Chapter Forty-One: Life Bites Back

Celeste:

Playing with my leg, the metal had devoured my knee. Disgust wrinkled my nose, the pale pink rays of dawn bathed our bedroom. How dare he take my leg away! Strong arms curled around my bump, his lips brushing against the nape of my neck. Of course I accepted his explanation without doubt. Dread bubbled in my stomach, Dr. Benston would be giving me a prenatal check up today. This was the last thing I needed today.

"Celly, I love you." He groaned huskily, rubbing my bump. "You are so damn sexy this morning." Low growls rumbled in my throat, my hands slapping him away. Quiet snarls met my reaction, his hand wrapping around my wrist. Ripping it out, my trembling hands pulled on a random bra and a pale orange cotton summer dress. My face fell on the remaining boot, a steady stream of curse words flooded from my lips. Throwing the other one into the wall, the mirror shattered upon impact. Novi hung back, the clanging of my metal foot irritated me. My hair was already gone and now my foot. Sinking to the floor, tears streamed silently down my cheeks. Freak, I was even more of a freak.

"I am going on a walk." I uttered simply, Novi's protests falling on deaf ears."Or maybe I will be getting a new pair of boots. Not that they will hide anything." Sliding on my white flats, Onyxio waited outside the door. Unnecessarily dark words rested on the tip of my tongue.

"I appreciate you saving my life but I kind of hate you right now." I snapped hotly, regretting my words. Sliding down the banister, the car keys jingled in my fingers. Snatching my purse, I needed to go on a hike. Novi called out for me to stop, his pleas once again falling on deaf ears. Plopping into the driver's seat, the sound of the seat belt clicking increased my anxiety. Barely able to put the key in, the engine roared to life. The gates opened for me, the tires squealing as I pulled out. Teardrops blurred my vision, my free hand wiping my tears away. Why did I have to be such a mess? Something felt off, the dread bubbled in my gut. Red and blue lights flickered in the distance, the trail head was flooded with cops. Backing up, dirt crunched underneath my tires as I rolled onto the road. Trees flashed by my window, the deli coming into view. Turning off the engine, the bell rang the moment I stepped in. A deflated expression haunted my face, the plastic stool hissed as I sat down. His old man ran up to the counter, his smile falling at the sight of me. The other patrons stared at my leg, my fury growing worse. Tapping my toe on the bottom rung, he scooted around the counter. His hair was tugged into a ponytail, his white t-shirt hugged his torso.

"I am taking my lunch." He called out, the other workers shooting a thumbs up. "You can come with me to the back." Hooking his elbow around mine, he sat me down in the break room. The chaos of the kitchen dulled the depressing thoughts floating in my head, one of his coworkers coming over with two bowls of chicken tortilla soup. Big pieces of chicken floated around, yellow corn bobbing to the surface. Nausea wracked my stomach, the stench smelling fouler than a pile of poop.

"I wanted to take a hike but the cops were there. I have an ugly leg when I am not that attractive to begin with. Life surely hates me." I ranted softly, a single teardrop shattering the surface of the soup. "Do you think my leg is ugly?" Chuckling softly to himself, his palm pressed against my bump. A kick fluttered against the surface, his quiet smile relaxed my frayed nerves.

"That kick tells me everything I need to know. You are okay." He assured me sweetly, ruffling my hair. "You are one of the saddest people I know, alas it's understandable. Every trial you have been put through led you to this cross road. At least you didn't hide in your bed this time and came to someone. If it makes you feel better, I think your leg makes you look awesome." Embarrassment burned my cheeks, the complement not really helping. His hands guided mine to my bump, his hands cupping mine.

"I wouldn't have anyone else be my daughter-in-law. No, you are the daughter I wish I always had." He continued with his trademark comforting smile. "Those children in there need you. Genovi needs you. He was miserable before he met you. He is probably fuming right now. You did take his car which he earned with his money. Have you thought of buying your own car?" The thought had occurred to me a couple of times, the guilt gnawing at me. Leaning back into his chair, he leaned on his hand. The deli went silent, a furious Novi marched to the back.

"I love you with every part of my heart but taking my car was too far!" He roared thunderously, my spoon quivering in my hands. "You can't just run off without protection!" Jumping to my feet, the soup smashed to the floor. Brushing past him, a fight was the last thing I needed right now. Throwing him his keys, my temper flared up. Fucking Christ, this was happening too much.

