staying with Leo. I was beginning to worry that maybe everyone is too afraid to stay with me now. Not that I could blame them if they are. Shit, I'd be afraid to live with a werewolf too.
Feeling defeated I trudged back to my room and lay down on my bed. I wasn't necessarily tired but I wasn't sure what to do with myself. My thoughts are racing too fast and my heart is nearly beating out of my chest. I pulled my phone back out and put Stevie Nicks on spotify. If anything could calm me down and help me think, it was her music. As the song Sorcerer filled the room I scrolled though the text log between Raphael and myself. It was still so hard for me to comprehend that he would choose Mona over me. The undeniable spark between the two of us was almost too much for me to bare. The love I feel for him is crushing me with the weight of it. I had to remind myself of how selfish I was being. Throughout my entire relationship with Raph, I've let it be known that I had no interest in pursuing a full romantic relationship. That's what he wanted so he went for it with a girl that was willing.
The rest of the night I lay in my dark room having a pity party for myself while rereading texts. Thoughts of his touch on my skin made me ache with loneliness. So as the morning sun began to rise, I numbed myself to it. Just as I had numbed myself to the pain of losing my mother so unfairly. Steeling myself, I left the confines of my room and began to get ready for the day. I took a quick glance at my reflection in the mirror. My usual gaunt face stared back at me from the glass.
Shrugging, I grabbed my purse and exited the building. Maybe going to work would be a helpful distraction.
Lush wasn't open yet, so I'd technically be working for free. I just really wanted to get out of the apartment for a while and being too afraid to go back to the sewers, it was honestly the only place I could think to go. I let myself in to the dark building from the back alley, to my surprise there was a light shining just beyond the door to Whitley's office.
I knocked twice before hearing her say 'come in' from beyond the wooden door.
"Hey, Whit." I stated as I walked into the warm brightly lit room.
She paused momentarily, the look of shock evident on her face. I must have been the last person she expected to see.
"Sarah, I didn't know you had woken up yet." She replied as she stood from her desk and embraced me in a hug.
"I woke up last night. I was surprised to be alone in the apartment."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I spent the night with Leo last night. I thought for sure you would have been out for much longer. You poor thing, that shift really did a number on you. Raphael said you stopped breathing for two minutes after you shifted back to human." Her eyes were filled with worry as she regarded me.
"I quit breathing?" I was bewildered, "I actually feel great. It's kind of scary how strange I feel. Like I feel sort of numb." I shrugged and her face fell.
"You feel numb? Sarah…that's not…" Her voice faltered in her throat as she couldn't find the right words to say.
"It's okay Whitley, seriously please don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine. I've lived through worse."
The look of concern didn't leave her face but she decided to change the subject at least, "You're not going to believe what has all transpired in the couple days you were out."
"What? Tell me." My heart started to race a little. Had they found other wolves or something?
"Well, it seems that the purple dragons and the foot clan have taken to hunting werewolves. We can't exactly figure out why, but they have recently started using the Hawthorne weapons and a few men have turned up dead with silver bullets in their heads."
"So, I'm going to have to be extra careful. There is no way I plan on letting this mutt inside me get the best of me. I will fight tooth and nail to stay myself." I felt confidence when I spoke. I think the feeling of being numb to Raphael will help keep the beast at bay. However, I'm not sure I will be able to stay 100% unphased when I see him with her.
"Is Raphael okay?" I finally asked after a minute of silence.
"He seems okay now, but that night he was really shaken. He had to fight you and you almost won." Whitley calmly explained.
"I hope he doesn't hate me now." I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes. I was ashamed that I had let it happen at all.
"Sarah, he will get over it. Seriously, I think at this point he is just more concerned in helping to find a cure."
"I hope you're right." Was my response.
The day passed by rather slowly. Even with the busy night at work, the afternoon and into midnight dragged on endlessly. There was nothing for me to look forward to at the end of the night. No late-night rendezvous with my favorite turtle. As I absentmindedly mixed drinks my thoughts drifted once more to our heated kisses in his bed. How one touch from him could make me shiver with delight. How would I even move on from that? There would never be another man that could make me melt the way he could. The thought was rather disappointing. Sex used to be fun, but now I was beginning to wonder if I would ever want it again since I couldn't be with the one I desired.
