Damned (Alastor x OC)

Ch 47

She's right, Al, ya look cute.

Alastor's POV

I watched the tears build up behind her eyes after I yelled at her.

Her slightly parted lips met, trembling just barely before she quickly turned away and rushed out of the room.

My growling ceased and I slowly sat back down.

Immediately I felt awful...a heavy weight sitting itself right on my chest. My expression fell, and my head dropped into my hand, a very deep, heavy sigh leaving me in exasperation.

A bitter taste in my mouth made me bring my fingers to my lips. When I pulled them back they were wet, coated in a viscous, black liquid.

My ears lowered slightly and I wiped my mouth off, wanting to rid it of the reminder of what I did.

In my head, I just kept repeating to myself it was for her own good. That I need to be firm with her that my answer was no, and that it was final.

"She needs to learn..." I whispered to myself roughly, gritting my teeth in frustration.

Almost as soon as the words left my mouth my expression fell and my eyes widened. I suddenly recalled a moment in my life from when I was just a child...

**

The sound of my father's belt snapping made fear wind in my chest.

What did I do wrong...I did all my chores...what did I do...

"Henry, don't!" My mother cried, taking his arms in her hands as he tried to approach me.

He spun on her, grabbing her by the throat and backing her up before he shoved her to the ground.

Her body trembled and she cried softly.

"He's your son!" She sobbed, and I just cowered in the corner, tears pooling in my eyes as I hugged my knees close to my chest.

"He needs to learn!" My father growled at her, and then lifted the belt, making her cover her head before he whipped it across her arms, leaving large welts.

She cried out and I broke into tears.

"Mama!" I called for her, and my father turned back to me.

"Let me teach you a lesson, boy," my father said gruffly, approaching me.

But before he could even get two inches, my mother was between him and I, her hands up and trembling.

"I won't let you hurt my son." She said firmly, and he scoffed.

"Fine, woman! Then I'll teach you a lesson, too!" He yelled, raising the belt.

There was a loud snap as he swung down and hit her in the face.

**

Blinking, my hand went over my mouth and my other hand went into my hair, taking the strands between my fingers in a firm grip.

The guilt, the horror, and the ice cold realization of what I just said...

And the utter disgust of who I just reminded myself of...

Suddenly, I was appalled with myself. My teeth clenched hard, and I furrowed my brows before closing my eyes tightly.

I may be stressed...I may be worried about her...but that was no excuse for what I did.

Raising my voice at her like that...what is the matter with me. Who do I think I am, talking to her in such a repulsive and disrespectful manner.

My mother would have me by the ear.