"I don't care." I retorted numbly, flipping him off. "I will walk home at this point. You can shove your foot up your ass. Oh wait! I forgot I have one real leg because a dickhead wolf had to poison my other leg. Also, are the police currently investigating my bloody mess? I bet right now they are holding the head of the guy I brutally killed after I smashed a vampire's head into a pulp. I realize these are situations I pulled myself into and the hole I dug keeps getting deeper and deeper. Every claw back to the surface results in me falling back down because my ladder is gone. Your mother was my ladder and I hadn't felt stable since. Then I had Saint, and he sacrificed himself to save my stupid ass! My stupid ass! I am committing villainous behavior that isn't me. Have a nice day." Folding my arms across my chest, the glass rattled away in its square with my powerful door slam. Walking down the street, a hand cupped my mouth. Jamming my elbow into the attacker's chest, a gruff groan echoed behind me. Shock rounded my eyes, a dagger quivered in my side. Gunshots popped behind me, my flats ruining my ability to run. Hiding behind a tree, I kicked off my flats. Crashing into the wounds, an electrical pain jolted my body. Leaning against the tree, the hunters surrounded me. A cold muzzle pressed into the back of my head, my face paling. My vision blurred, rough darkness enveloping me.

Yawning groggily, chains rattled with my protest. A migraine throbbed violently, the silver cage shimmered in the swinging yellow light. Crooked pipes hung out of crumbling brick walls, big black boots thumped deliberately into the flickering light. A scarred face hovered inches from mine, his werewolf scent sickened me. A twisted grin spread cheek to cheek, his claw tracing my cheek. My heart sank, it was Alpha Regan. Our union had been promised by my father, my face paling. His viscous streak was well known, clammy sweat drenching my skin. His cold steel gray eyes glittered with malice, his oily dark gray hair hung over his left eye.

"I am going to make you my bride." He bragged haughtily, my inner wolf cowering with me. His claw digging into my cheek, my blood soaking my cheek. Hearing the ear shattering scrape of his claw against my fang sickened me, my blood painting his face the moment he yanked it out. Nothing, I could say nothing. Unlocking the door, he dragged me out onto the floor. Pressing his heel on the top of my head, the concrete felt cool against my forehead. Fight back, I pleaded to my inner wolf. Her head shook, my fingers digging at the floor.

"You will bow down to me." He growled through gritted teeth, my inner wolf not allowing me to fight back. "I had expected more of a fight from the infamous Celeste. We can help your kids together. How does that sound?" Picking me up by my throat, tears welled up in my eyes. Despair dimmed my eyes, his lips smashing against mine roughly. Grimacing, he pinned me to the wall. Cutting off my dress with his claw, the fabric floated to the floor. Horror paralyzed me, his pants falling to his feet. Folding me over the desk, shrill screams burst from my lips the moment he jammed himself in. Copper poisoned my taste buds, each rough buck sending me back to when I was living back home.

"Help!" I cried out desperately, violent sobs wracking my body. "Help!" Shoving a filthy cloth in my mouth, my blood painted it ruby. Giving up, a numb look washed over me. Finishing up, my body slid down to the floor. Two days passed like this, my mental state on the brink. Half of me wanted to be dead, the other half picturing Novi's smile in the perfect ray of sunlight. My heart ached for him and his warm embrace. His empty footfalls sent me scurrying to the corner, my hands raised. How pathetic!

"Let's be a good girl." He ordered sharply, picking me up by my hair. "You have been such a wonderful toy." Shouts echoed down the hall, Novi and his old man burst into the room. Dropping me to the floor, my body refused to move. Crawling away, his boot slammed into my head. The crack of my skull shattered the evening air, Onyxio blocked his next attack. His dual blades blocked every bullet, Novi marched up behind him. Curling his hand around his neck, the crack of his neck snapping only made me cry harder. Cupping the sides of my head, his body crashed down in front of me. His cloudy eyes haunted me, Novi attempting to hold me. Slapping his hands away, a realization dawned over his face. My lips parted to speak, the words refused to come out.

"Did he rape you?" He stammered out brokenly, a raw fury burned in his eyes. "I am so sorry but we couldn't find you. There was no trace of you." Attempting to stand up, my legs gave out on me. Novi caught me in his arms, shame dimming my eyes. Breaking the chains, my fingers gripped his shirt. Burying my head into his chest, time slowed. He had been right about me not being safe alone, and I only stressed him out. Everything was my fault! Why couldn't I just be okay?

"I'm so sorry." I repeated over and over again, his lips brushing the top of my head. Getting into the back of his car, his father crashed into the driver's seat. A numb expression haunted his worn features, the steering wheel groaned underneath his strengthening grip. Novi pulled a blanket over my quivering body, his lips brushing against the top of my head. Bright lights blinded me, Novi pulling the blanket over my head. Listening to the tires on the road soothed me, his hand rubbing my back. Disgusting, I must be disgusting to him. Tears soaked his dark jeans, his free hand sliding down to my bump. An eternity passed of burdened silence, Novi carrying me up to the bathroom. Setting me down on the toilet, he began to draw a bath. Claws extended from my fingernails, my eyes falling on my filthy skin. Scratching at the top of my hands, more than my skin felt dirty. I wanted to scrub for hours until my skin was gone. His hands cupped mine, a worn Novi attempting to comfort me.

