All I Ever Needed

Chapter 34

"Those scars," I whispered, staring at Chase's naked back, "They weren't from just battles were they?"

Chase looked at me over his shoulder, his red eyes still burning bright.

I had found him in our bedroom, his shirt ripped to shreds on the front door of the pack house along with pants and his boxers. He sifted and had went out on a fun-I figured and returned to shower. His naked torso was glistening with water from the shower and his sweatpants were hanging off his hips, displaying his back muscles and back dimples.

"No." He whispered.

I walked across the room to my dresser and grabbed a new set of clothes. Stripping from the quickly I put on the fresh clothes, a big change from the bloodied one I had on earlier.

I took a seat on the edge of the bed, "Were they inflicted by someone close to you?"

Chase fully looked at me then. My messy hair, dirtied body, baggy close, and bruised face. He took a deep breath and but remained where he was, "Aminiti told you." He stated more than questioned.

I nodded my head and watched him. Seeing if he would take a seat next to me, "She told me what she knew. Or so she said," I said, "But ya know, the more I think about it. I'm starting to believe I've been lied to my whole life, especially now."

Chase growled and turned his body, facing me, "Don't act like you're the one being betrayed. I come home, hoping to see you, but only learning that you left and were attacked by demons."

I looked everywhere but him, adverting my eyes towards my bare feet, "I didn't see any arm in returning home to take what was mine."

"That's just the thing," Chase said, shaking, "When someone believes it belongs to them they go out and take it-reasons for several deaths, might I add. You could've have been killed, Annora!" Chase's face fell and he fell to his knees in front of me, "I could've have lost you."

A tear fell from my eye as I bitter my fingers in the back of Chase's head and brought him to my chest, hugging him tightly.

A light sob escaped Chase's lips and his own fingers dug into my back, fighting to keep me close.

"I'm still here, Chase." I mumbled, kissing his forehead.

He remained silent and kept hugging me.

I remembered how he acted at the hospital and pulled his hair so he was facing me. His eyes were blotchy with tears and he looked up at me sadly.

"Zachariah was there in time. He killed the other demon. You should be thanking him instead of being rude."

Chase closed his eyes, as if hurt, "What do you mean other demon? There were two?"

He looked like a little confused boy and it nearly made me smile and laugh. But I remembered the situation and pushed away the humor.

"The only reason that one came after me was because I killed his buddy." I said honestly, running my index finger across his lips.

Chase groaned, "You killed one that was with him? Why, Annora?"

I dropped my head in shame, it was like getting scolded by a teacher-they were asking in a calm matter and it only scared you more, "He was going to set my house on fire."

Chase lifted his head then and his eyes connected with mine. Only then did I notice I had multiple tears streaming downing my face and dripping off my chin. Chase took my face in his hands, his massive fingers swallowing my petite face. He wiped away my tears, "Mi dispiace il mio amore."

I smiled at myself as I began to get what he was telling me. My Italian was getting more proficient in hearing and understanding, but I couldn't speak it-Chase would have to teach me one day.

"After all this is over you're going to have to teach me how to speak your native tongue." I said, taking a total three-sixty on the conversation.

Chase smiled, accepting the topic, "I'll be teaching you a lot of things."

I laughed and scrunched my eyebrows, "Is that double meaning?"

Chase shrugged and opened his mouth to say something but was it off by a loud bang from downstairs. He stood up quickly and shoved me behind his back, awaiting the intruder. It felt like hours, listening to the heavy footsteps of the person climbing the stairs, they sounded confused as they went from door to door, listening for us.

"Is it a werewolf?" I asked Chase.

Chase shook his head and looked at me over his shoulder, "A werewolf would have already found us. Plus, I can't smell this person."

I remembered the demons and how I couldn't smell them, although they looked dingy and dirty I couldn't pick up anything. I wasn't a werewolf, but an average human could pick out a distinct smell. I shivered behind Chase as I imagines the leader of the two demons from my basement looking for us.

The footsteps stopped at out door and a sudden forced knocked the door off its hinges. Chase didn't flinch but I screamed and gripped Chase's back. Standing in our threshold, breathing hard and sweaty was none other than Zachariah.

"The war is spreading. They will be here no more than three hours." His deep voice penetrated the thick tension and caused me to release a breath, at least I wasn't going to die now.