After the conversation with Deucalion Kim had no other choice but to go back to Peter's and pack her things. She didn't want to tell him the truth yet, so even though he was asking her why she was nervous the woman only shook her head and went back to packing her clothes into the suitcase. Talking would have made everything worse and she hated it. She hated herself for acting like this.
When Peter put his hand on her shoulder she only shrugged it off. "No, don't... don't touch me."
He had enough because he roughly grabbed her arm and turned her around to make her look at him. "What's going on?" he asked seriously.
"Nothing, I'm just-" she started but didn't know what to say next. "I need some space so I'll stay in a hotel for a few days," she lied.
"Kim, talk to me."
"I can't do this."
"What? Stop talking in riddles, damn it," Peter snapped at her angrily.
Kim sat on the edge of the bed, soon followed by the man who pushed the suitcase aside to sit next to her. She was staring at her hands, looking for the best way to fill him in. "I can't stay around you because if I do, he'll kill you," she said quietly.
"He as in Deucalion?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"He wants to separate you from us so you can't help?"
"He wants to separate me from you, Peter."
Peter turned to her with a frown. He seemed a bit confused and she couldn't blame him for that. "Why would he want that?"
"Because he's kinda obsessive at the moment when it comes to me," she said.
"Did I miss something?"
There were so many things she could say to explain the situation, to make him understand that she was just as confused as he was. Part of him still loved Duke and it would probably stay this way for the rest of her life, but her relationship with Peter was now mature. Sex wasn't the only thing that worked between them and there were no doubts about the relationship, whether or not it had the possibility to last.
"All I'm saying is," she started slowly, "that I can get close to him and, if Deaton is right, he couldn't hurt me, even if he wanted to. You guys need information and maybe I can get, but I'll need to stay away from you."
Peter didn't say anything but his expression told her the only thing he wanted to say was something like 'bullshit'. His blue eyes were watching her and she wondered if he was planning to blink at all in the near future. "That's not gonna happen," he finally stated.
"Peter, please," she said with a sigh.
Once again her words were followed by silence but at least now it didn't last long because he leaned forward and kissed her with his hand around her neck. "If anything happens, you'll call me right away." She nodded. "Okay, let's finish packing and I'll give you a ride to his place."
Her brain knew it better than her heart. In a nanosecond the command shot through her entire body, making her stiffen and freeze in fear. Deucalion was a predator, a psychopath who killed everyone who got into his way. But her heart kept whispering, telling her he wouldn't hurt her while also recalling Deaton's words about being the Alpha's mate.
Hopefully it would only take a couple of days until she finally found a way to get out of the penthouse for good. The entire situation was fucked up since it had been Deucalion himself who once advised her to give that guy a try and go on a proper date with him. The guy whose name was Peter Hale and who she met during a concert he attended with Laura and Derek.
And now there they were, Deucalion threatening her with Peter's life so she would stay with him. It was insane and irrational but there was nothing she could do. She wanted Peter to be safe and she also understood that Deucalion only wanted to keep her around to make sure she was okay. Kim looked around but there was no sign of anyone else being at home. Her heartbeat or breathing probably gave her because the Alpha took a step closer to her and put a hand on her back.
"Take a deep breath and try to calm down, Kimberly," he said calmly as he leaned down. "We are alone for now."
"Oh, good to know," she replied sarcastically before stepping away from him. "That really makes me feel better."
Deucalion let out a tired sigh. "You're safe," he told her, not moving from his previous spot. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. The only reason why I don't want you around-"
"If you dare to bring up Peter, Duke, I'm leaving."
He didn't say anything so Kim nodded and left to the room she was staying in. When she had stepped into the penthouse he told her he would leave for a few hours in the evening and her plan was now to hide in her room until it was safe to come out. Very mature, she knew, but at the moment this was the only idea she had: taking a book out of her bag and reading until she heard the front door closing.
After Deucalion left that evening, Kim sat down in the kitchen with a cup of coffee and some cereal, her elbows resting on the counter as she stared out of the window. She enjoyed the silence and wished it would stay this way. Just a little longer; long enough to figure out what to do now. Even though she felt better around Deucalion than she had a few hours ago, Peter's absence created a weird void in inside her.
Kim glanced down at her phone trying to decide whether or not she should call him, but before she could do anything someone sat on the barstool next to her. It was Aiden and she couldn't help but stiffened because of his presence. He flashed a strange smile at her. She would have sworn he was trying to be nice.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said. "You're important to him so I don't think he would appreciate it and he told us that you'll stay for a while. You know, I've known him for a while now but I don't remember seeing him be this concern about someone."
The teenager rested his chin on his hands as he watched her. Kim took a sip of her coffee before saying, "I'm getting real tired of his concern. How did you two meet him?" she asked to change the subject.
Aiden took a deep breath then reached for the box of cereal she left on the counter. "He taught us how to stand out for ourselves and how to protect ourselves from our previous pack," he explained quietly. "Ever since we joined his pack Deucalion has been looking out for us."