Before I knew it, it was time to close. After doing my nightly duties, I locked up and started the walk back to the apartment. Whitley walked with me, It was nice to have her company after being plagued by my own thoughts the whole night.
"How is Leonardo? How is wedding planning?" I asked, willing myself to think of something other than Raphael.
"He's doing well, he's been absent more than I'd like lately." She frowned, "But he's committed to helping find answers as well as helping to keep the city safe. As far as wedding planning, it's stressful as hell." She laughed a little. "I'm just ready to be married already."
"I'm sure. You know if you need help with anything, I'm more than happy to assist. The last time we sat down and planned was actually fun." I couldn't believe I was saying that but doing a happy task like planning a wedding amongst all this chaos would actually be good for me.
"Well if you aren't busy on your next day off maybe you can help me look at wedding colors? I can't seem to make up my mind." She replied with a small yawn. "I can't wait to fall in bed tonight."
"Me too. I just hope I'm able to sleep tonight."
"Luckily for me, my warm green guy should be in my bed as of now." Her smile stretched from ear to ear at the thought.
"That should make for a good night's sleep then." I spoke with a wink.
She winked back and laughed as she turned the key to the apartment and let us both in.
"Well, good night Sarah. I'll see you in the morning. I'm sure I don't have to say do not disturb for tonight." She grinned and giggled and I laughed too.
I heard her bedroom door close as I grabbed a beer from the fridge. It had been a long day and I was just more than ready to wind down for the night. Maybe I could finally finish one of the many books I had started and never completed.
My bed was cold when I slid under the covers. With my beer and a book in my hand I was ready to try and induce sleep. With any luck after reading a couple chapters and drinking a little I would drift off into a dreamless slumber. I wanted to avoid having a nightmare as much as possible, it seemed that since becoming a wolf I haven't had a decent night's sleep. My resting mind was constantly plagued with nightmares that I couldn't seem to remember the next day. I was halfway through the 6th chapter when I felt my phone vibrate next to me. I looked to see who it was from.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw Raph's name light up on the screen.
His text read, 'I hope you're okay. If you're awake please let me know and I'll come talk to you in person.'
I texted back as fast as my fingers would allow, 'I'm awake, you can come now if you'd like. I can't sleep anyway.'
His response came back almost as quick as I had sent mine, 'Be there soon.'
I didn't bother to put my bra or pants back on. The oversized t-shirt I was wearing concealed everything, so when he slid through my open window, he looked a little taken aback at my lack of pants.
"What, it's not like it's nothing you've never seen before." I replied.
"I just wasn't expectin to see ya wearin practically nothin." He stated as he looked me up and down.
Completely ignoring what he said I responded, "I'm so sorry I lost control of my emotions. I hope I didn't hurt you." My words came out in a rush.
"You didn't hurt me but ya did scare the shell out of me." I relaxed a little at the sound of his lighthearted tone.
I couldn't control my own body as I basically crashed my body into his with a tight hug. He was quick to embrace me back and before I knew what was happening, I had tears streaming from my eyes.
He lifted my chin to meet his gaze, "Why are you cryin." His voice was a mixture of amusement and concern.
"I just missed you so much." I sniffled as he smiled at me. "I was so worried all day when I couldn't get ahold of you. I thought you hated me."
"Hate you? I could never hate you." His eyes softened.
I closed the distance between us as our lips pressed together. He did not pull away, he only kissed me back with an urgency. My body surged with electricity at the feel of his touch.
Gently, he lay me down on the bed and then he was on top of me, our kisses becoming even more heated.
"I want you." I whispered. My own voice, thick with lust, surprised me.
That seemed to be all he needed to hear in that moment. He seemed to lose any self-restraint that might have been lingering as he tore my panties off my body. Within a matter of moments my shirt was off and he was inside me. Our love making felt long overdue. Each of us relishing in the feel of the others body.
It was over too soon though, when the sound of a knock at my bedroom door interrupted us.
A/N: Sorry for the LONG overdue chapter and thanks to anyone still here to read it! Also sorry for any grammar flaws, I'm a little rusty. I had a baby and my life has been pretty consumed with him so I haven't really had time or energy to write. Basically I'm rusty, so please go easy on me. Next chapter should hopefully be up in a couple weeks.