"I am sorry that I got violated." I blurted out desperately, his teardrops soaking the top of my hands. "I am such a f-" Clutching me close to his chest, my arms hung limply by my side. A numbness came over me, his touch felt foreign.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you. We are both a mess." He stuttered anxiously, trying not to upset me further. Standing to my feet, he stepped back. The uncertainty showed in his eyes, a permanent frown had been plastered on his face. A dark shadow poisoned his aura, nothing had been said between us.

"Can you go?" I asked politely, hesitation deepening his frown. "Please. I promise I won't kill myself." Putting his hands up, he backed out of the room. Stepping into the tub, a panic came over me. Scrubbing until my skin was screaming in protest, it still didn't fix anything. Sinking under the water, bubbles floated to the surface. Exhaustion hung on my eyelids, sweet slumber stealing me away.

The waves of the ocean smashed me around, my lungs burned for more air. His filthy hands pulled me down, a silent scream released a flood of bubbles. Every attempt to claw my way the surface only pulled me deeper into the water.

"Let me go!" I shouted with my last breath, a strong hand shattering the surface. Ripping me out, a warmth bathed me.

Air flooded into my lungs, a desperate Novi clung me to his chest. Coughing water onto his shoulder, water pooled around us. His sobs echoed in my ears, my arms hung limply by my side. Do something! Say something! Why couldn't I do anything but freeze up?

"Don't you do that again!" He pleaded with frustration, refusing to let me go. "I can't lose you! I can't lose you! From now on you will never be alone again. Ever! Not until I know you are okay. Do you understand?" Nodding numbly, he kissed the top of my head. Lifting up my chin, he attempted to kiss me. The image of that monster kissing me made my head turn away. Hurt burned in his eyes, fresh tears flowed from my eyes. Having him hold me felt wrong, the last couple of days feeling like betrayal to our relationship.

"I slept with another man and you still wish to touch me?" I questioned through a wall of tears, his head shaking. "I betrayed our relationship. I am disgusting and filthy. I am a monster who doesn't deserve you." Burying my head into the nape of his neck, his light laughter stunned me.

"Not like you had a choice. We can work through this." He assured me lovingly, drying me off. "I did mean that you won't be alone for a while. I don't need you jumping off of another building. Shit, what happened to your cheek?" A faint scar remained where my cheek had been cut open, my lips pressed into a thin line.

"I understand. I simply fell asleep while putting my head under the water." I uttered anxiously, Novi's lip curling into a faint smile. "Did I make Dr. Benston mad? I don't want to make anyone mad. I did fuck up quite a bit." Smiling sadly to myself, a long sigh escaped his lips. Jumping to my feet, I went straight to my coping mechanisms of taking care of everyone else. Shove this down so no one knows how much I am hurting.

"Can I cook you dinner?" I pleaded with a nervous smile, my eyes falling on the morning rays. "I meant breakfast. I promise I won't leave, 'kay." Pounding out to the bathroom, my trembling hands pulling on one of his sweatshirts. Being wrapped in his scent helped my fraying nerves, my fingers playing with the hem. Novi stepped out of the bathroom, his composure slipping by the second. Running out of the room before he could protest, my body smashed into Dr. Benston. His brow raised in response, his hand pointing to the ultrasound machine in the living room.

"You missed your appointment a couple days ago." He informed me briskly, guiding me to the living room. "I don't expect you to talk about your past couple of days, so let's check on your twins." Admitting defeat, my head bowed in shame. Novi wandered in with a fresh suit, the distant look on his face daunting. Laying down on the couch, my hand reached for his. Refusing to take it, hurt sullied my eyes. Lifting up his sweatshirt, a glob of cold goo landed on my bump. Placing the wand on my bump, two smaller babies floated around. Two heartbeats echoed in the room, Novi's face softened at the sight of our twins on the screen. Taking a couple of measurements, he wiped off my bump. Pulling the sweatshirt down, his hand hovered over my heart.

"Your wolf seems to be okay, albeit a little scarred." He continued with a stern gaze, his eyes flitting between the two of us. "Give it a bit and she will allow you to fight soon enough. Even our inner wolves need to heal from time to time. Novi! Cheer up. You have two perfectly healthy twins." Rolling his eyes, his dress shoes clicked away in an angry song.

"Whatever." He grumbled under his breath, my face falling. "Talk to me when I am not in a bad mood. I just experienced a lot and I need to process things without getting into a fight with you." Benston helped me up, concern flashing in his eyes. Smoothing out his baby blue sweater, he gathered his supplies. Leaving without a word, the moment stole any fire that I had left in my eyes. Shaking off my nerves, Tammy popped up next to me. Her hair tickled my face, her eyes glistening with excitement.

"Let's cook some breakfast together." She chirped cheerfully, dragging me into the kitchen. "Don't worry about Novi. He always works through it." Not believing her, she pulled out a carton of eggs. Focusing on her cooking, glass shattered upstairs. Turning towards her, she flashed me a nervous grin.

"I think I broke him." I whimpered frightfully, my legs giving out on me. Thankfully the stool caught me, she began to work with grace. Resting my head on the island, a groggy yawn poured from my lips. Sweet slumber swept me away.