"Sounds like him," she noted with a small laugh.
"What about you?"
"He knew my father. Duke was obviously the only Alpha around and my dad shared his ideas about a world where hunters and werewolves don't necessarily have to kill each other. Anyway, I went for a run one night when I was seventeen and as a foolish teenager I took the full moon a little bit lightly."
It was the full moon but Kim didn't take it too seriously. They hadn't had werewolf problems lately; no raging Betas or Omegas could be found this time of the month so she went for a run to fill her lungs with the chilly late night air without the slightest hint of worry. Mile after mile she felt better and got perfectly lost in the music she was listening to, the steady beat helping her through the moment when she wanted to give in to the pain in her leg.
But she went on, running on the dimly lit street with her eyes and mind focusing on the route she had planned before starting. Kim didn't notice anything because for her the streets were empty. Then suddenly something pushed her side so hard she fell on the rough asphalt, the earplugs coming out of her ear so she heard the deep growl from way too close.
A werewolf; its eyes turned to Kim again with the bright yellow glow and even after years of training, her body froze out of the most basic survival instinct. She wasn't used to facing Betas, not like this, since her father had always told her the only Alpha around was keeping his Betas in control. Maybe it's an Omega, she thought as she managed to make her body move, crawling backwards to build some distance between them.
The werewolf took a step closer and the growls became deeper and fiercer. She was about to attack and Kim had nothing with her she could use as a weapon. Every single moment felt like an eternity, her heartbeat became so fast and loud that she could not only feel but hear it as well, and the werewolf was slowly walking closer. This was the end, she couldn't survive the attack.
The next thing she knew was the pain she felt when the sharp claws dag deep into her side, the once perfect skin now torn up and bleeding badly as a loud scream escaped her lips. The pain was unbearable and werewolf struck again, but at least this time it ended in a shallow cut on the side of her neck. She opened her mouth and flashed the long canines, ready to attack before a terrifying growl interrupted her.
Kim watched as the werewolf quickly moved away, her yellow eyes set on something across the street. The young hunter followed her gaze and noticed the pair of red eyes which meant the werewolf that attacked her was a Beta. She wanted to move but couldn't because every time she moved even an inch a sharp pain shot through her body thanks to the wound on her side. The Beta quickly ran away when the other members of her pack appeared next to the Alpha.
"Marco, get her and make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else," he gave out the order without hesitation, and the others left to do as he said.
Then he ran over to her, kneeling down and very slowly reaching his hand to take a look at the wound. Kim didn't move and decided to keep watching his face instead of glancing down at her side because she didn't want to throw up and, to be fair, his face was a much better sight at the moment. The Alpha's green eyes found hers for a moment, his eyebrows raised in confusion before he took off his jacket, followed by the shirt he used as a temporary bandage to stop the bleeding. Kim gulped, maybe a little too loud for a werewolf at the sight of his muscular and perfectly toned upper body.
"Enjoying the view?" he asked with a small smirk as he put on his jacket and pulled up the zipper.
"Since my side is bleeding and it hurts as hell, I guess it's safe to say it's one of the best painkiller's I've ever had the fortune to come across," she replied quickly.
He let out a laugh and looked at her side once again. "You'll live," he stated before looking up at her. "Won't you ask me what has just happened here?"
Kim wanted to shrug but it ended in a wince. "A Beta went full-on crazy during the full moon," she replied. "Yeah, I know about werewolves and I'd really, really appreciate if you called my parents or gave me a ride home."
Soon she managed to find her phone and gave it to the werewolf who took it with a questioning look on his face. "What's your name? It wouldn't be bad if I knew before calling your parents."
"I'm Kimberly Thorne, but dial my dad to skip the introduction part of the conversation. And if I remember correctly you're Deucalion."
"Your father is Adrian Thorne?" After she nodded, he went on while his eyes were looking at the small screen. "I knew I've already seen you somewhere."
She watched as he dialed and waited for an answer. Kim tried to keep her eyes open, but her eyelids were too heavy and she was tired, so she slowly lied down on the ground, only to have a few minutes of sleep. That wasn't much. The darkness was so inviting as if it could ease the pain or even take it all away for a while.
"Kim, don't fall asleep! Kim, plea- Adrian," he said when there was an answer from the other end of the line, "it's Deucalion. Kim was attacked by one of my Betas, I'm so sorry... No, she's fine. There's a wound on her side but she'll be okay... I can, but my apartment is much closer and she needs to sleep so she can stay there if you don't mind... Yes, I'll make sure she's okay, don't worry."
Kim kept her eyes closed but she was still awake and heard everything. She heard when the Alpha reached out to carefully scoop her up, telling her that everything will be alright and she can sleep when they got back to his apartment. But she fell asleep almost right away, falling into the inviting and restful darkness.
Author's note: While I was writing the flashback part I came to the conclusion that their past deserves a story of its own. And, of course, it would include what happened with Peter back then. Anyway I hoped you liked it and don't be afraid to tell me what you think.